U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Open-File Report 2018–1129

Prepared in cooperation with the Quinault Indian Nation

Water Temperature in the Lower Quinault River, Olympic 

Peninsula, Washington, June 2016–August 2017
Cover: Quinault River looking downstream near the Amanda Park Bridge and 

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgage – Quinault River at Quinault Lake (12039500). 

Photograph by Elyse J. Wulfkuhle, USGS, August 17, 2016.
Water Temperature in the Lower Quinault River, Olympic 

Peninsula, Washington, June 2016–August 2017

By Kristin L. Jaeger, Christopher A. Curran, Elyse J. Wulfkuhle, and Chad C. Opatz

Prepared in cooperation with the Quinault Indian Nation

Open-File Report 2018-1129

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

RYAN K. ZINKE, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

James F. Reilly II, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2018

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Suggested citation:

Jaeger, K.L., Curran, C.A., Wulfkuhle, E.J., and Opatz, C.O., 2018, Water temperature in the lower Quinault River, 

Olympic Peninsula, Washington, June 2016–August 2017: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2018-1129, 

24 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20181129. 

ISSN 2331-1258 (online)
iii

Contents

Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... 1

Introduction.................................................................................................................................................... 2

Purpose and Scope.................................................................................................................................... 2

Study Area ................................................................................................................................................. 4

Methods......................................................................................................................................................... 4

Discrete Temperature Sites........................................................................................................................ 4

Longitudinal Temperature Profile ............................................................................................................... 5

Characterization of Cooler Water Features ................................................................................................ 6

Results and Discussion ................................................................................................................................. 6

Discrete Temperature Sites........................................................................................................................ 6

Coarse-Scale Downstream Trends in Water Temperature .................................................................. 14

Longitudinal Temperature Profile ............................................................................................................. 16

Characterization of Reach-Scale Cooler Water Features......................................................................... 20

Summary ..................................................................................................................................................... 23

Acknowledgments........................................................................................................................................ 23

References Cited......................................................................................................................................... 24

Figures

Figure 1. Map showing location of 10 temperature monitoring sites, including the USGS streamgage 

Quinault River at Quinault Lake (12039500) and 9 discrete sites, and extent of longitudinal 

temperature profile survey, lower Quinault River, Olympic Peninsula, Washington....................................... 3

Figure 2. Boxplots of differences between primary and secondary temperature sensors at the 

nine discrete temperature monitoring sites, lower Quinault River, Olympic National Park, Washington........ 8

Figure 3. Graph showing discharge and daily mean water temperature at USGS streamgage 

Quinault River at Quinault Lake (12039500), Olympic Peninsula, Washington, June 2016–August 2017..... 9

Figure 4. Graphs showing daily mean water temperature at monitoring sites T10, T9, and T8, lower 

Quinault River, Olympic Peninsula, Washington, June 2016–August 2017................................................. 10

Figure 5. Graphs showing daily mean water temperature at monitoring sites T7, T6, and T5, lower 

Quinault River, Olympic Peninsula, Washington, June 2016–August 2017................................................. 11

Figure 6. Graphs showing daily mean water temperature at monitoring sites T4, T3, and T2, lower 

Quinault River, Olympic Peninsula, Washington, June 2016–August 2017................................................. 12

Figure 7. Boxplots of daily minimum temperatures at USGS streamgage Quinault River at 

Quinault Lake (12039500) and the six sites with complete data over the 15-month study period, 

lower Quinault River, Olympic Peninsula, Washington, June 2016–August 2017. ...................................... 15

Figure 8. Orthoimage showing location of near-streambed temperatures during the longitudinal profile 

survey and 11 potential cool water features and 1 warm water feature along the lower Quinault 

River (river kilometer 13–50), Olympic Peninsula, Washington, August 9–11, 2016 ................................... 17

Figure 9. Graph showing water temperature at the USGS streamgage Quinault River at 

Quinault Lake (12039500) and an Onset® Hobo temperature sensor deployed at the downstream 

extent of the longitudinal profile to represent magnitude of the diurnal cycle, lower Quinault River, 

Olympic Peninsula, Washington, August 9–12, 2016 .................................................................................. 18

Figure 10. Graphs showing surface and near-streambed water temperatures, and water depth 

during the longitudinal profile survey along the lower Quinault River (approximately river 

kilometers 13–49), Olympic Peninsula, Washington, August 9–12, 2016.................................................... 19
iv

Tables

Table 1. List of temperature monitoring sites, lower Quinault River, Olympic Peninsula, Washington .......... 7

Table 2. Differences in degrees Celsius between the primary and secondary temperatures sensors at 

nine discrete temperature monitoring sites, lower Quinault River, Olympic Peninsula, Washington.............. 7

Table 3. Summary of daily temperature values for USGS streamgage Quinault River at 

Quinault Lake (12039500) and temperature monitoring sites, lower Quinault River, Olympic Peninsula, 

Washington.................................................................................................................................................. 13

Table 4. Depth and near-streambed temperature at cross sections along potential cool water features 

and one potential warm water feature (WWF) in the lower Quinault River, Olympic Peninsula, 

Washington, June 2016–August 2017 ......................................................................................................... 21

Conversion Factors

U.S. customary units to International System of Units

Multiply By To obtain

Flow rate

cubic foot per second (ft3/s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second (m3/s)

International System of Units to U.S. customary units

Multiply By To obtain

Length

meter (m) 3.281 foot (ft)

kilometer (km) 0.6214 mile (mi)

kilometer (km) 0.5400 mile, nautical (nmi)

meter (m) 1.094 yard (yd)

Area

square kilometer (km2) 247.1 acre

square kilometer (km2) 0.3861 square mile (mi2)

Flow rate

cubic meter per second (m3/s) 70.07 acre-foot per day (acre-ft/d)

cubic meter per second (m3/s) 35.31 cubic foot per second (ft3/s)

Temperature in degrees Celsius (°C) may be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (°F) as °F = (1.8 × °C) + 32.

Datum

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).

