Data Parameter Explanations - Real-time Water Data

The Aquarius Reporting Tool displays locations that monitor and record environmental data including automated continuous and manually collected data. Descriptions of parameters available in the Aquarius Database are listed below:

• Air Temperature (TA): The temperature of air measured electronically in degrees Celsius (oC )
• Conductivity:  is a measure of water's capability to pass electrical flow. This ability is directly related to the concentration of ions in the water. These conductive ions come from dissolved salts and inorganic materials such as alkalis, chlorides, sulfides and carbonate compounds.
• Cumulative Precipitation (PC): the amount of accumulated precipitation measured in mm in a device like a tipping bucket or a pipe.  This value will continue to climb until the device is emptied.
• Discharge: The amount of water flowing through a stream, river or creek at any given time. Discharge is typically measured in units of cubic meters per second (m3/s) .
• Groundwater Level (SGWL): The depth in metres (m) measured down from the ground surface to the water level in a well. The larger the value the lower the water level in the well.
• Groundwater Elevation (GWE): The depth in metres (m) measured down from the ground surface to the water level in a well added to the local elevation (above sea level).
• Height of Gauge (Stage): The height of the water above a set reference level measured in metres (m). The river stage is related to discharge but not equivalent and more information (i.e. a ratings curve) is required to calculate discharge from river stage.
• Relative Humidity: Is a ratio, expressed in percent, of the amount of atmospheric moisture present relative to the amount that would be present if the air were saturated.  Since the latter amount is dependent on temperature, relative humidity is a function of both moisture content and temperature. 
• Snow Depth (SD): the depth of snow measured in cm.
• Snow Water Equivalent (SW): A measurement of how much liquid water is being stored in the snow-pack at a particular location. It can be thought of as the theoretical depth of liquid water (in mm) if the entire snow-pack were instantaneously melted. SW values are obtained by taking the weight of the snow pack over a snow scale or snow pillow.
• Specific Conductance: Measures a fluids ability to transmit electrical current which is related to the amount of ions in the water.
• Total Precipitation:  Total Precipitation represents a total amount of precipitation for a given time period (e.g. hourly, daily, monthly).
• Turbidity, ntu: Turbidity is the cloudiness of a fluid caused by suspended solids which can be used as an indicator to monitor water quality. NTU stands for Nephelometric Turbidity Unit and signifies that the instrument is measuring scattered light from the sample at a 90-degree angle from the incident light.