July 2009 - Updates to waterdata.usgs.gov web system
Users have long requested the ability to retrieve water quality data in a more granular way. This release introduces a long-requested search by parameter code capability that allows users to fine-tune their queries for specific parameter codes rather than only by the more coarse-grained parameter groups. In addition, there are more water quality groups from which to choose. To accommodate the new groups, the USGS has moved to a 3-character parameter grouping.
- We have added a Known Problems Page.
- New search criteria: Search by parameter codes
- Help system improved to provide USGS parameter codes for CASRN (American Chemical Society Registry Number) and USEPA SRS (Substance Registry System) Names
- Users can search for water quality sites using parameter codes (manual entry, range of parameters, or by supplying a file of parameters). Up to 200 parameter codes can be searched at a time. When using this criteria, sites with any of the parameters selected (logical 'or' operation) are returned.
- Water quality parameter codes can also be specified for output display.
- Parameter codes can be entered either interactively or using a file of parameter codes
- Water quality data is now classified using a 3-character parameter group code
New group codeNew groupOld groupOld group code INF Information Information I PHY Physical Physical P INM Inorganics, Major, Metals Major inorganics M INN Inorganics, Major, Non-metals NUT Nutrient Nutrients N MBI Microbiological Biological B BIO Biological IMM Inorganics, Minor, metals Minor and trace inorganics C IMN Inorganics, Minor, Non-metals TOX Toxicity OPE Organics, pesticide Organics O OPC Organics, PCBs OOT Organics, other RAD Radiochemistry Radiochemicals R ISO Stable Isotopes Stable isotopes A SED Sediment Sediment S POP Population/Community Taxonomic enumeration E OTH Other Other U HAB Habitat ">New group code New group Old group Old group code INF Information Information I PHY Physical Physical P INM Inorganics, Major, Metals Major inorganics M INN Inorganics, Major, Non-metals NUT Nutrient Nutrients N MBI Microbiological Biological B BIO Biological IMM Inorganics, Minor, metals Minor and trace inorganics C IMN Inorganics, Minor, Non-metals TOX Toxicity OPE Organics, pesticide Organics O OPC Organics, PCBs OOT Organics, other RAD Radiochemistry Radiochemicals R ISO Stable Isotopes Stable isotopes A SED Sediment Sediment S POP Population/Community Taxonomic enumeration E OTH Other Other U HAB Habitat - Introducing an integrated USGS Water Data for the Nation Mapper
- Bug Fixes
- Popups are now visible in Internet Explorer and Firefox for current condition maps
- Added link to news page in all page footers
- Links to presentation quality measurement graphs work correctly
- Updated tab separated output headers provide better description of data fields
- Removed redundant county code list
- Help button on Parameter Codes page returns a help page instead of an error message
- When specifying time periods for statistical daily values, data are returned in correct order.
- Correct Period of Record information is returned by all points of request
- The Annual Data Report Link points to the most recent year's report
- The Annual Data Report and the Instantaneous Data Archive links are visible for sites with available data
- The help system's aquifer codes are sorted by state then by alphabetical order per state
- Monthly and Annual statistics display when selected
- Lake levels are displayed on the National Lakes and Reservoir page
- New Current Condition Parameters
- 72180 Evapotranspiration, inches
- 72181 Moisture content, soil, volumetric, fraction of total volume
- 72182 Atmospheric water vapor density, grams per cubic meter
- 99237 Acoustic Doppler Velocity Meter signal to noise ratio
- 99238 Loctn ADVM cell end from Sontek
- 99239 Acoustic Doppler Velocity Meter standard deviation, data element specified in data descriptor
- 99240 Acoustic Doppler Velocity Meter standard error of velocity, feet per second
- 99241 Location of Acoustic Doppler Velocity Meter cell end, meters
- 99242 Acoustic Doppler Velocity Meter standard error of velocity, centimeters per second
This release includes a scalable mapping interface. This interface will display USGS water sites on a web mapping tool and will ease the process of locating relevant sites through zooming and panning. At a certain level of magnification, when you click on a site you can be directed to the site page for additional details. The mapper will be accessible inside the USGS Water Data for the Nation site through a prominent blue button on appropriate pages and through the Data Category drop down boxes near the top right corner of the page. The mapper utilizes both USGS and Google Maps imagery.
