Indigenous Based Climate Monitoring and Indigenous Habitat Protection Programs Watershed Monitoring Updates

The Gitksan Watershed Authorities, in collaboration with Skeena Fisheries Commission, initiated a water temperature data monitoring program in 2020. The program established 164 water temperature monitoring sites and 8 air temperature monitoring sites throughout the Upper Skeena, Middle Skeena, Babine, and Kispiox River watersheds. Temperature is recorded hourly, and includes daily minimum, daily maximum, and daily average temperature at each site. Data is collected year-round and downloaded every summer. These data are being used to identify spatial patterns in water temperatures and better understand watershed drivers of thermal regimes via a spatial-stream-network model. Results will inform how broad landscape features influence temperature patterns and potentially identify reaches critical for preserving areas of thermal refugia for salmon.

For more information please contact Gitksan Watershed Authorities.