Unified Interior Regions
Washington
Washington's Puget Sound is a complex ecosystem directly adjacent to a robust metropolitan area that scientists from the USGS Western Fisheries Research Center study. Recent surveys have looked at juvenile surf smelt, a key link in the food web that are consumed by predators such as salmon, orca, and many marine birds.
Western Fisheries Research Center
Research at the WFRC focuses on the environmental factors responsible for the creation, maintenance, and regulation of fish populations including their interactions in aquatic communities and ecosystems.
Go to CenterWashington Water Science Center
The Water Science Center's mission is to collect, analyze and disseminate the impartial hydrologic data and information needed to wisely manage water resources for the people of the United States and the State of Washington.
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Conceptual model and numerical simulation of the ground-water-flow system in the unconsolidated deposits of the Colville River Watershed, Stevens County, Washington
Increased use of ground- and surface-water supplies in watersheds of Washington State in recent years has created concern that insufficient instream flows remain for fish and other uses. Issuance of new ground-water rights in the Colville River Watershed was halted by the Washington Department of Ecology due to possible hydraulic continuity of the...
Ely, D. Matthew; Kahle, Sue C. Pesticides detected in urban streams in King County, Washington, 1998-2003
The U.S. Geological Survey and the King County Department of Natural Resources collected water samples from 14 sites on urban streams in King County during storms and during base flow between 1998 and 2003. The samples were analyzed for the presence of 155 pesticides and pesticide transformation products. Thirty-nine of the compounds were...
Frans, Lonna M. Water resources of the Tulalip Indian Reservation and adjacent area, Snohomish County, Washington, 2001-03
This study was undertaken to improve the understanding of water resources of the Tulalip Plateau area, with a primary emphasis on the Tulalip Indian Reservation, in order to address concerns of the Tulalip Tribes about the effects of current and future development, both on and off the Reservation, on their water resources. The drinking-water...
Frans, Lonna M.; Kresch, David L. Ground-Water System in the Chimacum Creek Basin and Surface Water/Ground Water Interaction in Chimacum and Tarboo Creeks and the Big and Little Quilcene Rivers, Eastern Jefferson County, Washington
A detailed study of the ground-water system in the unconsolidated glacial deposits in the Chimacum Creek Basin and the interactions between surface water and ground water in four main drainage basins was conducted in eastern Jefferson County, Washington. The study will assist local watershed planners in assessing the status of the water resources...
Simonds, F. William; Longpre, Claire I.; Justin, Greg B. Sources of mercury in sediments, water, and fish of the lakes of Whatcom County, Washington
Concerns about mercury (Hg) contamination in Lake Whatcom, Washington, were raised in the late 1990s after a watershed protection survey reported elevated concentrations of Hg in smallmouth bass. The U.S. Geological Survey, the Whatcom County Health Department, and the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) cooperated to develop a study...
Paulson, Anthony J. Water, ice, and meteorological measurements at South Cascade Glacier, Washington, balance year 2002
Winter snow accumulation and summer snow and ice ablation were measured at South Cascade Glacier, Washington, to estimate glacier mass balance quantities for balance year 2002. The 2002 glacier-average maximum winter snow balance was 4.02 meters, the second largest since 1959. The 2002 glacier summer, net, and annual (water year) balances were -3....
Bidlake, William R.; Josberger, Edward G.; Savoca, Mark E.
Assessment of smolt condition: Biological and environmental interactions -- The impact of prey and predators on juvenile salmonids
The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has funded the Assessment of Smolt Condition project since 1987. During that time the project changed frequently to meet the information needs of fish managers by conducting studies throughout the Columbia River basin. Past research has examined the influence of smolt physiological development and health...
Sauter, Sally T.; Schrock, Robin M.; Petersen, James H.; Maule, Alec G. Estimated Domestic, Irrigation, and Industrial Water Use in Washington, 2000
Since 1950, the U.S. Geological Survey has published a series of Circulars and other reports on the estimated use of water in the United States at 5-year intervals. This report presents State, regional, and county estimates of the amount of water used for domestic, irrigation, and industrial purposes in the State of Washington during the year 2000...
Lane, R.C. Juvenile and adult fall Chinook and chum salmon habitat studies below Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River. Annual report 2002-2003
We investigated spatial and temporal changes in subyearling fall Chinook salmon rearing habitat and areas dewatered below Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River. We used two-dimensional hydrodynamic modeling to predict water velocity and depth data. By combining two-dimensional hydrodynamic modeling with a predictive model of subyearling rearing...
Tiffan, K.F.; Garland, R.; Rondorf, D.; Skalicky, J. Distribution and relative abundance of fishes in littoral areas of Chief Joseph Reservoir, Columbia River
We surveyed fish assemblages in littoral areas of Chief Joseph Reservoir of the upper Columbia River to aid in understanding this ecosystem. Fish distributions and abundances were examined during April-July 1999 in relation to environmental conditions in the reservoir. We also compared the fish assemblages in Chief Joseph reservoir in 1999 to a...
Gadomski, Dena M.; Venditti, David A.; Robinson, T. Craig; Beeman, John W.; Maule, Alec G. Estimates of fish, spill, and sluiceway passage efficiencies of radio-tagged juvenile salmonids relative to spring and summer spill treatments at John Day Dam in 2003
No abstract available
Hausmann, B.; Beeman, J.; Hansel, H.; Juhnke, S.; Haner, P. Estimates of fish, spill, and sluiceway passage efficiencies of radio-tagged juvenile salmonids relative to the operation of the J-design Sluiceway Guidance Improvement Device at The Dalles Dam in 2002
No abstract available
Hausmann, B.; Beeman, J.; Hansel, H.; Juhnke, S.; Haner, P.
