Hydrologic Reference Stations

Streamflow data quality codes for Hydrologic Reference Stations

Introduction

Streamflow data providers use different codes to describe the quality of each individual streamflow observation. Most agencies use a numerical coding scheme ranging from 1 to 255, where a lower number generally indicates a better quality of observation. Coding is partly objective and partly subjective. It reflects, among other things, the accuracy of the gauging used to define the relevant rating table, the accuracy of the method used to establish the rating, and the accuracy of the stage measurement. There is inconsistency in coding schemes between jurisdictions, or even sometimes between different agencies in the same jurisdiction. Moreover, different agencies use different criteria to rate the quality of their streamflow observations. The number of distinct code values used to describe streamflow data varies between about 15 and 60, depending on the agency (Viney et al, 2010).

The Bureau of Meteorology (the Bureau) has developed a nationally consistent quality coding scheme for streamflow data in consultation with the data providers. The Bureau's streamflow data quality codes and their descriptions are given in Table 1. The Bureau, in consultation with the data providers, has mapped each data provider's native code to the new national code.

The purpose of this report is to provide the mapping of quality codes between each Hydrologic Reference Station's data provider and the Bureau.

Table 1 Description of streamflow quality codes for incoming data
Bureau quality code	Description	Description to be used by data providers for transferring data to the Bureau
A	The record set is the best available given the technology, techniques and monitoring objectives at the time of classification.	The data provider releases recorded measurements for use, declaring that the record set is the best available given the technology, techniques and monitoring objectives at the time of classification.
B	The record set is compromised in its ability to represent the parameter accurately.	The data provider releases recorded measurements for use with the provision that the data are compromised in their ability to represent the monitored parameter.
C	The record set is an estimate.	The data provider releases the record set for use, declaring that the data are estimates.
E	The ability of the record set to represent the monitored parameter accurately is not known.	The data provider releases the record set declaring that the data's ability to represent the monitored parameter is not known.
F	The record set is not of release quality or contains missing data.	The data provider releases the record set declaring that the data are missing, void or known to be incorrect.

Quality code mapping of the agencies covered by Reference Stations

The following tables show the mapping between data providers' quality coding and the Bureau's five-level national coding scheme for Hydrologic Reference Station data. Some of the codes that explicitly refer to quantities other than streamflow (e.g. precipitation, constituent concentrations) have been excluded from the tables. Coding levels are coloured according to the colour scheme in Table 1.

For the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, and WaterNSW, these mappings are provisional only and are open to revision and amendment in consultation with the relevant provider.

Table 2 Australian Capital Territory—Icon Water Ltd; Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate
IWL/EPSDD quality code	Description	Bureau quality code
1	Good reliable data	A
2	Good data; small adjustment required	A
3	Data is reflecting general trends but is not considered very accurate.	B
4	Correlated data	B
5	Water Level below CTF but data is OK	A
6	Not yet verified	E
10	Good reliable gauging	A
11	Gauging requires another gauging to substantiate its accuracy	A
12	Unreliable, gauging disregard	F
13	Volumetric gauging	A
15	No SG reading to verify data	A
16	Intake/sensor completely buried with silt	E
17	Water level below orifice	E
19	Estimated data	A
20	Alarm test event	F
21	Sensor failed	F
22	Control drowned out by downstream influence	B
23	Control blockage, data not representative of actual flow	B
24	Ramping of data due to algae on sensor	B
26	Good daily read records	A
27	Good twice weekly read records	A
30	Irregular Time Rate Data - weekly/monthly read.	B
31	Level data erroneous due to Venturi effect	B
32	Unknown external influence data not representative	E
33	Discharge obtained using stage only	B
34	Discharge obtained using stage and velocity data	B
51	Occasional gaps of not more than two days interpolated	C
52	Several readings per day during high flows, plotted on strip chart then processed through digitizer	B
53	Partially silted inlet or orifice, reliable interpolation	B
76	Reliable interpolation	B
77	Correlation with other station, same variable	C
78	Correlation with other station, different variable	C
79	Records partly estimated	C
80	Accumulated	A
82	Linear interpolation across gap in records.	F
102	Obtained by conversion, from discharges plotted on old drawing	C
103	Unreliable interpolation	C
104	Records estimated	C
105	Records lost - Max. & Min. water level or total rainfall available only	F
106	Unreliable time rate	C
107	Unreliable records, silted inlet or orifice	C
108	Gauge drowned out	C
109	Poor quality records, plotted on strip chart then processed through digitizer	C
110	Stage variable exceeded chart limit	F
140	Level below CTF	A
145	Discharge not reliable Rating under review	B
150	Rating table extrapolated due to inadequate gauging information	C
151	Data not yet available	F
155	Discharge not available Rating under review	F
156	Sensor out ranged	F
160	Water level below sensor	F
201	Data not recorded	F
202	Rating table not available	F
255	No Record	F

