AWWF’s Coldwater Fisheries Habitat Temperature Monitoring Project (CWFHTM) is recording baseline thermal conditions in Allagash Wilderness Waterway tributaries and along the main stem of the river.
Fisheries biologists will prioritize the tributaries according to their current contribution to sustaining brook trout populations, their vulnerability to temperature increases, and their potential to maintain conditions that will allow brook trout in the AWW to adapt to anticipated temperature increases in the long term.
Overseen by AWWF board member Paul Johnson, our recent field work from 2022 to 2024 has documented rising water temperatures in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway (AWW), with significant increases compared to historical data from the late 1970s.
Monitoring of 21 tributaries and four river locations revealed that while the Allagash River itself experiences thermally stressful temperatures during July and August, many tributaries provide crucial cool water refuges. Specifically, tributaries like Sweeney, Harding, and Ramsay Brooks consistently offer cooler temperatures, essential for brook trout survival during warm periods. However, larger tributaries, influenced by factors such as watershed size and solar exposure, tend to exhibit warmer temperatures, highlighting the complex thermal dynamics within the waterway.
To read through our 2024 report, click here:
