Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) Watercourse Corridor Study Active
Since 2000, the USGS and MMSD have been partners in the Milwaukee Area Watercourse Corridor Study. The USGS has applied a multi-disciplinary approach to monitor and assess stream water quality within studies of aquatic communities, geomorphology and habitat, water and sediment, and streamflow. Results are provided to MMSD and watershed management agencies for planning and decision-making.
The Watercourse Corridor Study (Corridor Study) is a cooperative effort between the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in coordination with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences. Together, these partners are collecting and evaluating hydrologic, geographic, physical, biological, and chemical data for the major waterways and their adjacent corridors within MMSD’s service area. This information supports the goals outlined in MMSD’s Water Quality Monitoring Program and Facility Plans:
- To monitor the biological, chemical, and physical characteristics of aquatic ecosystems (within the MMSD service area) to assess the impacts of stream improvement practices
- To monitor the water quality of Lake Michigan harbors and local waterways within the MMSD service area
- To provide physical, chemical, and biological data on the quality of water, wastewater, and sediment and how it relates to MMSD’s operations and facilities
- To maintain a historical water quality database
The USGS project for the MMSD Corridor Study consists of six phases:
- Phase I (2000–2003): Development of a baseline inventory database and selection of potential areas for future study to support the evaluation of the impacts of MMSD projects.
- Phase II (2004–2005): Conducting an intensive data-collection effort to fill gaps identified in Phase I and to update historical data.
- Phase III (2006–2010): Development of additional areas of study based on Phase II analysis and continued streamflow measurement and maintenance of the database system.
- Phase IV (2011–2015): Extending areas of study for more in-depth understanding of biology and water quality.
- Phase V (2016–2020): Extending additional areas of study for more in-depth understanding of biology and water quality.
- Phase VI (2021–2025): Extending additional areas of study for more in-depth understanding of biology and water quality. The objectives of the Phase VI activities are to build upon information obtained during Phases I through V by extending the study of influences on stream biology and geomorphology; biological, water-quality, and water-quantity impacts from watershed and infrastructure influences; evaluation of restoration activities; measurement of streamflow; evaluation of toxic contaminants; determination of nutrient dynamics; and water-quality trends over time.
During the current 5-year study period for Phase VI (2021-2025), the following six topics are being addressed by one or more USGS subprojects:
1. Ecological Assessments and Trends
a. Ecological Assessments and Trends at 15 Core Stream Sites
b. Bioavailable Waterborne Contaminants at 15 Core Stream Sites
c. Stream Health Synthesis
2. Geomorphology and Habitat Studies Related to Stream and Estuary Rehabilitation
a. Evaluating the Efficacy of Fish Passage Restoration Efforts
b. Evaluating the Efficacy of Fish Passage Restoration Efforts: Targeted Study in the Underwood Creek Watershed
c. Milwaukee River Estuary Geomorphology, Hydrodynamics, and Habitat
3. Contaminants in Water and Sediment
a. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Surveillance in Milwaukee Area Streams
b. Evaluation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) Trends and Estimation of Source Contributions in Stream Sediments
c. Characterization of Microplastic Sources in Milwaukee-Area Streams
d. Basin-Wide Microbial Investigations and Sewage Loading to the Estuary
e. Long-Term Water-Quality Trends in Milwaukee-Area Streams
a. Assessment of Watershed Renewal through Green Infrastructure
b. Evaluating the Performance of Infiltration-Based Green Infrastructure on Contaminant Removal
Results
Phase I (2000–2003): A Baseline Inventory database was created to support the evaluation of the impacts of MMSD projects. This database supported the MMSD’s ability to obtain regulatory permits and approvals, assists in project design, and improved project coordination. The database was developed and populated with MMSD data and other data, including the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) biology and chemistry data, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chemistry data, and the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) digital floodplain-mapping project. With the advancement of online data accessibility since this phase, this database was replaced by national- and state-level online databases.
