This data release reports water-quantity and water-quality data collected during 2014-2016 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS) at the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site (ALPO) in Blair and Cambria Counties, Pennsylvania (figure 1). These data establish a base-line for current hydrologic conditions and may be helpful to evaluate potential changes in the hydrologic characteristics of streams and associated wetlands at the ALPO Summit area (figure 2). The data are summarized in the interpretive report, “Hydrologic Characteristics and Water Quality of Headwater Streams and Wetlands at the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, Summit Area, Blair and Cambria Counties, Pennsylvania, 2014-2016” by Cravotta and others (in review). During 2014-2016, synoptic surveys were conducted by the USGS, with assistance from NPS, to obtain data on stream flow or stage and the corresponding water quality over a range of hydrologic conditions at 10 monitoring sites (table 1, figure 2). The synoptic surveys typically included measurements of the water level at piezometers and stream gages, plus stream flow at the gages and associated tributary, seepage, or wetland sites. The daily values for data on stream stage (table 2) and piezometer water-level altitude (table 3) and water temperature (table 4) plus the corresponding daily precipitation and air-temperature data for PA13 (table 5) are summarized for this data release and presented with interpretations in the report by Cravotta and others (in review).

The assessment of different aspects of hydromorphic conditions through time and space may assist in explaining the various stressors contributing to stream condition such as habitat alteration. This dataset provides results for status and trends of hydromorphology (the interplay of geomorphology, hydraulics, and physical habitat) of streams and rivers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. These two separate analyses for status and trends in hydromorphology are derived from: analysis of field-based rapid habitat metrics collected by multiple jurisdictions during habitat surveys; and specific gage analyses using data collected during routine streamflow measurements at USGS streamgages. Results from the rapid habitat and stream gage status and trend analyses are provided below in the two respective Child Items. Detailed data preparation information, analytical methods and results are presented and discussed in the associated Scientific Investigative Report (https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20255072).

This data release provides water-quality trends for rivers and streams in the Delaware River Basin determined using the Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge, and Season (WRTDS) model and the Seasonal Kendall Trend (SKT) test. Sixteen water-quality parameters were assessed, including nutrients (ammonia, nitrate, filtered orthophosphate, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and unfiltered orthophosphate), major ions (calcium, chloride, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and sulfate), salinity indicators (total dissolved solids and specific conductance), and sediment (total suspended solids and suspended sediment concentration). The child items include the input and output data used in the modeling and testing of water-quality trends. The attached files include the scripts used in these analyses, a readMe files for these scripts and tables summarizing information about the sites used in the analysis. These trends build off the national efforts of Oelsner and others (2017) and Murphy and others (2018), with some variations in data screening and processing. One major divergence from these previous efforts was that screened site-parameter combinations were screened for the longest period of record that passed various temporal and seasonal criteria ("maximum calibration" approach) instead of screening by pre-defined trend periods. An additional difference was that water-quality data were combined from multiple monitoring locations and collecting organizations using hierarchical clustering based on the distance between monitoring locations on the same stream reach (as determined by the National Hydrography Dataset comid). Data that were a part of these "cluster sites" were manually reviewed prior to running SKT and WRTDS. Input data for SKT includes 124 sites (including individual sites and cluster sites) and 1,208 site-parameter combinations. Input data for WRTDS, which required additional screening beyond those used for the SKT test and a paired streamflow gage, includes 62 sites and 476 site-parameter combinations. For both methods, some site-parameter combinations were not run due to the amount of censored data, or the results were rejected due to poor model fit. Trends are reported for four trend periods (1978-2018, 1998-2018, 2003-2018, and 2008-2018), as the available screened data allow, and for the entire screened period of record for each parameter at each site. This collection of trend results leverages the monitoring efforts of many collecting organizations across the Delaware River Basin and can serve to better understand changing water-quality conditions across this basin. References Cited: Murphy, J.C., Farmer, W.H., Sprague, L.A., De Cicco, L.A., and Hirsch, R.M., 2018, Water-quality trends and trend component estimates for the Nation's rivers and streams using Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge, and Season (WRTDS) models and generalized flow normalization, 1972-2012: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7TQ5ZS3. Oelsner, G.P., Sprague, L.A., Murphy, J.C., Zuellig, R.E., Johnson, H.M., Ryberg, K.R., Falcone, J.A., Stets, E.G., Vecchia, A.V., Riskin, M.L., De Cicco, L.A., Mills, T.J., Farmer, W.H., 2017, Water-quality trends in the Nation’s rivers and streams 1972–2012—Data preparation, statistical methods, and trend results: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report, http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20175006. Shoda, M.E., Murphy, J.C., Falcone, J.A., and Duris, J.W., 2019, Multisource surface-water-quality data and U.S. Geological Survey streamgage match for the Delaware River Basin: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9PX8LZO. National Water Quality Monitoring Council, Water Quality Portal (WQP), https://www.waterqualitydata.us/. Accessed 2020-11-03.

