Algal bloom in WIllow Creek Reservoir, Oregon, taken during a photointerpretive study of the lake.
Water Quality in Willow Creek Reservoir, Oregon
Completed
By Oregon Water Science Center
July 20, 2016
Blue-green algal blooms in the Willow Creek Reservoir may produce toxins that can be harmful to those that come in contact with them.
Willow Creek Reservoir, in Heppner, Oregon, is a man-made reservoir impounded by Willow Creek Dam. The dam was built to help control the risk of flooding, and the reservoir is used for recreation. Blue-green algae blooms tend to occur in Willow Creek Reservoir during the spring through fall seasons. These blue-green algae blooms can be a nuisance, and the algae have the potential to produce toxins that can be a hazard to water-contact recreation.
The USGS monitored water quality in the lake in 2015 and 2016 using a variety of techniques, including the use of cameras and multiparameter water-quality instruments to collect data.
Goals
- Study and understand the dynamics of the blue-green algae blooms in this water body
- Provide data to inform public and resource managers about water-quality and bloom conditions in the reservoir
Media
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media Details
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Algal bloom in WIllow Creek Reservoir, Oregon
Algal bloom in WIllow Creek Reservoir, Oregon, taken during a photointerpretive study of the lake.
Willow Creek Reservoir, Oregon
View of the Willow Creek Reservoir near Heppner, OR
View of the Willow Creek Reservoir near Heppner, OR
Blue-green algal blooms in the Willow Creek Reservoir may produce toxins that can be harmful to those that come in contact with them.
Willow Creek Reservoir, in Heppner, Oregon, is a man-made reservoir impounded by Willow Creek Dam. The dam was built to help control the risk of flooding, and the reservoir is used for recreation. Blue-green algae blooms tend to occur in Willow Creek Reservoir during the spring through fall seasons. These blue-green algae blooms can be a nuisance, and the algae have the potential to produce toxins that can be a hazard to water-contact recreation.
The USGS monitored water quality in the lake in 2015 and 2016 using a variety of techniques, including the use of cameras and multiparameter water-quality instruments to collect data.
Goals
- Study and understand the dynamics of the blue-green algae blooms in this water body
- Provide data to inform public and resource managers about water-quality and bloom conditions in the reservoir
Media
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media Details
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Algal bloom in WIllow Creek Reservoir, Oregon
Algal bloom in WIllow Creek Reservoir, Oregon, taken during a photointerpretive study of the lake.
Algal bloom in WIllow Creek Reservoir, Oregon, taken during a photointerpretive study of the lake.
Willow Creek Reservoir, Oregon
View of the Willow Creek Reservoir near Heppner, OR
View of the Willow Creek Reservoir near Heppner, OR