Research & Monitoring Program

The purpose of TEP's Research and Monitoring Program is to:

1) provide data necessary to guide local watershed protection and restoration efforts and
2) measure the effectiveness of these efforts over time.

TEP takes a lead role in coordinating monitoring and research work and communicating results to the public. Research and Monitoring activities are arranged here according to the four priority problems established in the CCMP: water quality, habitat loss, sedimentation, and flooding.

Water Quality

The TEP has undertaken numerous bacteria monitoring and research projects to assess the severity and extent of watershed pollution, identify the most important bacteria sources, and document improvements in response to pollution-abatement measures. TEP combines volunteer citizen monitoring, routine and storm-based sampling, and DNA tracking methods.

Habitat

TEP's habitat monitoring and research focuses on fish use of the estuary, eelgrass distribution and density, salmonid population tracking, and exotic species detection.

Sedimentation

TEP has conducted several studies of sediment sources and accumulation in the Tillamook Bay basin. Download the reports here.

Flooding

TEP's role in flood mitigation research has taken place primarily through support of the Corps of Engineers'/Tillamook County's development of a hydro-dynamic model and Feasibility Study. These projects seek to identify and prioritize flood mitigation projects that also increase habitat values.