FLOOD10356

• County: Delta
• Title: North Fork Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Project - April 2001-April 2002 Data Report
• Date: 9/30/2002
• Prepared For: North Fork River Improvement Association
• Prepared By: CSU Cooperative Extension and North Fork River Improvement Association
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Floodplain Report/Masterplan

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The CSU Extension Technical Advisor is designated as the sample custodian and is
responsible for the samples and records of the samples, and that the chain-of-custody
procedure is followed when custody is exchanged. Samples are shipped and secured in
taped coolers by UPS to the appropriate lab. The chain-of-custody record accompanies
all samples and is checked and signed by the appropriate sample custodian.

Field quality control is generally maintained by regular cleaning, calibrating, and
replacement of equipment, as necessary. Detailed record keeping, appropriate storage
and temperature control for transport, and adherence to CDOW, CDPHE, and EP A
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) form the framework for field quality control
procedures.

In order to determine the variability of the sample collection and analysis process and the
possibility of sample contamination, water quality control samples are collected through
the project year. Sufficient quality control samples are collected to give an acceptable
level of statistical confidence (at least 75 percent) to the sampling effort. This includes
collection of the following:

. Duplicate Samples

. Blank Samples

. Analysis of "unknown" standards

. Sequential replicates.

For field parameters, unknown standards for pH, alkalinity, and hardness are prepared for
the volunteers to check their procedural accuracy, as well as chemical accuracy at least
twice a year. Volunteers are instructed how to keep the equipment clean and techniques
to minimize contamination. A duplicate test between the volunteer and CD OW
equipment is performed for alkalinity and hardness tests.

2.7 Data Reporting

v olunteers use standardized report forms to record data. The use of these forms provides
a consistent methodology to record data. The data is also entered into a computer and
files backed up regularly. Electronic data is checked against hard copies and validated.
The primary validated databases are located at CSU Cooperative Extension offices in
Montrose. Data validation is performed by CSU Extension personnel, and EP A, CDOW,
andlor CDPHE personnel, as appropriate. A standardized data management protocol is
followed as part of the North Fork Volunteer WQ Monitoring Network documentation.
All public data is validated prior to any access.

Data collected as part of the River Watch program will be reported and stored in the
River Watch database. However, this data will also be included as part of the overall
North Fork database. Water quality data will undergo required quality assurance and
quality control measures so that data collected will be suitable for inclusion in STORET,
NFRIA website, and other regional water quality databases.

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