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Ground water levels for 964 monitoring wells in Wisconsin, 1929 - 2015

This dataset contains the daily groundwater level observations and other monitoring well attributes in Wisconsin. It covers 964 groundwater level monitoring wells and has 400,812 observations. The time span of this dataset is between February 2nd, 1929 and December 31st, 2015. The data sources include United States Geological Survey (USGS), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), University of Wisconsin Extension, counties in Central Sands area, and North Temperate Lakes - Long-Term Ecological Research (NTL-LTER). The data compilation consists of three major steps. First, the data were retrieved from different data sources. Then the data from different sources were pooled together. No well was monitored by more than one entity so none of the wells’ records were merged. Third, two rounds of quality assurance and quality control (QAQC) were conducted. Wells in confined aquifers were not included in this dataset. The values of the USGS and Central Sands data are the depth to the water whereas LTER values are mean sea level elevations of the groundwater levels. These data could not be directly compared with each other. This data compilation was funded by the Wisconsin Groundwater Joint Solicitation.

Production, biomass, and yield estimates for walleye populations in the Ceded Territory of Wisconsin from 1990-2017

Recreational fisheries are valued at $190B globally and constitute the predominant use of wild fish stocks in developed countries, with inland systems contributing the dominant fraction of recreational fisheries. Although inland recreational fisheries are thought to be highly resilient and self-regulating, the rapid pace of environmental change is increasing the vulnerability of these fisheries to overharvest and collapse. We evaluate an approach for detecting hidden overharvest of inland recreational fisheries based on empirical comparisons of harvest and biomass production. Using an extensive 28-year dataset of the walleye fisheries in Northern Wisconsin, USA, we compare empirical biomass harvest (Y) and calculated production (P) and biomass (B) for 390 lake-year combinations. Overharvest occurs when harvest exceeds production in that year. Biomass and biomass turnover (P/B) both declined by about 30% and about 20% over time while biomass harvest did not change, causing overharvest to increase. Our analysis revealed 40% of populations were production-overharvested, a rate about 10x higher than current estimates based on numerical harvest used by fisheries managers. Our study highlights the need for novel approaches to evaluate and conserve inland fisheries in the face of global change.

Wisconsin creel dataset as well as predictor variables for lakes from 1990 to 2017 to estimate statewide recreational fisheries harvest

Recreational fisheries have high economic worth, valued at $190B globally. An important, but underappreciated, secondary value of recreational catch is its role as a source of food. This contribution is poorly understood due to difficulty in estimating recreational harvest at spatial scales beyond an individual system, as traditionally estimated from angler creel surveys. Here, we address this gap using a 28-year creel survey of ~300 Wisconsin inland lakes. We develop a statistical model of recreational harvest for individual lakes and then scale-up to unsurveyed lakes (3769 lakes; 73% of statewide lake surface area) to generate a statewide estimate of recreational lake harvest of ~4200 t and an estimated annual angler consumption rate of ~3 kg, nearly double estimated United States per capita freshwater fish consumption. Recreational fishing harvest makes significant contributions to human diets, is critical for discussions on food security, and the multiple ecosystem services of freshwater systems.

Application of eDNA as a tool for assessing fish population abundance, Northern Wisconsin, US, 2017 - 2018

Environmental DNA concentrations, WDNR/GLIFWC mark-recapture population estimates, and abiotic lake data on 24 lakes in Wisconsin's Ceded Territory used to evaluate the relationship between walleye abundance and environmental DNA density and its application as a fisheries management tool.

High Frequency Under-Ice Water Temperature Buoy Data - Crystal Bog, Trout Bog, and Lake Mendota, Wisconsin, USA 2016-2020

Water temperature measurements from three Wisonsin lakes. Two bog lakes are in Northern Wisconsin, Lake Mendota is in Southern Wisconsin. Thermistor chains span the full depth of each lake. See freeze dates for periods of open or frozen lake (NTL 32, DOI 10.6073/pasta/1c1acdb5489a0355f6f8bb5c496fdf8b and NTL 33, DOI 10.6073/pasta/22a5b5f8bce193353e559918b0024f9d)

Modeling dataset: Long-term Change in Metabolism Phenology across North-Temperate Lakes, Wisconsin, USA 1979-2019

This dataset includes model configurations, scripts and outputs to process and recreate the outputs from Ladwig et al. (2021): Long-term Change in Metabolism Phenology across North-Temperate Lakes. The provided scripts will process the input data from various sources, as well as recreate the figures from the manuscript. Further, all output data from the metabolism models of Allequash, Big Muskellunge, Crystal, Fish, Mendota, Monona, Sparkling and Trout are included.

