Water resources data for the 1971 water year for Washington include records of data for the chemical and physical characteristics of surface water. Data on the quality of surface water (chemical, temperature, and sediment) were collected from designated sampling sites at predetermined intervals such as once daily, weekly, monthly or less frequently. Records are given for sampling stations of which are continuous record stations and are partial-record stations. A few pertinent stations (not included above) in bordering States are also included. The records were collected by the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey under the direction of L. B. Laird, district chief. These data represent that portion of the National Water Data System collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating State and Federal agencies in Washington.