5-day composite river water samples were collected from two sites: Menomonee River (U.S. Geological Survey station number 04087142) and Underwood Creek (U.S. Geological Survey station number 04087088) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 5-day composite wastewater (raw sewage) influent samples were also collected from the Jones Island Water Reclamation Facility (U.S. Geological Survey station number 430125087540400). 5-day composite samples were collected from 2017 to 2019. Grab samples and time-series data (one-hour streamflow and 10-minute optical sensor measurements) were also collected from the Menomonee River (U.S. Geological Survey station number 04087142) site from 2017 to 2018, which are presented in this data release. Both 5-day composite and grab samples were analyzed for absorbance spectra and fluorescence excitation-emission matrices (EEMs), which are also presented in this data release. 5-day composite and grab samples were also analyzed for waterborne pathogens, human-associated and fecal-indicator bacteria, dissolved organic carbon and pharmaceutical compounds, which are archived in the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System (NWIS; http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis). The data presented in this data release and the data collected and archived in NWIS were used to develop models using ordinary least squares regression (two-single site models) and linear mixed effect models (R package lme4; eight multi-site models) and are presented as a “child item” to this data release. Concentrations of human-associated bacteria and fecal-indicator bacteria were used as response variable. Human-specific bacteria included human bacteroides, and lachnospiraceae. Fecal indicator bacteria included E. coli and enterococci. Turbidity and optical properties of water (various fluorescence and absorbance signals) were used as predictor variables.

Data are from water samples collected from tributaries of the Great Lakes at three different drainage basin scales, including 1). watershed scale: 8 tributaries of the Great Lakes, 2). subwatershed scale: 5 locations from the greater Milwaukee, Wisconsin area, and 3). small scale: 213 storm sewers and open channel locations in three subwatersheds within the Great Lakes Basin including the Middle Branch of the Clinton River in Macomb County, Michigan (65 sample locations), Red Creek in Monroe County, New York (88 sample locations), and the Kinnickinnic River in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin (60 sample locations). At the watershed- and subwatershed-scale locations, water samples were collected over a 24-hour duration for low-flow periods, and throughout the duration of increased streamflow for runoff-event periods. An individual sample included multiple subsamples that were composited using automatic samplers. At the small-scale locations, discrete grab samples were collected by direct bottle submersion or by peristaltic pump. Water samples were analyzed for absorbance spectra and fluorescence excitation-emission matrices (EEMs), which are presented in this data release. Samples were also analyzed for human-specific viruses, at the watershed- and subwatershed-scale locations only, human- and fecal- indicator bacteria, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC), which are archived in the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System (NWIS). These data were used to develop regression models for describing variability of human-associated and fecal indicator bacteria, and an archive of these models is provided. Sample collection, laboratory analyses methods, and a detailed description of the modeling process are described in the associated journal publication: Corsi, S.R., De Cicco, L.A., Hansen, A.M., Lenaker, P.L., Bergamaschi, B.A., Pellerin, B.A., Dila, D.K., Bootsma, M.J., Spencer, S.K., Borchardt, M.A., and McLellan, S.L., 2021, Optical properties of water for prediction of wastewater contamination, human-associated bacteria, and fecal indicator bacteria in surface water at three watershed scales: Environmental Science and Technology, 55, 20, 13770–13782, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c02644.

Data are from water samples collected from tributaries of the Great Lakes at three different drainage basin scales, including 1). watershed scale: 8 tributaries of the Great Lakes, 2). subwatershed scale: 5 locations from the greater Milwaukee, Wisconsin area, and 3). small scale: 213 storm sewers and open channel locations in three subwatersheds within the Great Lakes Basin including the Middle Branch of the Clinton River in Macomb County, Michigan (65 sample locations), Red Creek in Monroe County, New York (88 sample locations), and the Kinnickinnic River in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin (60 sample locations). At the watershed- and subwatershed-scale locations, water samples were collected over a 24-hour duration for low-flow periods, and throughout the duration of increased streamflow for runoff-event periods. An individual sample included multiple subsamples that were composited using automatic samplers. At the small-scale locations, discrete grab samples were collected by direct bottle submersion or by peristaltic pump. Water samples were analyzed for absorbance spectra and fluorescence excitation-emission matrices (EEMs), which are presented in this data release. Samples were also analyzed for human-specific viruses, at the watershed- and subwatershed-scale locations only, human- and fecal- indicator bacteria, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC), which are archived in the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System (NWIS). These data were used to develop regression models for describing variability of human-associated and fecal indicator bacteria, and an archive of these models is provided. Sample collection, laboratory analyses methods, and a detailed description of the modeling process are described in the associated journal publication: Corsi, S.R., De Cicco, L.A., Hansen, A.M., Lenaker, P.L., Bergamaschi, B.A., Pellerin, B.A., Dila, D.K., Bootsma, M.J., Spencer, S.K., Borchardt, M.A., and McLellan, S.L., 2021, Optical properties of water for prediction of wastewater contamination, human-associated bacteria, and fecal indicator bacteria in surface water at three watershed scales: Environmental Science and Technology, 55, 20, 13770–13782, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c02644.

