Laboratory and field techniques for data loggers

Aquatic Research and Development Section
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

Aquatic Research Series 2010-03 

Measuring Stream Temperatures
Using Data Loggers:
Laboratory and Field Techniques

Version 3.0 March 2010

1 Aquatic Research and Development Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Trent University, DNA Building 2140 East Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8

2 Aquatic Research and Development Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, RR4, 41 Hatchery Lane, Picton, ON K0K 2T0

© 2010, Queen’s Printer for Ontario
Printed in Ontario, Canada

MNR 52639
ISBN 978-1-4435-2795-8 (PDF)

This publication was produced by:

Aquatic Research and Development Section
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
2140 East Bank Drive
Peterborough, Ontario
K9J 8M5

Online link to report can be found at:
Ontario.ca/aquaticresearch

Citation: Jones, N.E. and L. Allin. 2010. Measuring Stream Temperature Using Data Loggers: Laboratory and Field Techniques. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Aquatic Research and Development Section, OMNR- Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario. 28 pp.

Please send comments and suggestions on the manual to the River and Stream Ecology Lab, Aquatic Research and Development Section, nicholas.jones@ontario.ca

Aquatic Research & Development Section<
Ontario.ca/aquaticresearch

Summary

Stream temperature is an aspect of water quality that affects every aquatic organism, and although not overly complex to measure, reliable measurements require careful planning. Stream temperatures vary considerably over both time and location. Although there has been some success relating single point-in-time temperature measurements to the thermal class of a stream we strongly advocate additional data gathered via data loggers to provide a time series that describes a stream’s thermal regime etc., magnitude, duration and frequency, predictability, and flashiness. The methods described in this document were developed from considerable field experience and are intended to assist others interested in measuring water temperature in flowing waters. In this guide we provide advice in four areas including: (1) choosing a temperature data logger; (2) laboratory procedures; (3) field procedures; and (4) retrieving and handling time-series temperature data. We also introduce ThermoStat, a tool for analyzing data in a consistent format for reporting purposes. This report is intended to help people conduct successful field measurements to maximise the quality of their data and the information obtained.

Résumé

La température de la vapeur est un aspect de la qualité d’eau qui influe sur tous les organismes aquatiques, et même si sa mesure n’est pas excessivement complexe, elle demande quand même une préparation soigneuse. Les températures de vapeur varient de façon considérable dans l’espace et dans le temps. Même si nous avons pu relier une mesure de température à un moment donné à la classe thermique de la vapeur, nous encourageons fortement la collecte des données supplémentaires, à l’aide d’enregistreurs de données, pour obtenir une série chronologique décrivant le régime thermique d’une vapeur (c. à d. l’ampleur, la durée et la constance et le niveau de crue éclair). Les méthodes décrites dans le présent document ont été élaborées en se fondant sur les vastes expériences sur le terrain et visent à aider d’autres parties intéressées à mesurer la température de l’eau mouvante. Le présent guide contient des conseils dans quatre domaines, soit : (1) le choix de l’enregistreur de données de température; (2) les méthodes de laboratoire; (3) les marches à suivre sur le terrain; et (4) la récupération et la manutention d’une série chronologique de données de température. Nous présentons également l’outil ThermoStat utilisé pour analyser avec cohérence les données aux fins d’établissement de rapports. Ce rapport vise à aider les personnes à effectuer de bonnes mesures sur le terrain pour accroître autant que possible la qualité de leurs données et de l’information obtenue.

Introduction

Thermal regime is of central importance in sustaining the ecological integrity of aquatic ecosystems and limits the distribution and abundance of riverine species. Water temperature can vary at small-scales (etc., groundwater seeps) to large-scales (etc., stream reaches). Similarly, water temperature can vary within hourly to annual time scales. Temperature influences the overall water quality, rates of nutrient turnover, metabolic activity, growth rates, timing of migration and spawning events and distribution of stream organisms. Species-specific thermal preferences and tolerances are the critical biological elements that define thermal habitat. Water temperature has been described as the ‘abiotic master factor’ for fishes (Brett 1971; Poff et al.1997). More recently, the “natural thermal regime” and its components: magnitude, frequency, duration, timing and rate of change, have been acknowledged as fundamental variables that must be incorporated in environmental flow standards (sensu Poff et al. 1997; Chu et al. 2009; Olden and Naiman 2009).

