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Hydrologic landscape regions for predicting and generalizing the refuge function of intermittent and ephemeral streams
Citation:
EBERSOLE, J. L., P. J. WIGINGTON JR, S. G. LEIBOWITZ, AND R. COMELEO. Hydrologic landscape regions for predicting and generalizing the refuge function of intermittent and ephemeral streams. Presented at Joint Meeting of the American Society of Limnologists and Oceanographers/North American Benthological Society, Santa Fe, NM, June 06 - 11, 2010.
Impact/Purpose:
Intermittent and ephemeral (IE) streams can provide important functions within stream networks.
Description:
Intermittent and ephemeral (IE) streams can provide important functions within stream networks. Understanding the relative benefit provided to downstream waters is needed to better inform watershed management. Although the potential functions of IE streams are relatively well known, predicting and generalizing the relative contributions of these streams remains a challenge. To address this need, we explored the potential for IE streams to provide summer thermal refuge for coldwater fish in two basins in northeast Oregon. We surveyed IE streams at their confluence with warm (>18oC) perennial streams in both basins in late July 2008 and 2009 to identify potential thermal refuges. The occurrence of potential thermal refuges at confluence zones differed markedly between basins. Differences in streamflow characteristics, water temperature, and geomorphology among sites were associated with geologic and climatic setting. We propose that Hydrologic Landscape Regions (Leibowitz et al, this session), designed to capture variation in geologic and climatic factors influencing stream hydrology, may provide a useful template for both predicting and generalizing the potential refuge functions of IE streams.