Fluorescence and absorbance spectra were measured in discrete surface water samples collected during three sampling campaigns (Nov 2022, Mar/Apr 2023, Jul 2023) on the Illinois Waterway (IWW) and Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS), which are the primary drainage of the Illinois River Basin (IRB). Water sampling was conducted concurrently with a boat-based water quality mapping effort using the Fast Limnology Automated Measurement (FLAMe) system (Crawford et al., 2015). Each campaign began in the Chicago metropolitan area, and after having sampled Lake Michigan, entered into the upper extent of the IWW, sampling through the CAWS into the lower reaches of the Des Plaines River and finally the Illinois River. After 8-10 days of traveling downriver through the IWW, sampling ended in the Mississippi River upstream of St Louis, Missouri. Discrete water quality samples were collected from various sites that include main channel, tributaries, and off-channel areas (e.g., backwaters) from a depth of 1 meter (m), typically in the center of the channel or aquatic feature. Between 25 and 40 sites were sampled per campaign dependent upon river conditions and boat accessibility. Data reported here are compiled into three tables: 1) full fluorescence spectra in vectorized format, 2) full absorbance spectra, and 3) summary optical measurements commonly used in statistical analyses.

Fluorescence and absorbance spectra were measured in discrete surface water samples collected during three sampling campaigns (Nov 2022, Mar/Apr 2023, Jul 2023) on the Illinois Waterway (IWW) and Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS), which are the primary drainage of the Illinois River Basin (IRB). Water sampling was conducted concurrently with a boat-based water quality mapping effort using the Fast Limnology Automated Measurement (FLAMe) system (Crawford et al., 2015). Each campaign began in the Chicago metropolitan area, and after having sampled Lake Michigan, entered into the upper extent of the IWW, sampling through the CAWS into the lower reaches of the Des Plaines River and finally the Illinois River. After 8-10 days of traveling downriver through the IWW, sampling ended in the Mississippi River upstream of St Louis, Missouri. Discrete water quality samples were collected from various sites that include main channel, tributaries, and off-channel areas (e.g., backwaters) from a depth of 1 meter (m), typically in the center of the channel or aquatic feature. Between 25 and 40 sites were sampled per campaign dependent upon river conditions and boat accessibility. Data reported here are compiled into three tables: 1) full fluorescence spectra in vectorized format, 2) full absorbance spectra, and 3) summary optical measurements commonly used in statistical analyses.

Optical spectra reported here are collected from 17 surface water sampling sites within the Fraser River, a headwaters drainage of the Upper Colorado River Basin in the central western United States. The sample collection was conducted as part of the partnership between the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) Next Generation Water Observation System (NGWOS) and Proxies Project, in coordination with the USGS Colorado Water Science Center and California Water Science Center, and the East Grand Water Quality Board.

Optical spectra reported here are collected from 17 surface water sampling sites within the Fraser River, a headwaters drainage of the Upper Colorado River Basin in the central western United States. The sample collection was conducted as part of the partnership between the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) Next Generation Water Observation System (NGWOS) and Proxies Project, in coordination with the USGS Colorado Water Science Center and California Water Science Center, and the East Grand Water Quality Board.

Twenty four months of daily water quality results (Daily sediment loads, concentrations of Fecal Indicator Bacteria) will be made available electronically and shared with public via the IBWC GIS-based website (https://usibwc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=7be2cf73494c4847ab44718492c48315). This dataset is associated with the following publication: Biggs, T., N. Mladenov, S. Garcia, Y. Yuan, D. Sousa, A. Grant, E. Piazza, T. Magdalena-Weary, C. Summerlin, and D. Liden. Fluorescence-Based Indicators of Escherichia coli and Untreated Wastewater: Turbidity Correction and Comparison of In Situ and Benchtop Fluorometers in a Sewage-Polluted Urban River. ACS ES&T Water. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, USA, 5(5): 2212-2222, (2025).

Here we report optical data collected as part of a collaborative study between USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Water Mission Area Proxies Project. The optical measurements reported here were collected to aide in the characterization of water sources and mixtures and establish proxies (surrogates) for per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances within the Neshaminy Creek basin. Data are compiled into three tables: 1) full fluorescence spectra in vectorized format, 2) full absorbance spectra, and 3) summary file of commonly extracted optical indicators and field-based sensor arrays.

Here we report optical data collected as part of a collaborative study between USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Water Mission Area Proxies Project. The optical measurements reported here were collected to aide in the characterization of water sources and mixtures and establish proxies (surrogates) for per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances within the Neshaminy Creek basin. Data are compiled into three tables: 1) full fluorescence spectra in vectorized format, 2) full absorbance spectra, and 3) summary file of commonly extracted optical indicators and field-based sensor arrays.