NWISWeb Help System
Code Descriptions
Real-time Codes
| Ssn |
Parameter monitored seasonally |
| Ice |
Ice affected |
| Pr |
Partial-record site |
| Rat |
Rating being developed or revised |
| Nd |
Not determined |
| Eqp |
Equipment malfunction |
| Fld |
Flood damage |
| Dry |
Zero flow |
| Dis |
Data-collection discontinued |
| -- |
Parameter not determined |
| *** |
Temporarily unavailable |
Surface Water Codes
Water Quality Codes
Ground Water Codes
Water Quality Codes
Medium codes, descriptions,
and definitions (medium_cd)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Description Definition
Code
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 Not determined
A Artificial Any substance that is not part of an
aquatic environment and cannot be
described by the Sample Medium Codes
B-J or I-9
B Solids (street sweepings, Dry unconsolidated materials that are
etc.) collected from a street or paved area,
including the total array of materials
that are collected as part of a "clean
sweep," and cannot be described by Sample
Medium Codes C-J or 1-9.
C Animal tissue Any type of tissue that comprises
either whole or parts of insects, fish,
or other organisms living in an aquatic
environment, or warm bodied animals
that may or may not have been collected
from a water body.
D Plant tissue Any type of non-animal tissue that
comprises either whole or parts of
plants,aquatic or non-aquatic.
E Core material Consolidated or unconsolidated material
removed from a pipe or casing during a
drilling (coring) operation.
F Interstitial water Water occurring in the small openings,
spaces, and voids between particles of
unconsolidated materials in that portion
of the vadose water zone between the root
zone and the water table. The water is
held in place by entrapment, ionic
attraction, and capillary or adhesive
forces, rather than from upward pressure
components of saturation.
G Soil A wet or dry substance composed of
unconsolidated fine-grain rock fragments
(minerals) and organic material that has
been modified sufficiently by physical,
chemical, or biological processes to
support terrestrial plant growth.
H Bottom material A mixture of mineral and organic matter
that compose the top bed deposits
(usually the first few inches) under-
lying a body of water.
J Sludge An unconsolidated material, from an
anthropogenic source, covering the
ground or the bed of a water body,
usually originating as a result of
processes such as domestic or
industrial waste treatment.
K Soil Moisture Water occupying voids between loose
soil particles within the aerated root
zone. The water is held in place by
surface tension, capillary and
hydroscopic forces in opposition to the
pull of gravitational forces.
L-P Taxonomic data Biological data distinct from non-
taxonomic data which cannot be described
by Sample Medium Codes A-K or I-9.
(L) Phytoplanktonic
species composition
and enumeration
(M) Phytoplanktonic
species composition
(N) Periphytic species
composition
(O) Benthic invertebrates
species composition and
enumeration
(P) Periphytic diatoms
species composition and
enumeration
Q-Z Quality-assurance sample Blank samples taken to ensure that
environmental samples have not been
contaminated by the data-collection
process.
(Q) Artificial
(R) Surface water
(S) Ground water
(T) Wet deposition
(U) Bulk deposition
(V) Suspended sediment
(W) Bottom material
(X) Animal tissue
(Y) Plant tissue
(Z) Interstitial water
1 Suspended sediment Sediment carried in suspension by the
turbulent components of the fluid or by
the Brownian movement (a law of physics).
2 Leachate A solution obtained by passing a liquid
(usually aqueous) through an
unconsolidated solid medium, thereby
dissolving materials (from the solid
medium) which become a part of the
solution. It also contains those
precipitates that are the result of the
solution process and subsequent
chemical or biological reactions.
3 Dry deposition Solid, aerosol or gaseous materials
deposited from the atmosphere during dry
weather periods.
4 Landfill effluent A liquid material (usually water) that is
drained or pumped from a landfill. It
usually is a liquid that has percolated
through solid landfill material to become
a transport medium for materials
dissolved from the landfill.
5 Elutriation A process by which a mixture of an
unconsolidated solid medium (usually
soil) and a liquid medium (usually water)
has been agitated for a given period
of time to dissolve materials from the
solid. The solid/liquid mixture is
finally separated and the resulting
solution is analyzed for materials
dissolved duringthe elutriation process.
6 Ground water Water below the surface of the earth
contained in the saturated zone. It does
not include soil moisture or interstitial
water.
7 Wet deposition Water reaching the earth's surface
through precipitation as rain, snow,
sleet,hail or condensation of fog and
dew. The water may contain undissolved
particulate and gaseous materials
acquired from the atmosphere during
precipitation.
