1. Summary: Collecting Reliable Data for Monitoring and Modeling
U.S. Geological Survey
Nicolet Beach

2. Planning Ahead
Anclam Park Beach

3. What potential applications can data collecting practices affect?
Ability to model
Comparability between beaches
Comparability in larger regions
Application to similar situations

4. 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

5. Creating an Adequate Data Set
Lakeside Park Beach

6. 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

7. 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

8. Location of Sampling Near the swimming area
Near potential point sources (e.g., outfalls, creeks, storm sewers)
Consider amount/length of beach used

9. In the Water (E. coli sampling)
Sampling depth
Depth in water column
Replication: increases reliability due to high variability
Compositing?

10. 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

11. In the Laboratory E. coli, enterococci, fecal coliforms
Colilert vs. mTec

12. 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

13. Defining an Adequate Dataset/ Using Historical Data
Sister Bay Beach

14. 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

15. Historical Remote Data
Data collected independently can be used; assess reliability
Data are available from numerous organizations, requires some searching
More data = Better

16. Bottom Line
Planning
Consistency
Training
Whitefish Dunes Beach