Charles Williams - "Patterns spatiotemporal thermal heterogeneity in the Upper Snake River, WY: Implications for Snake River Cutthroat Trout"
Funding from the University of Wyoming Biodiversity Institute will enable this research to uncover spatial and temporal thermal patterns that underpin habitat complexity in the Upper Snake River, Wyoming, providing critical insights for conserving native trout in a system where growing demands on water make resource allocation increasingly complex.
Charles Williams
2025 Recipient of the Biodiversity Graduate Student Research Enhancement Grant
Graduate Advisor: William Fetzer
Department of Zoology and Physiology
This project examines how spatial and temporal variations in water temperature shape thermal habitats in a 43 km stretch of the Upper Snake River, Wyoming, critical habitat for the native Snake River Cutthroat Trout. By combining stationary temperature loggers with high-resolution, longitudinal temperature profiling using a Fast Limnological Automated Measurement (FLAMe) system, the research will model fine-scale thermal dynamics and identify key areas of thermal stress as well as locations that function as thermal refuge. The goal is to better understand how changing thermal conditions impact biodiversity and community stability, while providing resource managers with actionable data. Through community float trips, classroom engagement, and public outreach, the project also emphasizes collaborative science and knowledge sharing.
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Research Highlights
Jul 20, 2022, 5:43 PM
