Meghan Hodges
Wisconsin's waterways are affected by a variety of pollutants, with the state's impaired waters listed for a total of 1,481 pollutants. Phosphorus, which is commonly found in fertilizers, sewage, and other waste, is a major contributor to water pollution in the state, with 47% of listings being for total phosphorus as of the 2018 assessment cycle. Other pollutants include mercury, sediment, and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). While most of Wisconsin's waterways are in good condition, the state has identified 1,258 polluted waters, and the number of polluted waterways has been increasing. The state is working to address these issues through initiatives such as the Clear Water Farms program and the 2021 federal infrastructure package, which includes funding for cleaning up pollution in the Great Lakes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of healthy rivers in Wisconsin | 80% |
| Number of polluted rivers in Wisconsin | 1,258 |
| Number of polluted rivers in Wisconsin undergoing restoration | 20 |
| Pollutants | Phosphorus, mercury, PCBs, heavy metals, PFOS, nitrogen, chlorophyll, suspended solids, chloride |
| Causes of polluted runoff | Rainfall, snowmelt, agricultural practices, urbanisation, industrial waste, dredging, construction, wetland development, invasive exotics, increased recreational use |
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What You'll Learn
Phosphorus pollution
Phosphorus is a nutrient that plays a crucial role in plant and algae growth. While it is essential for aquatic ecosystems, excess phosphorus can lead to harmful algae blooms. These blooms are caused by an excess of nutrients from polluted runoff and wastewater. Agricultural practices, such as the use of fertilizers and the lack of vegetation to hold soil in place, are major contributors to phosphorus-laden sediment runoff into waterways.
The state of Wisconsin has recognized the negative impacts of phosphorus pollution and has implemented measures to address this issue. Wisconsin's Phosphorus Rule aims to regulate phosphorus levels in water bodies by setting effluent limits and providing facilities with treatment options to reduce phosphorus pollution. The state also adopted phosphorus criteria for lakes, rivers, and streams in 2010, which has led to an increase in the identification of impaired waters due to phosphorus pollution.
Collaborative efforts are also underway to involve citizens and farmers in advocating for phosphorus regulation and implementing water-friendly agricultural practices. The River Alliance of WI works to prevent polluted runoff by educating the public about clean water advocacy and collaborating with innovative farmers and producer-led watershed groups.
Successfully addressing phosphorus pollution requires the participation of all stakeholders, including individuals, communities, and entities affected by the issue. It is crucial to work with organizations like the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to ensure that water quality standards are met and to empower those impacted by poor water quality to take action and advocate for water issues in their communities.
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Algae blooms
Blue-green algae blooms can have negative impacts on both the environment and humans. They can cause discoloured water, reduced light penetration, taste and odour problems, and dissolved oxygen depletion during die-off. The toxins produced by blue-green algae can be harmful to both humans and animals, with animals being at the highest risk of death from ingesting these toxins. In Wisconsin, microcystins are the most common algal toxins and have been linked to increased rates of liver cancer in human populations who drink untreated water containing cyanobacteria.
To address the issue of algae blooms, the State of Wisconsin has set numerical criteria to limit the amount of phosphorus entering waterways via industrial and municipal point sources. They have also implemented performance standards, adaptive management, and water quality trading strategies to address non-point sources from agricultural lands, stormwater, and construction sites. Additionally, the River Alliance of WI works to prevent polluted runoff by advocating for phosphorus regulation and educating the public about clean water.
While efforts are being made to reduce the occurrence of algae blooms in Wisconsin's waterways, it is important for individuals to take precautions when encountering these blooms. The Wisconsin DNR recommends treating any accumulation of blue-green algae with caution and avoiding swimming or ingesting water in areas with blooms. If individuals experience symptoms such as stomach cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting, headache, fever, muscle weakness, or difficulty breathing after potential exposure to blue-green algae, they should contact their doctor or the Wisconsin Poison Control Center.
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Sedimentation
The Upper Mississippi River is particularly vulnerable to sedimentation due to its vast drainage area and the presence of a lock and dam system. This system has altered the river's natural movement of sediment. Prior to the construction of the locks and dams, sediment was carried by the free-flowing river for long distances. Now, the river has been transformed into a series of navigation pools with stabilized water levels, reducing the speed of the current and its ability to carry sediment. As a result, sediment accumulates in the pools, filling them in and altering the river's natural course.
