Milwaukee river in lincoln park and estabrook falls

Lincoln Park Oxbow aquatic habitat enhancement

Milwaukee River Habitat Enhancement

Project Update:

Take a Look: New Lincoln Park Oxbow Project Update Video

In the video, you can learn about the history of the Milwaukee River in Lincoln Park, see a map of what we are planning, and hear how community feedback shaped the design. This project will improve habitat by adding more wetland areas for fish, creating better spaces for turtles to rest and lay eggs, making the water deeper in some areas, and removing rocks along the riverbanks where we can.

Take a few minutes to watch the video and share your thoughts in the comment form below.

Sign-Up for Milwaukee Estuary AOC Email Updates 

Project Overview

The Milwaukee Estuary, where Milwaukee’s three rivers meet, was once covered in thousands of acres of marsh and wet meadows. These areas were critical for various fish and wildlife to thrive. As Milwaukee grew, many of these wetlands disappeared, but today there are opportunities to re-create habitat in and near the estuary. This project is done in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Milwaukee County Parks.

As part of a Great Lakes Legacy Act cleanup project, contaminated sediment was removed from the Lincoln Park Oxbow in 2012 and 2015. Following the removal of sediment, the river channel was stabilized, but little attention was placed on how to enhance the fish and wildlife populations in the area.  

The goal for this project is to plan, design, and eventually, when additional funding is identified, implement improvements to fish habitat at the Lincoln Park Oxbow. This project will build on numerous other initiatives in Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties to improve habitat and migration in the Milwaukee River.

Project Map

This project is part of a larger initiative to clean up 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 Benefits:

  • Improve Fish & Wildlife Habitat
  • Enhance Recreation Opportunities & Public Access

Timeline*:

  • Spring/Summer 2021 - Community Engagement & Preliminary Design
  • Fall 2021 – Complete Preliminary Design for Selected Alternative
  • 2023 to 2025 - Community Engagement & Project Design Completion
  • Late 2026 to 2027 - Project Construction Begins Depending on Funding and Water Flow

*Timeline subject to change

  • Great Blue Heron flying through Lincoln Park Oxbow.

    Great Blue Heron flying through Lincoln Park Oxbow.

    Photo Credit: David Thomas

  • Sturgeon are native fish to the Milwaukee River.

    Sturgeon are native fish to the Milwaukee River.

    Photo Credit: Jeff Houghton

  • Lincoln Park Oxbow in Fall.

    Lincoln Park Oxbow in Fall.

    Photo Credit: David Thomas

  • Lincoln Park Oxbow in Summer.

    Lincoln Park Oxbow in Summer.

Get Involved:

  • Sign up to receive Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern (AOC) updates in your inbox.
  • Participate in upcoming events. MMSD will conduct a number of stakeholder and public outreach activities throughout the entirety of the project to obtain project input and feedback.
  • Follow MMSD on social media (Instagram, Facebook, X) for updates on MMSD projects.

Project Resources

Partner List

 

Comment / Questions

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