The Little North Santiam River Basin is a 111-square mile watershed located in the Cascade Range of western Oregon. The Little North Santiam River is a major tributary to the North Santiam River, which is the primary source of drinking water for Salem, Oregon and surrounding communities. Consequently, water quality conditions in the Little North Santiam River, such as high turbidity, affect treatment and delivery of the drinking water. Between 2001 and 2008, suspended-sediment loads from the Little North Santiam River accounted for 69% of the total suspended-sediment load that passed the treatment plant. Recent studies suggest that much of this sediment originates from landslide activity in the basin. Using airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)-derived imagery, 401 landslides were mapped in the Little North Santiam River Basin. Landslide types vary by location, with deep-seated earth flows and earth slumps common in the lower half of the basin and channelized debris flows prominent in the upper basin. Over 37% of the lower basin shows evidence of landslide activity compared to just 4% of the upper basin. Instream turbidity monitoring and suspended-sediment load estimates during the winter of 2009-2010 demonstrate a similar distribution of sediment transport in the basin. During a 3-month study period, from December 2009 through February 2010, the lower basin supplied 2,990 tons, or 91% of the suspended-sediment load to the Little North Santiam River, whereas the upper basin supplied only 310 tons of sediment. One small 23-acre earth flow in the lower basin, the Evans Creek Landslide, supplied 28% of the total suspended-sediment load, even though it only comprises 0.0004% of the basin. The Evans Creek Landslide is an active earth flow that has been moving episodically since at least 1945, with surges occurring between 1945 and 1955, 1970 and 1977, in February 1996, and in January 2004. Recent erosion of the landslide toe by Evans Creek continues to destabilize the slope, supplying much of the sediment measured in the Little North Santiam River. Over the last 64 years, the average landslide movement rate has been between 5 and 12 feet per year.

This thesis examines how the construction of news stories reveals relationships among groups of stakeholders and how their views unfold within environmental conflict coverage. This study uses a content analysis of 161 newspaper articles concerning the sea lion and salmon controversy at the Bonneville Dam, focusing on source use and blame and solution frames in environmental conflict coverage. This analysis of articles published between January 2003 and June 2010 in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, and Montana contributes to research concerning journalistic norms (i.e., balance and objectivity) and news production routines, specifically within the field of environmental reporting. The findings indicate governmental sources were most frequently quoted and presented the most successful solution frames; while advocacy/non-profit sources were quoted less frequently (in addition to tribal sources) and presented the most blame and failed solution frames. Additionally, this research reflects on the role of news filters, including journalistic norms and legal issues, and explores the relationship between blame frames and failed solution frames, which is perhaps a reflection of the role of spokespeople and media jargon.

McKinney Butte, a late Tertiary andesite vent and flow complex, is located near the town of Sisters, Oregon, in the upper Deschutes Basin, and is situated along the structural trend that forms the eastern margin of the High Cascades graben (Sisters fault zone and Green Ridge). Rapid development and over appropriated surface water resources in this area have led to an increased dependence upon groundwater resources. A primary concern of resource managers is the potential impact of expanding groundwater use on stream flows and spring discharge. Two sets of springs (McKinney Butte Springs and Camp Polk Springs) discharge to Whychus Creek along the east flank of McKinney Butte, and during low-flow conditions supply a substantial component of the total flow in the creek. Despite their contribution to Whychus Creek, the springs along McKinney Butte are small-scale features and have received less attention than larger volume (> 2 m³/s) springs that occur in the basin (i.e., Metolius Spring and Lower Opal Springs). This study used discharge measurements in Whychus Creek upstream and downstream of the springs, and mixing models using measurements of electrical conductivity and temperature in the springs and Whychus Creek to determine the contribution of the springs to the creek. Isotopic, thermal, and geochemical signatures for the McKinney Butte and Camp Polk Springs, and local streams (Whychus Creek and Indian Ford Creek) and springs (Metolius Spring, Paulina Spring, Alder Springs, and Lower Opal Spring) were assessed to determine the source(s) of the McKinney Butte and Camp Polk Springs. The discharge and hydrochemical data along with hydraulic head data from local wells were used in the development of a conceptual model of groundwater flow for the McKinney Butte area. Discharge from the McKinney Butte Springs supplies the majority of water to Whychus Creek on the east flank of McKinney Butte (~0.20 m³/s), provides up to 46% of the flow in the creek, and is relatively stable throughout the year. Discharge from the Camp Polk Springs is less than 0.05 m³/s. Isotopic, thermal, and geochemical signatures indicate distinct sources for the McKinney Butte and Camp Polk Springs. Groundwater discharged at the McKinney Butte Springs is depleted in heavy stable isotopes (δD and δ¹⁸O) relative to the Camp Polk Springs. Recharge elevations inferred from stable isotope concentrations are 1800-1900 m for the McKinney Butte Springs and 950-1300 m for the Camp Polk Springs. Elevated water temperature in the McKinney Butte Springs relative to the average air temperature at the inferred recharge elevation indicates the presence of geothermal heat and implies deep circulation in the flow system. The temperature in the Camp Polk Springs is not elevated. The Camp Polk Springs, though not the McKinney Butte Springs, contain elevated concentrations of ions Cl, SO₄, and NO₃ that are indicative of contamination. The study results indicate the source of the Camp Polk Springs is shallow groundwater whereas the McKinney Butte Springs discharge water that has circulated deep in the groundwater flow system. Additionally, the hydrochemical traits of the McKinney Butte Springs are similar to Metolius Spring, suggesting discharge from the McKinney Butte Springs is controlled by the structural trend that forms the eastern margin of the High Cascades graben. The significant difference in discharge between the McKinney Butte Springs and Metolius spring may be related to the size of faults that occur locally.

