Sampling locations
Organizations select stations to represent reaches, tributaries, impacts, habitats, or community concerns. The station is part of the meaning of the result.
Measurements and methods
Some measurements are collected in the field while others require laboratory analysis. Results should remain connected to their method, unit, date, and source.
Why public data helps
Public monitoring makes it possible to compare places and seasons, identify questions for further study, and understand how environmental conditions change over time. Rivistry links back to the original source whenever possible.