Photo: Molly Tankersley

Southeast Alaska Stream Temperature Network

Stream temperature is a key environmental factor affecting stream health and reflects a watershed's morphology and climate. Mid-range climate change projections for Southeast Alaska indicate that the mean annual temperature will increase by more than 3°C by the end of the century. This warming will be accompanied by an increase in annual precipitation of up to 10% and a decrease in precipitation that falls as snow of up to 40%, which is likely to affect stream flows and temperatures.

The Southeast Alaska Freshwater Temperature Monitoring Network consists of stream temperature sites managed by the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and the Southeast Alaska Watershed Council (SAWC) as well as 12 other partner agencies, nonprofits, and tribes. 

The goal of the Network in this rapidly changing environment is to collect stream temperature data that meet the information needs of individual cooperators while simultaneously generating information that contributes to an understanding of regional stream temperature patterns and trends. The purpose of the network is to:

1. Facilitate the maintenance and upkeep of existing stream temperature monitoring sites in Southeast Alaska,
2. Ensure the use of standardized stream temperature data collection protocols by network partners,
3. Provide a centralized repository and quality assurance and control procedures for data being collected in the region,
4. Develop a publicly accessible database for project data and metadata, and
5. Develop new partnerships to increase stream temperature data collection capacity in Southeast Alaska. 

Stream Temperature Monitoring Sites

By clicking on individual sites on this map, users can get location information as well as find the agency/person running the site and how to get in touch. In addition, some of the sites have a data link that can be used to download data from the site. View the full map.