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Water Survey

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  • Road salt

    ISWS wins Salt Symposium Chloride Reduction Leadership award

    Aug 30, 2023 10:00 am

    Starting in the late 1990s, the ISWS began assessing groundwater quality data in the Chicago region to determine how chloride concentrations might be increasing with time due to road deicing applications. It turns out almost all water resources in the region are being impacted. Because of these efforts and increased awareness, various counties and municipalities in the region now practice sensible salting, including pre-application of brines and training of operators. 

  • August wrapped up a mild and drier summer in Illinois

    Sep 1, 2023 2:45 pm

    The heatwave in late August was intense, but the average temperature and rainfall for the month were nearly normal based on long-term records, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the Illinois State Water Survey. Likewise, the summer season temperature was within 1 degree of normal with slightly drier conditions. 

  • Illinois soils are cooler and drier in mid-September

    Sep 14, 2023 2:15 pm

    Cooler weather in the past week has led to lower soil temperatures throughout the state in mid-September.


  • Illinois drought impacts continue into the fall

    Sep 14, 2023 2:30 pm

    Drought intensified again in Illinois at the end of the growing season, increasing the risk of fire and blowing dust as harvest approaches. River levels have also dropped near or below low stage, leading to navigation concerns.

  • Illinois soils are cooling in the first half of October

    Oct 18, 2023 9:30 am

    Soil temperatures have fallen 10 to 20 degrees so far in October, which is normal for this time of year.

  • A mild October had a chilly end

    Nov 2, 2023 11:30 am

    Most of October in Illinois had above average temperatures, until a weather shift in the last few days of the month brought a shockingly cold Halloween and even snow in some areas, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the Illinois State Water Survey. 

  • A warming climate is evident in new winter plant hardiness map

    Nov 16, 2023 2:00 pm

    Changes in the new 2023 US Department of Agriculture’s plant hardiness map are strong evidence of global warming.

  • well water

    Coming soon: new hotline, website, and maps on private wells

    Nov 27, 2023 11:15 am

    A new hotline, website, and other resources will soon be available through the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) for private well and septic system owners and the water professionals that serve them. 

  • November puts an end to a warmer and drier fall

    Dec 4, 2023 10:15 am

    The average statewide temperature was above the 30-year average in November, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the Illinois State Water Survey. Precipitation was 2.34 inches below average, making it the eighth driest of that month on record. 

  • December average temperature in top three for Illinois

    Jan 3, 2024 9:30 am

    Preliminary reports showed that December 2023 was the third warmest December on record, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

  • Cultivating Innovation: The Intersection of Geography, Climate, and Agricultural Research in Illinois

    Jan 31, 2024 8:45 am

    Since its inception in 2008, the Prairie Research Institute has conducted long-term monitoring of Illinois’ water, soil, and climate. These data, including growing and pest degree days, soil temperature and moisture, water table levels, and in-stream sediment, are used every day by thousands of Illinoisans and by the state’s agriculture, renewable energy, and construction industries.

  • A wet and wild January finally brings winter to Illinois

    Feb 6, 2024 9:15 am

    Mild weather carried over from December into January in Illinois, when frigid temperatures and winter storms hit mid-month. Rain and snowfall in January took a big bite out of drought in the state, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.  January precipitation tied for the eighth wettest January on record.

  • Another Mild February Ends Another Weak Winter in Illinois

    Mar 5, 2024 9:45 am

    Preliminary findings showed that February 2024 was the 3rd warmest and 4th driest on record back to the 1800s in Illinois, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.  

  • Higher soil temperatures this winter foretell potential crop pest problems

    Mar 5, 2024 3:15 pm

    Winter 2023-24 has been warm throughout Illinois, creating conditions ripe for insects to overwinter, according to scientists at the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) at the University of Illinois.  

  • University of Illinois-Washington University team part of NSF’s program focused on equitable water solutions

    Mar 19, 2024 4:15 pm

    The National Science Foundation recently announced the awarding of 15 grants, totaling $9.8 million, to interdisciplinary teams under Track K: Equitable Water Solutions, focused on research to benefit society at large. The University of Illinois team, working with researchers at Washington University in St. Louis, received $650,000 for a one-year effort to further develop their idea of passive sampling of water quality at the tap.

  • Water Survey to analyze flood risks in Clinton, Fayette, Shelby, and Washington Counties, Illinois

    Mar 27, 2024 1:00 pm

    The Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) is collecting data within the Upper, Middle, and Lower Kaskaskia River watersheds as part of a multiple-phase hydrologic and hydraulic study to help local communities identify areas of high flood risk for flood mitigation planning. 

  • eclipse

    Water Survey program to monitor weather effects of the solar eclipse

    Apr 3, 2024 8:45 am

    As the solar eclipse brings a spectacular show in the sky on April 8, viewers can also follow its path online as the Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) program at the Illinois State Water Survey offers real-time monitoring of changing weather conditions during the event. 

  • Soils are warm throughout Illinois in mid-April

    Apr 16, 2024 3:45 pm

    Warm weather has continued into April, impacting soil temperatures, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey.

  • Warm May wraps up very mild spring

    Jun 10, 2024 1:00 pm

    This spring was the fourth warmest start to any year on record in Illinois, and the summer has a high chance of above normal temperatures, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.