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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Research on Emerging Viruses of Salmonids - HSL
Tribal Relations
Research on Emerging Viruses of Salmonids
Reference Laboratory Service - HSL
Tribal Relations
Reference Laboratory Service
Tribal Relations - Headquarters Seattle Laboratory
Tribal Relations
Fish Health and Fish Ecology Sections
Data Bases - Headquarters, Seattle Laboratory
Aquatic Pathogen Databases
Nucleospora Salmonis - HSL
Fish Diseases
Nucleospora Salmonis
Whirling Disease - HSL
Fish Diseases
Whirling Disease
Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) - HSL
Fish Diseases
Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS)
Spring Viremia of Carp (SVC) - HSL
Fish Diseases
Spring Viremia of Carp (SVC)
Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis (IHN) - HSL
Fish Diseases
Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis (IHN)
Bacterial Kidney Disease (BKD) - HSL
Fish Diseases
Bacterial Kidney Disease (BKD)
Diseases - Headquarters, Seattle Laboratory
Fish Diseases
Diseases of Fish Studied at the Headquarters Seattle Laboratory
Terrestrial invertebrate abundance in the Elwha River estuary, Washington, in 2007 and 2013.
This portion of the data release presents terrestrial invertebrate abundance data from samples collected in emergent and shrub vegetation along the edge of the Elwha River estuary, Washington, in 2007 and 2013 (no associated USGS Field Activities numbers because data were collected predominantly by biologists from the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe). We deployed terrestrial insect fallout trap
Surface-sediment grain-size distributions from the Elwha River delta, Washington, September 2013
This portion of the data release presents sediment grain-size data from samples collected on the Elwha River delta, Washington, in September 2013 (USGS Field Activity W-07-13-PS). Surface sediment was collected from 62 locations using a small ponar, or 'grab', sampler from the R/V Frontier on September 19, 2013 in depths between about 1 and 12 m around the delta. An additional
Continuous and optimized 3-arcsecond elevation model for the United States west coast (32-bit GeoTiff, geographic, NAD83)
Investigations of coastal change and coastal resources often require continuous elevation profiles from the seafloor to coastal terrestrial landscapes. Differences in elevation data collection in the terrestrial and marine environments result in separate elevation products that may not share a vertical datum. This data release contains the assimilation of multiple elevation products into a...
Fish abundance in the Elwha River estuary, Washington, from 2006 to 2014
This portion of the data release presents fish abundance data from samples collected in the Elwha River estuary, Washington, in 2006, 2007, 2013, and 2014 (no associated USGS Field Activities numbers because data were collected predominantly by biologists from the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe). We used the Puget Sound beach seining protocol (Simenstad and others, 1991) to sample
Vessel-mounted acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) data from the mouth of the Columbia River, Oregon and Washington, 2013
Spatial surveys of water column currents were performed between June 14 and 16, 2013, in the mouth of the Columbia River, Oregon and Washington. These data were collected using an acoustic-doppler current profiler (ADCP).
Characterization of seafloor photographs near the mouth of the Elwha River during the first two years of dam removal (2011-2013)
We characterized seafloor sediment conditions near the mouth of the Elwha River from underwater photographs taken every four hours from September 2011 to December 2013. A digital camera was affixed to a tripod that was deployed in approximately 10 meters of water. Each photograph was qualitatively characterized as one of six categories: (1) base, or no sediment; (2) low sediment;
Surface-sediment grain-size data from the mouth of the Columbia River, Oregon and Washington, 2013
This portion of the USGS data release presents sediment grain-size data from samples collected from the mouth of the Columbia River, Oregon and Washington, in 2013. Surface sediment was sampled using a small ponar, or 'grab', sampler on May 9, 2013 from the F/V Cape Windy at 3 locations. A handheld global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver was used to determine the lo
Vegetation habitat units derived from 2014 aerial imagery and field data for the Elwha River estuary, Washington
Estuary vegetation cover delineated from 28 August 2014 0.15-meter-resolution NPS Elwha PlaneCam aerial imagery at a scale of 1:1500.
Vegetation habitat units derived from 2012 aerial imagery and field data for the Elwha River estuary, Washington
Estuary vegetation cover delineated from 30 August 2012 0.15-meter-resolution NPS Elwha PlaneCam aerial imagery at a scale of 1:1500.
