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Stream Temperature Modeling and Monitoring

Thermal regimes are important to aquatic ecosystems because they strongly dictate species distributions, productivity, and abundance. Inexpensive digital temperature loggers, geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing technologies, and new spatial analyses are facilitating the development of temperature models and monitoring networks applicable at broad spatial scales. This web site provides a mapping tool to help those in the western US organize temperature monitoring efforts, describes techniques for measuring stream temperatures, and describes several statistical models for predicting stream temperatures and thermally suitable fish habitats from temperature data. The web site also provides links to other stream temperature resources such as publications, videos, and presentations on topics relating to thermal regimes in streams.

This Page: Temperature Monitoring | Temperature Models | Other Resources | Stream Temperature Publications

stream temperature Monitoring

Dynamic Mapping Tool for Full-Year Stream Temperature Monitoring Sites		Sites Map Updated January 2013   Alaska (43) Arizona (10) California (5) Colorado (119) Georgia (25) Hawaii (9) Idaho (864) Maryland (69) Mississippi (63) Montana (495) Nevada (65) North Carolina (87) Oregon (444) South Carolina (4) Tennessee (12) Utah (31) Virginia (69) Washington (524) West Virginia (38) Wyoming (137)   Canada (47)   Future Sites - New Mexico | South Dakota
Map and table filter tips - Filter the stream temperature sites by state, agency, year and contact
This tool provides a spatial index to nearly 3,200 sites on streams and rivers in the US and Canada where full year stream temperatures are currently being monitored by numerous agencies. The primary goal is to portray a comprehensive set of sites across all agencies to facilitate data sharing and avoid redundancies, as new monitoring sites are added to the regional network. Raw temperature data are not downloadable through this site, but typically reside with the local data stewards, whose contact information is displayed by clicking on a point in the map. In some instances, RMRS may have copies of the raw data and permission to distribute it, so we ask that you contact us before contacting the local data stewards. The map will be updated once each winter to maintain an accurate description of current monitoring locations. If interested in obtaining temperature data, or if you have full year temperature monitoring sites to add to the map, please contact Sherry Wollrab: 208.373.4371; sherrywollrab <at> fs.fed.us.   Ongoing Annual Stream Temperature Sites - Static Map by Agency (jpeg) Updated April 2012   To download all points, use Google Earth: Download Stream Temperature Points (KML)   Right-click to download. To view KML files, you will need Google Earth

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other Stream Temperature Resources

	Climate Change Resource Center Reference Web site for resource managers and decision makers who need information and tools to address climate change in planning and project implementation.		Climate-Aquatics Blog Discussion group where new research and topics of general relevance to climate change and aquatic ecosystems are periodically posted for broad dissemination and feedback   Follow the Climate-Aquatics Blog on Twitter @DanIsaak
	2011 Climate-Aquatic Workshop Understanding and Adapting To Climate Change in Aquatic Ecosystems at Landscape and River Basin Scales: A decision support workshop for integrating research and management		Temperature Data Macro Stream Temperature SAS Macro

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awae stream temperature Publications and Presentations

2013

Manuscripts and Reports

Peterson, D.P., S.J. Wenger, B.E. Rieman, and D.J. Isaak. 2013. Linking climate change and fish conservation efforts using spatially explicit decision support models. Fisheries 38:111-125.

Isaak, Daniel J.; Rieman, Bruce E. 2013. Stream isotherm shifts from climate change and implications for distributions of ectothermic organisms. Global Change Biology. 19: 742-751.

(Related presentation): Isaak, D., and B. Rieman. 2012. WHERE’S THE BEEF? Why 20 years of predicted global warming effects on fish distributions remain unsubstantiated. Idaho Chapter American Fisheries Society, Couer d’ Alene, ID; Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society, Helena, MT; Western Division American Fisheries Society. Jackson, WY. Presentation slides.

 

(Related poster): Isaak, D.J., and B.E. Rieman. 2012. Climate velocity in streams: What does it mean for fish? USFS Region 6 Aquatics and Soils meeting, Eugene, OR; Colorado River Cutthroat Trout Working Group meeting, Grand Junction, CO.

Presentations

Isaak, D.J. 2013. Applications of spatial statistical stream network models. Western Division American Fisheries Society Workshop, Boise, ID, April 15.

Isaak, D.J. 2013. Climate change and aquatic resources in the West: Where are we, what does the future hold? USFS Conference for Public Affairs Officers and Capital City Coordinators. Boise National Forest Supervisor’s Office. Boise, ID, March 4 – 8.

