Heavy Rains = Dangerous Rivers

04/13/23 09:38:am

Why is there concrete lining our rivers?

In the past, the approach used to address flooding issues was to move water through the river systems as fast as possible. To accomplish this, areas of the rivers were “channelized” by lining them with concrete in the early 1960s.

During heavy storms, the concrete lining creates fast-moving flow conditions that have claimed drowning victims throughout the years.

How are we making the concrete lining areas safer?

In the short term, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), in partnership with the Milwaukee Fire Department, and Milwaukee Police Department, is putting up temporary fencing and signage along some of the concrete-lined areas of our waterways.

Long term, MMSD, along with other partners, is addressing the problem by removing the concrete lining, but this costs hundreds of millions of dollars and will take many years.

Be Safe Around the Concrete Lined Rivers.

Stay Away. The concrete lined rivers are dangerous. Water can be fast moving and the area slippery. Stay out of the concrete lined river.
Do not climb the fence. The fence is there to keep you safe by not allowing you to get too close.