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Interagency Ecological Program: Benthic invertebrate monitoring in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta, collected by the Environmental Monitoring Program, 1975-2020.

General Information
Data Package:
Local Identifier:edi.574.1
Title:Interagency Ecological Program: Benthic invertebrate monitoring in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta, collected by the Environmental Monitoring Program, 1975-2020.
Alternate Identifier:DOI PLACE HOLDER
Abstract:

The Interagency Ecological Program’s (IEP) Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) was initiated in compliance with the Water Right Decision D-1379 (now mandated by Water Right Decision D-1641) and has monitored benthic invertebrate macrofauna in the upper San Francisco Estuary (SFE) since 1975. The objectives of the EMP are to obtain consistent and accurate monthly data at established monitoring stations and to report this information for the purpose of management and conservation of the upper San Francisco Estuary. While the EMP also collects discrete and continuous water quality data, along with phytoplankton and zooplankton data, this dataset only includes the benthic invertebrate data collected by the EMP from 1975-2020.

EMP monitors invertebrate communities in the benthos of the SFE by collecting dredge samples with a Ponar sampler. Sediment and particles smaller than 0.5mm are removed from the sample using a sieve table. The invertebrates present are preserved in formalin, identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level, and enumerated.

Currently, samples are collected monthly at 10 sites across the range of salinities found in the SFE. Four replicate dredge samples are collected at each site. The frequency of sampling, number and identity of sampling sites, and number of replicate samples has changed through the 40+ years of monitoring effort, in response to changes in perceived need for data.

Publication Date:2021-12-01
For more information:
Visit: DOI PLACE HOLDER

Time Period
Begin:
1975-05-19
End:
2020-11-17

People and Organizations
Contact:Wells, Elizabeth (California Department of Water Resources, Environmental Scientist) [  email ]
Creator:Wells, Elizabeth (California Department of Water Resources, Environmental Scientist)
Creator:Interagency Ecological Program(IEP)
Associate:Battey, Morgan (California Department of Water Resources, Lead)
Associate:Green, Heather (California Department of Water Resources, Lead)
Associate:Gehrts, Karen (California Department of Water Resources, Lead)
Associate:Flynn, Theodore (California Department of Water Resources, Supervisor)
Associate:Lesmeister, Sarah (California Department of Water Resources, Supervisor)
Associate:Philippart, Shaun (California Department of Water Resources, Section Supervisor, Supervisor)
Associate:Perry, Sarah (California Department of Water Resources, Field Crew)
Associate:Waller, Scott (California Department of Water Resources, Field Crew)
Associate:Nelson, Michelle (California Department of Water Resources, Field Crew)
Associate:Tran, Andrew (California Department of Water Resources, Field Crew)
Associate:Van Ark, Nicholas (California Department of Water Resources, Boat Operator)
Associate:Santos, Eric (California Department of Water Resources, Boat Operator)
Associate:Sakata, Nick (United States Bureau of Reclamation, Boat Operator)
Associate:Dempsey, Mike (California Department of Water Resources, Field Crew)
Associate:Miller, Caitlin (California Department of Water Resources, Field Crew)
Associate:Watkins, Brooke (California Department of Water Resources, Field Crew)
Associate:Cahoon, Torianne (California Department of Water Resources, Field Crew)
Associate:Arena, Brian (California Department of Water Resources, Field Crew)

Data Entities
Data Table Name:
DWR Benthic raw count data 1975-2020
Description:
Benthic invertebrate raw data from upper San Francisco Estuary, monitored by the Environmental Monitoring Program, 1975-2020. This data file is too large to open in most spreadsheet programs, and is most easily handled with a coding language like R or Python. It The count data are the original counts of organisms per 0.052 m2 Ponar dredge sample.
Data Table Name:
DWR Benthic CPUE data 1975-2020
Description:
Benthic invertebrate CPUE data from upper San Francisco Estuary, monitored by the Environmental Monitoring Program, 1975-2020. This data is intended for a more casual user, and is condensed from the raw dataset to be more tractable for spreadsheet programs. The data have been converted to CPUE (organisms/m2), replicate grabs have been averaged for each site visit, and all non-occurrence (zero) data for a site visit has been removed (but can be re-added by pivoting to wide format).
Data Table Name:
DWR benthic monitoring, active and historic site locations
Description:
DWR benthic monitoring site names, descriptions, coordinates, and status
Data Table Name:
DWR benthic monitoring, organism keylist
Description:
This data table lists all species that have been found, or were expected to be found, in the course of the Environmental Monitoring Program's mandated monitoring and special studies, including work outside the geographic bounds of this sampling program. Not all species listed here are found in the sampling data, and this data table is neither a definitive species list found by our program, nor as a metric of species richness. This data table is provided as a convenience to data users and sampling staff about what species might conceivably be found by benthic sampling in the upper San Francisco Estuary.
Data Table Name:
DWR Benthic monitoring, total annual site visits, 1975-2020
Description:
This data table documents how many site visits were conducted at each site in each year. It is provided as a convenience to data users who want to understand the structure of the data record, and compare levels of sampling effort at different times through the period of record. Since many sites were visited for only part of the period of EMP's sampling and there are many more historic than active sites, documenting the site visits in data table form was more precise than writing a narrative description.
Data Table Name:
DWR Benthic monitoring, total annual grab samples, 1975-2020
Description:
This data table documents how many total grab samples were collected at each site in each year. It is provided as a convenience to data users who want to understand the structure of the data record, and compare levels of sampling effort at different times through the period of record. Since many sites were visited for only part of the period of EMP's sampling and there are many more historic than active sites, documenting the number of grab samples in data table form was more precise than writing a narrative description.
Detailed Metadata

Data Entities

Data Table

Data:https://pasta-s.lternet.edu/package/data/eml/edi/574/1/e65a3e7da08744a8cd6114d4e5f78c53
Name:DWR Benthic raw count data 1975-2020
Description:Benthic invertebrate raw data from upper San Francisco Estuary, monitored by the Environmental Monitoring Program, 1975-2020. This data file is too large to open in most spreadsheet programs, and is most easily handled with a coding language like R or Python. It The count data are the original counts of organisms per 0.052 m2 Ponar dredge sample.
Number of Records:6679776
Number of Columns:18

