Boise River Watershed Studies
Studying the Boise River watershed is important not only to the people and environment in this area, but also to the people and environment downstream. Industry, agriculture, and population growth are affecting water quality, aquatic biology, and water availability.
Identifying Bull Trout Migration in the Upper Boise River Basin
Problem: Reservoir operations may be contributing to the decline in the bull trout population in the upper Boise River basin.
Approach: The USGS Idaho Water Science Center is collecting and analyzing fish community, migration, habitat-use, and streamflow data to support local and regional bull trout protection efforts. Go to study Web site
Continuous Monitoring of Water Quality on the Boise and Snake Rivers
Problem: Water-quality standards are established for the Boise and Snake Rivers. It's important, however, to understand the way water quality affects each river's beneficial uses and to learn more about the significance of Boise River contributions to the Snake River's water quality.
Approach: The USGS Idaho Water Science Center has partnered with local agencies to develop and operate a continuous water-quality monitoring program to learn more about the relation between nutrient concentrations and algae growth and to determine if the rivers are meeting established water-quality targets. Go to study Web site
Assessment of Water Quality and Aquatic Biology in the Lower Boise River and Selected Tributaries
Problem: Water quality in the lower Boise River degrades as it flows from the Lucky Peak Dam to its confluence with the Snake River.
Approach: The USGS, in cooperation with its partners, is collecting and analyzing water-quality and aquatic biology data. Go to study Web site
Boise River Cross Sections
Problem: The last Boise River flood insurance study was conducted in 1978. Since then, the channel geometry and flood-plain features of the river have changed due to land development and the natural movement of the river. As a result of these physical changes, the current Flood Insurance Rate Maps are outdated.
Approach: Between October 1997 and December 1998, USGS Idaho Water Science Center scientists, in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, collected stream channel cross-section data and documented elevation reference marks.
Go to study Web site
