A government center that studies water quality, supply and other water-related issues recently relocated to Portland State, providing further research opportunities for the university.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Oregon Water Science Center moved to its new location at 2130 SW Fifth Ave. in August after almost 20 years in East Portland.
The USGS Water Science Center and PSU have collaborated for a long time–the center gives graduate students research opportunities as well as providing adjunct faculty members for the university. Recent research the center has conducted includes studies on climate change and water-contaminant transport.
The center has been in talks with PSU about moving to campus for almost 10 years, said Terrence Conlon, the chief of general hydrological studies, but the timing had not been right until now. The timing worked out because Portland State had the space, and the center was able to end its lease, he said.
“We’ve had some students work with us, and some staff that are adjunct faculty, and we’ve done projects with PSU,” Conlon said. “But the physical distance between facilities kind of hindered that collaboration.”
Expanding research opportunities are part of the reason the new move will help Portland State, Conlon said.
Working with departments from geology to business administration and providing equipment that PSU does not have access to, including a water-quality lab and a drill rig to study ground water, are just a few examples of the expanded research opportunities, he said.
At least four PSU students are already working closely with the USGS Center, and there will be more, Conlon said. Internship opportunities will be available soon, and in the future, jobs for art students and business students to work on new projects could be offered.
The center is also hosting weekly lectures every Tuesday at noon and will host an official open house in January.
All in all, it is an exciting time for the center and the move should benefit both the water science center and Portland State, Conlon said.
“It just offers great opportunities for both PSU and the USGS, and we are very happy to be on campus,” he said.
For more information about the U.S. Geological Survey Oregon Water Science Center, visit www.usgs.gov or call 503-251-3200.