8 Bulk deposition A mixture of undesignated proportions
of wet and dry deposition sampled by
a continuously open container.
9 Surface water Water on the surface of the earth
stored or transported in rivers, streams,
estuaries, lakes, ponds, swamps, glaciers
or other aquatic areas. It also may refer
to water in urban drains and storm-
sewer systems.
$ Treated water supply Water after being processed for some particular use(s).
% Effluent Waste water after use at some point source; such as an
industrial facility or sewage treatment plant.
* Air Sample of atmospheric gases.
& Soil gas Gases occurring in the small openings, spaces and voids
between articles of unconsolidated materials in that portion
of the vadose water zone between the root zone and the
water table.
~ Hyporheic Zone
{ QC sample for treated
Water supply
} QC sample for effluent
[ QC sample for air
] QC sample for soil gas
< QC sample for soil
> QC sample for Hyporheic Zone
Quality Assurance Codes
(qa_cd)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Code Description
---------------------------------------------------------------
A Not reported
B Non-USGS lab value--failed edit
C Non-USGS field value--failed edit
D USGS lab value--failed edit
E USGS field value--failed edit
F Non-USGS lab value--in review
G Non-USGS field value--in review
H USGS lab value--in review
I USGS field value--in review
1 Non-USGS lab value--approved for transfer to EPA STORET
2 Non-USGS field value--approved for transfer to EPA STORET
3 USGS lab value--approved for transfer to EPA STORET
4 USGS field value--approved for transfer to EPA STORET
6 Non-USGS lab value--proprietary
7 Non-USGS field value--proprietary
8 USGS lab value--proprietary
9 USGS field value--proprietary
Hydrologic Condition Codes
(hyd_cond_cd)
--------------------------
Code Description
--------------------------
A Not determined
4 Stable, low stage
5 Falling stage
6 Stable, high stage
7 Peak stage
8 Rising stage
9 Stable, normal stage
X Not applicable
Hydrologic Event Code
(hyd_event_cd)
---------------------------
Code Description
---------------------------
A Spring breakup
B Under ice cover
C Glacial lake outbreak
D Mudflow
E Tidal action
F Affected by fire
H Dambreak
J Storm
K Backwater
X Not applicable
Z Not determined (historical)
1 Drought
2 Spill
3 Regulated flow
4 Snowmelt
5 Earthquake
6 Hurricane
7 Flood
8 Volcanic action
9 Routine sample
Sample Type Codes
(samp_type_cd)
------------------------
Code Description
------------------------
A Not determined
B Other QA
H Composite (time)
1 Spike
2 Blank
3 Reference
4 Blind
5 Duplicate
6 Reference Material
7 Replicate
8 Spike solution
9 Regular
Parameter Groups
-------------------
Code Description
-------------------
T Total
I Information
B Biological
M Major inorganics
C Minor and trace inorganics
N Nutrients
O Organics
U Other
P Physical property
R Radiochemicals
S Sediment
X Unknown
Analysis Status Codes
(anl_stat_cd)
-----------------------------------------
Code Description
-----------------------------------------
A Not determined
H Initial entry
1 Retrieved, in review
3 Data in temporary hold status
7 Reviewed, approved for transfer to EPA STORET
9 Proprietary data (Regional Hydrologist approval required)
Analysis Source Codes
(anl_src_cd)
-------------------------------------------
Code Description
-------------------------------------------
A Not determined
B Non-USGS field only
C Non-USGS lab only
D Non-USGS lab and field
F USGS field and non-USGS field
G USGS field and non-USGS lab
H USGS field and non-USGS lab and field
1 USGS lab and non-USGS field
2 USGS lab and non-USGS lab
3 USGS lab and non-USGS lab and field
4 USGS lab and field and non-USGS field
5 USGS lab and field and non-USGS lab
6 USGS lab and field and non-USGS lab and field
7 USGS field only
8 USGS lab only
9 USGS lab and field
Valid District Processing
Status Codes (dist_proc_stat_cd)
---------------------------------
Code Description
---------------------------------
N New record
F Field data
L Laboratory data
P Pending approval
R Ready to transmit to Reston
T Transmitted
Z Local-use data
Remark Codes
(remark_cd)
------------------------------------------------
Code Description
------------------------------------------------
< Actual value is known to be less than the value shown.
> Actual value is known to be greater than the value shown.