Stream water temperatures are influenced by the source of stream water (etc., ground water, surface runoff, lake and wetland storage), solar radiation (including shading), air temperature, land use practices, climate, precipitation and geologic setting (Stevens et al. 1975). Temperature largely determines the formation, persistence, and break-up of river ice which are important aspects of the physical character of streams and fish habitat. Super-cooled water supports the formation of ice crystals in the water column that accumulate as frazil ice; in turbulent water, this can be deposited on the riverbed to form anchor ice. Anchor ice can grow to such an extent that it occludes the channel. It can build up in shallow areas, forming ice dams that cause back-water effects. As anchor ice thickens, it can become buoyant and float away, often taking with it parts of the substratum. Frazil ice can have direct deleterious effects on fish by damaging the delicate tissues of gills, even plugging the gills and suffocating the fish (Brown et al.1994). Frazil can also accumulate beneath the ice sheet of slower reaches of the river, forming hanging dams, which can fill most of the volume of pools and eliminate living space for fish (Cunjak and Caissie 1994).

Thermal alteration is the anthropogenic alteration of the natural thermal regime etc., increase or decrease of water temperature. In general, at a local scale increases in stream temperature arise from damming of water, loss of riparian vegetation, widening of river channels, input of water from storm water ponds, and inputs of effluent water used as a coolant by nuclear and coal-fired generating stations, and industrial manufacturers. At the watershed scale water temperatures in river systems may be altered by land-use within the watershed such as urban development, agriculture or forest management. Stream temperature regimes are difficult to quantify, but available evidence suggests that stream temperature regimes in many parts of North America are now different from those that existed a century earlier. Alteration of these regimes in turn may contribute to a decline of fishes etc., salmonids. To best conserve and restore river ecosystems, managers should restore the river’s temperature regime, as closely as possible, to its natural pattern of variability.

In 2004 the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, River and Stream Ecology Lab embarked on a long-term study on the regional and temporal variation in the thermal habitat of Great Lakes streams. During our six years of fieldwork we deployed over 400 temperature data loggers across the Great Lakes Basin. In addition, we received over 1000 files of temperature data from various agencies across Ontario. Many of the agencies we contacted wanted to know more about assessing stream temperature and thermal regime characteristics using data loggers, while others wanted some method to store their temperature data for quick and orderly access. We learned a great deal during our first year of sampling and data handling and thought this should be shared amongst others looking to deploy temperature loggers to understand the thermal characteristics of their streams. In addition to our on experiences we reviewed other protocols and reports in the primary and gray literature etc., Dunham et al. 2001, 2005; Lewis et al. 2000; Zaroban 1999.

The purpose of this report is to provide guidance on the choice of logger, logger deployment and retrieval, and data storage for people collecting stream temperature data. This report is intended to help people reduce the observational variability, as opposed to natural variability of temperature data and to avoid differences in sampling and analysis technique. While we do not specifically endorse the Onset Computer Corporation series of temperature data loggers, most of our experience has been with these loggers and most people collecting stream temperature data in Ontario use Onset products.

Rationale for measuring stream water temperature

Before heading out into the field or buying your loggers you should understand the rationale for the proposed data collection. Ask yourself the following questions:

• what data are to be collected, time, places,
• duration of data collection, and

Examples of why we measure temperature include monitoring:

• pre- and post-treatment water temperature regimes.
• temperatures for fish related concerns (etc., cold, cool, and warmwater guilds).
• temperatures in relation to point source influences (etc., warm or cold water discharges).
• temperature patterns to validate or parameterize water temperature models (etc., Bartholow 2000).
• temperatures to model responses of aquatic biota (etc., Eaton et al. 1995).

Choosing a temperature data logger

This is the first important step in measuring stream water temperature. Similar to trends in the personal computer industry, the sophistication of temperature data loggers has increased during the past decade in mainly two directions, smaller and greater memory capacity. There are many different types of data loggers on the market with a countless array of options. Be sure your logger meets your needs. Think about the nature or type of stream system you plan to monitor or study. Consider the following options and features when purchasing a logger, longevity (memory capacity and battery life), size, accuracy, precision, durability, waterproofness, battery type, and reliability. We strongly advise that you discuss your needs with local distributors of stream data loggers and with people who use loggers regularly.

