Caspar Creek Experimental Watersheds Phase 1 (1962-1985) data

Metadata:
Identification_Information:
Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Richardson, Paul W.
Originator: Seehafer, Jayme E.
Originator: Keppeler, Elizabeth T.
Originator: Sutherland, Diane G.
Originator: Wagenbrenner, Joseph W.
Publication_Date: 2021
Title:
Caspar Creek Experimental Watersheds Phase 1 (1962-1985) data
Edition: 2nd
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular and vector digital data
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Fort Collins, CO
Publisher: Forest Service Research Data Archive
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2020-0017-2
Description:
Abstract:
The Caspar Creek Experimental Watersheds are a long-term USDA Forest Service research site located near Fort Bragg, California in the Jackson Demonstration State Forest in a coast redwood and Douglas-fir dominated conifer forest. The site includes two experimental watersheds: the North Fork (479 hectares) and the South Fork (417 hectares). Measurements of precipitation, streamflow, and sediment transport began at Caspar Creek in 1962. Two timber harvesting experiments have been completed. The first experimental harvest (Phase 1) was a selective cut conducted in the South Fork watershed using tractor yarding in the early 1970s, prior to the implementation of the modern California Forest Practice Rules. Phase 1 of the project includes data from 1962 to 1985. Gaging stations were added in 12 subwatersheds of the North Fork by 1985 in preparation for the second experimental harvest (Phase 2). From 1985 to 1992, roughly half of the North Fork watershed was logged, mainly using clearcutting and cable yarding, and following the newly-enacted Forest Practice Rules. Gaging stations were added in 10 subwatersheds of the South Fork in 2000 in preparation for a third harvesting experiment (Phase 3). Logging for the third harvest occurred in 2017-2019 in the South Fork watershed.

This data publication contains all Phase 1 data: 1) volumetric discharge data from the North Fork and South Fork weirs from 03 November 1962 to 31 July 1985, 2) annual pond deposition volumes for the weir collection ponds directly upstream of the North Fork and South Fork weirs from 1962-1985 (deposited material includes sediment and organic debris, and 3) suspended sediment concentrations collected at the North Fork and South Fork weirs 1962-1985. Also included are a geodatabase and shapefiles containing study locations, harvest units, and watershed boundaries for Phase 1.
Purpose:
The Caspar Creek Experimental Watersheds were established to determine the effects of timber harvesting on streamflow and sediment delivery in northern coastal California watersheds.
Supplemental_Information:
Additional metadata documents containing details specific to each data set are also provided in this data package.

The first edition of the Phase 1 data was published on 03/17/2020 (https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2020-0017). This newer edition (2nd edition) of the Caspar Creek data publication, made available on 01/08/2021, includes additional data, corrections, and geospatial files. Data corrections are described in the “Supplemental Information” section of the relevant individual metadata files. Phase 3 (2017- ) data are being prepared for a future data publication.

Minor additions and corrections were made to the discharge metadata on 03/23/2021. Minor additions were also made to this metadata document on 03/23/2021 and additionally on 04/11/2022.

The Caspar Creek Phase 2 data (1985-2017) are also available (Richardson et al. 2021, https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2020-0018-2).
Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 1962
Ending_Date: 1985
Currentness_Reference:
Ground condition
Status:
Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: As needed
Spatial_Domain:
Description_of_Geographic_Extent:
Caspar Creek Experimental Watersheds, Jackson Demonstration State Forest, California, USA.

The watershed area of the North Fork watershed was recalculated at various times through the period of record as technology improved and minor changes in drainage occurred as a result of road maintenance. The area provided in this document was derived from light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data collected in 2017, which were used to develop a 1-meter digital elevation model.
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -123.76448
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -123.69842
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 39.38160
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 39.32192
Bounding_Altitudes:
Altitude_Minimum: 26.2
Altitude_Maximum: 284.6
Altitude_Distance_Units: meters
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
Theme_Keyword: elevation
Theme_Keyword: environment
Theme_Keyword: geoscientificInformation
Theme_Keyword: inlandWaters
Theme_Keyword: climatologyMeteorologyAtmosphere
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: National Research & Development Taxonomy
Theme_Keyword: Natural Resource Management & Use
Theme_Keyword: Forest & Plant Health
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: creek
Theme_Keyword: stream
Theme_Keyword: suspended sediment concentration
Theme_Keyword: bedload
Theme_Keyword: bed load
Theme_Keyword: sediment transport
Theme_Keyword: hydrology
Theme_Keyword: geomorphology
Theme_Keyword: timber harvesting
Theme_Keyword: experimental watersheds
Theme_Keyword: time series
Theme_Keyword: logging
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Place_Keyword: Caspar Creek Experimental Watersheds
Place_Keyword: California
Place_Keyword: Mendocino County
Place_Keyword: Coast Ranges
Place_Keyword: Jackson Demonstration State Forest
Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints:
These data were collected using funding from the U.S. Government and can be used without additional permissions or fees. If you use these data in a publication, presentation, or other research product please use the following citation:

