What are intended uses of project data?

Data developed by the Project, and accessible in the database, will allow citizens, scientists and governmental agencies to better understand contemporary water and sediment quality in Lake St. Clair, its major tributaries (the St. Clair and Clinton Rivers), smaller rivers and many still smaller streams and drains.

 

In addition to providing convenient access to data, the database will contribute to rigorous analyses and interpretation of the data in final Project reports to be completed during 2006. Thus, the data is intended to be useful in evaluating trends, analyzing the effectiveness of control measures, developing policies and decision making by local, state and federal lawmakers and environmental executives.

 

What types of data are available?

The database contains water and sediment data about numerous physical, chemical and biological parameters, stream flow and rainfall at several dozen locations in Macomb, Oakland and St. Clair Counties. For descriptions of individual parameters click here.

 

What can you tell me about quality of data in the database?

Highest quality data are essential for analyses and interpretation. Thus, rigorous processes were instituted for sample collection and transport, sample custody, analytical procedures and quality control and quality assurance. These processes were:

 

Developed in project work plans, quality assurance project plans and standard operating procedures; all of which were approved by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, or; Adaptations of work plans originally prepared by the US Army Corps of Engineers; and subsequently reviewed by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, or Performed by the USGS pursuant to its national standards.

         

Quality assurance services were provided by the Project’s independent third-party consultant. That consultant used the US EPA National Functional Guidelines and USGS Guidelines and Standards for Calibration to develop project specific checklists for review of the data. The consultant reviewed the analytical results and quality control information, completed the checklists, and added data flags and qualifiers, if necessary, to each sample result. Only after completion of these quality control processes were the analytical results deemed acceptable.

 

How can I access to Project data?

Website users can access the Project’s data for water and sediment quality, streamflow, rainfall and related data in the Project study area in four ways:

·         From the database embedded in this web site;

·         Via links displayed on this web site;

·         By requesting compact discs with reports from selected segments of the Project;

·         By securing reports, documents and data referenced in the Project’s Bibliography.

 

Why do data displays on the Results Page refer to an ‘acceptable range’ for analytical result of a parameter’s concentration?

The ‘acceptable range,’ which is also referred to as a ‘critical value,’ is an expression of some scientific consensus, often in the absence of regulatory standards, of useful indicators of possible public health concern. Public health officials can readily determine which results out of many displayed in a database or spreadsheet may prompt additional attention and possible investigatory or regulatory action. If you wish to determine the scientific or regulatory references from which the ranges and values were obtained click here.

 

Who Provided the Data?

Several regimens were utilized to accumulate the most current and relevant data. The water and sediment quality data resulted from samples collected: (i) by an environmental consulting firm retained by the Lake St. Clair Regional Monitoring Project, (ii) from the MCHD’s Lake St. Clair Assessment Project and (iii) from the USGS. In addition, the USGS and the environmental consultant provided the streamflow and rainfall data. Data from the 2004 and 2005 sampling seasons constitute the data displayed in the Project database. Click here for project data

 

How were samples collected for the wet weather data?

Since sampling of ten storm events was a major component of the Project, great care was taken to plan the sampling locations; determine whether continuous, automatic or manual sampling was most appropriate at each location; acquire and install the field equipment; assemble and deploy sampling teams; and collect, preserve, transport and analyze the samples. These and other aspects of wet weather sampling were detailed in the Project’s work plans, quality assurance project plans and standard operating procedures.

 

Where can I find historical data for the Project area?

Yes. This web site contains data resulting from sampling during the Project. Extensive efforts were made to assist you by searching for relevant historical data from the Project’s study area. Contacts were made with over a hundred organizations and individuals and many identified numerous studies, reports and data sets. The Project’s QA/QC consulting firm and the USGS conducted this search.

 

Bibliography

For an extensive bibliography, click here.