Table 3 New South Wales - NSW Department of Industry - Lands and Water
NSW DILW quality code	Description	Bureau quality code
1	RATINGS/TS - No data in the period have been adjusted from sensing system measurement in any way - see code definitions	A
2	TS - Data adjusted during processing - see code definitions	A
3	RATINGS/TS - No data in the period have been adjusted from sensing system measurement in any way - see code definitions	A
4	TS - Data adjusted during processing - see code definitions	A
5	RATINGS/TS - No data in the period have been adjusted from sensing system measurement in any way - see code definitions	A
6	GAUGINGS - Good Gauging to AS3778; TS - Data adjusted during processing - see comments	A
7	RATINGS/TS - Large uncertainty - data in period not adjusted from sensing system measurement in any way - see code definitions; GAUGINGS - Good Gauging	B
8	TS - Data adjusted during processing - see comments	B
9	RATINGS/TS - Large uncertainty - data in period not adjusted from sensing system measurement in any way - see code definitions	B
10	TS - Data adjusted during processing - see comments	B
11	TS-Synthetic or Artificial Data. Data which does not relate directly to the measured variable but for which a valid code is required	C
12	GAUGINGS - Acceptable Gauging	F
17	GAUGINGS - Reasonable Gauging	F
26	TS - Daily, accumulated or spot data	E
30	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - RATINGS/TS - Highly accurate continuous records	B
31	GAUGINGS - Brief Gauging High Flow	F
32	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - TS - Good continuous record.	B
33	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - TS - Good record processed +/- 10mm, within 30 minutes	B
34	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - RATINGS - Good record where number of gaugings >=5, 95% within 10% curve	A
35	GAUGINGS - Normal Gauging Bad Site, Normal Gauging Backwater Affected, Surface Velocities	F
36	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - TS - Good spot samples (daily read) +/-15 minutes	B
38	Pre 1 Nov 1996 - RATINGS/TS - Good record processed prior to 1/11/96	A
39	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - TS - Water level below sensor and no flow/dry stream	C
40	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - TS - Fair measured data	B
41	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - RATINGS/TS - Fair measured data	E
44	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - RATINGS - Fair record where 95% of flow gaugings within 20% of discharge	B
45	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - TS - Spot samples of fair quality, +/- 1 hour	E
46	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - TS - Level estimated to +/-20mm, time unknown	E
51	TS - Data estimated - see comments	C
52	RATINGS - Backwater affected - see comments	B
54	GAUGINGS - Unverified Gauging	F
57	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - TS - Data limited by client spec. fulfils requirement of qc40	B
58	Pre 1 Nov 1996 - TS - Fair record processed prior to 1/11/96	B
60	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - TS - Poor measured data, time +/- 2 hours.	B
61	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - RATINGS/TS - Poor measured data	E
62	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - RATINGS - High segment Rating table gaugings <5	B
63	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - RATINGS - Low segment Rating table gauging<5 (often unstable)	B
64	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - RATINGS - Poor measured data, 95% of flow gaugings within 30% of discharge	B
65	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - TS - Spot samples, conditions as per poor data, +/- 2 hours;	E
66	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - TS - Data within +/-20cm, time unknown	C
67	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - RATINGS/TS - Data limited by client specifications - Poor measured data, time +/- 2 hour	B
68	Pre 1 Nov 1996 - RATINGS/TS - Record processed prior to 1/11/96 considered poor	B
69	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - RATINGS - Rating table gaugings >=5 Less than 95% within 30% of curve	F
71	GAUGINGS - Part Gauged/ Estimated	F
75	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - RATINGS - Reasonable estimate where rating derived by one method	C
77	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - RATINGS/TS - Data limited by client specifications - Poor measured data, time +/- 2 hour	B
80	Pre 1 Nov 1996 - RATINGS - Rating processed prior to 1/11/96, coded estimated (poor)	C
82	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - RATINGS - Good estimate where rating has 3 methods agreeing to 10%	C
91	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - RATINGS - Fair estimate where rating has 2 methods agreeing to 20%	C
94	Pre 1 Nov 1996 - RATINGS - Rating processed prior to 1/11/96, coded extrapolated - good	C
95	Pre 1 Nov 1996 - RATINGS - Rating processed prior to 1/11/96, coded extrapolated - fair	C
100	Quality unknown	E
130	Not quality coded - subject to change	E
140	RATINGS - Current rating - may be subject to change.	E
145	TS - Telemetry system added point	E
151	Pre Aug 2004 QC - Data Not Available	F
152	Pre 21 Aug 2004 - RATINGS/TS - Backwater affected - see comments	F
153	GAUGINGS - Invalid Gauging	F
180	Rating table out of range, no flow available	F
201	Data unavailable	F
255	Data Unavailable	F