This data release provides water-quality trends for rivers and streams in the Delaware River Basin determined using the Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge, and Season (WRTDS) model and the Seasonal Kendall Trend (SKT) test. Sixteen water-quality parameters were assessed, including nutrients (ammonia, nitrate, filtered orthophosphate, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and unfiltered orthophosphate), major ions (calcium, chloride, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and sulfate), salinity indicators (total dissolved solids and specific conductance), and sediment (total suspended solids and suspended sediment concentration). The child items include the input and output data used in the modeling and testing of water-quality trends. The attached files include the scripts used in these analyses, a readMe files for these scripts and tables summarizing information about the sites used in the analysis. These trends build off the national efforts of Oelsner and others (2017) and Murphy and others (2018), with some variations in data screening and processing. One major divergence from these previous efforts was that screened site-parameter combinations were screened for the longest period of record that passed various temporal and seasonal criteria ("maximum calibration" approach) instead of screening by pre-defined trend periods. An additional difference was that water-quality data were combined from multiple monitoring locations and collecting organizations using hierarchical clustering based on the distance between monitoring locations on the same stream reach (as determined by the National Hydrography Dataset comid). Data that were a part of these "cluster sites" were manually reviewed prior to running SKT and WRTDS. Input data for SKT includes 124 sites (including individual sites and cluster sites) and 1,208 site-parameter combinations. Input data for WRTDS, which required additional screening beyond those used for the SKT test and a paired streamflow gage, includes 62 sites and 476 site-parameter combinations. For both methods, some site-parameter combinations were not run due to the amount of censored data, or the results were rejected due to poor model fit. Trends are reported for four trend periods (1978-2018, 1998-2018, 2003-2018, and 2008-2018), as the available screened data allow, and for the entire screened period of record for each parameter at each site. This collection of trend results leverages the monitoring efforts of many collecting organizations across the Delaware River Basin and can serve to better understand changing water-quality conditions across this basin. References Cited: Murphy, J.C., Farmer, W.H., Sprague, L.A., De Cicco, L.A., and Hirsch, R.M., 2018, Water-quality trends and trend component estimates for the Nation's rivers and streams using Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge, and Season (WRTDS) models and generalized flow normalization, 1972-2012: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7TQ5ZS3. Oelsner, G.P., Sprague, L.A., Murphy, J.C., Zuellig, R.E., Johnson, H.M., Ryberg, K.R., Falcone, J.A., Stets, E.G., Vecchia, A.V., Riskin, M.L., De Cicco, L.A., Mills, T.J., Farmer, W.H., 2017, Water-quality trends in the Nation’s rivers and streams 1972–2012—Data preparation, statistical methods, and trend results: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report, http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20175006. Shoda, M.E., Murphy, J.C., Falcone, J.A., and Duris, J.W., 2019, Multisource surface-water-quality data and U.S. Geological Survey streamgage match for the Delaware River Basin: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9PX8LZO. National Water Quality Monitoring Council, Water Quality Portal (WQP), https://www.waterqualitydata.us/. Accessed 2020-11-03.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collected stream samples at 19 sites in tributaries to the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River during 2012-15 in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS) through the USGS-NPS Water-Quality Partnership to provide data on existing water-quality in small watersheds not previously characterized and where there was potential for unconventional gas development. USGS discrete data consist of water-quality and discharge values for stream samples collected monthly from November 2012 to June 2015 at one site on each of 6 tributaries under a range of hydrologic conditions and twice in 2014 (April and September) at one site on each of 13 other tributaries in New York and Pennsylvania. Two of the 6 sites sampled monthly were also sampled in September 2015. Drainage areas above sampling sites ranged from 2.19 to 67.6 square miles. Water-quality data includes USGS field measurements (water temperature, pH, specific conductance, and dissolved oxygen) and results of USGS laboratory analysis for major ions and selected minor ions and trace elements, including constituents present in high concentrations in brines and unconventional gas well flow-back such as barium, chloride, lithium, and strontium. Other trace elements. including arsenic, cobalt, and molybdenum were analyzed in 4 to 5 samples at each of 6 sites sampled monthly and in both samples at the 13 sites sampled twice in 2014. One sample at each of 6 sites sampled monthly also was analyzed for uranium, radium-226, and gross alpha and beta radioactivity. Other data collected for the study includes selected continuous water-quality (water temperature, pH, specific conductance, and dissolved oxygen) measured using in-situ sondes operated by the NPS for periods of 3 to 8 months during 2013-2015 at the 6 stream sites sampled monthly and one of the 13 stream sites sampled twice in 2014.

