Imputed salinities from either salinity or specific conductance observations and covariate data in data structures deemed suitable for statistical modeling of salinity in near-coastal environments of the northern Gulf of Mexico are provided for 15 salinity groups. The data herein were created by the 'covardr2formodel.R' script of 'covESTUSAL software' (Asquith and others, 2023), which represents terminal decisions on variable setup and transformations. The design ideal is data downloaded from this data release would be used in some path of “input” within statistical modeling software. Copious documentation of the decision process for data assembly is provided by Asquith and others (2023).

This data release consists of statistical predictions of daily salinity time series generated from the makESTUSAL software repository described by Asquith and others (2023b). The statistical methods included multiple methods of machine learning, which produced the daily salinity prediction and attendant credible uncertainties included in the data release. The geographic scope includes the predictions for 91 locations within bays and estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico, United States. The 91 locations are organized across 15 salinity groups and represented in the organizational structure of this data release. The input data files of imputed salinity (observations, response variable) and covariates (predictor variables) for the makESTUSAL software were created by use of a companion software (covESTUSAL) (Asquith and others, 2023a). These input data are provided by Banks and others (2024).

This data release consists of statistical predictions of daily salinity time series generated from the makESTUSAL software repository described by Asquith and others (2023b). The statistical methods included multiple methods of machine learning, which produced the daily salinity prediction and attendant credible uncertainties included in the data release. The geographic scope includes the predictions for 91 locations within bays and estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico, United States. The 91 locations are organized across 15 salinity groups and represented in the organizational structure of this data release. The input data files of imputed salinity (observations, response variable) and covariates (predictor variables) for the makESTUSAL software were created by use of a companion software (covESTUSAL) (Asquith and others, 2023a). These input data are provided by Banks and others (2024).

Results from generalized additive models (GAM), random forest models (RFM), and cubist models (CUB) for three Dauphin Island Sealab (DIS) operated salinity sites in Mobile Bay are reported in this data release. These sites included Meaher Park (DIS:MHPA1), Middle Bay Lighthouse (DIS:MBLA1), and Dauphin Island (DIS:DPIA1). The constructed models predicted a 42-year daily salinity record from 1980 to 2021 at each site based on incomplete imputed salinity records and several explanatory variables. Explanatory variables included: daily streamflow from 8 United States Geological Survey (USGS) streamgages, daily minimum and maximum temperature, precipitation, vapor pressure, wind speed, wind direction, horizontal and vertical wind speed lagged from 0 to 7 days, altitude and azimuth of the sun and moon, and the positive and negative slopes of streamflow change over the previous seven days. Two GAM, RFM, and CUB salinity models were developed for each site using even- and odd-year-holdout. The final predicted salinity time series were derived from inverse error weighted pooling of the even- and odd-year model results for each model type. A similar methodology was used to pool the even- and odd-year models from the three model types to create a time series of daily salinity predictions from the ensemble of models. By applying model tests, prediction intervals estimations for the GAM, RFM, CUB were determined with model ensemble pooled predictions as shown in model input. Model input even- and odd-year models, helped determine pooling predictions and prediction intervals. RFM and CUB models displayed variable importance along with variable significance as seen in the GAM model. Predicted salinity levels exhibit variation from measured values, with certain maximum salinity predictions potentially exceeding the natural conditions expected in Mobile Bay.

Results from generalized additive models (GAM), random forest models (RFM), and cubist models (CUB) for three Dauphin Island Sealab (DIS) operated salinity sites in Mobile Bay are reported in this data release. These sites included Meaher Park (DIS:MHPA1), Middle Bay Lighthouse (DIS:MBLA1), and Dauphin Island (DIS:DPIA1). The constructed models predicted a 42-year daily salinity record from 1980 to 2021 at each site based on incomplete imputed salinity records and several explanatory variables. Explanatory variables included: daily streamflow from 8 United States Geological Survey (USGS) streamgages, daily minimum and maximum temperature, precipitation, vapor pressure, wind speed, wind direction, horizontal and vertical wind speed lagged from 0 to 7 days, altitude and azimuth of the sun and moon, and the positive and negative slopes of streamflow change over the previous seven days. Two GAM, RFM, and CUB salinity models were developed for each site using even- and odd-year-holdout. The final predicted salinity time series were derived from inverse error weighted pooling of the even- and odd-year model results for each model type. A similar methodology was used to pool the even- and odd-year models from the three model types to create a time series of daily salinity predictions from the ensemble of models. By applying model tests, prediction intervals estimations for the GAM, RFM, CUB were determined with model ensemble pooled predictions as shown in model input. Model input even- and odd-year models, helped determine pooling predictions and prediction intervals. RFM and CUB models displayed variable importance along with variable significance as seen in the GAM model. Predicted salinity levels exhibit variation from measured values, with certain maximum salinity predictions potentially exceeding the natural conditions expected in Mobile Bay.

