Kenneth Ham

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Biography

Kenneth Ham came to the PNNL and joined the Ecology Group in 2000. Dr. Ham’s work has concentrated on applying acoustic telemetry and hydroacoustic sonar tools to evaluate fish passage and survival to inform the operation and configuration of the Columbia and Snake River. His research projects also include supporting multi-stakeholder decision processes, developing software to extract information from split- and multi-beam sonar systems, developing interactive visualizations, and developing schema for energy metering data analyses. He directs the development of software tools to process and analyze fish movements in relation to dams and marine hydrokinetic facilities. These tools are used to ensure the development and operation of hydroelectric power meets its goals for stewardship of the environment.

Research Interests

Fish passage and survival at large hydroelectric facilities
Decision support tools
Multivariate analysis of environmental data
Automated data acquisition and control of experiments in laboratory and field situations
Data management, statistical analysis and programming

Education and Credentials

Ph. D., Ecology, University of Tennessee
M.S., Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University
B.S., Wildlife and Fisheries (minor: Zoology), University of Tennessee

Awards and Recognitions

2018, 2016 - Manager, Project Team of the Year
2013 - Project Team of the Year,

PNNL Publications

2023

Harnish R.A., K.D. Ham, J.R. Skalski, R.L. Townsend, and R.A. Buchanan. 2023. "Factors affecting powerhouse passage of spring migrant smolts at federally operated hydroelectric dams of the Snake and Columbia rivers." Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 80, no. 12:1949-1966. PNNL-SA-176055. doi:10.1139/cjfas-2022-0217

2022

Ham K.D. 2022. Requirements for Cataloging Hanford Geophysical Datasets. PNNL-33396. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Requirements for Cataloging Hanford Geophysical Datasets
Mater B.D., C.C. Coutant, K.D. Ham, W.A. Perkins, J.F. Christ, D.M. Anderson, and R.K. Singh, et al. 2022. Making a Deal with the Devilfish: Biometric-Informed Screening Technology CRADA - 514 (Final Report). PNNL-32845. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Making a Deal with the Devilfish: Biometric-Informed Screening Technology CRADA - 514 (Final Report)

2021

Whyatt M.V., D.E. Thorsen, M.D. Watson, K.D. Ham, P.A. Pederson, A.D. McKinnon, and K.R. DeSomber. 2021. Toward a Resilient Cybersecure Hydropower Fleet: Cybersecurity Landscape and Roadmap 2021. PNNL-32053. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Toward a Resilient Cybersecure Hydropower Fleet: Cybersecurity Landscape and Roadmap 2021

2020

Harnish R.A., J.R. Skalski, R. Townsend, and K.D. Ham. 2020. "In Search of a Cost-effective Approach for Estimating Dam Passage Survival." North American Journal of Fisheries Management 40, no. 4:865-882. PNNL-SA-149326. doi:10.1002/nafm.10448

2019

Ham K.D., R.A. Harnish, A. Colotelo, K.A. Deters, J.J. Martinez, P. Titzler, and J.R. Skalski, et al. 2019. Survival and Passage of Yearling and Subyearling Chinook Salmon and Juvenile Steelhead at Lower Granite Dam, 2018. PNNL-29052. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Survival and Passage of Yearling and Subyearling Chinook Salmon and Juvenile Steelhead at Lower Granite Dam, 2018
Skalski J.R., R.L. Townsend, R.L. Townsend, K.D. Ham, R.A. Harnish, T. Fu, and X. Li, et al. 2019. Passage and Survival of Yearling and Subyearling Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Smolts at Lower Granite Dam, 2018. PNNL-28579. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Passage and Survival of Yearling and Subyearling Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Smolts at Lower Granite Dam, 2018

2016

Matzner S., A.R. Maxwell, K.D. Ham, R.D. Hytnen, and J. Horne. 2016. "Observing Ocean Ecosystems with Sonar." In MTS/IEEE Oceans 2016, September 19-23, 2016, Monterey, California. Piscataway, New Jersey:IEEE. PNNL-SA-120086. doi:10.1109/OCEANS.2016.7761014
Skalski J.R., M.A. Weiland, K.D. Ham, G.R. Ploskey, G.A. Mcmichael, A.H. Colotelo, and T.J. Carlson, et al. 2016. "Status After 5 Years of Survival Compliance Testing in the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS)." North American Journal of Fisheries Management 36, no. 4:720-730. PNNL-SA-114788. doi:10.1080/02755947.2016.1165775

2014

Larson K.B., S.E. Niehus, J.D. Tagestad, K.D. Ham, S.H. Geerlofs, and M.C. Richmond. 2014. The Integrated Basin-Scale Opportunity Assessment Initiative: Pilot Assessment for the Deschutes River Basin. PNNL-23197. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The Integrated Basin-Scale Opportunity Assessment Initiative: Pilot Assessment for the Deschutes River Basin

2011

Adams S.M., and K.D. Ham. 2011. "Application of Biochemical and Physiological Indicators for Assessing Recovery of Fish Populations in a Disturbed Stream." Environmental Management 47, no. 6:1047-1063. PNNL-SA-80424.

2010

Ham K.D. 2010. "Corps uses simulations to design salmon passage improvements." Hydro Review 29, no. 6. PNWD-SA-8765.

2001

Ham K.D., and T.N. Pearsons. 2001. "A Practical Approach for Containing Ecological Risks Associated with Fish Stocking Programs." Fisheries 26, no. 4:15-23. PNNL-SA-34462.