This report represents the efforts of two schools of higher education in northern Wisconsin to keep Lake Superior, the largest surface area, fresh water lake in the world, close to the condition it was in thousands of years ago when it was formed. The University of Wisconsin-Superior and Northland College have been studying, since 1972, water quality in the streams draining into Lake Superior from Wisconsin in the Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, and Iron County areas. At Superior, the group responsible for the water quality study has been the Center for Lake Superior Environmental Studies. At Northland College, the group responsible is composed of members of the biology, chemistry, and geography departments. This report is directed toward those people in the Ashland County area who are interested in water quality. Included are comments on the present water quality of the south shore region, what kinds of interrelated decisions are going to have to be made in northern Wisconsin in the next ten years, an overview of national and state water quality standards, and a specific description of water quality in Ashland County. The report also identifies public interest groups and organizations that offer help on water quality problems. (BT)