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U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological Survey
Continuous Records Processing
Background Information
In 2002, the Central Region Advisory Committee on Hydrologic Data Operations (CRACD) began investigating methods to accomplish the goal of computing records continuously
In 2005, the Central Region Continuous Records Processing Team (CRPT) met to establish and document guiding principles and best practices for all Central Region WSCs to implement for processing streamflow records on a continuous basis
External Driver – OMB/PART
External measure for “appropriate time period” is the 120-day OMB/PART requirement (compliance is 20% in 2006; 30% in 2007)
PART was NOT a consideration in the Central Region continuous records pilot program.
CR committed to meeting PART requirements using the technically based processes developed by the pilot WSCs.
Central Region Policy
In 2006 all WSCs in Central Region are required to:
Finalize (locked in ADAPS) all 2006 continuous-discharge records by February 1, 2007.
Annual Data Report deadline March 1, 2007.
Work and finalize percentage of 2006-2007 records continuously to meet PART requirements.
Implement RMS for records tracking.
Approach to Processing Records Continuously
Change in definition of a field trip Establish work teams in the field offices Emphasize better scheduling of all planned
work Acknowledge the benefit of DCPs at all sites Develop and use proposed tools
Pilot Effort
Six pilot offices were chosen to pilot the study based on Office size, Experience, Current records status, Geography, Hydrology, and Climate.
These offices were: Arkansas WSC Iowa WSC Kansas WSC Durango Field Office, Colorado WSC North Dakota WSC (computation during ice period) Missouri WSC
Lessons Learned
Transition time before records process became continuous
Time was needed to: Catch records up to current Change mindset Reestablish priorities
Lessons Learned
Records that had been processed continuously for 319 stations were published in the 2004 Annual Data Reports
During the end-of-year reviews problems requiring that the record be reworked were found with 3 of 319 stations
None of the problems were the result of the record being processed continuously
Guiding Principles for Processing Records Continuously
Based on the experiences of the pilot offices, two guiding principles have been recognized for processing records continuously The record process is data driven Processing records continuously must be a high
priority
Driving Factor
Paradigm shift concerning what drives the records process Traditionally the records process was driven by the Annual
Report deadline The process of computing records continuously is driven by
the data
Data Driven
As data are collected, the records are processed to the fullest extent that the data will allow
The data dictate the proper time to work, check, review, and approve the record
October November December January February March April2004 2005100
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Priority
Processing records continuously has to be a high priority for the Water Science Center Director Data Chief – Other Section Chiefs Field Unit Chief Field staff
Priorities
Traditional Gage operation Flood measurements Routine field trips Gage construction Project work Field maintenance Levels Equipment maintenance Field vehicles Processing records
Continuous Process Gage operation Flood measurements Processing records Routine field trips Gage construction Project work Field maintenance Levels Equipment maintenance Field vehicles
Best Practices for Processing Records Continuously
Evaluate and take advantage of any efficiency that will save time without sacrificing the quality of data collection and record processing
Maintain a detailed work schedule Use a records management system to track
the status of records
Field and Office Efficiencies
Maintain high-quality gages Less time spent diagnosing and
repairing problems Higher-quality gage height record
Monitor battery voltages, transmit times, transmit signal strengths, and other variables for problems
Be proactive rather than reactive with gage maintenance
Field and Office Efficiencies
Field trip organization Team approach – field trips
are organized into sections that are run concurrently Multiple people in the area
at the same time makes it more efficient to conduct tasks that require more than one person (levels, boat operation, construction/maintenance, etc.)
Field and Office Efficiencies
Technological advances in field equipment Hydroacoustics GPSs Digital levels Others
Field and Office Efficiencies
Take advantage of new software tools and scripts
http://water.usgs.gov/usgs/osw/adaps/scripts.html
Work Schedule
A comprehensive work schedule should be developed and maintained for each 12 months
The schedule should include Routine field trips Record processing Field maintenance trips Project work Training Meetings Leave Other tasks that require significant amounts of time
Work Schedule
WSC management needs to be supportive of the schedule
Record processing needs to remain a high priority
Record processing needs to be completed before moving on to next scheduled tasks
Records Management
It is important to track the day-to-day status of record processing
Methods that have been used to track the status of records include: Hand updated charts Electronic spreadsheets Web based systems
Records Management
Records Management System (RMS) is a tool currently being used by all CR WSCs
Status on 11/8/06
Partial-year approval of data
Summary
There are no fundamental changes in the record computation procedures – the same USGS standards are used when processing records continuously compared to the traditional method
Summary
The key to being successful at processing records continuously is
PRIORITY