Data Source Type
The following steps are most easy to follow if you have selected annual scoring.
Once you have selected your data source type, click save and then step through the data creation process step by step. The key information that you’ll need to package are the fixed stations (sites) and the parameters that you collect at those stations.
Import Stations
Import or upload your stations.
Stations can be imported as a .csv file or added one by one. If you’re entering a new data source, click the green button that says “Import Stations” on the summary page.
Or, click on the Stations tab on the left hand page. On the Stations page, click batch import feature.
Now, regardless of how you navigated here, you've landed on the batch import page for stations.
Important note: Even though you are building a scorecard (because these instructions are geared towards the annual scoring data source), do not download this template yet. You first need to build your station and parameters list. We'll come back to this page once everything is prepared.
Tips for Building your station import file
Here are the list of “musts” to meet before you can import your stations:
Your file must be in the .csv format.
Your file must have contain the following column headers with no capitalization: station_id, station_name, latitude, and longitude (in decimal degrees)
station_id must be a unique identifier and cannot be changed after it’s assigned to a station
station_name should be reader friendly and can be edited after it’s uploaded.
Additional fields that you can include in your spreadsheet:
station_description
Once you have your file fitting the above requirements, click “Choose File” and select the correct .csv file from your computer. Then click “upload file”. All of your stations are now in your data source. Go read the article on Stations to learn more about how you can add additional details to each station site.
Add Parameters
Each parameter must be added individually to your Data Source. Every parameter that you add will “appear” as a column in your importer template and as a field in your Form. Data will be able to be added to each parameter via three channels: importer, form, and manually through a station.
Parameter Creation Tips and Tricks:
Each reading in a sample needs a parameter if you intend to have it displayed on map. For instance, you may want to create parameters for conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and enteroccoci.
Keep in mind, each sample consists of readings for each parameter. If you want to display readings at multiple depths in the water column, for instance, you'll need to create a parameter for each level. For example: "dissolved oxygen surface", "dissolved oxygen middle", "dissolved oxygen bottom". Editor's note: We don't recommend showing data on your map for multiple points in one water column.
After you've clicked the green plus circle:
Column name (required): this is the un-modified column name that will be found in all source spreadsheets/upload templates. The name must match the templates exactly.
Display name (required): This is your human-friendly parameter name that will appear on forms and any other public displays, such as maps.
Citation (optional): Enter a link where people can learn about this parameter. The link will appear within the parameter details on station cards.
Description: Define the parameter so that your audiences understand why you collect this information or why it’s important to understanding. Maximum of 500 characters.
Unit (Optional): If your parameter has a unit, type it in or select it from existing units here.
Click the green check mark to save your new parameter.
Repeat these steps for all of the parameters in your data source, if you have multiple parameters.
Important note: You can add annual scores for multiple parameters. You will need to add ranges for all indicators and thresholds separately for each parameter. When you download the import template, each parameter will appear on a separate row for each station.
Add Parameter Ranges
Because you're building an annual scorecard data source, you're definitely going to want to add in scoring to each parameter. Click on an individual parameter to get started. Then click on the Chart Settings Tab to add your parameter thresholds and indicators.
Enable charts and other analytics
Turn this setting on if you want this parameter to be available and visible on maps, stations, cards, and within other Water Reporter analytics.
Ranges
Because you are creating an annual scorecard, your thresholds may be different than what you choose for continuous monitoring. The example below shows each parameter as a Percentage that was calculated outside of the system and displays an overall water quality health score. Each parameter will have the same ranges and colors associated with it.
Import or Add Annual Data Scores
Now that you have created your parameters and added your stations, you can enter in your data points. There can only be one data point per year per parameter for an annual scoring data source. If you have more data points per year, then you should be using the continuous monitoring data source.
Download your Annual Scorecard Template
Water Reporter built you a template for importing based on your parameters and stations. To download your template and import your scores, click on the Stations tab.
Click Batch Import Feature.
Scroll to the bottom. Click the Green download circle to retrieve your template. The template will display the station_id and all parameters in your Data Source for each station. So if you have five stations and two parameters, each parameter will appear five times. Two additional column headers appear: score and year.
Score: Enter the score for each parameter at each station.
Year: Enter the year only.
Important note: If you are entering historical annual scores, copy and paste the entire template and input scores for each year.
Import your scores
Make sure that you have toggled on the button under scores that indicates that you are importing annual scoring data.
Review and Edit Your Scores
After you have uploaded your data using the template, you may want to double check your work. Rather than look at the Samples tab, you can check out the scores by returning to the Stations page. Click on a station and then click on station and parameter scores.
You'll be able to add this data source to a Map to share your scorecard with a broad audience.