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Stage, water velocity and water quality data collected in the Lower Nisqually River, McAllister Creek and tidal channels of the Nisqually River Delta, Thurston County, Washington, February 11, 2016 to September 18, 2017 (ver. 1.1, December, 2019)

October 20, 2017

This data release includes time series data of stage, water velocity and water quality parameters at multiple locations in the tidally-influenced reaches of the Nisqually River and McAllister Creek, and tidal channels of the Nisqually River Delta. In total, time series data were collected at multiple sites from February 11, 2016 to March 19, 2018 during separate but generally overlapping periods over a range of tidal and hydrologic conditions for augmenting hydrodynamic models that will be used to inform river delta restoration alternatives. Time series data were collected at 10 sites in the study area: 3 sites in the lower Nisqually River, defined here as the tidally-influenced reach downstream from Mounts Road; 3 sites in the tidally-influenced portion of McAllister Creek that borders the Nisqually River Delta; and 4 sites in tidal channels within the Nisqually River Delta. Continuous stage (water level) and water temperature data were collected at all 10 sites in the study area using Acoustic Doppler Velocity Meters (ADVM) and/or vented pressure transducers. Water surface elevation was measured with GPS using a Real-Time-Network (RTN) provided by the Washington State Reference Network, a regional cooperative of GPS reference stations. Water surface elevations surveyed at the site while the sensors were logging water level (WL) data were used to determine an offset for converting WL to water surface elevation (NAVD88). Water velocity data was collected at 1 site in the Lower Nisqually River (NR2), 1 site in McAllister Creek (MC2), and in the 4 tidal channels (D1, D2, D3, D4) using ADVMs. Turbidity data was collected at 1 site in the Lower Nisqually River (NR2), 1 site in McAllister Creek (MC3), and in the 1 tidal channel (D4) using nephelometric turbidity sensors. Continuous salinity and/or specific conductance data was collected at 2 sites in the Lower Nisqually River (NR2, NR3), 1 site in McAllister Creek (MC3), and in 1 tidal channel (D4). Discrete measurements of water discharge were made using acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) at 3 sites in the Lower Nisqually River (NR0, NR1, NR2), 1 site in McAllister Creek (MC2), and in the 4 tidal channels (D1, D2, D3, D4). Suspended-sediment samples were collected at 3 sites in the Nisqually River (NR0, NR1, NR2). Discrete discharge and sediment data for each site are available in the National Water Information System (NWIS) using the URL provided in the child item for each site. Revisions were made to Child Items: 'Water Data for McAllister Creek at MC2', 'Water Data for Nisqually River Delta at Site D3' and 'Water Data for Nisqually River Delta at Site D4'. Revision specifics are found in the metadata file under the 'Supplemental Information' header.

Publication Year 2017
Title Stage, water velocity and water quality data collected in the Lower Nisqually River, McAllister Creek and tidal channels of the Nisqually River Delta, Thurston County, Washington, February 11, 2016 to September 18, 2017 (ver. 1.1, December, 2019)
DOI 10.5066/F7GF0SG7
Authors Chad C Opatz, Christopher A Curran, Alison E Tecca, Eric Grossman
Product Type Data Release
Record Source USGS Digital Object Identifier Catalog
USGS Organization Office of the Northwest - Pacific Islands Regional Director