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.

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).

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).

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).

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_PanHa” 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_LagMa” 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 folder entitled “LagMa” holds data structures consisting of statistical predictions of daily salinity time series for the Laguna Madre (LagMa) group, 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 of the LagMa group includes the predictions for three locations defined using agency code and salinity site abbreviations.

The dataset folder entitled “LagMa” holds data structures consisting of statistical predictions of daily salinity time series for the Laguna Madre (LagMa) group, 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 of the LagMa group includes the predictions for three locations defined using agency code and salinity site abbreviations.