Table Structure
Object Name:DWR Benthic raw count data 1975-2020.csv
Size:1247207 byte
Authentication:13a3a85bf19e77ec3d9cba5d5f3c1689 Calculated By MD5
Text Format:
Number of Header Lines:1
Record Delimiter:\r\n
Orientation:column
Simple Delimited:
Field Delimiter:,
Quote Character:"

Table Column Descriptions
 SampleDateStationCodeLabSampleNumberGrabYearMonthOrganismCodeCountPhylumClass_levelOrder_levelFamily_levelGenusSpeciesCommon_nameLocationLatitudeLongitude
Column Name:SampleDate  
StationCode  
LabSampleNumber  
Grab  
Year  
Month  
OrganismCode  
Count  
Phylum  
Class_level  
Order_level  
Family_level  
Genus  
Species  
Common_name  
Location  
Latitude  
Longitude  
Definition:Date sample was collectedName of station where sample was collected; -C, -L, and -R denote the center, left bank, and right bank of the channel facing downstream.Unique sample/grab identifier, assigned by taxonomists.Identifying replicate grab number within a sampling event (one station, one date); assigned at random. Number of replicate grabs started at one in 1975, increased to three from 1976-1995, and has been four since 1996.Year in which sample was collectedMonth of year that the sample represents; a few samples were taken in the first or last days of adjoining months due to sampling logistics but are counted as the month of record.Unique species identifier, which remains constant through data record regardless of taxonomic name changes. Number changes (i.e. when two species are merged into one, or misidentifications are corrected) are retroactively updated through data record, and synonyms are not preserved.Number of organisms collected per Ponar grab sample (0.052 m2 of benthic sediment surface). In original data from taxonomists, only the species present are recorded; the zero (non-present) data points for all other species found through the data record are added to this datafile to allow for accurate averaging.Phylum of organism; accurate to ITIS.govClass-type level of organism; not necessarily accurate according to ITIS.gov (may be superorder or subclass) but provided as a convenient second level of taxonomic organization; kept up to current taxonomic definitions as much as possible. Name changes are updated and retroactively corrected in data record, and past synonyms are not preserved.Order-type level of organism; not necessarily accurate according to ITIS.gov (may be superfamily or suborder) but provided as a convenient third level of taxonomic organization; kept up to current taxonomic definitions as much as possible. Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.Family-type level of organism; not necessarily accurate according to ITIS.gov (may be supergenus or subfamily) but provided as a convenient fourth level of taxonomic organization; kept up to current taxonomic definitions as much as possible. Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.Genus of organism; accurate to ITIS.gov and kept up to date as much as possible. Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.Species of organism; accurate to ITIS.gov and kept up to date as much as possible. When species is listed as "sp. A" or similar, identification of organism was only possible to a higher taxonomic level and the species is a particular morphotype identified by our taxonomists (e.g. "Hyalella sp. A"). Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.Common name of organism, if known; many organisms have no common name. Not exhaustive, provided as a point of interest. Additions welcome to future versions of data.Description of location and channel position where sample was taken.WGS84 decimal degrees of latitudeWGS84 decimal degrees of longitude
Storage Type:dateTime  
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Measurement Type:dateTimenominalnominalnominalnominalnominalnominalrationominalnominalnominalnominalnominalnominalnominalnominalratioratio
Measurement Values Domain:
FormatYYYY-MM-DD
Precision
DefinitionName of station where sample was collected; -C, -L, and -R denote the center, left bank, and right bank of the channel facing downstream.
DefinitionUnique sample/grab identifier, assigned by taxonomists.
DefinitionIdentifying replicate grab number within a sampling event (one station, one date); assigned at random. Number of replicate grabs started at one in 1975, increased to three from 1976-1995, and has been four since 1996.
DefinitionYear in which sample was collected
DefinitionMonth of year that the sample represents; a few samples were taken in the first or last days of adjoining months due to sampling logistics but are counted as the month of record.
DefinitionUnique species identifier, which remains constant through data record regardless of taxonomic name changes. Number changes (i.e. when two species are merged into one, or misidentifications are corrected) are retroactively updated through data record, and synonyms are not preserved.
Unitnumber
Typeinteger
DefinitionPhylum of organism; accurate to ITIS.gov
DefinitionClass-type level of organism; not necessarily accurate according to ITIS.gov (may be superorder or subclass) but provided as a convenient second level of taxonomic organization; kept up to current taxonomic definitions as much as possible. Name changes are updated and retroactively corrected in data record, and past synonyms are not preserved.
DefinitionOrder-type level of organism; not necessarily accurate according to ITIS.gov (may be superfamily or suborder) but provided as a convenient third level of taxonomic organization; kept up to current taxonomic definitions as much as possible. Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.
DefinitionFamily-type level of organism; not necessarily accurate according to ITIS.gov (may be supergenus or subfamily) but provided as a convenient fourth level of taxonomic organization; kept up to current taxonomic definitions as much as possible. Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.
DefinitionGenus of organism; accurate to ITIS.gov and kept up to date as much as possible. Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.
DefinitionSpecies of organism; accurate to ITIS.gov and kept up to date as much as possible. When species is listed as "sp. A" or similar, identification of organism was only possible to a higher taxonomic level and the species is a particular morphotype identified by our taxonomists (e.g. "Hyalella sp. A"). Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.
DefinitionCommon name of organism, if known; many organisms have no common name. Not exhaustive, provided as a point of interest. Additions welcome to future versions of data.
DefinitionDescription of location and channel position where sample was taken.
Unitdegree
Typereal
Unitdegree
Typereal
Missing Value Code:                                    
Accuracy Report:                                    
Accuracy Assessment:                                    
Coverage:                                    
Methods:                                    