Longevity, memory capacity and battery life

Memory capacity is important if temperatures are to be recorded for long periods (etc., >1 year) or short sampling intervals (etc., <15 min). Most data loggers today have a minimum of 21k of memory that allows 21580 measurements. More measurements are not necessarily better because data handling may become cumbersome. It may be useful to create a table illustrating the number of observations generated given an interval and recording length (Table 1) or how many days the logger can be used base on various sampling intervals (Table 2). For example, 12 months recording with an interval of 30 minutes will collect 17,280 measurements.

Table 1. The number of observations generated using varying time intervals (minutes).

Table 2. The number of days that can be recorded using varying time intervals (minutes) for a logger capable of 42,000 measurements.

Size of loggers

Most temperature data loggers these days are small (etc., 10 cm) although some may require larger submersible cases. Generally the size of the logger is not an issue; however, the smaller models may be more difficult to find in the field which might be beneficial if vandalism or theft is a problem at the sampling locations.

Accuracy and precision

Most data loggers, when properly functioning, are very accurate and capable of relatively precise ±1 to 0.2°C.. However this accuracy may vary slightly with temperature etc., 0° to 50°C.. Most manufacturers provide detailed information on the accuracy and precision of their instruments. We found that loggers were accurate as described by manufactures specifications etc., accuracy: ± 0.2°C. at 0° to 20°C. Bit resolution refers to the smallest change that can be detected by the logger and is provided by most manufactures. For example, some models with 8 bit resolution are sensitive to 0.16°C. whereas, higher bit models (12-bit) are capable of more precise measurements etc., 0.02°C..

Type of data logger housing and durability

Some data loggers are not submersible and must be deployed within sealed waterproof housings. If you decide to use loggers that are made waterproof by using submersible cases then you must consider two challenges. Data loggers within waterproof housings are not in direct contact with the water, and are actually recording air temperatures within the sealed housing. Heat transfer between the air within the housing and the surrounding water is not immediate, but air temperatures within the housing should track surrounding water temperatures (Figure 1). In laboratory tests where loggers were subjected to extreme temperature differences, there is a short time lag (~30 mins) required for the air within the housing to equilibrate with the surrounding water temperature; whereas, for a waterproof logger (no housing) time lag is shorter (20 mins) (Figure 2). The rate of change for the temperature is proportional to the temperature difference. Thus, temperatures recorded from data loggers within housings may not accurately track water temperatures on very short (etc., 10 min) time scales.

Figure 1. Comparison of two types of loggers, HoboTemp Pro and Hobo in submersible case in two different streams (a) a small stream North Creek and (b) Shibagua River. North Creek is a small headwater steam on the southern border of the Shield and has heavy riparian cover. Shibagua River is larger, off the Shield, and due to its size, the riparian vegetation has relatively little influence.

Figure 2. Comparison of two types of loggers, HoboTemp Pro and Hobo in submersible case, under two temperature change scenarios (a) from room temperature down to zero °C. by placing the loggers in ice water and (b) taking the loggers out of the ice water to 30 °C. tap water.

Loggers placed in clear or translucent cases may act as heat collectors and give artificially high temperature values due to solar radiation warming inside the case (i.e., greenhouse effect. White, non-translucent cases are recommended to avoid solar radiation warming. White cases, however, advertise their location and rarely remain white for long due to algae growth.

Choosing a sampling interval

We suggest a sampling interval of 30 minutes although shorter intervals (etc. 15 mins) may be used in small, flashy streams or in relation to impact assessment (etc., hydropower, urbanization). All this said, we strongly advice that a minimum of 30 minutes be used. This time interval is also the preferred interval for analyses in ThermoStat.

Laboratory procedures

Pre-deployment is the second important step in measuring stream water temperature. Too often we see loggers that were incorrectly programmed and launched resulting in corrupted data and poor choice of sampling interval. In one case we obtained data recorded every 0.5 seconds!

Calibrating your data logger

Regardless of the type of data logger used, it is good practice to make sure it is functioning properly. Calibration is a relatively simple process and well worth the time, given the consequences of inaccurate or no data. A procedure for calibrating data loggers is the “ice bucket” method (see Onset website). The procedure involves the following steps:

1. Deploy the data loggers at a short sampling interval (etc., 1 minute).
2. Submerge data loggers in an insulated ice bath (etc., a cooler with lots of ice and water).
3. After at an hour, remove the data loggers and download the data. If the data loggers are calibrated correctly the temperature readings should level-out at 0°C.
4. Check calibration both before and after data loggers are deployed and retrieved.