Abbreviations

CWF cooler water features NWIS National Water Information System

ESA Endangered Species Act RK river kilometer

GPS Global Positioning System USGS U.S. Geological Survey

NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology WWF warmer water features
1 

Water Temperature in the Lower Quinault River, Olympic 

Peninsula, Washington, June 2016–August 2017

By Kristin L. Jaeger,1 Christopher A. Curran,1 Elyse J. Wulfkuhle,2 and Chad C. Opatz1

Abstract

The availability of cold-water refugia during summertime river-water temperature maximums is 

important for cold-water fish species including Endangered Species Act listed salmonids since water 

temperature influences metabolism, growth, and phenology. The U.S. Geological Survey monitored 

water temperature at 10 sites approximately evenly-spaced along the lower Quinault River on the 

Olympic Peninsula, Washington, from June 2016 to August 2017 to assess thermal conditions in the 

lower river. During this 15-month period, there was a near-continuous, 15-minute record at 7 of the 

sites; complications with thermistors at 3 of the 10 sites limited the temperature dataset to include only 

summer 2016. In addition, near-streambed and water-surface temperatures were measured along the 

lower river during a longitudinal survey from August 9 to 12, 2016, during summer baseflow conditions 

to potentially identify cold or cooler water regions. Measured August water temperatures were warmer 

than model-predicted August temperatures for the period, 1993–2011. Summertime (July–September) 

daily minimum temperatures exceeded established salmon habitat threshold temperatures of 16 °C (core 

summer season) and 17.5 °C (spawning, rearing, and migration periods) for 122 and 65 days, 

respectively, on average at all monitoring sites with a complete 15-month record that included two 

summer baseflow periods. Summertime water temperatures at those sites were generally cooler in the 

downstream direction along the lower Quinault River but became warmer in the downstream direction 

during the rest of the year, suggesting the river was influenced by diffuse discharge of groundwater with 

a relatively constant annual temperature. The August longitudinal temperature survey did not detect 

cold-water refugia (features more than 3 °C cooler than ambient stream water), although it did identify 

11 cooler water features (CWF) approximately 100–800 m in length that were 0.1 °C cooler than 

adjacent upstream or downstream water. The CWFs appeared to correspond to local geomorphic 

conditions. In August 2017, 10 of the 11 CWFs were field surveyed, and 5 appeared to be influenced by 

shading from solar radiation by riparian vegetation or steep cliff banks. In addition, field observations 

suggest that finer scale (that is, less than 10 m) CWFs, specifically individual side pools associated with 

large, in-channel wood, increased in frequency in the downstream direction along the lower Quinault 

River. However, this study did not quantify the density or water temperatures associated with these finescale features that may serve as cool- or cold-water pockets or patches.

 

1

U.S. Geological Survey. 

2

Quinault Indian Tribe. 
2 

Introduction

Water temperature is an important water-quality parameter for cold-water fish species including 

Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed salmonids since water temperature influences metabolism, 

growth, and phenology. Cold-water refugia in streams and rivers are particularly critical habitat for 

salmonid species and other aquatic biota during summer low-flow periods when stream temperatures are 

at a maximum. Cold-water refugia, where water temperatures are at least 3 °C colder than ambient 

streamflow temperatures (Ebersole and others, 2003), or cooler water features (CWF) where water 

temperatures are relatively cooler than adjacent reaches (Fullerton and others, 2017), often are 

associated with areas of groundwater or hyporheic upwelling or in-channel features such as pools, large 

wood, or confluences with cold-water tributaries. Summertime stream temperatures, in addition to 

changes in baseflows, are likely to be limiting factors for many Washington State salmon populations in 

coming decades (Mantua and others, 2010). Stream temperature data are limited for the Olympic 

Peninsula in the northwestern region of the State, but historical (1970–99) and projected (2020s–80s) 

maximum stream temperatures range from favorable to stressful for salmon (Mantua and others, 2010; 

Fullerton and others, 2017). 

The Quinault River flows from the Olympic Mountains within the Olympic National Park to the 

Pacific Ocean, draining a total area of 1,134 km2

 (fig. 1). Lake Quinault, a natural moraine-dammed 

lake, separates the lower and upper sections of the river at approximately river kilometer (RK) 51.6 and 

56.6 (O'Connor and others, 2003). The release of warmed lake surface water likely increases stream 

water temperatures in the lower Quinault River relative to the upper river (Mellina and others, 2002; 

Olden and Naiman, 2010). Therefore, cold-water refugia may become increasingly more important in 

the lower Quinault River as lake and river water temperature increase because of warmer air 

temperatures and lower summer streamflows relative to historical conditions as a result of decreased 

future snowpack and glacier meltwater associated with climate change (Mote and Salathé, 2010). 

Purpose and Scope

This report presents stream water temperature data for the lower Quinault River and 

characterizes the longitudinal distribution of temperature with a focus on identifying cold-water refugia 

or CWFs. Specifically, this report presents water temperature data from 10 discrete sites that are 

approximately evenly spaced along the lower river to potentially identify larger scale (tens of 

kilometers) downstream trends in water temperature. Additionally, this report presents the longitudinal 

stream temperature profile for the lower Quinault River, extending approximately 1.6 km downstream 

from the outlet of Lake Quinault at RK 51.6 to RK 4, to help in identifying cold or CWFs in the river. 

For this study, cold-water refugia are defined as water temperature at least 3 °C colder than ambient 

streamflow temperatures (Ebersole and others, 2003), and CWFs are defined as short (tens to hundreds 

of meters) sections of river that are shorter and at least 0.1 °C cooler than adjacent upstream and 

downstream river segments.
3 

Figure 1. Map showing location of 10 temperature monitoring sites, including the USGS streamgage Quinault River at Quinault Lake (12039500) and 

9 discrete sites, and extent of longitudinal temperature profile survey, lower Quinault River, Olympic Peninsula, Washington.
4 

Study Area

The river flows through a mostly forested floodplain, which has been subject to timber harvest 

activities since the late 1920s (O’Connor and others, 2003). The lower Quinault River was included in 

an analysis of historical channel and floodplain dynamics by O’Connor and others (2003), which 

details historical changes in (1) channel planform (1980s–1994), and (2) lateral channel migration and 

floodplain turnover rates (1895–1997). For the observed study period, the lower Quinault River was 

shown to have the narrowest floodplain, narrowest active channel, lowest channel migration rate, and 

the simplest geomorphic planform compared to the more dynamic upper Quinault and neighboring 

Queets Rivers, which is attributed to the moderating influence of Lake Quinault on flood hydrology 

and sediment transport on the lower river. 

