Advanced trout anglers know that their success rate changes with water temperature. That's because trout are very sensitive to water temperatures. And these temperatures affect trout metabolism and survivability.
Trout are most active when water temperature is between 50-68 degrees Fahrenheit. When temps drop below this level, most trout species (except Lake trout) become sluggish due to slower metabolism. When water temperature rise above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, trout start to suffocate and die. Spawning season is also triggered by water temperature.
Water temperature can be affected by many different things, including outdoor temperature and weather conditions. But many streams also have industry to contend with, and this too can affect water temperature.
Reservoir discharges of warm water, hydropower plant operations, and domestic wastewater treatment plant discharges are some of the activities that can contribute to the warming of streams. The situation can be aggravated even more by large diversions that reduce the amount of stream flows because the left over flow will heat up faster and reach higher temperatures, sometimes intolerable to fish.
In January 2007, the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission approved the new temperature standards in an effort to help protect fish in streams and lakes around the state. Greenback Cutthroat trout will greatly benefit from this new regulation.
The new temperature standards will be used to control discharges from facilities such as hydropower plants, wastewater treatment plants and other point sources regulated by the State.
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