Data Table

Data:https://pasta-s.lternet.edu/package/data/eml/edi/574/1/1dfeb0e5a58f2167faca4087b717aae4
Name:DWR Benthic CPUE data 1975-2020
Description:Benthic invertebrate CPUE data from upper San Francisco Estuary, monitored by the Environmental Monitoring Program, 1975-2020. This data is intended for a more casual user, and is condensed from the raw dataset to be more tractable for spreadsheet programs. The data have been converted to CPUE (organisms/m2), replicate grabs have been averaged for each site visit, and all non-occurrence (zero) data for a site visit has been removed (but can be re-added by pivoting to wide format).
Number of Records:265648
Number of Columns:18

Table Structure
Object Name:DWR Benthic CPUE data 1975-2020.csv
Size:57041690 byte
Authentication:f46bbed4e4771b1e97bf2fd866339ac4 Calculated By MD5
Text Format:
Number of Header Lines:1
Record Delimiter:\r\n
Orientation:column
Simple Delimited:
Field Delimiter:,
Quote Character:"

Table Column Descriptions
 SampleDateStationCodeLabSampleNumberYearMonthOrganismCodePhylumClass_levelOrder_levelFamily_levelGenusSpeciesCommon_nameLocationLatitudeLongitudeTotalGrabsmeanCPUE
Column Name:SampleDate  
StationCode  
LabSampleNumber  
Year  
Month  
OrganismCode  
Phylum  
Class_level  
Order_level  
Family_level  
Genus  
Species  
Common_name  
Location  
Latitude  
Longitude  
TotalGrabs  
meanCPUE  
Definition:Date sample was collectedName of station where sample was collected; -C, -L, and -R denote the center, left bank, and right bank of the channel facing downstream.Unique sample/grab identifier, assigned by taxonomists.Year in which sample was collectedMonth of year that the sample represents; a few samples were taken in the first or last days of adjoining months due to sampling logistics but are counted as the month of record.Unique species identifier, which remains constant through data record regardless of taxonomic name changes. Number changes (i.e. when two species are merged into one, or misidentifications are corrected) are retroactively updated through data record, and synonyms are not preserved.Phylum of organism; accurate to ITIS.govClass-type level of organism; not necessarily accurate according to ITIS.gov (may be superorder or subclass) but provided as a convenient second level of taxonomic organization; kept up to current taxonomic definitions as much as possible. Name changes are updated and retroactively corrected in data record, and past synonyms are not preserved.Order-type level of organism; not necessarily accurate according to ITIS.gov (may be superfamily or suborder) but provided as a convenient third level of taxonomic organization; kept up to current taxonomic definitions as much as possible. Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.Family-type level of organism; not necessarily accurate according to ITIS.gov (may be supergenus or subfamily) but provided as a convenient fourth level of taxonomic organization; kept up to current taxonomic definitions as much as possible. Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.Genus of organism; accurate to ITIS.gov and kept up to date as much as possible. Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.Species of organism; accurate to ITIS.gov and kept up to date as much as possible. When species is listed as "sp. A" or similar, identification of organism was only possible to a higher taxonomic level and the species is a particular morphotype identified by our taxonomists (e.g. "Hyalella sp. A"). Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.Common name of organism, if known; many organisms have no common name. Not exhaustive, provided as a point of interest. Additions welcome to future versions of data.Description of location and channel position where sample was taken.WGS84 decimal degrees of latitudeWGS84 decimal degrees of longitudeNumber of replicate samples that were averaged to create the mean CPUE. Provided to give a sense of relative reliability of CPUE. Note that lower numbers of grabs is correlated with lower total biodiversity observed, so temporal trends of diversity should be corrected for sampling effort. Numbers range from 1 in 1975, to 3 from 1976-1995, to 4 from 1996 to present. Lower numbers of grabs relative to adjacent sampling events indicate missing data.Number of organisms collected per square meter of benthic sediment, averaged per sampling event. Estimated as (total number of organisms in all replicate grabs/number of replicate grabs)/(0.052 m2 per grab).
Storage Type:dateTime  
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float  
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string  
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float  
Measurement Type:dateTimenominalnominalnominalnominalnominalnominalnominalnominalnominalnominalnominalnominalnominalratioratioratioratio
Measurement Values Domain:
FormatYYYY-MM-DD
Precision
DefinitionName of station where sample was collected; -C, -L, and -R denote the center, left bank, and right bank of the channel facing downstream.
DefinitionUnique sample/grab identifier, assigned by taxonomists.
DefinitionYear in which sample was collected
DefinitionMonth of year that the sample represents; a few samples were taken in the first or last days of adjoining months due to sampling logistics but are counted as the month of record.
DefinitionUnique species identifier, which remains constant through data record regardless of taxonomic name changes. Number changes (i.e. when two species are merged into one, or misidentifications are corrected) are retroactively updated through data record, and synonyms are not preserved.
DefinitionPhylum of organism; accurate to ITIS.gov
DefinitionClass-type level of organism; not necessarily accurate according to ITIS.gov (may be superorder or subclass) but provided as a convenient second level of taxonomic organization; kept up to current taxonomic definitions as much as possible. Name changes are updated and retroactively corrected in data record, and past synonyms are not preserved.
DefinitionOrder-type level of organism; not necessarily accurate according to ITIS.gov (may be superfamily or suborder) but provided as a convenient third level of taxonomic organization; kept up to current taxonomic definitions as much as possible. Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.
DefinitionFamily-type level of organism; not necessarily accurate according to ITIS.gov (may be supergenus or subfamily) but provided as a convenient fourth level of taxonomic organization; kept up to current taxonomic definitions as much as possible. Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.
DefinitionGenus of organism; accurate to ITIS.gov and kept up to date as much as possible. Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.
DefinitionSpecies of organism; accurate to ITIS.gov and kept up to date as much as possible. When species is listed as "sp. A" or similar, identification of organism was only possible to a higher taxonomic level and the species is a particular morphotype identified by our taxonomists (e.g. "Hyalella sp. A"). Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.
DefinitionCommon name of organism, if known; many organisms have no common name. Not exhaustive, provided as a point of interest. Additions welcome to future versions of data.
DefinitionDescription of location and channel position where sample was taken.
Unitdegree
Typereal
Unitdegree
Typereal
Unitnumber
Typereal
UnitnumberPerMeterSquared
Typereal
Missing Value Code:                                    
Accuracy Report:                                    
Accuracy Assessment:                                    
Coverage:                                    
Methods:                                    

