Datasets for "Leveraging historical datasets to quantify the recovery of an impaired streаm entering Yellowstone National Park"

The dataset collection published here support the companion article by the same title, published in the journal Discover Conservation. The sources of the original data are given in each of the attached files. The following describes the overall project concept followed by descriptions of the contents of each file.
The evaluation of reclamation work on aquatic recovery is theoretically straightforward. However, some impaired waters persist for decades prior to any formal clean-up actions, span multiple jurisdictional boundaries, and consequently include work by multiple investigators. Further, knowledge of a given impairment may be based on a collection of short duration studies from targeted locations. Finally, modest funding exists for long-term environmental characterization work which often narrows the scope and duration of the work that is possible by a single investigator. Given these challenges, we argue that it is valuable to comprehensively evaluate past work and carefully consider how to leverage it through the integration of previous datasets into current assessments. Additionally, watershed level assessments benefit from collaborative partnerships involving multiple stakeholders with a common interest. In the case of Soda Butte Creek, a mine-impaired streаm entering Yellowstone National Park, studies conducted over three decades demonstrated the degraded nature of Soda Butte Creek. Following a large-scale reclamation effort, we collaboratively designed an assessment approach that integrated physicochemical sampling and ecological surveys and supported comparisons to historic datasets. Direct comparisons of water quality data, macroinvertebrate community summaries, and fish abundance data pre- and post-reclamation were useful for quantifying whether desired ecological benchmarks were met. Further, in Yellowstone’s Soda Butte Creek, response times of water quality and ecological indicators to reclamation were relatively rapid and demonstrate that recovery of contaminated streаms in the region can be measured in years rather than decades.
The following datasets are available here:
(1) USDA Forest Service Water Quality Data for the Mainstem of Soda Butte Creek (2000 to 2018)
Water chemistry data from two mainstem Soda Butte Creek locations collected by the U.S. Forest Service Custer Gallatin National Forest or their representatives as part of the New World Mining District Response and Restoration Project (https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/custergallatin/home/?cid=stelprdb5407502). Data and collection methods are summarized from annual Project Summary reports posted on the New World Mining District Response and Restoration Project report repository (https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/custergallatin/home/?cid=stelprdb5407567). Water chemistry data from two mainstem Soda Butte Creek locations: below the McLaren Mill and Tailings sampling location (SBC-2) and Soda Butte Creek at the Yellowstone National Park Boundary (SBC-4) used in analyses associated with "Leveraging historic datasets to quantify the recovery of an impaired streаm entering Yellowstone National Park" are summarized. Other water chemistry data are available from the reports in this repository.
(2) Study Coordinates for Ray et al. 'Leveraging historic datasets to quantify the recovery of an impaired streаm entering Yellowstone National Park' Fig. 3
Coordinates for discrete water quality sampling locations and biological sampling reaches presented in 'Leveraging historic datasets to quantify the recovery of an impaired streаm entering Yellowstone National Park' and associated with Figure 3.
(3) Water Quality Portal Project and Site Identifier Information for NPS Soda Butte Creek data
The Water Quality Portal (WQP; https://www.waterqualitydata.us/) is repository for discrete water-quality data in the United States. The repository integrates publicly available water-quality data from the National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as other local, state, federal, and tribal organizations. All NPS-collected water chemistry data for available for Soda Butte Creek, including those presented in this the manuscript 'Leveraging historic datasets to quantify the recovery of an impaired streаm entering Yellowstone National Park' is available at the Water Quality Portal using YELL_SBC_STUDY for the project ID. Water chemistry data for individual sites are available within that project and the site identifier (e.g., WQX-YELL_SBC2) for the mainstem of Soda Butte Creek and its primary tributaries are contained within this folder.
(4) Summary of dissolved copper concentrations: In mg/L (ppm) downloaded from the WQP using the project and site identifier from (3).

(5) Historical macroinvertebrate data from 1972, 1975, and 1986 surveys
Spreadsheet including data extracted from a 1974 Montana State University thesis by James H. Chadwick, and two reports. Further descriptions of the datasets and full citations are given in the Readme tab of the spreadsheet and in the companion journal article.
(6) Macroinvertebrate Data from September 2018 Soda Butte Creek Sampling
Macroinvertebrate summaries from 7 samples collected in the upper Soda Butte Creek Drainage from September 21 to September 23, 2018. Samples were processed at Rhithron Associates, Inc. Missoula, Montana in March 2019. Upon arrival, samples were unpacked and examined, and identifiers on each jar label were checked against the chain of custody. All samples arrived in good condition. An inventory spreadsheet was created which included project code and internal laboratory identification numbers and was uploaded into the Rhithron database prior to sample processing. Subsamples of a minimum of 500 organisms were obtained using EMAP protocols (USEPA 2004) and Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) standard procedures (MDEQ 2012): Caton sub-sampling devices (Caton 1991), divided into 30 grids, each approximately 6 cm by 6 cm were used. Each individual sample was thoroughly mixed in its jar(s), poured out and evenly spread into the Caton tray, and individual grids were randomly selected. Technicians assessed organism density in each sample prior to sorting in order to comply with the multiple MDEQ SOP requirements of a) a target number of 500 (± 10%) organisms and b) the need to completely pick the last selected grid. If organism density was high, technicians reduced the grid size and created a 120 grid matrix on the tray. If organism density was moderate, the entire Caton tray was divided into 30 grids. If the amount of detritus was too sparse to spread over the entire Caton tray, technicians evenly distributed it over a smaller portion of the tray and divided that portion into 30 appropriately sized grids. Once the sample was distributed appropriately individual grids were randomly selected. The contents of each grid were examined under stereoscopic microscopes using 10x-30x magnification. All aquatic invertebrates from each selected grid were sorted from the substrate, and placed in 80% ethanol for subsequent identification. Grid selection, examination, and sorting continued until at least 500 organisms were sorted. The final grid was completely sorted of all organisms. Organisms were individually examined by certified taxonomists, using 10x – 80x stereoscopic dissecting scopes (Leica S8E) and identified to the lowest practical level consistent with MDEQ (MDEQ 2012) data requirements, using appropriate published taxonomic references and keys. Identification, counts, life stages, and information about the condition of specimens were recorded on electronic bench sheets. Organisms that could not be identified to the taxonomic targets because of immaturity, poor condition, or lack of complete current regionally-applicable published keys were left at appropriate taxonomic levels that were coarser than those specified.
To obtain accuracy in richness measures, these organisms were designated as “not unique” if other specimens from the same group could be taken to target levels. Organisms designated as “unique” were those that could be definitively distinguished from other organisms in the sample. Identified organisms were preserved in 80% ethanol in labeled vials, and archived at the Rhithron laboratory. Chironomids and oligochaetes were carefully morphotyped using 10x – 80x stereoscopic dissecting microscopes (Leica S8E) and representative specimens were slide mounted and examined at 200x – 1000x magnification using an Olympus BX 51 or Leica DM 1000 compound microscope. Slide mounted organisms were archived at the Rhithron laboratory. Further details are provided in the
(7) Technical Summary provided by Rhithron Associates for the 2018 macroinvertebrate taxonomic analyses (pdf)
(8) Summary of fish collection data. Supporting data for figure 9 in the companion article.