NCAR · hkershaw-brown · Mar 6, 2026 · Mar 6, 2026
diff --git a/assimilation_code/programs/create_obs_sequence/create_obs_sequence.rst b/assimilation_code/programs/create_obs_sequence/create_obs_sequence.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+.. _create_obs_sequence:
+
 program ``create_obs_sequence``
 ===============================
 

diff --git a/assimilation_code/programs/perfect_model_obs/perfect_model_obs.rst b/assimilation_code/programs/perfect_model_obs/perfect_model_obs.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+.. _pmo:
+
 program ``perfect_model_obs``
 =============================
 

diff --git a/guide/adding-your-observations-to-dart.rst b/guide/adding-your-observations-to-dart.rst
@@ -9,9 +9,8 @@ converted from its native format to the DART observation sequence format and
 that the observation forward operator is already implemented. Keep in mind that
 forward operators are not specific to any one model.
 
-The observation converters are in the *observations/obs_converter* directory and
-you should look there for the documentation describing which converters are
-available.
+The observation converters are in the *observations/obs_converter* directory,
+and are documented in :ref:`available_observation_converters`. 
 
 The forward operators are functionally or logically grouped into Fortran modules
 in the *observations/forward_operator* directory. DART employs a ‘contractual’

diff --git a/guide/advice-for-new-collaborators.rst b/guide/advice-for-new-collaborators.rst
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ DART is often used for the following types of projects:
 - Using DART to teach DA
 
 You can view a list of models that are already supported at :ref:`Supported models`
-and a list of supported observations at :ref:`programs`.
+and a list of supported observations at :ref:`available_observation_converters`.
 
 Everything on this "possible goals" list except adding support for a new model
 can generally be done by a single user with minimal help from the DART team.

diff --git a/guide/available-observation-converters.rst b/guide/available-observation-converters.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+.. _available_observation_converters:
+
 Available observation converter programs
 ========================================
 
@@ -7,60 +9,65 @@ into the format required by DART.
 
 Each directory has at least one converter:
 
