Logan Pallin's blog

 This was a very exciting and productive week. I finally received access to the DB 28 model run that I need to use for my model-observation comparisons. Again, DB 28 extends from Bonneville dam to Longview, WA. I spent most of Monday extracting the data from the run (temperature, elevation). I then converted the elevation to what we know as depth, but in a model it is referred to as the water column. I did this by adding the grid depth to the elevation arrays.

This was a pretty straight forward week!! It simply began and ended. I spent most of my time finalizing my coding scripts to get them ready for my model run that will be finished on Monday! I can not wait to get the run and start extracting data from it and conducting my comparisons. I also can not wait to conduct an analysis of Physical Habitat Opportunity for Salmon. I did, however, find what I think is a potential error with in the Forecast-26 Model.

This week was very demanding, both of work and brainpower. I am still currently working with Forecasts 26 and comparing it to the data that I have received from the four stations in Cunningham Slough (CSD 196430, 196612, 196617, and 196446).  

I have to admit right from the start that this was an eventful week. Monday through Wednesday consisted of the usual process of analyzing observation data from Cunningham Slough and comparing it to model data generated from Forecast-26. This week, however, the analysis process took a new turn. This week I used a script provided by Grant to generate virtual .mov files of temperature and elevation data. Could this be the production break I have always wanted? Just Kidding!!! They turned out really cool.

My journey at CMOP thus far has been outstanding. I have been able to take part in the large-scale process of using models to predict the effects on the habitat opportunity for juvenile Chinook slamonoids in the Columbia estuary. I have been able to analyze data and compare it to our model predictions, trying to figure out where the model lacks. I will soon be able to connect with the near by tribes and pass our knowledge on to them through meaningful interactions and discussion. This is yet another part within the vision, but another step towards a vision come true. 

Monday and Tuesday:
     So I was extremely excited to begin this week of work because I had finally received observation data from three of the Centers sensors out in Cunningham Slough on Sauvie Island. I began Monday by essentially looking at the data in a spreadsheet trying to make sense of what it meant. I pretty much understood the temperature, and pressure readings, but the depth readings, measured in feet, and did not make sense. They consisted of numbers ranging from 45 to 65 ft. Way to deep to be coming out of Cunningham Slough. Later that day I find out that the censors we are using were calibrated for the atmosphere in Denver, Colorado, and thus were not corresponding to proper pressure calibration down in Portland. I thought this was really interesting not only because I knew the values did not make sense, but mainly because of an error that you would not normally think of. I now just have to wait to hear back from some other people about how this problem can be resolved. 

The center has been really busy with finishing the annual report and getting ready for the NSF site visit here in two weeks. It is amazing to see how all of the scientists come together with all the different ideas to develop one concrete solution. 

I arrived in Oregon on a Saturday and immediately began to familiarize myself with area, especially how to get to CMOP from the apartments. I did not really know what to expect, as I have not yet had the chance to really get into the environmental science realm while in college. I arrived at CMOP at 8:30 am with an open mind and ready to go. I went through orientation, which was informal and to the point. We learned the dos and don’ts of the center.