Climate Stations

About the Headwaters Sentinel Climate Stations Project

Raritan Headwaters Association (RHA) was awarded a grant from the Royal Bank of Canada in 2021 to create an innovative program focused on the impacts of climate change within our watershed’s freshwater systems. RHA plans to conduct scientific monitoring and data communication to fill this crucial gap through our brand-new long-term monitoring program called Headwaters Sentinel Climate Stations throughout NJ’s Upper Raritan River watershed region.

Freshwater resources face significant threats from climate change; this is especially true of headwater stream ecosystems, which rely on cold, oxygen-rich conditions to supply clean water to much of the planet’s population. There is a deficit in science overall on the impacts of climate change in freshwater systems, which is needed to inform decisions on short and long-term vulnerability to climate change and the steps necessary for effective climate resilience and adaptation planning.

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How Climate Change Impacts You

Climate Change, also known as global warming, influences more than just intensifying storms, warmer days and increasing the frequency of weather formations. As a result, this affects our oceans, freshwater resources, nature’s biodiversity, air quality, crop production, economy, and human health. With increased knowledge, and on-going data collection we can develop climate change strategies and increase interventions that protect people’s health.

A temperature change of 1.5°C – 5.0°C (34.7°F – 41.0°F) can cause significant impacts such as droughts, warming waterbodies, alter river flows, increase sea levels, prolong growing seasons (especially for those pesky invasive species), and much more. Data from over 70+ peer-reviewed climate studies represent how global warming will impact the world.

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Data Collection

The Headwaters Sentinel Climate Stations will collect the following data: water depth, conductivity, and water temperature every 15 minutes via cellular transmission through over 470+ carriers. Our data is shared in real-time and will be fully available via an interactive Climate Change Dashboard, which will guide decision-makers in responding to climate threats and serve as a nationwide model for environmental organizations and communities.

Click on a parameter below to view its description.

Water Depth

Units: (mm)

Water depth is the measurement of the distance between the surface and the bottom of a waterbody. Water depth can be used to calculate discharge or “flow.” Discharge is calculated by developing a graph of the relationship of depth to volume and then comparing depth measurements against this graph. Our project partners at Stroud are working on a display to show discharge as well as depth.

Water Temperature

Units: (°C)
Water temperature is displayed in degrees Celsius in scientific data collection. Water temperature affects the dissolved oxygen concentration of the water, the rate of photosynthesis, metabolic rates of aquatic organisms, and the sensitivity of organisms to toxins, parasites, and disease. All aquatic organisms are dependent on certain temperature ranges for optimal health. If temperatures are outside of this optimal range for a prolonged period, the organisms become stressed and can die. Water temperature generally increases with turbidity; as the particles absorb heat, the dissolved oxygen levels are reduced. Temperature is primarily controlled by climatic conditions, influenced by heavy precipitation (rainstorms), snowstorms, and the amount of sunlight present, but can be impacted by human activities.

A guide below that translates Celsius to Fahrenheit:
Link: Celsius to Fahrenheit conversion (°C to °F) (rapidtables.com)

Temperature Ranges	Descriptions
0°C = 32°F	water freezes
10°C = 50°F	Cooler water is needed for fish spawning and embryo survival
20°C = 68°F
30°C = 86°F	Fish are potentially stressed

Conductivity

(specific conductance)
Units: (µmhos/cm):

Conductivity is a parameter that measures the ability of water to pass an electrical current. Conductivity in water is affected by the presence of inorganic dissolved solids such as chlorine, nitrate, sulfate, and phosphate anions (ions that carry a negative charge) or sodium, magnesium, calcium, iron, which are ions that carry a positive charge. This measurement can also be affected by temperature, the warmer the water, the higher the conductivity. Inland freshwaters that support good mixed fisheries typically have conductivity values of less than 1,000 (µmhos/cm). Conductivity outside this range could indicate that the water is not suitable for certain species of fish or macroinvertebrates. In some cases, readings may serve as a preliminary indicator of potential septic leaks.