Balancing Analysis and Adventure: A Week with the Field Work Intern

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My name is Kathryn (Kate) Shiffler and I am the field work intern here at the foundation this summer! I am a rising sophomore at the University of Idaho, with a dual major in Conservation Biology and Wildlife Science. Although, from my work here so far, fisheries and aquatic science is starting to call my name. Crazy how one (or half of one) internship can change your mind so quickly!

So, what does the Field Work Intern do?

Monday – Believe it or not, office work to start the week off!

Usually I will do research, run data analysis, or read scientific papers applicable to the Henry’s Fork. Lately I have been working on some projects for my mentor (Dr. Jack McLaren).

Tuesday – More office work, usually finishing up whatever I didn’t get done the previous day. Sometimes I will get pulled away to help with other field tasks, which is great! It gives me the opportunity to have a variety of experiences.

Tate, Brady, and Kate (me) on the reservoir

Wednesday – Island Park Reservoir data collection!

This is oneof my favorite parts of the week. We take the boat out to five sample sites to collect water quality data. The device we use measures things like depth, temperature, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen. Seeing the data in real-time as we collect it is always so cool.

Thursday – Harriman State Park Temperature Loggers!

Every Thursday, a fellow intern (Tate Sargeant) and I will take kayaks out on the ranch to download the data from our temperature loggers in the river. This is my primary responsibility here at HFF. We have sixteen locations we sample, so it’s an all day adventure. We start at the Last Chance Anglers Access and float all the way down to Riverside Campground. A long day and the relentless sun quickly taught us that taking food, water, and lots of sunscreen are essential for these trips.

Friday – The last day of the work week for me is usually used to finish up any extra tasks from the week. I will process the temperature logger data so we can get it pushed to the website for the public to see.

Recent Posts

The blue water of Island Park Reservoir under a blue sky with a single white cloud. Sawtelle sits in the background and you can see rocky edges of the reservoir as the water levels have dropped.

Water Quality

Summer 2026: Water Quality Reflection and Forecast for Island Park

Photo of Island Park Reservoir, taken July 31 2026 Summer 2026 is the Henry’s Fork Foundation’s 11th summer monitoring conditions in Island Park Reservoir, and we continue to learn something new even a decade later. This summer’s lesson? How rain and high outflow disrupt algae blooms—maintaining clear water, for longer. The Weather Event At the end of June, data from HFF’s weekly monitoring on Island Park Reservoir showed that algae growth was creeping up and

Christina Morrisett August 4, 2026

General

SUMMER ON THE SOUTH FORK

It’s no secret that the Henry’s Fork is a river of grandeur. To those that fish it, it is like a church – a sanctuary that breathes fly-fishing legend. However, the South Fork quietly rumbles in the distance, with striking beauty, and equally legendary status. The South Fork’s deep, ripping currents, and plugging canyon walls hold many anglers fish of a lifetime. However, beyond trout fishing, it is the community deeply rooted in the waters

Patrick Nardi July 23, 2026

Water Supply

(Almost) Snow-less Snow Science

As an MSU undergrad studying snow science, a summer internship might sound unlikely. Fortunately, snow is an invaluable resource year-round out here in the west, providing the majority of our water supply. My original project with the Henry’s Fork Foundation was to install snow monitoring stations across the watershed to better capture the spatial variability of its winter snowpack, however funding and approval has been backlogged. Luckily, my mentor ,Dr. Otto Lang, had another project

Sam Pruitt July 16, 2026

Intern

My First Time Fly Fishing

Claude’s secret but likely identifiable fishing spot My first Sunday in Ashton, Claude, the Washington and Lee Intern, did me the great kindness of taking me fly fishing for the first time in my entire life. I am not in any way an experienced angler. I’ve caught one fish in my entire life. I can’t identify it, and I only caught it with the help of my vastly more experienced little brother. Upon arriving here,

Audrey Hunter July 15, 2026