NEON Continuous Discharge Evaluation

Accurately estimating stream discharge is crucial for many ecological, biogeochemical, and hydrologic analyses. As of 2022, The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) provides up to 5 years of continuous discharge and uncertainty estimates at 28 stream and river sites across the United States. NEON generated annual estimates using Bayesian rating curves that were parameterized based on hydraulic controls and point estimates of discharge collected via acoustic doppler current profilers, salt tracer releases, and flow meter measurements. Inputs to the models were sensor-measured continuous surface water elevations. Here we evaluate the reliability of these discharge estimates, with four approaches. We (1) compared predicted to observed discharge values, (2) compared predicted to observed surface water elevation values, (3) compiled data availability, and (4) calculated the proportion of discharge estimates extrapolated beyond field measurement. We provided diagnostic metrics and evaluations of continuous discharge estimates and continuous stage estimates by month for each site in which continuous discharge data was available as of December 2021, enabling users to rapidly query for suitable NEON data.

See publication in review for details on methods.