2 Advances in characterizing groundwater, surface water, and their interactions

This session focuses on characterizing groundwater, surface water, and their interactions through fieldwork, modeling, and data synthesis. We welcome submissions addressing flow, transport, water quality, and water levels under both typical and extreme conditions.

Sunday, 22 March 2026
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
CCC, Room 25

Characterizing spatial and temporal variability in coldwater patches to improve understanding of coldwater refugia

Paper number: 2-3
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:45 AM – 9:05 AM

Authors

  • Anna Baynes Presenting Author
    University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
  • Jennifer Fair
    U. S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Turners Falls, MA
  • Ben Letcher
    U. S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Turners Falls, MA
  • Josie Pilchik
    University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
  • Allison Roy
    U.S. Geological Survey, Amherst, Massachusetts

Abstract

Coldwater refugia-- networks of coldwater patches that are expected to persist despite changing climates-- provide thermal shelter for coldwater fishes and other organisms from warming stream temperatures. Coldwater patches may originate from sources such as groundwater seeps, pools, and tributaries; however, it is difficult to predict locations of coldwater patches from coarse geographic or geologic data layers. Additionally, it is unknown how coldwater patches change in quantity and quality (e.g. size) spatially and temporally. Our objectives were to 1) quantify the heterogeneity of coldwater patch quantity and quality, and 2) determine how coldwater habitat quantity and quality change throughout the summer (June to August) with changing temperature and discharge. We identified coldwater patches using thermal infrared cameras in four small streams in western Massachusetts, USA. We conducted detailed habitat surveys within the coldwater patches and longitudinal temperature surveys through the ~1 km stream reach. Results show variability between streams across quantity and quality of coldwater patches with warmer streams having fewer coldwater patches. Coldwater tributaries created larger and more consistent coldwater patches than seeps and pools. Additionally, discharge greatly impacted coldwater patches with high flows eliminating coldwater patches and making the stream thermal profile relatively homogenous. Information about thermal habitat heterogeneity can be used to guide mapping of coldwater refugia and, when combined with fish movement data, to better understand fish use of coldwater patches. These results suggest a new approach that could develop a tool for guiding freshwater conservation decisions with changing climates.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 2

doi: 10.1130/abs/2026NE-411109

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