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 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 2021: It rained the weekend prior to sampling at stations ANT0203 AND CON0180, and the water level was high. At station BDK0000, algae covered the rocks and the water was tinted green. The water was low and clear during sampling at station CCR0001. At station CON0005, debris was built up against the bridge. Thin clouds were reported at stations GEO0009, LYO0004, NBP0326, and NBP0461. It rained upstream of station POT2386 the weekend prior to sampling and the water looked murky. The streambank was icy at station TOW0030. Sampling at station WIL0013 was conducted in clear water outside of the influence of Braddock Run discharge. The secchi disk depth measurement at station XGG8251 was greater than the total depth.
February 2021: Ice was reported at several stations. At BPC0035, ice covered 99% of the river cross section. At CAC0148 and MON0269, ice covered 10% of the river cross section. The river was completely frozen at station CAS0479, and sampling was conducted by breaking through the ice. The river upstream of station MON0528 was 100% covered in ice, but there was no ice observed in the downstream direction. At stations TOW0030 and YOU1139, the river was partially frozen; and ice was floating in the river during sampling at station YOU0925. It snowed on 31-Jan, three days prior to sampling at station ET5.0. Snow was reported at stations CAC0031 and MON0155, and heavy snowfall was noted at station YOU0925. The sample at station CJB0005 may have been impacted by road salt. The pH reading was slowly dropping during sampling at station CCR0001. At station CON0005, large logs and debris blocked two-thirds of the bridge, and brown foam had accumulated at the debris. Part of the trail at station POT2386 was eroding away. Some didymo was visible on the rocks at station SAV0000. At station WIL0013, the influence of Braddock Run discharge was evident in the stream. Air temperature at station ANT0366 was read from a thermometer that was hung low near snow. The water at station BDK0000 was orange-colored, and bright green (possibly filamentous) algae was observed growing on the rocks.
March 2021: The water was very clear during sampling at stations BDK0000 and CCR0001. At station CON0005, debris blocked two-thirds of the bridge. Clearing skies were noted at station GEO0009, and thin clouds were observed at stations NBP0689 and POT2386. At station GUN0476, snow was on the ground during sampling. Very slow flow was noted at station SEN0008. At station WIL0013, the influence of Braddock Run inflow could be seen. The secchi disk depth at station XGG8251 was greater than the total depth. At station YOU1139, trash and dead deer littered the sample site. The river was at flood stage during sampling at stations POT1595 and POT1596.
April 2021: The water at stations ANT0366 and CON0005 appeared slightly green during sampling. Two-thirds of the bridge area at station CON0005 was blocked by debris. Fishermen were present upstream of the sample site at stations CAS0479 and WIL0013. A USGS boat was on site during sampling at station POT1595. A fallen tree was blocking the weir at station CON0180. It was noted that the pH probes were reacting very slowly during sampling at station CCR001. Garrett County roads were being swept on sampling dates 21-Apr and 22-Apr, possibly affecting water quality.
May 2021: Heavy rain fell the morning before sampling at stations ANA0082, CJB0005, POT1184, and RCM0111. Thin clouds were reported during sampling at stations ANT0203 and POT2386. Algae was visible on the rocks at station BDK0000. Heavy rain fell earlier in the day at stations CAC0148 and POT1830. At stations CB1.0, DER0015, GUN0258, and GUN0476, overnight rain showers were reported. A fisherman was present upstream of station CAS0479 during sampling. Conditions were windy during sampling at station CCR0001 and the water appeared tannic. The weather was also windy at station YOU0925 and the water level was high. At station CON0005, a large amount of debris was piled up against the bridge and it started to rain during sampling. Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) was possibly growing in the water at station GEO0009. Lots of rain during the week of sampling resulted in a high water level at station YOU1139.
