Wisconsin Water Quality Report to Congress, 2004

The Wisconsin DNR is required by the Federal Clean Water Act Section 305(b) to prepare a summary of water quality conditions in the state every two years. The state must also provide electronic data reporting of waterbody assessments on an annual basis.

This 2004 Water Quality Report to Congress (FINAL DRAFT) summarizes water quality programs, assessment progress and activities related to water quality protection during the past two years. The document posted here is a final draft and may be slightly modified prior to final publishing and printing.

To the left of this text are the major sections and chapters of the report in .PDF format. If you would like to download large sections of the report, please see below for the final draft report in for discrete sections.

If you have questions concerning the content of this report or would like to be placed on the mailing list for a final copy if and when they become available, please email: Lisa Helmuth (608)266-7768.

• The Introductory Documents and Protecting Our Water Heritage (4.29 MB) invites Wisconsin citizens to read the 305b Report to Congress, to become involved in Watershed Activities, and introduces key "Atlas" or summary data regarding Wisconsin's Water Quality.
• Chapter 1: Surface Water Monitoring Programs (2.05 MB) describes the state's array of monitoring programs, including a section on data storage, management, and sharing.
• Chapters 2-4: Assessments and Summary Data (7.2 MB) provides information on how waters are assessed, describes the state's new assessment data system in more detail, and summarizes projects and changes to water resource condition on rivers, streams and inland lakes.
• Chapters 5-8: Great Lakes, Wetlands, Public Health/Aquatic Life Concerns, and Groundwater (1.6 MB) provides an overview of these critical areas of Wisconsin's water quality management.

Last Revised: Monday August 22 2005