This release includes eight data files that provide concentrations of mercury (Hg) chemical species and ancillary chemical and physical data that quantify and document aspects of the Hg cycle in stream and rivers located on tribal lands of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. These files were transferred to the U.S. Geological Survey by Lacey Hill Kastern, Natural Resources Department, Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in May, 2018. Files listed as Child Items in this release include data on Hg concentrations in: bald eagle feathers (Mercury Concentrations in Bald Eagle Feathers, Bad River Watershed, Wisconsin, 2014 - 2016.csv), bed sediment (Mercury Concentrations in Bed Sediment, Bad River Watershed, 2006-2015.csv), fish tissue (Mercury Concentrations in Fish Tissue, Bad River Watershed, Wisconsin, 2004-2013.csv), green frog tissue (Mercury Concentrations in Green Frog Tissue, Bad River Watershed, Wisconsin, 2012-2013.csv), litterfall (Mercury Concentrations in Litterfall, Bad River Watershed, Wisconsin, 2012-2018.csv), river otter hair (Mercury Concentrations in River Otter Hair, Bad River Watershed, Wisconsin.csv), surface waters (Mercury Concentrations in Surface Waters, Bad River Watershed, Wisconsin, 2006-2016.csv), and wild rice (Mercury Concentrations in Wild Rice, Bad River Watershed, Wisconsin, 2006.csv). Attributes describing the contents of each of these data files are provided in the .xml file that accompanies each Child Item. Note that documentation of some data sets was incomplete as received from the Natural Resources Department. Any data items in the .csv files that were not available are marked with "NA" indicating not available. This data release includes as much documentation as was provided to the U.S. Geological Survey. Neither sample collection nor Hg analyses were performed by the U.S. Geological Survey, New York Water Science Center.

These data represent mercury (Hg), filtered total Hg (FTHg), filtered methylmercury (FMHg), particulate total Hg (PTHg), particulate methylmercury (PMHg), total mercury (THg), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations in surface water samples collected on Bad River Tribal lands. Several samples were collected at multiple locations on the Bad River and Tyler Forks Creek, and one location on Bull Gus Creek. Additionally, one sample was collected at each of four unknown locations on four Bad River tributaries and two samples at a lake of unknown location. All samples were collected during 2006 to 2016. Neither the collection of water samples nor the Hg analyses were performed by the U.S. Geological Survey, New York Water Science Center.

These data represent mercury (Hg), filtered total Hg (FTHg), filtered methylmercury (FMHg), particulate total Hg (PTHg), particulate methylmercury (PMHg), total mercury (THg), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations in surface water samples collected on Bad River Tribal lands. Several samples were collected at multiple locations on the Bad River and Tyler Forks Creek, and one location on Bull Gus Creek. Additionally, one sample was collected at each of four unknown locations on four Bad River tributaries and two samples at a lake of unknown location. All samples were collected during 2006 to 2016. Neither the collection of water samples nor the Hg analyses were performed by the U.S. Geological Survey, New York Water Science Center.

These data represent Hg concentrations in tissue from 104 analyses of fish samples collected at 7 sites in streams/rivers and lakes during 2004 to 2013 within or near to Bad River Tribal lands. Nine fish species are represented in this dataset. Most fish specimens were collected by the Bad River Tribe, but collection agency was not always indicated in source files.

These data represent Hg concentrations in tissue from 104 analyses of fish samples collected at 7 sites in streams/rivers and lakes during 2004 to 2013 within or near to Bad River Tribal lands. Nine fish species are represented in this dataset. Most fish specimens were collected by the Bad River Tribe, but collection agency was not always indicated in source files.

These data represent total mercury (Hg) concentrations and percent organic carbon in bed sediment from 51 samples collected at 44 location in streams and rivers during 2006 to 2015 within or near to Bad River Tribal lands. Reach lengths are provided when they were available, and the data set includes sieved, unsieved, and samples where sieving status was not indicated. Samples were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey, jointly by the U.S. Geological Survey and Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, or unknown collection agency. Neither bed sediment sample collection nor Hg analyses were performed by the U.S. Geological Survey, New York Water Science Center.

These data represent total mercury (Hg) concentrations and percent organic carbon in bed sediment from 51 samples collected at 44 location in streams and rivers during 2006 to 2015 within or near to Bad River Tribal lands. Reach lengths are provided when they were available, and the data set includes sieved, unsieved, and samples where sieving status was not indicated. Samples were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey, jointly by the U.S. Geological Survey and Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, or unknown collection agency. Neither bed sediment sample collection nor Hg analyses were performed by the U.S. Geological Survey, New York Water Science Center.

Annual litterfall samples were collected and analyzed for THg (total mercury) and MHg (methyl mercury) at a site (WI95) on Bad River tribal lands during 2012 to 2018. Litterfall was collected at a second site, WI01, during 2012 only. Litterfall was sampled in eight collectors, from which annual mass was determined. Total mercury analyses were performed on only four samples from the collectors with the lowest numbers in the sequence. A mass weighted sample based on the four THg samples was analyzed for MHg. Neither the collection of litterfall samples nor the Hg analyses were performed by the U.S. Geological Survey, New York Water Science Center.

Annual litterfall samples were collected and analyzed for THg (total mercury) and MHg (methyl mercury) at a site (WI95) on Bad River tribal lands during 2012 to 2018. Litterfall was collected at a second site, WI01, during 2012 only. Litterfall was sampled in eight collectors, from which annual mass was determined. Total mercury analyses were performed on only four samples from the collectors with the lowest numbers in the sequence. A mass weighted sample based on the four THg samples was analyzed for MHg. Neither the collection of litterfall samples nor the Hg analyses were performed by the U.S. Geological Survey, New York Water Science Center.

These data represent Hg concentrations in tissue of 18 green frogs from the Bad River, Wisconsin. Neither the collection of green frogs nor the Hg analyses were performed by the U.S. Geological Survey, New York Water Science Center.