Phase II (2004–2005): USGS completed an intensive data-collection effort to fill in data gaps that were identified in Phase I and to update historical data. Data were collected from 15 stream sites and 6 harbor sites and included assessments of surface water chemistry, microbial concentrations, stream discharge, sediment chemistry, fish-tissue chemistry, habitat, and ecological health (fish, macroinvertebrates, and algae). In addition to filling in gaps, this effort created a baseline that aided MMSD in defining existing characteristics of the streams and served as the basis for future impact evaluations and trend analyses.
Phase III (2006–2010): This phase consisted of a combination of baseline efforts and specific study topics addressing needs that were identified during Phases I & II. Baseline efforts included database continuation and flow measurement at 5 streams. Specific study topics included data collection and interpretation for biological water-quality assessment, microbiological investigations, aquatic toxicity assessments, and evaluation of a suite of trace organic contaminants in Milwaukee area waterways.
Phase IV (2011–2015): This phase included more in-depth study for biology and water quality, including biological and habitat assessment and trends, geomorphology and hydrology assessments, continuous real-time streamflow at five sites, microbiological investigations and modern methods for detecting wastewater contamination, trends in stream chloride concentrations due to road salt applications, and evaluation of the sources of toxic PAH contaminants in Milwaukee area streams. USGS also assisted MMSD in determining options for evolving the database capabilities and incorporating existing online tools (STORET and Water Quality Portal) to eliminate the need for custom database applications while still providing web-accessible data.
Phase V (2016–2020): This phase continued to focus on in-depth studies, with investigations into biological assessments and trends, geomorphology and sediment assessments, efficacy of fish passage restoration efforts, continuous real-time streamflow at seven sites, microbiological investigations and modern methods for detecting wastewater contamination, microplastic prevalence, trends in stream concentrations for 5 high-priority pollutants identified by MMSD, and evaluation of the sources of toxic PAH contaminants in lake sediments.
Phase VI (2021–2025): Results are in progress
Below is a listing of the scientists leading MMSD Watercourse Corridor Study subprojects.
Below are data publications associated with the MMSD Watercourse Corridor Study.
Below are slideshows for selected subprojects from the MMSD Watercourse Corridor Study.
MMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 1a. Ecological Assessments Gallery
MMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 1b. Bioavailable Contaminants Gallery
MMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 2a. Stream Restoration Gallery
MMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 2b. Targeted Restoration Evaluation at Underwood Gallery
MMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 3b. PAHs in Sediments Gallery
MMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 3c. Microplastics Gallery
MMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 3d. Microbiology Gallery
MMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 3e. Water-Quality Trends Gallery
MMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 5. Nutrient Evaluations Gallery
MMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 6. Continuous Real-Time Streamflow
Below are interpretive and other publications associated with the MMSD Watercourse Corridor Study.
River chloride trends in snow-affected urban watersheds: increasing concentrations outpace urban growth rate and are common among all seasons
Human and bovine viruses in the Milwaukee River Watershed: hydrologically relevant representation and relations with environmental variables
Refinement of regression models to estimate real-time concentrations of contaminants in the Menomonee River drainage basin, southeast Wisconsin, 2008-11
Organic waste compounds in streams: Occurrence and aquatic toxicity in different stream compartments, flow regimes, and land uses in southeast Wisconsin, 2006–9
Use of real-time monitoring to predict concentrations of select constituents in the Menomonee River drainage basin, Southeast Wisconsin, 2008-9
Biological water-quality assessment of selected streams in the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District Planning Area of Wisconsin, 2007
A fresh look at road salt: Aquatic toxicity and water-quality impacts on local, regional, and national scales
Water-quality characteristics for selected sites within the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District planning area, Wisconsin, February 2004-September 2005
Water-resources-related information for the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District planning area, Wisconsin, 1970-2002
Below are links to the UMid WSC social media accounts, as well as contact information for the scientists leading MMSD Watercourse Corridor Study subprojects.
Amanda H Bell
Center Operations Officer
Steven R Corsi
Research Hydrologist (Chemistry)
Faith A Fitzpatrick
Research Hydrologist (Geology)
- Overview
Since 2000, the USGS and MMSD have been partners in the Milwaukee Area Watercourse Corridor Study. The USGS has applied a multi-disciplinary approach to monitor and assess stream water quality within studies of aquatic communities, geomorphology and habitat, water and sediment, and streamflow. Results are provided to MMSD and watershed management agencies for planning and decision-making.