Methods

Discrete Temperature Sites

Near-streambed temperature was measured at nine sites along the lower Quinault River from 

June 23, 2016, to August 10, 2017 (fig. 1). All temperature data were collected, processed, reviewed, 

and approved according to established USGS policy for continuous water-quality data (Wagner and 

others, 2006). Water temperature was measured at 15-minute intervals using an Onset® Hobo TidbiT 

v2 (manufacturer reported ±0.2 °C accuracy). A second temperature sensor, Onset Hobo Pro v2 

(manufacturer reported ±0.2 °C accuracy), provided by the Quinault Indian Nation, was installed 

within 3 m of the primary sensor at each site to provide redundancy in the event of primary sensor loss 

or failure. The temperature sensors were housed in open-ended galvanized steel pipe leashed with 

cable to a Duckbill® anchor that was driven into the riverbed following methods described by L. 

Adelfio (Oregon State University, written commun., June 2016). All temperature sensors were verified 

prior to deployment in a 4-point procedure that exceeded the range of temperatures recorded in the 

lower Quinault River by a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) certified thermistor. 

Recovered temperature sensors were verified again in a 2-point procedure that exceeded the range of 

temperatures recorded in the lower Quinault River following sensor retrieval in August 2017. Because 

of the remoteness of the field sites, quarterly field calibration checks were not feasible. Temperature 

data were retrieved in August 2016 and August 2017. A cross section profile of near-streambed 

temperature was done during the June 2016 sensor installation at each of the nine sites using a NISTcertified thermistor to confirm that the temperature point measurement was representative of the cross 

section. A second cross section profile was done again in August 2017 at sites where sensors were 

retrieved. 

Water temperature also was measured at a tenth site using a WaterLOG® H-377 at USGS 

streamgage lower Quinault River at Lake Quinault (12039500) at the upstream extent of the study area 

where the lake surface water discharges into the lower Quinault River. Water temperature data at the 

USGS streamgage was recorded at 15-minute intervals and transmitted hourly by satellite from the 

streamgage to the USGS Automated Data Processing System. Water temperature data at the USGS 

streamgage and at the nine discrete sites are available through NWIS, USGS Water-Quality Data for 

Washington, as “Historical Observations” (U.S. Geological Survey, 2018). River kilometers (RK) 

referred to in this report were measured from the 2014 stream channel.
5 

Longitudinal Temperature Profile

A longitudinal profile of the near-streambed temperature, water-surface temperature, and 

channel depth were measured on the lower Quinault River following methods outlined by Vaccaro and 

Maloy (2006). The survey was done over 4 days from August 9 to 12, 2016, by towing temperature 

sensors behind a raft traveling downstream at the ambient velocity along the channel thalweg. Nearstreambed water temperature and depth were measured at a 1-second interval using a Solinst®

Levelogger 3001 LT F15/M5 sensor that was towed by a raft and dragged along the streambed. The 

potential for disturbed bed sediments to affect temperature is not expected given that the sensor was 

enclosed in PVC and the sensor was continuously moving in the downstream direction. Water surface 

temperature was measured at a 10-second interval using an Onset Hobo Pro v2 towed by the same raft 

but floating at the water surface. The upstream and downstream extents of the surveyed reach were 

bounded by additional temperature sensors during the longitudinal survey period to evaluate diurnal 

trends in stream temperature warming. The WaterLOG H-377 temperature sensor installed at USGS 

streamgage 12039500 at an approximate depth of 0.5 m served as the bounded upstream extent. An 

Onset Hobo Pro v2 was installed in the approximate middle of the water column approximately 0.5 km 

downstream of the downstream extent of the survey reach. All temperature sensors used for the 

longitudinal profile survey were verified by a NIST-certified thermistor in a 5-point procedure that 

exceeded the range of temperatures recorded in the lower Quinault River. Location was concurrently 

measured, using a Garmin® 60C sx Global Positioning System (GPS, approximately 0.3-m resolution, 

approximately 5-m accuracy) stored on the raft, at 5-second intervals on August 9 and 10, and at 15-

second intervals on August 11 for the upstream 37 km of the profile survey. 

Temperature, depth, and location values represent either adjusted or interpolated values. A 

linear relation between the Solinst Levelogger and the NIST-certified thermistor was identified during 

the 5-point verification procedure because of the Solinst Levelogger measuring slightly lower 

temperatures compared to the NIST-certified thermistor. The linear adjustment was applied to the 

Solinst Levelogger measurements (eq. 1) based on a four-point regression (R2 = 1, p-value < 0.0001) 

that did not include temperatures less than 10 °C because the lowest temperature measured for the 

longitudinal profile was substantially higher (17.9 °C). The linear adjustment equation is: 

y = 0.9827x + 0.7304 (1) 

where 

x is the Solinst Levelogger temperature measurement, and 

y is the adjusted temperature.

This resulted in a temperature adjustment of approximately +0.4 °C for the measured range of 

temperatures (17.9–21.7 °C). Additionally, depth measured by the Solinst Levelogger was adjusted 

with a 1.258-m offset, identified by immersing the sensor under independently measured water depths 

in a laboratory.

The GPS location and concurrent water-surface temperature for each near-streambed 

temperature and depth measurement were identified by matching the same time stamps across the 

Solinst Levelogger, the Onset Hobo sensor, and the GPS device. Because water-surface temperature 

and GPS location were collected at time intervals greater than the 1-second interval of the nearstreambed temperature and depth measurements, missing values were linearly interpolated based on 

the known water-surface temperature or GPS coordinates that bracket the missing time periods for 

these measurements. GPS location was not collected for the lower 9 km (after August 12, 2016, at 

9:15:01 a.m., Pacific Daylight Time) of the longitudinal profile survey because of data storage 

limitations of the GPS device. However, approximate reference location was matched to select time 

stamp locations based on survey field notes. The longitudinal profile for depth, and water surface and 

near-streambed temperatures are available in Jaeger and others (2018).
6 

Characterization of Cooler Water Features 

The CWFs were identified from the longitudinal temperature survey data and were further 

evaluated in the field in August 2017. Identification of CWF was based on visual inspection of the data 

for portions of the profile with either a decrease (typically 0.1 °C) or constant temperature value over a 

given distance that typically extended for tens of meters. The locations of the CWF were then 

evaluated using Google Earth® imagery for additional information on local conditions that may be 

associated with the CWF, for example, a tributary confluence. 