It is also advisable to use a NIST thermometer to test the accuracy of data loggers at temperatures other than 0°C.

Launching procedures

There are two ways of launching your data logger. Most popular is to program the logger for a delayed start. A delayed start is recommended if the loggers will be deployed at a later date or when you want your loggers synchronized so comparisons among loggers (sites) can be made. Alternatively, you can set the logger to start immediately. The latter method is rarely used today; however, older logger models typically do not have the delayed start option. We highly recommend synchronizing loggers such that measurements are made at the same time etc., 12:30, 13:00, 13:30 hrs. This synchronization makes statistical comparisons more valid. Regardless of the method used, be sure to record the day and time the logger was deployed so you can trim data at a later date. See Appendix I for suggested site identification and logger field sheets. You might experience problems with your data if

1. the battery runs out,
2. the logger malfunctions,
3. your loggers date and time was improperly set,
4. you set your logger to wrap around the current data, or
5. you did not physically place your logger in a good location. Be aware of using daylight savings time (DST) or Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Before the logger is deployed attach an identification tag (i.e. property of …, tidbit #, please leave in water, contact number) to the logger with a cable tie. In the event that the logger is found by a member of the public this tag may deter them from vandalism. We have had people find our loggers and return them to us because of this tag.

The optic window on some loggers can become overgrown with algae. These algae can be difficult to clean off in order to optically read the data. For some loggers a protective boot can be purchased to protect the optical window. You should carry a tooth brush to clean off the optic window. If the window on the tidbit V2 logger is dirty, the shuttle will not be able to recognize the logger and will record a fail. Record on your field sheet the type of logger, serial number and logger number. If needed replace faulty loggers with fresh loggers. In the lab, try cleaning and downloading problem loggers again. If this still fails to work, return the logger to seller where they should be able download via other methods.

Field procedures

Field work is the third important step in measuring stream water temperature. Before placing your logger in the stream you need to determine if the site will be frequented by various users etc. fishing, recreation etc. Ask yourself if the logger will be readily visible to visitors? Are people going to tamper with it if they find it? Is this private or crown land? Is access going to be a problem in the future? Are beavers going to be a problem? Will it be too dangerous or risky to access the stream (i.e., very steep, loose rocks)? Look for fishing line and lures, beer cans, bottles, garbage and fire pits. In the stream, look for any flow obstructions, try to avoid springs or seeps, make sure there is mixing within the site and the water depth is sufficient even during low flow periods of summer or winter. In Ontario, the best time to deploy and retrieve loggers is during the low flow period of summer (July- September). You do not want to place your loggers too deep that you cannot retrieve them the next year.

Placing the logger in the stream

It is well worth spending time on logger placement so that it is not lost. We have successfully used three techniques for placing the logger in a stream or river. The water depth and clarity will determine which technique to use (Table 3).

Table 3. Choosing an installation method depends on river or segment characteristics.

Staked: Staking loggers involves using a 12-24" section of solid rebar 3/8-3/4" diameter with a small hole 1/4" diameter at one end large enough to thread a small cable tie. Make sure the hole in the rebar is sufficiently away from the end of the rebar to avoid closure during hammering. This rebar is pounded into the substrate with a sledge hammer or cupped pipe (mini post driver) (Figure 3). The cupped pipe is a solid bar of metal 1" diameter with a short (3") section of pipe welded onto the end. The rebar is first hammered down to the water surface. Below the waterline we use the mini post driver: hammering otherwise will lead to lots of splashing and misses. The cupped portion of the driver leaves 2-4" of the rebar exposed. Attach the logger and tag via a cable tie to the rebar. In many cases a flat rock can be placed on the exposed end of the rebar thus concealing it from passer-by but do not impede water flow to the logger.

Free-weight: If the water depth is suitable for wading/walking then take a long cable tie (36-48 inches) or stainless-steel cable and attach the logger to a cinder block (Figure 4). Carry the cinder block to your site location and physically place it securely in the stream. Try to hide the cinder block by covering it with rocks but do not to impede water flow to the logger.