A Average value
E Estimated value
M Presence of material verified but not quantified
N Presumptive evidence of presence of material
S Most probable value
V Value affected by contamination
U Analyzed for, not detected
Site Inventory Codes
Site-Type Codes
(station_type_cd)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Code (20 character field) Types
--------------------------------------------------------------
YNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN Stream
YNNNNNYNNNNNNNNNNNNN Stream+Meteorological
YNNNNNYYNNNNNNNNNNNN Stream+Meteorological+Outfall
YNNNNNYNYNNNNNNNNNNN Stream+Meteorological+Diversion
YNNNNNNYNNNNNNNNNNNN Stream+Outfall
YNNNNNNNYNNNNNNNNNNN Stream+Diversion
NYNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN Lake/Reservoir
NYNNNNYNNNNNNNNNNNNN Lake/Reservoir+Meteorological
NYNNNNYYNNNNNNNNNNNN Lake/Reservoir+Meteorological+Outfall
NYNNNNYNYNNNNNNNNNNN Lake/Reservoir+Meteorological+Diversion
NYNNNNNYNNNNNNNNNNNN Lake/Reservoir+Outfall
NYNNNNNNYNNNNNNNNNNN Lake/Reservoir+Diversion
NNYNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN Estuary
NNYNNNYNNNNNNNNNNNNN Estuary+Meteorological
NNYNNNYYNNNNNNNNNNNN Estuary+Meteorological+Outfall
NNYNNNYNYNNNNNNNNNNN Estuary+Meteorological+Diversion
NNYNNNNYNNNNNNNNNNNN Estuary+Outfall
NNYNNNNNYNNNNNNNNNNN Estuary+Diversion
NNNNNNNNNNNNNYNNNNNN Coastal
NNNNNNYNNNNNNYNNNNNN Coastal+Meteorological
NNNNNNNYNNNNNYNNNNNN Coastal+Outfall
NNNNNNNNYNNNNYNNNNNN Coastal+Diversion
NNNYNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN Specific Source
NNNNYNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN Spring
NNNNYNYNNNNNNNNNNNNN Spring+Meteorological
NNNNNYNNNNNNNNNNNNNN Ground-water other than Spring
NNNNNYYNNNNNNNNNNNNN Ground-water+Meteorological
NNNNNNYNNNNNNNNNNNNN Meteorological
NNNNNNNYNNNNNNNNNNNN Outfall
NNNNNNYYNNNNNNNNNNNN Outfall+Meteorological
NNNNNNNNYNNNNNNNNNNN Diversion
NNNNNNYNYNNNNNNNNNNN Diversion+Meteorological
NNNNNNNNNYNNNNNNNNNN Land Application
NNNNNNYNNYNNNNNNNNNN Land Application+Meteorological
NNNNNNNNNNYNNNNNNNNN Aggregate Ground Water
NNNNNNNNNNNYNNNNNNNN Aggregate Surface Water
NNNNNNNNNNNNYNNNNNNN Place of Use
NNNNNNYNNNNNYNNNNNNN Place of Use+Meteorological
Indicates the method used to determine latitude longitude values.
---------------------------------
Code Description
---------------------------------
D Differentially corrected Global Positioning System (GPS)
G Global positioning system, uncorrected (Standard Positioning Service (SPS) and Precise Positioning Service (PPS))
L Long-range navigation system
M Interpolated from map
N Interpolated from Digital Map
S Transit, theodolite, or other surveying method
U Unknown
Indicates the accuracy of the latitude longitude values.