Field evaluation of the CWF included characterizing water temperature conditions within the 

CWF and field verifying local conditions that may be a cause for the CWF. A temperature cross 

section was measured both upstream and downstream of the identified CWF and one to five additional 

cross sections were measured along the length of each CWF. Cross sections included a depth to the 

riverbed and near-streambed temperature measurement at five evenly spaced locations across the 

wetted width using an instant-read NIST-certified temperature sensor. Observations, including 

presence of shading, large wood, and water depth, were noted where appropriate as potential indicators 

of controls on CWFs. Surveys occurred over a several days in August 2017 during a range of weather 

conditions from warm and sunny to cool and rainy. Cross sections along a shallow, unshaded section 

of the river were done to serve as a potential reference for an expected warmer water feature (WWF). 

Cross sections of water depth and near-bed water temperatures for CWFs and the single WWF are 

available in Jaeger and others (2018).

Results and Discussion

Discrete Temperature Sites

The temperature record at 6 of the 9 discrete sites and the 10th site at the USGS streamgage 

extends from June 24, 2016, to August 23, 2017 (table 1; U.S. Geological Survey, 2018). The 

temperature record at the remaining three sites (T3, T5, and T7) includes part of summer 2016 (June 

24 to August 10, 2016; U.S. Geological Survey, 2018). Data were retrieved from all sites in August 

2016 except for one individual failure in the redundant sensor at T3. Sensors were retrieved at six of 

the nine sites in August 2017; sensors were not found at T3, T5, and T7 (table 1). Comparison of the 

primary and secondary sensors indicated that mean temperature difference between the two sensors 

was about 0.2 °C or less at each of the nine sites, which is within range of the sensor accuracy (table 

2). Temperature differences were greater at T6 (fig. 2) because of the primary sensor being installed in 

a pool and the secondary sensor installed adjacent to the pool since options were limited for sensor 

deployment in this section of the river. The temperature record from the secondary sensor adjacent to 

the pool was chosen for analysis at T6. The secondary sensor at T2 was retrieved from burial under a 

tree root in August 2017 and the temperature record from this sensor was used for analysis; the 

primary sensor was not recovered at this site.
7 

Table 1. List of temperature monitoring sites, lower Quinault River, Olympic Peninsula, Washington.

[Monitor sites are listed in downstream direction and site locations are shown in figure 1]

Site name

Streamgage 

or site No. Latitude Longitude

Temperature 

sensor type Period of record

USGS streamgage 12039500 47.45778 -123.8881

WaterLOG®

H-377 June 24, 2016–August 23, 2017

T10 12039503 47.432399 -123.910396 Tidbit June 24, 2016–August 23, 2017

T9 12039504 47.430867 -123.949381 Hobo June 24, 2016–August 23, 2017

T8 12039507 47.422602 -124.003967 Tidbit June 24, 2016–August 23, 2017

T7 12039509 47.401431 -124.03467 Tidbit June 24, 2016–August 10, 2016

T6 12039511 47.371117 -124.082879 Hobo June 24, 2016–August 23, 2017

T5 12039514 47.372716 -124.107716 Tidbit June 24, 2016–August 10, 2016

T4 12039516 47.360647 -124.175239 Tidbit June 24, 2016–August 21, 2017

T3 12039517 47.3409 -124.2105 Tidbit June 24, 2016–August 10, 2016

T2 12039518 47.332152 -124.251079 Hobo June 24, 2016–August 23, 2017

Table 2. Differences in degrees Celsius between the primary and secondary temperatures sensors at 

temperature monitoring sites, lower Quinault River, Olympic Peninsula, Washington. 

[Monitor sites are listed in downstream direction and site locations are shown in figure 1. NA at T3 is a result of failed 

secondary sensor]

Site name Minimum Median Mean Maximum

T10 -1.09 0.20 0.20 0.29

T9 0.00 0.17 0.17 0.34

T8 0.02 0.21 0.21 0.41

T7 0.09 0.14 0.14 0.33

T6 -2.79 0.20 0.14 2.16

T5 0.12 0.17 0.18 0.33

T4 0.02 0.14 0.15 0.24

T3 NA NA NA NA

T2 -0.21 0.14 0.14 0.27
8 

Figure 2. Boxplots of differences between primary and secondary temperature sensors at the nine discrete 

temperature monitoring sites, lower Quinault River, Olympic National Park, Washington. 

Overall changes in stream water temperature and discharge follow expected seasonal changes 

(figs. 3–6). Maximum water temperatures occurred in late summer; water temperatures decreased 

beginning in the fall and started to increase again in the spring and throughout the summer. 

Streamflows increased from summer baseflow in the fall and were characterized by multiple individual 

high flow events throughout the winter. Springtime streamflow corresponds to snowmelt, which 

transitioned back to baseflow in late summer (fig. 3). 
9 

Figure 3. Graph showing discharge and daily mean water temperature at USGS streamgage Quinault River at 

Quinault Lake (12039500), Olympic Peninsula, Washington, June 2016–August 2017. Shaded area is range 

between daily minimum and maximum water temperature. Red horizontal lines are at 16 and 17.5 degrees 

Celsius and correspond to established salmon habitat threshold values for core summer season and for 

spawning, rearing and migration periods, respectively.
10 

Figure 4. Graphs showing daily mean water temperature at monitoring sites T10, T9, and T8, lower Quinault 

River, Olympic Peninsula, Washington, June 2016–August 2017. Shaded area is range between daily minimum 

and maximum water temperature. Red horizontal lines are at 16 and 17.5 degrees Celsius and correspond to 

established salmon habitat threshold values for core summer season and for spawning, rearing and migration 

periods, respectively.
11 

Figure 5. Graphs showing daily mean water temperature at monitoring sites T7, T6, and T5, lower Quinault River, 

Olympic Peninsula, Washington, June 2016–August 2017. Shaded area is range between daily minimum and 

maximum water temperature. Red horizontal lines are at 16 and 17.5 degrees Celsius and correspond to 

established salmon habitat threshold values for core summer season and for spawning, rearing and migration 

periods, respectively.
12 

Figure 6. Graphs showing daily mean water temperature at monitoring sites T4, T3, and T2, lower Quinault River, 

