Water topics
Water resources are the foundation for Wisconsin’s economy, environment and quality of life. Managing, conserving and restoring them for the benefit of Wisconsin citizens now and in the future is a big job, and one that DNR staff share with local governments, citizens and businesses.
- Agribusiness and CAFOs
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- Agribusiness, CAFOs and small farms are an important part of Wisconsin’s economy.
- Beaches
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- Wisconsin’s beaches provide wildlife habitat, recreation areas and tourist destinations.
- Dam safety
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- There are approximately 3,800 dams in Wisconsin.
- Drinking water
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- The DNR works to provide Wisconsin residents with safe, clean drinking water.
- Fishing
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- Plan on Fishing Wisconsin, where we have 160 different fish species.
- Floodplains
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- A Floodplain is land that has been or may be covered by floodwater during a regional flood.
- Great Lakes
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- Discover and protect our
Great Lakes.
- Discover and protect our
- Groundwater
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- Approximately two thirds of the people living in Wisconsin get their drinking water from groundwater.
- Impaired waters
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- Learn about impaired waters that do not meet water quality standards.
- Lakes
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- It’s easy to fall in love with Wisconsin’s 15,000 lakes.
- Nonpoint source runoff
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- Nonpoint source pollution is a leading cause of water quality problems in Wisconsin.
- Rivers & streams
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- Explore Wisconsin’s beautiful rivers & streams.
- Shorelands
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- In addition to their natural beauty, Wisconsin’s shoreland areas protect water quality, and provide habitat for fish and wildlife habitat and areas for recreational activities.
- Storm water runoff
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- Storm water runoff contains pollutants from roads, parking lots, construction sites, industrial storage yards and lawns.
- Surface water
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- Wisconsin residents are fortunate to live in a state bountiful with natural resources, including our many surface waters.
- TMDLs
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- An analysis of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) helps identify Wisconsin’s impaired waters.
- Wastewater
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- Wisconsin regulates municipal and industrial operations discharging wastewater to surface or groundwaters.
- Water use
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- Sustainable water use is critical for a healthy environment and economy.
- Watersheds & basins
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- Wisconsin’s abundant waters extend over 360 watersheds and basins.
- Waterways
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- Help preserve and protect our waterways for current enjoyment and future generations.
- Wells (public & private)
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- Help keep Wisconsin wells safe and dependable sources of water.
- Wetlands
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- Help protect, restore and explore Wisconsin’s wetlands.