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Wisconsin’s Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology (WisCALM)

Cover image of the Wisconsin Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology (WisCalm) 2026

Every two years, Sections 303(d) and 305(b) of the Clean Water Act require states to publish a list of all waters not meeting water quality standards and an overall report on surface water quality status of all waters in the state. To assess surface water quality throughout the state Wisconsin's Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology (WisCALM) guidance document is updated every two years. WisCALM provides guidance on the assessment of water quality data against surface water quality standards and for Clean Water Act reporting on surface water quality status. WisCALM updates are given to the public for their review before the guidance is finalized. Once finalized, the guidance is used in the current assessment cycle.

Current 2026 WISCALM

The Wisconsin Department of Natural resources has finalized its updates to WisCALM guidance for the 2026 cycle. This cycle’s updates included important details on using aquatic plants, E. coli and PFOA/PFOS to assess waterbodies, updates to terms, and a number of clarifying corrections. A full list of changes may be found under “2026 Version Updates” on page 2. 

A public comment period was held from March 26th to April 24th, 2025. A response to comments is available here: WDNR Responses to Public Comment on 2026 WisCALM. The compiled comments are available here: 2026 Public Comments on Draft 2026 WisCALM

Historical WisCALM documents

YearDocuments [PDF]
20242024 WisCALM
2024 WisCALM Change Log
2024 Full Public Comments
DNR Response to Comments on 2024 WisCALM
20222022 WisCALM
2022 WisCALM Changes Log
2022 Full Public Comments
DNR Response to Comments on 2022 WisCALM
20202020 WisCALM
2020 WisCALM Changes Log
DNR Response to Comments on 2020 WisCALM
20182018 WisCALM
DNR Response to Comments on 2018 WisCALM
20162016 WisCALM
DNR Response to Comments on 2016 WisCALM
20142014 WisCALM
DNR Response to Comments on 2014 WisCALM
Public Comments on 2014 WisCALM
EPA Comments on 2014 WisCALM
20122012 WisCALM
DNR Response to EPA Comments on 2012 Draft WisCALM
EPA Comments on 2012 Draft WisCALM
20102010 WisCALM
20082008 Methodology for Placing Waters on the Impaired Waters List
20062006 Methodology for Placing Waters on the Impaired Waters List
20042004 Methodology for Placing Waters on the Impaired Waters List
20022002 Methodology for Placing Waters on the Impaired Waters List