Stability of Water Temperature Attributes Over a 20-Yr Period

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine if the stability of water temperature attributes suggested by an analysis conducted in 2003 (Larson and Larson 2001; 2003) was continued over a 20-yr period. The pattern of degree accumulations observed in the daily heating and cooling cycles of three streams in 1998, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2018 were studied in Grant County, Oregon. The average air and water temperatures remained stable at each site and followed the expected natural patterns (Larson and Larson 2001) described in an earlier study. Within each sampling year, mean air and water temperature remained within 1−2°C and there were no significant differences between the rates of heating between the study years or between sites. © 2020 The Society for Range Management