Water Use

Water Use

Wisconsin is water-rich and DNR is committed to ensuring that our water use is sustainable. The DNR’s Water Use Program implements the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact and focuses on statewide water quantity

High Capacity Well Data and Maps

Tools used to search for high capacity wells and surface water withdrawal sources
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Reporting Water Use

Registered withdrawers are required to measure the volume of water withdrawn monthly and report annually to DNR
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Great Lakes Compact and diversions

An agreement between Great Lakes states detailing how to manage and protect the Great Lakes and manage diversions
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Wisconsin water withdrawal data & reports

View yearly reports and summaries of water withdrawals
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Water Use Registration

Register a water withdrawal if you have a water supply system with the capacity to withdraw 100,000 gallons per day
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High Capacity Wells

A well that has the capacity to withdraw more than 100,000 gallons per day
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Central Sands Lakes Study

To implement 2017 Wisconsin Act 10, DNR evaluated the hydrology of three lakes in the Central Sands
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Guidance for Public Comment

Current opportunities to comment on Drinking Water and Groundwater Program guidance
Guidance for Public Comment

Water use permitting

Apply and receive a water use permit prior to withdrawing water in the Great Lakes Basin
Water use permitting

Water conservation and efficiency

Wisconsin’s abundant water resources are the foundation for safe drinking water, recreational and economic activity
Water conservation and efficiency

Groundwater levels and aquifer response

Floods and droughts are part of life in Wisconsin and elsewhere, but they come with significant costs
Groundwater levels and aquifer response

Groundwater StoryMap

Learn how groundwater moves and about our primary aquifers
Groundwater StoryMap

Water Use Monitoring

Learn how water levels are monitored in Wisconsin
Water Use Monitoring

Great Lakes Compact Rules

Water Supply Service Area Planning (NR 854) and Great Lakes Diversions and Intrabasin Transfers (NR 851) being written
Great Lakes Compact Rules

A Decade of Wisconsin Water Withdrawals StoryMap

An interactive summary of water withdrawals across Wisconsin
A Decade of Wisconsin Water Withdrawals StoryMap