The aim of the Reference Site Study was to provide information about relatively undisturbed wetlands in the lower Columbia River. Ecological and hydrological data collected from reference sites are used to inform restoration planning and evaluate management effectiveness. This program occurred from 2007-2010 and was funded by the Bonneville Power Administration.
The 2010 Final Report and Site Summary provides detailed information about the 43 reference sites that were monitored, including data graphs and tables for all metrics that were monitored.
The 2011 Restoration Analysis provides an analysis of the data collected for this study. This serves to inform restoration projects by quantifying the conditions necessary for development of wetland plant communities and tidal channel networks, and to evaluate how effective current wetland restoration actions are by comparing restored sites to reference sites.