QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL
Maryland Department of Natural Resources followed specific procedures to ensure that the Tributary component of the Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Monitoring Program design was properly implemented and managed with sufficient accuracy, precision and detection limits. Accuracy (closeness to the true value) of collected data was controlled and assured by proper use, calibration and maintenance of both field and laboratory equipment for the measurement of physical and chemical parameters.
The procedures used to control and assure the accuracy of field measurements involved the calibration of field instruments, verification of calibrations, and equipment maintenance. Most of the details of how data acquired with YSI sondes and Hydrolab sondes were quality assured and quality controlled are described in the process description elements in the Lineage portion of this metadata record.
Daily quality control checks which included the running of blanks and standards were used to control and assure laboratory accuracy.
Accuracy of Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, Nutrient Analytical Services Laboratory (CBL NASL) and Maryland Department of Health (MDH) results was also assessed through DNR's participation in the Chesapeake Bay Coordinated Split Sample Program (CSSP) a split sampling program in which five laboratories involved in Chesapeake Bay monitoring analyze the coordinated split samples. CSSP was established in June 1989 to establish a measure of comparability between sampling and analytical operations for water quality monitoring throughout the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The Chesapeake Bay Program Data Integrity Workgroup (formerly AMQAW) oversees the CSSP. DNR followed the protocols in the Chesapeake Bay Coordinated Split Sample Program Implementation Guidelines (EPA 1991) and its revisions. Split samples were collected quarterly. Results were analyzed by appropriate statistical methods to determine if results differed significantly among labs. If a difference occurred, discussions began regarding techniques and potential methods changes to resolve discrepancies.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
January 2020: Snow flurries were reported during sampling at station BPC0035. One inch of snow was on the ground at sample sites CAC0031, POT1471, and POT1472, and one half inch of snow was present at stations MON0155, POT1595, POT1596. Bridge work continued at station ANT0203, and the clouds were thin. Thin clouds were also reported at stations ANT0366 and POT2386. Snow fell on 7-Jan, two days before sampling took place at stations CB1.0, DER0015, GUN0258, GUN0476, GWN0115, JON0184, NPA0165, PAT0176, and PAT0285. At station CON0005, two-thirds of the bridge area was blocked by debris. Possible sample contamination by road salt was reported at station GWN0115. It rained the weekend prior to sampling at stations CAS0479, POT2766, YOU0925, and YOU1139. In addition to the weekend rain, rain fell the day before sampling at station YOU1139, and the day of sampling at station POT2766. Low fog was also present at station YOU1139. It was raining during sampling at station CAS0479, and drizzling at station CCR0001. At stations GEO0009 and SAV0000, the water was described as clear. Station LYO0004 was sampled during foggy conditions, and the water level was high. At station NBP0461, beautiful spring-like weather conditions were reported.
February 2020: At station ANT0203, the bridge was under construction and geese were on site during sampling. Logs and debris blocked two-thirds of the bridge area at station CON0005, a condition that was noted as having been present for over a year. At stations ANA0082, CJB0005, POT1184, PXT0809, PXT0972, and RCM0111, an uncalibrated meter was used to collect readings, however the meter post-calibrated within acceptable limits upon returning to the office. The water was brown at stations GWN0115 and NPA0165, and conditions were reported as storm impacted. Rain the day before sampling caused high water levels at stations CAS0479 and YOU0925. While sampling at station CCR0001, very foggy conditions were noted around the lake area. The water level was high during sampling at stations CCR0001, NBP0023, NBP0103, POT2766, WIL0013, and NBP0689. At stations NBP0023, NBP0103, POT2766, WIL0013, LYO0004, and YOU1139, snowmelt and rain occurred in the days prior to sampling. Dirty water was reported at station YOU0925, and the water was clear at station GEO0009. At station XGG8251, the Secchi disk depth measurement was greater than the total depth.
March 2020: Bridge work was ongoing at station ANT0203 and geese were present upstream during sampling. Foggy conditions were reported at stations CB1.0 and DER0015. The bridge at station CON0005 was blocked by debris. Rain fell earlier in the day at stations ANT0203 and CON0180. Rain occurred the night before samples were collected at stations CB1.0, DER0015, GUN0125, GUN0258, GUN0476, GWN0115, JON0184, NPA0165, PAT0176, PAT0285, ANT0044, BPC0035, CAC0148, MON0269, MON0528, POT1830, and NBP0689. The land at station CAC0031 showed evidence of recent landscaping work. It was unseasonably warm during sampling at station SEN0008. Algae were present in the creek at station BDK0000. Stations BDK0000, CCR0001, and TOW0030 were sampled during drizzling rain. Station NBP0023 reported the sounds of spring peepers in the distance. The area near station NBP0103 was closed to the public due to tree work. The ground was wet at stations POT2766 and NBP0689 due to earlier rain. At station WIL0013, the inflowing water from Braddock Run was visibly evident along the right side of the stream. The wind was picking up when station YOU0925 was sampled. The water was clear at station GEO0009. Possible Didymo was observed covering the rocks at station SAV0000. At station YOU1139, morning fog and dirty water were reported, with rain having occurred the day before.
