Continuous Temperature Monitoring

Two volunteers standing in a river looking at a thermistor

Continuous temperature monitoring volunteers deploy devices called “thermistors” in order to monitor the temperature of the stream once per hour from May through October.

Volunteers must be engaged in a local WAV Coordinator or DNR-led project, and must have one year of baseline data collection completed in order to begin continuous temperature monitoring. To express interest in temperature monitoring, please contact your local WAV Coordinator.

*Must be a returning WAV volunteer (at least 1 year of WAV monitoring experience).

What is Measured

Continuous temperature monitoring devices, called thermistors (e.g., HOBOs or TidBits), are placed in the stream and record temperature every hour until they are removed and data are downloaded to a computer. 

A person loading thermistor data onto a laptop.

How the Data is Used

  1. Document baseline water temperatures
  2. Document and determine the effects of thermal dishcharges on aquatic biotic
  3. Locate groundwater influence to streams
  4. Document thermal impacts of structural dams to coldwater streams
  5. Document changes in stream temperatures after installation of agricultural and urban best management practices
  6. Assess the impact of climate change

Datasheets

Thermistor Log

Methods

Continuous Temperature Monitoring Manual