Collection Methods

Data Collection, Storage and Sharing Standards

Network cooperators aim to collect high quality data that is reliable and sharable. To that end, the Network has adopted minimum standards and protocols for data collection and storage (Mauger et al., 2014). These include, but aren’t limited to:

Equipment Standards

  • Temperature sensors with minimum precision of 0.25°C, range from -4°C – 37°C
  • 1 hour sampling frequency

Quality Assurance/Quality Control

  • Accuracy checks with NIST-certified thermometer before and after deployment
  • Verify channel is well-mixed
  • Deploy back-up logger
  • Remove erroneous data (e.g. when sensor exposed to air or buried in sediment)

Storage and Sharing Recommendations

  • CSV format in at least 2 locations
  • Maintain meta-data associated with data
  • Share hourly, QA/QC’d data


Additional resources:

Equipment options (does not constitute an endorsement by SAWC)

In situ temperature logger:
–   Onset HOBO Water Temperature Pro V2
–   Onset HOBO TidbiT MX2203 Temperature Logger

Handheld temperature probe for quality assurance checks:
–   Tech Instrumentation’s 35100-K AquaTuff Waterproof Thermocouple Thermometer + probe
–   YSI’s EcoSense EC300A Conductivity Meter kit

Data sheets for sensor accuracy checks and deployment (also in Mauger et al. 2014)

–   Sensor Deployment Data Sheet (Fillable PDF)
–   Field Quality Assurance/Maintenance Check Sheet (Fillable PDF)
–   Sensor Deployment History Log
–   Sensor Accuracy Check Log

Publications

Mauger, S., R. Shaftel, E.J. Trammell, M. Geist, and D. Bogan (2014). Stream temperature data collection standards and protocol for Alaska:  minimum standards to generate data useful for regional-scale analyses. Cook Inletkeeper, Homer, AK and Alaska Natural Heritage Program, UAA, Anchorage, AK. 53 pp. pdf

Sowder, C., and E. A. Steel (2012). A note on the collection and cleaning of water temperature data. Water, 4:597-606, doi: 10.3390/w4030597. pdf

Toohey, R.C., Neal, E.G., and Solin, G.L. (2014). Guidelines for the collection of continuous stream water-temperature data in Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2014-1182, 34 p., doi: 10.3133/ofr20141182. pdf

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