Table 4 New South Wales - NSW Water
NSW Water quality code	Description	Bureau quality code
5	Good quality edited data	A
6	Reasonably good quality edited data	B
7	Good quality contractor supplied data	A
8	Good quality data but standards compromised to meet client requirements	B
10	Good quality digitized data	A
11	Good quality record processed pre-1995 and coded either 5 or 6	B
12	Good quality telemetered data	A
19	Good quality rating extrapolation	B
20	Good qual theoretical rating-Standard primary device e.g. weir	B
25	Good quality daily totals derived from logged data	A
26	Good quality daily read records	A
28	Good quality cumulative total for daily readings after an unread period	A
29	Daily read gauge not read	B
30	Below sensor with NO flow conditions	B
31	Evaporation pan overflowed - nil evap.	A
35	Good quality data with fog	B
36	Good quality snow data	A
39	Below instrument threshold	B
40	Good quality estimate (correlation or other reliable method)	A
55	Fair quality edited data	B
57	Fair quality contractor supplied data	C
58	Fair quality data but standards compromised to meet customer requirements	C
60	Fair quality digitised data	B
61	Fair quality record processed pre 1995 and quality coded 55	C
62	Fair quality telemetered data	B
69	Fair quality rating extrapolation	C
70	Fair quality theoretical rating derived by two or more means and not substantiated by discharge observations	B
75	Fair quality daily totals derived from daily read data	B
76	Fair quality daily read record	B
78	Fair quality cumulative total for daily readings after an unread period	B
79	Fair quality daily read gauge not read	B
85	Fair quality data with fog	B
86	Fair quality snow data	B
90	Fair quality estimation (correlation or other method)	B
105	Poor quality edited data	E
107	Poor quality contractor supplied data	E
108	Poor quality data - standards compromised to meet client specifications prior to December 2003	E
110	Poor quality digitised data	E
111	Poor quality records processed pre 1995 and quality coded 105	E
112	Poor quality telemetered data	E
119	Poor quality rating extrapolation	E
120	Poor quality theoretical rating using one formal method of extension & has not been substantiated by discharge observations	E
125	Poor quality daily totals derived from logged data	E
126	Poor quality daily read records	E
128	Poor quality cumulative total for daily readings after an unread period	E
129	Poor quality daily read gauge not read	E
135	Poor quality data with fog	E
136	Poor quality data with snow	E
140	Estimate that reasonably reflects the actual event with edit comments inserted to explain method of estimation	E
149	Contractors data supplied without quality codes	E
150	Data not yet quality coded	E
151	Backwater affected	E
152	Data for which quality	E
160	Above instrument threshold (Range of instrument exceeded)	E
161	SENSOR OUT OF WATER WITH FLOW	E
162	SENSOR OUT OF WATER WITH NO FLOW	E
181	Time of sample not known - data satisfactory	E
201	Data not recorded - logger/sensor not installed	F
202	Data not available for release (e.g. requires extensive editing)	F
204	Data lost due to vandalism	F
205	Data lost	F
207	Contractors data lost or not recorded	F
255	Hydsys default - no data	F

