Introduction
The USDA Forest Service, Air Resource Management Program provides guidance to Forest Service units to collect and analyze surface water samples primarily to inventory aquatic systems sensitive to atmospheric deposition. Inventory, characterization, and monitoring of lake and stream water quality on national forest lands is performed to provide resource managers with information on possible water quality problems that may require intervention. These data are used to determine the susceptibility of lakes and streams to potential stressors and to document changes (improvement or deterioration) in key parameters of interest or in known problem areas.
More information on the Air Program can be found here
Data Description
This database includes data collected from aquatic ecosystems on National Forest System (NFS) lands sensitive to atmospheric pollutants that contribute to surface water acidification and eutrophication. Data were collected from 1981 to present. Data processed by the Rocky Mountain Research Station Lab from 2016 to present are available at this time. Data processed by other labs as well as data prior to 2016 will become available as resources allow. The Forest Service regions where the collection occurs include: Eastern (9), Southern (8), Pacific Southwest (5), Intermountain (4), Rocky Mountain (2) and Northern (1). Data were generally collected by Forest Service personnel working on Forest-level projects, with collection years varying by Forest and project. Data include physical and chemical properties of water samples, with measurements and analyses performed both in situ and in analytical labs.
At the moment only a subset of collected data are currently available via this database; more will be added as resources allow.