Which Harriman Ranch temperature logger are you?

Going into the second half of my internship here at Henry’s Fork Foundation (and my second blog post, at that), I thought it would be fun to combine my titles of “Water Quality” and “Ecology” intern in one post. As noted in my first blog, I have been continuing work on a temperature monitoring project throughout the Ranch that was started last year. HFF has placed 18 temperature loggers throughout the ranch, from Last Chance to Pinehaven, and these log the temperature of the water every 15 minutes. The data that we collect from these sites gives us much more intel than just the temperature. By understanding the temperature, we can create hypotheses about tributaries with cooler groundwater flow, note the spots of the river that have more direct impact from reservoir diversion, make comparisons between flow level and time of year, and so much more. Water temperature tells us so much about the greater Henry’s Fork ecosystem! 

Most of that pertains to the “Water Quality” aspect of my internship, even though we can use temperature data to draw correlations between the habitats and overall quality of life of different species inside and out of the water. That being said, over the past few weeks I have taken a couple of ecology “crash courses” with my mentor, Dr. Jack McLaren, and one of the lessons included a review of taxonomy and dichotomous keys. Taxonomy is the study of classifying organisms, and results in all known living things having what we know as a “scientific name.” For example, humans are technically "Homo sapiens," and rainbow trout are technically "Oncorhynchus mykiss." This allows us to know exactly what species we are looking at, and thus take accurate notes on its behalf.  

To determine the exact species you are looking at, you would use a dichotomous key! Dichotomous keys provide a flow of distinguishing characteristics for an organism, bringing the user to the correct identification. So, to combine my temperature monitoring project with an introduction to taxonomy and dichotomous keys, I have made a little game! 

Which Harriman Ranch temperature monitoring site are you? Follow the directions that each answer provides and find out! (Results at the bottom)

Question 1: Do you prefer the upper part of the Ranch (upstream of the Ranch Bridge in Island Park) or the lower part of the Ranch? 

A. If you prefer upper, go to question 2. 

B. If you prefer lower, go to question 3.  

Question 2: Are you more likely to go-with-the-flow or carve your own path?  

A. I'll go with the flow! Skip to question 4! 

B. I'll carve my own path! Skip to question 5!  

Question 3: Are you more likely to go-with-the-flow or carve your own path? 

A. I'll go with the flow! Skip to Question 6! 

B. I'll carve my own path! Skip to Question 7! 

Question 4: When you’re out on the water, do you prefer a slower or a faster flow?  

A. Slow! I’ve got no rush! Go to results and see #1 

B. The faster, the better! Go to question 4.2 

Question 4.2: Are you a twin? 

A. No twin for me! Go to results and see #2 

B. Yes, indeed! Wore matching outfits and everything! Go to question 4.3 

Question 4.3: Did you come first or second when you were born?  

A. First- I was an only child for a few seconds. Go to results and see #3 

B. Second! My twin is so lucky to have me! Go to results and see #4 

Question 5: On a sunny day, do you prefer a shady oasis or soaking in all the sun?  

A. Get me out of the heat! Shady oasis for me! Go to results and see #5 

B. I have to soak up the sun, that’s how I get the most out of it! Go to question 5.2 

Question 5.2: Getting to your fishing spot, do you prefer to walk right through the water or to take a bridge over it? 

A. Walk through for sure. The coolness of the water feels so nice! Go to results and see #6 

B. I’ll take the bridge for now! I have all day to be in the water! Go to results and see #7 

Question 6: When you’re out on the water, do you prefer a slower or a faster flow? 

A. Slow! I’ve got no rush. Go to question 6.2 

B. The faster, the better! Go to question 6.3 

Question 6.2: Would you rather be surrounded by historic sites when you get in, or be surrounded by your fellow gravel-pit campers? 

A. Historic buildings! History and fishing, all in one day! Go to results and see #13 

B. Home sweet gravel pit! Go to question 6.4 

Question 6.3: Would you prefer to fish with easy access to a wooden walking feature?  

A. Yes! Go to question 6.5 

B. No, the bank will do just fine. Go to results and see #14 

Question 6.4: Thoughts on off-roading? 

A. I love the challenge! Go to results and see #15 

B. I will if I must, but I would rather not! Go to results and see #16 

Question 6.5: Which wooden feature do you prefer? 

A. Dock! Go to results and see #17 

B. Bridge! Go to results and see #18 

Question 7: When you’re out on the water, would you rather have a run in with a frog or a leech? 

A. Leech for me- smaller and can’t jump! Go to question 7.2 

B. Frogs- any life stage, any time- I'll take it. Go to Question 7.3 

Question 7.2: And when you’re in this water, do you prefer it be by boat or by way of wading? 

A. Boat all the way! Go to Question 7.4 

B. I'll wade in. Go to results and see #8 

Question 7.3: Would you prefer being surrounded by cattails or algae? 

A. Cattails! Go to results and see #9 

B. Algae! Go to results and see #10 

Question 7.4: Would you prefer the water to be above or below your knee?  

A. Above the knee! Go to results and see #11 

B. Below the knee! Go to results and see #12 

Results! 

1. Bonefish Flats
   

2. Last Chance Right 

3. Last Chance Left 1 

4. Last Chance Left 2 

5. Blue Springs Creek 

6. Antelope Creek 

7. Second Canal 

8. Millionaire’s Slough 

9. Silver Lake Outlet 

10. Canal Springs 

11. Fish Pond 

12. Osborne Springs 

13. Millionaire’s Pool 

14. Opposite Pinehaven 

15. Across Fish Pond 

16. Osborne Holes 

17. Pinehaven (sonde) 

18. Osborne Bridge 

What’d you get? Some of them are a little harder to distinguish than others, but that reflects an obstacle that one may come across often when trying to identify a species. With dichotomous keys, however, we can better understand what we are looking at. Next time you catch a fish you don't recognize, try using a dichotomous key of fish in the region! In the meantime, I’ll be heading out to Island Park weekly to check on these very temperature monitors. Say hey, and why not tell me which logger you got, too!

-Lily (I got Bonefish Flats)