North Temperate Lakes LTER: Northern Wisconsin boater survey, 2010 - 2012

Understanding public perceptions of the importance of environmental issues is crucial for gauging support for management activities. This survey assess the importance boaters placed on 16 water issues in a lake-rich region of northern Wisconsin. Sociodemographic characteristics, recreation specialization, place attachment, and attitudes concerning aquatic stewardship and invasive species management were then used to predict class membership. While anglers were most concerned about fishing quality, sightseers identified lakeshore development and loss of natural habitat. Groups also differed in their socio-demographic and attitudinal characteristics. The priorities of each group were substantially different from those of the overall sample. Accounting for differences in stakeholders’ environmental concerns may improve public involvement in water management initiatives by allowing managers to identify common concerns and prioritize important issues among multiple groups.

openCC (other)Jan 2022View details →

Stream Restoration and Flood Impacts in the Kickapoo River Watershed, Wisconsin, 2019

Data were collected from May to November 2019 at five sites on two stream reaches in the Kickapoo River Watershed. Sites include Billings Creek restoration site (BRES), Billings Creek reference site (BREF), Warner Creek upstream site (WUP), Warner Creek middle site (WMD), and Warner Creek downstream (WDN) site. Data were collected by Dr. Caroline Gottschalk Druschke as part of research into the impacts of stream restoration and flooding on Kickapoo River Watershed (WI, USA) streams. Data were collected on methane and carbon dioxide fluxes on all reaches, as well as cross sectional area and soft sediment depth on the restored reach on Billings Creek before and after restoration in July 2019.

openCC (other)Sep 2025View details →

In Situ Carbon Dioxide and Methane Flux Measurements Using Opaque Chambers in a Sedge Fen Wetland (US-Los Lost Creek AmeriFlux Site, Wisconsin, Summer 2015)

This dataset contains in situ measurements of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) fluxes, collected using opaque closed chambers at the US-Los Lost Creek AmeriFlux fen shrub wetland site in northern Wisconsin during summer 2015. These data were collected to characterize variability of day-time mid-summer methane soil fluxes across the sampling area of the eddy covariance flux tower.

openCC (other)Nov 2025View details →

Littoral and Pelagic Water Temperatures and Light in Escanaba, McDermott, and Sparkling Lakes, Wisconsin USA 2023-2024

This dataset contains high-frequency temperature (°C) and light (lux) measurements from three north-temperate lakes collected during the summers of 2023 and 2024, as well as locations of sensors in each lake. HOBO (HOBO Pendant temp/light®, Onset Brands, MA) sensors recorded at hourly intervals. Measurements were collected at 0.5m and 1m depth in all lakes (McDermott, Escanaba, and Sparkling) and at select 3m sites in Sparkling Lake. Sampling included pelagic and littoral zones. Each lake contained two pelagic sites instrumented using subsurface buoys. The number of littoral sites varied by lake and year (see Methods). At littoral sites, macrophyte presence or absence was assessed weekly, with presence defined as macrophytes occupying more than 50% of the water column. In Sparkling Lake 3m littoral sites were paired, with sensors placed inside and outside macrophyte beds less than 10m apart. These data were used to quantify thermal habitat breadth (daily temperature range) and to compare estimates based on (1) pelagic-only measurements and (2) combined pelagic + littoral measurements, allowing evaluation of the littoral zone’s contribution to lake thermal assessments. The dataset also supports analyses of macrophyte effects on thermal habitat in littoral zones. Data collection presented in this data package represents a subset of the larger "Walleye Bright Spots" project data.

