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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Crims Island habitat restoration in the Columbia River estuary-fisheries monitoring and evaluation, 2004
No abstract available
Haskell, C.A.; Tiffan, K.F.; Koch, R.C.; Rondorf, D.W.Ecology of an estuarine mysid shrimp in the Columbia River (USA)
The estuarine mysid, Neomysis mercedis, has colonized John Day and other run-of-the-river Reservoirs of the Columbia River, over 400 km from the estuary. In John Day Reservoir N. mercedis numbers peaked (2 m-3) in August in areas near the dam in association with lower water velocity and softer bottom than at the upstream sampling sites. Neomysis...
Haskell, C.A.; Stanford, J.A.Effects of hydropower operations on spawning habitat, rearing habitat, and standing/entrapment mortality of fall Chinook salmon in the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River
This report describes research conducted primarily in 2003 and 2004 to evaluate the effects of upstream dam operations on spawning and rearing conditions for fall Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, in the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River. Results from habitat modeling tasks which continued in 2005 and 2006 are also included in this...
Anglin, Donald R.; Haeseker, Steven L.; Skalicky, Joseph J.; Schaller, Howard; Tiffan, Kenneth F.; Hatten, James R.; Hoffarth, Paul; Nugent, John; Benner, David; Yoshinaka, MarvEvaluation of energy expenditure in adult spring Chinook salmon migrating upstream in the Columbia River Basin: an assessment based on sequential proximate analysis
The upstream migration of adult anadromous salmonids in the Columbia River Basin (CRB) has been dramatically altered and fish may be experiencing energetically costly delays at dams. To explore this notion, we estimated the energetic costs of migration and reproduction of Yakima River-bound spring Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha using a...
Mesa, M.G.; Magie, C.D.Food habits of Juvenile American Shad and dynamics of zooplankton in the lower Columbia River
As many as 2.4 million adult American shad annually pass John Day Dam, Columbia River to spawn upriver, yet food web interactions of juvenile shad rearing in John Day Reservoir are unexplored. We collected zooplankton and conducted mid-water trawls in McNary (June-July) and John Day reservoirs (August-November) from 1994 through 1996 during the...
Haskell, C.A.; Tiffan, K.F.; Rondorf, D.W.Hybridization and cytonuclear associations among native westslope cutthroat trout, introduced rainbow trout, and their hybrids within the Stehekin River drainage, North Cascades National Park
Historic introductions of nonnative rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss into the native habitats of cutthroat trout O. clarkii have impacted cutthroat trout populations through introgressive hybridization, creating challenges and concerns for cutthroat trout conservation. We examined the effects of rainbow trout introductions on the native westslope...
Ostberg, C.O.; Rodriguez, R.J.Hydrography and circulation of ice-marginal lakes at Bering Glacier, Alaska, U.S.A.
An extensive suite of physical oceanographic, remotely sensed, and water quality measurements, collected from 2001 through 2004 in two ice-marginal lakes at Bering Glacier, Alaska-Berg Lake and Vitus Lake-show that each has a unique circulation controlled by their specific physical forcing within the glacial system. Conductivity profiles from Berg...
Josberger, E.G.; Shuchman, R.A.; Meadows, G.A.; Savage, S.; Payne, J.Migration depths of juvenile Chinook salmon and steelhead relative to total dissolved gas supersaturation in a Columbia River reservoir
The in situ depths of juvenile salmonids Oncorhynchus spp. were studied to determine whether hydrostatic compensation was sufficient to protect them from gas bubble disease (GBD) during exposure to total dissolved gas (TDG) supersaturation from a regional program of spill at dams meant to improve salmonid passage survival. Yearling Chinook salmon...
Beeman, J.W.; Maule, A.G.Morphometric discrimination of early life stage Lampetra tridentata and L richardsoni (Petromyzonidae) from the Columbia river basin
The effectiveness of morphometric and meristic characteristics for taxonomic discrimination of Lampetra tridentata and L. richardsoni (Petromyzonidae) during embryological, prolarval, and early larval stages (i.e., age class 1) were examined. Mean chorion diameter increased with time from fertilization to hatch and was significantly greater for L...
Meeuwig, M.H.; Bayer, J.M.; Reiche, R.A.Passage behavior of radio-tagged subyearling Chinook salmon at Bonneville Dam, 2005
No abstract available
Reagan, R.E.; Farley, M.J.; Evans, S.D.; Wright, L.S; Adams, N.S.; Rondorf, D.W.Predicted changes in subyearling fall Chinook salmon rearing and migratory habitat under two drawdown scenarios for John Day Reservoir, Columbia River
We evaluated the potential effects of two different drawdown scenarios on rearing and migration habitat of subyearling fall Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha in John Day Reservoir on the Columbia River. We compared habitats at normal operating pool elevation with habitats at drawdown to spillway crest elevation and drawdown to the historical...
Tiffan, K.F.; Garland, R.D.; Rondorf, D.W.Survival estimates of migrant juvenile salmonids through The Dalles Dam using radio telemetry, 2005
No abstract available
Counihan , T.; Puls, A.; Walker, C.; Holmberg, G.Oso, Washington Landslide
Oblique aerial photograph of the Oso, Washington landslide, showing the entire extent of the landslide source area and path.
