Date: Mon, 03 Aug 1998 17:42:04 -0400 From: "Timothy L Miller, Chief, NAWQA, Reston, VA" (Timothy L. Miller) To: " NAWQA 91 Study-Unit Project Chiefs, Reston, VA" , " NAWQA 94 Study-Unit Project Chiefs, Reston, VA" , " NAWQA 97 Study-Unit Project Chiefs, Reston, VA" , " NAWQA 91 Study-Unit Ground Water Specialists, Reston, VA" , " NAWQA 94 Study-Unit Ground Water Specialists, Reston, VA" , " NAWQA 97 Study-Unit Ground Water Specialists, Reston, VA" , " NAWQA Leadership Team, Reston, VA" , " NAWQA National Synthesis Chiefs, Reston, VA" cc: "Michael T Koterba, Hydrologist, Baltimore, MD" , "Wayne W Lapham, Hydrol(Geol) GW Spec, Reston, VA" , "Craig A Harvey, Geographer, GIS Specialist, Iowa City, IA" , "Timothy L Miller, Chief, NAWQA, Reston, VA" , "Sarahnell L Laible, Secretary, Reston, VA" , "Rosemary Musson, Program Assistant, Reston, VA" Subject: Required Ancillary Data (GWSI and LULC) for NAWQA Wells In Reply Refer To: Mail Stop 413 SENT VIA EMAIL MEMORANDUM August 3, 1998 TO: Study-Unit Chiefs (1991, 1994, 1997), Ground-water Specialists, National Synthesis Project Chiefs, National Water-Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA) FROM: Timothy L. Miller Chief, National Water-Quality Assessment Program SUBJECT: Required Ancillary Data (GWSI and LULC) For NAWQA Wells-- SITE, SURFACE, WELL, AND SUBSURFACE DATA This memorandum is to inform you that the guidance report for ancillary data collection from NAWQA wells has been approved. Please use and follow the approved guidance for all ancillary data collection and revisions. The edited version following regional approval, and the several support files required until this document is published, can be obtained as indicated below. The collection of ancillary Ground-Water Site Inventory (GWSI) data described in this report is required for all NAWQA wells used to obtain water-quality data, including Study(Sub)-Unit Survey, Land-Use Study, and Flowpath Study wells. It is expected that all the required data will be obtained for any well installed for or by NAWQA. In the case of wells selected for NAWQA use, it is recommended that Study-Unit personnel make a concerted effort as a final step [after following guidelines on well selection in accordance with Gilliom and others (USGS Circular 1112) and Leahy (NAWQA Memo December 3, 1994) for the selection of wells] to choose a well from among those available for which the required GWSI data are either available or can be obtained. Although most of the required well and subsurface ancillary data is to be electronically stored directly in GWSI, there are some well data that are to be stored on the December-1997 Land-Use and Land-Cover Field Sheet (D97LULCFS, Item 6). This means at least Item 1 and Item 6 for this sheet must be completed for every well, and sent to the NAWQA Central Processing Group. Landscape characterization as outline in the new guidance. and documented on the D97LULCFS, is required for all wells in every LUS. It also must be completed for all wells in selected SUS whenever the majority of these wells yield samples that indicate [by either age dating (elevated tritium or the presence of chlorofluorocarbons) or by anthropogenic contamination (elevated nitrates or detections of any pesticides or volatile organic carbons)] that the water is relatively young (post-1950) in age. All FY97 Study Units are expected to complete ancillary data collection in accordance with the approved guidance. Additional guidance is being prepared on the extent to which FY91 Study Units and FY94 Study Units will need to collect or revise data already collected. All GWSI data will be requested at selected time intervals through NADASIG data requests. The LULCFS data (the sheet and site imagery) must be submitted to the Central Processing Group, who will digitize, or otherwise process these data, and compile them directly into the NAWQA National Archive data base. To better use the guidance: Consider the brief breakdown of this document is as follows: Introduction -- Why the data are needed. Pilot Study And Review Sections -- How guidance was determined General Guidance Sections -- What needs to be done, what to consider, and what does it take to do this work. Specific Guidance -- Details of doing selected aspects of work. Also use the GWSI.LULC.help.memo document to get information on commonly asked questions and latest changes (to final guidance,) in future guidance. For questions on this guidance: Questions on GWSI-related information should be directed to Wayne Lapham (wlapham, 703 648 5808). Questions on landscape characterization and the D97LULFS should be directed to Craig Harvey, head analyst of the NAWQA Central Processing Group (caharvey, 319 358-3626). To retrieve the guidance and support documents: ftp 130.11.112.1 cd NAWQA, login anonymous, password userid "get" each of the following WRIR4107.appr.fm4 [number pages beginning at abstract, then contents will direct you through document] D97LULCFS.fs.fm4 [field sheet, physically insert after Appendix A cover sheet before numbering pages as above] WRIR4107.help.fmd4 [read through, provides key contacts, answers most basic logistic questions] GWSI.LULC.help.memo.fm4 [A crucial help me document that should be retrieved] D97LULC.50m.fs.fm4 [handy form to document landscape within 50m of well] D97LULC.ex.agric.ps [this file and those below are examples of completed characterizations] D97LULC.ex.agric.tab.txt D97LULC.ex.min.ps D97LULC.ex.min.tab.txt D97LULC.ex.urban.ps D97LULC.ex.urban.tab.txt