In 2013, the Regional Stream Quality Assessment (RSQA) study was started as part of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) project. One of the objectives of the RSQA is to characterize the relationships between water-quality stressors and stream ecology and subsequently determine the relative effects of these stressors on aquatic biota within the streams (Garrett and others, 2017; Journey and others, 2015; Coles and others, 2019; Sheibley and others, 2017; May and others, 2020). The study was implemented in five regions across the United States (U.S.); the Midwest (MSQA) in 2013, the southeast (SESQA) in 2014, the Pacific Northwest (PNSQA) in 2015, the northeast (NESQA) in 2016, and California (CSQA) in 2017. To meet this objective (correlations with and effects of stressors), a framework of fundamental geospatial data was required to develop physical and anthropogenic characteristics of each study region for the watersheds and riparian zones associated with each sampling location. This dataset includes 150 selected environmental characteristics for the 483 sites sampled across all regions of the study. The characteristics were derived over the five years (2013 to 2017) using geospatial summary techniques where spatial information is summarized based on spatial extents such as watersheds. The characteristics were developed using the geospatial data for the location of the water-quality sites, delineations of areas draining to the sites (watershed boundaries, including the boundaries of the lower 5 kilometers [km] of watershed [Lower Basin] for the NESQA and CSQA study regions), and riparian-zone boundaries defined from buffers along digitized riparian reaches (Qi and Nakagaki, 2020). This dataset consists of 3 tables: 1) the main data file containing the environmental characteristics of sites, watersheds (including the boundaries of the lower 5 km of watershed for the NESQA and CSQA study regions), and riparian zones, 2) the data dictionary that describes the variables in the data file, and 3) the full citations associated with the references cited in the data dictionary.

In 2013, the Regional Stream Quality Assessment (RSQA) study was started as part of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) project. One of the objectives of the RSQA is to characterize the relationships between water-quality stressors and stream ecology and subsequently determine the relative effects of these stressors on aquatic biota within the streams (Garrett and others, 2017; Journey and others, 2015; Coles and others, 2019; Sheibley and others, 2017; May and others, 2020). The study was implemented in five regions across the United States (U.S.); the Midwest (MSQA) in 2013, the southeast (SESQA) in 2014, the Pacific Northwest (PNSQA) in 2015, the northeast (NESQA) in 2016, and California (CSQA) in 2017. To meet this objective (correlations with and effects of stressors), a framework of fundamental geospatial data was required to develop physical and anthropogenic characteristics of each study region for the watersheds and riparian zones associated with each sampling location. This dataset includes 150 selected environmental characteristics for the 483 sites sampled across all regions of the study. The characteristics were derived over the five years (2013 to 2017) using geospatial summary techniques where spatial information is summarized based on spatial extents such as watersheds. The characteristics were developed using the geospatial data for the location of the water-quality sites, delineations of areas draining to the sites (watershed boundaries, including the boundaries of the lower 5 kilometers [km] of watershed [Lower Basin] for the NESQA and CSQA study regions), and riparian-zone boundaries defined from buffers along digitized riparian reaches (Qi and Nakagaki, 2020). This dataset consists of 3 tables: 1) the main data file containing the environmental characteristics of sites, watersheds (including the boundaries of the lower 5 km of watershed for the NESQA and CSQA study regions), and riparian zones, 2) the data dictionary that describes the variables in the data file, and 3) the full citations associated with the references cited in the data dictionary.

