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.



Let us know your thoughts on this project.

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I’m for option 1 as it would be a shame to eliminate the pond - I think ice skating sounds fun! This option seems more feasible than the second because of the extreme expenses involved.

Susan3824! Over 1 year ago
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I am in favor of option C. I think this is best for a long range plan

Delzer Over 1 year ago
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South Milwaukee resident, in favor of Option C. Hopefully this option will strike a balance by creating a better environment for fish and wildlife but still keeping the pond and warming house for those who had grown up with it or just would like to see it back. Although the upfront cost is higher, the 5 year maintenance cost is low, and it sounds like there is little maintenance cost anticipated after that.
Maybe some more detailed renderings of this plan would be helpful for those who aren't sold on it.

mp Over 1 year ago
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I am in favor of Alternative C: Dam Removal and Channel Restoration. There is still the option for an ice skating pond, and it creates more walking trails, all while providing quality habitat and environmental continuity within the unique ecological zone that is Milwaukee County!

Justine Over 1 year ago
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Born and raised here and skated extensively as a kid during the winter. All I can say is other cities make great use of their niche space and South Milwaukee has a gem in this area. It can be a family destination during winter and if handled properly year round. Fast forward perhaps an investor turns the warming house into a cafe and a vendor during summer rents canoes? Bottom line this is an awesome diamond in the rough which right now is turned into a blight.

Mharty Over 1 year ago
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What is the current status on this project and what is the next step and when?

mszmidt About 2 years ago
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There have been some "less than kind" comments on the Friends of Grant Park Facebook page because of "apparent" inactivity at the work site. I found your project updates through South Milwaukee's city FB page, and shared it with FOGP. I have now found this, and will watch for updates. THANKS!

hrschaver Over 3 years ago
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Page last updated: 25 Jan 2026, 11:44 PM