USGS Reference Lists
Agency Codes
Code identifying the agency or organization used for site information, data sources, and permitting agencies. Agency codes are fixed values assigned by the National Water Information System (NWIS).
agency_codes <- read_waterdata_metadata("agency-codes")
head(agency_codes)## # A tibble: 6 × 2
## agency_code agency_name
## <chr> <chr>
## 1 AK001 Alaska Department of Transportation…
## 2 AK002 Alaska Department of Environmental …
## 3 AK004 Alaska Department of Natural Resour…
## 4 AK008 Alaska Department of Fish and Game
## 5 AK010 Alaska DNR, Division of Land and Wa…
## 6 AK011 Alaska DNR, Division of Geological …Altitude Datums
The recommended vertical datum is NAVD88 (North American Vertical Datum of 1988) where applicable as stated in Office of Information Technical Memo 2002.01. NGVD29 (National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929) and NAVD88 are the only datums that can be converted on output. NWIS uses the North American Vertical Datum Conversions (VERTCON) of the National Geodetic Survey to convert from NGVD29 to NAVD88 or vice versa. Conversions to or from other vertical datums are not available.
altitude_datums <- read_waterdata_metadata("altitude-datums")
head(altitude_datums)## # A tibble: 6 × 2
## altitude_datum altitude_datum_description
## <chr> <chr>
## 1 ASVD02 American Samoa Vertical Datum of…
## 2 BARGECANAL New York State Barge Canal datum
## 3 GUVD04 Guam Vertical Datum of 2004
## 4 IGLD International Great Lakes Datum
## 5 LMSL Local Mean Sea Level
## 6 MLLW Mean Lower Low Water tidal datumAquifer Codes
Local aquifers in USGS data are identified by an aquifer name and geohydrologic unit code (a three-digit number related to the age of the formation, followed by a 4 or 5 character abbreviation for the geologic unit or aquifer name). For the age of formation (aquifer age), generally the smaller the number represents the younger the geohydrologic unit. Aquifer names and the definition of an aquifer can be very subjective. One rock unit may be called different aquifer names by different people. Local aquifers and layered aquifers are often grouped into larger named regional aquifers or aquifer systems. For example, the National Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain aquifer system (National aquifer) consists of five layered regional aquifers. Each regional aquifer is divided into two or more aquifers which may have a different name in each of the states in which the aquifer is found.
aquifer_codes <- read_waterdata_metadata("aquifer-codes")
head(aquifer_codes)## # A tibble: 6 × 2
## aquifer_code aquifer_name
## <chr> <chr>
## 1 000AARF Amphibolite and Amphibolite Rich F…
## 2 000AMPB Amphibolite
## 3 000ANRS Anorthosite
## 4 000CLMB Columbia Granite
## 5 000EVRN Everona Limestone
## 6 000EXRV Extrusive RocksAquifer Types
Groundwater occurs in aquifers under two different conditions. Where water only partly fills an aquifer, the upper surface is free to rise and decline. These aquifers are referred to as unconfined (or water-table) aquifers. Where water completely fills an aquifer that is overlain by a confining bed, the aquifer is referred to as a confined (or artesian) aquifer. When a confined aquifer is penetrated by a well, the water level in the well will rise above the top of the aquifer (but not necessarily above land surface).
aquifer_types <- read_waterdata_metadata("aquifer-types")
head(aquifer_types)## # A tibble: 5 × 2
## aquifer_type aquifer_type_description
## <chr> <chr>
## 1 C Confined single aquifer
## 2 M Confined multiple aquifers
## 3 N Unconfined multiple aquifer
## 4 U Unconfined single aquifer
## 5 X Mixed (confined and unconfined) mu…Coordinate Accuracy Codes
Appropriate code on the schedule to indicate the accuracy of the latitude-longitude values.
coordinate_accuracy_codes <- read_waterdata_metadata("coordinate-accuracy-codes")
head(coordinate_accuracy_codes)## # A tibble: 6 × 2
## coordinate_accuracy_code coordinate_accuracy_d…¹
## <chr> <chr>
## 1 1 Accurate to + or - .1 …
## 2 5 Accurate to + or - .5 …
## 3 B Level 1 survey-grade G…
## 4 C Level 2 survey-grade G…
## 5 D Level 3 survey-grade G…
## 6 E Level 4 survey-grade G…
## # ℹ abbreviated name:
## # ¹coordinate_accuracy_descriptionCoordinate Datum Codes
Appropriate code on the schedule to indicate the accuracy of the latitude-longitude values.
