Surface Water Quality Monitoring

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources gathers information to assess aquatic environmental health, evaluate environmental problems and to determine success of management actions that are intended to protect aquatic resources. The WDNR’s Water Resources Monitoring Strategy directs monitoring efforts in a manner that addresses a wide variety of management information needs, while providing adequate depth of knowledge to support management decisions.

In 2005, monthly water-quality monitoring was done by FOTSCH volunteers at eight sites on or near the St. Croix Headwaters segment (8-mile reach between Upper St. Croix Lake and the St. Croix Flowage at Gordon) from June through October.

In 2006, monthly water-quality monitoring is being done by FOTSCH volunteers at seven sites on or near the St. Croix Headwaters segment and on nine tributary streams of Upper St. Croix Lake.