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College of Natural Resources

Physical Address:
975 W. 6th Street
Moscow, Idaho

Mailing Address:
875 Perimeter Drive MS 1138
Moscow, ID 83844-1138

Phone: 208-885-8981

Fax: 208-885-5534

Email: cnr@uidaho.edu

Web: College of Natural Resources

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Frank Wilhelm

Frank Wilhelm, Ph.D.

Professor of Limnology, Department Head of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, Associate Director, Center for Research on Invasive Species

Office

CNR 104E

Phone

208-885-7218

Mailing Address

Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive MS 1136
Moscow, ID 83844-1136

Degrees

  • Ph.D., University of Alberta, Ecology and Environmental Science, 1999
  • M.S., Trent University, Watershed Ecosystems Graduate Program, 1994
  • B.S., Trent University, Biology/Environmental Resource Science, 1991

Research Interests

Limnology
Lake management
Aquatic restoration
Food webs
Aquatic invertebrates
Non-native species

Selected Publications

Maine, A.N., Moser, M. L., Jackson, A. D., and Wilhelm, F. M. 2023. Probiotics improve survival and growth of larval Pacific Lamprey in laboratory culture. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. DOI: 10.1002/nafm.10923

Swanson, G., Langman, J. B., Child, A. W., Wilhelm, F. M., and Moberly, J. G. 2023. Iron and manganese oxidation states, bonding environment and mobility in the mining-impacted sediments of Coeur d’Alene Lake, Idaho: Core experiments. Hydrology 2023, 10(1), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology10010023

Dreher, T. W., Davis, E. W., Wilhelm, F. M., Burnet, S. H., and Mueller, R. S. 2022. Genome sequence of freshwater nontoxigenic Limnoraphsis associated with microcystin-producing blooms. Harmful Algae 118: doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2022.102309

Iniguez-Armijos, C., Tapia-Armijos, M., Wilhelm, F., Breuer, L. 2021. Urbanisation process generates more independently acting stressors and ecosystem functioning impairment in tropical Andean streams. Journal of Environmental Management https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.114211

Burnet, S. H.**, and Wilhelm, F. M. 2021. Estimates of internal loading of phosphorus in a western US reservoir using 3 methods. Lake and Reservoir Management 37: 262-274. DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/10402381.2021.1923590
Awarded Jim LaBounty Best Paper Award in Lake and Reservoir Management in 2022.

Langman, J.B., Ali, J.D., Child, A. W., Wilhelm, F. M., and Moberly, J. G. 2020. Sulfur species, bonding environment, and metal mobilization in mining-impacted lake sediments: Column experiments replicating seasonal anoxia and deposition of algal detritus. Minerals 10: 849; doi:10.3390/min10100849

Michael J. Vanni, McIntyre, P.B., Arnott, D.L. Benstead, J.P., Berg, D.J., Brabrand, A.,Brosse, S., Bukaveckas, P.A., Caliman, A., Capps, K.A., Carneiro, L.S., Chadwick, N.E., Christian, A.D., Clarke, A., Conroy, J.D., Cross, W.F., Culver, D.A., Dalton, C. M., Devine, J. A., Domine, L.A., Evans-White, M.A., Faafeng, B., Flecker, A.S., Gido, K.B., Godinot, C., Guariento, R., Haertel-Borer, S., Hall, R.O., Henry, R., Herwig, B.R., Hicks, B.J., Higgins, K.A., Hood, J.M., Hopton, M.E., Ikeda, T., James, W. F., Jansen, H.M., Johnson, C.R., Koch, B.J., Lamberti, G. A., Lessard-Pilon, S., Maerz, J.C., Mather, M.E., McManamay, R.A., Milanovich, J.R., Morgan, D.K.J., Moslemi, J.M., Naddafi, R., Petter Nilssen J., Pagano, M., Pilati, A., Post, D.M., Roopin, M., Rugenski, A.T., Schaus, M.H., Shostell, J., Small, GE., Solomon, G. T., Sterrett, S. C., Strand, O., Tarvainen, M., Taylor, J.M., Torres-Gerald, L.E., Turner, C.B., Urabe, J., Uye, S.-I.. Ventelä,A.-M., Villéger, S., Whiles, M.R., Wilhelm, F. M., Wilson, H.F., Xenopoulos, M.A., Zimmer, K.D. 2017. A global database of nitrogen and phosphorus excretion rates of aquatic animals. Ecology 98: 1475

Beutel, M. W., Duvil, R., Cubas, F. J., Matthews, D. A., Wilhelm, F. M., Grizzard, T. J., Austin, D., Horne, A. J., and Gebremariam, S. 2016. A review of managed nitrate addition to enhance surface water quality. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology 46: 673-700, DOI: 10.1080/10643389.2016.1151243

Liao, F. H., Wilhelm, F. M., and Solomon, M. 2016. The effects of ambient water quality and Eurasian watermilfoil on lakefront property values in the Coeur d’Alene area of Northern Idaho, USA. Sustainability 8: 44. doi:10.3390/su8010044

Caldwell, T. J.**, Wilhelm, F. M., and Dux, A. 2016. A non-native pelagic macro-invertebrate alters population dynamics of herbivorous zooplankton in a large deep lake. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 73: 832-843. DOI: 10.1139/cjfas-2015-0144

Eitel, K., Wilhelm, F. M., Parsons, R.**, and Eitel, J. 2014. Lakes Alive. Science Scope 32: 22-29.

