The Waubesa Wetlands are a 150-hectare State Natural Area located on the southwestern toe of Lake Waubesa in Dane County, Wisconsin. Often referred to as a “living museum," the Waubesa Wetlands are the most studied wetlands in the state due to their unique hydrogeology and biodiversity. Positioned within an artesian basin, springs from two separate underlying aquifers provide cool, clean water that supports one of the most diverse wetland communities in southern Wisconsin.
The Waubesa Wetlands are jointly owned by The Nature Conservancy and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, with active ecological management support from the Friends of Waubesa Wetlands. Because of their singular ecological and cultural significance, the Waubesa Wetlands are recognized as one of 100 Wisconsin Wetland Gems by the Wisconsin Wetlands Association as well as a Wetland of Distinction by the Society of Wetland Scientists.
Changes in urban and agricultural land use in the watershed may impact the ecological integrity of the Waubesa Wetlands. Ongoing initiatives aim to better understand the ecosystem services provided by the wetlands, study and manage local water quality inputs, and preserve terrestrial and aquatic habitats in the wetlands and surrounding watershed.
Waubesa Wetlands Watershed Report (2018)
In 2018, CARPC, the Wisconsin DNR, the City of Fitchburg, the Town of Dunn, and other key stakeholders helped graduate students in UW-Madison’s Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies develop management recommendations for the Waubesa Wetlands watershed. The final report assesses possible impacts of upstream development on Waubesa Wetlands based on an ecosystem services assessment, water quality monitoring, modeling, and community engagement. Key management recommendations include restoring wetlands along Swan Creek, preserving wetlands along Murphy’s Creek, continuing and expanding surface water monitoring, building climate resilience, and sustaining and building outreach and education efforts.
Click here for the Waubesa Wetlands Watershed Report.