Data Table

Data:https://pasta-s.lternet.edu/package/data/eml/edi/574/1/4e6948186ad756dc2b6de4de41b601f3
Name:DWR benthic monitoring, active and historic site locations
Description:DWR benthic monitoring site names, descriptions, coordinates, and status
Number of Records:53
Number of Columns:8

Table Structure
Object Name:DWR benthic monitoring, active and historic site locations.csv
Size:4925 byte
Authentication:ee96621188ce3dc59a678b85d17f1ae6 Calculated By MD5
Text Format:
Number of Header Lines:1
Record Delimiter:\r\n
Orientation:column
Simple Delimited:
Field Delimiter:,
Quote Character:"

Table Column Descriptions
 Site CodeLocation and channel position facing downstreamLatitudeLongitudePeriod of Record (From)Period of Record (To)MissingStatus
Column Name:Site Code  
Location and channel position facing downstream  
Latitude  
Longitude  
Period of Record (From)  
Period of Record (To)  
Missing  
Status  
Definition:Name of station where sample was collected; -C, -L, and -R denote the center, left bank, and right bank of the channel facing downstream.Description of waterbody and position within waterbody where site is locatedWGS84 decimal degrees of latitudeWGS84 decimal degrees of longitudeEarliest years during which sampling occurredLatest years during which sampling occurredYears in which there was a hiatus in sampling at the site"Active" indicates site is currently sampled; "Historic" indicates site was only sampled in the past
Storage Type:string  
string  
float  
float  
string  
string  
string  
string  
Measurement Type:nominalnominalratiorationominalnominalnominalnominal
Measurement Values Domain:
DefinitionName of station where sample was collected; -C, -L, and -R denote the center, left bank, and right bank of the channel facing downstream.
DefinitionDescription of waterbody and position within waterbody where site is located
Unitdegree
Typereal
Unitdegree
Typereal
DefinitionEarliest years during which sampling occurred
DefinitionLatest years during which sampling occurred
DefinitionYears in which there was a hiatus in sampling at the site
Definition"Active" indicates site is currently sampled; "Historic" indicates site was only sampled in the past
Missing Value Code:                
Accuracy Report:                
Accuracy Assessment:                
Coverage:                
Methods:                

Data Table

Data:https://pasta-s.lternet.edu/package/data/eml/edi/574/1/d0f0dd3c1835fe5b669342f8c8e77024
Name:DWR benthic monitoring, organism keylist
Description:This data table lists all species that have been found, or were expected to be found, in the course of the Environmental Monitoring Program's mandated monitoring and special studies, including work outside the geographic bounds of this sampling program. Not all species listed here are found in the sampling data, and this data table is neither a definitive species list found by our program, nor as a metric of species richness. This data table is provided as a convenience to data users and sampling staff about what species might conceivably be found by benthic sampling in the upper San Francisco Estuary.
Number of Records:476
Number of Columns:8

Table Structure
Object Name:DWR benthic monitoring, organism keylist.csv
Size:38591 byte
Authentication:4b0794dfeb6eb80426bcf485c4acf515 Calculated By MD5
Text Format:
Number of Header Lines:1
Record Delimiter:\r\n
Orientation:column
Simple Delimited:
Field Delimiter:,
Quote Character:"

Table Column Descriptions
 OrganismCodePhylumClass_levelOrder_levelFamily_levelGenusSpeciesCommon name
Column Name:OrganismCode  
Phylum  
Class_level  
Order_level  
Family_level  
Genus  
Species  
Common name  
Definition:Unique species identifier, which remains constant through data record regardless of taxonomic name changes. Number changes (i.e. when two species are merged into one, or misidentifications are corrected) are retroactively updated through data record, and synonyms are not preserved.Phylum of organism; accurate to ITIS.govClass-type level of organism; not necessarily accurate according to ITIS.gov (may be superorder or subclass) but provided as a convenient second level of taxonomic organization; kept up to current taxonomic definitions as much as possibleOrder-type level of organism; not necessarily accurate according to ITIS.gov (may be superfamily or suborder) but provided as a convenient third level of taxonomic organization; kept up to current taxonomic definitions as much as possible. Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.Family-type level of organism; not necessarily accurate according to ITIS.gov (may be supergenus or subfamily) but provided as a convenient fourth level of taxonomic organization; kept up to current taxonomic definitions as much as possible. Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.Genus of organism; accurate to ITIS.gov and kept up to date as much as possible. Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.Species of organism; accurate to ITIS.gov and kept up to date as much as possible. When species is listed as "sp. A" or similar, identification of organism was only possible to a higher taxonomic level and the species is a particular morphotype identified by our taxonomists (e.g. "Hyalella sp. A"). Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.Common name of organism, if known; many organisms have no common name. Not exhaustive, provided as a point of interest. Additions welcome to future versions of data.
Storage Type:string  
string  
string  
string  
string  
string  
string  
string  
Measurement Type:nominalnominalnominalnominalnominalnominalnominalnominal
Measurement Values Domain:
DefinitionUnique species identifier, which remains constant through data record regardless of taxonomic name changes. Number changes (i.e. when two species are merged into one, or misidentifications are corrected) are retroactively updated through data record, and synonyms are not preserved.
DefinitionPhylum of organism; accurate to ITIS.gov
DefinitionClass-type level of organism; not necessarily accurate according to ITIS.gov (may be superorder or subclass) but provided as a convenient second level of taxonomic organization; kept up to current taxonomic definitions as much as possible
DefinitionOrder-type level of organism; not necessarily accurate according to ITIS.gov (may be superfamily or suborder) but provided as a convenient third level of taxonomic organization; kept up to current taxonomic definitions as much as possible. Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.
DefinitionFamily-type level of organism; not necessarily accurate according to ITIS.gov (may be supergenus or subfamily) but provided as a convenient fourth level of taxonomic organization; kept up to current taxonomic definitions as much as possible. Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.
DefinitionGenus of organism; accurate to ITIS.gov and kept up to date as much as possible. Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.
DefinitionSpecies of organism; accurate to ITIS.gov and kept up to date as much as possible. When species is listed as "sp. A" or similar, identification of organism was only possible to a higher taxonomic level and the species is a particular morphotype identified by our taxonomists (e.g. "Hyalella sp. A"). Name changes are retroactively updated in data record, and synonyms are not preserved.
DefinitionCommon name of organism, if known; many organisms have no common name. Not exhaustive, provided as a point of interest. Additions welcome to future versions of data.
Missing Value Code:                
Accuracy Report:                
Accuracy Assessment:                
Coverage:                
Methods:                

