Changes in Stream Temperature for Selected Streams in Georgia, 1955–2004

Abstract

Results from analysis of stream temperatures at 39 streamgaging stations located throughout Georgia, show that stream temperatures changed little from the 1950s, through 1970s, but increased from the 1980s through early 2000s. Results also indicate that at station 02349500 on the Flint River, the median temperature began to increase during the 1960s and continued to rise through 2004, with a rise of about 1 degree Celsius. Additionally, results from gages in the Yellow River Basin indicate that stream temperatures are rising in that basin, which is evinced by the rising trend at station 02206500 during the 1965–1994 time period, followed by a similar trend for stations 02207300, 02209260, and 02212600 during the 1974–2004 time period. Finally, there is some indication that the stream temperature of the Ogeechee River may be increasing because of the rise measured at station 02202500 during the 1965–1994 period, and the rise at station 02202190 during the 1975–2004 period.