MADISON, WI – Sept 16, 2026 – Dane County and the Madison Area Municipal Stormwater Partnership are joining communities across the state to educate and encourage efforts that keep rain where it lands and only rain down the storm drain during the 4th annual Wisconsin Stormwater Week. Protecting our waters starts with our actions on the land. Storm sewers do a great job of moving rain away from our neighborhoods and streets to prevent flooding, but they also serve as an underground highway to our local waterways. No matter if you live five feet or five miles from the nearest lake, river or stream, the actions you take in your yard can impact the health of our waters.
When rain runs off our rooftops, streets, and lawns, it can pick up soil, oil, salt, grass, leaves and other debris before washing into storm drains that eventually empty to our Dane County waters. All this polluted runoff can cause algae blooms, low oxygen levels, harm wildlife, and make it difficult to enjoy our lakes, rivers, and streams.
Partners across Dane County are working hard to keep our waters clean, but we need your help. The best way to prevent stormwater pollution is to take actions to keep rain where it lands and only rain down the storm drain. Learn about local programs and resources available to residents to protect area waters. Tune into a statewide webinar, purchase a low-cost rain barrel, or participate in one of the local events that are planned here in Dane County for WI Stormwater Week.
Local Event Schedule
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- Sept. 19, (10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)- Yahara River Fall Clean-Up, Veteran’s Memorial Park, DeForest.
- Sept. 20, (2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.) - Native Garden Learning Hub Gathering– Rain Gardens and Downspout Gardens, Lussier Family Heritage Center, Madison ($5, registration required).
- Sept. 26, (1:00 p.m.pm – 3:00 p.m.) – Lake Wingra Community Bike/Run/Walk, Start at the Vilas Park Shelter, Madison.
- Rain Barrel Sale, All Week – Cost is $82. Order online and pick up in Middleton, DeForest, or Stoughton. Open to all Dane County residents. Additional reimbursements available to residents of MAMSWaP communities.
Free Statewide Webinars
- Tuesday, Sept. 22 (6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) – Whose Pond is it Anyway?
- Wednesday, Sept. 23 (6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.) – Only Rain Down the Drain!
- Thursday, Sept. 24 (6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) – Infiltration: We’re Not Talking Coffee!
Visit www.ripple-effects.com/WI-
Media Contact:
Christal Campbell
Stormwater Education Coordinator
campbell.christal@danecounty.
Media Resources:
- Rain Barrel: https://flic.kr/p/2rtKtk2
- Rain Barrel: https://flic.kr/p/2rtKnvY
- Native Garden Learning Hub:https://flic.kr/p/2rhmvFv
Photos on our Flickr can be used as long as they include any photo attributions that are listed in the photo description.
About Dane County Land & Water Resources Department
The Dane County Land & Water Resources Department works to protect and enhance Dane County’s natural, cultural, and historic resources. It provides the county’s residents with a broad array of accessible, high-quality resource-based recreational services and facilities, and supports residents, communities, local governments and other agencies and organizations in their resource management and protection activities.
About Madison Area Municipal Stormwater Partnership (MAMSWaP)
MAMSWaP is a coalition of Dane County municipalities and organizations working together to reduce and improve stormwater runoff into Dane County lakes, rivers and streams.
