Chloride Monitoring in Wisconsin

Summer 2023 Salt Wise Paddles and Chloride Monitoring Events

Join in some citizen science fun on the water! All ages welcome at these hands-on events. State and local experts will guide inquiry-based investigations into salt concentrations in freshwater. Participants will go home with the tools to support local monitoring efforts.

Interested in co-sponsoring an event? Email wisaltwise@gmail.com

 

 

 

Get Involved with a Local Citizen Science Initiative

 The Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, Milwaukee Riverkeeper, and the Superior Rivers Watershed Association coordinate monitoring efforts in their respective watersheds. Check out the data from the Fox-Wolf 2020-21 season on Google Maps.

In Madison, the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission is working with local volunteers to monitor chloride concentrations in Starkweather Creek: 2020-22 data is available here. Starkweather Creek is one of four waterbodies in Dane County that are impaired with high salt levels. Learn more about historic chloride concentrations and trends in Starkweather Creek, the Yahara Lakes, and other area streams.

Volunteer chloride monitoring in Wisconsin is further supported by the Izaak Walton League's Salt Watch program. Volunteers can request FREE chloride test kits, test salt concentrations in local streams and share results back to strengthen this national database.