Central Wisconsin waterways mapped for new app from UW-Stevens Point
7/24/2015
 


Central Wisconsin waterways will be easier to navigate and enjoy thanks to a new mobile application produced at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

 The Wisconsin Waterways app shows depth contours and map information for 13 central Wisconsin water bodies, including the Stevens Point flowage of the Wisconsin River. In addition to water depth contour information under normal water-level conditions, the app also includes the locations of old log pilings, points of interest such as nearby parks and boat launch locations, and municipal boundaries. 

Available for Android devices (search “Wisconsin Waterways” at Google Play), the app was originally generated with information from a bathymetric survey and mapping project conducted by the UW-Stevens Point Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Center. A team of faculty and students led by education specialist Christine Koeller collected more than 120,000 data points over 2,800 acres of the Stevens Point Flowage.

Lake Wausau is another key body of water included in the app. Information from the lake was collected and mapped in 2012 as part of a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources lake planning grant. 

Koeller’s group and the Lake Wausau Association printed 11,000 copies of that map. “We really wanted to take it mobile and give people the opportunity to use the depth information that we collected in a mobile environment: ‘Here I am out on my boat, this is where I’m located, this is where I want to go. What’s the safest route? What are the potential locations I might want to visit for kayaking, boating, fishing or duck hunting?’” 

UW-Stevens Point students in a senior-level Computing and New Media Technologies course were tasked with bringing these maps to life in a mobile environment. Dirk Kahl, Sam Franz and Justin Knight worked on the Wisconsin Waterways project, building desired features into a previous student group’s prototype of the app. 

In addition to the technical side of the project, students also learned valuable lessons on project management. “Our professors do a very good job of teaching us how to think like programmers, think logically and make apps maintainable going forward,” said Kahl, who graduated in May and is working for Herrschners as a developer. 

While the app team was excited to launch the Android version this summer, development will continue on an iOS version. Added functionality such as the ability to store information about specific locations is another goal. The app has been built to add new water body maps created by the GIS team. 

Professor Tim Krause, chair of CNMT Department, sees projects like Wisconsin Waterways as part of a larger community service provided by UW-Stevens Point students and faculty. “We’re able to provide the tools, resources and data to folks who really need it.” 

Supervised by Krause and Professor David Gibbs, students have worked with clients locally and nationally on technology-based projects. Their estimated 250 projects have contributed about $1.4 million to the local economy, Krause said. 

Bodies of Water Available in the Wisconsin Waterways App

Portage County

  • Stevens Point Flowage 

Marathon County

  • Bass Lake
  • Big Bass Lake
  • Lake Wausau
  • Lilly Lake
  • Lost Lake
  • Mayflower Lake
  • Mission Lake
  • Mud Lake
  • Norrie Lake
  • Pike Lake
  • Rice Lake
  • Wadley Lake 


​​​

Article Tags

Admissions; COLS; CNR; Alumni; Prosperous; Sustainable