coordinate_datum_codes <- read_waterdata_metadata("coordinate-datum-codes")
head(coordinate_datum_codes)## # A tibble: 6 × 2
## coordinate_datum_code coordinate_datum_descrip…¹
## <chr> <chr>
## 1 ABIDJAN Cote d'Ivoire
## 2 ACCRA Ghana
## 3 ADINDAN Description
## 4 AFGOOYE Somalia
## 5 AGADEZ Niger
## 6 AINELABD Description
## # ℹ abbreviated name:
## # ¹coordinate_datum_descriptionCoordinate Method Codes
Methods used to determine latitude-longitude values.
coordinate_method_codes <- read_waterdata_metadata("coordinate-method-codes")
head(coordinate_method_codes)## # A tibble: 6 × 2
## coordinate_method_code coordinate_method_descr…¹
## <chr> <chr>
## 1 C Calculated from land net
## 2 D Differential Global Posi…
## 3 F Survey-grade Global posi…
## 4 G Global positioning syste…
## 5 L Long range navigation sy…
## 6 M Interpolated from map
## # ℹ abbreviated name:
## # ¹coordinate_method_descriptionCountry Identifiers
FIPS country codes and names.
countries <- read_waterdata_metadata("countries")
head(countries)## # A tibble: 6 × 2
## country country_name
## <chr> <chr>
## 1 AD Andorra
## 2 AE United Arab Emirates
## 3 AF Afghanistan
## 4 AG Antigua and Barbuda
## 5 AI Anguilla
## 6 AL AlbaniaCounty Identifiers
The name of the county or county equivalent (parish, borough, planning reagion, etc.) in which the site is located. List includes Census Bureau FIPS county codes, names and associated Country and State.
counties <- read_waterdata_metadata("counties")
head(counties)## # A tibble: 6 × 5
## county country_code state_fips_code
## <chr> <chr> <chr>
## 1 AD-00-000 AD 00
## 2 AE-00-000 AE 00
## 3 AF-00-000 AF 00
## 4 AG-00-000 AG 00
## 5 AI-00-000 AI 00
## 6 AL-00-000 AL 00
## # ℹ 2 more variables: county_fips_code <chr>,
## # county_name <chr>Hydrologic Unit Codes
Hydrologic units are geographic areas representing part or all of a surface drainage basin or distinct hydrologic feature identified by a unique number (HUC), and a name. The United States is divided and sub-divided into successively smaller hydrologic units which are classified into four levels: regions, sub-regions, accounting units, and cataloging units. Each unit consists of two to eight digits based on the four levels of classification in the hydrologic unit system. Additional information can be found at https://water.usgs.gov/GIS/huc.html.
huc_codes <- read_waterdata_metadata("hydrologic-unit-codes")
head(huc_codes)## hydrologic_unit_code hydrologic_unit_name
## 1 01 New England Region
## 2 0101 St. John
## 3 010100 St. John
## 4 01010002 Allagash River
## 5 0101000201 Eagle Lake
## 6 010100020101 Smith Brook
## hydrologic_unit_classification_code
## 1 R
## 2 S
## 3 B
## 4 U
## 5 W
## 6 XMedium Codes
Medium refers to the specific environmental medium from which the sample was collected. Medium type differs from site type because one site type, such as surface water, could have data for several media, such as water, bottom sediment, fish tissue, and others.
medium_codes <- read_waterdata_metadata("medium-codes")
head(medium_codes)## # A tibble: 6 × 4
## medium_code medium_name medium_description
## <chr> <chr> <chr>
## 1 AA Air Sample of atmosph…
## 2 AAQ QC sample - Air QC sample - Sampl…
## 3 AG Geologic Gases Gases originating…
## 4 AGQ QC sample - Geol… QC sample - Gases…
## 5 AS Soil gas Gases occurring i…
## 6 ASQ QC sample - Soil… QC sample - Gases…
## # ℹ 1 more variable: legacy_medium_code <chr>Methods
Water measurement or water-quality analytical methods. Codes and descriptions defining a method for calculating or measuring the value of a water quality or quantity parameter. Method codes are associated with one or many parameter codes.