Table 5 Northern Territory - Department of Environment and Natural Resources
DENR quality code	Description	Bureau quality code
1	Good - continuous data	A
2	good quality - continuous data - some minor editing	A
6	Good Point data-manually entered which adequately represents continuous record	A
7	Good Isolated Point	A
11	Good Gauging	A
41	Good Rating	A
45	Good Rating Extrapolated	A
51	Satisfactory - continuous data	B
52	Satisfactory - estimated continuous data	B
56	Satisfactory Point data—manually entered—which adequately represents data	B
57	Satisfactory Isolated Point	B
61	Satisfactory Gauging	B
91	Satisfactory Rating	B
95	Satisfactory Rating - extrapolated	B
101	Poor - continuous data	B
102	Poor - estimated continuous data	B
106	Poor Point data manually entered	B
107	Poor Isolated Point	B
109	Estimated Data - original lost	C
111	Poor Gauging	B
141	Poor Rating	B
142	Telemetry data. No visual verification. Final quality code not yet assigned.	E
145	Poor rating - extrapolated	B
146	Rating based on theoretical method, use with caution	C
149	Gauging with no Calibration Reading	E
150	Rating under Review - not Quality Coded	E
151	Blank or no data (Met. Bureau rainfall only)	F
152	Incomplete record	E
162	Severe tidal influence - not to be integrated	E
170	Data not processed [Historic, Q=Y]	E
171	Data awaiting editing and quality coding.	E
172	Isolated point - no integration/not quality coded	E
173	Tidal influence- Orig. data (VAR=100)+ Integrated data (VAR=102	E
174	Vax conversion code: data to be Edited to another Qual. code	E
175	Dry - below orifice	B
176	Wet - below orifice	B
190	Missing record, gap auto filled.	F
192	Lookup Table - exceeded	F
250	Non-sensible record - used for Time or below Inlet, above CTF	F
251	Non-sensible record, sensor outranged	F
252	Sensor broken	F
253	Logger broken	F
254	No Recorded Data (Instrumentation removed)	F
255	No Record or Record Lost	F

Table 6 Queensland - Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy
DNRME quality code	Description	Bureau quality code
1	Good (actual)	A
9	CITEC - Normal Reading	A
10	Good	A
15	Water level below threshold (no flow)	A
19	CITEC - No Flow Reading	A
20	Fair	A
26	BOM data - Good Daily Read Records	A
30	Poor	B
31	Gauging temp - Good	A
32	Gauging temp - Fair	A
33	Gauging temp - Poor	B
34	Gauging temp - composite	B
35	Gauging temp - equipment problems causing incomplete gauging - suspect procedures and methods. Possible inflow between gauging and station.	B
36	Gauging temp - Velocity measurements taken on surface only or velocity measurements with floats.	B
37	Gauging temp - Discharge correlated from U/S or D/S stations.	B
38	Gauging temp - Interim code for data transferred from CITEC. Data not yet Quality Coded.	E
39	Gauging temp - Data of No Value	F
59	CITEC - Derived Height	A
60	Estimate	C
69	CITEC - Derived Discharge	A
79	CITEC - Backwater Record	B
80	BOM data - Accumulated	A
119	Old - Gauge Ht > instrument threshold	C
130	Not coded value	E
140	Interim value	E
150	Unknown	E
151	Data not yet available	F
160	Suspect	F
170	Water level above threshold	F
180	Old - Gauge Height < Instrument Threshold	F
200	Water level below threshold	F

Table 7 South Australia - Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources
DEWNR quality code	Description	Bureau quality code
1	Good	A
25	Operational Data	A
30	Fair	B
31	Fair - Estimated	C
36	Fair - Extrapolated Rating	B
37	Fair - Theoretical Rating	B
40	Fair - Extrapolated Rating	C
41	Fair - Theoretical Rating	C
54	Fair - Smoothed Data	B
80	Fair - Accumulated Data	B
81	Fair - Accumulated Total	B
82	Fair - Straight Line Interpolation Between Points	B
84	Fair - Rainfall Less Than 0.2mm	B
85	Fair - Redistributed Accumulated Daily Data	C
90	Poor	C
91	Poor - Estimated	C
100	Poor - Extrapolated Rating	C
101	Poor - Theoretical Rating	C
102	Poor - Extrapolated Rating	C
108	Poor - Theoretical Rating	C
127	Poor - Nil Daily Record within Accumulated Period	C
128	Poor - Accumulated Total for Preceding Period of Daily Data.	C
129	Poor - Distributed Total	C
130	Water Level Below Recordable Range	E
132	Quality Unknown	E
150	Unverified Telemetered Data	E
153	Not Recorded - Outside Recordable Range	F
154	Not Operating	F
201	Missing	F
202	Missing - Outside Rating Range	F

