WQPredict Workflow
Our Workflow for Generating Daily Concentration and Load Data
Step 1: Data Sources
We start by collecting water quality data from DataStream, an open-access platform that standardizes and combines records from community groups, researchers, and government agencies across Canada.
Step 2: Extract Concentration Data
Using the DataStream API, we download nutrient concentration data for phosphorus and nitrogen, then filter the raw data to remove duplicates and non-relevant sites so each observation accurately represents one location and day.
Step 3: Harmonize and Filter
The data is cleaned and harmonized for consistency, with invalid or incomplete records removed and all units converted to comparable forms. Only valid results from rivers and streams after 1980 are kept to build a reliable national dataset.
Step 4: Delineate Watersheds
Next, we use the open-source tool MGHydro to delineate watersheds for each monitoring site, outlining the land area that drains into that point and connecting water quality data to the surrounding landscape.
Step 5: Find Nearest Stream Gauge
Each site is linked to the nearest streamflow gauge from HYDAT, Canada’s national river database, keeping only gauges within 5 km and with strong watershed overlap to ensure reliable data matches.
Step 6: Run Models
We prepare and run the WRTDS-K model, which estimates daily and annual nutrient concentrations and loads in rivers by combining water quality and flow data.
Step 7: Filter Results
After modeling, we check for accuracy and keep only reliable results, summarizing them into annual nutrient and flow trends.
Step 8: Export to WQPredict
Finally, the processed results are uploaded to WQPredict on the POSEIDON portal, providing continuous, accessible nutrient data for hundreds of streams across Canada.