Sample Toolkits

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Tier 1 and 2 Water Quality Monitoring

Here are sample resources to start or maintain a water quality monitoring program in tidal and non-tidal waters. The Study Design template walks through the 10 step study design process in order to create a comprehensive monitoring plan. Once a monitoring plan is in place, the CMC service provider will use the Tiered Framework Rubric to determine the appropriate Tier Levels and training requirements for each group. If a monitoring group does not have an approved QAPP with either a State or Federal agency, a group needs to complete a CMC Program Manual to fall under the CMC Umbrella QAPPs. All field sampling procedures must be documented in a methods manual, the Non-Tidal and Tidal Methods Manuals can be tailored to meet each monitor group’s specific needs based on methods, parameters and equipment used, if a group does not already have a methods manual.  These documents need to be coupled with a water quality training in order to upload data to the Chesapeake Data Explorer.

Tier 1 Benthic Monitoring

Here are sample resources to start or maintain a benthic macroinvertebrate program throughout the watershed. The upper watershed method is applicable in Pennsylvania and New York, while the lower watershed method is applicable in West Virginia, Maryland, DC, Virginia and Delaware.  These resources can be stand alone, but need to be coupled with a benthic training in order to upload data to the Chesapeake Data Explorer.

Tier 3 Tidal Monitoring

Here are some tools and resources to help you get started with Tidal Tier 3 monitoring. Use the EPA Quality Assurance Toolkit and Handbook for details about writing an individual Quality Assurance Project Plan. The CBP Field Audit Checklist details the process for conducting field audits by the Data Integrity Workgroup.

Data Interpretation

Here are some sample resources to start synthesizing and interpreting your monitoring data. The Data Interpretation manual will help you take your data from basic values in an Excel spreadsheet to meaningful visuals and stories about your stream, watershed, or ecosystem. The manual can be stand alone, but it is best combined with in-person training on data interpretation and science communication. The Data Interpretation presentation provides an example of some of the topics covered during an in-person training for data interpretation and science communication.

Chesapeake Data Explorer

Here are some resources for the Chesapeake Data Explorer to facilitate the data upload process. The tutorial videos and user guide help navigate through the Data Explorer. We have developed a Microsoft Excel Macro program and user guide to translate data from a horizontal format to the vertical bulk upload format that can be used by any group. The bulk upload templates for stations, users and data are also available.