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Open-File Report 2011-1137

Loch Vale Watershed Long-Term Ecological Research and Monitoring Program: Quality Assurance Report, 2003–09

By Eric E. Richer1 and Jill S. Baron2

1Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
2U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, Colorado; and Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado

 

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Abstract

The Loch Vale watershed project is a long-term research and monitoring program located in Rocky Mountain National Park that addresses watershed-scale ecosystem processes, particularly as they respond to atmospheric deposition and climate variability. Measurements of precipitation depth, precipitation chemistry, discharge, and surface-water quality are made within the watershed and elsewhere in Rocky Mountain National Park. As data collected for the program are used by resource managers, scientists, policy makers, and students, it is important that all data collected in Loch Vale watershed meet high standards of quality. In this report, data quality was evaluated for precipitation, discharge, and surface-water chemistry measurements collected during 2003–09. Equipment upgrades were made at the Loch Vale National Atmospheric Deposition Program monitoring site to improve precipitation measurements and evaluate variability in precipitation depth and chemistry. Additional solar panels and batteries have been installed to improve the power supply, and data completeness, at the NADP site. As a result of equipment malfunction, discharge data for the Loch Outlet were estimated from October 18, 2005, to August 17, 2006. Quality-assurance results indicate that more than 98 percent of all surface-water chemistry measurements were accurate and precise. Records that did not meet quality criteria were removed from the database. Measurements of precipitation depth, precipitation chemistry, discharge, and surface-water quality were all sufficiently complete and consistent to support project data needs.

First posted July 5, 2011

For additional information contact:

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2150 Centre Ave., Bldg. C
Fort Collins, CO 80526-8118

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Suggested citation:

Richer, E.E., and Baron, J.S., 2011, Loch Vale Watershed Long-Term Ecological Research and Monitoring Program: Quality Assurance Report, 2003–09: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2011–1137, 22 p.



Contents

Introduction

Precipitation Data

Discharge Data

Surface-Water Chemistry Data

Changes in Field and Laboratory Procedures during 2003-09

Summary

Acknowledgments

References Cited

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