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Hydrology Data

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Frequently-anticipated questions:


What does this data set describe?

Title: Hydrology Data
Abstract:
The data were produced by four separate projects: Coastal Gradients of Flow, Salintiy, and Nutrients; Freshwater Flows to Northeastern Florida Bay; Hydrologic Monitoring in Joe Bay; and Southwest Florida Coastal and Wetland Systems Monitoring.

Data are available for 43 separate sites.

  1. How should this data set be cited?

    Eduardo Patino Jeff Woods; Mark Zucker, 2007, Hydrology Data.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -81.39
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -80.35
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 25.87
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 24.96

  3. What does it look like?

    <http://sofia.usgs.gov/exchange/zucker_woods_patino/location.html> (JPEG)
    Coastal gradients, Florida Bay, and southwest coast location maps

  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

    Beginning_Date: 1996
    Ending_Date: 2007
    Currentness_Reference: ground condition

  5. What is the general form of this data set?

    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: text files

  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?

    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?

      This is a Point data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):

      • Point (43)

    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 1. Longitudes are given to the nearest 1. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Degrees, minutes, and decimal seconds.

      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983.
      The ellipsoid used is Geodetic Reference System 80.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257.

      Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:
      Altitude_System_Definition:
      Altitude_Datum_Name: North American Vertical Datum of 1988
      Altitude_Resolution: 0.01
      Altitude_Distance_Units: feet
      Altitude_Encoding_Method:
      Explicit elevation coordinate included with horizontal coordinates

  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
    Data collected include date and time, temperature, salinity, stage/water level, discharge, specific conductance, and rainfall. Time is shown as either minutes per day or in hours and minutes as Eastern Daylight Savings Time. Temperature is in degrees Celsius, salinity is in PPT (parts per thousand), stage is in decimal feet, discharge is in cubic feet per second (cfs), specific conductance is in micro-siemens per centimeter (ms/cm), rainfall is in inches per day.

    Missing data are indicated by #N/A, 1.23E+25 or blanks.

    Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: USGS


Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)

  2. Who also contributed to the data set?

    Project personnel include Lars Soderqvist, Craig Thompson, Jessica Flanigin, Marc Stewart, Jeffery Woods, Barclay Shoemaker, Paul Stumpner, Shane Ploos, Christian Lopez, Rich Kachelriess, Carrie Boudreau, Stephen Huddleston, and Jessica Adams

  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?

    Mark Zucker
    U.S. Geological Survey
    3110 SW 9th Ave.
    Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33315
    USA

    954 377-5952 (voice)
    954 377-5901 (FAX)
    mzucker@usgs.gov


Why was the data set created?

The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2000 authorized the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) as a framework for modifications and operational changes to the Central and Southern Florida Project needed to restore the south Florida ecosystem. Provisions within WRDA 2000 provide for specific authorization for an adaptive assessment and monitoring program. A Monitoring and Assessment Plan (MAP) has been developed as the primary tool to assess the system-wide performance of the CERP by the REstoration, COordination and VERification (RECOVER) program. The MAP presents the monitoring and supporting enhancement of scientific information and technology needed to measure the responses of the South Florida ecosystem.

Hydrologic information throughout the Everglades ecosystem is key to the development of restoration strategies and for future evaluation of restoration results. There are significant hydrologic information gaps throughout the Everglades wetlands and estuaries that need to be addressed, particularly along Florida’s southwest coast. Among these gaps are flow, water level, and salinity data.


How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

    Date: 2006 (process 1 of 2)
    Several methods were used in the study to describe the magnitude and distribution of flow and salinity at the mangrove transition zone and along the southern coastline of Florida. Field data-collection procedures and discharge calculation techniques for instrumented stations are summarized below.

    Field Data Collection Water level, temperature, salinity, and discharge

    Data collected at instrumented sites included continuous (15-minute or hourly) measurements of water level, water velocity, salinity/specific conductance, temperature, and periodic measurements of discharge for index velocity calibrations. More information on index velocity techniques is discussed in Hittle and others (2001) and Morlock and others (2002), and Ruhl and other (2005). Stations with transmitting data loggers send field data every 1 to 4 hours into the database of the FISC Ft. Lauderdale office by way of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES). Non-transmitting sites are routinely serviced and field data is manually uploaded to the USGS database.

