Publication Summary

This summer between July 29 and August 15, the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) will measure stream temperatures in several rivers and streams in the Wenatchee watershed using airborne thermal infrared imaging. Increased water temperature is one of the leading water-quality problems in Washington′s waterways. Federal law requires states to identify and clean up waters that don′t meet water quality standards. These water quality cleanup plans are also called Total Maximum Daily Loads or TMDLs.

This summer between July 29 and August 15, the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) will measure stream temperatures in several rivers and streams in the Wenatchee watershed using airborne thermal infrared imaging. Increased water temperature is one of the leading water-quality problems in Washington′s waterways. Federal law requires states to identify and clean up waters that don′t meet water quality standards. These water quality cleanup plans are also called Total Maximum Daily Loads or TMDLs.

Ecology will contract with Watershed Sciences LLC to fly a maximum of 236 miles of streams by helicopter between July 29 and August 15, 2002. The helicopters will be mounted with Forward Looking Infrared Radiometry (FLIR) thermal-imagery equipment. The equipment will take infrared photographs of the rivers to provide a visual image of each river′s surface temperatures. Ecology is also placing temperature gauges in the rivers to confirm flight data with field readings. The helicopters will fly no lower than 1,000 feet (the length of about three football fields) and will work between 2 and 5 p.m., when daytime temperatures are highest.