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Department of Ecology News Release - August 30, 2001
01-149
YAKIMA - Helicopters outfitted with high-tech thermal imaging equipment will be used to take the temperature of Yakima River waterways this September.
Increased water temperatures are a leading water-quality problem found in state waterways. Cold streams are crucial to the success of fish spawning, rearing and migration as well as the health of habitat, aquatic plants and insects that are a food source for many species.
"From these pictures, we should get a better picture of the health of the Yakima River and many streams and tributaries," explained Chris Coffin, a water quality specialist with the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology). "We will identify hot-spots as well as naturally cool areas, and look for ways to make improvements where we can."
Flights sponsored by Ecology are scheduled for Sept. 11, 12 and 13. Infrared photos and video will be taken of the river and several streams, providing a visual image of surface temperatures. Images will focus on the center of the stream and take in as much of the riparian areas along side the stream as possible. Field readings from temperature gauges placed at various locations will be used to confirm flight data.
Data will be made available to state and local agencies as well as watershed planners and community members working on plans to improve water quality in the Yakima River Basin. Study results also will be compared with existing information gathered on temperature conditions.
"This information may be valuable to several projects already under way in the basin, including efforts to improve stream temperatures and reduce sediments to restoring habitat, and developing watershed plans," Coffin said.
More information is available online at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0110045.html or by calling Chris Coffin at (509) 454-7860.
Contact: Joye Redfield-Wilder, public information manager, (509) 575-2610, or pager (509) 574-0490
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