    Boat mounted acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCP) were used to measure discharge at the estuarine monitoring stations. The ADCP uses the Doppler shift in returned acoustic signals reflected by particles suspended in the water to determine the velocity of moving water (Simpson 2002 and Oberg and others 2005). The ADCP also has the capability to measure water depth, flow direction, and speed of the boat based on acoustic reflections from the streambed. Discharge and flow direction are both calculated from information provided by the ADCP and computer software. The mean water velocity is calculated by dividing the total measured discharge by the cross-sectional area corresponding to the water level at the time of measurement (Sauer 2002 and Ruhl and others 2005).

    Acoustic velocity meter (AVM) and acoustic Doppler velocity meter (ADVM) systems were used to measure continuous water velocity. The velocity measured by the ADVM systems represents an "index" of the mean water velocity. The index velocity is a measured velocity at the instrumented sites that can be used to compute the mean channel velocity. Water level data are used to determine water depth and to calculate the stage-dependent cross-sectional area. Water level data were collected an incremental shaft encoder equipped with a pulley, stainless-steel tape, weight, and float inside an 8 in. polyvinyl chloride pipe stilling well (Sauer 2002), pressure sensors, or acoustic transducers. Corrections to water level data follow USGS quality assurance quality control protocols (Rantz and others 1982 and Sauer 2002).

    Salinity is measured near the water surface and the bottom of the water column to help determine the presence of freshwater flow and to examine potential effects on the acoustic signals caused by salinity stratification. Continuous salinity measurements are important for describing the seasonal patterns of freshwater flow (wet/dry season) and for identifying bi-directional flow. Elevations of the continuous monitors are available upon request. Temperature is measured to acquire physical information on creek or wetland characteristics, and to monitor possible vertical gradients that also could affect acoustic signals. Due to biological fouling and electronic drift, the continuous monitor requires routine cleaning and calibration to maintain data quality. During the period of record (water years 1996-2003), continuous monitors were calibrated during site visits to ambient conditions using a reference probe (USGS National Field Manual). Ambient salinity conditions were measured with a portable reference probe that was calibrated and or verified against a range of laboratory specific conductance standards. The determination of fouling and drift errors from water year 2003 to current follow the guidelines set forth in Wagner and others (2005). Reference temperature probes are verified against a NIST thermometer prior to field trips. When in situ temperature measurements differ by more than 0.2°C when compared to the reference temperature probe, the in situ probe is replaced.

    Rainfall

    A remote tipping bucket style rain gauge was used to measure 15 minute liquid precipitation at Upstream North River, Card Sound Canal and West Highway Creek. Daily rainfall in inches is published by water year. Maintenance consists of routine cleaning of debris from the filter screen, and annual calibration/verification with a known rate and volume dispenser. The gage is adjusted when the calibration error is greater than 5%. Data collection, processing, storage, and publication meet USGS standards (USGS 2006).

    Format for the hydrology data

    Water level, discharge, salinity/specific conductance, water temperature, and rainfall data were collected in estuarine creeks, the mangrove/wetland transition zone, and the freshwater wetlands of south Florida. Published data are presented as computed unit-value data under separate files by water year. The data format used is comma-separated value (csv) files that can be imported into most spreadsheet programs.

    The data are separated by individual stations (see sites listing), water year (October 1 to September 30), and when necessary, by parameter. Data collection activities varied from real-time instrumented to non-transmitting sites. Salinity/specific conductance and water temperature generally were measured within a few feet of the water surface (near surface) and within a few feet of the river bottom (near bottom). In some cases (wetland or well mixed sites), salinity/specific conductance and water temperature are measured at a single location in vertical profile. Elevations of the continuous monitors are available upon request. Water level is reported in feet as referenced to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88), discharge in cubic feet per second, specific conductance in micro-siemens per centimeter, salinity in parts per thousand, and temperature in degrees Celsius.

    Date: 2008 (process 2 of 2)
    Data for East Creek near Homestead, Fl, Eden 3, and Eden 3 wekk (MO-211) were added in 2008.

    2007 data were added for all sites.

    Person who carried out this activity:

    Mark Zucker
    U.S. Geological Survey
    3110 SW 9th Ave.
    Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33315
    USA

    954 377-5952 (voice)
    954 377-5901 (FAX)
    mzucker@usgs.gov

  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

    Hittle, Clinton Patino, Eduardo; Zucker, Mark, 2001, Freshwater flow from estuarine creeks into northeastern Florida Bay: USGS Water-Resources Investigations Report 01-4164, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Hittle, Clinton D. Zucker, Mark A., 2004, Northeastern Florida Bay estuarine creek data, Water Years 1996-2000: USGS Digital Data Series DS 105, U.S. Geological Survey, Tallahassee, FL.

