Joan and her dog Toby joined me in taking a series of water temperatures in Byrne Creek today. The results were worrying.
We also found a dying cutthroat about 15cm long in the Settling Pond with no visible external damage. We tried to assist the fish by moving it through the water, and even took it to a cooler, fresher area, to no avail. It fluttered a couple of times, but kept turning belly up when released, and eventually gave up the ghost.
The scary numbers:
2:40pm Griffiths Pond near Edmonds Skytrain Station
Water temp 18C, air in shade 23.5C
2:55pm Walking across Ron McLean Park in hot sun 31.5C
3:10pm Bottom of ravine stairs off Brynlor Dr. Tag 521.
Water temp 17.5-18C, air in shade 24C
3:30pm Footbridge at lower end of ravine. Tag 516.
Water temp 18.5C, air in shade 24C
3:40pm Walking across Southridge Dr. in hot sun 33.5C
3:50pm Lower end Settling Pond. Tag 514.
Water temp 20C, air in shade 32.5C
4:00pm Upper end Settling Pond.
Water temp 19C (faster-moving, fresher water).
Salmon and trout start experiencing problems near these kinds of temperatures, and with more hot days forecast, I hope the dying cutthroat today was not a sign of things to come....
Posted by Paul at July 23, 2004 08:36 PM