Comparative assessment of STIC sensors, streamflow and rain gauges for quantifying river connectivity in intermittent systems

Water Biology and Security
By: , and 

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Abstract

In intermittent stream systems, including those occurring in Texas, USA, the severity of low-flow conditions, duration of seasonal disconnection, and frequency of no-flow events have been amplified by drought. Documentation of these no-flow events is necessary to evaluate ecosystem health. However, many intermittent reaches remain un-gauged given that perennial river sec-tions are often prioritized for gauge placement. Our objectives were to 1) document stream flow using Stream Temperature, Intermittency, and Conductivity (STIC) loggers to determine the frequency and duration of no-flow events in intermittent tributaries of the Colorado River, Texas and 2) compare logger data to publicly available data from streamflow discharge and precipitation gauge networks to understand differences among these data types for drying event characterization. We use these comparisons to summarize benefits and limitations of the application of in-stream data loggers. STIC loggers were deployed at 19 sites, one in each pool and riffle habitat of a stream reach. STIC loggers recorded a measurement of relative conductance every six hours from June 2022 to March 2024, which was used to determine the presence or absence of flow connectivity in a reach. No-flow duration among intermittent reaches varied between 37 and 270 days across tributaries during an ongoing drought in the study area. Overall, logger data was more precise than discharge data for characterizing no-flow events or precipitation data when documenting presence of water in the stream channel due to runoff. Lack of discharge gauges in intermittent tributaries left large sections of stream reaches undocumented and resulted in mischaracterization of flow patterns. Drought severity across the tributaries did not follow longitudinal patterns that would be expected by the climatic precipitation gradient of the study area. More research is needed to determine if factors such as population size affect severity. Likewise, precipitation data did not correlate well with logger water presence data, lacking consideration for groundwater recharge, soil hydrophobicity, and surface compaction. This study shows that to monitor no-flow events, detailed spatial datasets are necessary and that STIC loggers are useful tools that provide data to fill spatial information gaps and facilitate more accurate flow characterization and water presence data in intermittent systems.

Suggested Citation

Cooper, C.R., Rogosch, J.S., Smith, N.G., Robertson, C.R., and Wilson, W.M., 2026, Comparative assessment of STIC sensors, streamflow and rain gauges for quantifying river connectivity in intermittent systems: Water Biology and Security, 8 p., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watbs.2026.100626.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Comparative assessment of STIC sensors, streamflow and rain gauges for quantifying river connectivity in intermittent systems
Series title Water Biology and Security
DOI 10.1016/j.watbs.2026.100626
Edition Online First
Year Published 2026
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Atlanta
Description 8 p.
Country United States
State Texas
Other Geospatial Colorado River tributaries
Additional publication details