Lake Washington Ship Canal Sustainable Rivers Project
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) are refining a water quality model to better understand temperature and salinity dynamics in the Lake Washington Ship Canal. This effort is supported by the Sustainable Rivers Program, a partnership between the USACE and The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
For over a century, the Lake Washington Ship Canal (LWSC) and Ballard Locks have shaped the flow of water in Seattle, linking Lake Washington to Puget Sound. Constructed in 1916, this navigation project artificially connected bodies of water by opening the area to commerce and further development, also transforming the surrounding ecosystem in many ways. The construction of the LWSC connected the marine environment of Salmon Bay to the freshwater Lake Washington; converting a brackish estuary into a freshwater environment, and lowering Lake Washington by nine feet facilitating the redirection of the Cedar and Sammamish Rivers; significantly altering the region’s hydrology.
Today, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) are working together to update a model of the LWSC that captures salinity, water temperature, and hydrodynamics. This effort is part of a regional effort to address the survival of native salmon and steelhead, which must navigate the Lake Washington Ship Canal during migration. With Chinook salmon, steelhead, and bull trout listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, scientists and water managers in the region are looking for solutions to improve conditions for these cold-water fishes.
Using science to guide solutions
USGS was asked to review and update the USACE's existing CE-QUAL-W2 model for water temperature and salinity. CE-QUAL-W2 simulates water movement, temperature, and salinity throughout the LWSC. This tool provides a way for scientists and engineers to model how changes in the system’s hydrodynamics might influence water quality conditions.
The USGS is reviewing and updating this model to ensure it accurately represents observed conditions. Through a detailed review process, scientists will assess how well the model captures key environmental factors and identify opportunities for improvement. The goal is to release an updated model that can help decision-makers explore different approaches.
This collaborative effort is part of the broader Sustainable Rivers Program, a partnership between USACE and The Nature Conservancy aimed at modernizing water management to benefit both people and ecosystems. By applying cutting-edge scientific modeling, resource managers will be better equipped to make informed decisions that support both waterway operations and ecosystem health.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) are refining a water quality model to better understand temperature and salinity dynamics in the Lake Washington Ship Canal. This effort is supported by the Sustainable Rivers Program, a partnership between the USACE and The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
For over a century, the Lake Washington Ship Canal (LWSC) and Ballard Locks have shaped the flow of water in Seattle, linking Lake Washington to Puget Sound. Constructed in 1916, this navigation project artificially connected bodies of water by opening the area to commerce and further development, also transforming the surrounding ecosystem in many ways. The construction of the LWSC connected the marine environment of Salmon Bay to the freshwater Lake Washington; converting a brackish estuary into a freshwater environment, and lowering Lake Washington by nine feet facilitating the redirection of the Cedar and Sammamish Rivers; significantly altering the region’s hydrology.
Today, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) are working together to update a model of the LWSC that captures salinity, water temperature, and hydrodynamics. This effort is part of a regional effort to address the survival of native salmon and steelhead, which must navigate the Lake Washington Ship Canal during migration. With Chinook salmon, steelhead, and bull trout listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, scientists and water managers in the region are looking for solutions to improve conditions for these cold-water fishes.
Using science to guide solutions
USGS was asked to review and update the USACE's existing CE-QUAL-W2 model for water temperature and salinity. CE-QUAL-W2 simulates water movement, temperature, and salinity throughout the LWSC. This tool provides a way for scientists and engineers to model how changes in the system’s hydrodynamics might influence water quality conditions.
The USGS is reviewing and updating this model to ensure it accurately represents observed conditions. Through a detailed review process, scientists will assess how well the model captures key environmental factors and identify opportunities for improvement. The goal is to release an updated model that can help decision-makers explore different approaches.
This collaborative effort is part of the broader Sustainable Rivers Program, a partnership between USACE and The Nature Conservancy aimed at modernizing water management to benefit both people and ecosystems. By applying cutting-edge scientific modeling, resource managers will be better equipped to make informed decisions that support both waterway operations and ecosystem health.