Publication | Open Access
Use of Natural Temperature Patterns to Identify Achievable Stream Temperature Criteria for Forest Streams
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2004
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Source Water ProtectionEngineeringForest HydrologyForestryForest ManagementWater Temperature CriteriaEarth ScienceWatershed ManagementState Temperature CriteriaForest MeteorologyEnvironmental FlowClimate ChangeHydrometeorologyRiver Basin ManagementGeographyWater QualityForest Health MonitoringHydrologyForest StreamsWater ResourcesForest Resource ManagementForest InventoryNatural Temperature PatternsFlood Risk Management
Abstract Almost 90% of the streams listed on the EPA's nationwide database as water-quality impaired for temperature are in the Northwest. Historic records, monitoring of streams in federal wilderness areas in Oregon, and available data for least-impaired streams in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho show that many of these streams cannot achieve state temperature criteria. Forest management often is cited as a cause for increased stream temperature above state standards. The expectation that all forested streams should be below state targets has led to unnecessary listing of streams as impaired, wasting limited watershed protection resources. State water-quality programs should base water temperature criteria on natural patterns of stream temperature and on factors that have biological relevance to beneficial uses. West. J. Appl. For. 19(4):252–259.