April 2020: No sampling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 2020: No sampling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
June 2020: Most of the turbines were on during sampling at station CB1.0, and the stream gage was reported as 12.42ft at 9:15am EST. Bridge work was complete at station ANT0203. A ProDSS instrument was used to measure pH at stations ANT0203 and CON0180. Kayaks were reported nearby during sampling at station ANT0366. At stations CON0005, POT2386, and ANT0366, instrument post-calibration for pH was outside of acceptable limits, but the data appeared normal. At station CON0005, the large pile of debris that was present during the previous sampling had been removed, with just a small pile of debris remaining at the center of the bridge. A construction crew was on site at station MON0020, and the foreman collected the sample. There was sediment in the bottom of the bucket with the sample collected at station MON0020. When station POT2386 was sampled, there was pollen on the water surface. Algae were observed covering the rocks at station BDK0000. Thin clouds were reported at stations BDK0000, CAS0479, CCR0001, NBP0023, NBP0103, and POT2766. The water appeared tannic at station CCR0001. The water at station GEO0009 appeared clearer than usual. An earlier rain shower had tapered to a sprinkle at the time station NBP0326 was sampled. Weather conditions were hot at station NBP0534.
July 2020: USGS personnel were on site during sampling at station ANT0044. Rain occurred the night before samples were collected at stations CAC0031, MON0020, MON0155, POT1471, POT1595, POT1596, and SEN0008. The water surface appeared foamy at station CB1.0. Stations GUN0125, JON0184, NPA0165, PAT0176, and PAT0285 reported thunderstorms earlier in the day. Early morning rain was reported at stations PXT0809, PXT0972, and RCM0111. Low water levels and slow currents were observed at stations CCR0001 and YOU0925. At station NBP0103, the water appeared murky. The water level was very low at station LYO0004. At station NBP0326, erosion near the bridge abutments created thick, loose sediments along the shore. Fishermen were in the area during sample collection at station NBP0461. Bright sunshine and very clear water were reported at station NBP0534. A low water level and clear water were observed at station NBP0689.
August 2020: Sampling occurred the day after (5-Aug) tropical storm Isaias at stations BPC0035, CAC0148, ANT0044, POT1830, MON0528, POT1184, CON0180. ANT0366, POT2386, CON0005, ANT0203, and MON0269. Overnight rain occurred at stations GWN0115, NPA0165, PAT0285, JON0184, PAT0176, GUN0125, and were sampled two days after tropical storm Isaias. Clear water and algae were observed on nearby rocks at BDK0000. Inflow from Braddock Run was observed influencing water across the creek at station WIL0013. The current was slow and water level low at CCR0001, and mowing was occurring nearby. There was a slow moving current and SAV in the water at TOW0030. Water level was low at YOU1139, while water was crystal clear at NBP0689. Abundant algae was observed, possibly filamentous, at GEO0009. Hazy weather conditions existed at station ET5.0.
September 2020: Morning rain was observed at stations PXT0972, POT1595, POT1184, CAC0031, MON0155, POT1596, SEN0008, MON0020, POT1471, and POT1472. The Park Service broke up a homemade dam near station PXT0972 immediately prior to sampling. The bucket sample at MON0020 appeared contaminated by bottom sediment. The sample at NBP0023 was processed in the C&O Canal parking area. Station NBP0103 was sampled at boat ramp amongst many fish, and station NBP0534 was sampled at its original location. Heavy fog was observed at YOU1139. Water was shallow at SAV0000 making it difficult to get a full bucket without touching the rocks. Air temperature was taken from a thermometer hung from the guardrail at NBP0326.
October 2020: An abundance of trash was observed at station CON0180. The thermometer was hung from the back door of the van to obtain temperature readings at stations POT2386 and ANT0203. The sample was collected in person (not by construction personnel) at MON0020. Shallow water was seen at CAC0031. The river level was high at station ET5.0 with a tree fallen downstream. Rocks were covered in algae at BDK0000. There was a smell of sewage, and a fisherman in the area at station CAS0479. Secchi disk depth was greater than total depth at XGG8251. Water was clear at NBP0689 with many leaves floating on the surface. Algae were observed at GEO0009. Station NBP0326 had windy conditions during sampling.
November 2020: A Hydrolab pH of 7.9 was recorded at station GUN0476. Fog was observed at stations DER0015 and CB1.0. Windy conditions existed during sampling at CAS0479, CCR0001, NBP0689, and NBP0461, and it was snowing when samples were collected at YOU1139. Braddock Run flow was limited to the right edge of the stream at WIL0013. Station WIL0013 was sampled close to the bridge abutment. A green tint was seen in the water at BDK0000. Station NBP0534 was sampled at its original location. Algae were observed on the rocks at CON0180.
December 2020: Snow flurries were observed at stations CAS0479 and LYO0004. The water was slightly turbid from snowmelt at WIL0013. The water level was high at YOU1139. Algae were observed on the rocks at GEO0009. Dissolved oxygen readings were taken with a Pro DSS YSI instrument at stations ANT0366, POT2386, CON0180, CON0005 and ANT0203. Secchi disk depth was greater than total depth at XGG8251.