Water use in Wisconsin, 1979

This report summarizes the uses of water in Wisconsin for 1979, except aesthetics, navigation, and recreational use.

The greatest single use of water, an instream use, was for hydroelectric power production. About 26 trillion gallons, or 93 percent, was used for this purpose. Of the other 7 percent where water is pumped to a different location, 81 percent (6 percent of all water use) was cooling water for thermoelectric powerplants.

Withdrawals of surface water and ground water by public and private systems are for residential, industrial, commercial, irrigation, and stock uses.