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Total dissolved gas and water temperature in the lower Columbia River, Oregon and Washington, 2005: quality-assurance data and comparison to water-quality standards

Data Series 148
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ds148

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Significant Findings

When water is released through the spillways of dams, air is entrained in the water, increasing the downstream concentration of dissolved gases. 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 dissolved-gas and water-temperature data at eight sites on the lower Columbia River in 2005. Significant findings from the data include:

  • Variances to the Oregon and Washington water-quality standards for total dissolved gas were exceeded at five of the monitoring sites: Camas (11 days), John Day tailwater (3 days), The Dalles forebay (3 days), Bonneville forebay (3 days), and John Day navigation lock (1 day).
  • From mid-July to early September, water temperatures were above 20°C (degrees Celsius) at each of the eight lower Columbia River sites. According to the Oregon temperature standard, the 7-day average maximum temperature of the lower Columbia River should not exceed 20°C; Washington regulations state that the 1-day maximum should not exceed 20°C due to human activities.
  • Most field checks of total-dissolved-gas sensors with a secondary standard were within ± (plus or minus) 1% saturation. Most of the field checks of barometric pressure were within ±1 millimeter of mercury of a secondary standard, and water temperature field checks were all within ±0.2°C.
  • For the eight monitoring sites in water year 2005, an average of 98.2% of the total-dissolved-gas data were received in real time by the USGS satellite downlink and were within 1% saturation of the expected value, based on calibration data, replicate quality-control measurements in the river, and comparison to ambient river conditions at adjacent sites. 

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Total dissolved gas and water temperature in the lower Columbia River, Oregon and Washington, 2005: quality-assurance data and comparison to water-quality standards
Series title Data Series
Series number 148
DOI 10.3133/ds148
Edition Online only
Year Published 2005
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Description 31 p.
Country United States
State Oregon, Washington
Other Geospatial Lower Columbia River
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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