Description
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) are important water quality variables which affect the viability of fish and other aquatic organisms. These variables can potentially be influenced by river flow. Understanding the effects of flow and other factors on these important variables is critical for river management, particularly in the face of increasing demands on river resources. In this report, simple empirical methods are used to investigate the relationships between water temperature, DO, air temperature, and flow at two locations in the Red Deer River. Available water temperature, DO, discharge, and air temperature data were compiled for a number of sites along the Red Deer River. Compliance with water temperature and dissolved oxygen requirements for fish were evaluated at all sites using daily data. Non-compliance with acute and chronic temperature criteria occurred more frequently at stations located in the lower reaches of the river. Violations of oxygen criteria in the...