Identification of Thermal Refuges and Water Temperature Patterns in Salmonid-Bearing Subarctic Rivers of Northern Quebec

In summer, salmonids can experience thermal stress during extreme weather conditions. This may affect their growth and even threaten survival. Cool water zones in rivers constitute refuges, allowing fish to be more comfortable grow survive events. Therefore, identifying understanding the spatiotemporal variability of discrete refuges larger scale cooling is fundamental interest. study analyzes as well two salmonid a subarctic climate by use infrared (TIR) imagery. The studied are Koroc Berard Rivers, Nunavik, Quebec, Canada. On 17 km section River, four five were detected, covering 46% surveyed river. 41 for 67 identified which represent 32% 89% about 60% groundwater-controlled. Continuity permafrost shape river valley found main parameters controlling distribution zones. These data provide important insights into planning conservation measures population Nunavik rivers.