drone image of milwaukee river by north avenue

North Avenue Fish Passage

Project Overview

In 1997, the North Avenue Dam was removed. To protect the riverbed and shoreline when the Dam was removed, special material called Articulated Concrete Matting (ACM) was placed all along the bottom and sides of the river. This concrete matting below North Avenue forms a roughly 1,000-foot-long, narrow, steep, and smooth chute. This creates very fast-moving water that prevents some native fish, such as northern pike and lake sturgeon, from swimming upstream to high quality spawning and nursery habitat.  Additionally, the matting has been breaking apart, and it is a matter of time before it all erodes away, along with the sediment underneath it.

The North Avenue project aims to address these issues and provide fish passage for native species within the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern (AOC). MMSD is currently exploring alternative solutions that will improve the stability of the riverbed and banks and improve the ability of native fish species to migrate upstream to suitable spawning and nursery habitats.

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

Sign-Up for Milwaukee Estuary AOC Email Updates 

Project Map

Project Benefits

  • Reconnect Fish & Wildlife Habitat
  • Improve Migration For Fish & Wildlife
  • Reduce Risk of Erosion

Project Timeline*

  • 2024- 2025 Preliminary Engineering
  • Final design and construction schedule will depend on availability of funding and receipt of permits.

*Timeline subject to change.

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    North Avenue Dam 1895.

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    Aerial of North Avenue Dam area in 1991.

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    Rushing water in North Ave area in 2008.

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    Installation of the concrete matting.

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    Failing Concrete Matting.

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    Failing Concrete Matting.

Partner List

Get Involved/Stay informed: 

  • Sign up to receive Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern (AOC) MMSD project 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.
  • Learn more about the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern (AOC) by visiting mkewaterwaypartners.org/. and following AOC initiatives on social media (Instagram, Facebook, X).

Comments/Questions

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