Most Wisconsin wells have a construction report on file with the DNR. It lists the well’s total depth, casing depth, static water level and who drilled it. Search the DNR’s free Well Records Search by your Wisconsin Unique Well Number, or by county and street name for wells drilled in 1988 or later.
Updated October 2026
Step by step
- Look for a Wisconsin Unique Well Number (WUWN) tag on the outside of the well casing. Don’t open the cap.
- Open the DNR Well Records Search.
- If you have the WUWN, enter it.
- For a well built in 1988 or later, pick your county and type part of the street name (for example, MAIN) or the name of the owner when the well was drilled.
- For a well built before 1988, search by township, range and section, then open each “Image file” PDF to find yours.
- Save or print a copy for your records.
The DNR Well Inventory Search shows the same well’s details in a table and links to the scanned report.
Good to know
- Drillers must file the report within 30 days of finishing a well and give the owner a copy.
- New reports can take about 2 months to show up online.
- Questions about a report: DNRWELLREPORT@wisconsin.gov.
What the fields mean
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Total depth | How deep the well hole goes. |
| Casing depth and diameter | How far down the well pipe goes, and its width. Casing helps keep surface water out. |
| Static water level | How far below the ground the water sits when the pump is off. |
| First bedrock | How deep the driller hit rock. |
| Pumping rate and pumping level | Results of the driller’s test when the well was new. |
| Driller and year | Who built the well and when. |
The report shows the driller’s test, not the pump in your well today. Pump model, horsepower and how deep the pump sits are usually not listed.
Why it’s useful
- A pump installer can plan a job better when they know the depth and water level.
- Deeper wells usually cost more to service. See typical depths by town.
- It’s handy when buying or selling a home with a well.
- The DNR’s disinfection guide uses the depth and water level to figure the chlorine dose.
When you need a licensed professional
- You can’t find a report and need to know what’s in the ground. A licensed pump installer or driller can check the well.
- The casing looks short, buried or damaged.
- Wisconsin rules require a DNR-licensed pump installer for pump and pressure-tank work on a drinking-water well; check with DNR if you’re unsure.
Related
- Typical well depths by town
- What well work costs in Wisconsin
- How long well pumps and tanks last
- Buying or selling a home with a well
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