Metadata is data about data. Metadata is needed because information, such as a spreadsheet, map, document, or other resource, is most valuable when you know the "whole story"- who created it?, when?, why?, what time period does it represent?, is it final or draft?, etc. Metadata can be as simple as an extra worksheet in an excel workbook, a README file, a table of contents, etc.

Geospatial data in a GIS are often documented using a standardized format, such as recommended by the Federal Geographic Data Committee in an Extensible Markup Language (XML) file. PWD data are documented using a standard format, and users that wish to view the metatdata for a given spatial dataset should consult the file whose name follows the convention shapefilename.shp.xml.

More about metadata from PASDA

Basins attributes are listed below:

NAME – Name of the development with which the basin is associated. May include other descriptive location information.

LOCATION – Street address or intersection near where basin is located.

DATE_TIME – The date and time when the inspectors visited the basin.

INSPECTORS – The names or initials of the individual(s) who visited the information and recorded the information contained in the database

ID-UNIQUE

INLET_NUM – The number of piped inlets to the basin. We did not include swales or roof leaders.

LOW_FLOW – Description of the low-flow channel in the basin. Choices include “none,” “concrete,” “rock,” and “vegetated.” Where there was an eroded, earthen low-flow channel, we input “vegetated” because often the line between the two was blurred. See the “erosion” field and photos for further clarification.

ACCESS – Description of the ease or difficulty of getting a front-end loader or other similar equipment into the basin area to perform maintenance and sediment removal if necessary.

EDUCATION – The potential for the basin to be a demonstration / educational site for developers, contractors, designers, and the general public. Based on the visibility and accessibility of the site. Ratings of high would be given, for example, to an unfenced basin sitting on public land near a main road.

NUISANCE – The potential for the basin to be perceived as a nuisance by neighbors if it were retrofit by naturalization, extended detention, or other such techniques. Ratings of “high” were given, for example, to basins that sat in residential yards or were surrounded by very nearby houses.

VEG_TYPE – Description of the plant community present in the basin.

• “Mown Turf” describes basins having grass that appeared to be cut regularly and frequently, such as weekly or biweekly.
• “Infrequently Mown / Unmown Turf” describes basins containing only herbaceous species that appeared to be mown regularly but infrequently, such as once or twice a year.
• “Natural Maintained” describes basins that contained woody and herbaceous species and appeared to be maintained in some way, such as the selective removal of some species and the promotion of others. This rating was also given to basins part of which were mown regularly and part of which were naturalized.
• “Natural Unmaintained” describes basins that appeared to receive no maintenance and contained naturalized plant communities.

COMMENTS – General observations. This field also contains descriptions of outlet structures and openings that did not fit in the existing database format.

OUT_STRUC – Overall description of the outlet structure.

OUT1_TYPE, OUT2_TYPE, OUT3_TYPE – Descriptions of the openings in the outlet structure. They are listed in the same order that the water would reach them as the basin fills.

OUT( )_DIAM, WIDTH, LENGTH, HIGH – The dimensions of the openings in the outlet structure. Opening height refers to elevation above grade at the outlet structure.

OUT( )_COND – Description of the condition of the openings in the outlet structure.

• “Good” describes unblocked openings
• “Fair” describes partially blocked openings
• “Poor” describes openings that were completely covered but still able to pass water – for example, an opening completely covered by leaves.

WET_DRY – Description of whether the basin appeared to have been designed to drain completely (dry) or not (wet) after a storm.

MAIN_STEM – Indicator of whether the basin drains to the main stem of the Wissahickon Creek (1) or to some tributary of the Wissahickon creek (0).

MONTCO_INV

VISIT_FLAG – Indicator of whether inspectors visited the facility as part of PWD’s 2006 inventory.

FLOW_2X – Indicator of whether, by the eyeball judgment of the inspectors, the flow length in the basin between one or more of the piped inlets and the outlet could be increased by 2 times or more using a baffle, earthen berm, or other flow-lengthening measure.

FOREBAY_YN – Indicator of whether one or more forebays were present in the basin.

PERM_POOLS – Indicator of whether one or more permanent pools were present in the basin.

LENGTH_YN – Indicator of whether any measures intended to lengthen the flow path in the basin were present (baffles, earthen berms, etc.).

EROSION – Indicator of whether erosion, especially along the flow path, was present in the basin.

RCVNG_WTRS – The first waterway to which the basin drains.

LAND_USE – Description of the land use in the basin shed (the area that drains into the basin).

AREA – Area of the basin as approximated using 2-foot contours in ArcGIS. The outermost closed contour was used to approximate the outline of the basin.