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Water data for Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin

Access real-time and historical data for surface water, groundwater, water quality, and water use

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Edge-of-field monitoring

Testing the effectiveness of agricultural conservation practices for reducing nutrient and sediment runoff

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SPARROW models of streamflow and nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended-s

SPARROW Watershed Models of Loads in Midwest Streams

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Great Lakes urban stormwater monitoring

Assessing the ability of green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff in Great Lakes urban areas

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Great Lakes mercury sources revealed

Mercury "footprinting" identifies sources of pollution in the Great Lakes

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Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Welcome to the Upper Midwest Water Science Center’s (UMid) Website. We offer information on streamflow, water quality, water-use, and groundwater data for Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. We conduct unbiased, scientific hydrologic investigations and research projects to effectively manage the Upper Midwest's and our Nation's water resources through joint efforts with our partners.

Current conditions in MI, MN, and WI

Explore real-time streamflow, groundwater, and water-quality conditions and access data with our interactive map application.

Message from the Director

Smiling man with white beard standing in front of autumn tree

Learn more about the Upper Midwest Water Science Center from Steve Peterson, our Center Director.

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Upper Midwest Water Science Center Quick Links

News

USGS Measures Flooding Across Eastern Minnesota

USGS Measures Flooding Across Eastern Minnesota

Art Illuminates the Grand Canyon: Exploring the Environmental Puzzle

Art Illuminates the Grand Canyon: Exploring the Environmental Puzzle

Winter 2023/2024 USGS Upper Midwest Water Science Center Great Waters Newsletter

Winter 2023/2024 USGS Upper Midwest Water Science Center Great Waters Newsletter

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Publications

Connecting tributary mercury loads to nearshore and offshore sediments in Lake Superior

Lake Superior has a vast and largely undeveloped watershed in comparison to the other Great Lakes, which makes it challenging to study mercury (Hg) sources and cycling. To examine Hg inputs to Lake Superior, we conducted an expansive binational assessment in 40 watersheds from a diverse range of landcover types. We further paired tributary Hg data to sediment source portfolios in the nearshore and
Authors
Sarah E. Janssen, Michael T. Tate, Eric D. Dantoin, Christopher T. Filstrup, Euan D Reavie, Robert M Stewart, Chris Robinson, Craig J Allan, Dale M. Robertson, David P. Krabbenhoft
By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Quantitative microbial risk assessment with microbial source tracking for mixed fecal sources contaminating recreational river waters, Iowa, USA

Fecal contamination of surface water can cause acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) among recreators. AGI risk varies among human, livestock, and wildlife fecal sources, but the prevalence of individual sources is unknown for most recreational sites. We estimated AGI risk for six sites near Des Moines, Iowa, using quantitative microbial risk assessment combined with microbial source-tracking (MST)
Authors
Tucker R. Burch, Joel P. Stokdyk, Aaron Firnstahl, Sarah Opelt, Rachel Cook, Joe Heffron, Amanda Brown, Claire E. Hruby, Mark A. Borchardt
By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Distribution of ancient carbon in groundwater and soil gas from degradation of petroleum near the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i

The groundwater below the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (the facility) in Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, contains fuel compounds from past spills. This study used carbon-14 analyses to distinguish fuel-derived carbon from background carbon, along with other biodegradation indicators, to address two goals: (1) determine the extent and migration direction of groundwater affected by residual fuel below the fa

Authors
Jared J. Trost, Barbara A. Bekins, Jeanne B. Jaeschke, Geoffrey N. Delin, Daniel A Sinclair, James K Stack, Rylen K. Nakama, Uli'i M. Miyajima, Lhiberty D. Pagaduan, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli
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Water Resources Mission Area, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Pacific Islands Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory
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Science

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A U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) microbiologist prepares a water sample for enterococci testing

Bacteriological Research Core Technology Team

About the Research The Michigan Bacteriological Research Laboratory (MI-BaRL) Core Technology Team (CTT) as part of the Environmental Health Program uses a wide array of traditional and modern molecular approaches to evaluate microbial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance pathways in the environment. The scientists use these approaches to advance the understanding of how environmental...
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
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Bacteriological Research Core Technology Team

About the Research The Michigan Bacteriological Research Laboratory (MI-BaRL) Core Technology Team (CTT) as part of the Environmental Health Program uses a wide array of traditional and modern molecular approaches to evaluate microbial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance pathways in the environment. The scientists use these approaches to advance the understanding of how environmental...
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Image Collage of Landsat, pollinator, and volcanologist

Water Quality Networks and Assessments Team

The Water Quality Networks and Assessments Teams at the Upper Midwest Water Science Center conduct studies that provide critical information to help managers make informed decisions, formulate watershed management plans, and evaluate the effectiveness of implemented plans.
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Upper Midwest Water Science Center
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Water Quality Networks and Assessments Team

The Water Quality Networks and Assessments Teams at the Upper Midwest Water Science Center conduct studies that provide critical information to help managers make informed decisions, formulate watershed management plans, and evaluate the effectiveness of implemented plans.
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Scientist wading in river with an orange inflatable boat

Integrated Ecosystems Studies Team

The Integrated Ecosystem Studies Team (IES) at the Upper Midwest Water Science Center uses interdisciplinary approaches to investigate characteristics and drivers of water quality and aquatic biology in rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
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Upper Midwest Water Science Center
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Integrated Ecosystems Studies Team

The Integrated Ecosystem Studies Team (IES) at the Upper Midwest Water Science Center uses interdisciplinary approaches to investigate characteristics and drivers of water quality and aquatic biology in rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
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