The River Studies Branch of the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center carries out basic and applied research in support of ecosystem-level management of large rivers, streams, flood-plain wetlands, and federal lands by providing scientific understanding of riverine ecology, habitat dynamics, and effects of anthropogenic disturbances.  

Research supports national programs related to (1) recovery and maintenance of federal trust and endangered species, (2) ecosystem rehabilitation and management, and (3) development and application of methods for ecological assessment of aquatic systems, and (4) biological interactions involving invasive species.  Research encompasses a range of approaches, including development of new theory, application of simulation models, field-scale experimentation, and the monitoring and validation of ecological indicators. 

River Studies provides tools and resources needed for distributing and presenting relevant scientific information to the public. The branch collaborates with other disciplines within USGS, federal and state agencies, academia, and conservation groups to improve the scientific basis for management of fish and wildlife resources, and improvement in the quality of aquatic systems.