Stream Temperature Modeling

modeling Introduction

Thermal regimes are important to aquatic ecosystems because they strongly dictate species distributions, productivity, and abundance. Inexpensive digital temperature loggers, geographic information systems (GIS), and remote sensing technologies are now facilitating the development of temperature models applicable at broad spatial scales. This web site describes three different statistical procedures for predicting suitable fish habitat by modeling or inferring stream temperature.  Statistical temperature models are well suited for broad-scale applications because they are less data intensive than mechanistic stream models, provide estimates of parameter precision, and can often be easily derived from existing databases.

The web site also provides links to other stream temperature resources such as publications, videos, and data.  This information has been produced or compiled by the U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Boise Aquatic Sciences Lab. 

temperature Models

Air Temperature Based Thermal Stream Habitat Model 

This model was developed for predictions across the interior Columbia River basin in the Pacific Northwest.  The model predicts the distribution of thermally suitable habitat for bull trout by incorporating air temperature, elevation, latitude, and longitude.

Spatial Statistical Stream Temperature Model

This stream temperature modeling approach uses thermograph data and the predictor variables: air temperature, solar radiation, elevation, and stream flow. GIS and spatial statistical models that account for network topology were used to predict stream temperatures at 1 km intervals throughout a 2,500 km river network.

Multiple Regression Stream Temperature Model

This modeling approach uses thermograph records and a simple set of geomorphic predictor variables derived from digital elevation models (DEM).  A multiple regression model and GIS are used to predict stream temperatures for individual reaches throughout a river network.

other Resources

	Bull Trout & Climate Change Presentations at the Bull Trout symposium of the 2008 Western AFS Meeting		Measuring Stream Temperature with Digital Data Loggers: A User's Guide RMRSGTR-150WWW
	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 on lands in the West.		Temperature Data Macro Stream Temperature SAS Macro

Dunham, J., B. Rieman and G. Chandler  2003.  Influences of temperature and environmental variables on the distribution of bull trout within streams at the southern margin of its range.  North American Journal of Fisheries Management 23:894-904.