Murray-Darling Basin stream gauge daily data from 1990 to 2011, NetCDF format

Brief description

These four NetCDF databases constitute the bulk of the spatial and spatiotemporal environmental covariates used in a latent health factor index (LHFI) model for assessment and prediction of ecosystem health across the MDB. The data formatting and hierarchical statistical modelling were conducted under a CSIRO appropriation project funded by the Water for a Healthy Country Flagship from July 2012 to June 2014. Each database was created by collating and aligning raw data downloaded from the respective state government websites (QLD, NSW, VIC, and SA). (ACT data were unavailable.) There are two primary components in each state-specific database: (1) a temporally static data matrix with axes "Site ID" and "Variable," and (2) a 3D data cube with axes "Site ID", "Variable," and "Date." Temporally static variables in (1) include geospatial metadata (all states), drainage area (VIC and SA only), and stream distance (SA only). Temporal variables in (2) include discharge, water temperature, etc. Missing data (empty cells) are highly abundant in the data cubes. The attached state-specific README.pdf files contain additional details on the contents of these databases, and any computer code that was used for semi-automation of raw data downloads.
Lineage: (1) For NSW I created the NetCDF database by (a) downloading CSV raw data from the NSW Office of Water real-time data website (http://realtimedata.water.nsw.gov.au/water.stm) during February-April 2013, then (b) writing computer programs to preprocess such raw data into the current format. (2) The same was done for QLD, except through the Queensland Water Monitoring Data Portal (http://watermonitoring.derm.qld.gov.au/host.htm). (3) The same was also done for SA, except through the SA WaterConnect => Data Systems => Surface Water Data website (https://www.waterconnect.sa.gov.au/Systems/SWD/SitePages/Home.aspx) during April 2013 as well as May 2014. (4) For Victoria I created the NetCDF database by (a) manually downloading XLS raw data during November and December in 2013 from the Victoria DEPI Water Measurement Information System => Download Rivers and Streams sites website (http://data.water.vic.gov.au/monitoring.htm), then (b) writing computer programs to preprocess such raw data into CSV format (intermediate), then into the current final format.

Additional details on lineage are available from the attached README.pdf files.