Fish Passage Coming to Estabrook Falls
Thursday, June 5 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Sunday, June 8 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Estabrook Park Beer Garden (4600 Estabrook Pkwy, Milwaukee)
Construction is set to begin soon on the Estabrook Falls Fish Passage Project—an important effort to help native fish, like northern pike and lake sturgeon, move upstream to reach vital spawning and nursery habitat. These native fish are weak jumpers and can’t make it past barriers like Estabrook Falls, which is not a natural waterfall but a leftover feature from historic bedrock mining. While fish can occasionally pass during very high river flows, the falls typically act as a significant barrier. Estabrook Falls is currently the largest remaining barrier to fish passage in the lower Milwaukee River. This project will modify the falls to improve year-round fish movement and support a healthier, more connected river system.
Join us for Office Hours + Guided Walks at Estabrook Park Beer Garden on Thursday, June 5 from 5–7 PM and Sunday, June 8 from 11 AM–1 PM. The project team will be on-site to answer questions, and short guided walks will leave every 30 minutes. Construction is expected to run from late Spring through Fall 2025, with temporary weekday closures of the west side trail and weekday river closures.