Richardson, Paul W.; Seehafer, Jayme E.; Keppeler, Elizabeth T.; Sutherland, Diane G.; Wagenbrenner, Joseph W. 2021. Caspar Creek Experimental Watersheds Phase 1 (1962-1985) data. 2nd Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2020-0017-2
Point_of_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station
Contact_Person: Joe Wagenbrenner
Contact_Position: Research Hydrologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: 1700 Bayview Drive
City: Arcata
State_or_Province: CA
Postal_Code: 95521
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 707-825-2930
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: joseph.wagenbrenner@usda.gov
Browse_Graphic:
Browse_Graphic_File_Name: \Supplements\CasparCreek_Phase1_Map.pdf
Browse_Graphic_File_Description:
Portable Document Format file showing the North Fork and South Fork watershed outlines, weir locations, and a color map showing areas logged during the Phase 1 harvest.
Browse_Graphic_File_Type: PDF
Data_Set_Credit:
Funding for this work was supplied by the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Richardson, Paul W.
Originator: Seehafer, Jayme E.
Originator: Keppeler, Elizabeth T.
Originator: Sutherland, Diane G.
Originator: Wagenbrenner, Joseph W.
Originator: Bladon, Kevin D.
Originator: Dymond, Salli F.
Originator: Cole, Ryan P.
Publication_Date: 2021
Title:
Fifty-eight years and counting of watershed science at the Caspar Creek Experimental Watersheds in northern California
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Hydrological Processes
Issue_Identification: 35(6): e14207
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.14207
Online_Linkage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/63022
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Richardson, Paul W.
Originator: Seehafer, Jayme E.
Originator: Keppeler, Elizabeth T.
Originator: Sutherland, Diane G.
Originator: Wagenbrenner, Joseph W.
Publication_Date: 2020
Title:
Caspar Creek Experimental Watersheds Phase 1 (1962-1985) data
Edition: 1st
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Fort Collins, CO
Publisher: Forest Service Research Data Archive
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2020-0017
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Richardson, Paul W.
Originator: Seehafer, Jayme E.
Originator: Keppeler, Elizabeth T.
Originator: Sutherland, Diane G.
Originator: Wagenbrenner, Joseph W.
Originator: Bladon, Kevin D.
Originator: Dymond, Salli F.
Originator: Cole, Ryan P.
Publication_Date: 2021
Title:
Caspar Creek Experimental Watersheds Phase 2 (1985-2017) data
Edition: 2nd
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Fort Collins, CO
Publisher: Forest Service Research Data Archive
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2020-0018-2
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Data_Quality_Information:
Attribute_Accuracy:
Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
Data were collected and reviewed by trained USDA Forest Service and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection staff in Fort Bragg, CA. These data were then processed and reviewed by USDA Forest Service research staff.
Completeness_Report:
Data are complete, but some discharge data were reconstructed and flagged as such. Stream samples were collected each year of the study, but years before, during, and immediately after the Phase 1 timber harvest (1971 to 1973) received the most attention.

Missing or data not recorded are provided as 'nan'.
Lineage:
Methodology:
Methodology_Type: Field
Methodology_Description:
DISCHARGE DATA
Volumetric discharge data were recorded at the North Fork and South Fork weirs from 03 November 1962 to 31 July 1985. Flow depth (stage) through a compound v-notch and rectangular weir were recorded continuously and interpreted at 10-minute intervals through the period of record. Stage was converted to volumetric discharge using a stage-discharge rating equation based on the shape of the weir. For complete details see _metadata_discharge.html.

