estabrook falls river and trees

Estabrook Falls Fish Passage

Fish passage along the Milwaukee River is critical for native fish, such as northern pike and lake sturgeon, to reach higher-quality spawning and nursery habitat in the upper reaches of the river. These native fish are weak jumpers and unable to move past dams and waterfalls to complete their travels upstream to spawn. When man-made barriers block fish movement, fish passage projects help restore access to the habitat they need.  

The Problem 

Estabrook Falls is not a natural waterfall; it is a relic of historic bedrock mining. When rock was mined downstream of the falls and mining stopped at that location, a partial barrier to fish passage was created.  

During very high flow, the falls disappeared, and some fish could pass. But most of the time, many native fish were not able to swim upstream beyond it. 

After the Kletzsch Fish Passage was constructed in 2024, Estabrook Falls became the largest barrier to fish passage in the lower part of the Milwaukee River. The goal of this project was to modify Estabrook Falls to allow native fish to migrate past the falls and reach important spawning and feeding areas upstream. 

The Project 

In 2025, crews removed bedrock in some locations to allow native fish to pass. 

This new pathway allows fish to safely move upstream past the falls, something that hadn’t been consistently possible for over 100 years. 

Estabrook Falls Fish Passage

Why it Matters 

This project builds on major restoration efforts, including five dam removals (North Avenue, Estabrook, Lime Kiln, Chair Factory, Seminary Dam), fish bypass construction at Kletzsch Falls and Thiensville, and culvert removals.  

Now, fish can travel farther upstream than they have in generations, reaching over 60 miles of river and tributaries and accessing 2,400 acres of wetlands for spawning and feeding. 

  • Sturgeon are native fish to the Milwaukee River.

    Sturgeon are native fish to the Milwaukee River.

    Photo Credit: Jeff Houghton

  • East side of the river dewatered

    East side of the river dewatered

  • Crews lowering the bedrock to create a gentler ramp for native fish to swim upstream.

    Crews lowering the bedrock to create a gentler ramp for native fish to swim upstream.

  • Construction contractor isolated the work area using large bags filled with sand and rock, sending all the river water to the western half

    Construction contractor isolated the work area using large bags filled with sand and rock, sending all the river water to the western half

  • Community walk to learn about the project

    Community walk to learn about the project

Species that benefit include lake sturgeon, northern pike, walleye, bass, and other native fish. 

Lake sturgeon, which disappeared from the river in the 1850s, have been slowly returning since their reintroduction in 2003. Recent monitoring shows more sturgeon moving upstream, including one documented upstream of the Thiensville-Mequon Dam in 2026 for the first time in over 100 years. 

Projects like this help support their recovery by reconnecting the river and improving access to habitat. 

Note: Lake sturgeon are a protected species, and fishing for them in the Milwaukee River is not allowed. 

Part of a Larger Effort 

This project is part of a larger initiative to restore the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern (AOC). Learn more about the AOC by watching this John Gurda video or visiting the Waterway Restoration Partnership website. 

Project Resources

Project Partners

 

Project Map

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