A Network of Monitors Tracks Climate Impacts
Water temperatures are expected to alter with climate change. As we lose snow and ice, precipitation events become more intense and air temperatures warm. These changes will affect fish habitat availability and suitability as well as the growth, development, and behavior of fish and other aquatic organisms. SAWC and many other organizations are monitoring stream temperatures across the region to better understand the vulnerability of stream ecosystems to climate impacts.
SAWC coordinates with many partners across Southeast Alaska to support a regional stream temperature monitoring network. We aim to ensure stream temperature data are useful and accessible to management agencies, researchers, and local communities. We work with partners to identify monitoring sites and acquire funding. SAWC can provide equipment, training, and data management support to interested partners.
Contact:
Rebecca Bellmore
Science Director
rebecca@sawcak.org
Want to get started?
- Learn about data collection methods
- Find out where data are already being collected in SE Alaska (2024 Network Update) and around the state (AKTEMP)
- Explore Management Applications of Regional Freshwater Temperature Data for Southeast Alaska
Ready to share your data?
- Data can be uploaded and visualized on AKTEMP
Additional resources
- Southeast Alaska Freshwater Monitoring Network Implementation Plan (2018)
- Stream temperature data and the future of salmon – 2018 Southeast Environmental Conference
- Network Update Presentation – 2017 Southeast Environmental Conference
- Southeast Alaska Climate Workshop – 2016
Metlakatla Indian Community Department of Fish and Game staff recover temperature loggers and download data.
SAWC hosts a field training for stream temperature monitoring methods.
A temperature logger protected in a housing records water temperature every hour.