Steve Wells, M.S.
Steve Wells is the Senior Scientist and Owner of Aquaticus LLC (formerly Western Biological Services LLC). During his undergraduate work, Steve became interested in freshwater invasive species while exploring the Hudson River, New York in a rowboat and finding bays filled with water chestnut (Trapa natans). Steve researched the life phenology of invasive freshwater plants for his graduate studies (i.e., curlyleaf pondweed, Potamogeton crispus). He worked at the Center for Lakes and Reservoirs at Portland State University, Oregon primarily with freshwater invasive bivalves from 2003 until 2017, and he managed the Veliger Identification Laboratory at PSU for over ten years. His research interests include freshwater invasive species with a focus on zebra and quagga mussels and submersed macrophytes such as hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata).
Education:
M.S., Environmental Science and Management, Portland State University, Oregon
B.S., Environmental Sciences-Biology, Marist College, New York
Expertise:
Cross-polarized microscopy for detection and identification of bivalve larvae or veligers; invasive freshwater bivalves; freshwater submersed plants; early detection and monitoring; control; aquatic invasive species identification and biology; and field experiments.
Key strengths:
Troubleshooting under difficult conditions; technical writing; communicating with diverse audiences; and working from small boats in rivers, reservoirs, and lakes.
List of research and consulting clients:
Bonneville Power Administration, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Chelan County Public Utility District, East Bay Municipal Utility District, Idaho State Department of Agriculture, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, National Park Service, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon State Marine Board, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, Seattle City Light, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Valley Water District, Quinault Indian Nation, and Ministry of Environment of British Columbia.
Experience with freshwater invasive species: Steve has over 13 years of field and laboratory experience working with invasive species research and management. A regional expert regarding invasive bivalves that has trained more than ten agencies including the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, US Bureau of Reclamation, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Idaho State Department of Agriculture, and others. He has worked on more than 30 funded research and monitoring projects focusing on freshwater invasive species, and has extensive experience conducting field studies in rivers, reservoirs, and lakes using moored buoys, cages, and settlement plates, water quality monitoring, and conducting laboratory experiments. He has developed regional standard operating procedures, quality assurance project plans, training manuals, and numerous technical reports.
Previous projects and selected technical reports