The Minnesota River is a significant contributor to the sediment load of the Upper Mississippi River, carrying six times as much sediment as the Mississippi River itself. In Wisconsin, the Chippewa River is the largest contributor of sediment, followed by the Wisconsin River and the Black River. Sediment data collected at various sites on these rivers during the 1970s and 1980s revealed high levels of total-sediment load, with the Chippewa River at Durand reaching 1,073,000 tons and the Wisconsin River at Muscoda reaching 558,000 tons.
The effects of sedimentation on the Mississippi River are not all negative. In some cases, sedimentation has helped to bury pollutants that once flowed downstream from urban areas. Additionally, certain habitats, such as shorebirds, utilize sandbars and mudflats created through sedimentation. However, overall, sedimentation remains a critical issue for the Mississippi River in Wisconsin, requiring ongoing management and mitigation efforts to preserve the river's health and ecological balance.
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Industrial waste
Wisconsin's rivers, lakes, and watersheds are impacted by pollution from various sources, including industrial waste. While most of Wisconsin's waterways are in good condition, the state has identified polluted waters, and the issue of industrial waste is a contributing factor.
Industrial activities can release pollutants into the water, known as "point source" pollution. This includes discharges from factories, sewage treatment plants, and other industrial facilities. These pollutants can include a range of contaminants such as nutrients, heavy metals, PCBs, and other toxic chemicals.
One of the significant issues associated with industrial waste is the release of phosphorus into water bodies. Phosphorus is a common nutrient found in fertilizers, sewage, and industrial waste. Excess phosphorus can fuel the growth of algae, leading to algae blooms that negatively impact the ecosystem and human activities. In 2020, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reported that phosphorus accounted for almost 50% of the impaired water listings in the state.
Another concern is the contamination of water with toxic chemicals and heavy metals. Mercury and PCBs are of particular concern in Wisconsin's fish. These contaminants can accumulate in the food chain, with top-level predators like walleye and bass containing the highest amounts. Human consumption of these contaminated fish can pose potential health risks, and the WDNR provides guidance on fish consumption to minimize these risks.
The state has taken steps to address industrial waste and improve water quality. Wisconsin implemented new phosphorus criteria for rivers, lakes, and streams in 2010. Additionally, the Clean Water Act and other legislation aim to protect natural resources and reduce pollution. However, the number of polluted waterways has increased, and the state continues to face challenges in managing industrial waste and its impact on water quality.
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Agricultural practices
One of the primary issues is the overapplication of commercial fertilizer and animal manure on cropland. Nitrogen, a key nutrient in manure, is often spread on agricultural fields, but this practice increases the risk of excessive phosphorus levels. This excess phosphorus, along with nitrogen, from fertilizers, manure, and other agricultural sources, finds its way into rivers and lakes, triggering algae blooms. These blooms not only detract from the natural beauty of the waterways but also negatively impact recreational activities and businesses that depend on clean water.
The Environmental Working Group and Midwest Environmental Advocates found that in nine Wisconsin counties, the excessive use of fertilizers and manure has led to a crisis of land and water pollution from nitrogen and phosphorus. This has resulted in impaired waters across more than 1,500 miles of streams and rivers and 33 lakes in these counties. The lack of publicly available data on agricultural practices further exacerbates the problem, making it challenging to implement effective solutions.
To address these issues, organizations like the River Alliance of Wisconsin are advocating for phosphorus regulation and educating the public about the importance of clean water. They are also collaborating with innovative farmers and producer-led watershed groups to promote the adoption of water-friendly agricultural practices. Additionally, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources works to ensure that water quality standards are met and supported, while also empowering impacted communities to take action and advocate for themselves.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, around 80% of Wisconsin's rivers are healthy. However, the state recently added 51 waters to its list of polluted waterways, bringing the total number of impaired waters to 1,258.
Polluted runoff from rainfall or snowmelt is a significant contributor to river pollution in Wisconsin. This runoff picks up natural and human-made pollutants, including fertilizers, oil, grease, and sediment, and deposits them into rivers. Excess phosphorus from industrial, municipal, or farm runoff is also a common pollutant, leading to harmful algae blooms.
Wisconsin has implemented new phosphorus criteria for rivers, lakes, and streams to control algae growth. The state is also investing in restoration plans for impaired water bodies and collaborating with farmers and producer-led watershed groups to increase the use of water-friendly agricultural practices. Additionally, Wisconsin received funding from the 2021 federal infrastructure package to remediate industrial contamination in five locations where rivers flow into the Great Lakes.