--  ``AIRS``: :doc:`/observations/obs_converters/AIRS/README`
--  ``ARVOR``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/ARVOR/readme`
+
+-  ``AIRS``: :ref:`airs`
+-  ``ARVOR``: :ref:`arvor`
 -  ``AURA``: See ``DART/observations/obs_converters/AURA``
--  ``Aviso+/CMEMS``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/AVISO/AVISO`
--  ``Ameriflux``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/Ameriflux/level4_to_obs`
--  ``BATS``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/BATS/readme`
--  ``CHAMP``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/CHAMP/work/README`
--  ``cice``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/cice/cice_to_obs`
+-  ``Aviso+/CMEMS``: :ref:`aviso`
+-  ``Ameriflux``: 
+
+    - :ref:`fluxnetfull_to_obs`
+    - :ref:`level4_to_obs`
+-  ``BATS``: :ref:`bats`
+-  ``CHAMP``: :ref:`champ`
+-  ``cice``: :ref:`cice_to_obs`
 -  ``CNOFS``: See ``DART/observations/obs_converters/CNOFS``
--  ``CONAGUA``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/CONAGUA/README`
--  ``COSMOS``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/COSMOS/COSMOS_to_obs`
--  ``CrocoLake``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/CrocoLake/readme`
--  ``DWL``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/DWL/dwl_to_obs`
--  ``GMI``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/GMI/README`
--  ``GOES``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/GOES/README`
--  ``GPSPW``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/GPSPW/README`
+-  ``CONAGUA``: :ref:`conagua`
+-  ``COSMOS``: :ref:`cosmos`
+-  ``CrocoLake``: :ref:`crocolake`
+-  ``DWL``: :ref:`dwl`
+-  ``GMI``: :ref:`gmi`
+-  ``GOES``: :ref:`goes`
+-  ``GPSPW``: :ref:`gpspw`
 -  ``GRACE``: See ``DART/observations/obs_converters/GRACE``
--  ``GSI2DART``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/GSI2DART/readme`
--  ``GTSPP``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/GTSPP/GTSPP`
--  ``HFradar``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/HFradar/readme`
+-  ``GSI2DART``: :ref:`gsi2dart`
+-  ``GTSPP``: :ref:`gtspp`
+-  ``HFradar``: :ref:`hfradar`
 -  ``IODA``: :ref:`ioda2obsq <ioda2obsq>`
--  ``MADIS``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/MADIS/MADIS`
--  ``MIDAS``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/MIDAS/MIDAS_to_obs`
--  ``MODIS``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/MODIS/MOD15A2_to_obs`
--  ``MODIS``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/MODIS/MOD29E1D_to_obs`
+-  ``MADIS``: :ref:`madis`
+-  ``MIDAS``: :ref:`midas`
+-  ``MODIS``: :ref:`modis15` 
+-  ``MODIS``: :ref:`modis29`
 -  ``MPD``: See ``DART/observations/obs_converters/MPD``
--  ``NCEP``: (prepbufr -> ascii) :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/NCEP/prep_bufr/prep_bufr`
--  ``NCEP``: (ascii -> obs_seq) :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/NCEP/ascii_to_obs/create_real_obs`
--  ``ROMS``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/ROMS/ROMS`
--  ``SIF``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/SIF/SIF_to_obs_netcdf`
--  ``SSEC``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/SSEC/SSEC`
--  ``SST``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/SST/SST`
--  ``SSUSI``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/SSUSI/convert_f16_edr_dsk`
--  ``WOD``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/WOD/WOD`
--  ``gnd_gps_vtec``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/gnd_gps_vtec/README`
--  ``GPS``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/gps/gps`
--  ``ok_mesonet``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/ok_mesonet/ok_mesonet`
--  ``QuikSCAT``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/quikscat/QuikSCAT`
--  ``Radar``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/radar/README`
--  ``snow``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/snow/snow_to_obs`
--  ``SVP``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/SVP/readme`
--  ``Text``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/text/text_to_obs`
+-  ``NASA_Earthdata``: :ref:`nasa_earthdata`
+-  ``NCEP``:
+
+    - (prepbufr -> ascii) :ref:`ncep_prepbufr`
+    - (ascii -> obs_seq) :ref:`ncep_ascii`
+-  ``NSIDC``: :ref:`nsidc_smap_l2`
+-  ``ocean color``: :ref:`ocean_color`
+-  ``ROMS``: :ref:`roms`
+-  ``SIF``: :ref:`sif`
+-  ``SSEC``: :ref:`ssec`
+-  ``SST``: :ref:`sst`
+-  ``SSUSI``: :ref:`ssusi`
+-  ``WOD``: :ref:`wod`
+-  ``gnd_gps_vtec``: :ref:`gnd_gps_vtec`
+-  ``GPS``: :ref:`gps`
+-  ``ok_mesonet``: :ref:`ok_mesonet`
+-  ``QuikSCAT``: :ref:`quikscat`
+-  ``Radar``: :ref:`radar`
+-  ``snow``: :ref:`snow`
+-  ``SVP``: :ref:`svp`
+-  ``Text``: :ref:`text`
 -  ``text_GITM``: See ``DART/observations/obs_converters/text_GITM``
--  ``tpw``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/tpw/tpw`
--  ``Tropical Cyclones``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/tropical_cyclone/tc_to_obs`
--  ``Var (little-r)``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/var/littler_tf_dart`
--  ``Var (radar)``: :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/var/rad_3dvar_to_dart`
+-  ``tpw``: :ref:`tpw`
+-  ``Tropical Cyclones``: :ref:`tropical_cyclone`
+-  ``Var (3D/4D)``: :ref:`var`
 
-There are also a couple utilities of note:
+   - ``Var (little-r)``: :ref:`littler_tf_dart`
+   - ``Var (radar)``: :ref:`rad_3dvar_to_dart`
 
--  :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/even_sphere/README` - a utility for generating evenly-spaced
-   observation locations that can then be used in a perfect model experiment.
--  :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/obs_error/README` - modules that specify observation errors
-   based on what is used by ECMWF and NCEP
 
 In addition the following external program produces DART observation sequence
 files:
@@ -72,15 +79,31 @@ files:
    three-dimensions (Cartesian). Analyses are output in netCDF, Vis5d, and/or
    DART (Data Assimilation Research Testbed) formats.
 
