Standard Operating Procedures and QA/QC Documents

The need for new and updated scientific information on Californian streams and rivers is continuous.  As a result, instream flow studies may be conducted throughout the state by multiple agencies, consultants, or other organizations at any given time. To support the production of complete, consistent, and defensible data, the CDFW Instream Flow Program developed a Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) Program for instream flow assessments, in coordination with the Quality Assurance Research Group at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. The QA/QC Program is developing standardized data collection procedures, equipment checklists, and additional technical guidance documents and templates for study plans and reports.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

• SOP for Discharge Measurements in Wadeable Streams in California (PDF)
  • CDFW Discharge SOP Data Forms (Excel)
• SOP for Streambed and Water Surface Elevation Data Collection in California (PDF)
  • Streambed and Water Surface Elevation Data Forms (Excel)
• SOP for Flow Duration Analysis in California (PDF)
• SOP for Critical Riffle Analysis for Fish Passage in California (PDF)
  • Workbook for Critical Riffle Analysis for Fish Passage (Excel) 
  • Updated Critical Riffle Field Form (Excel)
• SOP for Habitat Retention Method in California (PDF) - Updated December 2018
  

Additional QA/QC Documents

• Study Plan Template (Word)
• Instream Flow Study Results Checklist (PDF)
• Mesohabitat Delineation Guidance for Instream Flow Hydraulic Habitat Analysis (PDF)
• Study Site and Transect Location Selection Guidance for Instream Flow Hydraulic Habitat Analyses (PDF)