Data entry, storage and quality control:
Data are entered into the database by trained local monitoring coordinators or a trained citizen volunteer for each local monitoring program. Quality control checks are incorporated into the database system, to help ensure data are entered accurately.
Data are stored in an Oracle database at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, WI. They date from sampling conducted during pilot studies of the WAV Monitoring Program in 1997 to the present.
Purpose:
Data are collected and entered into the database to support water quality-related educational initiatives. They can help establish baseline trends for stream quality. They are not intended to be used for regulatory purposes (e.g., 303d lists). In some cases, data within this database have been incorporated into local "state of the basin" reports, created by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Description of column headers (parameters) when data are viewed:
(Note: Column headers are listed below in parentheses to denote headers as viewed when searching in spreadsheet format if they differ from headers as viewed when searching data in html format.)
Description:
Site names are determined by local monitoring coordinators. They generally include an assigned number for the local program's sites, the name of the stream, creek, or river being monitored, and the nearest road crossing or named location or structure (e.g., a dam, a park) to the water body. In some cases the sites have codes assigned to them, which attempt to identify both the stream and site number (e.g., FC001, which is Fisher Creek, site 1).
WBIC Description:
Waterbody Identification codes are associated with waterbody names. This column gives the waterbody name that is associated with a WBIC. In html format, the stream name appears just above the word 'date' for each sample that is listed in query results after searching by WBIC or stream name.
WBIC:
WBIC is the Water Body Identification Code. It is a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources code that is unique for each waterbody in the state. In html format, this value is listed in parentheses following the stream name.
Name:
This indicates the county in Wisconsin from which the sample was collected.
Date (Sample Date):
This indicates the date when sampling was conducted. It is in the form mm/dd/yyyy.
Turbidity/Transparency Tube Reading:
This reading of water clarity is measured in inches. It is determined using a turbidity tube. Values may range between 0 and the length of the tube being used (usually about 30 inches).
Turbidity/Transparency:
Turbidity/transparency values are reported in turbidity units that are roughly equivalent to nephelometric turbidity units (NTUs). NTUs are units of turbidity (light scattering) measured with a meter, called a nephelometer. Turbidity/transparency tubes created for the WAV program were calibrated using formazin standards (formazin standards are also used for calibrating nephelometers). The minimum assigned turbidity value is <10 turbidity units, and the maximum assigned value is >240 turbidity units. Greater accuracy at low levels of turbidity is not possible with the length of tube that is utilized for transparency tube measurements. Some monitors use longer tubes. This should be indicated in the comments section of the database in such cases. View more information on measuring transparency >>
Habitat Rocky Score:
This value ranges between 13 and 52. It is the score that can be assigned to a monitoring site based on assessment of the aquatic habitat using the Habitat checklist for rocky bottom streams. View more information on assessing habitat >>
Habitat Soft Score:
This value ranges between 13 and 52. It is the score that can be assigned to a monitoring site based on assessment of the aquatic habitat using the Habitat checklist for soft bottom streams. View more information on assessing habitat >>
Biotic Index:
This value can range between 0 and 4. Scores of 2.0 or less are assigned "poor" stream health. Streams with scores between 2.1 and 2.5 are assigned "fair" health. This with values between 2.6 and 3.5 are assigned "good" stream health, and those with scores greater than 3.6 are assigned "excellent" stream health. It is determined using the Citizen Monitoring Biotic Index. View more information on the methods followed to monitor Biotic Index >>
Dissolved O2 (Dissolved Oxygen):
This header denotes dissolved oxygen values that are recorded in mg/L within the database. When both dissolved oxygen in mg/L and water temperature are entered into the database, the percent saturation of dissolved oxygen is automatically calculated. Atmospheric pressure of 740 mm Hg is used in the equation to determine the percent saturation for all samples entered into the database. View more information on measuring dissolved oxygen >>
O2 % Saturation:
This represents dissolved oxygen concentrations found in the stream as a percent of saturation. Saturation of a gas in a liquid is based on both the temperature of the liquid (in this case water) and the atmospheric pressure. This value is determined using a value of 740/760 mm of mercury (representing the atmospheric pressure at an average elevation across the state of Wisconsin). It is calculated automatically when data entry coordinators enter both a water temperature and a dissolved oxygen amount in mg/L.
Water Temp (Water Temperature ºC):
Water temperature is recorded in degrees Celsius within the database. View more information on measuring temperature >>
Water Flow:
Flow refers to measurement of stream flow or discharge. It is recorded in cubic feet per second or cfs. View more information about monitoring flow >>
Precipitation:
Daily precipitation measurements are made in inches. Snow or other non-liquid precipitation is melted and liquid measure is recorded.
Air Temperature ºC:
Air temperature is recorded in degrees Celsius within the database.
Comments:
Additional site or sample date-specific information is recorded in the database as comments.
pH Level:
The Water Action Volunteers Program does not have methods for monitoring pH; however, because a number of local programs monitor this variable, it is included in the database. Please contact local coordinators for a description of the method a group uses to assess pH.