The Watercourse Corridor Study (Corridor Study) is a cooperative effort between the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in coordination with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences. Together, these partners are collecting and evaluating hydrologic, geographic, physical, biological, and chemical data for the major waterways and their adjacent corridors within MMSD’s service area. This information supports the goals outlined in MMSD’s Water Quality Monitoring Program and Facility Plans:
- To monitor the biological, chemical, and physical characteristics of aquatic ecosystems (within the MMSD service area) to assess the impacts of stream improvement practices
- To monitor the water quality of Lake Michigan harbors and local waterways within the MMSD service area
- To provide physical, chemical, and biological data on the quality of water, wastewater, and sediment and how it relates to MMSD’s operations and facilities
- To maintain a historical water quality database
The USGS project for the MMSD Corridor Study consists of six phases:
- Phase I (2000–2003): Development of a baseline inventory database and selection of potential areas for future study to support the evaluation of the impacts of MMSD projects.
- Phase II (2004–2005): Conducting an intensive data-collection effort to fill gaps identified in Phase I and to update historical data.
- Phase III (2006–2010): Development of additional areas of study based on Phase II analysis and continued streamflow measurement and maintenance of the database system.
- Phase IV (2011–2015): Extending areas of study for more in-depth understanding of biology and water quality.
- Phase V (2016–2020): Extending additional areas of study for more in-depth understanding of biology and water quality.
- Phase VI (2021–2025): Extending additional areas of study for more in-depth understanding of biology and water quality. The objectives of the Phase VI activities are to build upon information obtained during Phases I through V by extending the study of influences on stream biology and geomorphology; biological, water-quality, and water-quantity impacts from watershed and infrastructure influences; evaluation of restoration activities; measurement of streamflow; evaluation of toxic contaminants; determination of nutrient dynamics; and water-quality trends over time.
During the current 5-year study period for Phase VI (2021-2025), the following six topics are being addressed by one or more USGS subprojects:
1. Ecological Assessments and Trends
a. Ecological Assessments and Trends at 15 Core Stream Sites
b. Bioavailable Waterborne Contaminants at 15 Core Stream Sites
c. Stream Health Synthesis
2. Geomorphology and Habitat Studies Related to Stream and Estuary Rehabilitation
a. Evaluating the Efficacy of Fish Passage Restoration Efforts
b. Evaluating the Efficacy of Fish Passage Restoration Efforts: Targeted Study in the Underwood Creek Watershed
c. Milwaukee River Estuary Geomorphology, Hydrodynamics, and Habitat
3. Contaminants in Water and Sediment
a. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Surveillance in Milwaukee Area Streams
b. Evaluation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) Trends and Estimation of Source Contributions in Stream Sediments
c. Characterization of Microplastic Sources in Milwaukee-Area Streams
d. Basin-Wide Microbial Investigations and Sewage Loading to the Estuary
e. Long-Term Water-Quality Trends in Milwaukee-Area Streams
a. Assessment of Watershed Renewal through Green Infrastructure
b. Evaluating the Performance of Infiltration-Based Green Infrastructure on Contaminant Removal
Results
Phase I (2000–2003): A Baseline Inventory database was created to support the evaluation of the impacts of MMSD projects. This database supported the MMSD’s ability to obtain regulatory permits and approvals, assists in project design, and improved project coordination. The database was developed and populated with MMSD data and other data, including the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) biology and chemistry data, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chemistry data, and the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) digital floodplain-mapping project. With the advancement of online data accessibility since this phase, this database was replaced by national- and state-level online databases.
Phase II (2004–2005): USGS completed an intensive data-collection effort to fill in data gaps that were identified in Phase I and to update historical data. Data were collected from 15 stream sites and 6 harbor sites and included assessments of surface water chemistry, microbial concentrations, stream discharge, sediment chemistry, fish-tissue chemistry, habitat, and ecological health (fish, macroinvertebrates, and algae). In addition to filling in gaps, this effort created a baseline that aided MMSD in defining existing characteristics of the streams and served as the basis for future impact evaluations and trend analyses.
