1. Principal investigator(s) & contact persons - List the individuals responsible for the design, implementation and/or continuation of the dataset. Include name, title, mailing address, telephone number and e-mail address.

2. Entry verification - Explain how the data were verified before being submitted to Estuary-Net. List persons responsible for this task.

3. Experimental design - Describe briefly the nature of the experiment or monitoring program. Include monitoring objective, and educational outcomes and objectives if applicable.

4. Research methods - Detail the specifics of all calibrations, field protocols, lab protocols, QA/QC, and data collection.

5. Site location and character - Describe your general sampling area (waterbodies) and the specifics about your sampling sites and stations. General site characteristics should include the following when applicable: tidal range, freshwater input (amount and type), salinity range, drainage catchment area, size of waterbody (km of shoreline), latitude and longitude, headwaters, estuarine drainage, other. Specifics should include: water depth, benthic habitat, known pollutants, shoreland vegetation, per cent shade, pools and riffles, human usage/objects, USGS Quad map reference, other.

6. Data collection period - Exact starting date and/or ending date and date/increment of collection.

7. Associated researchers and projects - Any researchers, agency representatives, or community groups that are working in association with you. Any other research or data collection associated with your project that might enhance this dataset.

1. Column sequence, format, range of measurements units - A list of the order in which the data columns appear, the width and labels of your columns, the measurement range for each column, and the units of measurement. (This will be standardized if using an Estuary-Net Table.)

2. Variable identifier, data type, resolution, and accuracy - The full name of each variable; the type of data - alpha, numeric, category; the precision of your measurements.

3. Coded variables - Explanation of all codes used in table, including sites.

4. Data anomalies - Explanation of all suspect data. Give dates and variables which are suspect and reasoning for being suspect.

5. Missing data - Describe all missing data by dates and variables.

6. Other Remarks - Any further documentation necessary.

1. Metadata is saved as a report and sent to your watershed coordinator.

2. Metadata can be downloaded. Always download metadata with data tables and save with that data table.