Graduate Thesis Or Dissertation

 

Elevation, thermal environment, and stream temperatures on headwater streams in northeastern Oregon Public Deposited

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https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/7s75dh82w

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  • A case study examining the relationship between stream temperatures and the thermal environment through which streams flow was conducted on the headwaters of 4 tributaries of the Burnt River (Barney, Elk, Greenhorn, and Stevens Creeks) in northeastern Oregon during July through August 1998 and 1999. Barney Creek and Stevens Creek are in adjacent drainages, both with northerly aspects. Barney Creek drainage was completely burned over in 1989 while Stevens Creek vegetation remained intact. Elk Creek had 2 cold water tributaries and groundwater inputs. Greenhorn Creek was much more variable in terms of disturbance and vegetation. Stream discharge and air, soil, and water temperature data were collected at 150 m increments from 1370 to 1830 m elevation on each stream. Analyses compared daily mean air, soil, and water temperatures at each elevation within each stream, year, and month. Mean daily minimum and daily maximum air and water temperatures were also analyzed. For all streams in this study. elevation was significantly associated with air, soil, and water temperatures (p<O.000I). For most cases on each of the streams, mean daily air, soil, and water temperatures increased with every 150 meter drop in elevation. The thermal environment (air and soil surrounding the stream) as well as the stream temperatures responded similarly on each creek. Barney Creek had the overall highest mean daily air, soil, and water temperatures, followed by Greenhorn, Stevens, and Elk Creeks. Barney Creek was burned over in 1989 and had essentially no overstory canopy cover. Elk Creek consistently had the lowest mean daily air, soil and water temperatures. Elk Creek received substantial cold water subsurface and from 2 tributaries. Of the 4 creeks, Stevens Creek consistently had the greatest increases in mean daily air, water, and soil temperatures with descending elevation. Stevens Creek was adjacent to and very similar to Barney Creek with 2 notable differences. Stevens Creek had intact forest overstory canopy and it carried about half the flow of Barney Creek. Greenhorn Creek was the most variable in terms of temperature changes with descending elevation for mean daily air, water, and soil. Greenhorn Creek has been heavily disturbed by mining activity. Elevation was also significant for mean daily maximum temperatures for air, soil, and water (p<O.000I). Mean daily maximum air and water, as well as mean daily minimum water temperatures generally increased with descending elevation on all 4 streams. Mean daily minimum air temperature showed more variation with elevation, and likely reflected patterns of cold air drainage or cold air pockets. Thermal environment, heavily influenced by elevation, appeared to be a major influence on stream temperature.
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