The USGS Oregon Water Science Center water-quality modeling group develops and uses models at a range of scales, from those that focus on a specific reservoir or river reach to large-scale nutrient models of the entire Pacific Northwest.
In the field of surface water, a water-quality model is a mathematical representation of a river, stream, lake, or reservoir. These models include equations and algorithms that describe the processes affecting temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, alkalinity, nutrients, organic matter, toxics, aquatic plants, algae, and/or suspended sediment. Streamflow or circulation patterns are often a component of water-quality modeling, because mass transport is critical to water-quality cycles.
The USGS Oregon Water Science Center (ORWSC) water-quality modeling group develops and uses models at a range of scales, from those that focus on a specific reservoir or river reach to large-scale nutrient models of the entire Pacific Northwest.
Water-quality models have many applications and can be used to:
- Identify controlling water-quality processes
- Pinpoint data needs and target fieldwork
- Estimate water quality in areas without monitoring data
- Support TMDL analyses
- Explore water-quality effects of management options, restoration, or environmental change
Models from one to three dimensions are used within the USGS Oregon Water Science Center. Modeling tools in use include CE-QUAL-W2 (W2), SPARROW, PRMS, UnTRIM, RBM-10, HEC-RAS, SELDM, and various artificial neural network (ANN) and spreadsheet-based and custom models built with R and perl. Optimization of model parameter values sometimes utilizes the parameter estimation software PEST.
Water-quality modeling at ORWSC is conducted in cooperation with federal, state, and local agencies. Technical modeling assistance is also provided to others within USGS. Collaboration with biologists, resource managers, regulators and others interested in water quality has been a natural outgrowth of the modeling program.
Feel free to contact Daniel Wise if you would like know more about this group.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Integrated watershed-scale response to climate change for selected basins across the United States
Simulating potential structural and operational changes for Detroit Dam on the North Santiam River, Oregon-Interim Results
Modeling hydrodynamics, water temperature, and water quality in the Klamath River upstream of Keno Dam, Oregon, 2006-09
Surface-water nutrient conditions and sources in the United States Pacific Northwest
Empirical models of wind conditions on Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon
Thermal effects of dams in the Willamette River basin, Oregon
Modeling hydrodynamics and heat transport in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and implications for water quality
Temperature Effects of Point Sources, Riparian Shading, and Dam Operations on the Willamette River, Oregon
Modeling Hydrodynamics, Water Temperature, and Suspended Sediment in Detroit Lake, Oregon
Modeling water quality effects of structural and operational changes to Scoggins Dam and Henry Hagg Lake, Oregon
Modeling hydrodynamics, temperature, and water quality in Henry Hagg Lake, Oregon, 2000-03
Modeling Streamflow and Water Temperature in the North Santiam and Santiam Rivers, Oregon, 2001-02
Below are software products associated with this project.
Below are partners associated with this project.
The USGS Oregon Water Science Center water-quality modeling group develops and uses models at a range of scales, from those that focus on a specific reservoir or river reach to large-scale nutrient models of the entire Pacific Northwest.
In the field of surface water, a water-quality model is a mathematical representation of a river, stream, lake, or reservoir. These models include equations and algorithms that describe the processes affecting temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, alkalinity, nutrients, organic matter, toxics, aquatic plants, algae, and/or suspended sediment. Streamflow or circulation patterns are often a component of water-quality modeling, because mass transport is critical to water-quality cycles.
The USGS Oregon Water Science Center (ORWSC) water-quality modeling group develops and uses models at a range of scales, from those that focus on a specific reservoir or river reach to large-scale nutrient models of the entire Pacific Northwest.
Water-quality models have many applications and can be used to:
- Identify controlling water-quality processes
- Pinpoint data needs and target fieldwork
- Estimate water quality in areas without monitoring data
- Support TMDL analyses
- Explore water-quality effects of management options, restoration, or environmental change
Models from one to three dimensions are used within the USGS Oregon Water Science Center. Modeling tools in use include CE-QUAL-W2 (W2), SPARROW, PRMS, UnTRIM, RBM-10, HEC-RAS, SELDM, and various artificial neural network (ANN) and spreadsheet-based and custom models built with R and perl. Optimization of model parameter values sometimes utilizes the parameter estimation software PEST.
Water-quality modeling at ORWSC is conducted in cooperation with federal, state, and local agencies. Technical modeling assistance is also provided to others within USGS. Collaboration with biologists, resource managers, regulators and others interested in water quality has been a natural outgrowth of the modeling program.
Feel free to contact Daniel Wise if you would like know more about this group.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Integrated watershed-scale response to climate change for selected basins across the United States
Simulating potential structural and operational changes for Detroit Dam on the North Santiam River, Oregon-Interim Results
Modeling hydrodynamics, water temperature, and water quality in the Klamath River upstream of Keno Dam, Oregon, 2006-09
Surface-water nutrient conditions and sources in the United States Pacific Northwest
Empirical models of wind conditions on Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon
Thermal effects of dams in the Willamette River basin, Oregon
Modeling hydrodynamics and heat transport in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and implications for water quality
Temperature Effects of Point Sources, Riparian Shading, and Dam Operations on the Willamette River, Oregon
Modeling Hydrodynamics, Water Temperature, and Suspended Sediment in Detroit Lake, Oregon
Modeling water quality effects of structural and operational changes to Scoggins Dam and Henry Hagg Lake, Oregon
Modeling hydrodynamics, temperature, and water quality in Henry Hagg Lake, Oregon, 2000-03
Modeling Streamflow and Water Temperature in the North Santiam and Santiam Rivers, Oregon, 2001-02
Below are software products associated with this project.
Below are partners associated with this project.