Turkey Lakes watershed study: database information

Individuals and organizations participating in the Turkey Lakes Watershed (TLW) Study are responsible for the storage, integrity and security of their own data. There is no centralized database although close cooperation among participants often means that some components exist in more than one location.

Database descriptions (or "metadata") provide information on data type, variables measured, period of record, collection and laboratory methodologies, QA/QC, contact, etc. A metadata abstract and contact information are available here for the following databases (originating organization shown in brackets).

• CAPMoN Air and Precipitation Chemistry (MSC)
• Bulk Deposition (NWRI)
• Bulk Deposition (GLFC)
• Meteorology, Snowpack Chemistry and Water Equivalent (NWRI)
• Groundwater Chemistry (NWRI)
• Stream Water Chemistry and Discharge (NWRI)
• Headwater Stream Chemistry and Discharge (GLFC)
• Aquatic Biota (GLLFAS)

Access to any component database can only be granted by the originator.

Database Abstract: CAPMoN Air and Precipitation Chemistry (MSC)

Concentration of major ions and nutrients in wet-only precipitation and air concentrations of various acidifying gases and particulates. Samples are collected by the Meteorological Service of Canada (Environment Canada) at the CAPMoN "Algoma" station located at the main meteorological station in the Turkey Lakes Watershed, Algoma, central Ontario, Canada.

Database contact: Rosa Wu

Database Abstract: Bulk Deposition Chemistry (NWRI)

Concentrations of major ions, nutrients and some metals in atmospheric bulk deposition collected by the National Water Research Institute (Environment Canada) at the main meteorological station in the Turkey Lakes Watershed (TLW), Algoma, central Ontario, Canada.

Database contact: Daniel Houle

Database Abstract: Bulk Deposition Chemistry (GLFC)

Concentrations of major ions, nutrients and some metals in atmospheric bulk deposition collected by the Great Lakes Forestry Centre (Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forestry Service) at the several stations in the Turkey Lakes Watershed (TLW), Algoma, central Ontario, Canada.

Database contact: Kara Webster

Database Abstract: Meteorology, Snowpack Chemistry and Water Equivalent (NWRI)

The snowpack has been sampled during both the accumulation and ablation stages at as many as 13 sites within the Turkey Lakes Watershed, Algoma, central Ontario, Canada since 1980 although more quantitative surveys began in 1989.  Snow depth and a physical description of the snowpack have been recorded at each station. Snow density, water equivalent and chemistry (pH, major ions, and nutrients) have been determined.

Database contact: Daniel Houle

Database Abstract: Groundwater Chemistry (NWRI)

Concentrations of major ions, nutrients and some metals in groundwater samples collected by the National Water Research Institute (Environment Canada) at sixty-two, shallow monitoring wells in the Turkey Lakes Watershed (TLW), Algoma, central Ontario, Canada.

Database contact: Daniel Houle

Database Abstract: Stream Water Chemistry and Discharge (NWRI)

Daily stream discharge and less frequent concentrations of major ions, nutrients and some metals in stream water samples collected by the National Water Research Institute (Environment Canada) at seven hydrological monitoring stations in the Turkey Lakes Watershed (TLW), Algoma, central Ontario, Canada. Six of the seven stations are located along the principal drainage channel (Norberg Creek) in the TLW. Four of the six are at or very near the outflow of the principal lakes in the TLW. The seventh station is located on the outflow stream of a small, unnamed lake draining into Turkey Lake.

Database contact: Daniel Houle

Database Abstract: Headwater Stream Chemistry and Discharge (GLFC)

Daily stream discharge and less frequent concentrations of major ions, nutrients and some metals in stream water samples collected by the Great Lakes Forestry Centre (Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forestry Service) at as many as twenty and presently thirteen hydrological monitoring stations on headwater streams in the Turkey Lakes Watershed, Algoma, central Ontario, Canada.  Four of the thirteen streams basins have experienced logging as part of the Forest Harvesting Impacts Project.

Database contact: Kara Webster

Database Abstract:  Aquatic Biota (GLLFAS)

Various databases for aquatic biota and related information exist:

• Fish databases: include date, gear type, species, length-weight, age, clip, and tag information for each lake. This information is subsequently used for catch-per-unit-effort, abundance, as well as biomass and production calculations.  Data collection years range from 1980, 1985-96 and 1998-2000. Some fish species include brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), common white sucker (Colostomiescommersoni), burbot (Lota lota), northern redbelly dace (Chrosomus eos), and logperch (Percina caprodes).
• Zooplankton databases: include date, gear type, depth of sample, counts, and the density and diversity (Number/L) of zooplankton in each lake. Data collection years range from 1980-95 and 1998-2000. 
• Phytoplankton dataset (raw data): species counts and number of cells per milliliter of lake water  (for each lake in 1980).
• Chlorophyll-a databases: contain sample volume information, analytical data and concentration of chlorophyll-a (mg/m³) in the epilimnion of the lakes.  Data collection years range from 1983-85, 1987-88, 1991-95, and 1998-2000.

Database contact: Karen Smokorowski