Olympic Peninsula, Washington, June 2016–August 2017. Shaded area is range between daily minimum and 

maximum water temperature. Red horizontal lines are at 16 and 17.5 degrees Celsius and correspond to 

established salmon habitat threshold values for core summer season and for spawning, rearing and migration 

periods, respectively. 
13 

Warm stream temperatures can have negative effects on salmonid species. In a recent study of

water temperature in rivers in Washington, Oregon, and California, Fullerton and others (2017) 

identify cold water as less than 15 °C. The Washington State Department of Ecology identifies a 7-day 

average of the daily maximum temperatures for each aquatic life use categories, including 16 °C as the 

maximum temperature for core summer salmonid habitat and 17.5 °C for salmonid spawning, rearing, 

and migration (Washington State Department of Ecology, 2016). Lethal temperatures for Pacific Coast 

salmonid species have been identified to occur at 24–26 °C, above which individuals will seek coldwater refugia (Richter and Kolmes, 2005). 

Daily mean, maximum, and minimum temperatures were calculated from the 15-minute 

temperature data at all sites (figs. 4–6). Days during which daily minimum temperatures exceeded 16 

and 17.5 °C are reported and thus represent days during which the entire 24-hour period exceeded

these threshold temperatures. Daily maximum values greater than 24 °C are also reported.

Daily minimum temperatures at all sites exceeded 16 °C beginning in late June or early July 

and extended through August until late September or early October, occurring on average 124 days 

during the approximately 15-month study period (table 3). Daily minimum temperatures exceeded 

17.5 °C on average 66 days during the study period. The four most upstream sites, including the USGS 

streamgage location had the most days during which minimum temperatures exceeded both 16 and 

17.5 °C (figs. 3 and 4). Sustained periods during which water temperatures exceeded 16 °C at all sites 

occurred from June 26, 2016, to September 21, 2016 (56 days total) and again from July 5, 2017, until 

the end of the time series record on August 23, 2017 (49 days total). In 2016, the upstream sites T10, 

T9, and T8 had sustained daily minimum temperatures greater than 16 °C until September 30, 2016, 

with the USGS streamgage exceeding 16 °C until October 4, 2016 (figs. 3 and 4). However, in 2017, 

daily minimum temperatures remained less than 16 °C until July 5 at sites T10 and T9 and until July 

13 for the upstream USGS streamgage although all other sites downstream had temperatures greater

than 16 °C beginning approximately 2 weeks earlier on June 25, 2017. Daily minimum temperatures 

exceeded 17.5 °C intermittently at all sites beginning in July and extending into September at some 

sites (figs. 3–6). For monitoring sites with a complete data record that included two summer baseflow 

periods, daily minimum values greater than 17.5 °C occurred on average for 66 days. 

Table 3. Summary of daily temperature values for USGS streamgage Quinault River at Quinault Lake (12039500)

and temperature monitoring sites, lower Quinault River, Olympic Peninsula, Washington. 

[All values are temperatures in degrees Celsius. DayTmin and DayTmax are the number of days during which daily minimum

or maximum temperatures exceeded the specified value]

Site Mean daily

Absolute 

minimum

Absolute 

maximum DayTmin>16 DayTmin>17.5 DayTmax≥24

USGS streamgage

(12039500) 12.1 3.9 22.6 142 97 0

T10 12.2 5.1 24 139 89 1

T9 12.1 4.9 24 139 74 1

T8 12.3 4.7 23.8 129 69 0

1

T7 18.4 15.1 23.3 39 15 0

T6 11.9 3.4 22.9 97 32 0

1

T5 18.2 14.6 22.1 41 13 0

T4 12.1 3.6 22.5 116 51 0

1

T3 18.2 14.9 21.7 43 17 0

T2 12.0 4 22.2 121 49 0

1

Incomplete temperature record that is limited to only part of summer 2016. 
14

During summer 2016, daily maximum temperatures periodically exceeded 20 °C at sites T10 

and T9 on June 26 (figs. 3–4). All sites exceeded 20 °C from July 26 to 30 and again from August 11 

to 21 (figs. 3–6). Maximum temperatures were highest (>23 °C) at sites T10, T9, and T8 for two 2–3 

day periods in late August 2016. During summer 2017, daily maximum temperatures began to exceed 

20 °C by July 23, 2017, at sites T8 and T4 and all sites exceeded 20 °C from August 1 to 11, 2017. The 

upstream sites that included the USGS streamgage and sites T10–T8 had maximum daily temperatures 

greater than 20 °C until the end of the times series record on August 23, 2017.

August water temperature values for 2016 and 2017, which exceeded 16 °C at all monitoring 

sites and 17.5 °C for most of the month at all sites, were higher in the lower Quinault River than the 

model predictions by NorWeST for the historical period of 1993–2011 (Isaak and others, 2011), which 

ranges from 11 to 15 °C. These model-predicted data are likely based on nearby basins with similar 

predictor variables, which may not account for the effect of Lake Quinault. Therefore, analysis relying 

on NorWeST model-predicted water temperatures from the historical period for the lower Quinault 

River will result in an underestimate, in some cases by more than 2 °C.

Coarse-Scale Downstream Trends in Water Temperature

For study sites with a complete 15-month record, summertime (July–September) water 

temperatures were generally cooler in the downstream direction along the lower Quinault River, but 

generally increased in the downstream direction during the rest of the year, which may indicate

groundwater influences that mitigate the effects of Lake Quinault (fig. 7). Daily mean and maximum 

temperatures were coolest in the downstream direction and the number of days during which minimum 

temperatures exceeded 16 and 17.5 °C consistently decreased in the downstream direction with few 

exceptions (table 3). The generally low water temperature values at site T6 may be attributed to the 

close proximity of the sensor location to a pool, however, temperature cross sections during the June 

2016 and August 2017 field visits indicate consistency with the sensor location. Consequently, the 

temperature sensor at site T6 is considered representative of the river at this location and suggests a 

cooler region of the river relative to the immediate upstream and downstream monitoring sites. 

