Historic mining practices impact soil quality

Though the last mine in Southwest Wisconsin closed decades ago, the area's mining past continues to impact the region.

After encountering unusually high zinc levels in a field near Highland, University of Wisconsin soil scientists created an atlas of potential mining-related soil contamination in Grant, Lafayette, Iowa, and Green Counties. Researchers emphasize that the atlas is meant as a guide for landowners and based on historic records, not actual soil testing at the sites.

Hazel Green and Benton are two nearby mining towns highlighted in the report.

Below are some snapshots from the atlas. For better-quality images, click on the individual maps. To access the complete report: Digital Atlas of Historic Mining Activity in Southwestern Wisconsin

For the Wisconsin State Journal article about the Digital Atlas: Mapping the toxic legacy of mining