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Notes on Water Temperature Criteria from Essig (1998)

Taken from: Essig, D. 1998. The Dilemma of Applying Uniform Temperature Criteria in a Diverse Environment: An Issue Analysis.  Idaho Division of Environmental Quality Water Quality Assessment and Standards Bureau, Boise, ID.  34p.

For too long we have sought some "magic number" which, if met, would protect all aquatic life. Clear-thinking scientists and engineers have known for some time that the many species of fish and other aquatic animals vary greatly in their individual tolerances and sensitivities. Some of the confusion can be eliminated if we consider the requirements, for example, of the coho salmon, the northern pike, white bass, carp, etc., and stop searching for a single thermal requirement for ‘aquatic life’ in general.