Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project
2014 Summer Corrected TP Baseline Monthly Water Quality Study:
Analytical Data Results from Aquatic Research
Data Dictionary
Baseline monthly water quality total phosphorus samples were collected each month at monitoring sites
along the Susitna River in June through September 2014 and submitted to Aquatic Research, Seattle,
WA. This document describes the standard abbreviations used in the MS Excel database used to
assemble tables and graphs and to report values. Further, it describes the nomenclature for labeling
sample bottles and identifying sample locations. The baseline monthly water quality data, is described in
the following sections. Each section corresponds to the column heading in the Excel database.
A.
PROJECT_ID
This field reports the name of the study (AEA Susitna) that corresponds to the analyzed results.
B.
SAMPLE_ID
Describes the sample ID given to each sample by the field crew at the time of collection. This sample ID
was recorded on the field form, sample bottle, and COC. The sample ID includes a combination of
letters and numbers to identify the sample location within the project area, water column and location
along the river. The first two letters of the sample ID identify the type of study, WQ = Water Quality.
The next two letters of the sample ID identify sample type, SW = Surface Water. The next letter in the
sample ID identifies the type of WQ study, B = Baseline. These letters are then followed by the Project
River Mile (PRM) for each sample location (see table below for Site Names and PRMs) and then the
location in the water column (vertically and horizontally) from which the sample was taken. M = middle,
L = left. All baseline samples collected during summer 2014 were collected from the top of the water
column. Duplicate samples are indicated with a “D” or “DUP”. Field blanks were also collected and are
labeled with “FB” in the sample ID.
Project River Mile (PRM)
29.9
32.5
33.6
45.1
59.9
87.8
102.8
107
118.6
124.2
140.1
142.2
Site Name
Susitna Station
Yentna River
Susitna above Yentna
Deshka River
Susitna
Susitna at Parks Highway East
Talkeetna River
Talkeetna
Chulitna River
Curry Fishwheel Camp
Gold Creek
Indian River
Project River Mile (PRM)
142.3
152.3
152.7
187.2
235.2
C.
Site Name
Susitna above Indian River
Portage Creek
Susitna above Portage Creek
Susitna at Watana Dam Site
Oshetna Creek
WQ_STUDY
This field indicates which type of water quality study the sample was collected for, Baseline or Focus
Area. All samples in this dataset are associated with the Baseline water quality study.
D.
PRM
Describes the project river mile (PRM) from which samples were collected. Refer to Table in Section B
for corresponding PRMs and Site Names.
E.
HORZ_POS
This field describes the horizontal position across the river where the sample was collected, Left = 25%
from Left Bank and Middle = 50% from Left Bank.
F.
VERT_POS
This field describes the vertical position in the water column at which the sample was collected, Top =
1.5 feet from surface.
G.
DUPE_Y_N_FB
This field indicates whether the sample collected was a duplicate (Y=Yes, N=No), or a field blank (FB).
H.
GPS_Coord_LB_Latitude
This field gives the global positioning system (GPS) latitude (WGS 84) for the transect end point location
where samples were collected. Coordinates were taken with a handheld Garmin GPS unit from the left
bank (LB).
I.
GPS_Coord_LB_Longitude
This field gives the global positioning system (GPS) longitude (WGS 84) for the transect end point
location where samples were collected. Coordinates were taken with a handheld Garmin GPS unit from
the left bank (LB).
J.
GPS_Coord_RB_Latitude
This field gives the global positioning system (GPS) latitude (WGS 84) for the transect end point location
where samples were collected. Coordinates were taken with a handheld Garmin GPS unit from the right
bank (RB).
K.
GPS_Coord_RB_Longitude
This field gives the global positioning system (GPS) longitude (WGS 84) for the transect end point
location where samples were collected. Coordinates were taken with a handheld Garmin GPS unit from
the right bank (RB).
L.
MATRIX
This field describes the sample matrix. The baseline monthly matrix was always water, denoted with a
1.
M.
COLLECT_DATE
This field describes the date of sample collection.
N.
MONTH
This field indicates the month when the sample was collected.
O.
WORK_ORDER
This field indicates the work order number assigned by the laboratory, in this case, Aquatic Research.
P.
LAB_PERFORM
This field reports the name of the laboratory that performed the analysis. For some of the baseline
monthly samples the lab was Aquatic Research, Seattle, WA.
Q.
ANALYTE
This field indicates the parameter for which the sample was analyzed for. Samples were analyzed for
total phosphorus, dissolved aluminum, and total manganese, iron, and arsenic.
R.
DISSOLVED
This field reports whether the dissolved or total portion of the sample was analyzed. F denotes a
dissolved sample.
S.
RESULT
This field reports the results associated with the analysis of each constituent listed in column Q for each
sample.
T.
CORRECTION_FACTOR
A correction factor of 0.8 was applied to all summer 2014 AR TP data to account for 80% of TP within the
suspended sediment portion of the sample.
U.
LAB_RESULT*CORRECTION_FACTOR
This field is the product of multiplying the sample result by 0.08.
V.
CORRECTED_TP_RESULT
This field is the corrected total phosphorus value accounting for the total phosphorus in the suspended
sediment portion of the sample.
W.
LAB_RESULTFLAG
This field reports the qualifier given to the result listed in column S by Aquatic Research. Qualifiers given
to data by the lab include: “ND” which indicates the analyte was analyzed for but not detected.
X.
RESULTFLAG_POST_QAQC_VAL
This field reports the qualifier given to the result listed in column S by Tetra Tech. Qualifiers given to
data by Tetra Tech include: “J” which means the result is less than the reporting limit but greater than or
equal to the minimum detection limit (MDL) so the concentration is an approximate value, “U” which
indicates the analyte was analyzed for but not detected, “R” which indicates the result had been
rejected, “UR” which indicates a non-detect, rejection, “J+” which indicates the result is an estimate and
biased high, “JR” which indicates the result is an estimate and has been rejected, and “J-“ which
indicates the result is an estimate and biased low.
Y.
RESULTFLAG_COMMENTS
This field gives the reasoning behind Tetra Tech’s result flag qualifications.
Z.
UNITS
This field indicates the units of measure for each analyte.
AA.
DL
This field reports the minimum detection limit (DL) for the associated sample and analysis.
AB.
QC_NOTES_1
This field describes any notes from the lab on quality control of the samples.
A.C.
QC_NOTES_2
This field describes any notes from the QC reviewer who entered the data into spreadsheet form on the
quality control of the data.
A.D.
QC_2_Review
This field indicates the date and personnel who performed the data entry and data entry QC.
A.E.
QC_3_Review
This field indicates the date and personnel who performed the senior review and QC on the data after
data entry but before final submittal to AEA.