High levels of 'forever chemicals' found in water south of the Fort McCoy military base

State officials are asking anglers to reduce consumption of certain species of fish harvested from a pond near the Fort McCoy military base because of high levels of PFAS, the latest example of the chemicals being detected in Wisconsin waterways. 

The Department of Natural Resources found the chemicals in bluegill, crappies, largemouth bass and northern pike caught in the pond. The agency recommended limiting the consumption of bluegill to no more than once a week, and the consumption of crappies, bass and pike to no more than one meal a month.

Angelo Pond, located just southwest from Fort McCoy in Sparta, is a 53-acre impoundment of the La Crosse River. Sampling in the area will continue, the DNR said in a Wednesday release, in conjunction with Fort McCoy. 

Fort McCoy has been testing all the drinking water wells on the base on a three-year basis, said Tonya Townsell, the Fort McCoy public affairs officer. The base is working to determine the extent of contamination at Fort McCoy and hopes to sign a contract for a study this summer, Townsell said.

Studies have found that other bases — such as the Air National Guard 128th Air Refueling Wing at the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport — have also found the compounds seeping into the water around their sites and causing issues. 

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a family of man-made chemicals used for their water- and stain-resistant qualities in products like clothing and carpet, nonstick cookware, packaging and firefighting foam. The family includes 5,000 compounds, which are persistent, remaining both in the environment and human body over time.

More:Here's what you should know about PFAS, the 'forever contaminant' being identified in more locations across Wisconsin

PFAS have been linked to types of kidney and testicular cancers, lower birth weights, harm to immune and reproductive systems, and altered hormone regulation and thyroid hormones.

PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), one of the most well-researched in the family of compounds, was the compound found to be elevated within the fish from the pond. 

The DNR in 2021 also issued a consumption advisory for Silver Creek, which flows into the pond.

Earlier this year, the department cautioned anglers against eating rock bass harvested from the bay of Green Bay more than once a week, as well as rock bass caught in any of the bay's tributaries. The agency also warned against eating brown trout harvested from Black Earth Creek near Madison more than once a week in March. 

More:Wausau has 'forever chemicals' throughout its water system. What the city does next could set a blueprint for other cities.

Last year, the department issued advisories for yellow perch and crappies harvested from the Pentenwell Flowage, asking anglers not to consume the fish more than once a week. An existing advisory also cautioned against consuming white bass more than once a month, due to high levels of PCBs, as well as high levels of PFAS. 

Also in 2021, the department issued advisories for Starkweather Creek, Lake Monona, Wingra Creek, Lake Waubesa, Upper and Lower Mud Lakes, Lake Kegonsa and the downstream portion of the Yahara River to where it meets the Rock River in Madison for several different species of fish, due to PFAS contamination that is believed to have come from the city's airport.

In 2020, an advisory for Lake Superior recommended that anglers and fish fry enthusiasts not consume rainbow smelt more than once a month after tests revealed they were accumulating the chemicals in their tissue. 

And near Marinette and Peshtigo, one of the worst PFAS contamination sites in the state, anglers have been warned against eating fish harvested from several ponds near the Tyco Fire Products facility, as well as the livers of deer harvested in the area. 

More:Milwaukee's drinking water shows very low levels of 'forever chemicals' 

Though the DNR has warned those who enjoy eating the fish they catch to be cautious about how much they consume from certain locations, it's still one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids and lean protein.

Those concerned about their consumption of self-harvested fish are encouraged to track how much fish they eat going forward and see their doctor if they have concerns.

Fish consumption advisories have been issued across the state for a number of harmful contaminants. For more information, visit dnr.wisconsin.gov.

Laura Schulte can be reached at leschulte@jrn.com and on Twitter at @SchulteLaura.