Located in southeast Wisconsin, Jefferson County is almost entirely blanketed by sediments that were delivered or shaped by the ice sheet that covered this area during the last ice age. Recent mapping interprets the distribution …
WGNHS research
Geologic Map of the Weston and Menomonie South 7.5-Minute Quadrangles, Dunn County, Wisconsin
The 1:24,000-scale geologic map of the Weston and Menomonie South quadrangles is part of a larger project to map all of Dunn County. Prior mapping work in the area was regional in extent (1:250,000-scale), so this …
2025 Year in Review
Director’s message In the last year, WGNHS published new and updated maps from some of Wisconsin’s most famous geologic regions, including the Baraboo Range and the Driftless Area. We also published the first statewide bedrock topography compilation in over 50 …
Hydrogeologic Atlas of Burnett County, Wisconsin
This hydrogeologic atlas offers a comprehensive interpretation and analysis of groundwater resources across Burnett County, Wisconsin. It encompasses assessments of the water-table elevation and groundwater flow directions, depth to the water table, depth to bedrock, …
Wisconsin Bedrock Topography, 100-Meter Resolution
This is the first statewide depth to bedrock (bedrock topography) compilation since the statewide map Depth to Bedrock in Wisconsin(link) by Trotta and Cotter in 1973. WGNHS GIS Specialist Matthew Rehwald used modern GIS …
Quaternary Geology of Vernon, Crawford, and Richland counties, Wisconsin
The topography of the Driftless Area, which was never glaciated during the Quaternary Period, is dominated by fluvial incision into flat-lying Paleozoic bedrock, resulting in deep, dendritic valleys. Local relief reaches 115 meters. Sediment coring …
Building Up Baraboo: A New Geologic Map of the Baraboo Hills
Mel Reusche, WGNHS Communications and outreach specialist Devil’s Lake State Park is one of many geologic marvels dotted around the oval-shaped footprint of the Baraboo Range that are explored by millions of visitors each year. …
The Economics of State Geological Surveys
August 22, 2025 Mel Reusche, WGNHS Communications and Outreach Specialist How do we measure the impact of a map? A new study concludes that by investing in state geological surveys, we invest in our future. …
The WGNHS Mapping Status Portal: a new way to discover our maps
June 30th, 2025 Mel Reusche, WGNHS Communications and Outreach Specialist speaking with WGNHS Hydrogeologist Amy Wiersma Have you ever wondered what WGNHS maps are available for a specific area of Wisconsin? The WGNHS Mapping Status …
2024 Year in Review
Director’s Message I am pleased to share the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey’s (WGNHS) 2024 Year in Review! It summarizes our main geological mapping projects, groundwater studies, data preservation efforts, and outreach activities from …