Table 8 Tasmania - Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water & Environment
DPIPWE quality code	Description	Bureau quality code
1	Excellent Data	A
3	Excellent Rating	A
11	Good Data	A
13	Good Rating	A
21	Fair Data	B
22	Good Estimate	B
23	Fair Rating	B
24	Good Theoretical Rating	B
25	Forecast data from modelling program	C
29	Data from external source, minor checking and editing completed.	E
30	Data from external source, no checking or editing done.	E
31	Poor	C
32	Fair Estimated data	C
33	Poor Rating	C
34	Fair estimated rating	C
42	Poor estimated data	C
44	Poor estimated rating	C
101	Data checked and found unreliable	E
141	SCADA data not verified.	E
142	Telemetry data not verified.	E
145	Failed minimum range check	E
146	Failed maximum range check	E
147	Non Conforming data. Known Errors.	E
150	Unverified Data or Rating. Final quality yet to be assigned.	E
180	Unprocessed Record	F
190	Lost record or insufficient data for reasonable archive	F
200	No data available for this period	F
201	Rating application error	F
202	Data point below lower limit of rating	F
203	Data point above upper limit of rating	F
204	No rating for chosen period of data	F
205	No applicable rating	F
210	Undefined Vector	F
211	Integration method not appropriate	F
212	Differentiation method not appropriate	F
213	Data type change or other error - No Aggregation	F
214	Data type change or other error - No Interpolation	F
220	Value of time series point unknown	F
225	Serial Run Gap. Check reason then assign appropriate code	F
230	User specified limits exceeded in analysis	F

Table 9 Tasmania - Hydro-Electric Corporation (Hydro Tasmania)
HEC-TAS quality code	Description	Bureau quality code
1	Excellent Data	E
3	Excellent Rating	E
5	NEM Energy Metering, Actual Meter	E
7	Good data. Confirmed by site visit. (Dam Safety data only)	E
11	Good Data	E
13	Good Rating	E
21	Fair Data	E
22	Good Estimated Data.	E
23	Fair Rating	E
24	Good Extrapolated Rating	E
25	Modelled or Derived data. Includes forecast data or data derived from ratings etc.	E
27	Interim code for telemetered data visually checked on graphical editor against appropriate comparison plots. No fault found but a more definitive final code cannot be assigned until after a field visit.	E
29	Data from source external to Resource Monitoring & Information Group. Minor checking & editing may have been done.	E
30	No requirement for Quality Coding and/or checking or editing. Data is often from source external to Resource Monitoring & Information Group.	E
31	Poor Data	E
32	Fair Estimated Data	E
33	Poor Rating	E
34	Fair Extrapolated Rating	E
40	Excluded Gauging. A gauging that has been formally identified and excluded as part of a rating review. The gauging comment will say why it was excluded. No code necessary.	E
41	Important Comment ...	E
42	Poor Estimated Data	E
44	Poor Extrapolated Rating	E
101	Data that has been checked and found to be unreliable.	F
138	NEM Energy Metering, Estimated Energy Data	E
139	NEM Energy Metering, Final estimation or substitution	E
140	Manually acquired. Unverified data. May have been visually inspected. Final quality code not yet assigned.	E
141	SCADA data. Not verified. Final quality code not yet assigned.	E
142	Telemetry data. Not verified. Final quality code not yet assigned. [Same code marker (T) as Q149]	E
143	Acquired data, not verified, flagged by source as suspect. For SCADA data the associated source Q code is 128. Final quality code yet to be assigned.	E
144	NEM Energy Metering, Substitution	E
145	Minimum range check threshold exceeded. Final quality code not yet assigned. Don’t tinker with it. It is also assigned in the system setup table See also Q155 and 191	E
146	Maximum range check threshold exceeded. Final quality code not yet assigned. Don’t tinker with it. It is also assigned in the system setup table See also Q156 and 191	E
147	Non conforming data. Known errors. LOW IMPACT. Final quality code not yet assigned.	E
149	Data from an EXTERNAL source. No verification. Final quality code not assigned and, for many cases, it may never be assigned. [Same code marker (T) as Q142]	E
150	Partial Statistic - some data missing in period. A SYSTEM quality code applied to data when processing/outputting. Not to be applied by individuals as a quality code when editing data.	F
155	Minimum range check threshold exceeded, data excluded from analysis. Data value is preserved. Used by automated range check scripts see also Q code 145 and 191	F
156	Maximum range check threshold exceeded, data excluded from analysis. Data value is preserved. Used by automated range check scripts see also Q code 146 and 191	F
157	Control value not for inclusion in analysis	F
160	Where a param val does not exist at that time (a); Null turbidity when 0 flow in a stream (b); Vals exceed range vals of deliberately limited range sensor (c); Input series to virtual out of range (d).	F
170	Non conforming data. Known errors. HIGH IMPACT. Final quality code not yet assigned.	F
180	Unprocessed Record, data exists (e.g. charts) but not yet imported.	F
190	Lost record, erroneous data or insufficient data for reasonable archive; or DATA lost from an OPEN site.	F
191	Lost data where out of range data deemed spurious has been amended as it was archived. The data value is what the spurious value was clipped to. Pre-existing clips have not been converted to output to t	F
200	No data available for this series for the period. Associated with series that are CLOSED and later RE-OPENED. Do not confuse with QC190 that covers data that was lost from an OPEN site.	F
201	Error occurred in applying rating equation to data	F
202	Data point below lower limit of rating	F
203	Data point above upper limit of rating	F
204	Period found but specified rating does not exist	F
205	No application period found for data point. Rating period error.	F
206	No conversion available	F
207	Interpolation error. This may be caused by a timing error or by incompatible data types.	F
208	Rating/conversion is non invertible.	F
209	Chain conversion uses datum which is outside range of rating	F
210	Undefined vector. Resultant vector has zero length.	F
211	Integration inappropriate for this data type - data types 3,4,7	F
212	Differentiation inappropriate for this data type - data types 2,3,4,7,8,9	F
213	Data Type change or other problem encountered - no Aggregation allowed.	F
214	Data Type change or other problem encountered - no Interpolation allowed.	F
220	No value or quality associated with current point.	F
225	Gap between time series records. Code assigned when gap is filled automatically by archiving operations. Check reason and then assign appropriate quality code	F
230	Original quality in user specified exclusion range. Generated by QMax and QExclude transformations.	F
255	Used for initialisation purposes	F

