Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) Watercourse Corridor Study
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.
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.