Downstream cooling trends were most prominent during August and September (fig. 7). The four most 

upstream monitoring sites exhibited consistent decreases in daily minimum temperatures during 

August and September, and somewhat in July, although the site T8 exhibited slightly higher water 

temperatures relative to the upstream site T9. Site T8 is on a shallowly inundated mid-channel bar that 

likely experiences full sun exposure. Downstream of site T8, however, the three downstream sites with 

complete 15-month records, were cooler than upstream, but did not exhibit consistent downstream 

trends (fig. 7). Water temperatures increase in the downstream direction during the fall (October and 

November) and spring (March–June).

Seasonal differences in water temperatures between upstream and downstream sections of the 

lower Quinault River may be attributed to differential influences of Lake Quinault and groundwater. 

Specifically, Lake Quinault appears to have a warming effect on water temperature during the summer 

and a mild cooling effect during the other times of the year. With increasing distance from the lake, 

groundwater influences may buffer the lake’s effect, cooling water that had been warmed by the lake 

during the summer and potentially contributing warmer water during winter. Small tributaries draining 

into the lower Quinault River may also influence downstream trends.
15 

Figure 7. Boxplots of daily minimum temperatures at USGS streamgage Quinault River at Quinault Lake (12039500) and the six sites with complete data 

over the 15-month study period, lower Quinault River, Olympic Peninsula, Washington, June 2016–August 2017. 
16

Longitudinal Temperature Profile

The longitudinal profile for depth and the water surface and near-streambed temperatures were

measured from August 9 to 12, 2016 (Jaeger and others, 2018). Depth values are missing for locations 

where the Solinst Levelogger was temporarily removed from the channel to avoid obstructions such as 

large wood. Concurrent near-streambed temperature data are missing for three extended periods on 

August 12, when the longitudinal survey was interrupted for tens of minutes or more. During shorter 

interruptions (a few minutes) when depth values are missing, care should be taken to evaluate nearstreambed temperature concurrent with and immediately following temporary removal of the Solinst 

Levelogger from the channel to account for potential lagged responses in temperature adjustment back 

to stream water temperatures after removal.

Theoretically, a longitudinal thermal profile tracks a parcel of water traveling downstream 

during the day; departures from the diurnal heating cycle may indicate relatively large changes in 

water depth, groundwater or tributary input, or riparian shading. Departures from the diurnal heating 

cycle are strongest during late summer baseflow conditions and maximum daily air temperatures. The 

longitudinal temperature survey was done from August 9 to 12, 2016, during baseflow conditions. 

Cool and rainy conditions on August 7 and 8 preceded the survey; during the survey, cloudy and dry 

conditions occurred on August 9 and warm, sunny conditions persisted from August 10 through 12. 

Mean daily streamflow measured at the USGS streamgage 12039500 ranged from 13.3 to 14.1 m3

/s 

(471–499 ft3/s) from August 9 to August 12, 2016 (U.S. Geological Survey, 2018). Maximum daily 

stream water temperature at this streamgage ranged from 19.3 to 20.6 °C during this period.

Near-streambed temperatures along the longitudinal profile indicate a diurnal warming effect 

represented by a progressive downstream increase in temperature values on each individual survey day 

(fig. 8). The abrupt mapped change from warm to cool temperatures near RK 30 corresponds to where 

the August 10 survey ended and the August 11 survey began, reflecting relatively warm temperatures 

in late afternoon on August 10 and cooler temperatures during the morning on August 11. The 

magnitude of the diurnal near-streambed temperature cycle over the longitudinal survey period at the 

upstream and downstream extents of the surveyed area is shown in figure 9.
17 

Figure 8. Orthoimage showing location of near-streambed temperatures during the longitudinal profile survey and 

11 potential cool water features and 1 warm water feature along the lower Quinault River (river kilometer 13–50), 

Olympic Peninsula, Washington, August 9–11, 2016. Data were not georeferenced on August 12. 
18 

Figure 9. Graph showing water temperature at the USGS streamgage Quinault River at Quinault Lake

(12039500) and an Onset® Hobo temperature sensor deployed at the downstream extent of the longitudinal

profile to represent magnitude of the diurnal cycle, lower Quinault River, Olympic Peninsula, Washington, August

9–12, 2016. 

Near-streambed temperatures from the longitudinal profile ranged from 17.9 to 21.7 °C; watersurface temperatures ranged from 18.3 to 24.2 °C (fig. 10). Near-streambed temperatures sometimes, 

but not always, decreased with greater water depths (fig. 10). Water depths were generally shallow 

(<2 m), did not exceed 6 m, and increased in the downstream direction during the survey period. No 

cold water refugia with more than 3 °C departure from ambient stream temperatures were identified, 

but CWFs with at least 0.1 °C lower temperatures than adjacent waters were identified throughout the 

lower Quinault River. Identified reaches of CWFs extended over approximate distances of 100–600 m, 

and appeared to indicate more diffuse as opposed to discrete groundwater influences (for example, 

Vaccaro and Maloy, 2006).
19 

Figure 10. Graphs showing surface and near-streambed water temperatures, and water depth during the 

longitudinal profile survey along the lower Quinault River (approximately river kilometers 13–49), Olympic 

Peninsula, Washington, August 9–12, 2016. Dashed vertical lines delineate approximate location of river 

kilometers for August 9–11.
20 

Characterization of Reach-Scale Cooler Water Features 

Given the absence of distinct cold-water regions within the lower Quinault River, 11 locations 

along the lower Quinault River were identified from the longitudinal temperature profile at which

subtle changes in the temperature profile (0.1 °C) suggested a potential CWF that corresponded to a 

local geomorphic feature, such as a tributary confluence, an extended pool, a pool associated with a 

meander bend, or large in-channel wood (fig. 8, table 4). On August 22–24, 2017, 10 of the 11 CWFs

were surveyed. The most upstream feature, CFW 1 was surveyed on August 29, 2017, during cooler 

conditions. 

Cross section temperatures from the field surveys suggested that 8 of the 11 identified potential 

CWFs maintained cooler near-streambed temperatures relative to upstream and downstream

conditions, although cross section averaged temperatures between the CWF and upstream and 

downstream locations were often subtle (0.2 °C or less; table 4). Five of the eleven CWFs maintained 

cooler water temperatures along one side of the channel, which was associated with riparian shading or

shading from steep river banks. Differences in temperature measurements between the channel

margins at these shade-associated CWFs were on average 0.6 °C, ranging from 0.4 to 0.9 °C. The

longitudinal survey occurred along the thalweg and therefore near-streambed temperatures represent

the deepest portion of the river at a cross section. However, water temperatures along shallow margins 

remained cooler when associated with river bank or riparian shading, and cross sections from two of 

the CWFs indicated that the channel geometry was a shallow glide and therefore cooler waters were 

not a result of deeper water.