methods <- read_waterdata_metadata("methods")
head(methods)## # A tibble: 6 × 5
## methods method_type method_category method_name
## <chr> <chr> <chr> <chr>
## 1 00001 QW UNKWN NH3+org-N, …
## 2 00002 QW UNKWN ATP in phyt…
## 3 00003 QW UNKWN Radium-228,…
## 4 00004 QW UNKWN NAWQA Recon…
## 5 00005 QW UNKWN 16 addons t…
## 6 00006 QW UNKWN Alpha 2SPE,…
## # ℹ 1 more variable: method_description <chr>Method Categories
Categorical standards for methods describing the associated data’s appropriateness for an intended use.
method_categories <- read_waterdata_metadata("method-categories")
head(method_categories)## # A tibble: 4 × 3
## method_categories method_category_name
## <chr> <chr>
## 1 EXPER Experimental
## 2 LMTUS Limited Use
## 3 STNRD Standardized
## 4 UNKWN Unknown
## # ℹ 1 more variable:
## # method_category_description <chr>Method Citations
Citation identifiers for water measurement methods.
method_citations <- read_waterdata_metadata("method-citations")
head(method_citations)## # A tibble: 6 × 5
## method_citations method_id citation_name
## <int> <chr> <chr>
## 1 1 00021 USGS TMR 5-B5
## 2 2 00023 NA
## 3 3 00033 USGS OF 96-525
## 4 4 00034 USGS OF 96-525
## 5 5 00035 USGS OF 96-525
## 6 6 00036 USGS OF 96-525
## # ℹ 2 more variables:
## # citation_method_number <chr>,
## # method_source <chr>Citations
Citations associated with water measurement methods.
citations <- read_waterdata_metadata("citations")
head(citations)## # A tibble: 6 × 2
## citations citation_description
## <chr> <chr>
## 1 ALSC SOPs, 2015 Adirondack Lakes Su…
## 2 AQTESOLV for Windows User'… AQTESOLV for Window…
## 3 AQTESOLV for Windows User'… AQTESOLV for Window…
## 4 ASCE Standardized Ref Evap… American Society of…
## 5 ASTM Annual Book of ASTM…
## 6 ASTM C1402-98 American Society fo…National Aquifer Codes
National aquifers are the principal aquifers or aquifer systems in the United States, defined as regionally extensive aquifers or aquifer systems that have the potential to be used as a source of potable water.
medium_codes <- read_waterdata_metadata("medium-codes")
head(medium_codes)## # A tibble: 6 × 4
## medium_code medium_name medium_description
## <chr> <chr> <chr>
## 1 AA Air Sample of atmosph…
## 2 AAQ QC sample - Air QC sample - Sampl…
## 3 AG Geologic Gases Gases originating…
## 4 AGQ QC sample - Geol… QC sample - Gases…
## 5 AS Soil gas Gases occurring i…
## 6 ASQ QC sample - Soil… QC sample - Gases…
## # ℹ 1 more variable: legacy_medium_code <chr>Parameter Codes
Parameter codes are 5-digit codes and associated descriptions used to identify the constituent measured and the units of measure. Some parameter code definitions include information about the sampling matrix, fraction, and methods used to measure the constituent. Some parameters are fixed-value (fxd) numeric codes having textual meaning (for example: parameter code 00041 is a weather code parameter, code of 60 means rain), but more commonly represent a numeric value for chemical, physical, or biological data.
parameter_codes <- read_waterdata_metadata("parameter-codes")
head(parameter_codes)## # A tibble: 6 × 13
## parameter_code parameter_name unit_of_measure
## <chr> <chr> <chr>
## 1 00001 Xsec loc, US fro… ft
## 2 00002 Xsec loc, US fro… %
## 3 00003 Sampling depth ft
## 4 00004 Stream width ft
## 5 00005 Loctn in X-sec,d… %
## 6 00008 Sample accnt. nu… nu
## # ℹ 10 more variables:
## # parameter_group_code <chr>,
## # parameter_description <chr>, medium <chr>,
## # statistical_basis <chr>, time_basis <chr>,
## # weight_basis <chr>,
## # particle_size_basis <chr>,
## # sample_fraction <chr>, …Reliability Codes
Code indicating the reliability of the data available for the site.