---------------------------------
Code Description
---------------------------------
H Accurate to +/- .01 second (differentially corrected GPS)
1 Accurate to +/- .1 second (differentially corrected GPS)
5 Accurate to +/- .5 second (Precise Positioning Service (PLGR/PPS GPS))
S Accurate to +/- 1 second
R Accurate to +/- 3 seconds (Standard Positioning Service (SPS GPS))
F Accurate to +/- 5 seconds
T Accurate to +/- 10 seconds
M Accurate to +/- 1 minute
U Unknown
---------------------------------
Code Description
---------------------------------
NAD27 North American Datum of 1927
NAD83 North American Datum of 1983
OLDAK Old Alaska (Mainland) and Aleutian Islands Datum
OLDHI Old Hawaii
OLDPR Old Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands Datum
OLDSAMOA Old American Samoa Datum
OLDGUAM Old Guam Datum
---------------------------------
Code Description
---------------------------------
A Active data-collection site
I Inactive or discontinued data-collection site
O Inventory data site only
This is a legacy field from the old WATSTORE days therefore the
national consistency of the information/values stored in this field
will vary. This field is actually a 30-POSITION ARRAY of
characters. Coded in one or more locations in the array, will be
the following alpha-code:
---------------------------------
Code Description
---------------------------------
A Active data collection site
I Inactive or discontinued data collection site
O Inventory data site only
These codes act as "flags" for the types of data collected in
the following array positions:
(1) Stage or water levels--continuous
(2) Stage or water levels--intermittent
(3) Water quality--continuous
(4) Water quality--intermittent
(5) Precipitation--continuous
(6) Precipitation--intermittent
(7) Evaporation--continuous
(8) Evaporation--intermittent
(9) Wind velocity
(10) Tide--continuous
(11) Tide--intermittent
(12) Sediment concentration
(13) Sediment particle size
(14) Peak flows
(15) Low flows
(16) Water Use
2 - 5 character time zone code for the site location
---------------------------------
Code Description
---------------------------------
UTC Universal Coordinated Time
NST Newfoundland Standard Time
AST Atlantic Standard Time (Canada)
EST Eastern Standard Time
CST Central Standard Time
MST Mountain Standard Time
PST Pacific Standard Time
AKST Alaska Standard Time
HST Hawaii Standard Time
ZP-11 GMT -11 hours
IDLW International Date Line, West
IDLE International Date Line, East
NZST New Zealand Standard Time
NZT New Zealand Time
ZP11 GMT +11 hours
AEST Australia Eastern Standard Time
EAST East Australian Standard Time
GST Guam Standard Time, Russia Zone 9
LIGT Melbourne, Australia
ACST Central Australia Standard Time
CAST Central Australia Standard Time
SAT South Australian Standard Time
JST Japan Standard Time, Russia Zone 8
KST Korea Standard Time
MT Moluccas Time
AWST Australia Western Standard Time
CCT China Coastal Time
WST West Australian Standard Time
JT Java Time
WAST West Australian Standard Time
ZP6 GMT +6 hours
ZP5 GMT +5 hours
ZP4 GMT +4 hours
IT Iran Time
BT Baghdad Time
EET Eastern Europe, Russia Zone 1
IST Israel Standard Time
CET Central European Time
DNT Dansk Normal Tid
DST Dansk Standard Time
FST French Summer Time
MET Middle Europe Time
MEWT Middle Europe Winter Time
MEZ Middle Europe Zone
NOR Norway Standard Time
SET Seychelles Time
SWT Swedish Winter Time
GMT Greenwich Mean Time
WET Western Europe
WAT West Africa Time
ZP-2 GMT -2 hours
ZP-3 GMT -3 hours
NFT Newfoundland Standard Time
AFT Afghanistan Standard Time
Y for yes or an N for no to indicate whether the site is in an area
that switches to Local Standard Time (Daylight Savings Time) for a
part of the year.
The topographic setting refers to the geomorphic features in the
vicinity of the site.
---------------------------------
Code Description
---------------------------------
A Alluvial fan
B Playa
C Stream channel
D Local depression
E Dunes
F Flat surface
G Flood plain
H Hilltop
K Sinkhole
L Lake, swamp, or marsh
M Mangrove swamp
O Offshore (estuary)
P Pediment
S Hillside (slope)
T Alluvial or marine terrace
U Undulating
V Valley flat (valleys of all sizes)
W Upland draw
Describes the type of aquifer(s) encountered by a site type of well
(ground-water).
---------------------------------
Code Description
---------------------------------
U Unconfined single aquifer
N Unconfined multiple aquifers
C Confined single aquifer
M Confined multiple aquifer
X Mixed (confined and unconfined multiple aquifers)
The Basin Code or "drainage basin code" is a two-digit code that
further subdivides the 8-digit hydrologic-unit code. The
drainage basin code is defined by the USGS State Office where the
site is located.