Four CWFs identified from the longitudinal profile were associated with specific geomorphic 

features that included the confluences of a cool secondary channel or a cold-water tributary or were

associated with large, in-channel wood (table 4). At approximately RK30 immediately upstream of 

CWF 5, the lower Quinault River flows through an extended floodplain complex in which the channel 

morphology includes secondary channels (fig. 8). Average temperatures were 0.25 °C cooler in the 

secondary channel relative to the main channel and water temperatures were 0.5 °C cooler along the 

left side of the main channel at the confluence of the secondary channel, which coincided with a deep, 

shaded pool. Conversely, field surveys of CWF 11, which also was identified as associated with the 

confluence of a side channel, did not detect temperature differences between the tributary and the main

stem at the confluence suggesting a limited influence of the side channel as a cooling effect on the 

main stem at this location. CWF 6 was identified at the confluence of an unnamed tributary at RK27. 

Average temperatures in the main channel immediately upstream of the tributary confluence were 

18.6 °C; average temperatures in the tributary were 14.9 °C representing a 3.7 °C temperature 

difference. Downstream of the confluence, cooler temperatures were limited to the left side of the 

cross section and the average temperature was 18.6 °C, which was the same as the upstream cross 

section, suggesting that the contribution of the tributary is relatively local and does not extend bank to 

bank in the mainstem. Finally, CWF 9 was identified at approximately RK15 and associated with a 

reach that was relatively deep and contained large, in-channel wood jams along the right bank, and is 

referred to here as a large, in-channel wood corridor. Water temperatures were consistently 17.0–17.1 

°C along the full length of all cross sections throughout the feature and were almost 1 °C cooler than 

water temperatures downstream, including the exposed right side of the channel in CWF 10, 

immediately downstream of CWF 9. 
21

Table 4. Depth and near-streambed temperature at cross sections along potential cool water features and one potential warm water feature (WWF) in the 

lower Quinault River, Olympic Peninsula, Washington, June 2016–August 2017.

[All depths are in meters and all temperature are in degrees Celsius; Five depth and temperature measurements were taken along each cross section including at the left 

bank (LB), left of channel center (CL), channel center (C), right of channel center (CR), and at the right bank (RB). Type, river kilometer: Geomorphic character of the 

cool water features (CWF) and river kilometer. Feature No.: Features listed in the downstream direction. Cross section No.: Numbers listed in the downstream direction 

and include main channel (MC) and side channel (SC). Temp, LB – Temp, RB is the absolute difference between temperatures between left bank and right bank]

Type, riverkilometerFeature

No.

Cross 

section No.

Depth, 

LB

Depth, 

CL

Depth, 

C

Depth, 

CR

Depth, 

RB

Maximum 

depth

Temp, 

LB

Temp, 

CL

Temp, 

C

Temp, 

CR

Temp, 

RB

Temp, LB -

temp, RB

Extended pool 

- shaded, 

48

CWF1 Trans1 0.58 0.43 1.07 1.16 0.15 1.16 21.6 21.4 21.2 21.1 20.8 0.8

CWF1 Trans2 0.30 0.88 1.71 1.13 0.24 1.71 22 21.7 21.5 21.1 20.8 1.2

CWF1 Trans3 0.37 1.80 2.74 1.65 0.52 2.74 21.7 21.6 21.2 21 21 0.7

CWF1 Trans4 0.12 0.73 1.43 2.41 0.85 2.41 21.8 21.5 21.5 21.3 21.1 0.7

CWF1 Trans5 0.20 0.52 1.16 1.16 0.67 1.16 22.2 21.4 21 21.2 21.1 1.1

Meander bend 

- shaded, 

43

CWF2 Trans1 0.61 1.83 1.52 1.22 0.76 1.83 19.7 19.8 19.8 19.9 20 0.3

CWF2 Trans2 1.22 2.13 2.13 1.07 0.30 2.13 19.6 19.6 19.7 19.8 19.9 0.3

CWF2 Trans3 1.83 2.13 1.52 1.22 0.46 2.13 19.8 19.9 20 20.1 20.2 0.4

CWF2 Trans4 4.27 3.66 1.52 0.76 0.30 4.27 19.7 19.8 19.9 20 20.1 0.4

CWF2 Trans5 2.59 2.44 1.83 1.07 0.30 2.59 19.8 19.9 20 20.1 20.2 0.4

CWF2 Trans6 3.05 2.74 2.13 0.76 0.30 3.05 19.8 19.9 19.9 20 20.1 0.3

CWF2 Trans7 3.66 3.96 2.44 1.52 0.61 3.96 19.9 19.9 20 20.1 20.2 0.3

Meander 

bend, 

36

CWF3 Trans1 0.12 0.37 0.46 0.61 1.52 1.52 21.5 20.8 20.8 21 20.9 0.6

CWF3 Trans2 0.30 0.91 1.83 1.22 0.30 1.83 20.9 20.9 20.9 20.8 20.6 0.3

CWF3 Trans3 0.15 0.46 0.61 1.83 1.22 1.83 20.8 20.9 20.9 20.8 20.9 0.1

CWF3 Trans4 0.15 0.46 1.22 2.13 1.83 2.13 20.9 20.9 20.9 20.9 20.9 0

Floodplain 

complex, 

30

CWF5 Trans1_MC 0.13 0.46 0.76 1 1 0.76 18.7 18 18 1 1 NA

CWF5 Trans2_MC 0.30 0.49 0.55 1 1 0.55 18.2 18.1 18.1 1 1 NA

CWF5 Trans3_MC 1.52 0.91 0.50 0.27 0.15 1.52 18.2 18.5 18.3 18.4 18.7 0.5

CWF5 Trans1_SC 0.30 0.09 0.27 0.52 0.38 0.52 18.8 17.7 17.7 17.9 18.1 0.7

CWF5 Trans2_SC 0.61 0.46 0.76 1.22 1.07 1.22 17.8 17.9 17.9 17.9 17.9 0.1
22

Type, riverkilometerFeature

No.

