Temperature change in the Sarneraa – Canton Obwalden

In August 2022, almost 27°C were measured in the Sarneraa, with cooler estuaries of tributaries presumably allowing the survival of trout and grayling. Detailed information on water temperature and possible cold water areas were therefore requested by fishing associations and commissioned to eQcharta GmbH by the Department of Natural Hazards and Hydraulic Engineering of the Canton of Obwalden. The aim was to record and analyze short-term temperature changes during hot and dry periods in the Sarneraa and its tributaries in space and time. The data should serve as a basis for the optimization of upcoming hydraulic engineering and flood protection measures.

Product

eQcharta GmbH developed a temperature measurement concept for the Sarneraa River that combined in-situ temperature probes with drone-based thermal infrared (TIR) images. As a result, the water temperature along 7.7 km of watercourse was recorded in high spatial resolution on a hot summer day. These data were supplemented with measurements from 29 temperature probes over two summer months in order to continuously investigate the temporal development of the water temperature and to calibrate and validate the TIR images. This combination of methods allowed a detailed recording of temperature distributions and changes as well as existing cold water areas in the Saaneraa and its tributaries. Recommendations were made for the optimization of hydraulic engineering and flood protection measures.

Contributors

Publications

Tonolla D., Antonetti M., Döring M. 2024. Erfassung der kurzfristigen Temperaturveränderung in der Sarneraa und in den wichtigsten Zuflüssen. Bericht im Auftrag des Amtes für Wald und Landschaft, Abteilung Naturgefahren und Wasserbau, Kanton Obwalden. eQcharta, Wädenswil. 41 S.

Contact

Michael Döring
Prof. ZHAW, Dr. sc. ETHZ
MSc. Geography

Founder and member of the management board

In his many years of work in applied ecosystem research, spatial analysis, remote sensing and risk management in science and practice, Michael has implemented a wide range of projects, especially in restoration and the rehabilitation of hydropower. This resulted in the foundation of eQcharta GmbH as an Eawag spin-off in 2013 and since 2014 in his work as a lecturer in ecohydrology at the ZHAW.

Diego Tonolla
Dr. rer. nat. FU Berlin
MSc. Environmental Sciences ETHZ

Member of the management board

Diego has many years of scientific and practical experience in applied ecosystem research, spatial analysis, method development and consulting, which he has successfully implemented in various projects on ecological restoration, hydropower rehabilitation and impact monitoring. He has also been a lecturer in ecohydrology at the ZHAW since 2015.

Contact the eQcharta office

If you desire detailed information about our publications and wish to delve deeper into our research findings, please click on the ResearchGate link below our contact details.

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