Metadata for USGS Streamflow Gauges in Montana, 2013 Metadata for USGS Streamflow Gauges in Montana, 2013
Identification Information:
Citation:
Originator: U.S. Geological Survey, National Water Information System
Publication date: 07/10/2013
Title: USGS Streamflow Gauges in Montana, 2013
Publisher: Montana State Library
Other citation details:
These data replace data formerly called "hd42" on the NRIS web site.

Abstract:
This layer contains the locations of historic and current USGS streamflow gauges for Montana. The layer contains a separate record for each parameter and data type that is collected by each gauge, so many of the gauges are represented multiple times in the layer. Data types available from USGS include daily mean values, "instantaneous" values that are collected every fifteen minutes or every hour dating back to October 1, 2007, and "archived instantaneous" values from before October 1, 2007". Each record has a URL to bring up the appropriate USGS data page for the station and data type. In some cass the USGS site will attempt to bring up current data for discontinued sites, but the user may then select appropriate dates for the site and view the archived data.

These data were removed from the State Library web site on 8/3/2015 and replaced with a new layer from the same source that only has one record for each station.

Time period of content:
Calendar date: 07/09/2013
Currentness reference: Publication Date
Access constraints: None
Use constraints:
The Montana State Library provides this product/service for informational purposes only. The Library did not produce it for, nor is it suitable for legal, engineering, or surveying purposes. Consumers of this information should review or consult the primary data and information sources to ascertain the viability of the information for their purposes. The Library provides these data in good faith but does not represent or warrant its accuracy, adequacy, or completeness. In no event shall the Library be liable for any incorrect results or analysis; any direct, indirect, special, or consequential damages to any party; or any lost profits arising out of or in connection with the use or the inability to use the data or the services provided. The Library makes these data and services available as a convenience to the public, and for no other purpose. The Library reserves the right to change or revise published data and/or services at any time.
Point of contact:
Montana State Library
PO Box 201800
Helena, MT 59620-1800


Telephone: 406-444-5354
TDD/TTY telephone: Montana Relay 711
Fax: 406-444-0266
E-Mail: geoinfo@mt.gov


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Data Quality Information:
Lineage:
Source information:
Publication date: 07/09/2013
Title: USGS National Water Information System Web Services
Online linkage: http://waterservices.usgs.gov/nwis/site/?format=rdb&stateCd=mt&outputDataTypeCd=iv,dv,id&siteType=ST&hasDataTypeCd=iv,dv,id
Source contribution:
Most of the records for Montana were retrieved using this URL
Source information:
Title: USGS National Water Information System Web Services
Online linkage: http://waterservices.usgs.gov/nwis/site/?format=rdb&sites=12305000,12391950,12355000,05020500,06164000,06178500,06334500,06336600&outputDataTypeCd=iv,dv,id
Source contribution:
Additional records near Montana's boundary were retrieved using this URL.

Process step:
The text files downloaded from the USGS National Water Information System web service were imported into a database and a SELECT DISTINCT statement for the fields in this dataset was written to eliminate the duplicate records which indicate that maximum, minimum, and mean daily values are available for some of the parameters. The USGS coded values for data types and parameters were replaced with text descriptions. For each data type, an appropriate URL for accessing the station data was constructed for each record.
Process date: 07/09/2013
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Spatial Data Organization Information:
Point and vector object information:
SDTS object type: Entity point
SDTS object count: 1903
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Entity and Attribute Information:
Entity type label: USGS Stream Gauge Records

Attribute label: FID
Attribute definition: Shapefile sequence number

Attribute label: Shape
Attribute definition: Feature geometry

Attribute label: OBJECTID
Attribute definition: sequence number from geodatabase version of the data

Attribute label: Site_ID
Attribute definition: U.S. Geological Survey Station Number

Attribute label: Site_Name
Attribute definition: U.S. Geological Survey Station Name

Attribute label: Parameter
Attribute definition:
Name of the stream parameter, such as discharge, gage height, or water temperature, that this record refers to.

Attribute label: Data_Type
Attribute definition: Data type that this record refers to.


Attribute
Value 		Definition of
Attribute Value
Instantaneous Station is currently collecting this parameter at least once per hour.
Daily Station is collecting or has previously collected a daily mean value for this parameter.
Archived Instantaneous Station collected this value at least once per hour before 10/1/2007 and data is available from the USGS IDA (Instantaneous Data Archive) web site.

Attribute label: Begin_Date
Attribute definition:
Earliest date for which this parameter and data type are available for this station.

Attribute label: End_Date
Attribute definition:
Latest date for which this parameter and data type are available for this station. This information was downloaded in July of 2013, so records where this date is in June or July of 2013 probably refer to stations that are currently active.

Attribute label: USGS_Link
Attribute definition:
This field gives the URL at USGS for more information about this data type for the station. The URL may display the latest data from the station, or it may contain a form for requesting the station's data for certain dates, especially if the station has been discontinued or if it no longer collects the given parameter.

Attribute label: Comment_

Attribute label: Latitude

Attribute label: Longitude

Attribute label: Elevation

Attribute label: Param_Code
Attribute definition:
USGS Parameter Code for the Parameter name. Some of the Parameter names in this layer were aggregated from multiple similar USGS parameter codes. A complete list of parameter codes is available at http://help.waterdata.usgs.gov/codes-and-parameters/parameters.

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Distribution Information:
Distributor:
Montana State Library
PO Box 201800
Helena, MT 59620-1800


Telephone: 406-444-5354
TDD/TTY telephone: Montana Relay 711
Fax: 406-444-0266
E-Mail: geoinfo@mt.gov


Resource description: Downloadable Data


Distribution liability:
The Montana State Library provides this product/service for informational purposes only. The Library did not produce it for, nor is it suitable for legal, engineering, or surveying purposes. Consumers of this information should review or consult the primary data and information sources to ascertain the viability of the information for their purposes. The Library provides these data in good faith but does not represent or warrant its accuracy, adequacy, or completeness. In no event shall the Library be liable for any incorrect results or analysis; any direct, indirect, special, or consequential damages to any party; or any lost profits arising out of or in connection with the use or the inability to use the data or the services provided. The Library makes these data and services available as a convenience to the public, and for no other purpose. The Library reserves the right to change or revise published data and/or services at any time.

Standard order process:
Digital form:
Format name: ESRI Shapefile
megabytes
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Metadata Reference Information:
Metadata date: 08/03/2015
Metadata review date: 01/31/2014
Metadata review date: 07/09/2013
Metadata contact:
Montana State Library
PO Box 201800
Helena, MT 59620-1800


Telephone: 406-444-5354
TDD/TTY telephone: Montana Relay 711
Fax: 406-444-0266
E-Mail: geoinfo@mt.gov


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