Table 10 Victoria - Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
DELWP quality code	Description	Bureau quality code
1	Good continuous records	A
2	Good quality edited data	A
3	Linear infill to first value in block (no data lost)	A
4	Temporary coded for Currumbeene data	E
5	Drawdown - chart rating applies	A
6	Phased Rating Applicable - gradual changing of control & channel	A
8	Pool reading only	A
9	Pool dry - no data collected	A
10	Data transposed from recorder chart	A
13	Accurate derived data from multiple sources (level & flow)	A
14	Telemetry data not stored in archive	A
15	Minor editing	A
20	Edited to measurements	A
26	Daily read records (MW - Good periodic data)	A
30	Good Meas. - mult. point; 40 sec timing (Good acc. data - MW)	A
31	Good Meas. - Adeq. verts & obs; 40 sec timing (Good acc. data - MW)	A
32	Fair Measurement - Weighted mean gauge height; turbulent flow; flow angle extreme	B
35	Composite Measurement - Segments taken from several gaugings to create a composite	B
36	Measurement for sampling purposes. Rough estimate	C
42	Low velocity acoustic record affected by wind or gate opening	E
50	Medium editing >Q=15 (1996 on & MW) or HYMAN data import (pre-1996)	B
75	Height correction applied	B
76	Reliable interpolation	B
77	Correlation with other station; same variable	B
100	Irregular data use with caution	E
104	Records estimated	C
146	Drawdown - no rating applies	E
148	Theoretical rating table applied	C
149	Raw data as received from Serco (MW)	E
150	Rating extrapolated due to insufficient gaugings (Unrel. data - MW)	C
151	Data lost due to natural causes - NRE approved loss	F
152	Refer station file	E
153	PROBE OUT OF WATER/BELOW INSTRUMENT THRESHOLD	F
155	ABOVE INSTRUMENT THRESHOLD	F
160	Backed-up by d/s influence. (Unreliable periodic data - MW)	E
161	Debris Effecting Sensor.	F
165	Suspect or bad data supplied by other authority	E
170	Raw unedited data stored in archive (Unrel. accum. data - MW)	E
180	Equipment malfunction	F
190	Data unavailable station discontinued	F
200	Data available but not digitised	F
201	Data not rec. - no correlation available (Station not op. - MW)	F
235	Poor Measurement - Not enough verticals or observations; not enough information	E
236	Suspect or Incomplete Measurement - Equipment suspect or giving problems causing measurement to be aborted.	E
237	Surface Velocities - Velocity measurements taken on surface only.	B
238	Control Leaking - Control leaking; either as noted on measurement or chart.	E
239	Backed up Flow Measurement - Measurement is affected by backup.	A
240	Not Coded Measurement - Measurement not coded as per HYDSYS System.	E
250	Rating table suspended	F
254	Rating table exceeded	F
255	No Data Exists (Lost data - MW)	F

