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Significance of river–aquifer interactions for reach-scale thermal patterns and trout growth potential in the Motueka River, New Zealand

Importance des interactions entre les eaux de surface et les eaux souterraines pour les modèles thermiques au niveau de biefs et pour le potentiel de croissance des truites: exemple de la rivière de Motueka (Nouvelle Zélande)

Importancia de las interacciones acuífero-río en los patrones termales a escala de tramo y potencial para crecimiento de truchas en el Río Motueka, Nueva Zelanda

莫图依卡河含水层与河水相互作用对河段尺度热场分布与鳟鱼生长潜力的重要性

Importância das interacções rio-aquífero no padrão de distribuição de temperaturas à escala de troços de cursos de água e no crescimento de trutas no Rio Motueka, Nova Zelândia

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Abstract

To assess whether reaches of the Motueka River (New Zealand) that gain water from groundwater were likely to represent significant cold-water refugia for brown trout during periods of high water temperatures, water temperature was monitored for more than 18 months in two gaining reaches of the Motueka River and three reaches that were predicted to be losing water to groundwater. These data were used to predict brown trout (Salmo trutta) growth in gaining and losing reaches. Groundwater inputs had a small effect on water temperature at the reach-scale and modelling suggests that the differences observed were unlikely to result in appreciable differences in trout growth. Several coldwater patches were identified within the study reach that were up to 3.5°C cooler than the mainstem, but these were generally shallow and were unlikely to provide refuge for adult trout. The exception was Hinetai Spring, which had a mean water temperature of close to 16°C during the period January–March, when temperatures in the mainstem regularly exceeded 19°C. Trout were observed within the cold-water plume at the mouth of Hinetai Stream, which would allow them to thermoregulate when mainstem temperatures are unfavourable while still being able to capitalise on food resources available in the mainstem.

Résumé

Afin d’évaluer si les biefs de la rivière Motueka (Nouvelle Zélande) qui sont alimentés par les eaux souterraines, représentaient probablement des refuges d’eau froide pour les truites brunes pendant les périodes de température élevée, la température de l’eau a été mesurée au niveau de deux biefs alimentés par des eaux souterraines et de trois biefs où l’on pouvait supposer des infiltrations d’eaux de surface vers les eaux souterraines, sur une période de plus de 18 mois. Ces données ont été utilisées afin de prédire la croissance de la truite brune (Salmo trutta) au niveau de biefs alimentés ou non par des eaux souterraines. Les apports d’eaux souterraines ont un faible effet sur la température à l’échelle des biefs; les modèles suggèrent que les différences observées n’avaient peu de chance de permettre d’expliquer des différences appréciables concernant la croissance des truites. Différents schémas caractérisés par des températures froides ont été identifiés au niveau des biefs étudiés; la température pouvait être inférieure de 3.5°C par rapport à l’eau de la rivière, cependant ces températures plus fraîches concernaient généralement de faibles tranches d’eau, ne permettant par d’assurer des refuges pour des truites de taille adulte. L’exception concerne la source Hinetai émergeant dans le lit de la rivière; sa température moyenne était proche de 16°C pour la période de Janvier à Mars, alors que la température de la rivière était régulièrement supérieure à 19°C. Les truites ont été observées au niveau du panache d’eau froide de l’émergence de l’Hinetai; cet endroit permettait aux truites de réguler leur température, alors que les températures du cours d’eau n’y étaient pas favorables, tout en étant capable d’avoir recours aux nutriments disponibles dans le cours d’eau.