Tethered: If your water depth is greater than a metre or the stream is prone to moderate turbidity then it is recommended that you use the tether technique (Figure 5). Other notable factors are steep slopes, flashy streams, silt or clay substrates. This technique will help you retrieve the logger upon return. To tether your logger:

1. Attach the logger and its information tag to a half cinder block with a large cable tie. The logger should securely lie in the protective inner hole of the cider block. This requires one small tie for the logger and one large tie for the block.
2. Cut a section of aircraft cable to an appropriate length needed to position the logger.
3. Attach one end of the aircraft cable (1/8 - 3/8" diameter) to a ½ cinder block with an appropriately sized swage and use crimpers to clamp the swage onto the cable.
4. At the other end of the cable attach a 12-24 inch section of solid rebar 3/8 to 3/4" diameter with a small 1/4" diameter hole at one end large enough to thread the cable. Make sure the hole in the rebar is sufficiently away from the end of the rebar to avoid closure during hammering.
5. Throw the ½ cinder block into the river while holding on tight to the rebar.
6. Once the cinder block has settled to the bottom, hammer the rebar into the substrate with a sledge hammer or cupped pipe (mini post driver) (Figure 3) so the top is flush with the ground. Attach this end with a swage and use the crimpers to clamp the swage onto the cable (Figure 5).
7. Make sure you place flagging tape in a tree close to the rebar and take a picture so you can find it again.
8. Ensure the rebar and cable is flush to the bottom to avoid detection and tampering. Placing a rock on top of the rebar helps keep it in place and hidden. In shallow areas you might want to place rocks along the tether line to hide it from view.

Make sure your tether line is long enough (double what you think is necessary). If you are unsure of the water depth because of the turbidity use your pike pole to search foradequate water depth. We have had instances of tethered loggers drying up because we did not use enough line to get out to deeper water.

Protecting your data logger in the field

Try to protect your logger from human vandalism, flash flooding, eroding banks, ice jams, drying out, freezing and animal disturbances. The best locations are on private land. Private land and their owners deter access and help protect loggers from vandals. Avoid high-use areas such as parks. If you must place a logger in a high use area, camouflage your cinder block with rocks or paint. Aging cinder blocks take on the colour of stream rocks over time. We have routinely used bridge crossings as stream access points with few problems. Permanent structures such as bridge abutments and large boulders offer a great deal of protection against high flow events, are recognizable, and make good reference points. Try to use natural in stream rocks, permanent log jams or boulders to secure your cinder block in the stream. The slower side of current breaks are also ideal locations for logger placement. We have had great success with the free-weight and tethered methods. Try to avoid placing full cinder blocks at the lip end of culverts, there are many beavers out there.

Ensure that water depth is sufficient so that the logger will not dry-out in summer or freeze during the winter. If possible visually check loggers in the lowest flow periods in the summer and winter. We check our loggers in the low flow period to ensure that there is sufficient water i.e. no less than 0.3 m. Record the date, time and any adjustments you made to the logger.

Documenting logger location and site information

If your site will be hard for someone else to find, draw a map of its exact location and attach it to your site identification form or field sheet. Remember you may not be the person going back to the site to retrieve the loggers. In addition to a site sketch to help locate the logger, we also strongly recommend recording the location of the logger in the river with a GPS. Today’s GPS can even direct your travel route on roads to reach your logger. A digital camera should be used to take a picture of the location of the logger and surrounding reference structures etc., large trees, bridges. Include the person placing the logger in the picture at the exact location of the logger. The person in the picture should point to the location of the submerged logger. Lastly, tie pieces of flagging tape on tree branches directly perpendicular to the stream logger location. These precautionary measures may seem cumbersome but it is much better than losing a logger or spending an hour searching in the rain on a cold day in October. Finding loggers in the field after one or two years can be challenging. Using the techniques describe above will help you find the logger and retrieve your data.

On your data logger field sheet record the date (YYYY/MM/DD), the time (24 hour clock), the deployment number, sampling interval of the logger, wetted stream width in meters, depth of logger in meters, the degree of shading upstream based on riparian vegetation height and stream width (high, medium or low), habitat type (pool or riffle), pre-calibration factor (if the logger was calibrated), location in stream, crew and any other comments. An example field sheet is attached in the Appendix.

