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.

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.

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.

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).

Field data for vertical profiles of light and water quality parameters were collected biweekly between May and November in 2019 and June and October in 2020 in association with continuous monitoring platforms in Owasco, Seneca, and Skaneateles Lakes, Finger Lakes Region, New York. Water quality profiles were collected using Yellow Spring Instruments (YSI) EXO2 sondes and light profiles were collected using a LI-COR Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) sensor in 2019 and Onset HOBO Pendant Temperature and Light data loggers in 2020. This data release includes all measured environmental parameters included in the analysis. This data release was produced in compliance with the open data requirements as a way to make scientific products associated with USGS research efforts and publications available to the public. There are four data files included in this data release: one file containing light profile data from 2019, one file containing light profile data from 2020, one file containing EXO profile data from 2019, and one file containing EXO profile data from 2020.

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.

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.

The United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) New Jersey Water Science Center, in coordination with the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) deployed a novel bacterial water-quality monitor, the Fluidion Alert V2 (Fluidion), in the Delaware River at Pyne Poynt Park in Camden County, New Jersey. Following United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recreational water quality criteria, DRBC has been evaluating fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) abundance along Lower Delaware River at Pyne Poynt Park in support of primary use recreation (DRBC, 2022). The EPA recreation criteria establish acceptable levels of FIB abundance for primary contact recreation, such as swimming, and secondary contact recreation, such as fishing and boating. Both primary and secondary recreational contact with water are classified based on the abundance of FIB, including Escherichia coli (E. coli), in waterways used for recreation (EPA, 2012). FIB indicate the likely presence of human fecal contamination in the water which is often associated with a variety of viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens (organisms that can cause disease) (Cann and others, 2012, Gibson and others, 1998, and Patz and others, 2008). Results from a 2019 and 2020 DRBC focused bacterial monitoring study indicates that some locations within the area designated for secondary recreation, including Pyne Poynt Park, may support primary contact recreation during certain environmental conditions (Yagecic, 2020). The use of novel pathogen detection technology capable of remotely producing near-real-time measurements of bacteria abundance, would resolve the limitations of traditional sampling methods currently used by DRBC. With its capability of performing automatic, in-situ microbiological analysis, the Fluidion offers the possibility of direct measurement of FIB (Total Coliforms and E. coli) remotely and in less time than traditional discrete sampling. In support of DRBC efforts, the USGS performed a technical evaluation of the Fluidion at Pyne Poynt Park during peak recreation season in 2021 and 2022 to assess the Fluidion’s capability to produce accurate and timely FIB measurements. Results from this study will (1) provide a supplemental dataset of bacteria abundance for the characterization of the Pyne Poynt Park waterfront area, (2) determine the Fluidion’s potential to provide near-instantaneous bacteria abundance to water-resource managers for use as an early warning system, (3) help in designing new procedures for operating and maintaining in-situ FIB analyzers, and (4) aid in developing new data management techniques for merging cloud-based telemetry system with existing USGS data infrastructure. This study produced enumerated data for E. coli and total fecal coliform, measured using the Fluidion Alert V2, from August 18, 2021, through October 18, 2021, and May 11, 2022, through September 29, 2022. These data were generated using commercial technology not officially endorsed by the USGS. REFERENCES: Cann, K.F., Thomas, D.Rh., Salmon, R.L., Wyn-Jones, A.P., and Kay, D., 2012, Extreme water-related weather events and waterborne disease: Epidemiology and Infection, v. 141, n. 4, p. 671-686, accessed April 13, 2023, at https://doi.org/10.1017/S0950268812001653. Delaware River Basin Commission [DRBC], 2022, Administrative manual part III, Water Quality Regulations: Delaware River Basin Commission 18 CFR Part 410, 136 p., accessed May 30, 2023, at https://www.nj.gov/drbc/library/documents/WQregs.pdf. Gibson II, C.J., Stadterman, K.L., States, S., and Sykora, J., 1998, Combined sewer overflows: a source of Cryptosporidium and Giardia?: Water Science and Technology, v. 38, n. 12, p. 67-72, accessed May 30, 2023, at https://doi.org/10.1016/S0273-1223(98)00802-6. Patz, J.A., Vavrus, S.J., Uejio, C.K., McLellan, S.L., 2008, Climate change and waterborne disease risk in the Great Lakes region of the U.S.: American Journal of Preventative Medicine, v. 35, n.5, p. 451-458, accessed May 30,