Isaak, D.J., E. Peterson, J. Ver Hoef, D. Nagel, D. Horan, S. Parkes, G. Chandler, and S. Wollrab. 2013. Building a stream internet for enhanced conservation and management of aquatic resources. U.S. Forest Service National Aquatic Leadership Team Meeting, Boise, ID, April 15.

Isaak, D.J., J. Ver Hoef, and E. Peterson. 2013. A new class of spatial statistical models for data on stream networks: Overview and applications. Snake River Chapter of the American Statistical Association. Meridian, ID, June 7.

Isaak, D.J., and Z.A. Holden. 2013. Standard operating procedures for full year monitoring of temperatures in wadeable streams. National webinar hosted by the Global Change Research Program, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. January 31.

Isaak, D., S. Wenger, E. Peterson, J. V. Hoef, C. Luce, D. Nagel, S. Hostetler, J. Dunham, J. Kershner, B. Roper, D. Horan, G. Chandler, S. Parkes, and S. Wollrab. 2013. Applications of the NorWeST regional stream temperature model to improve conservation and monitoring of aquatic resources. Region 1 USFS, Missoula, MT, March 19-21.

Isaak, D., S. Wenger, E. Peterson, J. V. Hoef, C. Luce, D. Nagel, S. Hostetler, J. Dunham, J. Kershner, B. Roper, D. Horan, G. Chandler, S. Parkes, and S. Wollrab. 2013. Use of NorWeST for regionally consistent status and trend assessments of stream temperature. Northwest Water Quality Modelers Meeting. Lacey, WA May 7 – 8.

2012

Manuscripts and Reports

Isaak, D.J., S. Wollrab, D. Horan, and G. Chandler. 2012. Climate change effects on stream and river temperatures across the Northwest U.S. from 1980 – 2009 and implications for salmonid fishes. Climatic Change 113:499-524.

(Related presentation): Isaak, D., S. Wollrab, D. Horan, and G. Chandler. 2012. Climate change effects on stream and river temperatures across the northwest U.S. from 1980–2009. Idaho Chapter American Fisheries Society, Couer d’ Alene, ID; Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society, Helena, MT; Western Division American Fisheries Society. Jackson, WY. Presentation slides

Isaak, Daniel J.; Muhlfeld, Clint C.; Todd, Andrew S.; Al-Chokhachy, Robert; Roberts, James; Kershner, Jeffrey L.; Fausch, Kurt D.; Hostetler, Steven W. 2012. The past as prelude to the future for understanding 21st-Century climate effects on Rocky Mountain trout. Fisheries. 37(12): 542-556.

Isaak, D.J., and B.E. Rieman. 2013. Stream isotherm shifts from climate change and implications for distributions of ectothermic organisms. Global Change Biology. 19:742-751.

Luce, C., P. Morgan, K. Dwire, D. Isaak, Z. Holden, and B. Rieman. 2012. Climate change, forests, fire, water, and fish: building resilient landscapes, streams, and managers. Joint Fire Sciences Program, U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, GTR-RMRS-290, Fort Collins, CO.

Presentations

Horan, D., S. Wollrab, and D. Isaak. 2012. Using underwater epoxy to install temperature sensors in mountain streams. YouTube video, 4 minutes.

Horan, D.L., S.P. Wollrab, D.J. Isaak, and B.B. Roper. 2012. A large-scale evaluation of a cost-effective and simple method to monitor full-year temperatures in mountain streams. Western Division American Fisheries Society. Jackson, WY, March 26 – 29. Poster presentation.

Isaak, D.J. 2012. Climate Change & The Future of Isolated Trout Populations: Can the bull trout experience inform CRCT conservation? Colorado River cutthroat trout workgroup meeting. Grand Junction, CO, December 13-14.

Isaak, D.J. 2012. Monitoring and modeling stream temperatures: lessons learned in the Northwest with applications to the Northeast?

Regional workshop on Stream Temperature Data and Modeling Meeting, hosted by the North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative, U.S. Geological Survey, EPA, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Hadley, MA, May 3.

Isaak, D.J. 2012. Monitoring and modeling stream temperatures: Lessons learned in the Rocky Mountains with lessons for Alaska? Presentation at workshop on stream and lake temperature database compilation and monitoring efforts for climate change assessments, hosted by the Alaska Climate Science Center, Western Alaska and Northwestern Interior Forest Landscape Conservation Cooperatives, and Wildlife Management Institute. Anchorage, AK, November 5 – 6.

