Re: [Paddlewise] Taking Water Temps

From: Joe Pylka <pylka_at_castle.net>
Date: Fri, 5 Jul 2002 19:37:35 -0400
From: <Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com>





> Currently, I've got a lanyard attached to the thermometer, and I just drop
it 


> overboard and drag it along for about 10 minutes.  When I drag it, it's only

> about an inch underwater.  It's got holes in the top and bottom,  so it gets

> water flowing through it as it's dragged along.





    Ten minutes could be overkill, but it depends on the mass of the
thermometer and how quickly it would reach equilibrium with the water.  


WRT depth, I think an inch is too shallow for nonmoving water.  Surface temps
can be appreciably higher on a lake than just a foot below.  If you have swum
in quiet water you'll have a sense of what I mean.  Moving water in a stream
can mix readily, so a surface temp might be representative.





    You might do either of two things.  Put a weight on the end of the
thermometer (maybe a coupla ounces) to keep it at a better depth, perhaps a
foot.  Alternatively (and I've done this on many occasions)  take a goodsized
mason jar and scoop up the water from a foot below and drop the thermometer in
it.  There won't be a significant temperature change for the length of time
that you'll need for the thermometer/water system to equilibrate.  --Done this
kind of thing many times when working out dissolved oxygen readings...  





Joe P.








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Received on Fri Jul 05 2002 - 16:38:22 PDT

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