Tribal Water Data Initiatives

Welcome to the Water Boards' Tribal Water Data Initiatives Webpage!

The Office of Information Management and Analysis (OIMA) was established in 2008 to serve as an advocate for more open and transparent water data management and sharing. Meaningful engagement and partnership with California Native American Tribes is fundamental to this work. OIMA has begun to work with Tribal partners on a series of water data initiatives to build relationships and work together to better understand, streamline, and improve the interactions between Water Board data systems and those of our Tribal government partners

  Tribal Water Data Initiatives

SWAMP Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program Realignment

Through the realignment efforts described in the Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program Realignment Plan, the Program is actively working to ensure bioaccumulation monitoring continues to be aligned with the public’s needs, particularly in areas that are important for subsistence by traditionally underrepresented communities, as well as tribal traditions, culture, and subsistence

SWAMP Freshwater Harmful Algal Bloom (FHAB) Database Modernization

The Freshwater and Estuarine Harmful Algal Bloom (FHAB) Program has been updating and modernizing the database that is used to track and respond to FHABs in California. This process has included developing partnerships with The Internet of Water, The Commons, CA Tribes, and other non-governmental organizations to develop a process to ingest non-state FHAB monitoring data into the CA FHAB database.

SWAMP eDNA Metabarcoding Monitoring and Analysis Project (SeMMAP)

The focus of SeMMAP is to gain understanding of how environmental DNA (eDNA) can enable SWAMP to maximize resources while integrating statewide monitoring programs and partnering with Tribal governments and community science organizations. eDNA is a rapidly expanding field of scientific research in both terrestrial and aquatic environments that demands research and rigorous testing to understand its application as a water quality monitoring method. SeMMAP will be exploring the new fields of eDNA and open science while employing novel data collection and data management processes. Moreover, SeMMAP will work with our partners in the collection and analysis of eDNA samples so they can meaningfully engage in our decision-making process all while collecting and receiving data that is relevant to their needs.

2021 California Water Boards Water Data Science Symposium

On June 28 - 30, 2021 SWAMP and the California Water Quality Monitoring Council hosted the Sixth Annual California Water Data Science Symposium. This free annual event aims to enhance how water quality monitoring generates and uses meaningful data to inform equitable water quality management decisions. The 2021 Program highlighted speakers that intentionally use data to educate, inform, or address racial inequities in California, and Tribal perspectives and voices were elevated throughout the event.

  Quick Links

  Tribal Data Sovereignty Resources

  Relevant Open Water Datasets