Nearshore bathymetry data from the Elwha River delta, Washington, September 2013, collected from personal watercraft
This part of the data release presents bathymetry data from the Elwha River delta collected in September 2013 using two personal watercraft (PWCs). The PWCs were equipped with single-beam echosounders and survey-grade global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers.
Topography data from the Elwha River delta, Washington, March 2013
This part of the data release presents topography data from the Elwha River delta collected in March 2013. Topography data were collected on foot with global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers mounted on backpacks.
Topography data from the Elwha River delta, Washington, September 2010
This part of the data release presents topography data from the Elwha River delta collected in September 2010. Topography data were collected on foot with global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers mounted on backpacks.
Capture of white sturgeon larvae downstream of The Dalles Dam, Columbia River, Oregon and Washington, 2012
Wild-spawned white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) larvae captured and reared in aquaculture facilities and subsequently released, are increasingly being used in sturgeon restoration programs in the Columbia River Basin. A reconnaissance study was conducted to determine where to deploy nets to capture white sturgeon larvae downstream of a known...
Parsley, Michael J.; Kofoot, Eric
Emergence of MD type infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus in Washington State coastal steelhead trout
Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) occurs in North America as 3 major phylogenetic groups designated U, M, and L. In coastal Washington State, IHNV has historically consisted of U genogroup viruses found predominantly in sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka. M genogroup IHNV, which has host-specific virulence for rainbow and steelhead...
Breyta, Rachel; Jones, Amelia; Stewart, Bruce; Brunson, Ray; Thomas, Joan; Kerwin, John; Bertolini, Jim; Mumford, Sonia; Patterson, Chris; Kurath, Gael Distribution of Pacific lamprey Entosphenus tridentatus in watersheds of Puget Sound Based on smolt monitoring data
Lamprey populations are in decline worldwide and the status of Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) is a topic of current interest. They and other lamprey species cycle nutrients and serve as prey in riverine ecosystems. To determine the current distribution of Pacific lamprey in major watersheds flowing into Puget Sound, Washington, we...
Hayes, Michael C.; Hays, Richard; Rubin, Stephen P.; Chase, Dorothy M.; Hallock, Molly; Cook-Tabor, Carrie; Luzier, Christina W.; Moser, Mary L. The effects of increased stream temperatures on juvenile steelhead growth in the Yakima River Basin based on projected climate change scenarios
Stakeholders within the Yakima River Basin expressed concern over impacts of climate change on mid-Columbia River steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), listed under the Endangered Species Act. We used a bioenergetics model to assess the impacts of changing stream temperatures—resulting from different climate change scenarios—on growth...
Hardiman, Jill M.; Mesa, Matthew G.
Development of a database-driven system for simulating water temperature in the lower Yakima River main stem, Washington, for various climate scenarios
A model for simulating daily maximum and mean water temperatures was developed by linking two existing models: one developed by the U.S. Geological Survey and one developed by the Bureau of Reclamation. The study area included the lower Yakima River main stem between the Roza Dam and West Richland, Washington. To automate execution of the labor-...
Voss, Frank; Maule, Alec Report A: Fish distribution and population dynamics in Rock Creek, Klickitat County, Washington
The U.S. Geological Survey collaborated with the Yakama Nation starting in fall of 2009 to study the fish populations in Rock Creek, a Washington State tributary of the Columbia River 21 kilometers upstream of John Day Dam. Prior to this study, very little was known about the ESA-listed (threatened) Mid-Columbia River steelhead (Oncorhynchus...
Allen, Brady; Munz, Carrie S.; Harvey, Elaine Alternative barging strategies to improve survival of salmonids transported from Lower Granite Dam: Final report from the 2006-2008 spring/summer Chinook salmon and Steelhead juvenile migrations
In 2011, the final year class of adult salmon Oncorhynchus spp. returned from smolt groups released for a multi-year study to evaluate an alternate release site for transported fish. Smolts were collected and tagged at Lower Granite Dam, transported, and released at the alternate site near Astoria, Oregon (river kilometer 10) or at the traditional...
Marsh, Tiffani M.; Muir, William D.; Sandford, Benjamin P.; Smith, Steven G.; Elliott, Diane G.
