Water quality chlorophyll measurements assigned incorrect units

Chlorophyll-a measurements in the Water quality data product (DP1.20288.001) are being reported in the wrong units starting in late 2021 or early 2022 for the ten river and lake sites (BARC, BLWA, CRAM, FLNT, LIRO, PRLA, PRPO, SUGG, TOMB, and TOOK). Chlorophyll-a readings are not currently collected at the other stream sites. Because of a mismatch between the multisonde template and the location controller configuration file, values for “chlorophyll”, which should be reported in units of micrograms per liter (µg/L) are being reported in relative fluorescence units (RFU). Conversely “chlaRelativeFluorescence” which should be reported in units of RFU is being reported in µg/L.

The issue begins when RFU measurements were added to each site.  Prior to these dates only “chlorophyll” was reported, and is in the correct units of µg/L.  All data included in Release-2021 and Release-2022 are correct. Only Release-2023 and PROVISIONAL data are affected.

We are working on a solution that will correct the issue and will make another announcement by April 1st, 2023.  For more detailed information on the problem please use the Contact Us form. Select DP1.20288.001 in the Data Product dropdown list and include the term “INC0063346” in the body of your request.