New Water Quality Research Grants Include Studies on Lacamas Lake

VANCOUVER, Wash. – John Harrison, assistant professor of environmental science at Washington State University Vancouver, received a total of $173,900 from the California Sea Grant administered at the University of California San Diego to continue his research, “Modeling Nutrient and Organic Carbon Loads and Sources in Central Valley Watersheds: Taking Existing Monitoring Data to the Next Stage” through 2008. 

This research on California rivers will help Harrison and his colleagues understand how land use and climate affect regional water quality and how water quality is likely to change over the next several decades.  

In addition, Harrison received an award of $24,000 from the WSU Water Research Center for his research on Lacamas Lake and other northwest reservoirs, “How do Dams Affect Downstream Nutrient Transport?” This work is to take place March 2007 to February 2008. 

Harrison said the Lacamas Lake research is important because, “It will help us to understand how pollutants are processed in Lacamas Lake and other reservoirs, thereby helping us to manage lake and reservoir ecosystems as well as the downstream waters to which they contribute. “  

For more information on Harrison and his research, visit https://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/fac/harrisoj/.  

WSU Vancouver is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave., east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205. WSU Vancouver offers 14 bachelor’s degrees, nine master’s degrees and one doctorate degree and more than 35 fields of study. Visit us on the Web at https://www.vancouver.wsu.edu.