The Southwest Wisconsin Groundwater and Geology Study (SWIGG) gave a presentation of their findings at a meeting in Lancaster May 16, 2022.  Rural residents of Grant, Iowa, and Lafayette Counties in Wisconsin rely on private wells for their water.  Contaminants like nitrate and bacteria from septic systems, fertilizer, and manure can contaminate the groundwater that residents use.  Groundwater is vulnerable to contamination where the soil layer is thin and the bedrock is fractured, which is the case for much of the study region.  The SWIGG study includes five objectives that were designed to assess and understand private well water contamination in the three counties.

Link to the summary, full report and other supporting documents

The survey will use airborne electromagnetic (AEM) technology to better understand how surface water and groundwater are connected, and the geometry of different aquifer units. To accomplish this, AEM data will be collected to image surficial confining units, shallow aquifers, and bedrock units. The use of a helicopter-towed AEM sensor (looks like a large hoop hanging from a cable) for this type of evaluation uses cutting-edge technology and provides accurate science-based data about below-ground properties that are otherwise difficult to assess over large areas. This project is in response to public feedback on groundwater quality, limited data on depth to bedrock, and to further define aquifer properties in relation to surface activities.

link to USGS website for more information

Flight path

Leasing and Your Land: A free webinar series for farmland owners Link to recordings
Local Extension and County Conservation staff will host a series of webinars the evenings of November 9, 11, and 16 for landowners who rent out land for farming in Iowa, Grant, Green, and Lafayette Counties.
Soil is one of the most important assets of land, but it’s not always obvious how to work with an operator to protect it. In this series, presenters will start at the beginning to help landowners better understand soil, conservation practices, and developing a good lease.
The first session, “Understanding Your Farmland,” will be Monday November 9 from 6:30-7:30 PM. Topics include the connection between land use and water quality, basics of soil types, soil productivity and limitations, soil fertility, and how to use the Web Soil Survey
The second session, “Protecting Soil and Water,” will be Wednesday November 11 from 6:30-7:30PM. Topics include soil health, manure applications, basics of conservation practices (including cover crops and reduced tillage), and farmland programs and regulations.
The third session, “Developing a Farmland Lease,” will be Monday November 16 from 6:30-7:30PM. Topics include the importance of a multi-year, written lease, the economics of crop production, what goes into a good lease, and considerations for a fair price. A local landowner and an operator will also give their perspectives. Link to recording