Summary: Collecting Reliable Data for Monitoring and Modeling U.S. Geological Survey Nicolet Beach
Planning Ahead Anclam Park Beach
What potential applications can data collecting practices affect? Ability to model Comparability between beaches Comparability in larger regions Application to similar situations
How important is training? Neither field sampling, laboratory analysis, nor data entry is a mindless exercise Employ trained/qualified individuals Preferably have the same people year to year to maintain consistency
Creating an Adequate Data Set Lakeside Park Beach
What Beaches to Sample Beach prioritization Can lead data gaps for low priority beaches These can be overcome by proximity to higher priority beaches Need for/ benefit of modeling History of sampling at individual beaches
Time of Sample Collection E. coli declines with time of day Beaches should be sampled at the same time each time At minimum, record sample time; maybe determine decay rate
Location of Sampling Near the swimming area Near potential point sources (e.g., outfalls, creeks, storm sewers) Consider amount/length of beach used
In the Water (E. coli sampling) Sampling depth Depth in water column Replication: increases reliability due to high variability Compositing?
On the Beach (ambient conditions) More=Better when it comes to data Actual numerical counts are better than ranking (e.g., 1=few,…5=many) However: ranking is better than nothing Collect field data the same way every time
In the Laboratory E. coli, enterococci, fecal coliforms Colilert vs. mTec
Creating an Electronic Database Data should be entered into spreadsheet/relational database soon after collection and analysis Consult with modeler or statistician on format Quality Assurance: independent party should examine data for transcription errors
Defining an Adequate Dataset/ Using Historical Data Sister Bay Beach
Historical Beach Data Assess for usefulness, accuracy, and consistency Some factors can be accounted for using field sheets Data whose quality cannot be accounted for must be assessed for usefulness More data = Better
Historical Remote Data Data collected independently can be used; assess reliability Data are available from numerous organizations, requires some searching More data = Better
Bottom Line Planning Consistency Training Whitefish Dunes Beach