POND VOLUME DATA
Annual pond deposition volumes (in cubic meters) were estimated from annual surveys completed each summer for the weir collection ponds directly upstream of the North Fork and South Fork weirs from 1962 to 1985 (Phase 1). Deposited material includes sediment (bed load and settled suspended sediment) and organic debris (needles, leaves, branches, etc.). For complete details see _metadata_pond_sediment_volumes.html.

SUSPENDED SEDIMENT CONCENTRATION
Suspended sediment concentrations were collected at the North Fork and South Fork weirs during Phase 1 (1962 to 1985). Stream samples were collected to determine the suspended sediment concentration (SSC) primarily by vacuum filtration techniques. For especially sediment laden samples, the sample was split into two components. The supernatant was processed following the usual procedure, while water was evaporated from the remaining sediment and weighed. The suspended sediment concentration was determined from consideration of both components. From 1962 to 1985, three different sample collection techniques were used. Fixed-stage samplers were used from 1962 to 1975, three different pumping samplers were used from 1975 to 1985, and depth-integrated samples were collected periodically throughout the period of record. For complete details see _metadata_SSC.html.

SPATIAL DATA
Spatial data are included as ESRI ArcGIS shapefiles and a geodatabase. The spatial data include Phase 1 harvest units, watershed boundaries, and Phase 1 instrumented station locations. The ESRI ArcGIS geodatabase includes the Phase 1 harvest units, streams, watershed boundaries, and Phase 1 instrumented station locations. For complete details see metadata provided for each shapefile. These spatial data files were generated by USDA Forest Service and CAL FIRE personnel.
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Richardson, Paul W.
Originator: Seehafer, Jayme E.
Originator: Keppeler, Elizabeth T.
Originator: Sutherland, Diane G.
Originator: Wagenbrenner, Joseph W.
Originator: Bladon, Kevin D.
Originator: Dymond, Salli F.
Originator: Cole, Ryan P.
Publication_Date: 2021
Title:
Fifty-eight years and counting of watershed science at the Caspar Creek Experimental Watersheds in northern California
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Hydrological Processes
Issue_Identification: 35(6): e14207
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.14207
Online_Linkage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/63022
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Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
Overview_Description:
Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
Below is a list and description of all of the files included in this data publication.

TABULAR METADATA FILES (3)

1. \Data\Tabular\_metadata_discharge.html: Metadata file in HTML format containing a complete description of the content, quality, and other characteristics of the discharge data.

2. \Data\Tabular\_metadata_pond_sediment_volumes.html: Metadata file in both HTML and Extensible Markup Language (XML) format containing a complete description of the content, quality, and other characteristics of the annual pond volume data.

3. \Data\Tabular\_metadata_SSC.html: Metadata file in HTML format containing a complete description of the content, quality, and other characteristics of the suspended sediment concentration data.



TABULAR DATA FILES (5) - For a description of each variable within these data files see the associated metadata document.

Discharge Data:

1. \Data\Tabular\NFC_discharge_Phase1.csv: Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing North Fork record date, record time, discharge, stage, and relevant quality codes.

2. \Data\Tabular\SFC_discharge_Phase1.csv: Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing South Fork record date, record time, discharge, stage, and relevant quality codes.

Pond Sediment Volume Data:

3. \Data\Tabular\Pond_sediment_volumes_Phase1.csv: Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing annual pond sediment volumes for the North Fork and South Fork weir ponds.

Suspended Sediment Data:

4. \Data\Tabular\NFC_SSC_Phase1.csv: Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing North Fork suspended sediment concentration (SSC), sample date, time, sample type, stage, discharge, and relevant quality codes.

5. \Data\Tabular\SFC_SSC_Phase1.csv: Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing South Fork suspended sediment concentration (SSC), sample date, time, sample type, stage, discharge, and relevant quality codes.



SPATIAL METADATA FILES (3)

1. \Data\Spatial\_metadata_Harvest_Units.html: Metadata file in HTML format containing a complete description of the content, quality and other characteristics of the Phase 1 Caspar Creek harvest units.