Ground Water Codes
| Code |
Description |
| A |
Water level was affected by atmospheric pressure. |
| B |
Water level was affected by tide stage. |
| C |
Water level was affected by ice. |
| D |
The site was dry (no water level is recorded). |
| E |
The site was flowing recently. |
| F |
The site was flowing. Water level or head could not be measured
without additional equipment. |
| G |
A nearby site that taps the same aquifer was flowing. |
| H |
A nearby site that taps the same aquifer had been flowing
recently. |
| I |
Injector site (recharge water was being injected into the
aquifer at this site). |
| J |
Injector site monitor (a nearby site that taps the same aquifer
was injecting recharge water). |
| M |
Well was plugged and not in hydraulic contact with
formation. |
| N |
The measurement was discontinued. |
| O |
An obstruction was encountered in the well above the water
surface (no water level is recorded). |
| P |
The site was being pumped. |
| R |
The site had been pumped recently. |
| S |
A nearby site that taps the same aquifer was being pumped. |
| T |
A nearby site that taps the same aquifer had been pumped
recently. |
| V |
A foreign substance was present on the surface of the
water. |
| W |
The well was destroyed (no water level is recorded). |
| X |
The water level was affected by stage in nearby surface-water
site. |
| Z |
Other conditions existed that would affect the measured water
level. |
---------------------------------
Code Description
---------------------------------
C Collector or Ranney type well.
D Drain dug to intercept the water table or potentiometric surface to either lower the
ground-water level or serve as a water supply.
E Excavation.
H Sinkhole.
I Interconnected wells, also called connector or drainage wells; that is, a well interconnected
via an underground lateral.
M Multiple wells. Use only for well field consisting of a group of wells that are pumped through
a single header and for which little or no data about the individual wells are available.
O Outcrop.
P Pond dug to intercept the water table or potentiometric surface.
S Spring (used only on spring schedule).
T Tunnel, shaft, or mine from which ground water is obtained.
W Well, for single wells other than wells of the collector or Ranney type.
X Test hole, not completed as a well.
Surface Water Codes
---------------------------------
Code Description
---------------------------------
e Value has been edited or estimated by USGS personnel and is write protected
& Value has computed from affected unit values
< Less than
> Greater than
1 Value is write protected without any remark code to be printed
No remark (blank)
---------------------------------
Code Description
---------------------------------
A This value is affected by ice at the measurement site.
B This value is affected by backwater at the measurement site.
R The rating is undefined for this value
& This value is affected by unspecified reasons.
K This value is affected by instrument calibration drift.
X This value is erroneous. It will not be used.
< The Value is known to be less than reported value
> The value is known to be greater than reported value
F This value was modified due to automated filtering.
---------------------------------
Code Description
---------------------------------
E Excellent
G Good
F Fair
P Poor
The streamflow measurement type code describes the method used
for the discharge/streamflow measurement. The possible values for
the code are:
---------------------------------
Code Description
---------------------------------
No data (blank)
WADING Discharge measurement by wading into the water.
HANDLINE Discharge measurement from a bridge w/a bridgeboard or handline.
BRG CRANE Discharge measurement with Bridge Crane
CABLEWAY Discharge measurement made from cableway
FLUME Discharge measurement made using portable flume or weir.
ESTIMATED Discharge was estimated.
INDIRECT Discharge measurement made using indirect measurement methods.
BOAT Discharge measurement made from a boat.
ICE Discharge measurement made through river ice.
The streamflow measurement control condition code describes the
condition of the measurement control. The possible values for the
code are:
---------------------------------
Code Description
---------------------------------
No data (blank)
CLEAR No debris
LGT DEBRIS Light debris
MOD DEBRIS Moderate debris
HVY DEBRIS Heavy debris
SHORE ICE Discharge measure in shore ice.
ICE COVER Discharge measure in ice cover.
SUBMERGED Discharge measured in submerged conditions
ALGAE Algae present
The following codes are used to indicate special conditions that
affect how the peak streamflow value may be interpreted
| Code |
Meaning |
| 1 |
Discharge is a Maximum Daily Average |
| 2 |
Discharge is an Estimate |
| 3 |
Discharge affected by Dam Failure |
| 4 |
Discharge less than indicated value which is Minimum Recordable
Discharge at this site |
| 5 |
Discharge affected to unknown degree by Regulation or
Diversion |
| 6 |
Discharge affected by Regulation or Diversion |
| 7 |
Discharge is an Historic Peak |
| 8 |
Discharge actually greater than indicated value |
| 9 |
Discharge due to Snowmelt, Hurricane, Ice-Jam or Debris Dam
breakup |
| A |
Year of occurrence is unknown or not exact |
| B |
Month or Day of occurrence is unknown or not exact |
| C |
All or part of the record affected by Urbanization, Mining,
Agricultural changes, Channelization, or other |
| D |
Base Discharge changed during this year |
| E |
Only Annual Maximum Peak available for this year |
NWISWeb Help System
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Retrieved on 2005-05-25 20:41:48 EDT
Department of the Interior,
U.S. Geological Survey
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