June 2021: Heavy rain occurred the day before sampling at stations CAS0479, GEO0009, and YOU0925. The water appeared dark at station ANT0366. At station CCR0001, overnight rain and tannic water were reported. Cicadas were present at stations CON0005, CON0180, and POT2386. There was dust in the air from nearby street cleaning at station CON0005. At station CON0180, USGS personnel were on site working on the stream gage. Many crayfish were observed in the water at station CON0180. Morning rain was noted at stations GUN0125, GWN0115, PAT0176, and PAT0285. The water at station NBP0023 was clouded by lots of fine sediment. Turbid conditions were also present at station NBP0103 along one side of the stream. Sample collection at station NBP0103 took place outside of the turbid water. The water level was high at station NBP0534, but the water appeared clear. Clear water was also noted at station WIL0013. The water at station TOW0030 appeared slightly dirty from storms over the weekend. It rained during the two days prior to sampling at station YOU1139.
July 2021: It rained the night before sampling at stations BDK0000, CCR0001, LYO0004, WIL0013, YOU0925, and YOU1139. Due to a low water level, some sediment was collected with the water sample at station BDK0000. At station POT1471, a dissolved oxygen reading of 0.0mg/l by Hydrolab meter E prompted a switch to meter Q. Field notes remark on boulders left at station CAC0031. The water at station CCR0001 appeared tannic. At stations GEO0009, POT2386, and SAV0000, algae were observed covering the rocks; and at station SAV0000, those algae were described as filamentous. Windy conditions were noted at station NBP0326. The water was very clear during sampling at station NBP0689. At station POT2386, a group of ducks was in the water prior to sampling.
August 2021: At the time of sampling, the area around station BDK0000 smelled of sewage and the rocks were covered in algae. Crayfish were present at stations ANT0203 and CAS0479. Fog was noted at station DER0015. Heavy rain fell in the area of station GEO0009 on the night before sampling. The day before sampling at station LYO0004, it rained heavily throughout the day. The water was very clear at station NBP0534. Rain earlier in the day was noted at station SAV0000, and the water was clear. At station WIL0013, the influence of Braddock Run inflow was evident across the creek. Heavy rain the day before sampling created very dirty water at station YOU1139.
September 2021: Tropical Storm Ida passed through the area, bringing rain to the region and impacting the CORE samples collected on 1-Sep and 2-Sep. High water levels and brown water were noted at stations ANA0082, CJB0005, and RCM0111. Morning rain fell the day of sampling at stations CJB0005 and RCM0111. On 13-Sep and 14-Sep, local wildfires created hazy conditions at CORE stations. Thin clouds were noted at stations ANT0203 and ANT0366 during sampling. The hillside at station CAC0031 was cleared of trees over the past year. A street sweeper drove by while the samples at station CON0005 were being filtered. Small fish were visible in the water at station GEO0009. At station LYO0004, the stream water appeared dark and the filter pads looked green after filtering the water sample. The influence of Braddock Run was visible along the opposite side of the creek at station WIL0013.
October 2021: A very low water level was noted at station CCR0001. At station CON0005, debris crossed the entire creek, with water flow limited to the right and left sides. The sample at station CON0005 was collected along the left eastern shore. It drizzled earlier in the day and crayfish were observed in the stream at station CON0180. At station MON0155, signs were posted warning to avoid water contact due to a sewage spill. Due to a lack of shade at station NBP0023, the air temperature was measured by a thermometer hung on the van door. The water was very clear at station POT2386. Algae covered the rocks at station WIL0013, mainly along the right eastern shore. The meter used at station XGG8251 was not post-calibrated after sampling.
November 2021: Conowingo Dam was discharging at the time station CB1.0 was sampled. Bridge inspection was taking place during sampling at station NBO0023. The weather was windy at stations NBP0326 and NBP0461. Snow flurries were noted during sampling at station NBP0689. Snow fell the night before and the morning of sampling at station YOU1139, and road treatment occurred in the morning. At station XGG8251, the Secchi disk depth measurement was greater than the total depth at the station.
December 2021: Active dredging was taking place during sampling at station ANA0082. Iron deposits and algae were observed at station BDK0000, and the water at station CCR0001 appeared tannic. There was a build up of debris on the upstream side of the bridge at station CON0005. Algae were visible on the rocks at station GEO0009, and windy conditions were noted at station NBP0326. At station WIL0013, there was construction upstream of the sample site, and the influence Braddock Run was visible within the stream. At station XGG8251, the secchi disk depth measurement was greater than the total depth. Geese were in the water nearby when station YOU0925 was sampled.