Water data for Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin
Access real-time and historical data for surface water, groundwater, water quality, and water use
Access real-time and historical data for surface water, groundwater, water quality, and water use
Edge-of-field monitoring
Testing the effectiveness of agricultural conservation practices for reducing nutrient and sediment runoff
Testing the effectiveness of agricultural conservation practices for reducing nutrient and sediment runoff
SPARROW models of streamflow and nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended-s
SPARROW Watershed Models of Loads in Midwest Streams
SPARROW Watershed Models of Loads in Midwest Streams
Great Lakes urban stormwater monitoring
Assessing the ability of green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff in Great Lakes urban areas
Assessing the ability of green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff in Great Lakes urban areas
Great Lakes mercury sources revealed
Mercury "footprinting" identifies sources of pollution in the Great Lakes
Mercury "footprinting" identifies sources of pollution in the Great Lakes
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
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
Message from the Director
Learn more about the Upper Midwest Water Science Center from Steve Peterson, our Center Director.
Upper Midwest Water Science Center Quick Links
Upper Midwest Water Science Center Quick Links
News
Project Spotlight: USGS Scientists Work with Kenai Peninsula Communities to Define Baseline Water Data Amid Climate Uncertainty
Project Spotlight: USGS Scientists Work with Kenai Peninsula Communities to Define Baseline Water Data Amid Climate Uncertainty
Low-level helicopter flights to image geology over Michigan and Wisconsin
Low-level helicopter flights to image geology over Michigan and Wisconsin
Gage Greatness 2025 - Does the Upper Midwest Water Science Center have the #GreatestGage?
Gage Greatness 2025 - Does the Upper Midwest Water Science Center have the #GreatestGage?
Publications
The role of street cleaning on the water-quality performance of a stormwater treatment pond in Madison, Wisconsin The role of street cleaning on the water-quality performance of a stormwater treatment pond in Madison, Wisconsin
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the City of Madison, evaluated how street cleaning frequency influences the pollutant removal efficiency of a stormwater treatment pond in Madison, Wisconsin (2020–24). Paired influent and effluent samples were analyzed for nutrients, sediment, and chloride under a weekly and monthly street...
Wetlands, groundwater and seasonality influence the spatial distribution of stream chemistry in a low-relief catchment Wetlands, groundwater and seasonality influence the spatial distribution of stream chemistry in a low-relief catchment
Evaluating stream water chemistry patterns provides insight into catchment ecosystem and hydrologic processes. Spatially distributed patterns and controls of stream solutes are well-established for high-relief catchments where solute flow paths align with surface topography. However, the controls on solute patterns are poorly constrained for low-relief catchments where hydrogeologic...
Hydroclimatic and land-use factors affecting peak streamflow in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin Hydroclimatic and land-use factors affecting peak streamflow in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin
Flood-frequency analysis provides the basis for flood risk estimates used by water-resource managers in land-use planning, and it informs the design of essential infrastructure such as bridges and culverts. Federal guidelines for flood-frequency analysis do not offer guidance on addressing changing climate and land-use conditions when estimating floods. However, failing to consider...
Science
Investigating Links between Chloride and Harmful Algal Blooms in the Great Lakes
The USGS is investigating links between chloride concentrations in Great Lakes tributaries as a catalyst for Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs).
From Stream to Spider: How PFAS Move Through Aquatic and Terrestrial Food Webs
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent synthetic chemicals that accumulate in the environment and living organisms. A USGS study examined how different PFAS compounds move through a stream ecosystem and are transferred from aquatic to terrestrial food webs. The findings documented that not all PFAS behave the same once they enter the environment, leading to differences in...
Bad River Watershed Assessments
The Bad River has one of the highest sediment loads of all Lake Superior tributaries and is an important resource for lake sturgeon and the Bad River Tribe. This study monitors the effects of streamflow variability on sediment-related problems, including understanding the influence of land cover on hydrology, habitat, erosion and sedimentation rates, and water quality of the Bad River.