Water-Quality Measurement-Related Files

• WQ_PARM.DAT contains the list of 121 physical, chemical, and biological constituents for which water-quality data are available on the CD-ROM (although instantaneous streamflow--parameter code 00061-- is not listed in this file, instantaneous streamflow data are included in all water-quality constituent datafiles). Their units of measure, chemical expression, and unique five digit parameter code are provided. This file references filtered and unfiltered substances as "dissolved" and "total" constituents, respectively. See WQ_PARM2.DAT file for a description of the current USGS parameter-code expressions.
  See the WQ_PARM.FMT file for details of the file layout.

• WQ_PARM2.DAT contains the list of 121 physical, chemical, and biological constituents available on CD-ROM with the current USGS parameter-code expressions. This includes references to "dissolved" substances as filtered, and "total" as unfiltered, whole-water.
  See the WQ_PARM2.FMT file for details of the file layout.

• WQ_PARM.TXT contains a list of the 63 water properties for which data are available on the CD-ROM and their approximate sampling frequencies. [This file is Table 2 in the accompanying Open-File Report]

• ALK_PARM.TXT contains the applicable parameter/method codes and dates used to compile national network alkalinity, bicarbonate, and carbonate data on the CD-ROM. [This file is Table 6 in the accompanying Open-File Report]

• WQ_DEFS.TXT explains the total constituent analyses performed on WQN samples. The total form reflects different characteristics of the analytical methods and the water-suspended sediment mixture of the samples. [This file is Table 7 in the accompanying Open-File Report]

• SEAS_DEF.TXT contains NASQAN and HBN time periods of sample collection for bimonthly and quarterly sampling frequencies. [This file is Table 3 in the accompanying Open-File Report]

• AGENCIES.DAT lists the governmental and private organizations responsible for sample collection of the network stream water-quality data and their corresponding sample collection codes. These codes are available beginning in the early 1980s, and are stored in the water-quality data files as described in WQ.FMT. Note that non-USGS agencies may have periodically collected data at WQN sites as part of local investigations.
  See the AGENCIES.FMT file for details of the file layout.

• LABS.DAT lists the governmental and private organizations responsible for laboratory analysis of the network stream water-quality data and their corresponding laboratory analytical codes. These codes are available beginning in the early 1980s, and are stored in the water-quality data files as described in WQ.FMT. Note that non-USGS laboratories may have periodically analyzed samples collected as part of local investigations conducted at WQN sites.
  See the LABS.FMT file for details of the file layout.

• METHODS.DAT contains definitions of the laboratory analytical methods codes corresponding to the values of stream water quality. These codes are reported beginning in 1985, and are stored in the water-quality data files as described in WQ.FMT. Descriptive information is given for 209 laboratory methods used to analyze 76 of the 121 water-quality constituents (other analytical methods not listed in this file may have been used to analyze some of these constituents; information on these methods was unavailable at the time of CD-ROM production).

  The remaining 46 constituents include 17 laboratory-analyzed parameters for which codes were unavailable at the time of production of the CD-ROM, 27 field parameters, and 2 computed parameters. The 17 constituents include 1 trace element, 4 radiochemicals, and 12 biological constituents (these predated the use of method codes). Although method codes are reported in the water-quality data base for the 27 field and 2 computed parameters, these codes are not officially supported by the USGS.

  See the METHODS.FMT file for details of the file layout.

• REMARKS.DAT contains definitions for remark codes corresponding to the values of stream water quality reported in data sets described in WQ.FMT
  See the REMARKS.FMT file for details of the file layout.