Summary of Minimum Requirements for Documenting Stage-Area Ratings

This table provides a summary of the minimum requirements for documenting stage-area ratings, as specified in USGS, Office of Surface Water Technical Memo 2015.05.

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Stage-Area Rating Documentation	Electronic Data Archive or Rating Spreadsheet or Analysis Tool	Station Analysis	Station Description
Standard cross-section field survey data: survey notes, ADCP files, etc.	Required
Geographic location of standard cross-section	Possible	Possible	Required
Methods and equipment used to survey standard cross-section	Possible	Possible	Required
Methods and equipment used to survey standard cross-section for current stage-area rating in use (if methods vary among surveys)	Possible	Required
Field survey date and time	Possible	Required	Possible
Software used to develop rating (should be AreaComp2)	Possible	Required
NWIS rating number, applicable dates, and applicable range of stage	Possible	Required
AreaComp2 output: stage-area rating table and final cross-section table	Required
AreaComp2 *.mat file	Required
Rating validation analysis: description of survey, comparison of areas, and comparison of cross-section shape	Possible	Required
Rating validation survey field data: survey notes, ADCP files, etc.	Required
Rating validation survey AreaComp output and .act files	Required

The term "Possible" indicates that it is possible for the specified information to be documented in that location, however it also must be documented in the location listed as "Required".