Influence of thermal gradients on the rates of heating and cooling of streams

ABSTRACT:

Field studies were undertaken to study the influence of thermal gradients on rates of stream heating and cooling. Results from the study on four watersheds suggest that the rates of stream beating and cooling are strongly influenced by exposure to the surrounding thermal environment. Air temperature, when used as an index of the thermal environment, provided a mechanism for estimating the rate of stream heating or cooling in different thermal environments. Rates were tested for significant difference and summarized to provide a framework for anticipating rates of heating and cooling given thermal environment conditions. Monitoring water temperature for watershed assessments determines how much thermal pollution is in a stream. Collecting temperature data between two established monitoring sites, and using air or soil temperatures as an indicator of the watershed's thermal response to climatic factors can help describe why, as well as where, the pollution is occurring. This study evaluates a means of quantifying and evaluating rates of water heating through the application of scientific principles.