USACE Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory Quality Controlled, Consistent Measurement Archive

Area of Science:

• Oceanography
• Coastal Engineering
• Data Science

Background:

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) data are crucial for US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) wave models and coastal applications.
• Inconsistent data storage, metadata, and quality control across NDBC archives hinder reliable data utilization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an independent, quality-controlled, and consistent (QCC) Measurement Archive for NDBC buoy data.
• To address data inconsistencies and improve the reliability of NDBC measurements for USACE applications.

Main Methods:

• Developed an independent archive to capture the best available NDBC observations with verified metadata.
• Implemented a methodology focusing on geographical location and wave parameters for data quality improvements.
• Ensured the archive is self-describing for consistent storage and geographical quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC).

Main Results:

• Demonstrated improvements in data quality through examples of geographical location and wave parameters.
• Established a database of consistently stored, geographically QA/QC'd NDBC data and metadata.
• The archive removes known erroneous data but does not verify data quality from alternate sources.

Conclusions:

• The USACE QCC Measurement Archive provides a reliable and consistent source of NDBC data.
• This archive enhances the validation of wave models and supports coastal applications.
• Standardized data access and quality control improve the usability of critical oceanographic measurements.