2. \Data\Spatial\_metadata_Study_locations.html: Metadata file in HTML format containing a complete description of the content, quality and other characteristics of the of the Phase 1 Caspar Creek study locations.

3. \Data\Spatial\_metadata_Watershed_Boundaries.html: Metadata file in HTML format containing a complete description of the content, quality and other characteristics of the Phase 1 Caspar Creek watershed boundaries.



SPATIAL DATA FILES (4) - For a description of each variable within these data files see the associated metadata document.

1. \Data\Spatial\Shapefiles\Harvest_Units_Phase1.shp: ESRI shapefile (and associated files) including Phase 1 Caspar Creek harvest units.

2. \Data\Spatial\Shapefiles\Study_locations_Phase1.shp: ESRI shapefile (and associated files) including Phase 1 Caspar Creek study locations.

3. \Data\Spatial\Shapefiles\Watershed_Boundaries_Phase1.shp: ESRI shapefile (and associated files) including Phase 1 Caspar Creek watershed boundaries.

4. \Data\Spatial\CasparCreek_GIS_Phase1.gdb: ESRI geodatabase including study locations, harvest units, and watershed boundaries for Phase 1. Refer to metadata documents for each individual spatial product.



SUPPLEMENTAL FILES (1)

1. \Supplements\CasparCreek_Phase1_Map.pdf: Portable Document Format file containing a LiDAR-derived shaded relief map of the Caspar Creek Experimental Watersheds with outlines of the North Fork and South Fork watersheds, weir locations, and a color map showing areas logged during the Phase 1 harvest.
Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
Richardson, Paul W.; Seehafer, Jayme E.; Keppeler, Elizabeth T.; Sutherland, Diane G.; Wagenbrenner, Joseph W.; Bladon, Kevin D.; Dymond, Salli F.; Cole, Ryan P. 2021. Fifty‐eight years and counting of watershed science at the Caspar Creek Experimental Watersheds in northern California. Hydrological Processes. 35(6): e14207. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.14207
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Distribution_Information:
Distributor:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, Research and Development
Contact_Position: Research Data Archivist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: 240 West Prospect Road
City: Fort Collins
State_or_Province: CO
Postal_Code: 80526
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: see Contact Instructions
Contact Instructions: This contact information was current as of April 2022. For current information see Contact Us page on: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS.
Resource_Description: RDS-2020-0017-2
Distribution_Liability:
Metadata documents have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness. Unless otherwise stated, all data and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. However, neither the author, the Archive, nor any part of the federal government can assure the reliability or suitability of these data for a particular purpose. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed for a user's application of these data or related materials.

The metadata, data, or related materials may be updated without notification. If a user believes errors are present in the metadata, data or related materials, please use the information in (1) Identification Information: Point of Contact, (2) Metadata Reference: Metadata Contact, or (3) Distribution Information: Distributor to notify the author or the Archive of the issues.
Standard_Order_Process:
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Format_Name: ASCII
Format_Version_Number: see Format Specification
Format_Specification:
Comma-delimited ASCII text file (CSV)
File_Decompression_Technique: Files zipped using 7-Zip 19.00
Digital_Transfer_Option:
Online_Option:
Computer_Contact_Information:
Network_Address:
Network_Resource_Name: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2020-0017-2
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Format_Name: SHP
Format_Version_Number: see Format Specification
Format_Specification:
ESRI shapefile
File_Decompression_Technique: Files zipped using 7-Zip 19.00
Digital_Transfer_Option:
Online_Option:
Computer_Contact_Information:
Network_Address:
Network_Resource_Name: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2020-0017-2
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Format_Name: GDB
Format_Version_Number: see Format Specification
Format_Specification:
ESRI geodatabase
File_Decompression_Technique: Files zipped using 7-Zip 19.00
Digital_Transfer_Option:
Online_Option:
Computer_Contact_Information:
Network_Address:
Network_Resource_Name: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2020-0017-2
Fees: None
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Metadata_Reference_Information:
Metadata_Date: 20220411
Metadata_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station
Contact_Person: Joe Wagenbrenner
Contact_Position: Research Hydrologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: 1700 Bayview Drive
City: Arcata
State_or_Province: CA
Postal_Code: 95521
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 707-825-2930
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: joseph.wagenbrenner@usda.gov
Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001.1-1999
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