+Contact the `DART development group <mailto:[email protected]>`__ if you
+have observations in a different format that you want to convert. We can
+give you advice and pointers on how to approach writing the code.
+
+.. _synthetic_observations:
+
+Synthetic observations
+--------------------------
+
 For generating synthetic observations, see the documentation for the 
-:doc:`../assimilation_code/programs/create_obs_sequence/create_obs_sequence`.
+:ref:`create_obs_sequence`.
 You can also generate observation files based on text input. See the
-documentation for the :doc:`../observations/obs_converters/text/text_to_obs`.
+documentation for the :ref:`text`.
 Or for simulating a large complex observing system, you can use the DART
 library routines in a Fortran program to compute the observation information
 and have the DART routines write the output file.
 
+There are also a couple utilities of note:
+
+-  :ref:`even_sphere` - a utility for generating evenly-spaced
+   observation locations that can then be used in a perfect model experiment.
+-  :ref:`obs_error` - modules that specify observation errors
+   based on what is used by ECMWF and NCEP
+
 To learn how to run a model with a set of observations that have only
 locations, types, and times, and have the forward operators compute the
 observation values, see the documentation for the
-:doc:`/assimilation_code/programs/perfect_model_obs/perfect_model_obs`.
+:ref:`pmo`.
diff --git a/index.rst b/index.rst
@@ -309,7 +309,6 @@ References
    guide/detailed-structure-obs-seq
    guide/creating-obs-seq-synthetic
    guide/creating-obs-seq-real
-   guide/available-observation-converters
    guide/manipulating-with-obs-sequence-tool
    guide/difference-between-type-and-quantity
    guide/adding-support-new-type
@@ -320,6 +319,7 @@ References
    :caption: Observation Converters
 
    observations/obs_converters/README
+   guide/available-observation-converters
 
 
 .. toctree::

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/AIRS/README.rst b/observations/obs_converters/AIRS/README.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+.. _airs:
+
 AIRS and AMSU
 =============
 

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/ARVOR/readme.rst b/observations/obs_converters/ARVOR/readme.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+.. _arvor:
+
 ARVOR (Profiling Floats)
 ========================
 

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/AVISO/AVISO.rst b/observations/obs_converters/AVISO/AVISO.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+.. _aviso:
+
 Aviso+/CMEMS Observations
 =========================
 

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/Ameriflux/fluxnetfull_to_obs.rst b/observations/obs_converters/Ameriflux/fluxnetfull_to_obs.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+.. _fluxnetfull_to_obs:
+
 PROGRAM ``fluxnetfull_to_obs``
 ==============================
 

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/Ameriflux/level4_to_obs.rst b/observations/obs_converters/Ameriflux/level4_to_obs.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+.. _level4_to_obs:
+
 PROGRAM ``level4_to_obs``
 =========================
 
@@ -10,7 +12,7 @@ AmeriFlux level 4 data to DART observation sequence converter
 | This routine was designed to convert the flux tower Level 4 data from the `AmeriFlux <http://ameriflux.lbl.gov>`__
   network of observations from micrometeorological tower sites. The download link and flux data format for this code
   *has been discontinued* (e.g. ``USBar2004_L4_h.txt``).  Thus if you are using flux obs converters for the first time
-  *PLEASE USE* the updated ``Fluxnetfull_to_obs.f90`` converter and follow the documentation there :doc:`./fluxnetfull_to_obs`
+  *PLEASE USE* the updated ``Fluxnetfull_to_obs.f90`` converter and follow the documentation there :ref:`fluxnetfull_to_obs`.
   We have kept this code available if you still use the older Ameriflux data format.  Also this code uses a general approach
   to calculating sensible, latent and net ecosystem exchange uncertainty, that may be helpful. 
 | The AmeriFlux Level 4 data products are provided in the local time of the flux tower location. DART observation sequence

