Hydrologic control of thermal habitats in rivers

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Temperatures in rivers are controlled by climate, e.g., river temperatures warm-up during summer in northern rivers.  However, at specific locations within a river, temperatures can be influenced by shading, water depth and many other factors including inputs of tributaries and the discharge of groundwater to the river.  Animals like fishes take advantage of local temperature variations in rivers to escape summer temperature highs and winter ice build-up.  How these temperature refuges are created by groundwater entering the river or tributary streams is poorly understood.  We haven't developed tools to predict their occurrence and therefore natural resources managers who are charged with protecting river ecosystems don't know where to find these critical habitats. My research examines how temperatures are controlled in northern rivers.  I am mapping temperatures along rivers to identify where temperature refuges for fishes occur.  My goal is to determine the physical features of the river and the landscape around the river that produce the conditions needed to create temperature refuges.  I can use such information for models that predict where these critical fish habitats most probably occur within a river.  Ultimately, this research is designed to help us protect and conserve our Canadian river ecosystems and their resources.