Water TEmperature Model
We created a regression model to determine the influence of air temperature and streamflow on water temperature. While air temperature had the greatest effect on water temperature, streamflow also significantly affected water temperature
Model results show that augmented flows reduce stream temperature by between .65 and .70 degrees celsius
There is not much different between small and large quantities of recharge in terms of the overall decrease in water. This result is promising as it means even a small amount of recharge could make a big difference
Impact on Fish
7.9% of the time from 1996-2000, water temperatures exceeded the temperature threshold for spawning.
Augmented flows from incidental recharge could reduce these exceedances by half.
Augmented flows from incidental recharge could reduce these exceedances by half.
Increased flows can improve the fishery by supporting more fish and larger fish.
Value of an improved fishery from a 5% increase in angler days
= $34,400
= $34,400
Cover photo courtesy of National Park Service