Isaak, D.J., Holden, Z.A., C.H. Luce, and B.B. Roper. 2012. Resolving spatiotemporal variation in climate warming of mountain stream temperatures using dense sensor arrays and air microclimate models. American Geophysical Union, fall meeting. San Francisco, CA, December 3 – 7. Published abstract #H53E-1567.

Isaak, D., D. Horan, and S. Wollrab. 2012. A simple method using underwater epoxy to install temperature sensors in mountain streams. Rocky Mountain Research Station, Science Application and Integration Program video, 40 minutes.

Isaak, D.J., B. Roper, C. Luce, Z. Holden, D. Horan, G. Chandler, and S. Wollrab. 2012. Recent research toward understanding spatial, temporal, and climatic variation in stream temperatures across the Northwest U.S. American Geophysical Union, fall meeting. San Francisco, CA, December 3 – 7. Published abstract #H51M-07.

Isaak, D., S. Wenger, E. Peterson, J. Ver Hoef, C. Luce, S. Hostetler, J. Dunham, J. Kershner, B. Roper, D. Nagel, D. Horan, G. Chandler, S. Parkes, S. Wollrab. 2012. NorWeST: A regional stream temperature database and model for high-resolution aquatic vulnerability assessments and decision support across the Northwest U.S. Presentation given at 3rd Annual Pacific Northwest Climate Science Conference, Boise, ID; Northwest Biological Assessment workgroup meeting, Boise, ID; U.S. Forest Service Region 6 meeting, Eugene, OR; American Geophysical Union, fall meeting. San Francisco, CA, December 3 – 7. Published abstract #B33E-0571.

The NorWeST Regional Stream Temperature Model For High-Resolution Climate Vulnerability Assessments Poster.

Isaak, D., S. Wenger, B. Rieman, C. Luce, E. Peterson, and B. Roper. 2012. Climate change effects on coldwater stream ecosystems: how climate concerns are driving development of better decision support tools and improving resource management. National webinar co-hosted by the USFWS National Conservation Training Center and the National Wildlife Federation. January 18.

Ver Hoef, J., E. Peterson, and D. Isaak. 2012. Spatial statistical models on stream networks. NOAA, Monster Jam Seminar. Seattle, WA. (PDF | Large 1-hour MMV video file)

2011

Isaak, D. J.; D. Horan, and S. Wollrab. 2011. A visual guide to permanently installing temperature sensors in streams using underwater epoxy. Updated 01/23/2013

Isaak, D.J. 2011. Stream temperature monitoring and modeling: Recent advances and new tools for managers. Stream Notes, pages 1 - 7. Stream Systems Technology Center, Rocky Mountain Research Station.

Wenger, S.J., D.J. Isaak, C.H. Luce, H.M. Neville, K.D. Fausch, J.B. Dunham, D.C. Dauwalter, M.K. Young, M.M. Elsner, B.E. Rieman, A.F. Hamlet, and J.E. Williams. 2011. Flow regime, temperature, and biotic interactions drive differential declines of Rocky Mountain trout species under climate change. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 108:14175-14180.

Wenger, S.J. D.J. Isaak, J.B. Dunham, K.D. Fausch, C.H. Luce, H.M. Neville, B.E. Rieman, M.K. Young, D.E. Nagel, D.L. Horan, G.L. Chandler. 2011. Role of climate and invasive species in structuring trout distributions in the Interior Columbia Basin. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 68:988-1008.

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2010

Isaak, Daniel J.; Luce, Charles H.; Rieman, Bruce E.; Nagel, David E.; Peterson, Erin E.; Horan, Dona L.; Parkes, Sharon; Chandler, Gwynne L. 2010. Effects of climate change and wildfire on stream temperatures and salmonid thermal habitat in a mountain river network. Ecological Applications. 20(5): 1350-1371.

Isaak, D.J., Z. Holden, C. Luce, and B. Roper. 2010. Massive air and stream temperature sensor networks for studying microclimatic variation in mountain landscapes. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting. San Francisco, CA, Dec 13 – 17. Poster presentation, Published abstract #GC51D-0771.

Stream Thermal Regimes & Aquatic Ecosystems in a Changing Climate - 2009 Presentation slides

General discussion of climate influences on stream temperatures: why stream temperatures are so important, what are the likely mechanisms of change, and observed/predicted patterns in stream temperature

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Rieman, B.E., and G.L. Chandler. 1999. Empirical Evaluation of Temperature Effects on Bull Trout Distribution in the Northwest. Final Report to U.S. EPA, Contract Number 12957242-01-0.