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Standards for the Analysis and Processing of Surface-Water Data and Information Using Electronic Methods Standards for the Analysis and Processing of Surface-Water Data and Information Using Electronic Methods Water-Resources Investigations Report 01–4044 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Standards for the Analysis and Processing of Surface-Water Data and Information Using Electronic Methods By V.B. Sauer Water-Resources Investigations Report 01–4044 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior Gale P. Norton, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Charles G. Groat, Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2002 For sale by U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services Box 25286, Denver Federal Center Denver, CO 80225 For more information about the USGS and its products: Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/ Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this report is in the public domain, it contains copyrighted materials that are noted in the text. Permission to reproduce those items must be secured from the individual copyright owners. Suggested Citation: Sauer, V.B., 2002, Standards for the Analysis and Processing of Surface-Water Data and Inform- ation Using Electronic Methods: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 01–4044, 91 p. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data iii Contents Abstract . 1 1. Introduction . 1 2. Purpose and Scope . 2 3. Surface-Water Data and Information. 2 3.1 Definitions . 2 3.2 Gage-Height Data . 3 3.3 Velocity Data . 3 3.4 Control Structure Data . 3 3.5 Discharge Information . 3 3.6 Field Measurements. 4 3.7 Accuracy, Precision, and Significant Figures. 4 4. Entry of Data to the Electronic Processing System . 7 4.1 Unit Value Data . 7 4.1.1 Sources of Unit Value Data . 7 4.1.2 Unit Value Recording Time Interval. 8 4.1.3 Time System Requirements . 8 4.1.4 Standard Format . 9 4.2 Field Measurement Data. 9 4.2.1 Discharge Measurements. 10 4.2.1.1 Discharge Measurement Entry Requirements . 10 4.2.1.2 Numbering Discharge Measurements . 16 4.2.2 Gage Datum Leveling. 16 4.2.3 Crest-Stage Gage Data . 17 4.2.4 Channel and Control Cross Sections . 17 4.2.5 Miscellaneous Field Notes . 18 5. Verification and Editing of Unit Values . 18 5.1 Times and Dates . 18 5.2 Time Corrections and Adjustments. 18 5.2.1 Clock Error Corrections . 18 5.2.2 Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) Adjustments. 19 5.3 Parameter Value Verifications . 19 5.3.1 Threshold Comparisons . 19 5.3.2 Rating Comparisons . 20 5.3.3 Direct Reading Comparisons . 21 5.3.4 Graphical Comparisons. 21 5.4 Parameter Value Corrections . 21 5.4.1 Datum Adjustments and Conversions . 21 5.4.1.1 Adjustments For Gage Datum Error. 22 5.4.1.2 Conversion to NGVD or Other Datum . 22 5.4.2 Instrument Error Corrections . 22 5.4.2.1 Constant Value Corrections . 22 5.4.2.2 Parameter Variable Corrections . 22 iv 5.4.2.3 Time Variable Corrections . 23 5.4.3 Numbering Correction Relations. 23 5.4.4 Additive Corrections . 23 5.4.5 Identification of Corrections . 23 5.4.6 Flagging of unit values . 23 6. Verification and Analysis of Field Measurement Data. 24 6.1 Discharge Measurement Analysis ..
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