reliability_codes <- read_waterdata_metadata("reliability-codes")
head(reliability_codes)## # A tibble: 4 × 2
## reliability_code reliability_description
## <chr> <chr>
## 1 C Data have been field checked b…
## 2 L Location not accurate.
## 3 M Minimal data.
## 4 U Unchecked data. Data have not …Site Types
The hydrologic cycle setting or a man-made feature thought to affect the hydrologic conditions measured at a site. Primary and secondary site types associated with data collection sites. All sites have a primary site type, and may additionally have a secondary site type that further describes the location.
site_types <- read_waterdata_metadata("site-types")
head(site_types)## # A tibble: 6 × 4
## site_types site_type_primary_flag site_type_name
## <chr> <chr> <chr>
## 1 AG Y Aggregate gro…
## 2 AS Y Aggregate sur…
## 3 AT Y Atmosphere
## 4 AW Y Aggregate wat…
## 5 ES Y Estuary
## 6 FA-AWL N Animal waste …
## # ℹ 1 more variable: site_type_description <chr>State Identifiers
State name or territory. Includes U.S. states and foreign entities classified under FIPS as ‘Principal Administrative Divisions’.
states <- read_waterdata_metadata("states")
head(states)## # A tibble: 6 × 5
## state country_code state_fips_code state_name
## <chr> <chr> <chr> <chr>
## 1 AD-00 AD 00 Unspecified
## 2 AE-00 AE 00 Unspecified
## 3 AF-00 AF 00 Unspecified
## 4 AG-00 AG 00 Unspecified
## 5 AI-00 AI 00 Unspecified
## 6 AL-00 AL 00 Unspecified
## # ℹ 1 more variable: state_postal_code <chr>Statistic Codes
Statistic codes.
statistic_codes <- read_waterdata_metadata("statistic-codes")
head(statistic_codes)## # A tibble: 6 × 3
## statistic_code statistic_name
## <chr> <chr>
## 1 00001 MAXIMUM
## 2 00002 MINIMUM
## 3 00003 MEAN
## 4 00004 AM
## 5 00005 PM
## 6 00006 SUM
## # ℹ 1 more variable: statistic_description <chr>Topographic Codes
The code that best describes the topographic setting in which the site is located. Topographic setting refers to the geomorphic features in the vicinity of the site.
topographic_codes <- read_waterdata_metadata("topographic-codes")
head(topographic_codes)## # A tibble: 6 × 4
## topographic_code topography_name
## <chr> <chr>
## 1 A Alluvial fan
## 2 B Playa
## 3 C Stream channel
## 4 D Local depression
## 5 E Dunes
## 6 F Flat surface
## # ℹ 2 more variables:
## # short_topography_description <chr>,
## # full_topography_description <chr>Time Zone Codes
The ISO 8601 standard defines time zone offsets as a numerical value added to a local time to convert it to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), either as +hh:mm or -hh:mm, or represented by the letter Z to explicitly indicate UTC. For example, +05:30 means 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of UTC, while -08:00 means 8 hours behind UTC. The offset Z specifically signifies UTC.
time_zone_codes <- read_waterdata_metadata("time-zone-codes")
head(time_zone_codes)## # A tibble: 6 × 7
## time_zone_code time_zone_name
## <chr> <chr>
## 1 ACST Central Australia Standard Time
## 2 AEST Australia Eastern Standard Time
## 3 AFT Afghanistan Time
## 4 AKST Alaska Standard Time
## 5 AST Atlantic Standard Time (Canada)
## 6 AWST Australia Western Standard Time
## # ℹ 5 more variables:
## # time_zone_description <chr>,
## # time_zone_utc_offset <chr>,
## # time_zone_daylight_savings_time_code <chr>,
## # time_zone_daylight_savings_time_name <chr>,
## # time_zone_daylight_savings_utc_offset <chr>