View our Springs in Wisconsin story map.
Springs in Wisconsin, a WGNHS story map, allows visitors to learn about Wisconsin’s many springs and explore the data from our 2014–2017 springs inventory.
Springs are natural intersections between flowing groundwater and the surface. They are critical natural resources that supply water for streams and wetlands across Wisconsin as well as habitats for endangered and threatened species. Groundwater researchers often depend on springs for data, too—for example, they provide important points to measure groundwater elevation and to collect samples for chemical analysis.
Our interactive story map is organized into three main sections, each accompanied by illustrative visualizations:
- Geologic Settings. Brief explanations about the geology behind how springs form. Shows where in Wisconsin the different types of spring formations occur.
- Springs in Wisconsin History. Describes the history of notable springs in Wisconsin, such as Bethesda Spring in Waukesha and Emmons Creek in Portage County.
- Springs Data. Provides access to photos, detailed descriptions, and full datasets for 415 of Wisconsin’s springs.
To view additional videos and photos of springs, visit our Springs page.
For project methodology and results, see our report An Inventory of Springs in Wisconsin, published in 2019 and available to download for free.
