Oak Creek Parkway - S. Milwaukee Mill Pond Dam

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Project Background

The original scope of the project included planning, design, and construction of repairs to the Mill Pond dam and drain structure. Required improvements include re-establishing a functioning drainage structure and piping system to enable draining the Mill Pond impoundment. Other requirements of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) inspection, such as vegetation removal and establishing a survey benchmark have been completed.

In December 2021, the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) released its Restoration Plan for the Oak Creek Watershed(External link) report. As part of this report, SEWRPC presented several alternatives for the future of Mill Pond and the Mill Pond Dam. To better evaluate these alternatives and prior to any work on the dam structure, an investigation was performed to characterize the sediments within Mill Pond. Results of the sampling indicated that sediments were impacted, and if removed or dredged from Mill Pond would require proper disposal offsite. Permitting would also be required for any dewatering activities. Please see the alternatives that were presented to the County's Committee on Parks and Culture as part of an informational report. PowerPoint Presentation (legistar.com)(External link)

Public Engagement

Milwaukee County Parks undertook a public engagement campaign in 2024-25 to assess community input of these alternatives prior to expending capital funding to replace/repair the sluice gate in-kind. As part of the campaign, a survey was conducted to gain valuable insight regarding the users of the Mill Pond, their values when it comes to the Pond, and their preferred activities when utilizing the Mill Pond area. The survey garnered over 800 responses.

Two Public Information Meetings (PIMs) were held for the project. The first meeting took place on December 3, 2024, and focused on presenting the project scope and the three remaining alternatives. Nearly 100 community members attended.

The second meeting was held on February 12, 2025, with approximately 50 attendees. This session shared the results of the community survey, presented the two remaining alternatives, and provided a cost breakdown. The remaining two alternatives and survey results are presented below.


Next Steps

Next steps for the project will be to target project objectives to meet community input including environmental cleanup, passive recreation, and resource appreciation. Coordination will take place with potential grant funders, and pre-proposals will be prepared to gauge funding potential. Work will also take place to refine total disposal costs for contaminated sediment, as well as long-term maintenance for a proposed solution.

Please check this project page for more updates as the project progresses.




Project Background

The original scope of the project included planning, design, and construction of repairs to the Mill Pond dam and drain structure. Required improvements include re-establishing a functioning drainage structure and piping system to enable draining the Mill Pond impoundment. Other requirements of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) inspection, such as vegetation removal and establishing a survey benchmark have been completed.

In December 2021, the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) released its Restoration Plan for the Oak Creek Watershed(External link) report. As part of this report, SEWRPC presented several alternatives for the future of Mill Pond and the Mill Pond Dam. To better evaluate these alternatives and prior to any work on the dam structure, an investigation was performed to characterize the sediments within Mill Pond. Results of the sampling indicated that sediments were impacted, and if removed or dredged from Mill Pond would require proper disposal offsite. Permitting would also be required for any dewatering activities. Please see the alternatives that were presented to the County's Committee on Parks and Culture as part of an informational report. PowerPoint Presentation (legistar.com)(External link)

Public Engagement

Milwaukee County Parks undertook a public engagement campaign in 2024-25 to assess community input of these alternatives prior to expending capital funding to replace/repair the sluice gate in-kind. As part of the campaign, a survey was conducted to gain valuable insight regarding the users of the Mill Pond, their values when it comes to the Pond, and their preferred activities when utilizing the Mill Pond area. The survey garnered over 800 responses.

Two Public Information Meetings (PIMs) were held for the project. The first meeting took place on December 3, 2024, and focused on presenting the project scope and the three remaining alternatives. Nearly 100 community members attended.

The second meeting was held on February 12, 2025, with approximately 50 attendees. This session shared the results of the community survey, presented the two remaining alternatives, and provided a cost breakdown. The remaining two alternatives and survey results are presented below.


Next Steps

Next steps for the project will be to target project objectives to meet community input including environmental cleanup, passive recreation, and resource appreciation. Coordination will take place with potential grant funders, and pre-proposals will be prepared to gauge funding potential. Work will also take place to refine total disposal costs for contaminated sediment, as well as long-term maintenance for a proposed solution.

Please check this project page for more updates as the project progresses.



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Betmexico About 1 month ago

Unfair slaughter of trapped by the dam game fish. Huge increase of big game fish anglers. Canadian license plates Illinois, Minnesota and states far beyond love this little trap where these fish are easy game. Let the fish travel up the oak Creek as they have always done remove the damn and make the anglers work for their quota for a change.

Brian About 2 months ago

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Ivan 2 months ago

I would like to know what is going on? This has been going on for years!

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Lindsaygroma 6 months ago

I had an even better response to the one I last left. Your survey if I remember correctly, was based on how we use the mill pond now and not how we would use it if these modifications were made. No one uses the mill pond for anything now other than to express regrets , except a few sad fishermen who are only going to catch either nothing or a chub. Very sad!