Resumen

Para evaluar si los tramos del Río Motueka (Nueva Zelanda) que ganan agua a partir del agua subterránea probablemente representan refugios significativos de agua fría para la trucha morena durante periodos con temperaturas de agua altas, se monitoreó la temperatura del agua durante más de 18 meses en dos tramos ganadores de agua del Río Motueka y en tres tramos que se pronosticaron como perdedores de agua hacia el agua subterránea. Estos datos se utilizaron para pronosticar el crecimiento de la trucha morena (Salmo trutta) en tramos ganadores y perdedores. Las entradas de agua subterránea tuvieron un efecto pequeño en la temperatura del agua a la escala de tramo y el modelado sugiere que era poco probable que las diferencias observadas resultaran en diferencias importantes en el crecimiento de la trucha. Se identificaron varias áreas con agua fría dentro del tramo estudiado las cuales alcanzaban temperaturas hasta 3.5 oC más frías que el río principal, aunque estas áreas eran generalmente someras y poco probables para aportar refugio a las truchas adultas. La excepción fue el Manantial Hinetai, el cual tuvo una temperatura promedio de agua cercana a 16 oC durante el periodo enero–marzo, cuando las temperaturas en el río principal con frecuencia excedieron 19 oC. Se observaron truchas dentro de la pluma de agua fría en la desembocadura del Río Hinetai, la cual permitiría que las truchas se auto regulen termalmente cuando las temperaturas del río principal no son favorables y las truchas todavía pueden capitalizar en los recursos alimentarios disponibles en el río principal.

摘要

为了评估新西兰莫图依卡河流域受地下水所补给的河段是否可以成为褐鳟鱼在河水高温季节的冷水避难所, 对莫图依卡河流域的两条潜水补给河和三条预测的漏失河的水温进行了大于18个月的监测。这些数据被用于潜水补给河和漏失河中预测褐鳟鱼 (Salmo trutta) 的生长。地下水输入对河段尺度上水温具微小影响, 模拟表明所观察到的差异不足以对鳟鱼的生长构成显著影响。在研究河段中还发现了可低于干流温度达3.5°C 的若干冷水团块, 但多位于浅部, 不太可能成为成年鳟鱼的避难所。 Hinetai泉是一个例外, 其在1-3月份的平均水温接近16°C, 而干流水温通常高于 19°C。在位于Hinetai 溪口的冷水晕中观察到了鳟鱼, 当干流水温不适宜时, 它们可以籍此维持体温, 且仍可从干流获得食物资源。

Resumo

De modo a verificar se troços efluentes do Rio Motueka representam refúgios de água fria significativos para trutas castanhas durante períodos de temperaturas altas, este parâmetro foi monitorizado durante mais de 18 meses em dois troços efluentes do rio e em três troços em que se considera que o rio é influente. Estes dados foram usados para estudar o crescimento de trutas castanhas (Salmo trutta) em troços influentes e efluentes. As transferências de água subterrânea têm pouca influência na temperatura da água à escala de troços dos cursos de água. Resultados de modelação mostram que as diferenças observadas não têm influência apreciável no crescimento das trutas. Foram identificadas várias manchas de água fria na área estudada com temperaturas até 3.5°C inferiores à temperatura do caudal principal do curso de água. No entanto, estas manchas eram em geral pouco profundas e insuficientes para permitir o refúgio de trutas adultas. Exceptua-se a nascente de Hinetai, a qual apresentou uma temperatura próxima de 16°C durante o período de Janeiro a Março, quando as temperaturas do caudal principal do curso de água excedem regularmente os 19°C. Foram observadas trutas no interior da pluma de água fria na desembocadura do Rio Hinetai, o que poderia permitir a sua termoregulação quando as temperaturas do caudal principal do curso de água são desfavoráveis, apesar de permitirem a continuação do aproveitamento dos recursos alimentares disponíveis.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science and Technology as part of the Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) Project (Contract No. C09X0305). We thank M. Doyle (Tasman District Council) for flow data for Motueka Catchment, G. Curnow and T. Kennedy for installing and retrieving the Hyatts groundwater temperature probe. AM and J Dempster provided access to some sites. T. Davie provided helpful information on the hydrogeology of the study reach and commented on the manuscript. J. Hayes provided invaluable advice and his constructive comments helped improve the manuscript.

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  1. Cawthron Institute, 98 Halifax Street East, Private Bag 2, Nelson, New Zealand

    Dean A. Olsen & Roger G. Young

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  1. Dean A. Olsen
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Correspondence to Dean A. Olsen.

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Olsen, D.A., Young, R.G. Significance of river–aquifer interactions for reach-scale thermal patterns and trout growth potential in the Motueka River, New Zealand. Hydrogeol J 17, 175–183 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-008-0364-4

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