Studies of episodic shoreline accretion of the Columbia River Littoral Cell (CRLC) have been ongoing since 1964. In this study, the sediment volumes in the late Holocene barriers and beach plains are compiled and formatted in GIS compatible databases for the four sub-cells of the CRLC. Initial evaluation involved the creation of a geodatabase of 160 dated retreat scarp positions, that were identified on across-shore GPR and borehole profiles. Ten primary timelines were identified throughout the CRLC (0-4700 ybp) and those were used to develop polygon cells. Elevation, distance measurements, and position information were all linked to the polygon through a centroid location within the geodatabase. Once the geodatabase was completed, data was imported into MSAccessTM to create a relational database that would allow for examination of the littoral cell in its entirety or of the individual sub-cells. Within the database, sediment volumes, ages, accretion rates, sediment thicknesses, and timeline relationships were calculated and recorded. Using the database, the accretion history of the Columbia River Littoral Cell was evaluated and this examination illustrated the complexity of the system. Northern littoral transport was shown to be an important factor in the development of the littoral cell as a whole. Total sediment volume in the littoral cell was calculated to be 1.74 x 109 m3, with a mean accretion rate of 1.90 x 104 m3/yr, which is significantly less than some previous studies. This is due to a more detailed analysis of the beach and foredune facies themselves. This is likely the result of the higher precision of beach and foredune surface information using LiDAR. The database shows that the developmental history of the CRLC is dependent on temporal and spatial constraints that can be coupled with reverse modeling to predict shoreline erosion trends from impounded river sediments and potential global sea level rise. The North Beaches and Grayland Plains sub-cells have the greatest potential for future erosion; followed by the Clatsop Plains sub-cell.

A molecular system was developed and tested to efficiently analyze algal communities in river water samples. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) primers were designed to amplify the 18S rRNA gene of certain taxonomic groups of freshwater algae; there was limited success in specific amplification. Additionally, a primer pair utilizing both the 16S plastid gene and the 16S rRNA gene was tested with success, amplifying both prokaryotic and eukaryotic algae while excluding other taxonomically similar organisms. The terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) fingerprinting method, which has been used in previous studies to examine prokaryotic community structure, was modified with the successful algae primers to selectively fingerprint all algal groups in two San Joaquin River water samples. Triplicates of two TRFLP profiles have been generated and terminal restriction fragments (TRFs) have been assigned to specific algal species.

The San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta (SJSRD) of California is a riparian habitat that sadly represents the destructive forces and consequences of human impacts. A tributary to the SJSRD, the Calaveras River in Stockton, California, is a par1icularly degraded riparian system that recently has not been the focus of restoration effor1s. This study provides data about the current fish and mammals found in the Lower Calaveras River prior to any restoration efforts. Fish were sampled from February 2008 to February 2009 using a seine net and gill net. Fish were identified to species and length measurements and abundance were recorded. A total of 15 species were documented, only one of which was native (Sacramento sucker, Catostomus occidentalis). Dominant species throughout the sampling period included mostly those in the Family Centrarchidae. Other fish observed were golden shiners (Notemigonus crysoleucas), threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense), and western mosquitofish (Gambusia aj]inis). Fish assemblage varied with changes in season and percent coverage of submerged aquatic vegetation (SA V). Bluegill and redear sunfish abundances were positively correlated. Largemouth bass and redear sunfish abundances were positively related to the percentage of SA V and to changes in season. Presence of mammals was documented using several techniques including livetrapping, soot track plates, photography, and remote sensor infrared trail cameras. Native mammals included North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), raccoon (Procyon lotor), Botta's pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae), Califomia vole (Microtus californicus), California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi), desert cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus auduboni), and beaver (Castor canadensis). Introduced species included house mouse (Mus musculus), black rat (Rattus rattus), muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), and European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). House mice were only captured in traps October 2008 through March 2009, and more males were captured than females. Most organisms in this ripmian habitat were found to be non-native, likely due to the habitat degradation and future work will track whether flora and fauna can be restored.

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