In 2013, the Regional Stream Quality Assessment (RSQA) study was started as part of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) project. One of the objectives of the RSQA is to characterize the relationships between water-quality stressors and stream ecology and subsequently determine the relative effects of these stressors on aquatic biota within the streams (Garrett and others, 2017; Journey and others, 2015; Coles and others, 2019; Sheibley and others, 2017; May and others, 2020). The study was implemented in five regions across the United States (U.S.); the Midwest (MSQA) in 2013, the southeast (SESQA) in 2014, the Pacific Northwest (PNSQA) in 2015, the northeast (NESQA) in 2016, and California (CSQA) in 2017. To meet this objective (correlations with and effects of stressors), a framework of fundamental geospatial data was required to develop physical and anthropogenic characteristics of each study region for the watersheds and riparian zones associated with each sampling location. This dataset includes 150 selected environmental characteristics for the 483 sites sampled across all regions of the study. The characteristics were derived over the five years (2013 to 2017) using geospatial summary techniques where spatial information is summarized based on spatial extents such as watersheds. The characteristics were developed using the geospatial data for the location of the water-quality sites, delineations of areas draining to the sites (watershed boundaries, including the boundaries of the lower 5 kilometers [km] of watershed [Lower Basin] for the NESQA and CSQA study regions), and riparian-zone boundaries defined from buffers along digitized riparian reaches (Qi and Nakagaki, 2020). This dataset consists of 3 tables: 1) the main data file containing the environmental characteristics of sites, watersheds (including the boundaries of the lower 5 km of watershed for the NESQA and CSQA study regions), and riparian zones, 2) the data dictionary that describes the variables in the data file, and 3) the full citations associated with the references cited in the data dictionary.

From July through December 2016, 56 environmental samples were collected from the Mohawk and Western New York River Basins. Samples were collected from nine production wells and 13 domestic wells in the Mohawk River Basin, and 17 production wells and 17 domestic wells in the Western New York River Basins. Samples were collected and processed using standard USGS methods and analyzed for 320 constituents including physicochemical properties, dissolved gases, major ions, nutrients, trace elements, pesticides, volatile organic compounds, radionuclides, and indicator bacteria. Analytical methods are described and referenced in Gaige and others (2023). Five of the Mohawk River Basin wells (HE 622, HE 624, OE1468, SA1501, and MT 406) were also sampled in 2002, 2006, and (or) 2011. Seven of the Western New York River Basins wells (AG 265, CU2131, E1903, E1904, GS 216, WO 351, and OL 19) were also sampled in 2006 and (or) 2011. Results from these wells and years are tabulated for comparison.

From July through December 2016, 56 environmental samples were collected from the Mohawk and Western New York River Basins. Samples were collected from nine production wells and 13 domestic wells in the Mohawk River Basin, and 17 production wells and 17 domestic wells in the Western New York River Basins. Samples were collected and processed using standard USGS methods and analyzed for 320 constituents including physicochemical properties, dissolved gases, major ions, nutrients, trace elements, pesticides, volatile organic compounds, radionuclides, and indicator bacteria. Analytical methods are described and referenced in Gaige and others (2023). Five of the Mohawk River Basin wells (HE 622, HE 624, OE1468, SA1501, and MT 406) were also sampled in 2002, 2006, and (or) 2011. Seven of the Western New York River Basins wells (AG 265, CU2131, E1903, E1904, GS 216, WO 351, and OL 19) were also sampled in 2006 and (or) 2011. Results from these wells and years are tabulated for comparison.