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Publications

All of our publications are accessible through the USGS Publication Warehouse. Publications by scientists of the Oregon Water Science Center are listed below.

Filter Total Items: 755

Occurrence and distribution of dissolved trace elements in the surface waters of the Yakima River basin, Washington

The occurrence, distribution, and transport of dissolved (filtered-water) trace elements in the surface waters of the Yakima River Basin were assessed using data collected between 1999 and 2000 as part of the U.S. Geological Survey s National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program. Samples were collected at 34 sites throughout the basin in August 1999, using a Lagrangian sampling design. From Ma
Authors
Curt A. Hughes

Estimating water temperatures in small streams in western Oregon using neural network models

Artificial neural network models were developed to estimate water temperatures in small streams using data collected at 148 sites throughout western Oregon from June to September 1999. The sites were located on 1st-, 2nd-, or 3rd-order streams having undisturbed or minimally disturbed conditions. Data collected at each site for model development included continuous hourly water temperature and des
Authors
John C. Risley, Edwin A. Roehl, Paul Conrads

Total dissolved gas and water temperature in the lower Columbia River, Oregon and Washington, 2003: Quality-assurance data and comparison to water-quality standards

Significant Findings When water is released through the spillways of dams, air is entrained in the water, increasing the concentration of total dissolved gas. Excess dissolved-gas concentrations can have adverse effects on freshwater aquatic life. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, collected total- dissolved-gas and water-temperature data at se
Authors
Dwight Q. Tanner, Heather M. Bragg, Matthew W. Johnston

Monitoring instream turbidity to estimate continuous suspended-sediment loads and yields and clay-water volumes in the upper North Santiam River Basin, Oregon, 1998-2000

Three real-time, instream water-quality and turbidity-monitoring sites were established in October 1998 in the upper North Santiam River Basin on the North Santiam River, the Breitenbush River, and Blowout Creek, the main tributary inputs to Detroit Lake, a large, controlled reservoir that extends from river mile 61 to 70. Suspended-sediment samples were collected biweekly to monthly at each stati
Authors
Mark A. Uhrich, Heather M. Bragg

Fecal-indicator bacteria in the Yakima River Basin, Washington: An examination of 1999 and 2000 synoptic-sampling data and their relation to historical data

The Yakima Basin National Water-Quality Assessment Program collected fecal-coliform bacteria samples during three synoptic samplings to identify and quantify the cause, source, transport, and effects of fecal-indicator bacteria in Yakima River Basin streams. The August 1999 synoptic sampling targeted the Yakima River main-stem and tributary sites, while the July and October-November 2000 synoptic
Authors
Jennifer L. Morace, Stuart W. McKenzie

Selected elements and organic chemicals in streambed sediment in the Salem area, Oregon, 1999

Analysis of streambed sediments in the Salem, Oregon, area showed anomalously large concentrations of some elements and organic chemicals, indicating contamination from anthropogenic and/or geologic sources. The streambed sediment sample from Clark Creek, an urban basin, had large concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hyrdocarbons (PAHs), organochlorines, cadmium, lead, and zinc. The sample from t
Authors
Dwight Q. Tanner

Pesticides in surface water of the Yakima River basin, Washington, 1999–2000 — Their occurrence and an assessment of factors affecting concentrations and loads

The occurrence, distribution, and transport of pesticides in surface water of the Yakima River Basin were assessed using data collected during 1999­2000 as part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program. Samples were collected at 34 sites located throughout the basin in August 1999 using a Lagrangian sampling design. Samples also were collected weekly and mont
Authors
James C. Ebbert, Sandra S. Embrey

Estimates of ground-water recharge, base flow, and stream reach gains and losses in the Willamette River basin, Oregon

Precipitation-runoff models, base-flow-separation techniques, and stream gain-loss measurements were used to study recharge and ground-water surface-water interaction as part of a study of the ground-water resources of the Willamette River Basin. The study was a cooperative effort between the U.S. Geological Survey and the State of Oregon Water Resources Department. Precipitation-runoff models wer
Authors
Karl K. Lee, John C. Risley

Ecological effects on streams from forest fertilization: Literature review and conceptual framework for future study in the western Cascades

Fertilization of forests with urea-nitrogen has been studied numerous times for its effects on water quality. Stream nitrogen concentrations following fertilization are typically elevated during winter, including peaks in the tens-of-thousands of parts per billion range, with summer concentrations often returning to background or near-background levels. Despite these increases, water-quality crite
Authors
Chauncey W. Anderson

Total dissolved gas and water temperature in the lower Columbia River, Oregon and Washington, 2002: Quality-assurance data and comparison to water-quality standards

Significant Findings The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, collected total-dissolved-gas and water-temperature data at eight sites near dams on the lower Columbia River in 2002. When water is released through the spillways of dams, air is entrained in the water, increasing the concentration of total dissolved gas to levels that can have adverse ef
Authors
Dwight Q. Tanner, Matthew W. Johnston, Heather M. Bragg

Geologic framework of the regional ground-water flow system in the Upper Deschutes Basin, Oregon

Ground water is increasingly relied upon to satisfy the needs of a growing population in the upper Deschutes Basin, Oregon. Hydrogeologic studies are being undertaken to aid in management of the ground-water resource. An understanding of the geologic factors influencing ground-water flow is basic to those investigations. The geology of the area has a direct effect on the occurrence and movement of
Authors
Kenneth E. Lite, Marshall W. Gannett