Harris, T. D.**, Wilhelm, F. M., Graham, J. L., and Loftin, K. A. 2014. Experimental manipulation of TN:TP ratios to suppress cyanobacterial biovolume and microcystin concentration in large scale in situ mesocosms. Lake and Reservoir Management 30: 72-83. DOI:10.1080/10402381.2013.876131.

Harris, T. D.**, Wilhelm, F. M., Graham, J. L., and Loftin, K. A. 2014. Experimental additions of aluminum sulphate and ammonium nitrate to large−scale in situ mesocosms to reduce cyanobacterial biovolume and microcystin concentration. Lake and Reservoir Management 30:84-93 DOI:10.1080/10402381.2013.876132

Wilhelm, F. M. 2013. Using service-learning to teach limnology. LakeLine 33: 34-39.

Sánchez-Murillo, R.**, Brooks, E. S., Sampson, L. Boll, J., and Wilhelm, F.M. 2013. Ecohydrological habitat quality and steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in an effluent dominated stream: potential benefits of wastewater treatment plants in streams of the Pacific Northwest impoverished by loss of marine derived nutrients. Ecohydrology DOI: 10.1002/eco.1376.

Wilhelm, F. M., and Nelson**, D. 2012. A non-lethal approach to estimate whole-body 13C and 15N stable isotope ratios of freshwater amphipods using walking legs. Invertebrate Biology 131:110-118. DOI 10.111/j.1744-7410.2012.00259.x

Caldwell**, T. J., and Wilhelm, F. M. 2011. The life history characteristics, growth and density of Mysis diluviana in Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho, USA. Journal of Great Lakes Research 38: 58-67 Supplement 2. doi:10.1016/j/jglr.2011.07.010.

Nelson**, D., and Wilhelm, F. M. 2011. Survival and growth of the stygophilic amphipod Gammarus troglophilus under laboratory conditions. Journal of Crustacean Biology 31:424-433. DOI: 10.1651/10-3431.1

Wilhelm, F. M. 2009. Pollution of aquatic ecosystems I. In G. E. Likens, editor. Encyclopedia of Inland Waters. Volume 3, pp 110-119. Oxford: Elsevier.

2023 Alumni Award of Excellence, University of Idaho
2022 Jim LaBounty Best Paper Award in Lake and Reservoir Management – professional peer-reviewed journal of North American Lake Management Society
2019 Alumni Award of Excellence, University of Idaho
2018 Secchi Award (Washington State Lakes Protection Association)
2018 Outstanding Faculty 2017/2018 Environmental Sciences Program
2018 University of Idaho Teaching Excellence Award
2015 National Advising Association Faculty Advising Award
2015 Region 8 National Academic Advising Association Faculty Advisor Award of Merit
2014 University of Idaho Faculty Advising Excellence

A sampling program to examine the resuspension of sediment and nutrients from disturbances in the nearshore zone of Lake Coeur D’Alene.
Here we are quantifying the resuspension of sediment, nutrients, and metals into the water column from different substrate types (sizes) and in response to i) wind waves and human caused wakes on calm, and windy days, ii) different boat types (Pontoon, Ski/V-hull and wake boats) which iii) pass at various distances from shore. This is being combined with daily satellite counts of boats on the lake to derive a whole-lake boat use index.

The release of nutrients and sediment from wave- and wake-induced nearshore disturbances in Big Payette Lake, ID.
Here we examined and quantified the sediment (turbidity) and phosphorus (both total and dissolved) in the lake bottom that is susceptible to- and resuspended by waves (natural) and wakes (human caused) impinging on shorelines with different substrate types (e.g., silt, sand, cobble, rocks etc.) to assist the Big Payette Water Quality Council to identify strategies to protect the future water quality of Big Payette Lake so it can continue to serve as the water source for the City of McCall.

Willow Creek Reservoir Water Quality Research and Evaluation Studies: 2020-2025
We are evaluating the operation of a bottom aeration system to determine optimum operation conditions to maximize hypolimnetic aeration, prevent destratification of the water column, and minimize internal loading of phosphorus (P) to bottom waters and the reservoir in general. The overarching goal is to reduce the occurrence of harmful blooms of cyanobacteria. Part of the work is focused on development of a novel aerator shroud to allow for the 35’ annual draw down as irrigation water is withdrawn from the reservoir.

Contact Us

College of Natural Resources

Physical Address:
975 W. 6th Street
Moscow, Idaho

Mailing Address:
875 Perimeter Drive MS 1138
Moscow, ID 83844-1138

Phone: 208-885-8981

Fax: 208-885-5534

Email: cnr@uidaho.edu

Web: College of Natural Resources

Directions