USGS Data Series 330

National Water-Quality Assessment Program

Methods for Processing and Summarizing Time-Series Temperature Data Collected as Part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program Studies on the Effects of Urbanization on Stream Ecosystems

By Thomas F. Cuffney and Robin A. Brightbill

U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 330, 23 pages (Published online only, April 2008)

This report is available in PDF format: DS 330 (Opens the PDF file in a new window. ) (830 KB)

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ABSTRACT

Cover thumbnailTemperature data and summary statistics are presented for 256 sites in 9 metropolitan areas as part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment Program studies of the effects of urbanization on stream ecosystems. The computer program (GRAN) that was developed to derive uniform data granularity and calculate temperature statistics (means, standard deviations, rates of change, degree days) is described, as are the methods used to estimate missing daily mean temperatures, degree days (annual and summer periods), and 7-day running averages of daily mean temperatures.

CONTENTS

Foreword

Abstract

Introduction

Purpose and Scope

Processing Water Temperature Data

Acquiring Water Temperature Data

Selecting Annual and Summer Periods

Selecting a Common Data Granularity

Summarizing Water Temperature Data

Summary Statistics for Annual and Summer Periods of Record

Estimating Annual Degree Days

Extracting 7-Day Running Average Daily Mean Temperatures

Summary

References Cited

Appendix 1. Granularity Program (GRAN)

Capabilities

Sources of Data Used by GRAN

Installation

Updates

Help and Documentation

Using GRAN

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Suggested citation: Cuffney, T.F., and Brightbill, R.A., 2008, Methods for processing and summarizing time-series temperature data collected as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program studies on the effects of urbanization on stream ecosystems: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 330, 23 p. (available only online at https://pubs.water.usgs.gov/ds330)

For more information, please contact Thomas F. Cuffney.

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