Wisconsin Lake Historical Limnological Parameters 1925 - 2009

This dataset is a compilation of ten sources of data representing physical and chemical properties of 13,093 Wisconsin lakes. The goal was to compile a comprehensive resource of historical and more recent lake information which would be accessible by querying a single database. Due to the wide temporal extent (1925-2009), methods used for measuring lake parameters in this dataset have varied. A careful look at the available metadata and background information is recommended. Sampling Frequency: varies Number of sites: 13,093

Additional Daily Meteorological Data for Madison Wisconsin (1884-2010)

These data are in addition to "Madison Wisconsin Daily Meteorological Data 1869-current." Additional variables added include: daily cloud cover, wind, solar radiation, vapor pressure, dew point temperature, total atmospheric pressure, and average relative humidity for Madison, Wisconsin. In addition, the adjustment factors which were applied on a given date to calculate the adjusted parameters in "Madison Wisconsin Daily Meteorological Data 1869-current" are also included in these data. Raw data, in English units, were assembled by Douglas Clark - Wisconsin State Climatologist. Data were converted to metric units and adjusted for temporal biases by Dale M. Robertson. For adjustments applied to various parameters see Robertson, 1989 Ph.D. Thesis UW-Madison. Adjusted data represent the BEST estimated daily data and may be raw data. Data collected at Washburn observatory, 8-1-1883 to 9-30-1904. Data collected at North Hall, 10-1-1904 to 12-31-1947 Data collected at Truax Field (Admin BLDG), 1-1-1948 to 12-31-1959. Data collected at Truax Field, center of field, 1-1-1960 to Present. Much of the data after 1990 were obtained in digital form from Ed Hopkins, UW-Meteorology. Data starting in 2002-2005 were obtained from Sullivan at http://www.weather.gov/climate/index.php?wfo=mkx%20 ,then go to CF6 and download monthly data to Madison_sullivan_conversion. Relative humidity data was obtained from 1986 to 1995 from CD's at the State Climatologist's Office. Since Robertson (1989) adjusted all historical data to that collected prior to 1989; no adjustments were applied to the recent data except for wind and estimated vapor pressure. Wind after January 1997, and only wind from the southwest after November 2007, was extended by Dale M. Robertson and Yi-Fang "Yvonne" Hsieh, see methods. Estimated vapor pressure after April 2002 was updated by Yvonne Hsieh, see methods.

Saint Louis River Estuary Water Chemistry, Wisconsin, Minnesota, USA 2012 - 2013

These data pertain to water and sediments collected from the Saint Louis River Estuary (SLRE) and its nearby water sources by Luke Loken and collaborators for his Masters thesis and additional publications. In brief, we sampled SLRE surface waters and sediments for a variety of physical, chemical, and biological attributes. Ten estuary stations were sampled approximately monthly from April 2012 through September 2013. On four of the sampling campaigns, water was collected from an additional 20 sites. Sites were selected to represent a gradient from the Saint Louis River to Lake Superior and included several tributaries that drain directly into the estuary. This design aimed to understand the spatial and temporal mixing pattern of the estuary as it receives water from several rivers, 2 waste water treatment plant, and Lake Superior. We sampled the estuary to assess the magnitude and timing of source water contributions to the estuary and establish a baseline of chemical and physical measurements to aid in future limnological research. Additionally, we performed nitrogen and carbon cycling rate experiments to determine the estuary-wide influence on nitrate, ammonium, and dissolved organic carbon. This included 8 sediment denitrification, 1 nitrification, and 2 breakdown dissolved organic carbon (BDOD) surveys. This work was funded by the Minnesota and Wisconsin Sea Grant and in coordination with the establishment of the Lake Superior National Estuary Research Reserve (LSNERR).

Long-term trends and synchrony in dissolved organic matter characteristics in Wisconsin, USA lakes: quality, not quantity, is highly sensitive to climate

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a fundamental driver of many lake processes. In the past several decades, many lakes have exhibited a substantial increase in DOM quantity, measured as dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration. While increasing DOC is now widely recognized, fewer studies have sought to understand how characteristics of DOM (DOM quality) change over time. Quality can be measured in several ways, including the optical characteristics spectral slope (S275-295), spectral ratio (SR), absorbance at 254 nm (a254), and DOC-specific absorbance (SUVA; a254:DOC). However, long-term measurements of quality are not nearly as common as long-term measurements of DOC concentration. We used 24 years of DOC and absorbance data for seven lakes in the North Temperate Lakes Long Term Ecological Research site in northern Wisconsin, USA to examine temporal trends and synchrony in both DOC concentration and quality. We predicted lower SR and S275-295 and higher a254 and SUVA trends, consistent with increasing DOC and greater allochthony. DOC concentration exhibited both significant positive and negative trends among lakes. In contrast, DOC quality exhibited trends suggesting reduced allochthony or increased degradation, with significant long-term increases in SR in three lakes. Patterns and synchrony of DOM quality parameters suggest they are more responsive to climatic variations than DOC concentration. SUVA in particular tended to increase with greater moisture and decrease with drier conditions. These results demonstrate that DOC quantity and quality can exhibit different complex long-term trends and responses to climate components, with important implications for aquatic ecosystems.

