USGS characterizes the relationship between a stream's water temperature and the surrounding air temperature to understand the influence groundwater flow into and out of the stream has on that relationship.
We conduct experimental monitoring to characterize the relationship between stream water temperature and air temperature, to identify groundwater inflows to and outflows from streams. This research is part of a larger Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS) project in the Delaware River Basin aiming to develop methods to provide high-fidelity, real-time data on the quantity and quality of water in the basin.
One-inch wide by 1.5-inch long stream temperature loggers were deployed in Little Lehigh Creek and White Clay Creek watersheds in Lehigh and Chester Counties, respectively, Pennsylvania. At a subset of stream monitoring locations, paired air temperature loggers were installed. There are about 75 loggers in each watershed that have been continuously measuring stream and air temperatures since the summer of 2021, and will operate through the summer of 2022.
The comparison of stream temperature to the surrounding air temperature helps understand the influence of groundwater inflow to and outflow from the stream at that specific location, and potentially at larger scales. Groundwater inflows in the summer may cool the stream, for example, and this would affect the correlation between air and stream temperatures. We are also using thermal cameras to identify temperature differences in a stream that can identify locations of groundwater inflow.
*Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Next Generation Water Observing System: Delaware River Basin
Chester County, Pennsylvania
Delaware River Basin
Thermal Imaging Cameras for Studying Groundwater/Surface-Water Exchange
Geophysics for USGS Groundwater/Surface Water Exchange Studies
Groundwater/Surface Water Interaction near Ellerbe Creek, Durham, NC
- Overview
USGS characterizes the relationship between a stream's water temperature and the surrounding air temperature to understand the influence groundwater flow into and out of the stream has on that relationship.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Air temperature sensor at USGS stream gage #01451630, Cedar Creek, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. (Jeffrey Cole, USGS) We conduct experimental monitoring to characterize the relationship between stream water temperature and air temperature, to identify groundwater inflows to and outflows from streams. This research is part of a larger Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS) project in the Delaware River Basin aiming to develop methods to provide high-fidelity, real-time data on the quantity and quality of water in the basin.
One-inch wide by 1.5-inch long stream temperature loggers were deployed in Little Lehigh Creek and White Clay Creek watersheds in Lehigh and Chester Counties, respectively, Pennsylvania. At a subset of stream monitoring locations, paired air temperature loggers were installed. There are about 75 loggers in each watershed that have been continuously measuring stream and air temperatures since the summer of 2021, and will operate through the summer of 2022.
The comparison of stream temperature to the surrounding air temperature helps understand the influence of groundwater inflow to and outflow from the stream at that specific location, and potentially at larger scales. Groundwater inflows in the summer may cool the stream, for example, and this would affect the correlation between air and stream temperatures. We are also using thermal cameras to identify temperature differences in a stream that can identify locations of groundwater inflow.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. Visit Media to see details.Submerged temperature sensor* in Little Lehigh Creek, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. (Jeffrey Cole, USGS)
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. Visit Media to see details.Thermal image of Little Lehigh Creek (blue, cool), stream bank (yellow, warm), and concrete intake structure (white, hot) for Li'l-Le-Hi Trout Nursery*, Allentown, Pennsylvania. Areas of cooler water in the stream may indicate locations of groundwater inflow. (Jeffrey Cole, USGS)
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. Visit Media to see details.Thermal photograph* showing a cool blue stream, warmer yellow vegetated banks, and very warm red/white cows grazing along West Branch White Clay Creek, near Kelton, Chester County, Pennsylvania. (Jeffrey Cole, USGS) *Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
- Science
Next Generation Water Observing System: Delaware River Basin
The USGS Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS) provides high-fidelity, real-time data on water quantity and quality necessary to support modern water prediction and decision support systems for water emergencies and daily water operations. The Delaware River Basin was the first NGWOS basin, providing an opportunity to implement the program in a nationally important, complex interstate...Chester County, Pennsylvania
Since 1969, the Pennsylvania Water Science Center has had a cooperative program with Chester County to measure and describe water resources. Cooperation has been primarily with the Chester County Water Resources Authority, with participation from the Chester County Health Department. This partnership provides Chester County with scientific information for water-resources management.Delaware River Basin
In Pennsylvania, the USGS's water-resources roots date back to the late 1800's, with the initiation of streamflow gaging on the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers and assessments of groundwater resources near Philadelphia. The USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center continues to provide scientific information about the water resources of the Delaware River Basin, in cooperation with regional and local...Thermal Imaging Cameras for Studying Groundwater/Surface-Water Exchange
USGS scientists are using high-resolution handheld and airborne thermal imaging cameras in groundwater/surface-water exchange studies and other investigations where surface temperature contrasts indicate various hydrological processes. These cameras are used to quickly locate and characterize thermal (temperature) anomalies along streams, lakes, wetlands, estuaries, and across the landscape...Geophysics for USGS Groundwater/Surface Water Exchange Studies
Locating and quantifying exchanges of groundwater and surface water, along with characterizing geologic structure, is essential to water-resource managers and hydrologists for the development of effective water-resource policy, protection, and management. The USGS conducts applied research to evaluate the use of new or emerging hydrogeophysical tools and methods to improve our understanding of...Groundwater/Surface Water Interaction near Ellerbe Creek, Durham, NC
Falls Lake has been included in the North Carolina Division of Water Quality’s 303(d) list of “impaired” waters, due to violations of the State chlorophyll-a standard caused by excessive nutrient inputs (North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality, 2010a). The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission has adopted nutrient management strategies... - Web Tools