USGS intern deploys fiber-optic cable for groundwater/surface-water study

In this photo, a USGS intern is deploying fiber-optic cable along the bed of a trout stream to measure temperature in June 2016. This fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing system is used by USGS scientists to identify areas where groundwater is discharging into the stream. During the summer, this groundwater is typically cooler than the stream water, lowering overall stream temperature, which is important for fish habitat and survival during warm periods. Understanding how groundwater discharge affects the stream temperature is important for state and local resource managers, providing information that can be used to inform decisions about stream restoration and protection of future viable fish habitat.