Surface Water Quality Monitoring: Training
SWQM GIS Training Agenda and Presentations
This training occurred March 6, 2017.
The goal of the SWQM GIS training course is to introduce beginner and intermediate GIS users within the TCEQ surface water monitoring network to the geospatial software, skills, analyses, and data most often used by water resource professionals. The training features presentations from a range of GIS experts from TCEQ, TPWD, and other organizations. These presentations are available as a printable booklet in PDF format or can be downloaded individually in PowerPoint format below.
Questions about this training may be sent to swqm@tceq.texas.gov.
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Training Presentations - Listed in the order they appear on the Agenda |
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GIS Data Sources: Where to find data to see where you are going —L. Ryckman, TCEQ |
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Collector for ArcGIS: Setup and Best Practices —S. Long, TPWD |
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Advanced Cartographic Techniques —R. Broadbent, GIS specialist with Structure Development |
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Data at TCEQ —C. Schaefer, TCEQ |
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How to Create a New Segment from the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) —P. Bohannon, TCEQ |
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Introduction to Tools in ArcGIS —D. Baker, TCEQ |
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Delineating Watersheds —J. Godeaux, TCEQ |
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Stream Tracing Using the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) —J. Stapel, TCEQ |
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Watershed characterization —S. Whitley, TCEQ |
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Instream Habitat Mapping —K. Aziz and S. Robertson, TPWD |
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Spatial Analysis 101 —M. Brown, TCEQ |
SWQM Biological Training Agenda and Presentations
The SWQM Biological Training is held approximately every 5 years with the goal of increasing biological expertise throughout the state. It brings together surface water monitoring professionals in Texas to learn about TCEQ biological monitoring procedures to assure the quality and comparability of data collected to assess and protect aquatic life in Texas surface waters.
The training provides an introduction to aquatic bioassessment protocols described in the SWQM Procedures Manual, Volume 2. It consists of classroom lectures, field demonstrations, and hands-on practice including:
- An overview of biological monitoring objectives and data uses
- Sampling design and trip planning
- Field methods for fish and benthic macroinvertebrate collection
- Physical habitat measurements
- Metric calculations for fish, benthic macroinvertebrates, and physical habitat
- Data analysis and interpretation
- SWQM data management and reporting requirements
The biological training was offered twice in 2016; April 5-7 (Agenda) at the TCEQ Headquarters in Austin, TX and May 10-12 (Agenda) at the Mayan Dude Ranch in Bandera, TX. All of the presentations from the 2016 training are linked below in PDF 
, in the order they appear on the training agendas.
| Course Presentations |
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| Course Introduction and Overview —L. Pulliam, TCEQ |
| Aquatic Life Monitoring (ALM) Overview and Introduction —B. Harrison, TCEQ |
| Biological Data Use for Standards Development —J. Godeaux, TCEQ |
| Trip Planning and Site Selection —L. Pulliam, TCEQ |
| The Use of Fish In Biological Assessments: Fish Bioassessment Guidelines —Marty Kelly and G. Linam, TPWD |
| Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sample Collection and Processing: Wadeable Streams Rapid Bioassessment Protocols (RBP) —L. Metzmeier, TCEQ |
| Aquatic Habitat Assessment Methods in Texas —A. Rogers, TPWD |
| Enhancing Biological Assessments: GIS Basics —S. Whitley, TCEQ |
| Flow Measurement: SWQM Procedures, Volume 1 Chapter 3 —L. Metzmeier, TCEQ |
| The Use of Digital Photography for Vouchering Fish Collections and Laboratory Tracking, Preservation, and Labeling —G. Linam, TPWD |
| Identification and Reference Materials —L. Pulliam, TCEQ |
| Course Presentations |
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| Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI): Overview, Derivation and Application —B. Harrison, TCEQ |
| Guidelines for Applying the Regionalized Fish IBI Metrics —G. Linam, TCEQ |
| Statewide Benthic Macroinvertebrate IBI Metrics and Calculations —L. Pulliam, TCEQ |
| Habitat Quality Index Metrics and Calculations —A. Rogers, TPWD |
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Biological Data Review: Reviewing Data Submittals (Additional Handout) |
| Biological Monitoring: Data Management —C. Anderson, TCEQ |
| Optional session – Aquatic Plants in Texas —R. Ott and M. Webb, TPWD |
| Optional session – Unique Habitat Assessment Situations —A. Rogers, TPWD |
| Optional session – TPWD Fish Identification —G. Linam, TPWD |
| Optional session – SARA Fish Identification —C. Marzec, SARA |
Additional Training Materials
- SWQM Annual Workshop
- Guide to Freshwater Ecology
- Stream Flow Module
PDF / PPT
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