WATER TEMPERATURE MONITORING KLAMATH RIVER MAINSTEM ABSTRACT This report summarizes the water temperature data collected by the Karuk Tribe of California (Karuk Tribe) from July 1993 to September 1997 at thirteen locations along the Klamath River from Upper Klamath Lake to the mouth of the Klamath River at the Pacific Ocean. This report describes the water temperature monitoring system designed by the Karuk Tribe, the data checks that were performed, and a summary of the water temperature data results. The Karuk Tribe began this study in part in response to the Klamath River Basin Fisheries Task Force stated objective to monitor water temperature conditions above, within, and below existing water projects along the Klamath River. With help from the California Department of Fish and Game, PacifiCorp, and the Klamath National Forest, this project was expanded from six to thirteen original monitoring sites in 1993. Water temperature data were collected by Ryan TempMentor? instruments typically on an hourly time interval. The data was checked for accuracy by consultants and reduced for this report to mean daily water temperature values each year on a monthly basis in US Geological Survey tabular format. Mean value data were entered into a Microsoft Access relational database for use on an IBM compatible computer. Although the period of record for the Klamath River water temperature data stretches over 5 years, several gaps in data inhibit detailed analysis. The analysis presented, illustrates when the minimum and maximum preferred temperature ranges for salmonids are exceeded. In addition, preliminary temperature trend shows that in August water temperature values below Iron Gate Dam were lower than other monitoring stations further downstream. Conversely, water temperature values in October are warmer below Iron Gate than in the unregulated reaches of the Klamath River downstream. Given this information, it appears that releases from Iron Gate Dam do influence the natural water temperature balance in the Klamath River. To more accurately determine the extent of reservoir releases on the natural thermal environment, additional water temperature measurements need to be collected.
"U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Cooperative Agreement #14-48-0001-95661."