Data Table

Data:https://pasta-s.lternet.edu/package/data/eml/edi/574/1/ae8df5b1a7b1406e01ee7934a2f38822
Name:DWR Benthic monitoring, total annual site visits, 1975-2020
Description:This data table documents how many site visits were conducted at each site in each year. It is provided as a convenience to data users who want to understand the structure of the data record, and compare levels of sampling effort at different times through the period of record. Since many sites were visited for only part of the period of EMP's sampling and there are many more historic than active sites, documenting the site visits in data table form was more precise than writing a narrative description.
Number of Records:2438
Number of Columns:3

Table Structure
Object Name:DWR Benthic monitoring, total annual site visits, 1975-2020.csv
Size:33778 byte
Authentication:61bd5d275327c1bc6e8862ed76a41536 Calculated By MD5
Text Format:
Number of Header Lines:1
Record Delimiter:\r\n
Orientation:column
Simple Delimited:
Field Delimiter:,
Quote Character:"

Table Column Descriptions
 StationCodeYearNumber of site visits
Column Name:StationCode  
Year  
Number of site visits  
Definition:Name of station where sample was collected; -C, -L, and -R denote the center, left bank, and right bank of the channel facing downstream.Year of site visitTotal number of visits to a site in a year. Used as a way of understanding data structure and sampling effort over period of monitoring.
Storage Type:string  
string  
float  
Measurement Type:nominalnominalratio
Measurement Values Domain:
DefinitionName of station where sample was collected; -C, -L, and -R denote the center, left bank, and right bank of the channel facing downstream.
DefinitionYear of site visit
Unitnumber
Typeinteger
Missing Value Code:      
Accuracy Report:      
Accuracy Assessment:      
Coverage:      
Methods:      

Data Table

Data:https://pasta-s.lternet.edu/package/data/eml/edi/574/1/c377b4b8f9c1c7168214be6604a4a5e5
Name:DWR Benthic monitoring, total annual grab samples, 1975-2020
Description:This data table documents how many total grab samples were collected at each site in each year. It is provided as a convenience to data users who want to understand the structure of the data record, and compare levels of sampling effort at different times through the period of record. Since many sites were visited for only part of the period of EMP's sampling and there are many more historic than active sites, documenting the number of grab samples in data table form was more precise than writing a narrative description.
Number of Records:2438
Number of Columns:3

Table Structure
Object Name:DWR Benthic monitoring, total annual grab samples, 1975-2020.csv
Size:33779 byte
Authentication:88d5e9ce483eae8a969ab74ab50c2b9e Calculated By MD5
Text Format:
Number of Header Lines:1
Record Delimiter:\r\n
Orientation:column
Simple Delimited:
Field Delimiter:,
Quote Character:"

Table Column Descriptions
 StationCodeYearNumber of grab samples
Column Name:StationCode  
Year  
Number of grab samples  
Definition:Name of station where sample was collected; -C, -L, and -R denote the center, left bank, and right bank of the channel facing downstream.Year in which samples were collectedTotal number of grab samples taken at a site in a year. Used as a way of understanding data structure and sampling effort over period of monitoring.
Storage Type:string  
string  
float  
Measurement Type:nominalnominalratio
Measurement Values Domain:
DefinitionName of station where sample was collected; -C, -L, and -R denote the center, left bank, and right bank of the channel facing downstream.
DefinitionYear in which samples were collected
Unitnumber
Typeinteger
Missing Value Code:      
Accuracy Report:      
Accuracy Assessment:      
Coverage:      
Methods:      

Data Package Usage Rights

This information is released under the Creative Commons license - Attribution - CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The consumer of these data ("Data User" herein) is required to cite it appropriately in any publication that results from its use. The Data User should realize that these data may be actively used by others for ongoing research and that coordination may be necessary to prevent duplicate publication. The Data User is urged to contact the authors of these data if any questions about methodology or results occur. Where appropriate, the Data User is encouraged to consider collaboration or co-authorship with the authors. The Data User should realize that misinterpretation of data may occur if used out of context of the original study. While substantial efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of data and associated documentation, complete accuracy of data sets cannot be guaranteed. All data are made available "as is." The Data User should be aware, however, that data are updated periodically and it is the responsibility of the Data User to check for new versions of the data. The data authors and the repository where these data were obtained shall not be liable for damages resulting from any use or misinterpretation of the data. Thank you.

Keywords

By Thesaurus:
LTER Controlled Vocabularybenthos, aquatic invertebrates, abundance, animals, aquatic ecosystems, arthropods, communities, community composition, crustaceans, diversity, ecology, estuaries, epifauna, freshwater, gastropods, infauna, invertebrates, macroinvertebrates, mollusks, monitoring, polychaetes, populations, rivers, snails, species, species abundance, species composition, species diversity, surveys
(No thesaurus)bivalves, annelids, oligochaetes, San Francisco Estuary, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, California Department of Water Resources, Interagency Ecological Program for the San Francisco Bay Delta Estuary

Methods and Protocols

These methods, instrumentation and/or protocols apply to all data in this dataset:

Methods and protocols used in the collection of this data package
Description:

Data Record

EMP’s benthic monitoring program began in May 1975, with either one or three replicate sample grabs taken at each site visit. From 1975 through 1979 the program collected three replicate samples biannually from 18 to 35 stations, for a total of 48 stations over the period. In reviewing the data collected between 1975 and 1979, EMP scientists determined semi-annual monitoring was insufficient to track long term ecological changes in the SFE as mandated by Water Right Decision 1485. In 1980, EMP revised its benthic monitoring and began a monthly sampling program at nine stations.

