 Lake Forecast uses simple "thumb's up" color symbols to report observed beach conditions. You can use this site to determine if a beach has life guards, is open, and a number of water quality conditions such as temperature and clarity.
Planning a trip to the beach and wondering if it is open, if there is a life guard, or what the water quality might be like? Clean Lakes Alliance, along with a network of dedicated volunteers, has just the tool for you - lakeforecast.org.
Trained volunteer citizen monitors report beach conditions real-time using smartphones. The observations logged from mobile devices will immediately become visible to others using the site, helping users select where they’d like to recreate.
Those interested in more regular and rigorous monitoring should consider becoming a Lake Forecasting Steward. As a Steward, you join a team of citizen scientists dedicated to achieving healthy lakes by providing Clean Lakes Alliance and other partners with valuable data about near-shore conditions. Lake Forecasting Stewards use standardized procedures to measure water clarity, temperature, and other water quality parameters. Clean Lakes Allianceand UW – Madison researchers use data collected by Stewards to design models of algal bloom movement to better understand the factors that make our beaches more or less enjoyable. Furthermore, some data collected within this program are made available to anyone interested in water quality through the WDNR’s Surface Water Integrated Monitoring System (SWIMS) database. So, the data gathered by our citizen scientists really gets put to work!
Lastly, please remember beach closures are ultimately determined by Public Health Madison & Dane County. They collect water quality information to monitor Dane County area beaches for E. coli bacteria and blue-green algae. For more information on the types of information they collect and how beach status is decided, visit their website here.
Sector Team Updates
Wisconsin farmers and forest landowners rely on one common resource for production of food, fuel and fiber: their healthy soil. To help take care of the vital natural resource, many turn to the NRCS and Web Soil Survey.
WSS is the largest public-facing natural resource database in the world. Whether you are a farm entity that manages 10,000 acres or a private landowner of an acre of forest, you can use WSS to learn about your soils through customizable maps, properties and interpretations.
Starting this year, the refresh date will now be changed to July 1. This change will allow NRCS staff to better manage workload and ensure efficient implementation of all agency programs that support landowners and land managers.
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Returning to Monitoring: A Letter to Volunteers
Dear WAV Volunteers,
During this unprecedented time of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been numerous questions regarding volunteer monitoring activities. While we value your dedication and the data you collect, we as a program (Water Action Volunteers, the Department of Natural Resources and UW-Madison Division of Extension) do not expect your participation if you are not comfortable being involved at this time. Your personal safety and good public health practice come first!
Throughout the past months, I’ve been working within the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and UW-Madison Division of Extension guidelines regarding suspension of volunteer monitoring activities and my support of volunteers during this time. More recently, I have been developing a plan for volunteers to safely return to monitoring that aligns with the Department of Natural Resources plan for resuming field operations in general and monitoring activities, specifically. Read more...
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In light of COVID-19, the DNR is canceling, adjusting and postponing an array of in-person public events, meetings and operations consistent with guidance provided by the Wisconsin Department of Health and Department of Administration. However, should you need a place with space, getting outdoors has both physical and mental benefits.
Distance is still key during this ongoing public health emergency. Social distancing – the practice of keeping at least six feet apart from others and avoiding direct physical contact – is the only effective means of slowing the rate of infection.
State park and trail visitors are reminded to practice social distancing of 6 feet, refrain from congregating in large groups, travel only within your home communities and follow all existing state park rules and guidelines. Visitors are also encouraged to wear masks in situations where social distancing is difficult.
The DNR continues to receive the most up-to-date information and will adjust operations as conditions change. We will also continue to monitor on-the-ground circumstances each day to determine additional conditions that may become necessary. Before visiting other properties, please check with individual parks regarding changes to park operations.
Thank you for your patience during the COVID-19 public health emergency. As state agencies continue operations, please understand that most of our staff continue to telework and may have limited access to files and delayed online connectivity. We are still available to serve you and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
As this is an ever-evolving situation, please check back regularly for updates or follow @WIDNR on Facebook, @wi_dnr on Instagram, or @WDNR on Twitter.
Read more about what you need to know about Wisconsin DNR operations and offerings:
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The National Municipal Stormwater Alliance (NMSA) is requesting information about local stormwater projects. We need your assistance to prepare a list of “implementation-ready” stormwater project for the U.S. Congress. We are asking you to provide information about one or more stormwater projects planned by your organization and meeting the criteria listed below. We have created a Web page for you to enter information about your projects, one at a time.
http://nationalstormwateralliance.org/implementation-ready-stormwater-project-list/
Congress is considering funding public infrastructure projects as part of a possible economic stimulus bill. When they do this, especially for water projects, they typically look to lists of ready-to-go projects from state revolving fund lists. Stormwater projects, unfortunately, are chronically underrepresented in these lists. Therefore, we are creating a list of ready-to-go stormwater projects for Congress to take into account. Read more...
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shared from Kevin Shafer, Executive Director, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District
Disinfection wipes are disappearing off the shelves to be used to kill viruses on surfaces. People are washing their hands multiple times a day to kill viruses. All these steps are necessary and important to help kill the COVID-19 virus.
Some are wondering about the spread of COVID-19 in water and wastewater. What is important to remember is that drinking water utilities disinfect the water we drink prior to it being delivered to our homes. Wastewater utilities disinfect the water prior to it being released back to the environment. This is very similar to using disinfectant wipes or soap at home. Read more...
For more information, see the EPA website on COVID-19 information for drinking water and wastewater.
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