Harmonized discrete and continuous water quality data in support of modeling harmful algal blooms in the Illinois River Basin, 2005 - 2020

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are overgrowths of algae or cyanobacteria in water and can be harmful to humans and animals directly via toxin exposure or indirectly via changes in water quality and related impacts to ecosystems services, drinking water characteristics, and recreation. While HABs occur frequently throughout the United States, the driving conditions behind them are not well understood, especially in flowing waters. In order to facilitate future model development and characterization of HABs in the Illinois River Basin, this data release publishes a synthesized and cleaned collection of HABs-related water quality and quantity data for river and stream sites in the basin. It includes nutrients, major ions, sediment, physical [...]