How to be Comparable with the SWAMP Database

The SWAMP Database has several purposes, most importantly to provide a mechanism for data sharing among project participants. Data sharing is required if the SWAMP goal of producing an integrated hydrologic unit assessment of the State's surface waters is to be achieved. While this is the primary focus, the Information Management System (IMS) has been developed with the recognition that SWAMP represents an initial effort toward data standardization among regions, agencies, and laboratories, and that protocols adopted here will be used for data sharing across other projects in the state.

In order to effectively share data among disparate agencies, it is necessary to follow a select set of data business rules and formats. The SWAMP Database Management Team has established documentation to describe these business rules as well as field sampling guides, data formats, and data management processes that could be helpful in collecting and sharing data comparable to SWAMP. These documents and their descriptions appear below. As this is a "living" database, many documents are named with dates and are updated periodically. It is recommended that the web site be checked frequently.

Please direct any questions to the appropriate Regional Water Quality Control Board representative for the area in question (http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/swamp/swamp_contacts.shtml).

Available Documentation (note: these documents and other documentation that may be helpful in database and data collection efforts can also be found at http://mpsl.mlml.calstate.edu/swdwnlds.htm):

Information Management Document (10/04/05)

This links to the technically-focused and detailed guide on how to use the SWAMP database. This document is intended for use by technical personnel focused on database structures as well as business rules for programs needing to be SWAMP compliant. (Check back periodically for the latest version, indicated by the date in the file name.)

Required Fields for the SWAMP Database (08/25/05)

This document lists tables and fields within tables that are necessary to be used to be comparable with SWAMP data, and some fields that must be coordinated with the SWAMP Database Management Team. Check back periodically for the latest version, indicated by the date in the file name.

Stations Template for Database

The Stations Template contains specific information (i.e., StationCode, Waterbody, and Hydrologic Subarea) that forms the basis of the database. This allows for continuity and consistency among tables within the database. It is critical that this form is completed prior to sampling and loaded into the database so that laboratory results can be imported. If you have any questions concerning this file, please contact Stacey Swenson.

Field Data Sheets

This link takes you to a new page containing SWAMP field data sheets for field observations, water sampling, probe measurements, sediment, and bioaccumulation sampling. Region-specific data sheets can be downloaded from here as well.

Analytes and Units per Matrix

This link takes you to a new page containing the analyte list and required reporting units for the SWAMP database.

Required Data Submission Format Documentation

There are four files to describe the required formatting of analytical data submitted to the SWAMP Database. A training document describes each field and associated requirements for chemistry, bacteria, and toxicity analyses. An Excel spreadsheet provides an example submission file as well as all applicable lookup list values for chemistry and bacteria files and another provides the same for toxicity files. All files are updated periodically (check back for the latest versions indicated by the date in the file name). For more information, please contact Stacey Swenson.

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