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Human activities and climate change threaten coldwater organisms in freshwater ecosystems by causing rivers and streams to warm, increasing the intensity and frequency of warm temperature events, and reducing thermal heterogeneity. Cold-water refuges are discrete patches of relatively cool water that are used by coldwater organisms for thermal relief and short-term survival. Globally, cohesive management approaches are needed that consider interlinked physical, biological, and social factors of cold-water refuges. We review current understanding of cold-water refuges, identify gaps between science and management, and evaluate policies aimed at protecting thermally sensitive species. Existing policies include designating cold-water habitats, restricting fishing during warm periods, and implementing threshold temperature standards or guidelines. However, these policies are rare and uncoordinated across spatial scales and often do not consider input from Indigenous peoples. We propose that cold-water refuges be managed as distinct operational landscape units, which provide a social and ecological context that is relevant at the watershed scale. These operational landscape units provide the foundation for an integrated framework that links science and management by (1) mapping and characterizing cold-water refuges to prioritize management and conservation actions, (2) leveraging existing and new policies, (3) improving coordination across jurisdictions, and (4) implementing adaptive management practices across scales. Our findings show that while there are many opportunities for scientific advancement, the current state of the sciences is sufficient to inform policy and management. Our proposed framework provides a path forward for managing and protecting cold-water refuges using existing and new policies to protect coldwater organisms in the face of global change.

ERDC/CRREL SR-16-5 Wetlands Regulatory Assistance Program (WRAP) Synthesizing the Scientific Foundation for Ordinary High Water Mark Delineation in Fluvial Systems Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory Ellen Wohl, Matthew K. Mersel, Aaron O. Allen, Ken M. Fritz, Steven L. Kichefski, Robert W. Lichvar, Tracie-Lynn Nadeau, Brian J. Topping, Patrick H. Trier, and Forrest B. Vanderbilt December 2016 Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) solves the nation’s toughest engineering and environmental challenges. ERDC develops innovative solutions in civil and military engineering, geospatial sciences, water resources, and environmental sciences for the Army, the Department of Defense, civilian agencies, and our nation’s public good. Find out more at www.erdc.usace.army.mil. To search for other technical reports published by ERDC, visit the ERDC online library at http://acwc.sdp.sirsi.net/client/default.Wetlands Regulatory Assistance Program (WRAP) ERDC/CRREL SR-16-5 December 2016 Synthesizing the Scientific Foundation for Ordinary High Water Mark Delineation in Fluvial Systems Ellen Wohl Colorado State University Department of Geosciences Fort Collins, CO 80523-1482 Matthew K. Mersel and Robert W. Lichvar U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) 72 Lyme Road Hanover, NH 03755-1290 Aaron O. Allen U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angles District, Regulatory Division North Coast Branch 2151 Alessandro Drive, Suite 110 Ventura, CA 93001 Ken M. Fritz U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Exposure Research Laboratory Office of Research and Development 26 W. Martin Luther King Drive Cincinnati, OH 45268-0001 Steven L. Kichefski U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District, Asheville Regulatory Field Office 151 Patton Avenue Asheville, NC 28801 Tracie-Lynn Nadeau U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10