Kurt D Carpenter
Kurt Carpenter is a research hydrologist in the USGS Oregon Water Science Center.
Kurt joined the USGS Oregon District in 1992 to work for the USGS National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program, an interdisciplinary program characterizing land use impacts to algae, benthic invertebrates, fish, and water quality of streams in the Willamette Basin. For nearly 30 years Kurt’s research has focused on the interface between water quality and hydrobiology, primarily impacts from nutrients (eutrophication) and contaminants (pesticides, volatile organic compounds). Kurt is currently PI of several harmful algal bloom (HAB) related projects in Oregon including at Detroit, Cougar and Blue Lakes where cyanobacterial toxins pose a threat to drinking water. Kurt is also active in post-fire monitoring and research following the 2020 Labor Day fires that threatens several major drinking water supplies. His most recent collaboration includes using remote sensing to detect algae in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs using hyperspectral data from ground- and space-based tools, including cameras aboard the International Space Station. In a project with Clean Water Services in the Tualatin River Basin, Kurt is investigating plankton communities in streams along with environmental DNA (“eDNA”) signatures to examine potential benefits of stream restoration.
Science and Products
Water quality and algal conditions in the North Umpqua River, Oregon, 1995-2007, and their response to Diamond Lake restoration
Plankton communities and summertime declines in algal abundance associated with low dissolved oxygen in the Tualatin River, Oregon
Sources and characteristics of organic matter in the Clackamas River, Oregon, related to the formation of disinfection by-products in treated drinking water
Biotic, water-quality, and hydrologic metrics calculated for the analysis of temporal trends in National Water Quality Assessment Program Data in the Western United States
Geomorphic setting, aquatic habitat, and water-quality conditions of the Molalla River, Oregon, 2009-10
The Effects of Urbanization and Other Environmental Gradients on Algal Assemblages in Nine Metropolitan Areas across the United States
Assessment of Eutrophication in the Lower Yakima River Basin, Washington, 2004-07
Hydrologic and Water-Quality Conditions During Restoration of the Wood River Wetland, Upper Klamath River Basin, Oregon, 2003-05
Organic Compounds in Clackamas River Water Used for Public Supply near Portland, Oregon, 2003-05
Phosphorus and nitrogen legacy in a restoration wetland, upper Klamath lake, Oregon
Pesticide Occurrence and Distribution in the Lower Clackamas River Basin, Oregon, 2000-2005
Effects of urbanization on stream ecosystems in the Willamette River basin and surrounding area, Oregon and Washington
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Water quality and algal conditions in the North Umpqua River, Oregon, 1995-2007, and their response to Diamond Lake restoration
Plankton communities and summertime declines in algal abundance associated with low dissolved oxygen in the Tualatin River, Oregon
Sources and characteristics of organic matter in the Clackamas River, Oregon, related to the formation of disinfection by-products in treated drinking water
Biotic, water-quality, and hydrologic metrics calculated for the analysis of temporal trends in National Water Quality Assessment Program Data in the Western United States
Geomorphic setting, aquatic habitat, and water-quality conditions of the Molalla River, Oregon, 2009-10
The Effects of Urbanization and Other Environmental Gradients on Algal Assemblages in Nine Metropolitan Areas across the United States
Assessment of Eutrophication in the Lower Yakima River Basin, Washington, 2004-07
Hydrologic and Water-Quality Conditions During Restoration of the Wood River Wetland, Upper Klamath River Basin, Oregon, 2003-05
Organic Compounds in Clackamas River Water Used for Public Supply near Portland, Oregon, 2003-05
Phosphorus and nitrogen legacy in a restoration wetland, upper Klamath lake, Oregon
Pesticide Occurrence and Distribution in the Lower Clackamas River Basin, Oregon, 2000-2005
Effects of urbanization on stream ecosystems in the Willamette River basin and surrounding area, Oregon and Washington
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.