Central Sands Lakes Study

Under 2017 Wisconsin Act 10, the DNR is evaluating and modeling the potential impacts of groundwater withdrawals on three lakes in Waushara County – Long Lake and Plainfield Lake near Plainfield, and Pleasant Lake near Coloma. The Central Sands region is a contiguous area east of the Wisconsin River with sand and gravel deposits greater than 50 feet deep which spans several counties and includes more than 800 miles of trout streams and 300 lakes. Water withdrawn from this aquifer, primarily through high capacity wells, provides water for local municipalities, private water supply, industries and agriculture.

The DNR began the study in 2018. Click on the icons below to learn about the components of the study.

Data Collection	Hydrogeology of the Central Sands
Central Sands Modeling	Plainfield, Long & Pleasant Lake Characteristics
Background & Outreach Resources

In October 2020 the DNR released series of presentations in collaboration with our study partners, the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey (WGNHS) and United States Geological Survey (USGS) on methodology used for the study.

View the presentations:

• Overview of the Central Sands Lakes Study
• An Overview of Central Sands Hydrostratigraphy
• Central Sands Glacial Geology, Hydrostratigraphy and Lake-Groundwater Interactions
• Modeling the Central Sands
• Lake Resource Evaluation Methodology

The DNR received and has responded to several questions and comments during the 30–day public comment period for the Central Sands Lakes Study presentations on methodology.

Public Participation Timeline

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Related links

• High capacity wells
• Find existing high capacity wells
• Water use related requirements
• Drillers and pump installers resources and information