Phase III (2006–2010): This phase consisted of a combination of baseline efforts and specific study topics addressing needs that were identified during Phases I & II. Baseline efforts included database continuation and flow measurement at 5 streams. Specific study topics included data collection and interpretation for biological water-quality assessment, microbiological investigations, aquatic toxicity assessments, and evaluation of a suite of trace organic contaminants in Milwaukee area waterways.
Phase IV (2011–2015): This phase included more in-depth study for biology and water quality, including biological and habitat assessment and trends, geomorphology and hydrology assessments, continuous real-time streamflow at five sites, microbiological investigations and modern methods for detecting wastewater contamination, trends in stream chloride concentrations due to road salt applications, and evaluation of the sources of toxic PAH contaminants in Milwaukee area streams. USGS also assisted MMSD in determining options for evolving the database capabilities and incorporating existing online tools (STORET and Water Quality Portal) to eliminate the need for custom database applications while still providing web-accessible data.
Phase V (2016–2020): This phase continued to focus on in-depth studies, with investigations into biological assessments and trends, geomorphology and sediment assessments, efficacy of fish passage restoration efforts, continuous real-time streamflow at seven sites, microbiological investigations and modern methods for detecting wastewater contamination, microplastic prevalence, trends in stream concentrations for 5 high-priority pollutants identified by MMSD, and evaluation of the sources of toxic PAH contaminants in lake sediments.
Phase VI (2021–2025): Results are in progress
Below is a listing of the scientists leading MMSD Watercourse Corridor Study subprojects.
- Data
Below are data publications associated with the MMSD Watercourse Corridor Study.
- Multimedia
Below are slideshows for selected subprojects from the MMSD Watercourse Corridor Study.
MMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 1a. Ecological Assessments GalleryMMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 1a. Ecological Assessments GalleryMMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 1b. Bioavailable Contaminants GalleryMMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 1b. Bioavailable Contaminants GalleryMMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 2a. Stream Restoration GalleryMMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 2a. Stream Restoration GalleryMMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 2b. Targeted Restoration Evaluation at Underwood GalleryMMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 2b. Targeted Restoration Evaluation at Underwood GalleryMMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 3b. PAHs in Sediments GalleryMMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 3b. PAHs in Sediments GalleryMMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 3c. Microplastics GalleryMMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 3c. Microplastics GalleryMMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 3d. Microbiology GalleryMMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 3d. Microbiology GalleryMMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 3e. Water-Quality Trends GalleryMMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 3e. Water-Quality Trends GalleryMMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 5. Nutrient Evaluations GalleryMMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 5. Nutrient Evaluations GalleryMMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 6. Continuous Real-Time StreamflowMMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: 6. Continuous Real-Time Streamflow - Publications
Below are interpretive and other publications associated with the MMSD Watercourse Corridor Study.
Filter Total Items: 21River chloride trends in snow-affected urban watersheds: increasing concentrations outpace urban growth rate and are common among all seasons
Chloride concentrations in northern U.S. included in this study have increased substantially over time with average concentrations approximately doubling from 1990 to 2011, outpacing the rate of urbanization in the northern U.S. Historical data were examined for 30 monitoring sites on 19 streams that had chloride concentration and flow records of 18 to 49 years. Chloride concentrations in most stuAuthorsSteven R. Corsi, Laura A. De Cicco, Michelle A. Lutz, Robert M. HirschHuman and bovine viruses in the Milwaukee River Watershed: hydrologically relevant representation and relations with environmental variables
