This workshop will explore more advanced techniques in R using the dataRetrieval package. We will discuss ways to create a robust data pipeline for large-scale data requests. We will introduce ways to join U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamflow discharge data with discrete water-quality data from the Water Quality Portal. Common exploration techniques such as plotting and creating data summaries will be demonstrated.
The workshop will also include an introduction to several applications that take advantage of the dataRetrieval packages for surface water and groundwater data. Exploration and Graphics for RivEr Trends (EGRET) is an R-package for the analysis of long-term changes in water quality and streamflow, including the water-quality method Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge, and Season. The Hydrologic Analysis Package (HASP) can retrieve groundwater level and groundwater quality data, aggregate these data, plot them, and generate basic statistics. wqReports is an R-package designed to create water-quality reports for either U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wildlife refuge boundaries, or user-specified hydrologic unit code boundaries. These applications along with others demonstrate some of the power of using dataRetrieval as a foundation for customized water-quality applications. The workshop will conclude with participants creating a reusable custom report on water-quality for sites, constituents, and time periods of their own design.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own computer with R, R-Studio, and dataRetrieval installed. Specific installation instructions are provided here: https://rconnect.usgs.gov/dataRetrieval/#installation
Presenters
Laura DeCicco, U.S. Geological SurveyLee Stanish, U.S. Geological SurveyAliesha Krall, U.S. Geological Survey