MADISON, Wisconsin – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the release of the Wisconsin Water Explorer, a web-based tool that can help Wisconsin residents address water quality concerns in their local lakes and rivers.

Answering water quality questions requires sophisticated computer software and extensive data sets. The Wisconsin Water Explorer tool makes scientific data analysis accessible to the public by automating the process of data search and analysis. The tool provides insight into current conditions and trends through charts, maps, and automated reports.

The Wisconsin Water Explorer tool also consolidates multiple water quality tools into one platform. For example, volunteers with the Citizen Lake Monitoring Network can now access and share automated annual reports that summarize data from their respective lakes.

Paul Skawinski, statewide educator for the Citizen Lake Monitoring Network, appreciates the ease of use of the Wisconsin Water Explorer tool.

“Both volunteers and staff use Wisconsin Water Explorer to quickly create and download PDF reports and charts to understand how a lake’s water quality has changed over time. It’s very easy to print these files or share them with other interested people around the lake,” Skawinski said.

The Wisconsin Water Explorer includes an updated version of the Wisconsin Lake Modeling Suite, which helps non-experts analyze whether a lake meets water quality standards, identify potential sources of pollution, and determine the level of improvements needed for restoration.

The new tool is available on the Wisconsin Water Explorer website.

Those interested in getting involved in monitoring water quality in their area can join the DNR’s Citizen Lake Monitoring Network or Water Action Volunteers, or contact their local water quality biologist.

For more information about DNR water quality activities, visit the Water Quality Bureau’s surface water webpage.