Documentation and how-to

Additional resources for monitoring groups

Discover water monitoring and data management best practices, learn what others are doing to protect freshwater, and explore innovative ways to make the most of your data.

Last updated: October 23, 2023

Water monitoring

A collection of our favourite external training resources, protocols, methods and manuals designed to support monitoring programs of all shapes and sizes.

Monitoring program design

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Guide to Writing a Water Quality Monitoring Plan (Atlantic Water Network)
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WET-PRO Online Water Monitoring Certification (Atlantic Water Network)
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Water Monitoring Resource Guides (Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring)
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Monitoring protocols and quality assurance and quality control

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Handbook for Citizen Science Quality Assurance and Documentation (US EPA)
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Examples for Citizen Science Quality Assurance and Documentation (US EPA)
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Templates for Citizen Science Quality Assurance and Documentation (US EPA)
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Guidelines for Quality Assurance and Quality Control in Surface Water Quality Programs in Alberta (Alberta Environment)
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NWT-Wide Community-Based Water Quality Monitoring Program Protocols for Collecting Water Quality Samples (Government of the Northwest Territories)
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Protocols Manual for Water Quality Sampling in Canada (CCME)
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Data management

The following resources can be used to guide your data management practices throughout every stage of the data life cycle. Also see DataStream’s Documentation & How-to for support with our open data platform.

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Data Management Plan Template: Water Quality Research
This template provides guidance to researchers who are collecting or generating water quality data. Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) and students are encouraged to consult with their advisors or principal investigators while completing this template.
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WET-Pro Water Data Management Online Course
This course will guide you through the development of a strong data management plan and incorporate strategies to properly manage your data in the field, on the computer, and during the data sharing process.
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Guide: Improving Environmental Monitoring Collaborations Through Co-development of Data Management Plans
This guidebook and the accompanying data management planning template are intended to help Resource Management Agencies and Stewardship Groups initiate new environmental monitoring collaborations, or improve existing ones, for which the primary purpose is to collect environmental data for use in decision-making, research, and stewardship. These resources were written by Nicola Kroetsch as deliverables for her Masters research at Simon Fraser University.
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Data Management Best Practices Webinar video.
Data Management Best Practices Webinar
Data management is a key component of any water monitoring program. Join DataStream's Data Specialist, Patrick LeClair to review best practices for ensuring your data remains accessible, understandable and usable over time. Learn how to create a data management plan and practical steps for getting the most out of the data you collect.
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Indigenous-led monitoring

Practical information, tools, and guides for Indigenous-led monitoring programs and collaborators.

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Indigenous Guardians Toolkit (Nature United)
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Indigenous Leadership Initiative
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IPCA Knowledge basket
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Indigenous Climate Monitoring hub
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Communities and research: Building relationships & reconciliation toolkit (Northwest Territories Association of Communities)
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Open data

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Open Data Handbook (Open Knowledge International)

Guides, case studies and resources for government & civil society on the "what, why & how" of open data.

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Enabling FAIR Data FAQs (Coalition for Publishing Data in the Earth and Space Sciences)

Frequently Asked Questions on enabling Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable data.

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Open Geospatial Data and OCAP Principles

Report prepared by Firelight Group for Natural Resources Canada

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