PNNL

Kenneth Ham joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory as a fisheries data scientist in 2000. Ham’s work has included collecting, preparing, and managing large datasets, including writing software, algorithms, and queries to analyze some of the largest known studies of fish passage and survival to inform the operation and configuration of the Columbia and Snake River hydropower dams. His research also includes managing large datasets to support a variety of objectives, including environmental cleanup, energy demand analyses, energy development, and geospatial analysis. He develops multi-stakeholder decision tools and facilitates those processes. He is also involved in developing visualizations and data standards to support hydropower analyses, including sustainable development, predictive maintenance, digital twins, cybersecurity, and stakeholder sentiment.

• Data management
• Scripting
• Programming
• Analysis
• Interpretation
• Communication
• Facilitation

• PhD in ecology, University of Tennessee
• MS in wildlife and fisheries sciences, Texas A&M University
• BS in wildlife and fisheries, with a minor in zoology, University of Tennessee

• Member, Department of Energy Geospatial Science Steering Committee
• Member, Network of National Laboratories for Environmental Management and Stewardship
• Volunteer Manager, acoustic telemetry code space for studies in the Columbia River Basin

• Superior Paper recognition for “Addressing Big Data Challenges with Geophysical Data Archival, Discoverability, and Re-use" at 2022 Waste Management Conference (Co-author)
• Manager, Project Team of the Year, 2018
• Manager, Project Team of the Year, 2016
• Project Team of the Year, 2013

2023

• Bence R.L., A. Moreno, K.D. Ham, and C.D. Johnson. 2023. Specifications and a Prototype Software to Demonstrate a Data Catalog for Hanford Datasets. PNNL-34960. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Specifications and a Prototype Software to Demonstrate a Data Catalog for Hanford Datasets
• 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, 1 November 2023, https://doi.org/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.