Dataset Description:

The WRDS water quality database contains water quality sampling data from surface water sites throughout the state as collected by more than 80 different source agencies. Information on the chemical and physical attributes of streams, reservoirs, springs, etc. are included in the database. Specific information which may be retrieved includes geographical site information, the type of site, use of the water, source organization, dates of sampling, and the observed parameter values. Please note that not all information is available for each site. Furthermore, the number of parameters available for each specific grab sample may vary from very few to more than 50. A recently funded project to assess available water quality datasets throughout the state and acquire the corresponding data through ongoing cooperative arrangements has led to many new additional datasets being incorporated into the database. Both the historical and newly acquired information have been ported to the World Wide Web (WWW).

Dataset Utility:

The quality of the data in the dataset is variable depending upon the collecting agency. During the 1960's and 1970's, various state and federal agencies and private companies used the system for storage and retrieval of data. At that time it was the responsibility of each agency or private concern that reported data to ensure that its data were precise and accurate. Today, water quality data are received in numerous formats and on a variety of media types, operationally dictating that each of the datasets be scrutinized prior to inclusion into the database (QA/QC, standardization, methodologies employed, etc.). With the assistance of water quality experts in the state, many of these issues are routinely resolved. Counts listed represent unique, non-USGS surface water quality sampling sites within the basin. Grab sample data may be retrieved online in a variety of methods, including a search of available stations within a specified geographic area. Searches may be further refined by filtering on source agency, period of record, site type, etc. For a complete listing of all available data stored for a specific station (secondary tables, etc.) contact WRDS directly.

Water Resources Data System PO Box 3943 Laramie, WY 82071 (307) 766-6651 wrds@uwyo.edu

Parameter:	459 parameters statewide
	(ground and surface waters)
Unit/Statistic:	NA
Currentness:	Historical/Continuing
Format:	Digital
Distribution Policy:	Unrestricted
Fee:	Conditional
Method of Access:	Contact source agency or via WWW:
	http://www.wrds.uwyo.edu/wrds/dbms/hydro/sel.html
Secondary Access:	None

Last Modified: Thursday, 13 September 2007

Index of the Statewide Data Inventory
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