Although it is highly recommended that the site identification form be completely filled, at a minimum, the stream name, UTM coordinates, and datum (etc., NAD 83) should be recorded. Site identification is crucial for ensuring that future users of the data know where the data was collected. An example of our site identification field sheet is attached in the Appendix. If you have loggers in the waterproof casings you should lubricate the o-ring, and place a business card and desiccant pack inside.

Safety

It is highly recommended that you work in pairs, one person on shore and the other person in the stream. If you are working on fast moving, large rivers or streams with high algae/mosses which makes your footing very slippery you might want to wear a life jacket (summer months) or a floater jacket (fall, winter and spring). It is also a good idea to have a walking stick and polarized sunglasses to help see and feel the bottom area of the stream. You should also carry a pair of gloves and wear them when deploying and recovering loggers to avoid zebra mussel cuts, sharp rock cuts, cold hands and other objects in the stream i.e. broken glass and wire fences. In some situations, the person on shore should have a throw line handy. A hazard assessment, safe operating procedures, and appropriate training should be conducted prior to implementation of work.

Invasive species transfer

Note that invasive species transfer (etc. Didymosphenia geminate) is a risk factor in this work, particularly if you are visiting a number of streams over a large geographic area. We encourage field staff to use waders that reduce transfer (no felt soles), wash their waders between streams, and dry waders at the end of each day. Do not move used cinder blocks among stream sites.

Spatial thermal variation and sample site selection

Typically resource staff want to collect temperature data representative of the stream. This is easier said then done. Stream temperature will exhibit variation in time and space (longitudinally, vertically, and laterally) the degree to which depends on a number of factors. To obtain representative data consider how site and segment (1-103 m) characteristics might influence your understanding of water temperature in a stream.

The following will strongly affect water temperature:

• groundwater inflows, surface and subsurface;
• side channels, confluence of tributaries;
• landuse i.e. geology, forest cover/type, soils, riparian vegetation;
• beaver ponds and other impoundments, natural and man-made;
• wetlands, water withdrawals, effluent and sewage treatment plant discharge; and
• channel morphology (particularly conditions that create isolated pools).

Abrupt changes in any of these factors may lead to sudden changes in water temperature. Always place loggers in well mixed areas, but not in riffles prone to low water flows, or in deep pools prone to hyporheic flows (transient groundwater). Deep run and flat (glide) habitats are preferred locations. While the thalweg is certainly mixed well and representative of a large volume of thermal habitat, sheer stresses are typically highest there too.

Retrieving your data logger

Use the notes and pictures made during deployment to find the logger. Look for the flagging tape that was placed perpendicular to the logger on the stream bank. Depending on deployment technique, carry a pole with a hook on it so you can drag the logger and cinder block up to shallower water. This pole will help you retrieve your logger in turbid and/or deeply set loggers: it will also help you wade safely. If rebar was used, look for the rock that was used to conceal the logger. A metal detector can be used to find loggers (stake and tether) if other methods fail. If the logger is not found then expand your search downstream of the most probable spot.

After retrieving your data make sure you record the date (YYYY/MM/DD), time (24 hour clock), post-calibration factor if desired, approximate wetted stream width in metres, depth of logger in metres, signs of tampering, signs of logger drying out, crew and any other comments. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for downloading data. Check the battery level and replace dead or damaged loggers. See appendix II for the data logger form.

Data retrieval and handling

This is the fourth important step in measuring stream water temperature. We have seen a high degree of variability in data formats and data corruption related to incorrectly retrieving the data. We strongly recommend saving the raw data files for storage and future access. Follow manufacturer’s instructions if you want to work with Microsoft Excel. Note: we urge you to examine your date time data for errors in Excel.