EMP revised the benthic monitoring program again in 1995. Upon review of data collected from 1980 to 1990, EMP scientists recommended that across-channel sampling be reduced to a single station per location in the Delta to widen the geographic coverage of the program. The revised program began in 1996, increasing the number of sites sampled each month from nine to ten and increasing the number of replicates per station from three to four. Detailed information about location, number and characteristics of the historical sites can be found in IEP Technical Report 12 (Markmann, 1986) and IEP Technical Report 38 (Hymanson, et al., 1994).

Results from a programmatic review of the EMP in 2001-2002 led to fundamental and comprehensive re-consideration of the benthic monitoring. Reviewers recommended a temporary reduction in sampling frequency to free up EMP resources to conduct the more spatially intense sampling without requiring additional resources. Reduced monthly monitoring began in October 2003 and sampling was conducted quarterly (in October, January, April, July) at each station until October 2005, when monthly sampling resumed. Stations have been monitored monthly since this time.

References:

Hymanson, Z., Mayer, D., & Steinbeck, J. 1994. Long-Term Trends in Benthos Abundance and Persistence in the Upper Sacramento-San Joaquin Estuary. Technical Report no. 38, Interagency Ecological Program Sacramento, California.

Markman, C. 1986. Benthic Monitoring in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta - Results from 1975 through 1981. Technical Report no. 12, Interagency Ecological Program Sacramento, California.

Description:

Field collection

All samples of benthic invertebrates are collected using Ponar dredge deployed by boat using a hydraulic winch. The dredge samples an area of roughly 0.052 square meters of the estuary’s bottom. The depth of sediment penetrated by the dredge depends on the composition of the sediment and the dredge itself. Under the current sampling program, four replicate grabs are collected at each site. The contents of the dredge are brought to the surface and placed in a large plastic bucket. Water is then added to the sample to create a slurry. The contents of each grab sample bucket are rinsed into a Standard No. 30 stainless steel mesh screen (0.595 mm openings). Each sample is carefully washed with a fine spray to remove as much non-living substrate as possible without damaging the organisms within. All material remaining on the screen after washing is preserved for laboratory analysis in a solution of ~20% formaldehyde containing Rose Bengal dye and buffered with sodium tetraborate. The benthic macroinvertebrate sampling methodology used in this program is described in Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (see pages 10-60 through 10-74.)

References:

Franson, M. A. H., Eaton, A. D., Greenberg, A. E., Clesceri, L. S., Water Environment Federation., American Water Works Association., American Public Health Association. (1998). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 20th ed. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association.

Description:

Lab Processing

At the laboratory, the volume of settleable substrate in each sample jar is estimated and recorded. The formalin fixative is decanted and the sample is thoroughly washed on a 30-mesh (0.6 mm) screen. The composition of the substrate is estimated and recorded noting the relative percentages of peat, sand, mica, organic detritus, and other materials. Organisms are picked by hand from the substrate using an illuminated three diopter magnifier. These are preserved in 70% ethyl alcohol for subsequent identification. A stereoscopic dissecting microscope (70-120x) is used to identify most organisms. Taxonomic features too small for accurate identification under the dissecting scope are visualized under a compound microscope after permanently mounting the organism on a slide.

If more than four hours of picking is required, and a sample contains many homogenously distributed organisms but few species, a one-fourth subsample is chosen at random. The subsample is picked and the results are multiplied by four to represent the total sample. The remainder of the sample is inspected to make sure no other taxa were overlooked. Laboratory identification and enumeration of macro-benthic organisms in each sample is performed under contract by Hydrozoology Laboratory, P.O. Box 682 Newcastle, CA 95658. Analysis has been done by Hydrozoology for the program’s entire period of record.

Description:

Data processing

Data for the main dataset ("DWR Benthic data 1975-2020", or any later versions) is minimally processed. Raw counts of organisms found in each replicate grab sample are reported as they come from the taxonomist. QC is performed to make sure that the data entry matches the input from the taxonomist, and zeros for all other organisms in the species list are added during data entry and processing.

Data for the CPUE dataset ("DWR Benthic CPUE data 1975-2020", or later versions) differs in three main ways from the main dataset to make its analysis more tractable for non-experts. First, the data is converted from count data to organisms/m2 (organisms/m2 = raw count of organisms per grab / (0.052 m2/ grab)). Second, the data for each of the four (or three, in earlier years) replicate grab samples is averaged together. Finally, the species that were not found at a site visit (count and CPUE =0) are removed from the dataset. Since there are usually ~10x more zeros than species present, this condenses the dataset very efficiently, and the zeros are easily added back in by pivoting the data to a wide format.

Data on site visits ("DWR benthic monitoring site visits, 1975-2020") and number of grabs ("DWR benthic monitoring grab totals, 1975-2020") list the annual totals of site visits and replicate grabs taken at each site through EMP's benthic monitoring history. This is provided as a convenience for the data user trying to understand the changes in location varying levels of monitoring effort through the long period of record.

Data for the species list ("DWR benthic monitoring sites, 1975-2020", or later versions) is the list of all species that have been found during any EMP benthic monitoring, including special studies not included in this data entity. It is updated whenever new species are found and is provided as a convenient reference for data users.

Data for the station list ("DWR benthic monitoring sites, 1975-2020", or later versions) is the list of all sites that have been visited during EMP monitoring and is provided as a convenience for data users.

