USDA Forest Service Air Resource Management Program: Surface water monitoring data

This publication includes data collected from aquatic ecosystems on National Forest System (NFS) lands sensitive to atmospheric pollutants that contribute to surface water acidification and eutrophication. Data were collected from 1981 to present. Data processed by the Rocky Mountain Research Station Lab from 2016 to present are available at this time, as well as 2023 data from the Coweeta Lab. Data processed by other labs as well as data prior to 2016 will become available as resources allow. The Forest Service regions where the collection occurs include: Eastern (9), Southern (8), Pacific Southwest (5), Intermountain (4), Rocky Mountain (2) and Northern (1). Data were generally collected by Forest Service personnel working on Forest-level projects, with collection years varying by Forest and project. Data include physical and chemical properties of water samples, with measurements and analyses performed both in situ and in analytical labs.
The USDA Forest Service, Air Resource Management Program provides guidance to Forest Service units to collect and analyze surface water samples primarily to inventory aquatic systems sensitive to atmospheric deposition. Inventory, characterization, and monitoring of lake and stream water quality on national forest lands is performed to provide resource managers with information on possible water quality problems that may require intervention. These data are used to determine the susceptibility of lakes and streams to potential stressors and to document changes (improvement or deterioration) in key parameters of interest or in known problem areas.
These data were published on 06/08/2023. On 08/21/2023, we included a file containing a detailed list of any minor changes made to previously published data. Data package updates on 04/01/2024 included the addition of 2023 data, a few data corrections, and updates to the metadata and supplemental files, all of which is detailed in the Process Steps section.