Fall chum salmon rely on groundwater upwellings, which provide warm, stable conditions essential for overwinter embryo survival

However, climate-related changes to hydrology alter the locations and extent of these critical habitats, necessitating efficient, scalable monitoring and identification methods. This project aims to characterize and map thermally suitable spawning habitats which are critical for fall chum salmon (oncorhynchus keta) in the yukon river basin, focusing on three key tributaries: the teedriinjik (chandalar), kantishna, and tanana rivers. This study combines high-resolution aerial thermal imagery with multispectral satellite imagery to map and assess hydrologic upwelling areas. The aerial surveys will expand upon prior high resolution thermal imaging efforts, enabling comparisons of habitat stability by evaluating changes in hydrologic upwelling through time. Complementary satellite-based analyses using google earth engine API will identify recurring open water areas as proxies for upwelling, and these satellite classifications will be compared to the high-resolution thermal imagery, which has been shown to successfully identify upwelling chum salmon habitats. By conducting this methodological comparison, we aim to evaluate the feasibility of remote sensing for broad-scale habitat classification and monitoring. The results will directly inform management strategies by pinpointing high-value spawning habitats for conservation, monitoring, and restoration, and characterizing their spatial variability over time. This work supports ongoing efforts to mitigate human and climate impacts on yukon river salmon, contributing essential data for prioritizing habitat protection and restoration in alaskas changing environment.