Indiana stream-temperature characteristics
Water-Resources Investigations Report
77-6
Prepared in cooperation with the Indiana State Board of Health and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water
By: W. J. Shampine
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Abstract
Periodic stream-temperature data have been collected at 280 different sites in Indiana by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Indiana State Board of Health. These data have been analyzed using a simple-harmonic curve-fitting procedure.
When the equation coefficients are known, calculations can be made for a given stream to estimate the maximum and minimum temperatures, the temperature on a given day, the day a given temperature is expected, or the length of time temperatures will exceed, or be less than, a specific.
The calculated harmonic coefficients were related to 23 topographic, basin, and climatic characteristics, and were analyzed by multiple-regression analysis techniques. The regional regression analysis for the harmonic- mean stream temperature, M, resulted in the following arithmetic function of station latitude (LAT).
M = 41.36 - 0.7166 (LAT)
The multiple correlation coefficient (r) was .72. Poor correlations were found for the harmonic phase-angle and amplitude coefficients, C and A, respectively. Constants of 4.32 radians for C and 11.27° Celsius for A are suggested as average statewide values in Indiana streams. The mean temperature of the White River at Indianapolis was raised 3.5° Celsius above expected ambient levels caused by climatic conditions alone, primarily as a result of discharges from powerplants.
In general, the harmonic coefficients depicting annual variability in stream temperatures, generated from the Indiana State board of Health data collected every 2 weeks, are the same as coefficients generated from the U.S. Geological Survey date collected every 4-6 weeks.
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Indiana stream-temperature characteristics |
| Series title | Water-Resources Investigations Report |
| Series number | 77-6 |
| DOI | 10.3133/wri776 |
| Year Published | 1977 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Indianapolis, IN |
| Description | v, 55 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |