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
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
Geomorphic habitat response units for urban stream rehabilitation, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Geomorphic habitat response units for urban stream rehabilitation, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Urban stream rehabilitation plans can benefit from knowledge of the landscape setting and vegetative communities that were adjacent to streams prior to urbanization. Downstream to upstream connections of these characteristics can be relevant for native migratory fish species that have a range of preferred spawning habitats. Based on a need for more quantitative data on these potential...
Authors
Faith Fitzpatrick, Shelby Sterner, James Blount, Jana Stewart
An inset groundwater-flow model to evaluate the effects of layering configuration on model calibration and assess managed aquifer recharge near Shellmound, Mississippi An inset groundwater-flow model to evaluate the effects of layering configuration on model calibration and assess managed aquifer recharge near Shellmound, Mississippi
The U.S. Geological Survey has developed a high-resolution inset groundwater-flow model in the Mississippi Delta as part of an interdisciplinary collaboration coordinated by the Mississippi Alluvial Plain project to provide a tool that stakeholders can use to support water-resource management decisions. Groundwater withdrawals from the Mississippi River Valley alluvial (MRVA) aquifer...
Authors
Moussa Guira, Jonathan Traylor, Andrew Leaf, Alec Weisser
Quantifying depuration of methylmercury from fish consumption by travelers Quantifying depuration of methylmercury from fish consumption by travelers
During a two-week field sampling expedition in Gabon, two American scientists consumed fish daily from the Ogooué River watershed. We sampled their scalp and facial hair periodically to evaluate hair as a biomarker to track shifts in methylmercury (MeHg) exposure from diet. Each individual differed in the onset and extent of MeHg accumulation but showed similar depuration rates. Pretrip...
Authors
Ryan F. Lepak, Jean Mve Beh, Clotaire Moukegni-Sika, Jean Binguema, Sarah E. Janssen, Jacob Ogorek, Michael Tate, Peter McIntyre
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).
Investigating Links between Chloride and Harmful Algal Blooms in the Great Lakes
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...
From Stream to Spider: How PFAS Move Through Aquatic and Terrestrial Food Webs
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.
Bad River Watershed Assessments
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.