We have created software for analyzing stream temperature data called ThermoStat. This latest version of ThermoStat incorporates many of the great tools used in STATE (Stream Temperature Analysis and Tool Exchange) and ThermoStat V1, and more, in a desktop stand-alone platform. Go to the ThermoStat page for more information. Functionalities include:

• Automatically accept multiple data formats.
• Contain user defined settings for report output (etc., Excel and Access friendly files).
• Automatically analyze their data in a consistent format for reporting purposes.
• Error checking
• Thermographic explorer module
• Daily, monthly, seasonal and annual temperature statistics (mean, min, max, range, SD).
• Days within optimal range and days above upper lethal for 40+ common species in the Great Lakes.
• User defined settings for unforeseen thermal criteria and species.
• Thermal guild statistics: warmwater, coolwater, and coldwater.
• Graphing temperature duration curves and area under the curve.
• Extremes: dates of thermal max and minimum temperature.
• Warming and cooling rates

The software is free. We ask that you send an email to nicholas.jones(AT)ontario.ca to request the password. Your involvement will help guide decisions on further development and investment. Your privacy will be respected and you will not be added to someone else’s mailing list. Check this website regularly for updates. Please do not redistribute this software. If you know of someone else that may find this software useful please direct them to this website to obtain their own copy directly.

We encourage you to review the ThermoStat Manual. Installation instructions are provided in the manual. ThermoStat is programmed using Matlab and compiled as a ‘standalone’ package. However it is necessary to have the Matlab runtime environment on your system which is bundled in the Zip file.

Exporting data from boxcar and hoboware for thermoStat

Export your data using the software supplied by your logger manufacturer (etc., Hoboware), as a Text File. The data must be properly formatted for future use (etc., ThermoStat see manual).

Storage and archiving of data: field sheets, database, and data

Once temperature and site identification data have been checked for errors, back-up all data and digital photos. The raw field sheets and a copy of the data on disc should be placed in an archive file box and stored in a heated location to avoid mildew and mould problems. These are the originals and should never be handed-out.

Hopefully you have a greater appreciation for obtaining quality time series data from your temperature data loggers and will be better prepared for future temperature work. Learn from our mistakes and the advice of others.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all the people that have offered field advice and reviewed this document.

Literature cited

Bartholow, J.M. 2000. The Stream Segment and Stream Network Temperature Models: A Self-Study Course, Version 2.0 U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report 99-112. 276pp. (http://www.mesc.usgs.gov/training/if312.html)

Brett, J. R. 1971. Energetic responses of salmon to temperature. A study of some thermal relations in the physiology and freshwater ecology of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka). American Zoology 11: 99–113.

Brown, R. S., Stanislawski, S. S. and Mackay, W. C. 1994. Effects of frazil ice on fish. In Prowse, T. D. (Ed.) Proceedings of the Workshop in Environmental Aspects of River Ice. pp. 261±278. NHRI Symposium Series No. 12, National Hydrology Research Institute, Saskatoon, Canada.

Chu, C., N.E., Jones, A.R. Piggott, J.M. Buttle. 2009. A simple method to classify the thermal characteristics of streams from daily maximum air and water temperatures: revisited. North American Journal of Fisheries Management

Chu, C., N.E. Jones, and L. Allin. 2009. Linking thermal regime classification to climate and landscape variables in Ontario. River Research and Applications.

Cunjak, R. A. and Caissie, D. 1994. Frazil ice accumulation in a large salmon pool, in the Mirimichi River, New Brunswick: ecological implications for overwintering fish. In Prowse, T. D. (Ed.) Proceedings of the Workshop in Environmental Aspects of River Ice. pp. 279±295. NHRI Symposium Series No. 12, National Hydrology Research Institute, Saskatoon, Canada.

Dunham, J., Rieman, B., Chandler, G. 2001. Development of field-based models of suitable thermal regimes for interior Columbia basin salmonids. U.S.D.A. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station Forestry Sciences Laboratory Boise, ID.

Dunham, J., G. Chandler, B. Rieman, D. Martin. 2005. Measuring stream temperature with digital data loggers: a user’s guide Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-150WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 15 p.

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Appendix

Equipment list

life jackets
polarized sunglasses first aid kit
walking stick waders
cell phone
hook pole (pike)
toolkit maps
business cards
gloves

GPS unit and extra batteries
Clipboard and field sheets, pencils
calibrated loggers
laptop computer
inverter for lap top
camera and batteries

sledge hammer
flagging tape
cable cutters
letters to landowners
metal detector
cinder blocks
tags
air craft cable 1/8 – 1/4 inch
swages and crimper
1 or 2 foot length rebar 1/2 inch diameter
cable ties (small, medium and large)

Field forms

Site identification summary

Site identification summary form

Stream water temperature: data logger

Stream water temperature: data logger form

MNR 52639

ISBN 978-1-4435-2795-8 (PDF)