    Online Links:

    Price, C. Woolverton, J.; Overton, K., 2004, Water Resources Data - Florida Water Year 2004: USGS Water Data Report FL-04-2A, U.S. Geological Survey, Florida.

    Online Links:

    Hittle, Clinton Patino, Eduardo; Zucker, Mark, 2004, Hydrologic Characteristics of Estuarine River Systems within Everglades National Park: USGS Fact Sheet 2004-3129, U.S. Geological Survey, Tallahassee, FL.

    Online Links:

    Rantz, S. E and others, 1982, Measurement and computation of streamflow Volume 1: measurement of stage and discharge: USGS Water Supply Paper 2175, vol. 1, U.S. Geological Survey, unknown.

    Online Links:

    Sauer, Vernon B., 2002, Standards for the analysis and processing of surface-water data and information using electronic methods: USGS Water-Resources Investigations Report 01-4044, U.S. Geological Survey, unknown.

    Online Links:

    Wagner, R. J. Boulger, Jr, R. W.; Oblinge, 2006, Guidelines and standard procedures for continuous water-quality monitors: station operation, record computation, and data reporting: USGS Techniques and Methods 1-D3, U.S. Geological Survey, unknown.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: supersedes Water-Investigations Report 00-4252
    Oberg, K. A. Morlock, S. E.; Caldwell, W, 2005, Quality-assurance plan for discharge measurements using acoustic Doppler current profilers: USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5183, U.S. Geological Survey, unknown.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    in cooperation with the U. S. Amy Corps of Engineers, Detroit District
    Simpson, M. R., 2002, Discharge measurements using a broad-band acoustic Doppler current profiler: USGS Open-File Report 01-01, U.S. Geological Survey, Sacramento, CA.

    Online Links:

    Ruhl, C. A. Simpson, M. R., 2005, Computation of discharge using the index-velocity method in tidally affected areas: USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5004, U.S. Geological Survey, Sacramento, CA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Prepared in cooperation with the Interagency Ecological Program

    available online only

    Patino, Eduardo, 1996, Feasibility of using acoustic velocity meters for estimating highly organic suspended-solids concentrations in streams: USGS Open-File Report 96-137, U.S. Geological Survey, Tallahassee, FL.

    Online Links:


How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?

  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

    Horizontal positions were established with the use of GPS equipment.

  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

    Water level/stage and temperature were collected for all sites except Seven Palm Lake and East Creek near Homestead, FL. Other data collected include salinity, velocity/discharge, and specific conductance. Rainfall data were collected at Card Sound Canal, Upstream North River, and West Highway Creek.

    See the Sites List for Hydrology Data at <http://> sofia.usgs.gov/exchange/zucker_woods_patino/sitelist.html for a complete breakdown of the data collected for each site.

  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

    Data collected include stage/water level, salinity, temperature, discharge, specific conductance, collection date and time. Not all sites have data for all parameters. Data were collected every 15 minutes on specific days during the water year.

    Data for Stillwater Creek Water Years (WY) 1999-2004 were revised due to a correction for levels. Water level records from WY 1999 - 2006 for Taylor River at mouth were revised due to a correction for levels. North River discharge records were revised as of 12-7-2006. Mud Creek stage data for WY 1996 - 2004 have been corrected due to changes in levels. Broad River and Lostmans River NAVD-88 datum corrected, WY 2001 - 2004 records revised as of 12-7-2006. Chatham River and Lopez River NAVD-88 datum established at these locations, WY 2001 - 2004 records revised as of 12-7-2006. Jewfish Creek discharge records for WY 2003- -2006 were revised. East Highway Creek discharge record for WY 2005 was revised.

    Eden 3 data for WY2006 were updated to fix units error, label updates, and time format.


How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints: none
Use_Constraints: none

  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)

    Heather S.Henkel
    U.S. Geological Survey
    600 Fourth St. South
    St. Petersburg, FL 33701
    USA

    727 803-8747 ext 3028 (voice)
    727 803-2030 (FAX)
    hhenkel@usgs.gov

  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

    Hydrology Data

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    The data have no explicit or implied guarantees.

  4. How can I download or order the data?


Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 19-May-2008
Metadata author:
Heather Henkel
U.S. Geological Survey
600 Fourth Street South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
USA

727 803-8747 ext 3028 (voice)
727 803-2030 (FAX)
sofia-metadata@usgs.gov

Metadata standard:
Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)


This page is <http://sofia.usgs.gov/metadata/sflwww/hydrology_data_zwp.faq.html>

U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
Comments and suggestions? Contact: Heather Henkel - Webmaster
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