Konza Prairie Biological Station

AWT02 Water temperature measured continuously in Konza Prairie streams

Abstract: 

Water temperature is measured in streams draining catchments with annual, 2-year, 4-year, and 20-year burn treatments. Hourly measurements of water temperature (degrees C) are made in each of the four streams where discharge is continuously monitored (see data set ASD02).

Core Areas: 

Data set ID: 

16

Short name: 

AWT02

Purpose: 

To monitor water temperature continuously at each of four streamflow flumes. Such data is essential for proper interpretation of many stream phenomena and effects of global warming. Baseline data prior to implementing the burning or grazing protocols in Kings Creek south branch catchments will be used to assess the effects of these treatments on stream temperature. The relationship between hydrologic patterns and water temperature can also be examined.

Data sources: 

Methods: 

Location of Sampling Stations: Temperature is measured at the opening of the standpipe in the concrete V-flumes in N01B, N04D, N02B, and N20B.

Frequency of Sampling: Temperature (oC) values are recorded hourly. Data is dumped at approximately weekly to biweekly intervals (see data set ASD02).

Methods: Thermocouple wire (copper-constantan) is connected to Channel 2 of the CR-21X data logger (Campbell Scientific Co.). Beginning April 1986 (July 1 for N20B), the CR-21X is programmed to include instructions for hourly recording of stream temperature (see data set ASD02). The CR-21X is internally calibrated for copper-constantan wire; recorded temperatures are verified by direct thermometer measurements at approximately weekly intervals (see data set AWT01). The computer program 'streamtmp.com' (Pascal program on IBM PC) reads the raw data file as recorded by the CR-21X and generates the output data file.

Form of Data Output: Files of the form 'AWT021A.86', 'AWT021B.86', etc., contain hourly temperature values for each flume for each year. Note that a value is recorded regardless of whether there is flow across the flume; thus, these files must be compared to corrected stream discharge (ASD02) values so that temperature data for no flow conditions can be deleted.

For additional metadata information see: http://lter.konza.ksu.edu/sites/default/files/DC.pdf

For additional methods information see: http://lter.konza.ksu.edu/sites/default/files/MM.pdf

Maintenance: 

complete

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