Why do we care about temperature?
Fish, amphibians, and the macroinvertebrates in streams are “cold-blooded.” Their metabolism speeds up and slows down with the animal’s surrounding temperature.
Each organism has adapted to survive best at a given range of temperatures. For example, trout do best at temperatures below 22 degrees C (72 F) while carp may do fine in temperatures as high as 28 degrees C (82 F). If the temperature gets too high or changes too quickly these organisms can die.
Natural streams with shady banks keep water cool.
How do human activities affect temperature in East Canyon Creek?
Different types of land uses can alter the natural temperatures in a stream:
Streams without trees and bushes along their banks heat up more rapidly from the sun than streams with more shade.
Stream bank erosion can cause streams to get wider and more shallow. These streams also heat up more rapidly from the sun.
Water that runs off over the surface picks up heat from that surface. Pavement, roofs and exposed soils heat up faster than vegetated areas so these activities can result in warmer water temperatures in a stream.
Water heats up quickly when it is diverted into concrete channels.