New Feature - Combined Location Graphs

Graphing data for 5 locations on a single graph now available on WDFN

Graphing data for multiple locations on a single graph is here! As part of our modernization effort, we are happy to announce a new page from Water Data for the Nation. The new Combined Location Graph page allows users to view and share the latest data for up to 5 monitoring locations on a single graph. This feature was highly-requested by our users in order to replace and improve on legacy functionality.

Data from up to 5 monitoring locations can be shown simultaneously on a single plot with easy-to- read colors. Users can see a readout of the observations in a table below the plot by hovering over the graph. The data type and monitoring locations can be easily changed using a form on the same page, allowing users to share and reconfigure their favorite custom graph.

The Combined Location Graph is one of the key new offerings to ensure our modernized web presense continues to meet the needs of our users. As Water Data for the Nation replaces our legacy NWISweb, we are reviewing content, talking to users, and ensuring that major use cases are still supported in our new system. Learn more about how this page, as well as other new features, fit into the WDFN ecosystem and which data graph best suits your needs .

Key Features

Using various user research methods including talking to legacy users and evaluating our website analytics, the WDFN team has come out with an initial feature set to put in front of our users for extended testing. The new Combined Location Graph is intended to replace the functionality currently provided by the legacy combined current conditions graphs when it is considered stable. Highlighted features include:

• Graph the latest sensor data from up to 5 monitoring locations simultaneously
• View data from the last 7 days by default, with the option to change the graph time span between 7 days, 30 days, and 120 days.
• Zoom the graph in to view interesting events
• Allows for easy updates to the monitoring locations and data type on the graph so users can adapt as their needs change over time.
• Graph is readable on any device type: mobile, desktop, or tablet with zooming capabilities to add even more flexibility
• Gives feedback to users when data type or a monitoring location is not available so the user can decide how to move forward.

Legacy Comparison

For comparison purposes, an example chart is provided using a couple of locations on Maiden Creek in Pennsylvania:

• Example legacy Combined Current Conditions Graph
• Example Combined Location Graph

What’s next?

An announcement will go out with the date for the decommission of the legacy Combined Current Conditions Graph pages, which is expected to occur before the full legacy current conditions pages are decommissioned. Stay tuned and thank you for your continued patience as we balance many different user needs.

The Combined Location Graph is currently in beta while we collect information on how it is working for our users. We will put up banners on the legacy pages noted here to ask users for feedback on the pages. Our team uses user-centered design processes to determine what to prioritize next. Let us know how the page is working for you by emailing wdfn@usgs.gov .