A method of improving rheological properties of a divalent brine based downhole treatment fluid at an elevated temperature comprises adding to the divalent brine based downhole treatment fluid a rheological modifier, which comprises a carboxylic acid ester, or a phosphate ester blended with an ethoxylated glycol, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing in an amount effective to improve the rheological properties of the divalent brine based downhole treatment fluid at a temperature of greater than about 200° F. The divalent brine based downhole treatment fluid comprises calcium bromide, calcium chloride, zinc bromide, zinc chloride, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.