Developing a Thermal Index for the Naufrage River: Restoring Habitat Resilience and Management Strategies for Atlantic Salmon, Phase 2

Souris and Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation will continue to develop a thermal index of Naufrage River, a predominant Atlantic salmon river in their management area, by implementing the use of a thermal drone for water temperature surveys.

The main goals are:

1. Continue the identification of temperature hotspots in Naufrage River.
2. Thermal Imagery Mapping: Using drone-mounted thermal cameras, they will map temperature variations across the watershed, identifying “hotspots” where water temperatures exceed the optimal range for Atlantic salmon.
3. Identification of Refuges: Thermal imagery will help locate cool-water microhabitats, including springs, groundwater upwelling zones, and cooler tributaries that provide essential refuge areas for salmon during warm periods.
4. Water Temperature Index Creation: Through regular thermal drone imaging, we will build a water temperature index to monitor both seasonal and daily temperature shifts within the river system.

Additional field work includes:

– Extensive In-stream habitat restoration work in Naufrage River.

– Chainsaw work will remove blockages and blowdowns, remove invasive vegetation, restore habitat, and provide shelter for salmon using large woody debris.

– Deployment of 6 HOBO temperature data loggers.  Twelve HOBO temperature loggers will be strategically installed near identified cold-water refuges or thermal hotspots to continuously monitor temperature changes, providing a more detailed view of how temperatures fluctuate in these critical areas.

– Connectivity profiles and in-stream habitat extension work.

– Identifying barriers (e.g., culverts, dams) that impede salmon migration.

– Locating areas (tributaries) with a good cold-water refuge and opening them up into the main portion of the river.