That is why I say plan B, restore the Lagoon to what it was. Make it another one of the focal point in the County Parks. It can be used year round. Sight seeing with paths completely around it. Fishing with trout and other game fish stocking, with platforms, more benches for sitting all around. A workable warming shelter with food and beer served sitting areas. Add more lights and have ice skating. Yes I know there is a cost for all of this, but really the parks are a wonderful thing! I would rather pay more in taxes then having a 22% increase in my water bill pushed down our throats with no say!

Gopackgo2025 9 months ago

I had a better response to the one I last left. Your survey, IMO was directed to how you use the Mill pond, or lagoon as I call it. No one uses it for anything, except a few fisher

Gopackgo2025 9 months ago

Absolutely plan B!!!! People are trying to fish it now and it’s useless! Dredge it, add paths, lights, ice skating, beer garden etc etc etc

Gopackgo2025 9 months ago

As someone who has lived in South Milwaukee for effectively my entire life, I remember even just 20 years ago when the parkway and millpond were much more vibrant and pleasant. I have thought for years that the entire stream path should be dredged and reconstructed. I still believe that should happen, however there are some other things to consider.

Firstly, our culture has changed somewhat, in that people spend much less time outdoors and in their communities than they used to, which reduces the community impact of this project, regardless of the choices.

Secondly, these costs are somewhat concerning. I understand that the maintenance costs will be covering the following 50 years, but does it really cost nearly $7 Million to dredge up and rebuild a few acres of land? And I'm not entirety sure what the 35% contingency is (Is this extra money just in case of accident?), so this number seems inflated.

Third, some people are worried about the wildlife and environment. That's not an issue. The animals were fine when the millpond was set up back then, and they've been fine since. Besides, humans take priority over animals and plants.

So ultimately, I agree with Plan B, fully dredging and rebuilding the millpond, although I think more attention should be paid to the cost. Maybe get the contractors to compete with each other for a cheaper contract.

As a side note, the county needs to do better at maintaining the park paths. Almost all of the path south of the beach hill are overgrown, cracked, covered in dirt and mud, and not properly edged, and have been that way for years.

Christian B. About 1 year ago

Dams and millponds have been repeatedly shown to be detrimental to the ecology, water quality, stream temperature, dissolved oxygen, promote nuisance toxic blue green algae grown and are extremely detrimental to health of native (brook trout, lake trout, sturgeon, walleye, smalmouth bass, pike) and introduced great lakes sport fisheries including: salmon, steelhead and brown trout species. Millpond dams limit fish migration, spawning to upstream habitat, natural reproduction, and healthy in-stream habitat morphology (rapids, pools, runs, falls).

The most ecologically and economically feasible option is to remove the millpond and replace it with a lovely "natural waterfall, with a stepped rapids bypass for fish migration. Keep the lovely Millhouse, park and greenway and reconstruct a nice wet prairie and oak savanna area in the footprint of the old millpond.

RedBison About 1 year ago

I would like to know if there will be a designated kayak launch at South Shore.

Helen Williams About 1 year ago

As a long time resident of So MKE, and one who utilized the "pond" as we called it during our childhoods, this restoration was the jewel of our community (and surrounding communities). The pond was a central community place during winter months as well as summer months (and continues to be for those who love to walk, watch wildlife and fish). Due to neglect, deferred maintenance, etc., our community has been begging for attention to bringing this back to life. Upon reviewing the options I fully support Option B Full Restoration. As a child who grew up on Hawthorne Avenue we know the pond requires maintenance, we saw the trucks dredging every few years. Any restoration is a blessing and much needed so we don't let this jewel fall into disrepair. This mill and it's surrounding beauty is what our town was built around. So please consider this full restoration. It is time Grant Park and this mill are a priority and please bring it back to its full beauty for not just us but for the thousands of people who regularly visit our park (and this mill area). Those who fish are often from out-of-state (given their license plates) and during COVID, the amount of increased volume to Grant Park has increased tremendously. Please help earmark funds to keep our park and this mill in better condition - bring it back to its full potential. The opportunities to bring revenue in at the "skating house" as we called it, could be tremendous. I drive through this park every day, I walk the trails, I sit to soak in the beauty. This is a central hub to our community - please help us return that beauty to our park. As a side note, we realize the roads are terrible in this park and the amount of down trees (which on many trails are a hazard especially those that are leaning on other trees) needs to be considered. Thank you for engaging our community and for the opportunity to provide input.

HFred About 1 year ago

I'm in favor of whichever option is most ecologically sound. That sounds like option C (but if I'm wrong on that, I want whichever option is best for the wildlife and the natural health of the watershed). The pond and dam are very pretty, but I'm much more invested in the long-term environmental health of the park and its natural habitat.

SW About 1 year ago
Page last updated: 25 Jan 2026, 11:44 PM