Rivers, Lakes, and Reservoirs
Rivers, Lakes, and Reservoirs
These are our active and completed studies related to surface-water resources.
Filter Total Items: 9
Monitoring Mining Effects in the Kootenai River Watershed
The Kootenai River (Kootenay in Canada) rises from the Canadian Rockies and flows south in an arc through Montana and Idaho before swinging back into British Columbia and the Columbia River. The uplifted sedimentary rocks forming the southern Canadian Rockies have rich coal deposits that have been mined for many decades. The coal beds and associated rock layers are enriched with other minerals as...
Assessing the Water Quality of the Lower Boise River and Selected Tributaries
For decades, the lower Boise River downstream of Lucky Peak Reservoir has been highly enriched with phosphorus. Too much of a good thing, the high concentrations of phosphorus create a cycle of excessive plant growth, decreased oxygen for fish, and even algal blooms.
Continuous Water-Quality Monitoring of Middle Snake River Springs in Support of Threatened and Endangered Snail Species
Two species of aquatic snails, the Banbury Springs limpet ( Idaholanx fresti ) and the Bliss Rapids snail ( Taylorconcha serpenticola ) live in springs along the middle Snake River in south-central Idaho. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has listed these species as Endangered (Banbury Springs limpet) and Threatened (Bliss Rapids snail). Both species need clean, cold spring water to survive.
Idaho's Large River Ambient Monitoring Network
From 1989 to 2009, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, monitored trends in water quality and biological integrity at more than 50 USGS streamgage stations on rivers throughout Idaho. In 2018, multiple State and Federal partners restarted a portion of the Large River Ambient Monitoring (LRAM) network.
Sediment Transport in the Yankee Fork Salmon River
The Yankee Fork of the Salmon River is one of the larger watersheds in the upper Salmon River subbasin of central Idaho. Mining activities since the late 19th century, specifically placer mining and associated dredging from 1940 to 1953, have left the fluvial system in a highly altered and unnatural state. To improve aquatic and terrestrial habitat in the Yankee Fork, the Bureau of Reclamation and...
Satellite Monitoring of Algal Blooms in Idaho Waterbodies
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are an increasing concern in Idaho. Within the past few years, Idaho agencies have issued at least 57 HAB notices on 29 waterbodies throughout the state. Toxins produced by HABs pose risks to human and animal health. Local economies may also be adversely affected when algal blooms discourage outdoor recreation. Routinely monitoring the state's many waterbodies is too...
Monitoring Sediment and Turbidity in Clear Creek
To help protect critical salmonid spawning habitat, we are monitoring streamflow, water temperature, turbidity, and suspended sediment concentrations on Clear Creek upstream of the confluence with the Middle Fork Clearwater River. We are conducting this monitoring in cooperation with the Nez Perce Tribe.
Automated Sampling for Phosphorus in the Lower Boise River
For decades, the lower Boise River downstream of Lucky Peak Reservoir has been highly enriched with phosphorus. Too much of a good thing, the high concentrations of phosphorus create a cycle of excessive plant growth, decreased oxygen for fish, and even algal blooms.
Modeling the Hydraulic and Water-Quality Habitat Suitability for Macrophytes in the Middle Snake River, South-Central Idaho
Rooted aquatic plants (macrophytes) are essential components of freshwater ecosystems. Macrophyte beds provide shelter for fish and other aquatic life. Their leaves and stems also provide algae with surfaces to colonize, which, in turn, drives the aquatic food webs and dissolved oxygen cycles. However, too much of a good thing can create problems. When growth conditions are favorable, macrophytes...