Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Oregon
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Sustaining the ecological integrity of aquatic ecosystems while meeting human needs for water resources is a major challenge facing today’s society. In many regions, including much of the western US, the growing demand for water supply and energy and increased human development have altered hydrologic regimes in streams and rivers that society depends upon for ecosystem services, including support of native biodiversity. Meeting the challenge of balancing human needs for water resources with protecting aquatic ecosystems requires the identification of management objectives and the integration of science-based information to help managers evaluate tradeoffs and identify optimal management strategies. Here we are working with managers and scientists to develop a framework for informing flow management in the Willamette River Basin.