The polygon datasets were created to assist in visualizing the results of salinity modeling in Gulf of Mexico estuaries and bays. Statistical algorithms (Asquith and others, 2023) were developed to predict daily salinities for 91 salinity monitoring sites (Rodgers and Swarzenski, 2019) operated by 7 agencies in near coastal United States waters of the Gulf of Mexico. These monitoring sites are assigned to 15 salinity groups roughly corresponding to distinct bays and estuaries. The statistical algorithms facilitate the study of trends and drivers of salinity in near coastal waters. The groups polygon dataset consists of 15 polygons representing the outer boundary or hull of each of the 15 salinity groups. The site polygons dataset consists of 91 polygons—one polygon each per salinity monitoring site. The polygons were created using the Watershed Boundary Dataset, the National Hydrography Dataset, and aerial imagery. A detailed description of the polygon creation method is in the metadata processing steps. Creation of the polygons was motivated by a need to construct visual cues (maps and map animations) for testing the veracity of the statistical algorithms.

The polygon datasets were created to assist in visualizing the results of salinity modeling in Gulf of Mexico estuaries and bays. Statistical algorithms (Asquith and others, 2023) were developed to predict daily salinities for 91 salinity monitoring sites (Rodgers and Swarzenski, 2019) operated by 7 agencies in near coastal United States waters of the Gulf of Mexico. These monitoring sites are assigned to 15 salinity groups roughly corresponding to distinct bays and estuaries. The statistical algorithms facilitate the study of trends and drivers of salinity in near coastal waters. The groups polygon dataset consists of 15 polygons representing the outer boundary or hull of each of the 15 salinity groups. The site polygons dataset consists of 91 polygons—one polygon each per salinity monitoring site. The polygons were created using the Watershed Boundary Dataset, the National Hydrography Dataset, and aerial imagery. A detailed description of the polygon creation method is in the metadata processing steps. Creation of the polygons was motivated by a need to construct visual cues (maps and map animations) for testing the veracity of the statistical algorithms.

The dataset entitled “imputedsalt_CalLa” holds data structures to be relayed to statistical modeling of salinity in near-coastal environments of the Northern Gulf of Mexico. The content therein is created by the ‘covardr2formodel.R’ script that represents terminal decisions on variable setup and transformations). The design ideal is that the content of this directory would be copied to some path of “input” within a model building repository. The table in this directory would be especially suitable for both (1) formal data releases supporting as needed interpretive publications and (2) simultaneous long-term storage as copies within a model building repository in some specific terminal decisions (variable transforms or even dropping of whole data classes by switches in ‘covardr2formodel.R) are reflected in these data and they are a step removed as it were from the “raw” data in the ‘covardr/’ directory.

The dataset entitled “imputedsalt_CorBa” holds data structures to be relayed to statistical modeling of salinity in near-coastal environments of the Northern Gulf of Mexico. The content therein is created by the ‘covardr2formodel.R’ script that represents terminal decisions on variable setup and transformations). The design ideal is that the content of this directory would be copied to some path of “input” within a model building repository. The table in this directory would be especially suitable for both (1) formal data releases supporting as needed interpretive publications and (2) simultaneous long-term storage as copies within a model building repository in some specific terminal decisions (variable transforms or even dropping of whole data classes by switches in ‘covardr2formodel.R) are reflected in these data and they are a step removed as it were from the “raw” data in the ‘covardr/’ directory.

The dataset entitled “imputedsalt_FloCo” holds data structures to be relayed to statistical modeling of salinity in near-coastal environments of the Northern Gulf of Mexico. The content therein is created by the ‘covardr2formodel.R’ script that represents terminal decisions on variable setup and transformations). The design ideal is that the content of this directory would be copied to some path of “input” within a model building repository. The table in this directory would be especially suitable for both (1) formal data releases supporting as needed interpretive publications and (2) simultaneous long-term storage as copies within a model building repository in some specific terminal decisions (variable transforms or even dropping of whole data classes by switches in ‘covardr2formodel.R) are reflected in these data and they are a step removed as it were from the “raw” data in the ‘covardr/’ directory.