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/BATS/readme.rst b/observations/obs_converters/BATS/readme.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+.. _bats:
+
 BATS
 ====
 

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/CHAMP/work/README.rst b/observations/obs_converters/CHAMP/work/README.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+.. _champ:
+
 CHAMP
 =====
 

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/CONAGUA/README.rst b/observations/obs_converters/CONAGUA/README.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+.. _conagua:
+
 CONAGUA
 =======
 

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/COSMOS/COSMOS_to_obs.rst b/observations/obs_converters/COSMOS/COSMOS_to_obs.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+.. _cosmos:
+
 PROGRAM ``COSMOS_to_obs``
 =========================
 

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/CrocoLake/readme.rst b/observations/obs_converters/CrocoLake/readme.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+
+.. _crocolake:
+
 CrocoLake 
 =========
 

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/DWL/dwl_to_obs.rst b/observations/obs_converters/DWL/dwl_to_obs.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+.. _dwl:
+
 PROGRAM ``dwl_to_obs``
 ======================
 

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/GMI/README.rst b/observations/obs_converters/GMI/README.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+.. _gmi:
+
 GMI Brightness Temperatures
 ============================
 

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/GOES/README.rst b/observations/obs_converters/GOES/README.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+.. _goes:
+
 NOAA GOES-R Series Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) Level 1b Radiances
 ====================================================================
 

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/GPSPW/README.rst b/observations/obs_converters/GPSPW/README.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+.. _gpspw:
+
 GPSPW
 =====
 

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/GSI2DART/readme.rst b/observations/obs_converters/GSI2DART/readme.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+
+.. _gsi2dart:
+
 GSI2DART
 ========
 

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/GTSPP/GTSPP.rst b/observations/obs_converters/GTSPP/GTSPP.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+.. _gtspp:
+
 GTSPP Observations
 ==================
 

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/HFradar/readme.rst b/observations/obs_converters/HFradar/readme.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+.. _hfradar:
+
 ========
 HF Radar
 ========

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/MADIS/MADIS.rst b/observations/obs_converters/MADIS/MADIS.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+.. _madis:
+
 MADIS Data Ingest System
 ========================
 

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/MIDAS/MIDAS_to_obs.rst b/observations/obs_converters/MIDAS/MIDAS_to_obs.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+
+.. _midas:
+
 PROGRAM ``MIDAS_to_obs``
 ========================
 

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/MODIS/MOD15A2_to_obs.rst b/observations/obs_converters/MODIS/MOD15A2_to_obs.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+
+.. _modis15:
+
 PROGRAM ``MOD15A2_to_obs``
 ==========================
 

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/MODIS/MOD29E1D_to_obs.rst b/observations/obs_converters/MODIS/MOD29E1D_to_obs.rst
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
    pair: MOD29E1D_to_obs; MODIS
    sea ice temperature
 
+.. _modis29:
+
 PROGRAM ``MOD29E1D_to_obs``
 ===========================
 

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/NASA_Earthdata/README.rst b/observations/obs_converters/NASA_Earthdata/README.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+
+.. _nasa_earthdata:
+
 PROGRAMS ``LPRM_L3_to_obs.f90`` ``AMSR_E_L2_to_obs.f90``
 ===========================================================================
 This is a brief description of the converters and utilities in this directory

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/NCEP/ascii_to_obs/create_real_obs.rst b/observations/obs_converters/NCEP/ascii_to_obs/create_real_obs.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+
+.. _ncep_ascii:
+
 PROGRAM create_real_obs
 =======================
 

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/NCEP/prep_bufr/prep_bufr.rst b/observations/obs_converters/NCEP/prep_bufr/prep_bufr.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+.. _ncep_prepbufr:
+
 PROGRAM ``prepbufr``
 ====================
 

diff --git a/observations/obs_converters/NSIDC/SMAP_L2_to_obs.rst b/observations/obs_converters/NSIDC/SMAP_L2_to_obs.rst
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+.. _nsidc_smap_l2:
+
 PROGRAM ``SMAP_L2_to_obs``
 ==========================
-Original file line number
+Diff line change
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+    .. _bats:
     BATS
     ====
@@ Expand Down @@