Teachers take a guided walk on the Hummocks Trail at Mount St. Helens
Teachers take a guided walk on the Hummocks Trail, learning about the depositional features of the May 18, 1980 eruption.
Teachers learn about hummocks at Mount St. Helens workshop.
Todd Cullings, with the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, leads teachers in activities they can do with students before hiking the Hummocks Trail.
Collecting Benthic Invertebrates
USGS scientists, Steve Rubin and Karl Stenberg, collecting samples to determine the distribution of benthic invertebrates in the Skagit River delta during an extreme low-tide. Information on the distribution and abundance of invertebrates will help resource managers better understand how fish, such as Chinook salmon use the delta.
Maintenance at the Sep. Lobe Monitoring Station at Mount St. Helens.
The September Lobe monitoring station is part of the network of monitoring stations that detects and reports subtle changes in the volcanic vent area. At 2150 m (about 7100 ft) elevation, maintenance is performed during good weather to keep the station fully functional.
PubTalk 2/2013 — Is "THE IMPOSSIBLE" Possible in the Pacific Northwest
-- Coastal Community Tsunami Hazards and Risk
By Nathan Wood, Geographer
- The movie "The Impossible", currently showing in theaters, portrays the destruction of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami
- Recent tsunami disasters in the Pacific Ocean testify to their destructive power -- are similar events likely in the
Rime ice coats telemetry system at Mount St. Helens.
To monitor volcanoes, scientists rely on remote monitoring equipment that can operate 24-hours a day and 365-days a year to deliver real-time data. When scientists design and install monitoring stations, they must consider the remoteness of sites, terrain, and winter conditions. Here, rime ice coats a telemetry system that transmits data near Mount St. Helens, Washington
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Sample bottles from pump sampler on the Elwha River
Sample bottle carousel from automated ISCO pump sampler deployed on the Elwha River, Washington to obtain suspended sediment samples.
Lakes and drainages within the watershed of Mount St. Helens.
Lakes and drainages within the watershed of Mount St. Helens.
Headscarp of the Red Bluffs landslide in the Columbia Gorge
View upslope to the headscarp of the Red Bluffs landslide, seen from the surface of the Crescent Lake landslide, in the Columbia Gorge.
Colombia–USA Bi-national Exchange
One of the most tragic volcanic events of the 20th century occurred in Colombia, in 1985, when an eruption of Nevado del Ruiz produced lahars that swept down river valleys and destroyed communities in its path. Over 20,000 people perished. Mount Rainier and other volcanoes of the Pacific Northwest’s Cascade Range are similar to Nevado del Ruiz in many respects—massive
Mount St. Helens and the industrial waterfront area of North Portla...
Mount St. Helens and the industrial waterfront area of North Portland, Oregon along the Willamette River in the foreground. Excess sediment from volcanoes can significantly impact river traffic.
Logs Floating in Spirit Lake, Mount St. Helens in the background.
Logs float in Spirit Lake near the Spirit Lake gaging station and outflow tunnel. View is to the south with Mount St. Helens in the background.
Measurements of the volume and rate of flows of the flooding Potomac River will be made on the 14th St. Bridge beginning at about 10:30 a.m. Monday (Sept. 9, 1996) by the U.S. Geological Survey. Measuring efforts by the USGS using special cranes and weights will continue for several hours.
Flood waters are peaking and beginning to recede in the Seattle-Tacoma, Washington, area according to streamflow specialists of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), a science agency of the Department of the Interior.
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Locations
Washington Water Science Center
Phone: (253) 552-1600
Fax: (253) 552-1581
Western Fisheries Research Center (WFRC)
Phone: (206) 526-6282
Fax: (206) 526-6654
USGS Volcano Science Center
Phone: 360-993-8900
Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center
USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO)
vhpweb@usgs.gov
Phone: 360-993-8900
Fax: 360-993-8980
Columbia River Research Laboratory
Phone: (509) 538-2299
Fax: (509) 538-2843
WFRC - Fish Health Program
Phone: 206-526-6282
Fax: 206-526-6654
Marrowstone Marine Field Station
Phone: (360) 385-1007
Fax: (360) 385-7207
Northwest Washington Field Office
Phone: (360) 312-8155 x2001
Fax: (360) 312-8565
Mid-Columbia Field Office
Phone: (509) 735-3739
Fax: (509) 735-3723
Upper Columbia Field Office
Phone: (509) 353-2649
Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center (FRESC) Olympic Field Station
fresc_outreach@usgs.gov
Phone: 360-565-3041
Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center (FRESC) Cascadia Field Station
fresc_outreach@usgs.gov
Phone: 206-616-1874
Fax: 206-685-0790
Contacts
Western Fisheries Research Center
Research at the WFRC focuses on the environmental factors responsible for the creation, maintenance, and regulation of fish populations including their interactions in aquatic communities and ecosystems.
Go to CenterWashington Water Science Center
The Water Science Center's mission is to collect, analyze and disseminate the impartial hydrologic data and information needed to wisely manage water resources for the people of the United States and the State of Washington.
Go to Center