Table 11 Victoria - Melbourne Water Corporation
Melbourne Water quality code	Description	Bureau quality code
1	Very good data-no editing required (+/- 1-5mm error or +/-5% deviation from Bulk or Cal check +/-3% and Excellent reference to nearby gauge)	A
2	Good quality edited data-minor editing only (+/-5% deviation from Bulk or Calibration check +/-3% and Excellent reference to nearby gauge)	A
3	Linear infill to first value in block (no data loss - Thiess Quality)	B
7	Very good data/ rating not applicable due to backwater effect	A
8	Pool reading only (Thiess Quality)	A
9	Pool dry - no data collected (Thiess Quality)	E
14	Unknown quality	E
15	Minor editing only (Thiess Quality)	A
19	Good quality rating extrapolation	A
26	Good periodical data (MWH)	A
27	Good periodical data (Others - not continuous reading)	A
30	Good accumulated data (MWH - continuous reading)/ Good measurement - multi point 40 sec timing	A
31	Good accumulated data (Others - continuous reading)/ Good measurement - adeq. verts & obs -40sec timing	A
32	Fair measurement - weighted mean gauge height/ turbulent flow/ flow angle extreme	E
33	3 point measurement - applicable in narrow sections e.g. sewers	E
34	Bucket measurement - applicable to weirs/ pipe outflow etc.	E
35	Composite measurement - segments taken from several gaugings to create a composite	E
36	Measurement for sampling purposes - rough estimate	C
41	Good Data not validated by other means	A
50	Good or Reliable data-medium editing required (+/- 5-10mm error or +/-10% deviation from Bulk or Cal check +/-5%/ Good ref to nearby gauge)	A
57	Good/reliable data or rating not applicable due to backwater	A
65	Other authorities data (Thiess Quality)	B
69	Fair quality rating extrapolation	B
75	Fair data-major editing required (+/- 10-15mm error or +/-15% deviation from Bulk or Cal check +/-7% and Fair reference to nearby gauge)	B
76	Fair data/ edited by correlation with another site/ gaps <0.5day filled by interpolation	B
77	Reliable data correlation with another station same variable	C
79	Fair data/ rating not applicable due to backwater effect	B
82	Linear interpolation across gap in records	B

101	Reliable data estimate using good correlation with other variable/ Estimated Rating or regenerated velocity sewerage data	C
120	Estimated data not using correlation (ave. dry weather hydrograph used) or Rating extrapolated	C
130	Estimated periodical data/ slightly suspect staff gauge readings	C
140	Estimated accumulated data/ slightly suspect check bottle reading, etc.	C
147	Raw unverified data from source system (e.g. SCADA/ Logger)	E
148	Theoretical rating table applied	C
149	Raw data as received from contractor/ only quality codes changed	B
150	Poor data/ historical rating or rating not verified/ use with caution at clients discretion	F
151	Poor or unverified data. Use with caution (+/- 15-25mm error or +/-20% deviation from Bulk or Cal check +/-10% and poor ref to nearby gauge)	F
153	Probe out of water or outside instrument threshold	F
155	Poor data due to reasons beyond the control of hydrographic contractor	F
157	Poor data/ rating not applicable due to backwater or drawdown effect	F
160	Unreliable data (>25mm error) or unreliable periodical data	F
161	Unreliable data due to reasons beyond the control of hydrographic contractor	F
170	Unreliable accumulated data/ suspect check reading	F
201	Station not commissioned - instrument not installed or known not to be working or no sewerage data	F
204	Unknown Quality (perhaps introduced from another agency)	E
235	Poor measurement - not enough verticals or observations	F
236	Suspect or incomplete measurement - equipment problems causing measurement to be aborted	F
237	Surface velocities - velocity measurement taken on surface only	B
238	Control leaking as noted on measurement or chart	B
239	Backed up flow measurement - measurement affected by back water	B
240	Data lost due to reasons beyond the control of hydrographic contractor	F
241	Data lost	F
250	Invalid data due to telemetry system fault	F
253	No rating table period for site	F
254	No data available or rating table exceeded	F
255	Gap Quality	F

