Currently there is increasing interest in using surface water bodies as renewable energy sources for year around or seasonal heating and cooling applications e.g. heat pumps. This paper presents the statistical analysis of average water temperature and the flow rate of the Oder River. Linear regression analysis was carried out on the base of ten years (2005–2014) diurnal water temperatures measurements data. The results determine the relation between average air temperature in Wroclaw and Oder river water average temperature for two analysed locations. The Pearson's r correlation coefficients were determined. Additionally, the variability of water flow rates from 2008–2010 in the annual cycle were illustrated. The article proposes the conceptual framework for surface water bodies technical aspects. This proposition is the first step for wider analysis in order to identify the thermal potential of the Oder river water as heat source for heat pumps.