People and Organizations

Publishers:
Organization:Environmental Data Initiative
Email Address:
info@environmentaldatainitiative.org
Web Address:
https://environmentaldatainitiative.org
Id:https://ror.org/0330j0z60
Creators:
Individual: Elizabeth Wells
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Position:Environmental Scientist
Email Address:
elizabeth.wells@water.ca.gov
Id:https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9822-2901
Individual: Interagency Ecological Program
Organization:IEP
Email Address:
iep@wildlife.ca.gov
Contacts:
Individual: Elizabeth Wells
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Position:Environmental Scientist
Address:
3500 Industrial Blvd,
West Sacramento, 95691 United States
Phone:
9163769821 (voice)
Email Address:
elizabeth.wells@water.ca.gov
Id:https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9822-2901
Associated Parties:
Individual: Morgan Battey
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Email Address:
morgan.martinez@water.ca.gov
Role:Lead
Individual: Heather Green
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Email Address:
HeatherG@piercecd.org
Role:Lead
Individual: Karen Gehrts
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Email Address:
karen.gehrts@water.ca.gov
Role:Lead
Individual: Theodore Flynn
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Email Address:
theodore.flynn@water.ca.gov
Id:https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1838-8942
Role:Supervisor
Individual: Sarah Lesmeister
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Email Address:
Sarah.Lesmeister@deltaconservancy.ca.gov
Id:https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5492-1188
Role:Supervisor
Individual: Shaun Philippart
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Position:Section Supervisor
Email Address:
Shaun.Philippart@water.ca.gov
Role:Supervisor
Individual: Sarah Perry
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Id:https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3708-6675
Role:Field Crew
Individual: Scott Waller
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Role:Field Crew
Individual: Michelle Nelson
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Role:Field Crew
Individual: Andrew Tran
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Role:Field Crew
Individual: Nicholas Van Ark
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Role:Boat Operator
Individual: Eric Santos
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Role:Boat Operator
Individual: Nick Sakata
Organization:United States Bureau of Reclamation
Role:Boat Operator
Individual: Mike Dempsey
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Role:Field Crew
Individual: Caitlin Miller
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Role:Field Crew
Individual: Brooke Watkins
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Role:Field Crew
Individual: Torianne Cahoon
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Role:Field Crew
Individual: Brian Arena
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Role:Field Crew

Temporal, Geographic and Taxonomic Coverage

Temporal, Geographic and/or Taxonomic information that applies to all data in this dataset:

Time Period
Begin:
1975-05-19
End:
2020-11-17
Geographic Region:
Description:Estuarine water bodies of San Pablo Bay to the eastern Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
Bounding Coordinates:
Northern:  38.369Southern:  37.678
Western:  -122.393Eastern:  -121.262
Taxonomic Range:
General Coverage:Annelids were identified to species where possible and either Genus or Family level morphotypes where species was not identifiable (e.g. Amaeana sp. A or Mermithid sp. A)
Classification:
Rank Name:Kingdom
Rank Value:Animalia
Common Name:animals
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 202423
Classification:
Rank Name:Subkingdom
Rank Value:Bilateria
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914154
Classification:
Rank Name:Infrakingdom
Rank Value:Protostomia
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914155
Classification:
Rank Name:Superphylum
Rank Value:Lophozoa
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914159
Classification:
Rank Name:Phylum
Rank Value:Annelida
Common Name:annelids
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 64357
Taxonomic Range:
General Coverage:were identified to species where possible and either Genus or Family level morphotypes where species was not identifiable (e.g. Hyalella sp. A)
Classification:
Rank Name:Kingdom
Rank Value:Animalia
Common Name:animals
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 202423
Classification:
Rank Name:Subkingdom
Rank Value:Bilateria
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914154
Classification:
Rank Name:Infrakingdom
Rank Value:Protostomia
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914155
Classification:
Rank Name:Superphylum
Rank Value:Ecdysozoa
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914158
Classification:
Rank Name:Phylum
Rank Value:Arthropoda
Common Name:arthropods
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 82696
Taxonomic Range:
General Coverage:Chordata were identified to species where possible.
Classification:
Rank Name:Kingdom
Rank Value:Animalia
Common Name:animals
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 202423
Classification:
Rank Name:Subkingdom
Rank Value:Bilateria
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914154
Classification:
Rank Name:Infrakingdom
Rank Value:Deuterostomia
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914156
Classification:
Rank Name:Phylum
Rank Value:Chordata
Common Name:chordates
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 158852
Taxonomic Range:
General Coverage:Cnidarians were identified to species where possible and either Genus or Family level morphotypes where species was not identifiable (e.g. Hydra sp. A or Diadumene sp. A)
Classification:
Rank Name:Kingdom
Rank Value:Animalia
Common Name:animals
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 202423
Classification:
Rank Name:Subkingdom
Rank Value:Radiata
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914153
Classification:
Rank Name:Phylum
Rank Value:Cnidaria
Common Name:cnidarians
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 48738
Taxonomic Range:
General Coverage:Echinoderms were identified to species where possible.
Classification:
Rank Name:Kingdom
Rank Value:Animalia
Common Name:animals
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 202423
Classification:
Rank Name:Subkingdom
Rank Value:Bilateria
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914154
Classification:
Rank Name:Infrakingdom
Rank Value:Deuterostomia
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914156
Classification:
Rank Name:Phylum
Rank Value:Echinodermata
Common Name:echinoderms
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 156857
Taxonomic Range:
General Coverage:Molluscs were identified to species where possible and either Genus or Family level morphotypes where species was not identifiable (e.g. Physa sp. A)
Classification:
Rank Name:Kingdom
Rank Value:Animalia
Common Name:animals
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 202423
Classification:
Rank Name:Subkingdom
Rank Value:Bilateria
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914154
Classification:
Rank Name:Infrakingdom
Rank Value:Protostomia
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914155
Classification:
Rank Name:Superphylum
Rank Value:Lophozoa
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914159
Classification:
Rank Name:Phylum
Rank Value:Mollusca
Common Name:molluscs
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 69458
Taxonomic Range:
General Coverage:Nematode species were identified to genus and morphotype within genus (ex. Dorylaimus sp. A).
Classification:
Rank Name:Kingdom
Rank Value:Animalia
Common Name:animals
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 202423
Classification:
Rank Name:Subkingdom
Rank Value:Bilateria
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914154
Classification:
Rank Name:Infrakingdom
Rank Value:Protostomia
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914155
Classification:
Rank Name:Superphylum
Rank Value:Ecdysozoa
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914158
Classification:
Rank Name:Phylum
Rank Value:Nematoda
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 59490
Taxonomic Range:
General Coverage:were identified to species where possible and higher level morphotypes where species was not identifiable (e.g. Nemertea sp. A or Paleonemertea sp. A)
Classification:
Rank Name:Kingdom
Rank Value:Animalia
Common Name:animals
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 202423
Classification:
Rank Name:Subkingdom
Rank Value:Bilateria
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914154
Classification:
Rank Name:Infrakingdom
Rank Value:Protostomia
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914155
Classification:
Rank Name:Superphylum
Rank Value:Lophozoa
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914159
Classification:
Rank Name:Phylum
Rank Value:Nemertea
Common Name:proboscis worms
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 57411
Taxonomic Range:
General Coverage:Nematomorphs were identified to Genus (e.g. Gordius sp. A)
Classification:
Rank Name:Kingdom
Rank Value:Animalia
Common Name:animals
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 202423
Classification:
Rank Name:Subkingdom
Rank Value:Bilateria
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914154
Classification:
Rank Name:Infrakingdom
Rank Value:Protostomia
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914155
Classification:
Rank Name:Superphylum
Rank Value:Ecdysozoa
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914158
Classification:
Rank Name:Phylum
Rank Value:Nematomorpha
Common Name:gordian worms
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 64183
Taxonomic Range:
General Coverage:Phoronids were identified to species.
Classification:
Rank Name:Kingdom
Rank Value:Animalia
Common Name:animals
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 202423
Classification:
Rank Name:Subkingdom
Rank Value:Bilateria
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914154
Classification:
Rank Name:Infrakingdom
Rank Value:Protostomia
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914155
Classification:
Rank Name:Superphylum
Rank Value:Lophozoa
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914159
Classification:
Rank Name:Phylum
Rank Value:Phoronida
Common Name:horseshoe worms
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 155456
Taxonomic Range:
General Coverage:Platyhelminthes were identified to species where possible and higher level morphotypes where species was not identifiable (e.g. Turbellarian sp. A or Planariidae sp. A)
Classification:
Rank Name:Kingdom
Rank Value:Animalia
Common Name:animals
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 202423
Classification:
Rank Name:Subkingdom
Rank Value:Bilateria
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914154
Classification:
Rank Name:Infrakingdom
Rank Value:Protostomia
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914155
Classification:
Rank Name:Superphylum
Rank Value:Platyzoa
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 914160
Classification:
Rank Name:Phylum
Rank Value:Platyhelminthes
Common Name:flatworms
Identifer:https://www.itis.gov
ID: 53963

