Core ParametersRecord Sheet

Recorder:School: Group #:

The River Mile Site Name:Sample Location ID:

YearMonthDate

SeasonTime

LatitudeLongitude

GPS Accuracy

Air TemperatureºCWind Direction

MPH/
Description / Under 2
Calm / 2-3
Light air / 4-6
Light breeze / 7-10
Gentle breeze / 11-16 Moderate breeze / 17-21 Fresh breeze / 22-27 Strong breeze / 28-33 Blowing wind / 34-40 Strong wind / >41
Moving bigger trees

Wind Speed (circle one of the options below)

What are the current sky conditions?

Sunny / Mostly Sunny / Partly Sunny / Mostly Cloudy / Cloudy

What is the cloud cover?

No clouds / 1/8 to 1/4 clouds / 3/8 to 1/2 clouds / 5/8 to 7/8 clouds / Total coverage
Weather
Mark “X” for all that occur during the time you are taking your sample
Rain / Snow / Fog / Thunder / Hail / Damaging wind / Ice pellets


Instructions:

A field data form is used to document all information collected during water-quality monitoring. All notations are made in either pencil or waterproof pen. Fill in all blanks provided that pertains to the data that you will be collecting. Indicate with a “–“if the data are not available or not applicable but do not leave the entry blank. Blank entry lines leave the people to wonder if the data were forgotten or not available. The following information is to be completed on all field data forms:

  • Recorder- Name of person recording the information for the group
  • Group # - The number of your group
  • The River Mile Site Name - The name of your assigned River Mile
  • Sampling Location- Numbered location of sample site. For lakes, this will be the 4 digit MIDAS number unique to each lake.
  • Year, Month, Date, Time- Sample date and time you arrived at sample site or first started sampling.
  • Photo Documentation- If a picture was taken, note picture number. See section 2.2.2 Photo Documentation.
  • Air Temperature- record using thermometer. See below for instructions
  • Wind Speed and Direction- Determine wind direction and record the appropriate code using the diagram on the left side of the data sheet. Determine wind velocity using a hand-held anemometer or use tree movement/wave height as a guide.
  • Current Sky Conditions - Choose and circle the selection that best describes current conditions.
  • Cloud Cover- Choose and circle the selection that best describes your estimate of the amount of sky obscured by clouds.
  • Comments- Any additional information pertaining to the sampling session, such as water clarity, amount of emergent/floating vegetation, unusual occurrences, or equipment problems.
  • Weather – Place and “x” if any of this occurs during your sampling.
  • Weather Description – Pretend you are a weather person reporting the weather.

Air Temperature

Water-quality sampling includes an air-temperature measurement and a water temperature measurement. Before measuring temperature, inspect liquid-in-glass thermometers to be certain liquid columns have not separated, inspect bulbs to be sure they are clean and inspect protective cases to be sure they are free of sand or debris. Read air temperature with a dry, calibrated thermometer.

1. Place the thermometer about 5 ft above the ground in a shaded area protected from strong winds but open to air circulation. Avoid areas of possible radiant heat effects, such as metal walls, rock exposures, or sides of vehicles.

2. Allow 3 to 5 minutes for the thermometer to equilibrate, and then record the temperature and time of day.

3. Measure the air temperature as close as possible to the time when the water temperature is measured.

4. Report and record routine air temperature measurements to the nearest 0.5°C.