East Central Wisconsin
Non-Point Pollution Sources

Agriculture, while not the only source of non-point pollution in East Central Wisconsin, is the largest source.  A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study was conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI DNR) in the Upper Fox and Wolf Basin to understand sources of total phosphorus and total suspended solids in the Upper Fox-Wolf Basin. 

The study measured total loading from the two prominent river basins; the Upper Fox River (including Lake Winnebago), and the Wolf River.  The two pie charts below show the main sources of phosphorus and suspended solids revealed by the study.  

Further details about non-point sources of pollution in the Upper Fox-Wolf basins can be found in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Total Maximum Daily Loads study.

Total Phosphorus

This chart illustrates the total phosphorus loading by source in the Wolf Basin, Upper Fox Basin, and the entire Upper Fox-Wolf Basins.

As shown, cropland, individual permits (those issued to
municipal and industrial wastewater discharges), and pasture/grassland are the largest contributors to total phosphorus in the Upper Fox-Wolf Basins’ waterways. 

Total Suspended Solids

This chart illustrates the total suspended solids loading by source in the Wolf Basin, Upper Fox Basin, and the entire Upper Fox-Wolf Basins. 

As shown, cropland and pasture/grassland are the largest contributors of suspended solids in the Upper Fox-Wolf Basins’ waterways.