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STORET & Web STORET Import Module (WebSIM) Support

    5/1/2009 - The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will be introducing a new application this fall to store and manage the state's water quality monitoring data. In response to EPA replacing the distributed STORET system with their new Water Quality Exchange (WQX) database, DEQ will be implementing the Montana EQuIS Water Quality Exchange (MT-eWQX) database. MT-eWQX will be DEQ's new repository for water quality monitoring data, which will include physical, chemical, biological, and habitat data from a variety of projects across the state. Note that EPA will continue to maintain the publicly accessible STORET Data Warehouse, and data loaded into MT-eWQX will continue to be submitted to National for inclusion in the warehouse.

In order for DEQ to implement MT-eWQX, WebSIM will no longer be accessible after August 15, 2009. WebSIM users will need to load their data into WebSIM before August 15th, or wait for MT-eWQX to be released in October 2009.

For more information about this transition, please contact Jolene McQuillan, Water Quality Data Manager, at (406) 444-5304 or by e-mail at jmcquillan@mt.gov.

STORET, short for Storage and Retrieval, is EPA’s main repository of water quality monitoring data.  It contains water quality, biological, and physical data from a variety of organizations across the country, from small volunteer watershed groups to State and Federal environmental agencies.  Environmental monitoring projects funded by federal monies, such as 319 grants and 106 funds, are required to enter their data into STORET.  To help minimize the impact of this requirement, web-based support and data formatting templates are being provided.  Information will be updated as it becomes available, so please check back often for updated guidance and templates.

Downloading and Using Data from the STORET Warehouse

This document walks you through a couple of exercises to help you become familiar with the STORET Warehouse. It shows you how to generate and download a typical query, how to import the downloaded data into Excel, and shows how to query the Watershed Summary Tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

This document addresses frequently asked questions pertaining to a variety of data management topics including STORET, WebSIM, format conversion, data downloads from National STORET, STOREASE, and more.

Electronic Data Deliverables

  • General Information and Guidance
    This document describes how environmental data must be formatted before it is submitted to STORET.  It lists the data fields and format restrictions that are associated with each type of data template. 
  • Guidance Appendices A-E
    Appendices A-E contains valid STORET values for field/lab procedures, lab prep procedures, characteristics, units of measure, and counties.  STORET valid values must be used to ensure a successful data migration to STORET.
  • Appendix F: STORET Characteristic Names and Required Values for MTWTRSHD Org ID
    The information in this appendix applies strictly to the STORET Organization ID "MTWTRSHD". It provides required values for specific STORET data entry fields in accordance with DEQ approved Sampling and Analysis Plans (SAP) and their associated Analyte Checklists.
  • Organization-Specific Valid Values
    When the National STORET Appendices do not have the valid values you need, user-defined values can be created for organizations. These values are organization-specific, and can only be used for the organization they were created for. The most common fields that require organization-specific values are Sample Collection Procedure, Field/Lab Procedure, Lab ID, and Personnel. This document contains the current organization-specific valid values. Please contact the STORET Database Manager to have new values created.
  • Result Values for Permitted Result Value Characteristics
    Characteristic names with “(choice list)” at the end of the name require the Result Value to match a valid choice list value. All the permitted choice list values can be found in this document.
  • Spreadsheet Templates
    These templates are provided to ease data entry into a STORET-compatible format. Each template includes instructions, a field list, and pick lists for STORET valid values.
  • Montana Supplemental List of Diatoms
    For those data providers required to submit diatom taxon abundance results to STORET, this list serves as a supplemental list for diatom taxon names that may not appear in STORET yet.  Montana DEQ is currently working to expand STORET’s diatom taxonomic name list to include those diatoms that are found in many Montana water bodies.  This document can be used to help populate the characteristic field for diatom taxon abundance results in the Biological Results template.  For more information about loading diatom results to STORET, contact Jolene McQuillan at 406-444-5304 or jmcquillan@mt.gov.
  • Field Forms
    These field forms are provided to ease data entry into the spreadsheet templates and into a STORET-compatible format.  The use of these forms is optional.

Web-SIM (www.montanastoret.com)

WebSIM is a Web Based STORET Import Module that was developed to aid users in importing and migrating their data to STORET.  WebSIM loads user data into a secure, off-site copy of STORET.  Upon request, migrated data in the off-site copy is uploaded to the National EPA STORET Data Warehouse where it becomes available to anyone with internet access.

  • WebSIM Specific Guidance
    This WebSIM specific document covers how to load data, contract deliverable requirements, loading documents and graphics, and common error resolution.