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This report describes the development of the SE Coastal Water Quality Monitoring Metadata Database and its initial application. Our goal for the database was to develop a tool for storing critical information about water quality monitoring programs, their sponsoring organizations, monitoring locations, and measured parameters. We wanted a flexible design that could accommodate variable types and amounts of information for each resource and support changing the types of metadata stored in the database without changing the underlying database structure and web interfaces. We also wanted to support direct links to data for monitoring stations whenever possible, and include cross-references to EPA STORET codes for parameters to support inclusion of data stored in USGS and US EPA databases. Finally, we wanted the database to provide detailed information on measurements when available (e.g. medium, units, methods). The geographic scope of the project includes the Coastal Zones of NC, SC, GA and the east coast of FL.We operationally defined a coastal zone polygon using ESRI ArcGIS. The boundaries of the polygon were based on the location of the 5 ft. elevation contour, expanded westward to include the furthest down-river USGS streamflow gauge and eastward to include near-shore NOAA data buoys and other platforms (Fig. 1). The geographic scope of the database is not rigidly defined, and may be expanded in the future based on NPS and user feedback. The database was designed to include information on water quality data collected by federal, state, and municipal agencies as well as by research institutions.

Sheldon, W.M. Jr., Laporte, C., Carpenter, J.P. and Alber, M. 2009. Southeast Coastal Water Quality Monitoring Metadata Tools - Database and Web Applications. In: Natural Resource Report NPS/SECN/NRR—2009/159. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.