Table 12 Victoria - Murray Darling Basin Authority
MDBA quality code	Description	Bureau quality code
1	Reliable measured continuous data.	A
10	Credible continuous data	A
20	Reliable Intermittent data.	A
30	Measured edited fair quality	B
40	Modelled/correlated/estimated	C
50	Interpolated and edited measured data	C
60	Credible Intermittent	C
70	Measured data - poor quality	C
80	Modelled/correlated/extrapolated/interpolated	C
90	Poor Intermittent	C
100	Dubious data - see comments	C
120	Correlated/interpolated - QC unknown	C
132	Manually entered data - QC unknown	C
136	Auto/Tele entered data -QC unknown	C
138	Daily Point Data	C
140	Intermittent - QC unknown	C
150	MAXIMUM GOOD QUALITY	C
155	Data lost - continuous	F
160	Data lost - Intermittent	F
213	Missing Data	F
240	Unverified Continuous Ops Data	F
242	Suspect Continuous Ops Data- Hyaudit failed	F

Table 13 Western Australia - Department of Water and Environmental Regulation
DWER WA quality code	Description	Bureau quality code
1	Very good record	A
2	Very good record - Corrections applied	A
3	Good record - Corrections or estimations applied	A
4	Estimated record - Good	C
5	Estimated record - Fair	C
6	Estimated record - Poor	C
10	Estimated record - Not reviewed / quality not known	E
11	Theoretical rating	C
12	Estimated rating	C
24	Rainday within period of accumulated record	B
25	Accumulated record	A
30	Station data, as supplied by BoM	E
31	Deaccumulated using nearby station	C
32	Deaccumulated using interpolated data	C
33	Nearby station, data from BoM	E
34	Interpolated daily observations	B
35	Interpolated long term average	C
41	Gauging - Excellent	A
42	Gauging - Good	A
43	Gauging - Fair	B
44	Gauging - Poor	B
100	Sample Group Code - WIN SAMP CUSTODIANS	E
101	Sample Group Code - WIN SAMP CUSTODIANS	E
102	Sample Group Code - WIN SAMP CUSTODIANS	E
103	Sample Group Code - WIN SAMP CUSTODIANS	E
104	Sample Group Code - WIN SITE SAMPLE CUST	E
105	Sample Group Code - WIN SITE SAMPLE CUST	E
106	Sample Group Code - WIN SITE SAMPLE CUST	E
107	Sample Group Code - WIN SITE SAMPLE CUST	E
108	Sample Group Code - WIN INV CUSTODIANS	E
109	Sample Group Code - WIN INV CUSTODIANS	E
110	Sample Group Code - WIN INV CUSTODIANS	E
111	Sample Group Code - WIN INV CUSTODIANS	E
151	Below inlet	F
152	Not available	F
161	Unrated	E

Implementation of quality codes in Hydrologic Reference Stations

In the implementation of streamflow quality codes in Hydrologic Reference Stations, the five quality code descriptions were simplified for general users. Table 14 gives the Hydrologic Reference Stations classification of these quality codes.

For data supplied as quality ‘F’ by data providers, that is the record set is not of release quality or contains missing data, these gaps are filled and termed as quality ‘G’.

Table 14 Streamflow quality codes in Hydrologic Reference Stations
Quality	Description	Classification in Hydrologic Reference Stations
A	The record set is the best available given the technologies, techniques and monitoring objectives at the time of classification.	Best available data
B	The record set is compromised in its ability to represent the parameter accurately.	Good data
C	The record set is an estimate.	Poor data
E	The record set’s ability to represent the monitored parameter accurately is not known.	Unreliable data
G	The record set is not of release quality or contains missing data. Therefore these gaps in data are filled.	Gap-filled data

Figure 1 shows the graphical representation of streamflow data quality in Hydrologic Reference Stations classification for a site. An example of daily data download is given in Table 15, where the Bureau’s quality code corresponding to the provider’s quality code is given. This report is useful for advanced users who would like to know the data quality in more detail.

Graphical representation of streamflow data quality codes in Hydrologic Reference Stations classification
Figure 1 Graphical representation of streamflow data quality codes in Hydrologic Reference Stations classification

Table 15 An example of data download with Bureau's quality codes
Date	Flow (ML)	Bureau’s quality code
15/01/1966	38.842	A
16/01/1966	37.734	A
17/01/1966	36.604	A
18/01/1966	35.679	A
19/01/1966	35.181	A
20/01/1966	34.869	A
21/01/1966	34.559	A
22/01/1966	34.251	B
23/01/1966	34.098	G
24/01/1966	34.098	C
25/01/1966	34.887	C
26/01/1966	55.988	C
27/01/1966	58.718	C
28/01/1966	54.517	C
29/01/1966	51.508	C
30/01/1966	48.727	C

References

Viney, N., McMahon, T.A. and Chiew, F.H.S. 2010. Classification of streamflow datasets for Bureau of Meteorology national streamflow database. Bureau of Meteorology, Report in press.