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Surface water data submittal, review and reports

The MPCA uses a system called EQuIS (Environmental Quality Information System) to store water quality data from more than 17,000 sampling locations across the state. EQuIS contains information from Minnesota streams and lakes dating back to 1926. EQuIS replaces an older system, STORET, which was in use until September 2009. All data previously housed in STORET has been moved to EQuIS.

2013-2014 timeline

  • Through June 3, 2013: Submit project and location metadata. Complete 2012 data review.
  • Through November 1, 2013: Submit project lab and field data.
  • December 2, 2013: Begin final data review.
  • December 16, 2013: Complete final data review for assessment related data.
  • January 13, 2014: Data finalized and ready for the 2014 assessment process.

Data submittal

The switch to EQuIS has not changed the process for submitting data. Any future changes will be communicated via e-mail and on this page. Contact an EQuIS team member to be added to the distribution list.

The Project and Location forms are referred to as metadata forms. Their purpose is to provide information that characterizes data to answer who, what, when, where, why, and how about upcoming data results.

To complete the metadata forms online, first click on the required form, then at ‘File Download’ choose ‘Save’ and save the form to your desktop. Proceed to complete and email the required metadata and data referred to in Steps 1-4 to an EQuIS team member and designated MPCA project manager.

Note: It is important to always use the current online version of these forms, since they are updated frequently.

Step 1: Submit a Project Establishment Form for new projects or project updates now through June 3, 2013.

Step 2: Submit a Location Establishment Form for the establishment of new sampling locations or for previously existing sampling locations that need to be associated with your project (co-located sites) now through June 3, 2013.

Note: The Location Establishment form is in a new format. We are requesting the same information as we always have, but now in an Excel table to make submittals of multiple sampling locations easier.

Step 3: Submit a Surface Water Data Template for the storage of all lab data results and associated field data results generated from external labs by November 2, 2013. Identify turbidity units when submitting turbidity data by referring to the code list located on the USGS website. Do not submit MDH lab chemistry results because the transfer of this data is automated.

Note: Do not submit data more than once. Include only this year’s data if you have already submitted last year’s. If you have multiple projects, make sure that data among them are unique, and do not include the same data for two or more different projects.

The current online version of the Surface Water Data Template now asks for your lab metadata. Please fill out the new rows completely and accurately or the data will not be entered. For questions regarding the template, please contact Miranda Nichols at 651-757-2614.

Note: A Laboratory Establishment Form is no longer needed. Now Lab Certification, Lab Methods, and Sample fractions for lab results need to be entered in Rows 1-6 of the current Surface Water Data Template. If filled out completely, this information does not need to be provided separately in the EQuIS Laboratory Establishment Form. A Lab Form is still required, however, if you submit data via an old template.

Data review

The MPCA's data management process supports the agency’s goal of timely and quality data storage.

To protect the quality of data in EQuIS, newly submitted data is marked as preliminary until it has been reviewed. MPCA project managers must review the data themselves or delegate it to a local partner who may be more familiar with the data.

Listed below are the important dates for this year’s upcoming final data review period.

2013-2014 Priority Watershed Data Timeline for Project Managers:

  • Now through November 1: Submit lab and field data.
  • December 2: Begin final data review.
  • December 2 to December 16: Complete final data review.

The review and submittal process has not changed with the implementation of EQuIS.  On December 2, crosstab reports with review instructions will be emailed to project managers who submitted an "EQuIS ready" data template to the EQuIS Team by November 1: MS Excel Document Surface Water Data Template (wq-s5-04)

All priority watershed data must be finalized and ready for the assessment process by January 15, 2014. Late submittals will be processed as time allows.  If deadlines are missed, the data will likely not be finalized in time to be used. Data submittal and review deadlines are important for those who want their data considered during the upcoming round of assessments.

The MPCA will conduct surface water assessments – determining whether water bodies meet state water quality standards – for these watersheds in early 2014:

  • Leech Lake River
  • Pine River
  • South Fork Crow River
  • Zumbro River
  • Red Lake River
  • Red River - Grand Marais Creek
  • Lake of the Woods

Data reports

You can view and download information stored in EQuIS by using the Environmental Data Access tool. This database houses environmental data across a wide range of topics. If you need a more customized data report, contact an EQuIS team member.

Contacts

Please contact a MPCA EQuIS Team member if you have questions.

  • Nancy Flandrick, 651-757-2361, St. Paul, Rochester, and Mankato Regional Offices,
  • Jean Garvin, 651-757-2378, Willmar, Marshall, and Detroit Lakes Regional Offices,
  • Lynda Nelson, 651-757-2601, Duluth and Brainerd Regional Offices,
  • Miranda Nichols, 651-757-2614, Water Quality Data Coordinator.
Last modified on June 05, 2013 16:42
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