Potential climate-induced runoff changes and associated uncertainty in four Pacific Northwest estuaries
As part of a larger investigation into potential effects of climate change on estuarine habitats in the Pacific Northwest, we estimated changes in freshwater inputs into four estuaries: Coquille River estuary, South Slough of Coos Bay, and Yaquina Bay in Oregon, and Willapa Bay in Washington. We used the U.S. Geological Survey's Precipitation...
Steele, Madeline O.; Chang, Heejun; Reusser, Deborah A.; Brown, Cheryl A.; Jung, Il-Won
Fish population and habitat analysis in Buck Creek, Washington, prior to recolonization by anadromous salmonids after the removal of Condit Dam
We assessed the physical and biotic conditions in the part of Buck Creek, Washington, potentially accessible to anadromous fishes. This creek is a major tributary to the White Salmon River upstream of Condit Dam, which was breached in October 2011. Habitat and fish populations were characterized in four stream reaches. Reach breaks were based on...
Allen, M. Brady; Burkhardt, Jeanette; Munz, Carrie; Connolly, Patrick J. Evaluation of stream flow effects on smolt survival in the Yakima River basin, Washington
Study Summary The influence of stream flow on salmon smolt emigration survival is a topic of widespread management interest. We collected smolt survival data to inform flow management decisions in the Yakima Basin. The Yakima River watershed drains the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountain Range in central Washington State. The upper basin is...
Courter; Garrison; Kock, Tobias J.; Perry, Russell W. River turbidity and sediment loads during dam removal
Dam decommissioning has become an important means for removing unsafe or obsolete dams and for restoring natural fluvial processes, including discharge regimes, sediment transport, and ecosystem connectivity [Doyle et al., 2003]. The largest dam-removal project in history began in September 2011 on the Elwha River of Washington State (Figure 1a)....
Warrick, Jonathan A.; Duda, Jeffrey J.; Magirl, Christopher S.; Curran, Chris A.
Assessing fish predation on migrating juvenile steelhead and a retrospective comparison to steelhead survival through the Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project, Columbia River, Washington, 2009-11
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) have been working with the Public Utility District No. 2 of Grant County, Washington (Grant PUD), to increase their understanding of predator-prey interactions in the Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project (PRP), Columbia River, Washington. For this study, the...
Hardiman, Jill M.; Counihan, Timothy D.; Burgess, Dave S.; Simmons, Katrina E.; Holmberg, Glen S.; Rogala, Josh; Polacek, Rochelle
F2 West Transect – 2017
Permanent Site: F2 West Transect; Depth: 11.1 Meters (36.3 Feet); Distance from river mouth: 1.5 Kilometers (0.9 Miles) east; Pre/Post Dam Removal: 6 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.15672004,-123.55036603; Site Description: Substrate is mainly a gravel/cobble mixture with an occasional boulder. Seven species of brown seaweed were present. Seaweed was abundant but not
E2 West Transect – 2017
Permanent Site: E2 West Transect; Depth: 14.6 Meters (47.9 Feet); Distance from river mouth: 0.9 Kilometers (0.5 Miles) east; Pre/Post Dam Removal: 6 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.15653002, -123.56197605; Site Description: This is one of our deeper sites. Substrate is mainly gravel/cobble with scattered boulders. Only a few small brown seaweeds were present (acid
H1 East Transect – July 2017
Permanent Site: H1 East Transect; Depth: 5.2 Meters (16.9 Feet); Distance from river mouth: 2.4 Kilometers (1.5 Miles) east; Pre/Post Dam Removal: 6 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.1479177,-123.53472865; Site Description: This is a shallow site and one of the farthest removed from the effects of the sediment plume outside of the control sites. Substrate remains mainly
H1 West Transect – 2017
Permanent Site: H1 West Transect; Depth: 5.4 Meters (17.7 Feet); Distance from river mouth: 2.4 Kilometers (1.5 Miles) east; Pre/Post Dam Removal: 6 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.14803012,-123.53535558; Site Description: This is a shallow site and one of the farthest removed from the effects of the sediment plume outside of the control sites. Substrate remains
Mount St. Helens, WA seen from the flank of Mount Adams to east.
Mount St. Helens, Washington seen from the flank of Mount Adams to the east.
