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Database Title	14.4 National Water Quality Network-Lakes
Keywords Type1. Type 11.	Freshwater; water quality; Lakes
Abstract	This is the Lakes component of the national water quality network. The funding for this project has been cut in several stages and work is now considered finished. Initially the project began with 23 Lakes. This was reduced to six.
Geographical Coverage	New Zealand (specified locations)
Dataset start date.	1992
Dataset end date.	1998
Status/currency.	Complete
Update frequency.	N/A
Maintenance.	None planned.

 

Technical Evaluation
Parameters- what is measured	Secchi disc depth Dissolved oxygen and temperature at approx 75m Field pH Lake height Various chemical parameters (assessed in lab) including conductivity, turdity, colour and BOD Nutrient analyses
Parameters- what is calculated	Maximum sampling depth Estimated mixed depth zone Photic zone
Methods used to measure parameters	One site, usually the deepest site, is visited for each of the lakes in the network. At each site (usually) the first four of the measured parameters were assessed in the field. Bulk water samples were taken from each lake and sub samples were sent to the laboratory for analysis. The chemical analyses were done immediately. The nutrient analyses were done in 6 month block lots.
Secondary sources of data	N/A
Scale of use.	N/A
Number of records	N/A
GIS compatibility.
Available formats for users.	Client reports Data in text files
Access constraints.	Under review
Measurement Accuracy	To be completed by database manager.
Completenss of dataset	To be completed by database manager.
Positional accuracy	To be completed by database manager.
Database steward	NIWA
Database custodian	NIWA
Database custodian contact person	Geoff Latimer
Database custodian Contact Address Phone Fax Email	P.O. Box 11 115 Hamilton +64 7 856 7026 +64 7 856 0151 g.latimer@niwa.cri.nz
References	Smith, D.G.; McBride, G.B.; Bryers, G.G.; Davies- Colley, R.J.; Quinn, J.M.; Vant,W.N. 1989. A national water quality network for New Zealand. DSIR consultancy report 8016/2.
Date metadata record prepared.	October 1999
Author of metadata record.	Victoria Froude

 

Management Evaluation
Original purpose.	to detect significant trends in water quality to develop better understanding of the nature of water resources and thereby assist their management
Relationships with classification systems.	N/A
Relationships with other databases	Closed part of the Water Resources Archive.
Known relationships with proposed EPIP indicators.	N/A
Who uses this database?	MFE Regional Councils NIWA researchers.
Public awareness of the database	Generally low Moderate awareness amongst regional council staff and researchers.
Database strengths.	data has been collected using consistent methods.
Database limitations.	the database was subject to several funding cuts and is now closed. The cuts led to reductions in the number of lakes surveyed over the time of the database. the database does not include microbiological, pesticides, organics and heavy metal data no further data being collected for this database

 

What are the Current and Emerging Uses of the Database for:
Assisting with determining historic state/baseline.	The data could provide an early 1990's baseline for the surveyed lakes.
Assisting with determining current state/baseline.	See above.
Assisting with modeling possible future outcomes.	It may be possible to use the database for trends analysis for the surveyed lakes.
Risk assessment.	Trends analyses for the surveyed lakes may identify lakes at risk from declining water quality.
Monitoring site selection and sample design.	The final sample size is probably too small to achieve national representation.
Aggregating and reporting data locally, regionally or nationally.	Probably not appropriate given the small final sample size.