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  2. National Aquatic Resource Surveys

What data are available to download from the National Aquatic Resource Surveys?

Data collected during the National Aquatic Resource Surveys are available to download. Data are provided in flat files (csv) and are organized by indicator. The table below shows the parameters that were collected for each of the survey years and water resource types. Sort the table by data file type or by water resource type to view the available files. Users of the data are encouraged to review the Technical Reports, Field and Laboratory Manuals, and metadata files to understand the types of data available and how they were collected or measured. Users of the data may also find the  NARS Site Id Unique ID Crosswalk (xlsx) (1.76 MB)  file useful.

Data File Type

Coastal Rivers & Streams Lakes Wetlands Description of Files
Algal Toxin NCCA 2015;
NCCA 2020
NRSA 13-14; NRSA 18-19

NLA 2012;
NLA 2017;
NLA 2022

NWCA 2011;
NWCA 2016;
NWCA 2021
Microcystin and/or other algal toxins
Atrazine     NLA 2012;
NLA 2017;
NLA 2022
   
Benthic Macroinvertebrates NCA 99-01,05-06;
NCCA 2010; NCCA 2015;
NCCA 2020

WSA 2004; NRSA 08-09; NRSA 13-14;
NRSA 18-19

NLA 2007; NLA 2012;
NLA 2017;
NLA 2022
  Condition, Count, Metrics, Taxa List
Buffer Characterization       NWCA 2011;
NWCA 2016
 
Chlorophyll a NCCA 2010: NCCA 2015 NRSA 13-14;
NRSA 18-19
NLA 2007; NLA 2012;
NLA 2017;
NLA 2022
NWCA 2011;
NWCA 2016;
NWCA 2021
Located in Water Chemistry file for NLA 2007, 2012; NCCA 2010, NCCA 2015 and NWCA 2016
Dissolved Oxygen     NLA 2007; NLA 2012   Located in Water Chemistry (Profile) file for NLA 2012 and NLA 2017
Disturbance Gradient       NWCA 2011  
Enterococci NCCA 2015;
NCCA 2020
NRSA 08-09; NRSA 13-14;
NRSA 18-19
NLA 2022    
Field Chemistry   NRSA 08-09; NRSA 13-14;
NRSA 18-19
     
Fish   NRSA 08-09; NRSA 13-14;
NRSA 18-19
    Condition, Count, Metrics
Fish Tissue NCCA 2010, NCCA 2015, NCCA 2020 NRSA 08-09; NRSA 13-14      Additional contaminant data available at the EPA Studies of Fish Tissues Contaminant page. 
Hydrographic Profile NCCA 2010; 
NCCA 2015;
NCCA 2020
  NLA 2012;
NLA 2017;
NLA 2022
   
Hydrology       NWCA 2011;
NWCA 2016;
NWCA 2021
 
Landscape Data   WSA 2004; NRSA 08-09; NRSA 13-14; NRSA 18-19 NLA 2007; NLA 2012;
NLA 2017
NWCA 2011;
NWCA 2016
Metrics, Shapefiles, Watershed Stressors
Physical Habitat   WSA 2004; NRSA 08-09; NRSA 13-14; NRSA 18-19 NLA 2007; NLA 2012;
NLA 2017;
NLA 2022
  Condition, Index values, Metrics
Phytoplankton     NLA 2007; NLA 2012;
NLA 2017
  Count and Taxa list
Plankton     NLA 2007   O/E and Condition
Secchi NCCA 2015; NCCA 2020   NLA 2007; NLA 2012;
NLA 2017
   
Sediment NCCA 2010   NLA 2012 NWCA 2011 Mercury (Lakes); Enzymes (Wetlands); Indicator Status (Coastal)
Sediment Chemistry NCA 99-01,05-06;
NCCA 2010; NCCA 2015; NCCA 2020
  NLA 2017    
Sediment Toxicity NCCA 2010; NCCA 2015; NCCA 2020        
Site Information NCA 99-01,05-06;
NCCA 2010; NCCA 2015; NCCA 2020
WSA 2004; NRSA 08-09; NRSA 13-14; NRSA 18-19

NLA 2007; NLA 2012; NLA 2017;
NLA 2022

NWCA 2011; NWCA 2016;
NWCA 2021
UID, Site ID, Visit No., Lat, Long, Sample Date, Survey weights
Soil Chemistry       NWCA 2011; NWCA 2016 Chemical & Physical Properties
Soil Profile       NWCA 2011; NWCA 2016 Attributes & Horizon Morphology
Stream Velocity   WSA 2004      
Surface Water Characterization       NWCA 2011;
NWCA 2016;
NWCA 2021
 
Thalweg   WSA 2004      
Trophic Status     NLA 2007    Located in Condition Categories file for NLA 2012
USARAM       NWCA 2011 USA-RAM Attributes & Summary values
Vegetation       NWCA 2011; NWCA 2016;
NWCA 2021
Taxonomy, Life History, Traits, Cover, Metrics
Underwater Video NCCA 2010        
Visual Assessment     NLA 2007    
Water Chemistry NCA 99-01,05-06;
NCCA 2010; NCCA 2015;
NCCA 2020
WSA 2004; NRSA 08-09; NRSA 13-14; NRSA 18-19 NLA 2007; NLA 2012;
NLA 2017;
NLA 2022
NWCA 2011;
NWCA 2016;
NWCA 2021
Profile, Condition, Nutrients, Anions/Cations, ANC
Water Isotope Variables     NLA 2007; NLA 2012    
Zooplankton     NLA 2007; NLA 2012;
NLA 2017;
NLA 2022
  Condition, Count, Metrics, Taxa list
Condition Categories NCA 99-01,05-06;
NCCA 2010
NRSA 08-09; NRSA 13-14 NLA 2007; NLA 2012;
NLA 2017
NWCA 2011;
NWCA 2016
Located in applicable data files for each survey or in an all condition file
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on September 12, 2024
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