The State of the Milwaukee River Basin August, 2001 PUBL WT 704 2001 A report by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with the Milwaukee River Basin Land and Water Partners Team and other stakeholders GOVERNOR Scott McCallum NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD Trygve A. Solberg, Chair James E. Tiefenthaler, Jr., Vice-Chair Gerald M. O'Brien, Secretary Herbert F. Behnke Howard D. Poulson Catherine L. Stepp Stephen D. Willett Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Darrell Bazzell, Secretary Franc Fennessy, Deputy Secretary Barbara Zellmer, Executive Assistant Gene Fransisco, Administrator Division of Forestry Steve Miller, Administrator Division of Land Susan L. Sylvester, Administrator Division of Water Gloria McCutcheon, Director Southeast Regional Office Frank Trcka, Land Leader Charles Krohn, Water Leader Southeast Regional Office The State of the Milwaukee River Basin August, 2001 PUBL WT 704 2001 A publication of the Department of Natural Resources Scott McCallum, Governor Southeast Region Headquarters Darrell Bazzell, Secretary 2300 N. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Gloria L. McCutcheon, Regional Director PO Box 12436 Milwaukee, WI, Wisconsin 53212 Telephone 414-263-8500 FAX 414-263-8716 TTY 414-263-8713 To: Recipients of The State of the Milwaukee River Basin Report We are pleased to present our first State of the Milwaukee River Basin report. This report provides an overview of land and water resource quality, identifies challenges facing these resources, and outlines actions the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and its many partners can take over the next few years to protect and restore our natural resources throughout the Milwaukee River Basin. This report is organized into land and water sections for simplicity, but shows how all our resources are closely linked. This ecosystem approach realizes that environmental, social and economic elements factor into our resource management decision making process. Some of our greatest resource management challenges are related to striking a balance between environmental protection and social considerations. The general nature of this report does not allow us the opportunity to provide intricate details of all resources and issues. Internet links and phone numbers are provided throughout this report so readers wanting more detail can easily find the information. This report is a work in progress. As objectives are met and projects are completed, we will provide updates on our Milwaukee River Basin Internet page at www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/gmu/milw/. We look forward to maintaining a relationship with all our partners as we work together to protect, restore and enhance our natural resources throughout the Milwaukee River Basin. Sincerely, Sharon Gayan Greg Pilarski Milwaukee Basin Water Leader Milwaukee Basin Land Leader www.dnr.state.wi.us Quality Natural Resources Management www.wisconsin.gov Printed on Through Excellent Customer Service Recycled Paper ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Preparation of The State of the Milwaukee River Basin plan has been an effort of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Milwaukee River Land and Water GMU staff with support from the Milwaukee River Basin Land and Water Partners and DNR field and central office staff in the Divisions of Forestry, Land, and Water. Many individuals contributed information, data analysis or review. Their help is much appreciated. Primary Author: Marsha Burzynski Contributors: Susan Beaumier, Benjamin Benninghoff, Ted Bosch, Michael Bruch, Marsha Burzynski, Ben Callan, Melissa Cook, Chad Czarkowski; Jim D’Antuono, Barbara Federlin, Jim Fratrick, Frank Fuja, Sharon Gayan, Chris Gengler, Judith Gottlieb, Craig Helker, Tom Isaac, Patricia Iwanski, Dale Katsma, Michael Ley, Washington Methu, Gerald Novotny, Julie Peltier, Jim Ritchie, Tami Ryan, Sharon Schaver, Tina Schultheiss, Missy Sparrow, Karen Van Atta, John van Ells, Will Wawrzyn, Craig Webster, Steve Westenbroek, Cherie Wieloch, John Wisniewski. Editor: Marsha Burzynski Mapping: John Wisniewski, Marsha Burzynski Partnership Team Members: Ken Albinger, Susan Baldwin, Lillian Boese, Robert Boucher, Steven Books, Gary Buntrock, Elizabeth Cheek, Jim, D’Antuono, Kevin Dittmar, Mary Beth Driscoll, Phil Evenson, Dave Fowler, Sharon Gayan, Joseph Greco, Bill Hanbury, Jim Hess, Andy Holschbach, Allen Hron, Marlene Johnson-Odom, Ted Lind, Jim Lubner, Dan Lynch, Peter McAvoy, Gretchen Messer, Matt Moroney, Sheldon Myerchin, Dick Osantowski, Rod Pfeiffer, Dave Schilling, Walter Schmitt, Steve Seyfert, Steve Skavroneck, Dan Stoffel, Angie Tornes, Frank Trcka, Claire Vanderslice This publication was partially funded by 604(b) and 104(b) grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to fulfill requirements of Areawide Water Quality Management Planning under Section 208 of the Clean Water Act and NR121 of Wisconsin's Administrative Code. This plan also serves as an implementation component of Wisconsin's Fisheries, Habitat and Wildlife Strategic Implementation Plan. Equal Opportunity Employer The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunity in its employment, programs, services, and functions under an Affirmative Action Plan. If you have any questions, please write to Equal Opportunity Office, Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. This publication can be made available in alternative formats (large print, Braille, audio-tape, etc.) upon request. Please call L. Helmuth, 608-266-7768, for more information. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707 This report can also be found on the DNR website at http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/gmu/milw/index.htm TABLE OF CONTENTS Summary ................................................................................................... VI Introduction................................................................................................ vi Mission And Goals......................................................................................... vi Report Structure......................................................................................... vii Chapter 1: The Milwaukee River Basin, Past And Present. ........................................ 1 Past........................................................................................................... 1 Present ...................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 2: Milwaukee River Basin Water Resources................................................ 3 Overview .................................................................................................... 3 Milwaukee River North Watershed .................................................................... 5 Milwaukee River East-West Watershed ............................................................... 7 Milwaukee River South Watershed....................................................................10 Cedar Creek Watershed ................................................................................13 Menomonee River Watershed .........................................................................15 Kinnickinnic River Watershed .........................................................................17 Challenges To Surface Water Quality ................................................................ 19 Industrial And Municipal Point Sources Of Pollution ...............................................19 Sanitary Sewer And Combined Sewer Overflows.................................................20 Nonpoint Sources Of Pollution ........................................................................21 Rural ...................................................................................................21 Urban...................................................................................................22 Contaminated Sediments ..............................................................................25 Stream And Shoreline Modification...................................................................26 Floodplain Development ............................................................................26 Dams ...................................................................................................27 Stream Corridor Modification.......................................................................27 Water Quality At Lake Michigan Swimming Beaches...............................................27 Drinking Water And Groundwater In The Milwaukee River Basin .............................. 29 Groundwater And Drinking Water Supplies..........................................................29 Drinking Water System Types .........................................................................29 Public Drinking Water Surveillance And Monitoring................................................30 Private Drinking Water And Groundwater ...........................................................31 Groundwater Quantity Issues..........................................................................31 Chapter 3. Land Resources Of The Milwaukee River Basin ...................................... 32 Wetlands................................................................................................... 32 i Wetlands Before Settlement ..........................................................................32 Wetlands Today .........................................................................................33 Wetlands Of The Milwaukee River Basin.............................................................33