Deep Creek Lake Water & Habitat Quality 2009–2024

This dataset was prepared and analyzed for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources report “Deep Creek Lake Water and Habitat Quality 2009–2024” (report coming soon, under review). It contains field vertical profiles and laboratory water quality measurements collected across 81 monitoring stations in Deep Creek Lake between 2009 and 2024.

Vertical profiles of field measurements were taken at different depths (SampleDepth). When water samples were collected for laboratory analysis, the corresponding depths were labeled with specific layer codes (LayerCode) for surface (S or VH at tributary stations), mid-water (M), or bottom (B). Field parameters include temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, and Secchi depth. Laboratory parameters include chlorophyll-a, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and turbidity. Descriptions of data fields and additional information are provided below.

Data Field Descriptions

The dataset includes vertical profile field measurements and laboratory sample analyses defined as follows:

Dataset column definitions, measurement types, and units

Column Name	Type	Description & Units
StationCode	Metadata	Identifier for the monitoring station (81 total stations).
SampleDate	Metadata	Date of sample collection (Format: yyyy-mm-dd).
SampleDepth	Field	Vertical measurement depth (m).
LayerCode	Metadata	Sample depth layer code: S (Surface), VH (Surface at tributary stations), M (Mid-water), or B (Bottom).
RepNumber	Metadata	Replicate sample identifier (1 or 2) for laboratory measurements.
WTemp_C	Field	Water Temperature (°C).
DO_mgL	Field	Dissolved Oxygen concentration (mg/L).
pH	Field	Acidity / pH.
Conductivity	Field	Specific Conductivity (μS/cm).
SecchiDepth_m	Field	Secchi depth / Water clarity (m).
Lab_chlA_ugL	Laboratory	Chlorophyll-a concentration (μg/L).
TN_mgL	Laboratory	Total Nitrogen concentration (mg/L), calculated from separate particulate and dissolved measurements.
TP_mgL	Laboratory	Total Phosphorus concentration (mg/L), calculated from separate particulate and dissolved measurements.
Lab_Turbidity_NTU	Laboratory	Turbidity (NTU).

Analytical Notes & Additional Information

• Total Nitrogen (TN) and Total Phosphorus (TP) concentrations were calculated from separate measurements of particulate and dissolved concentrations.
• All laboratory measurements were censored to set minimum values based on analytical detection limits.
• Not all collected monitoring data were included in the report.
• Additional historical data and resource reports are available at the Eyes on Deep Creek Lake website (opens in a new tab).