Location: State Route 530, Oso, Washington
2014 Landslide in Washington State
2014 Landslide in Washington State
Photograph from an aerial survey showing the extent and impacts from the landslide in northwest Washington that occurred on March 22, 2014. The survey was conducted by the Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, USGS, and King County Sheriff's Office.
2014 Landslide in Washington State
Photograph from an aerial survey showing the extent and impacts from the landslide in northwest Washington that occurred on March 22, 2014. The survey was conducted by the Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, USGS, and King County Sheriff's Office.
2014 Landslide in Washington State
Photograph from an aerial survey showing the extent and impacts from the landslide in northwest Washington that occurred on March 22, 2014. The survey was conducted by the Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, USGS, and King County Sheriff's Office.
2014 Landslide in Washington State
Photograph from an aerial survey showing the extent and impacts from the landslide in northwest Washington that occurred on March 22, 2014. The survey was conducted by the Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, USGS, and King County Sheriff's Office.
2014 Landslide in Washington State
Photograph from an aerial survey showing the extent and impacts from the landslide in northwest Washington that occurred on March 22, 2014. The survey was conducted by the Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, USGS, and King County Sheriff's Office.
2014 Landslide in Washington State
Photograph from an aerial survey showing the extent and impacts from the landslide in northwest Washington that occurred on March 22, 2014. The survey was conducted by the Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, USGS, and King County Sheriff's Office.
Mount Rainier Looms over the Puyallup Valley, Washington
Mount Rainier volcano looms over Puyallup Valley, near Orting, Washington.
Mount Rainier looms over the Puyallup Valley, Washington
Mount Rainier volcano looms over Puyallup Valley, near Orting, Washington.
Surveying stream channels at Mount St. Helens
Scientists conduct a stream channel cross-section survey of the Toutle River on the north side of Mount St. Helens (view to the southwest).
Map showing one-year probability of accumulation of 1 centimeter
Map showing one-year probability of accumulation of 1 centimeter (0.4 inch) or more of tephra from eruptions of volcanoes in the Cascade Range.
New USGS science concludes that a fish-eating bird, the osprey, is a useful sentinel for monitoring selected contaminants in large rivers, lakes, and estuaries, These findings are based on analysis of osprey eggs for contaminants that increase substantially (biomagnify) in food webs.
New USGS science concludes that a fish-eating bird, the osprey, is a useful sentinel for monitoring selected contaminants in large rivers, lakes, and estuaries, These findings are based on analysis of osprey eggs for contaminants that increase substantially (biomagnify) in food webs.
Today, June 30, 2004, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announces the recipients of the first year of the Mineral Resources External Research Program, a grant and/or cooperative agreement opportunity designed to support minerals research. The grant award is split among six topics that will enhance ongoing research in the USGS and deliver products within one year.
America’s rivers and streams are generally suitable for irrigation, supplying drinking water, and home and recreational uses. However, in areas with significant agricultural and urban development, the quality of our nation’s water resources has been degraded by contaminants such as pesticides, nutrients, and gasoline-related compounds.
America’s rivers and streams are generally suitable for irrigation, supplying drinking water, and home and recreational uses. However, in areas with significant agricultural and urban development, the quality of our nation’s water resources has been degraded by contaminants such as pesticides, nutrients, and gasoline-related compounds.
Farmlands, wetlands, forests and deserts that composed the American landscape in the early 20th century have frequently been transformed during the past 30 years into mushrooming metropolitan areas as urbanization spreads across the country.
Farmlands, wetlands, forests and deserts that composed the American landscape in the early 20th century have frequently been transformed during the past 30 years into mushrooming metropolitan areas as urbanization spreads across the country.
A swarm of seismic activity heralding renewed eruptive activity at Anatahan Volcano in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), which began early on March 31st, has prompted the U.S. Geological Survey to notify the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration?s Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center of volcanic activity that could be hazardous to aircraft.
A swarm of seismic activity heralding renewed eruptive activity at Anatahan Volcano in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), which began early on March 31st, has prompted the U.S. Geological Survey to notify the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration?s Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center of volcanic activity that could be hazardous to aircraft.
Traditional Native knowledge can inform and document the effects of climate change and other ecosystem changes, providing valuable additions to scientific investigations, according to Geological Survey scientist Margaret Hiza. Her research is being presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science meetings in Seattle, Wash, on Feb. 15 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Virtual Museums and Data Curation from Museums to Mars: USGS Co-Sponsors Two AAAS Symposia (archive)
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will co-sponsor two symposia at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Seattle, WA, February 12-16, 2004. This year’s theme is "Science at the Leading Edge," and the USGS-sponsored symposia will address how today’s technology is creating new ways to preserve and share knowledge.
Virtual Museums and Data Curation from Museums to Mars: USGS Co-Sponsors Two AAAS Symposia (archive)
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will co-sponsor two symposia at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Seattle, WA, February 12-16, 2004. This year’s theme is "Science at the Leading Edge," and the USGS-sponsored symposia will address how today’s technology is creating new ways to preserve and share knowledge.
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