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Evaluation of Volunteer Data Quality
continued
Comparison of Long-Term Averages
If a lake site used in the annual average comparison was sampled by both LMVP and MU during four or more years, the lake was included in this analysis. The comparison of long term averages emphasizes year-to-year variation as opposed to the sample-to-sample variation that was the focus of the annual average comparisons. Aggregation of data into a long term average reduces the influence of extreme values and provides a better assessment of a lake sites true water quality. |
Kurt filters water for analysis 
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| A total of 23 different sites from 11 lakes were compared, with individual sites being monitored between 4 to 10 years. None of the comparisons made in this analysis were significantly different for any of the five parameters. This means that once sample-to-sample variability is reduced through aggregation of data, the LMVP and MU data were extremely comparable. The comparability of the long-term phosphorus averages can be seen in Figure 2 (note how close to the 1:1 line the symbols fall). |
Figure 2
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Back to the Spring/Summer 2006 Water Line
Brought to you by the Lakes of
Missouri Volunteer Program |
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