4/06

Greetings from the CAL and April notes, Reminder:  Please fill in the daily precipitation type on the FORF by circling R, S, M, or U (Rain, Snow, Mixed, or Unknown). 2007 CALendar:  We are still accepting pictures and write-ups from you for next year's CALendar.  If you have questions or to submit items e-mail cal@sws.uiuc.edu or call 217-244-0868.  Two important attachments are included in this months preliminary report:  A memo is enclosed that explains the new "NTN Monthly Preliminary Data Report to Sites" formatting changes which went into effect with this month's report.  Many improvements were made and we hope you like the new style. We'd like to hear from you.  Send comments to cal@sws.uiuc.edu  A memo concerning warm season site operations and a questionnaire for "Summerizing" your Belfort raingage are enclosed.  Please review these site maintenance issues and return the questionnaire to the CAL.   http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu/cal/ E-mail: cal@sws.uiuc.edu     Back to reminders

5/06 We are continuing to accept submissions for the 2007 CALendar We need  you to help us see the beauty and uniqueness of your site and  tell us about it as VA28 personnel did last year (see cover image below). Send the information requested below by Monday, June 19, 2006: Picture(s) from your site (in print or digital format) – The pictures can feature site personnel, the natural beauty of your area, or anything else of interest near the site. They do not necessarily have to feature NADP equipment. Be creative! A paragraph about your site – You can highlight achievements of the personnel, research conducted at the site, and/or interesting facts about the area. If applicable, include a web address. This is an opportunity to educate hundreds of NADP participants about your site. Email these items to pbedient@sws.uiuc.edu or mail them to: Pam Bedient NADP Central Analytical Laboratory Illinois State Water Survey 2204 Griffith Drive Champaign, IL 61820   Priority will be given to sites that have not already been featured in a previous year. If you have any questions or  suggestions, I can be reached at (217)244-0868 or pbedient@sws.uiuc.edu. Thank you so much for your contributions. I look forward to hearing from you!   http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu/cal/ E-mail: cal@sws.uiuc.edu   Back to reminders 6/06 Since you changed your lid seals this month, we thought it would be a good time to review the procedure for changing the dry-side buckets. This is discussed in detail in the NTN Site Operation Manual and covered in the “Maintenance Procedures” section in the back of the CALendar. Maintaining dry-side bucket and foam lid seal:  On the first Tuesday of every month change the dry-side bucket when you perform the wet-side bucket change. This is necessary to ensure a clean surface for the lid seal to rest upon during precipitation events when the wet bucket is exposed. Each site should have two buckets dedicated to dry-side use. One bucket will be installed on the collector while the other should be cleaned, bagged, and ready to use as a replacement. Both buckets should be CLEARLY labeled “Dry-Side Use Only.” Cleaning the dry-side bucket:  1) rinse the bucket inside and out with lots of tap water. Scrub the bucket with a sponge or paper towel to remove any debris and dirt film (do NOT use soap or alcohol), 2) rinse the bucket with distilled water and shake out the excess, and 3) place the bucket in a spare CAL bucket bag and fasten with a twist tie. Changing the dry-side bucket:  1) when its time to change the dry-side bucket, take the replacement bucket, a squeeze bottle with distilled water, and some lint-free tissues to the site. If you do not have a replacement dry-side bucket, remove a clean bucket from your supply and label it plainly as described above (ask CAL to send you a replacement bucket), 2) stop the collector when it is halfway between the buckets [follow the procedure in Section 3.2.3 (pages 3-6 to 3-7) of the NTN Site Operation Manual], then wipe the underside of the lid seal to remove any debris using a clean, lint-free tissue dampened with distilled water, 3) wipe the top of the roof, the frame and the sensor to remove bird droppings or other accumulated debris that could enter the sample bucket from splash, 4) install the clean dry-side bucket and plug in the collector, 5) install the wet side bucket, and 6) note your work in the “Remarks” section of the FORF. Do not return dry-side buckets to the CAL.     http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu/cal/ E-mail: cal@sws.uiuc.edu   Back to reminders