Michigan's new surface water information management system

Environmental News Service: The state of Michigan has developed a new online tool for water managers and the general public to track the water quality of the state's rivers, lakes, and streams. The Michigan Surface Water Information Management, MiSWIM, system was introduced in late June by the Department of Environmental Quality, in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Information Technology.

The MiSWIM system is a new, state-of-the-art Internet mapping application designed to provide the public easy access to biological, chemical, and physical data and other information that has been obtained for Michigan's waterbodies. "MiSWIM will provide a great tool for natural resource managers and citizens interested in natural resource issues to see how a water resource has been managed," said Department of Natural Resources Director Rebecca Humphries.

"It will also aid recreational enthusiasts and anglers interested in different bodies of water by showing them a wide array of information regarding a lake, stream, or river."

The wide range of water quality information available to MiSWIM system users includes water and sediment chemistry, fish contaminants, E. coli bacteria, fish and aquatic macroinvertebrate communities, river flow, fish stocking, lake bathymetry, and river valley segments. In addition, people can get data on industrial and municipal wastewater discharge sites, septage land disposal sites, coldwater and natural river classifications, nonpoint source program grants, land use classifications, soil types, and aerial photographs.

"The MiSWIM system will allow the public and water resource managers to obtain water quality data and information for Michigan's rivers, streams, and lakes more easily and more efficiently," said DEQ Director Steven Chester.

"Better access to this information through the MiSWIM system will improve water quality decision making at all levels of government," he said. Online access to the MiSWIM system, including a brief overview and navigation tips, is online at: www.michigan.gov/miswims.