Sampling methods can be found on the following program summary pages:
MCES Lake Monitoring webpage
River Monitoring and Assessment webpage
Stream Monitoring & Assessment webpage
For questions concerning MCES lab methods, please contact: Cheryl Scholten, MCES Quality Assurance Manager 651.602.8378 or via email Cheryl.Scholten@metc.state.mn.us
The majority of MCES Lake Data in EIMS are discrete, numeric values (for example, concentrations). However, Lake Grades, Recreational Suitability and Physical Condition data are reported as categorical data. Each category is identified by a number and are explained below:
Lake Grades:
4 = A
3 = B
2 = C
1 = D
0 = F
Recreational Suitability:
1 = Beautiful
2 = Minor Aesthetic Problem
3 = Swimming Impaired
4 = No Swimming, Boating OK
5 = No Aesthetics Possible
Physical Condition:
1 = Crystal Clear
2 = Some Algae Present
3 = Definite Algal Presence
4 = High Algal Color
5 = Severe Algal Bloom
A "+" before the number means the Secchi Disk was visible at the bottom of the lake, and the true visibility would be higher if the lake was deeper.
A ">" before the number means aquatic vegetation was covering the Secchi Disk at that depth, and the true visibility would be greater if the vegetation was not blocking the disk.
To convert from micrograms to milligrams, divide the value in micrograms by 1000 (ug/1000 = mg)
To convert from milligrams to micrograms, multiply the value in milligrams by 1000 (mg x 1000 = ug)
Preliminary continuous data is currently available for telemetered sites for the past 6 months. Preliminary data has undergone basic quality control procedures to ensure values are not outside of acceptable ranges, but has not been reviewed by a scientist. Long-term approved continuous data will be added to EIMS in the future.
The last 6 months of data are wiped out every night and reloaded, to account for any adjustments to data that may be made throughout the day. During the day, the previous hour of data is loaded each hour. It is possible that a scientist might make changes to data during the day that would not be refreshed until the next night.
NOTICE: Data are made available pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13). THE DATA ARE PROVIDED TO YOU AS IS AND WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY AS TO THEIR PERFORMANCE, MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. These data were developed by the Metropolitan Council for its own business purposes. The Metropolitan Council makes every effort to assure that the data and the associated documentation are error - free, complete, current, and accurate; however, the Metropolitan Council does not guarantee this. The Metropolitan Council is NOT responsible for any consequences resulting from your use of the data. You should consult the available online documentation or contact the staff contact listed in the EIMS data catalog to determine the limitations of the data. If you transmit or provide the data (or any portion of it) to another user, the data must include a copy of this disclaimer.
Details on using the web service for continuous data can be found here.