Long-term fish abundance data for Wisconsin Lakes Department of Natural Resources and North Temperate Lakes LTER 1944 - 2012

This dataset describes long-term (1944-2012) variations in the relative abundance of fish populations representing nine species in Wisconsin lakes. Data were collected by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource fisheries biologists as part of routine lake fisheries assessments. Individual survey methodologies varied over space and time and are described in more detail by Rypel, A. et al., 2016. Seventy-Year Retrospective on Size-Structure Changes in the Recreational Fisheries of Wisconsin. Fisheries, 41, pp.230-243. Available at: http://afs.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03632415.2016.1160894

Long-term fish size data for Wisconsin Lakes Department of Natural Resources and North Temperate Lakes LTER 1944 - 2012

This dataset describes long-term (1944-2012) variations in individual fish total lengths from Wisconsin lakes. The dataset includes information on 1.9 million individual fish, representing 19 species. Data were collected by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource fisheries biologists as part of routine lake fisheries assessments. Individual survey methodologies varied over space and time and are described in more detail by Rypel, A. et al., 2016. Seventy-Year Retrospective on Size-Structure Changes in the Recreational Fisheries of Wisconsin. Fisheries, 41, pp.230-243. Available at: http://afs.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03632415.2016.1160894

openCC0Nov 2022View details →

Modeled Organic Carbon, Dissolved Oxygen, and Secchi for six Wisconsin Lakes, 1995-2014

This data package contains model output data, driving data, and supplemental information for a two-layer modeling study that investigated organic carbon and oxygen dynamics within six Wisconsin lakes over a twenty-year period (1995-2014). The six lakes are Lake Mendota, Lake Monona, Trout Lake, Allequash Lake, Big Muskellunge Lake, and Sparkling Lake. The model output includes daily predictions of six state variables: labile particulate organic carbon, recalcitrant particulate organic carbon, labile dissolved organic carbon, recalcitrant dissolved organic carbon, dissolved oxygen, and Secchi depth. The output also includes daily predictions of physical and metabolism fluxes that were used in the prediction of the state variables. This data package also contains model driving data for each lake and other supplemental information that was calculated during the modeling runs.

openCC (other)Feb 2023View details →

Survey of pond habitats and aquatic diversity of Madison, Wisconsin from May to Aug 2019 and 2020 Data Set

1) Urbanization may lead to changes in local richness (alpha diversity) or in community composition (beta diversity), although the direction of change can be challenging to predict. For instance, introduced species may offset the loss of native specialist taxa, leading to no change in alpha diversity in urban areas, but decreased beta diversity (i.e., more homogenous community structure). Alternatively, because urban areas can have low connectivity and high environmental heterogeneity between sites, they may support distinct communities from one another over small geographic distances. 2) Wetlands and ponds provide critical ecosystem services and support diverse communities, making them important systems in which to understand consequences of urbanization. To determine how urban development shapes pond community structure, we surveyed 68 ponds around Madison, Wisconsin, USA, which were classified as urban, greenspace, or rural based on surrounding land use. We evaluated the influence of local abiotic factors, presence of nonnative fishes, and landscape characteristics on alpha diversity of aquatic plants, macroinvertebrates, and vertebrates. We also analyzed whether surrounding land cover was associated with changes in community composition and/or the presence of specific taxa. 3) We found a 23% decrease in mean richness (alpha diversity) from rural to urban pond sites, and a 15% decrease in richness from rural to urban greenspace pond sites. Among landscape factors, observed pond richness was negatively correlated with adjacent developed land and mowed lawns, as well as greater distances to other waterbodies. Among pond level factors, habitat complexity was associated with increased richness, while the presence of invasive fish was associated with decreased richness. 4) Beta diversity was relatively high for all ponds due to turnover in composition between sites. Urban ponds supported more introduced species, lacked a subset of native species found in rural ponds,