Frequently Asked Questions by the Public

Each day the Oregon Water Science Center receives numerous inquiries, by phone or mail, from citizens attempting to obtain scientific information on a wide variety of subjects. While we always make every attempt to fill an information request, we also feel it is our responsibility to pass on to the appropriate person or agency any request that may not be directly related to the overall mission of the Water Resources Discipline. Listed below are some of the most frequently asked questions that we cannot properly answer and the person or agency who can.

• Where can I obtain aerial photos?

  Call the EROS Data Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at (605) 594-6151.

• How do I find out about USGS benchmarks?

  Most survey benchmarks were not established by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), but by the National Coast and Geodetic Survey, and are available on the web from http://www.ngs.noaa.gov ["Data sheets"]. For further assistance call 301-713-3242 or e-mail infocenter@ngs.noaa.gov.

• Where can I obtain earthquake and fault information?

  The Oregon State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries can provide this information. Call (503) 731-4100.
  Also, The USGS has extensive information on earthquakes. You can try the National Earthquake Information Center in Golden, Colorado, at (303) 273-8500 or 1-800-525-7848. Internet URLs to try are:

  USGS headquarters - http://www.usgs.gov/science/science.php?term=304l
  
  National Earthquake Information Center - http://wwwneic.cr.usgs.gov
  California - http://quake.wr.usgs.gov

  Where can I obtain flood-plain maps?

  Call FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) at 1-800-358-9616.

  Where can I obtain USGS topographic maps or basin maps of Oregon?

  The Oregon Water Science Center does not sell maps; however, topographic maps can be purchased from Nature of the Northwest Information Center at (503) 872-2750 and from sources in this list.
  If you want to obtain topographic maps by mail or information about maps directly from the USGS, call 1-888-ASK-USGS (888-275-8747) or visit http://geography.usgs.gov/
  Oregon basin maps can be purchased from the Oregon Water Resources Department at (503) 378-3739 ext. 242.

  Where can I obtain information about streamflow predictions for streams in Oregon?

  Call the River Forecast Center at (503) 261-9246.

  I am planning to go rafting, where can I get current streamflow information?

  First check out our Real-Time Data page for up-to-date streamflow information along selected rivers or, if the information you want is not there, then call the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) at (503) 231-6273 or the USFS office in the area you are interested in.

  I would like to know about mining claims and sites on Federal lands. Where can I go to get this information?

  Try this Bureau of Land Management Website about mining claims.

  There is a creek near my house and to my knowledge it has never been named. How can I give it one?

  To officially adopt a new name for an unnamed geographic feature such as a spring, stream, lake, or reservoir, application must be made to the Oregon Geographic Names Board.
  For more information call (503) 222-1741.

  Where can I obtain tide information?

  Access the NOAA web site Wave, Wind, and Tide data or
  Call the River Forecast Center (NOAA) at (503) 261-9246.

  Where can I find out information on soils in Oregon?

  Visit the the Natural Resources Conservation Service Website.

  Where can I obtain information about volcanoes?

  Call the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, Washington, at (360) 696-7693; the URL is http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov.

  I am very interested in geology and have several questions I would like answered. Is there someone who can help me?

  There sure is. Visit the USGS online service Ask a Geologist.

  How do I get information on wetlands?

  Visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory, or call the Region 1 Wetland Coordinator at (503) 231-2070.

  How can I find out the magnetic declination for a location in Oregon?

  An excellent Website for obtaining current or historical magnetic declinations for any place in the world is the:
  National Geophysical Data Center (NOAA)

  For hundreds more FAQ's please visit the USGS FAQ page