Cross 

section No.

Depth, 

LB

Depth, 

CL

Depth, 

C

Depth, 

CR

Depth, 

RB

Maximum 

depth

Temp, 

LB

Temp, 

CL

Temp, 

C

Temp, 

CR

Temp, 

RB

Temp, LB -

temp, RB

Tributary 

confluence, 

27

CWF6 Trans1 0.61 1.52 0.76 0.61 0.30 1.52 18.5 18.6 18.5 18.5 18.6 0.1

CWF6 Trans2 0.30 0.61 1.22 0.76 0.15 1.22 16.9 17 17.1 18.3 18.7 1.8

CWF6 Trans3 0.61 0.91 1.22 0.46 0.15 1.22 17.5 17.4 18.7 18.9 20.4 2.9

CWF6 Trans1_Trib 0.30 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.30 14.7 14.6 14.7 14.9 15.4 0.7

Shallow glide 

- shaded, 

25

CWF7 Trans1 1.22 2.13 1.52 2.59 0.61 2.59 19 19.1 19.1 19.2 19.3 0.3

CWF7 Trans2 1.22 1.83 1.52 0.76 0.46 1.83 19 19.2 19.4 19.4 19.5 0.5

CWF7 Trans3 0.91 1.68 1.52 1.37 0.46 1.68 19.5 18.9 19 19.1 19.3 0.2

CWF7 Trans4 2.13 2.44 1.52 1.07 0.37 2.44 19 19.1 19.4 19.5 19.7 0.7

Shallow glide 

- shaded, 22

CWF8 Trans1 0.23 0.27 0.21 0.52 0.70 0.70 19.7 19.7 19.7 19.7 19.6 0.1

CWF8 Trans2 0.24 0.47 0.62 0.73 0.82 0.82 19.3 19.8 19.8 19.7 19.6 0.3

Shallow glide 

- exposed, 

20

WWF1 Trans1 0.18 0.61 1.22 1.68 1.83 1.83 16.3 16.6 16.6 16.6 16.7 0.4

WWF1 Trans2 0.76 1.22 0.91 0.46 0.15 1.22 16.4 16.7 16.7 16.7 16.4 0

WWF1 Trans3 0.18 0.35 0.55 0.67 0.44 0.67 16.2 16.6 16.6 16.5 16.4 0.2

Large inchannel 

wood 

corridor, 15

CWF9 Trans1 2.13 1.37 1.22 1.07 1.83 2.13 17 17 17 17 17 0

CWF9 Trans2 0.30 0.61 0.91 1.52 1.83 1.83 17 17 17 17 17 0

CWF9 Trans3 0.61 1.22 1.22 1.83 2.59 2.59 17.1 17.1 17.1 17 17.1 0

CWF9 Trans4 0.27 0.30 0.24 0.40 0.58 0.58 17.2 17.2 17.3 17.2 17.2 0

Extended pool 

- shaded, 

14.5

CWF10 Trans1 0.61 0.46 0.30 0.91 0.76 0.91 17.3 17.3 17.5 18 18 0.7

CWF10 Trans2 0.61 0.91 0.91 0.46 0.61 0.91 17 17 17.2 17.3 17.9 0.9

CWF10 Trans3 0.61 1.37 1.52 0.30 0.15 1.52 17.2 17.3 17.6 18 18.1 0.9

1

Cross section locations where the current was too swift to measure depth and temperature.
23

Overall, the data suggest that CWFs in the lower Quinault River are most often associated with 

shade. The occurrence of cold-water tributaries or cooler side channels along the lower Quinault River 

appears to be limited and their contribution of cold water to the main channel also appears to be 

limited to the immediate confluence area. Consistent, cooler temperatures at CWF 9, which are

associated with the large, in-channel wood may be a combined result of shading and the presence of 

deeper water, which presumably is facilitated by the presence of the large wood jams.

The study did not include data collection on availability of fine-scale (for example, less than 10 

m) cold or cooler water refugia associated with individual local-scale channel features such as side 

pool density or density of individual pieces of large wood not associated with jams. However, both 

side pools and large wood along channel margins appeared to be more frequent in the downstream 

direction based on field observations. It is likely that cooler water temperatures relative to the 

mainstem would be associated with these fine-scale habitat features (Ebersole and others, 2003).

Summary

Stream water temperatures collected during the partial summer of 2016 and extending through 

summer 2017 in the lower Quinault River indicate that summertime baseflow temperatures exceeded 

salmon species threshold values of 16 and 17.5 °C for several weeks to a couple of months beginning 

in late June and extending through September. Measured water temperatures were higher than modelpredicted temperatures for the period, 1993–2011 (Isaak and others, 2011). Temperatures generally 

decreased in the downstream direction during the summer, but increased in the downstream direction 

during the rest of the year, suggesting a moderating groundwater influence. Near-streambed 

temperature ranged from 17.9 to 21.7 °C during the longitudinal temperature survey along the lower 

Quinault River in August 2016. The resulting longitudinal profile did not indicate cold-water refugia 

that was more than 3 °C cooler than ambient stream water. Instead, CWFs (0.1 °C cooler) appear to 

exist at spatial scales of 100–800 m suggesting diffuse groundwater influences or the influence of 

shading from solar radiation by steep river banks or riparian vegetation. In addition, field observations 

suggest that finer-scale (for example, less than 10 m) features associated with individual side pools or 

large, in-channel wood, increase in frequency in the downstream direction along lower Quinault River, 

which may serve as cool or cold-water pockets or patches, although this study did not quantify the 

density or water temperatures associated with these fine-scale features.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Christa Anhold for assistance in collecting water temperature 

data and Alison Tecca and Raegan Huffman for assistance in water temperature data review and 

approval.
24

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Publishing support provided by the U.S. Geological Survey

Science Publishing Network, Tacoma Publishing Service Center

For more information concerning the research in this report, contact the

Director, Washington Water Science Center

U.S. Geological Survey

934 Broadway, Suite 300

Tacoma, Washington 98402

https://wa.water.usgs.gov
Jaeger and others–Water Temperature in the Lower Quinault River, Olympic Peninsula, Washington, June 2016–August 2017—Open-File Report 2018-1129

ISSN 2331-1258 (online)

https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20181129