Wading through data

After much research, I have collected enough data so that we can begin running computer models of lamprey habitat requirements in the Columbia River estuary.

Generally, lamprey larvae and juveniles need shallow, warm, slowly flowing water with cover. This means we are filtering observation data to locate wetlands and edges of stream banks to determine if lamprey habitat is available below the Bonneville Dam. Volume and timing of water release changes both habitat availability and fish behavior. If current management regimes are not supportive of lamprey, then how can water management be improved? It will be instructive to learn what answers the computer model provides.