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Sediment Study in Bonneville Reservoir on the Columbia River By Walter Barnhardt November 2001 in this issue:  previous story | next story USGS researchers mobilize a bottom sampler with underwater cameras on the R/V Estero, Bonneville Reservoir, Oregon. Researchers from CMGP in Menlo Park (Walter Barnhardt, Guy Gelfenbaum, Laura Kerr, and Mike Boyle) and Woods Hole (Jane Denny and Chuck Worley) recently joined BRD colleagues (Darren Gallion, Jim Seelye) for a three-week geophysical and sampling cruise on the Columbia River. The main objective was to study sediment composition and distribution in Bonneville Reservoir. The crew first collected a nearly complete, high-quality sidescan-sonar mosaic from Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles, and then re-mobilized to collect bottom samples and underwater photographs. These ground-truthed data are important for developing a sediment budget for the Pacific Northwest coast and can be incorporated into habitat models that describe fishery dynamics in the region. Note from the author: Don't let the word "reservoir" conjure up images of placid waters and gentle breezes. One section of the Columbia River Gorge is known as "Swell City" for a reason: 40-kt winds are common in August and blow upstream against a 5- to 6-kt current. The elements conspire to create short-period, steep swells up to 10 ft high and spaced only 2 seconds apart. Such conditions, although a lure for wind surfers worldwide, were tough on geologists in the 30-ft R/V Estero. Thanks to herculean efforts by the captain and marine techs, all crewmembers and every piece of gear returned safely home. in this issue:  previous story | next story

November 2001 Mailing List: Sign up to receive monthly email updates: in this issue: Geophysical Survey of Hawaiian Coral Reefs Sediment Study on the Columbia River cover story: St. Petersburg Open Houses Earth Science Week 2001 Woods Hole's First Annual Open House Shark Festival and Sanctuary Celebration 2001 Metadata Workshop with Peter Schweitzer Geochemistry Study Award Richie Williams Speaks on Science and Religion Farewell to Ardis Greatorex Welcome to Chris Sherwood USGS Mendenhall Post-doc Fellowship WHFC Visitors Passing the Torch for Production of Sound Waves New South Florida Ecosystem Sourcebook Released November Publications List

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