Submit your Wisconsin surface water data for WDNR Assessments and Impaired Waters List
Do you have data on Wisconsin’s lakes, streams, or rivers?
If so, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources would like to hear from you.
Every two years, the WDNR requests that citizens and partner groups submit their surface water data (biological, chemical, and physical). Data meeting specified requirements will be evaluated, along with Department data, to assess the quality of the state’s water resources and to pinpoint problem areas. In accordance with the Clean Water Act, the WDNR uses these assessments to prepare a statewide Water Quality Report (also known as the 305(b) report) and a list of Impaired Waters (303(d) List).
Data will be accepted from the public from today, October 1, through December 31. This year, the submittal period has been extended from one month to three months, in response to public request last year for a longer submittal period.
To enable the WDNR to efficiently process the data, a new data submittal system is also being used this year. Data must be submitted electronically, and they must be submitted in specific Excel spreadsheet formats, along with quality assurance documentation. Data received as .PDF files or in other hard copy formats will not be entered into the Excel spreadsheets by WDNR staff. Instructions for preparation of your data are found at http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/condition/2012_IR/submitdata.htm.
Required elements include:
4 A quality assurance plan
4 Data in specified Excel spreadsheet format (template provided)
4 Locational information in specified spreadsheet format (template provided)
4 General information about the submitter, entered in an online form
Guidance on minimum data requirements and how WDNR evaluates the data is available in the Wisconsin Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology (WisCALM). This guidance is currently undergoing revisions for the 2012 reporting cycle, but the 2010 version may be accessed at http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/condition/wiscalm.htm.
Thank you for your interest in Wisconsin’s water resources. Feel free to contact WDNR staff with any questions at dnrimpairedwaters@wisconsin.gov.
Kristi Minahan (608) 266-7055; Lisa Helmuth (608) 266-7768
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