Wisconsin's Surface Water Monitoring Stations

Source: Wisconsin DNR Water Quality Monitoring Program

Date: Last Updated 1/09

Wisconsin conducts surface water monitoring for a variety of purposes. Over the past 40 or more years, DNR fisheries and water quality biologists, citizen monitoring teams, federal and state partners, and consultants have established over 40,000 monitoring sites at which data has been gathered for a broad array of purposes. These stations are maintained through the Surface Water Integrated Monitoring System (SWIMS).

The dataset you are viewing was developed over time using latitude and longitude coordinates and/or narrative descriptions linked to field and laboratory results matched with the state’s 1:24,000 scale hydrography datalayer derived from 7.5 minute USGS topographic quadrangle maps. Fields in this dataset are listed below. Note that only stations indicated as “Active-Useable” should be used for generating lab slips or for submitting data for new monitoring work. The accuracy of the delineations will improve over time with the use of new technologies and tools.

When you click "identify" on a given station, you will see this information on the left hand side of the viewer. Note that by clicking on "More Data: Log into SWIMS" you will launch the SWIMS application.

To gain access to SWIMS, you will need a Wisconsin Access Management System (WAMS) identification code and password. Read How to Obtain To obtain a WAMS ID.

For more information about the state’s 1 to 24,000 scale hydrography dataset, see the state’s GIS resources website about Hydrography Dataset.

For more information about SWIMS contact Lisa Helmuth

See below for field definitions.

SWIMS Station ID:	373177	Monitoring Station Number
Primary Station Name:	AT FAIRVIEW RD	Primary description of station
WBIC:	1428800	Unique waterbody identifier
Waterbody Name:	ROCKY RUN	Official waterbody name
Station Type:	RIVER/STREAM	Type of waterbody (river, lake, flowage, etc.)
Station Status Code:	ACTIVE	Indicates whether station can be used for new monitoring of if it must still be reviewed.
Status Description:	Active, usable	Narrative description of station status
Monit Station Seq No:	6262	Unique number for station in SWIMS data system.