Insights from Long-Term Surface Water Monitoring in Wisconsin

Abstract

How has water quality in Wisconsin changed over time? This simple question is very important to understanding how to manage Wisconsin’s important water resources. Identifying areas of degrading and improving water quality can help us more effectively target management efforts and identifying areas of success to learn from. To answer this question, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), local partners, and volunteers have collected water quality and aquatic invasive species data from streams, rivers, and lakes throughout Wisconsin for over 40 years in some locations. Review the WDNR’s long-term surface water monitoring program, discuss key findings learned about our water resources learned from long-term monitoring, and examine new long-term monitoring plans for wetlands.