Water Quality Report to Congress - 2018 Wisconsin Water Quality Report to Congress 2018 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Water Quality Bureau Division of Environmental Management Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 101 South Webster Street • PO Box 7921 • Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7921 dnr.wi.gov i Water Quality Report to Congress - 2018 Governor Scott Walker Natural Resources Board Terry Hilgenberg, Chair Dr. Frederick Rehn, Vice-Chair Julie Anderson, Secretary William Bruins Preston D. Cole Gregory Kazmierski Gary Zimmer Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Daniel Meyer, Secretary Ed Eberle, Deputy Secretary Pat Stevens, Assistant Deputy Jim Zellmer, Environmental Division Deputy Administrator Sharon Gayan, Director, Water Quality Bureau Steve Galarneau, Director, Office of Great Waters Pam Biersach, Director, Watershed Management Justine Hasz, Director, Fisheries Management Steve Elmore, Director, Drinking Water & Groundwater Cover Photo: View of Seidel Lake in Florence County. Photo by Luke Ernster. ii Water Quality Report to Congress - 2018 Wisconsin’s Water Quality Report The Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requires all states to prepare a Water Quality Report to Congress every two years. This “Integrated Report” combines the CWA sections 305(b) and 303(d). The report contains an overall summary of water quality conditions in the State and an updated Impaired Waters List. Wisconsin data are also provided electronically to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the Integrated Reporting Process. Wisconsin’s 2018 Wisconsin Water Quality Report to Congress summarizes assessment progress and activities related to water quality protection during the past two years. This document is an online publication only that can be accessed at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) website: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/surfacewater/assessments.html. Editor: Ashley Beranek Authors and contributors of this report include: Tim Asplund, Jim Amrhein, Kendra Axness, Ashley Beranek, Tom Bernthal, Jim Bertolacini, Chelsey Blanke, Dave Bolha, Camille Bruhn, Heidi Bunk, Jeanne Cargill, Jacob Dickmann, Matt Diebel, Donalea Dinsmore, Maureen Ferry, Kari Fleming, Adam Freihoefer, Mary Gansberg, Kevin Gauthier, Shawn Giblin, Sue Graham, Ilana Haimes, Ian Hansen, Mark Hazuga, Katie Hein, Craig Helker, Lisa Helmuth, Andy Hudak, Corrinne Johnson, Ted Johnson, Jim Killian, Kevin Kirsch, Jon Kleist, Jim Klosiewski, Jim Kreitlow, Jim Lemke, Jodi Lepsch, Mary Anne Lowndes, Kay Lutze, Aaron Marti, Kristi Minahan, Brenda Nordin, Amanda Perdzock, Cami Peterson, Emily Punke, Craig Roesler, Rachel Sabre, Mike Shupryt, Alex Smith, Amanda Smith, Mike Sorge, Susan Tesarik, Pam Toshner, Jean Unmuth, Bob Wakeman, Michele Wheeler, and all Water Quality Biologists, Water Resources Specialists, and Water Program Managers. All photos courtesy of Wisconsin DNR unless otherwise credited. Previous reports were published in 2016, 2014 (online only), 2012 (online only), 2010, 2008 (data submittal only), 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000, 1996, 1994, 1992, 1990, 1988, 1987, and earlier. WDNR’s earlier documents are available for review at the GEF II building, 101 S. Webster Street, Madison. Later versions are available electronically. iii Water Quality Report to Congress - 2018 Letter to Citizens Every two years, Wisconsin provides a Water Quality Report to Congress. This report summarizes the condition of the State’s water resources (i.e., lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, drinking water, groundwater, and Great Lakes) and describes Wisconsin’s programs to manage, protect and enhance those water resources that are so vital to our culture and our economy. As part of the Department of Natural Resources’ mission, staff in the Water Programs work hard to use the resources available – in the most efficient manner possible – to ensure that our efforts are focused on meeting the needs of the state’s citizens and visitors. With the vast water resources in Wisconsin, it is critical to conduct our work in an organized manner that can be evaluated regularly and improved upon as needed. To that end, the Water Programs have four strategic objectives that help define our program goals and guide the work that we do: • Protecting the Public Trust • Implementing the Clean Water Act • Sustaining Healthy Fisheries • Providing Safe Drinking Water and Groundwater WDNR’s Water Program staff work hard to efficiently use resources available to ensure focused efforts on meeting water quality goals and protecting recreational uses for generations to come. The quality of life benefits from protecting our water resources are vital to the State’s economy. WDNR continually strives to make decisions based on science, track and document progress, and educate the public about water quality issues. In partnership with citizen groups, tribal partners and other state and federal agencies, staff will continue to seek opportunities for collaboration to assess and improve our water resources. Wisconsin’s responsibilities to assess, manage, protect, and enhance our water resources for the citizens of Wisconsin are reflected in this 2018 Integrated Water Quality Report to Congress. This report satisfies federal reporting requirements and provides insights into the WDNR’s multitude of water-related programs. Looking forward, I am confident that you’ll agree that Wisconsin is well prepared to continue to evaluate, protect and improve our precious water resources for the citizens of Wisconsin. Jim Zellmer, Deputy Administrator Environmental Management Division iv Water Quality Report to Congress - 2018 Contents A. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................ 1 Key Points ................................................................................................................................................................................. 1 B. Background Information ........................................................................................................................................... 3 B1. Total Waters ....................................................................................................................................................................... 3 B2. Water Pollution Control Programs ................................................................................................................................. 4 Total Maximum Daily Load Program ............................................................................................................................... 4 Water Quality Standards ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 Runoff Management Programs .......................................................................................................................................... 9 Wastewater Management .................................................................................................................................................. 14 Waterway Shorelands ......................................................................................................................................................... 17 Waterways & Wetlands ...................................................................................................................................................... 18 B3. Cost/Benefit Analysis ..................................................................................................................................................... 23 Environmental Improvement Fund ................................................................................................................................ 23 Clean Water Fund Program .............................................................................................................................................. 23 Safe Drinking Water Loan Program ................................................................................................................................ 24 Land Acquisitions and Easements ................................................................................................................................... 25 Runoff Management Programs ........................................................................................................................................ 25 B4. Special State Concerns & Recommendations ............................................................................................................. 26 Great Lakes ......................................................................................................................................................................... 26 Mississippi River ................................................................................................................................................................. 32 Aquatic Invasive Species ................................................................................................................................................... 39 Water Quantity Issues........................................................................................................................................................ 42 C. Surface Water Monitoring & Assessment ............................................................................................................