E2 East Transect – 2017
Permanent Site: E2 East Transect; Depth: 15.1 Meters (49.4 Feet); Distance from river mouth: 0.9 Kilometers (0.5 Miles) east; Pre/Post Dam Removal: 6 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.15653002,-123.56130401; Site Description: Video is only of the last 10 meters of the transect. This is one of our deeper sites. Substrate is mainly gravel/cobble with an occasional boulder
L1 East Transect – 2017
Permanent Site: L1 East Transect; Depth: 11.0 Meters (36.2 Feet); Distance from river mouth: 2.3 Kilometers (1.4 Miles) west; Pre/Post Dam Removal: 6 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.13957527,-123.59359993; Site Description: This transect is medium depth. Substrate is mainly fine sediment/sand/mud covered in a layer of brown diatoms (0:05 seconds). Scattered boulders
L1 West Transect – 2017
Permanent Site: L1 West Transect; Depth: 10.9 Meters (35.7 Feet); Distance from river mouth: 2.3 Kilometers (1.4 Miles) west; Pre/Post Dam Removal: 6 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.13957527,-123.59427175; Site Description: This transect is medium depth. The first 20 meters contains scattered boulders (0:52, 1:12 seconds). Where there are no boulders, substrate is
D2 East Transect – 2017
Permanent Site: D2 East Transect; Depth: 12.1 Meters (39.7 Feet); Distance from river mouth: 0.3 Kilometers (0.2 Miles); Pre/Post Dam Removal: 6 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.15233001,-123.56829403; Site Description: This site is right off the mouth of the river. In 2016 it was actively being buried in sand but this year the substrate was returning to mainly gravel
D2 West Transect – 2017
Permanent Site: D2 West Transect; Depth: 12.3 Meters (40.3 Feet); Distance from river mouth: 0.3 Kilometers (0.2 Miles); Pre/Post Dam Removal: 6 years post-dam removal Lat/Long: 48.15233001,-123.56896603; Site Description: This site is right off the mouth of the river. In previous years the substrate has been mainly gravel with some cobble and about 10% sand but this year
Mapping squadron
Left to right: In July 2017 Tim Elfers (USGS), Hannah Drummond (WA State Dept. of Ecology), Heather Weiner (WA State Dept. of Ecology), Andrew Stevens (USGS), and Andy Ritchie (USGS) used handheld computers and backpack-mounted GPS equipment to record topography along a beach near the mouth of the Elwha River.
Shoreline trap in Lookout Point Reservoir, OR
Shoreline traps in Lookout Point Reservoir, Oregon.
Building a river setback levee to reduce the risk of flood for a community may also help endangered fish species to thrive, according to the results of a novel computer model reported by the U.S. Geological Survey.
The U.S. Geological Survey announced the completion of its new Western Fisheries Research Center pump-house structure in the southeast part of Magnuson Park in Seattle. The pump-house provides water for scientific research, nearby wetlands and associated wildlife and recreation.
Water managers in eastern Washington now have access to the first U.S. Geological Survey computer model of the East Pasco Basin, allowing them to simulate “what-if” groundwater management scenarios, according to a USGS report.
OLYMPIA, Wash. – White-nose syndrome (WNS) has been confirmed in a little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) found near North Bend – the first recorded occurrence of this devastating bat disease in western North America. The presence of this disease was verified by the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center
The Sumas River, in northwest Washington, contains sediment that carries naturally occurring asbestos.
Partnership Paves the Way for Understanding Biology of Threatened Snake River Basin Fall Chinook
How Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis (IHN) Got its Name
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Northern spotted owl populations are declining in all parts of their range in the Pacific Northwest, according to research published in The Condor. Based on data from 11 study areas across Washington, Oregon and northern California, a rangewide decline of nearly 4 percent per year was estimated from 1985 to 2013.
Using Challenges and Prizes to Find Innovative Solutions
CORVALLIS, Ore. — Ecosystem restoration is complex and requires an understanding of how the land, plants, and animals all interact with each other over large areas and over time. Today, the U.S. Geological Survey published part two of a three-part handbook addressing restoration of sagebrush ecosystems from the landscape to the site level.
A newly published, three-volume “Remote Sensing Handbook” is a comprehensive coverage of all remote sensing topics written by over 300 leading global experts.
Western Fisheries Research Center Hosts Visit from U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and U.S. Representative Suzan DelBene
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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
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