Honey Creek Streambank

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In the 1950s and 1960s, Honey Creek was transformed into a concrete-lined ditch to address flooding issues and to move water as fast as possible.

Time has shown that concrete-lined channels pose more problems than a natural channel. After Honey Creek was channelized, it became a danger to people during rainstorms due to the high speeds of the flow; fish habitats were eliminated, and it led to more severe erosion of the downstream creek banks.


Project Overview
MMSD is now working to return Honey Creek to a more naturalized state to reduce flood risks, improve public safety, and restore habitats. The removal of the 50-year-old concrete channel, naturalization of the stream channel, and restoration of the stream bank will improve the habitat of Honey Creek and improve safety by slowing down the creek’s flow during extreme rain events.

Milwaukee County and MMSD have partnered with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to conduct a Feasibility Study through the USACE’s Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program. The goal of the Feasibility Study is to develop alternatives for the replacement of the concrete-lined channel with a naturalized channel to restore habitat. The USACE is funding 65% of the project up to a maximum cost of $10,000,000.

Please see the MMSD project page here, Honey Creek Flood Management | MMSD

Project components include:

  • Removal of approximately 3,910 linear feet of MMSD-owned concrete-lined channel of Honey Creek from W. Wisconsin Ave. upstream to W. Fairview Ave.
  • Removal of 1,050 feet of County-owned concrete-lined channel between Currie Ave. and W. Wisconsin Ave.
  • Rehabilitation of the remaining 3,700 feet of the natural creek downstream of Currie Ave to where Honey Creek joins the Menomonee River in Hart Park.

Project Benefits

  • Naturalize the creek’s channel
  • Slow flows during rain events
  • Improve aquatic and streambank habitat in and along Honey Creek
  • Reconnect the creek to its floodplain

Project Timeline

The project timeline is subject to change.

  • August 2022 - Signed agreement with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Milwaukee County Parks
  • 2022-2024: Design
  • 2025-2026: Construction

In the 1950s and 1960s, Honey Creek was transformed into a concrete-lined ditch to address flooding issues and to move water as fast as possible.

Time has shown that concrete-lined channels pose more problems than a natural channel. After Honey Creek was channelized, it became a danger to people during rainstorms due to the high speeds of the flow; fish habitats were eliminated, and it led to more severe erosion of the downstream creek banks.


Project Overview
MMSD is now working to return Honey Creek to a more naturalized state to reduce flood risks, improve public safety, and restore habitats. The removal of the 50-year-old concrete channel, naturalization of the stream channel, and restoration of the stream bank will improve the habitat of Honey Creek and improve safety by slowing down the creek’s flow during extreme rain events.

Milwaukee County and MMSD have partnered with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to conduct a Feasibility Study through the USACE’s Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program. The goal of the Feasibility Study is to develop alternatives for the replacement of the concrete-lined channel with a naturalized channel to restore habitat. The USACE is funding 65% of the project up to a maximum cost of $10,000,000.

Please see the MMSD project page here, Honey Creek Flood Management | MMSD

Project components include:

  • Removal of approximately 3,910 linear feet of MMSD-owned concrete-lined channel of Honey Creek from W. Wisconsin Ave. upstream to W. Fairview Ave.
  • Removal of 1,050 feet of County-owned concrete-lined channel between Currie Ave. and W. Wisconsin Ave.
  • Rehabilitation of the remaining 3,700 feet of the natural creek downstream of Currie Ave to where Honey Creek joins the Menomonee River in Hart Park.

Project Benefits

  • Naturalize the creek’s channel
  • Slow flows during rain events
  • Improve aquatic and streambank habitat in and along Honey Creek
  • Reconnect the creek to its floodplain

Project Timeline

The project timeline is subject to change.

  • August 2022 - Signed agreement with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Milwaukee County Parks
  • 2022-2024: Design
  • 2025-2026: Construction
Page last updated: 20 Jun 2024, 09:56 AM