Milwaukee River Floodplains

Soil samples from the Milwaukee River floodplains indicate the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals such as lead. Cleanup of the contaminated floodplain areas will be performed concurrently with the sediment cleanup.

EPA’s contractor is working on the remedial design for cleanup of contaminated floodplains within the Greenway along the Milwaukee River.

Cleanup work will include equipment to remove the contaminated material and transport material to a management facility for disposal.

Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) constructed a Dredged Material Management Facility (DMMF) for the placement of contaminated material.

Contaminated material will be hydraulically pumped and transported to the DMMF. Following removal of contaminated material, clean topsoil will be placed, followed by full habitat restoration.

As we get closer to the cleanup, we will provide further updates on impacts to trails and parks.

Focused Feasibility Study Report

The Milwaukee River Floodplains Focused Feasibility Study presents the Recommended Alternative which includes areas to be dredged, capped and where habitat restoration will be performed. 

Milwaukee River Floodplains Overview Posters:

• – Floodplain 1 Cleanup (Estabrook Park)
• – Floodplain 2 Cleanup (Estabrook Park) 
• – Floodplain 4 Cleanup (Kern Park)
• – Floodplain 5 Cleanup (Cambridge Woods)
• – Floodplain 6 Cleanup (Gordon Park)
• – Floodplain 7 Cleanup (UEC Riverside Park)
• – Floodplain 8 & 9 (North Ave Dam)
• – Floodplain 10 Cleanup (North Ave Dam)
• – Floodplain 11 Cleanup (Pleasant Valley Park)