Ukrainian scientists joined USGS, PSU, and state and federal agencies for a day-long seminar on the Willamette River Basin.
by USGS-PSU Partnership
September 30, 2026
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On June 22 and 24, 2026, the USGS Oregon Water Science Center (ORWSC) and the USGS-PSU Partnership (UPP) hosted two day-long seminar at Portland State University for a delegation of Ukrainian scientists. The event, Water Diplomacy: Ukraine-USGS Oregon Water Science Center Bilateral Meetings, was one stop on a three-week Department of the Interior–USGS study tour, funded through the U.S. State Department, that also visited river basins in Colorado and Texas. The tour aimed to connect U.S. water planning and science with Ukraine's ongoing work on River Basin Management Plans under the European Union's Water Framework Directive.
The Willamette River Basin was chosen for the visit because of its similarities to a Ukrainian watershed in its physical, hydrologic, and societal context. Presenters included Ukrainian scientists along with speakers from USGS, PSU, the Oregon Water Resources Department, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Attendance was free for the PSU community, offering a chance to discuss local and international water science with a variety of experts.