To examine the occurrence, hydrologic variability, and seasonal variability of human and bovine viruses in surface water, three stream locations were monitored in the Milwaukee River watershed in Wisconsin, USA, from February 2007 through June 2008. Monitoring sites included an urban subwatershed, a rural subwatershed, and the Milwaukee River at the mouth. To collect samples that characterize variAuthorsSteven R. Corsi, M. A. Borchardt, S. K. Spencer, Peter E. Hughes, Austin K. BaldwinRefinement of regression models to estimate real-time concentrations of contaminants in the Menomonee River drainage basin, southeast Wisconsin, 2008-11
In 2008, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District initiated a study to develop regression models to estimate real-time concentrations and loads of chloride, suspended solids, phosphorus, and bacteria in streams near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. To collect monitoring data for calibration of models, water-quality sensors and automated samplers were installed at six sitesAuthorsAustin K. Baldwin, Dale M. Robertson, David A. Saad, Christopher MagruderOrganic waste compounds in streams: Occurrence and aquatic toxicity in different stream compartments, flow regimes, and land uses in southeast Wisconsin, 2006–9
An assessment of organic chemicals and aquatic toxicity in streams located near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, indicated high potential for adverse impacts on aquatic organisms that could be related to organic waste compounds (OWCs). OWCs used in agriculture, industry, and households make their way into surface waters through runoff, leaking septic-conveyance systems, regulated and unregulated discharges,AuthorsAustin K. Baldwin, Steven R. Corsi, Kevin D. Richards, Steven W. Geis, Christopher MagruderUse of real-time monitoring to predict concentrations of select constituents in the Menomonee River drainage basin, Southeast Wisconsin, 2008-9
The Menomonee River drainage basin in southeast Wisconsin is undergoing changes that may affect water quality. Several rehabilitation and flood-management projects are underway, including removal of concrete channels and the construction of floodwater retention basins. The city of Waukesha may begin discharging treated wastewater into Underwood Creek, thus approximately doubling the current base-fAuthorsAustin K. Baldwin, David J. Graczyk, Dale M. Robertson, David A. Saad, Christopher MagruderBiological water-quality assessment of selected streams in the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District Planning Area of Wisconsin, 2007
Changes in the water quality of stream ecosystems in an urban area may manifest in conspicuous ways, such as in murky or smelly streamwater, or in less conspicuous ways, such as fewer native or pollution-sensitive organisms. In 2004, and again in 2007, the U.S. Geological Survey sampled stream organisms—algae, invertebrates, and fish—in 14 Milwaukee area streams to assess water quality as part ofAuthorsBarbara C. Scudder Eikenberry, Amanda H. Bell, Daniel J. Sullivan, Michelle A. Lutz, David A. AlvarezA fresh look at road salt: Aquatic toxicity and water-quality impacts on local, regional, and national scales
A new perspective on the severity of aquatic toxicity impact of road salt was gained by a focused research effort directed at winter runoff periods. Dramatic impacts were observed on local, regional, and national scales. Locally, samples from 7 of 13 Milwaukee, Wisconsin area streams exhibited toxicity in Ceriodaphnia dubia and Pimephales promelas bioassays during road-salt runoff. Another MilwaukAuthorsS.R. Corsi, D. J. Graczyk, S.W. Geis, N.L. Booth, K.D. RichardsWater-quality characteristics for selected sites within the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District planning area, Wisconsin, February 2004-September 2005
The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) Corridor Study is a three-phase project designed to improve the understanding of water resources in the MMSD planning area to assist managers and policy makers in their decisions. Phase I of the Study involved the compilation of existing data from multiple agencies into a single database. These data were analyzed to identify spatial, temporal, anAuthorsJudith C. Thomas, Michelle A. Lutz, Jennifer L. Bruce, David J. Graczyk, Kevin D. Richards, David P. Krabbenhoft, Stephen M. Westenbroek, Barbara C. Scudder, Daniel J. Sullivan, Amanda H. BellWater-resources-related information for the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District planning area, Wisconsin, 1970-2002
The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) Corridor Study is a three-phase project designed to improve the understanding of water resources in the stream corridors of the MMSD planning area by initially compiling existing data and using the compiled information to develop 3-year baseline and long-term monitoring plans. This report is one of the products of Phase I of the Corridor Study. AAuthorsMorgan A. Schneider, Michelle A. Lutz - Connect
Below are links to the UMid WSC social media accounts, as well as contact information for the scientists leading MMSD Watercourse Corridor Study subprojects.
Amanda H Bell
Center Operations OfficerEmailPhoneSteven R Corsi
Research Hydrologist (Chemistry)EmailPhoneFaith A Fitzpatrick
Research Hydrologist (Geology)EmailPhone