ESOP 1998 Grave Diggers Dataset
     
          1.0  General Description
     
               The GEWEX Continental-Scale International Project (GCIP)
          Enhanced Seasonal Observing Period (ESOP) 1998 Grave Diggers Dataset
          is composed of data collected by grave diggers from cemeteries within
          the ESOP 1998 domain. Data from these sources (approximately 22
          cemeteries) were merged to form this dataset.  This dataset contains
          data for the ESOP 1998 time period (01 October 1997 through 31 May
          1998) and for the ESOP 1998 domain. The ESOP 1998 domain is
          approximately 37N to 50N latitude and 85W to 99W longitude.
     
          2.0  Detailed Data Description
     
               Because of a lack of ground frost data in Illinois from
          conventional means, the Illinois State Climatologist (Illinois
          State Water Survey) requested assistance from the members of 
          the Illinois Cemetery Association in 1980.  About 40 cemeteries
          have participated over time.  Each respondent was asked to record
          frost depth determined visually at fresh excavations at one or
          more locations within their cemetery.  These observations were
          made every two weeks and recorded on postcards.  In addition to
          the frost depths, subjective information  was collected on surface
          conditions at the site including soil moisture, slope, bare or grass
          cover, trees overhead, and soil texture (sand, loam, or clay). 
          Additional comments could also be made on the cards.  The original
          records are archived at the Illinois State Water Survey. 

               Observations began in December 1980 and continue to the present.
          The number of participants varied by month and year.  Most of the
          sites are located in the northern two-thirds of the state because
          ground frost is not always present in southern Illinois.   At some
          of the smaller cemeteries, observations were sometimes hampered by
          a lack of customers.  In some of the northern sites, the ground
          frost was extensive enough to delay burials and preclude observations.
          Data from 1980 to 1996 are summarized in Wendland (1998).
 
          2.0.1  Grave Diggers Algorithms
     
                 The algorithms used to produce the ESOP 1998 Grave Diggers data
          are not currently available.
     

          2.1  Detailed Format Description
     
               The ESOP 1998 Grave Diggers Dataset is provided as is. Data cards
          were collected from each source and then digitized into the following
          format.  The ESOP 1998 Grave Diggers Dataset contains 7 metadata
          parameters and 7 data parameters and comments.  The metadata
          parameters describe the station location and date at which the data
          were collected.  The data parameters are valid for the reported dates.
          Missing values are reported as 9's in the data field or "None" for
          comments. The table below details the data parameters in each record.
          This dataset was not quality controlled by the Joint Office for
          Science Support (JOSS).
     
          Parameters                         Units
          ----------                         -----  
          Date of Obs                        Local Date of Observation
          Site#                              Site Number
          Name                               Name of Cemetery
          Address, City, Zip Code            Address of Cemetery
          County                             State County of Cemetery
          Frost Depth                        Inches
          Snow Depth                         Inches
          Trees Overhead                     yes/no
          Moist to Wet Soil                  yes/no
          Fine Textures Soil                 yes/no
          Slope                              (N/S/E/W)
          Comments                           N/A
     
     
          2.2  Data Remarks
     
               This dataset is provided as is.
     
          3.0  Quality Control Processing
     
               This dataset was not quality controlled by the Joint Office for
          Science Support (JOSS).
     
          4.0  References
     
          Wendland, W. M., 1998: A ground frost climatology for Illinois.
               Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science, 91,
               57-67.