Environmental Data Center
The Environmental Data Center manages and analyzes CBNERR-VA data products in support of program goals. The Data Center maintains two water quality monitoring databases and associated web applications, including the Virginia Estuarine and Coastal Observing System (http://vecos.vims.edu) and the Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative Data Explorer (https://cmc.vims.edu/), accounting for hundreds of thousands of water quality samples in the Chesapeake Bay.
Virginia Estuarine and Coastal Observing System (VECOS)
The Virginia Estuarine and Coastal Observing System (VECOS) is a website designed to distribute the results of water quality and meteorological data monitoring efforts from the Chesapeake Bay and associated tributaries within Virginia. These data are provided from a variety of monitoring programs conducted by the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - Viginia, including high resolution mapping of surface water quality (DATAFLOW) and high-frequency measurements of water quality taken every 15 minutes from fixed, shallow water monitoring stations (CONMON). VECOS also provides links to external monitoring programs, including water quality and meteorological monitoring at deep water locations in the Chesapeake Bay as part of the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System (CBIBS), meteorological monitoring locations specific to the York River watershed, and long-term routine water quality sampling, typically taken 12-20 times per year since 1985 through the Chesapeake Bay Program (Longterm).
Link to the VECOS web application
Chesapeake Data Explorer
The Chesapeake Data Explorer is a tool for storing and sharing data collected by a network of water quality and benthic macroinvertebrate monitors working with the Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative. These data are publicly accessible and are shared directly with the Chesapeake Bay Program and other data users.
Link to the Chesapeake Data Explorer web application
For questions regarding the Environmental Data Center, please contact David Parrish, Environmental Data Center Manager