Project

Parent Project Information:

Title:Environmental Monitoring Program
Personnel:
Individual: Theodore Flynn
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Position:Senior Environmental Scientist
Email Address:
theodore.flynn@water.ca.gov
Id:https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1838-8942
Role:Lead
Individual: Elizabeth Wells
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Position:Environmental Scientist
Email Address:
elizabeth.wells@water.ca.gov
Id:https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9822-2901
Role:Subject Lead
Individual: Morgan Battey
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Position:Environmental Scientist
Email Address:
morgan.battey@water.ca.gov
Role:Subject Lead
Individual: Sarah Perry
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Position:Environmental Scientist
Email Address:
sarah.perry@water.ca.gov
Id:https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3708-6675
Role:Subject Lead
Individual: Julianna Manning
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Position:Environmental Scientist
Email Address:
julianna.manning@water.ca.gov
Id:https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5661-0129
Role:Subject Lead
Individual: Tiffany Brown
Organization:California Department of Water Resources
Position:Environmental Scientist
Email Address:
tiffany.brown@water.ca.gov
Role:Subject Lead
Individual: Arthur Barros
Organization:California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Position:Environmental Scientist
Email Address:
arthur.barros@wildlife.ca.gov
Role:Subject Lead
Abstract:

The Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) was established in 1971 to: 1) collect environmental data for resource management, 2) better understand estuarine processes, and 3) document compliance with water right decisions. EMP staff collect monthly water quality, chlorophyll, phytoplankton, benthic, and zooplankton samples at fixed locations in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, Suisun Bay, and San Pablo Bay. The EMP is one of the nation’s oldest environmental monitoring programs and has compiled over four decades of consistent and comprehensive water quality and biological data.

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) sets water quality objectives to protect beneficial uses of water in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun and San Pablo Bays. These objectives are met by establishing standards mandated in water right permits issued to the Department of Water Resources and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation by the SWRCB. The standards include minimum Delta outflows, limits to Delta water export by the State Water Project (SWP) and the Central Valley Project (CVP), and maximum allowable salinity levels.

In 1971, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) established Water Right Decision 1379 (D-1379). This Decision contained new water quality requirements for the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary. D-1379 was also the first water right decision to provide terms and conditions for a comprehensive monitoring program to routinely determine water quality conditions and changes in environmental conditions within the estuary. The monitoring program described in D-1379 was developed by the Stanford Research Institute through a contract with the SWRCB. Implementation of the monitoring program that became EMP began in 1972, as SWRCB, DWR, and USBR met to define their individual responsibilities for various elements of the monitoring program. In 1978, amendments to water quality standards were implemented and resulted in Water Right Decision 1485 (D-1485). These standards were again amended under the 1995 Water Quality Control Plan and Water Right Decision 1641 (D-1641) established in 1999. The SWP and CVP are currently operated to comply with the monitoring and reporting requirements described in D-1641. D-1641 requires DWR and USBR to conduct a comprehensive environmental monitoring program to determine compliance with the water quality standards and also to submit an annual report to the SWRCB discussing data collected.

Maintenance

Maintenance:
Description:

Data continues to be collected monthly; datasets are expected to be updated annually, with a lag time of 3-6 months.

Frequency:annually
Other Metadata

Additional Metadata

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        |     |___element 'emlEditor'
        |     |        \___attribute 'app' = 'ezEML'
        |     |        \___attribute 'release' = '2021.10.27'
        |     |___text '\n    '
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