Upper Midwest Water Science Center
Data and Tools
The Upper Midwest Water Science Center collects, analyzes, and distributes data on a variety of water-related issues and resources. Much of our data is publicly available through the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS):
Surface water: MI • MN • WI
Groundwater: MI • MN • WI
Water quality: MI • MN • WI
Water use: MI • MN • WI
Flood Inundation Mapper
USGS Flood Inundation Maps provide information that is critical for flood-response activities, such as evacuations and road closures, as well as for post-flood recovery efforts.
ExploreStreamStats
StreamStats provides analytical tools for water-resources planning, management, engineering, and design purposes. The map-based interface can be used to delineate drainage areas, get basin characteristics and estimates of flow statistics, and more.
StreamStatsUSGS Water-Data Quick Links
Explore the sites below to access other USGS water data tools and repositories:
Bottom sediment chemical data at rivermouths and harbors along western Lake Michigan, USA, 2016
Streambed sediment samples were collected in October 2016 from streams tributary to Wisconsin’s western Lake Michigan shoreline. Streams included two Areas of Concern (AOCs), two non-AOC comparisons, and two additional non-AOC study areas. Within the Milwaukee Estuary AOC, samples were collected from the Milwaukee River (three subsites), the Menomonee River (two subsites
Arsenic, manganese, and pH groundwater quality data, selected well construction characteristics, and aquifer assignments for wells in the conterminous U.S.
This data release contains groundwater-quality data for three parameters of interest (arsenic, manganese, and pH) and well information for sample sites for aquifers in the conterminous U.S. Water-quality data and well information were derived from a dataset compiled from three sources: the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water Information System (NWIS), the U.S. Environ
National Water Dashboard (NWD)
The National Water Dashboard (NWD) is a mobile, interactive tool that provides real-time information on water levels, weather, and flood forecasts - all in one place on a computer, smartphone, or other mobile device. The NWD presents real-time stream, lake and reservoir, precipitation, and groundwater data from more than 13,500 USGS observation stations across the country.
Stormwater-quality data in the control and test catchments during the calibration and treatment phase of a leaf collection study in Madison, Fond du Lac, and Oshkosh, WI, from September 2016 through November 2019
The data set contains phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations and loads measured as part of a study to determine if, and by how much, removing leaves and other organic detritus from streets, through municipal leaf collection and street cleaning programs, could reduce nutrient contributions to local water bodies. Stormwater runoff was sampled in paired, medium-density, residential catch
Microplastics in the surficial benthic sediment from Lake Michigan and Lake Erie, 2013 and 2014
This dataset describes the quantity, morphology, concentration and polymer identity of microplastics in surficial benthic sediment of Lake Michigan and Lake Erie. Lake Michigan sediment samples were collected at 20 locations in September, 2013 and Lake Erie sediment samples were collected at 12 locations in September, 2014 while on-board the R.V. Lake Guardian. Sampling and analysis metho
Mercury Concentrations and Isotopic Compositions in Sediment Cores from North American Lakes (Alaska, Minnesota, and Newfoundland)
Mercury isotope measurements were made across nine sediments cores from remote North American lakes to examine changes in the Hg isotope profiles. The lakes spanned regions of Alaska, Minnesota, and Newfoundland as well as a range of temperate to arctic climates. This data describes the natural record of mass dependent (MDF) and mass independent (MIF) Hg isotope fractionation related
WaterWatch (surface water)
WaterWatch displays maps, graphs, and tables describing real-time, recent, and past streamflow conditions for the United States, including flood and droughts. Real-time information generally is updated on an hourly basis.
Groundwater Watch
Groundwater Watch displays maps, graphs, and tables describing real-time, recent, and historical groundwater data from wells and springs across the United States. Groundwater Watch groups related wells and data from active well networks and provides basic statistics about the water-level data collected by the USGS and from data supplied to us from partners through cooperative agreements.
WaterQualityWatch
WaterQualityWatch provides access to real-time water-quality data collected at more than 2,000 stream sites throughout the United States, including streamflow, water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and nitrate.
WaterNow
The USGS WaterNow service lets users receive current conditions for USGS water-data-collection stations on demand via email or cell-phone text message. The user sends an email or text message containing a USGS current-conditions gaging site number, and will quickly receive a reply with the station's most recent data for one or more of its monitored parameters.
WaterAlert
The U.S. Geological Survey WaterAlert service sends e-mail or text (SMS) messages when certain parameters, as measured by a USGS real-time data-collection station, exceed user-definable thresholds. The development and maintenance of the WaterAlert system is supported by the USGS and its partners, including numerous federal, state, and local agencies.
NWIS Current Water Data (Real-Time Data)
The USGS provides real-time or near-real-time conditions water data at sites across the Nation. Current data typically are recorded at 15- to 60-minute intervals, stored onsite, and then transmitted to USGS offices every 1 to 4 hours, depending on the data relay technique used. Recording and transmission times may be more frequent during critical events.