Milwaukee Riverkeeper

Milwaukee Riverkeeper is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1995. Milwaukee Riverkeeper is a licensed member of the Waterkeeper Alliance. The Waterkeeper Alliance is an international coalition that focuses on strong community involvement relating to ensuring clean water sources. The Riverkeeper website states the organization mission is “to protect water quality and wildlife habitat in the Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic rivers and to advocate for sound land use in our watersheds. The Riverkeeper website also lists their vision as “a future in which people from all walks of life can enjoy the healthy waterways of the Milwaukee River Basin.” The counties the Milwaukee Riverkeeper primarily operate in include Fond du Lac, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Washington, and Waukesha. The Milwaukee, Menonomee, and Kinnickiniic river watersheds include multiple counties, but the Milwaukee Riverkeeper is locally headquartered at 1845 N Farwell Ave, Suite 100 in Milwaukee. 

The Milwaukee Riverkeeper, since 2006, has trained hundreds of volunteers to test the local waterways. Riverkeeper test the waters for oxygen, turbidity, bacteria, temperature, and other indicators of water quality. The Riverkeeper boasts the largest volunteer water monitoring program in Wisconsin. The Riverkeeper also monitor local waterway shorelines for signs of erosion and other threats to water quality. If signs of pollution or habitat disturbance, the Riverkeeper reports their findings to the authorities. The Riverkeeper also organizes canoe recreation trips to encourage community involvement. Community involvement is also encouraged through seminars, events, weekly e-mail alerts, and quarterly newsletters all designed to educate citizens on Milwaukee waterways. Educating citizens on the pollution problems that the Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic river face is a very effective way to increase community support and involvement.

Community involvement in crucial to the work of the Milwaukee Riverkeepers. One example of strong community involvement is the Annual Spring Cleanup. This cleanup initiative draws nearly 4,000 citizens each year and collectively removes tons of trash from the local watersheds. Cleanup initiatives are also examples of an organization working in compliance with the Clean Water Act, the Great Lakes Compact and other laws that ensure the protection of Milwaukee rivers.

One specific project the Milwaukee Riverkeeper is currently addressing involves fish passage impediments throughout the Menomonee River Watershed. Urban development is primarily at fault for numerous stream impediments, and overall the Milwaukee Riverkeeper assessed almost 400 potential barriers. Of the almost 400 barriers, 126 were found to be significant and needed to be addressed. MMSD is also working with Milwaukee Riverkeeper on this problem and trying to improve fish passages and habitats.

Another project the Milwaukee Riverkeeper is undertaking is fighting for the Estabrook Dam removal (see picture above). Milwaukee Riverkeeper has brought this issue to citizens, fisherman, property owners, and elected officials to try and work towards removing this dam. According to the Riverkeeper website “removing the dam will save millions in taxpayer money, alleviate flooding, and improve water quality for habitat for fish and wildlife.” The Dam wasn't properly maintained by Milwaukee County and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources ordered for the Dam gates to be opened until the county repair deadline of December 31, 2016. The Milwaukee Riverkeeper is lobbying to remove the dam all together to improve water quality, naturally regulate sedimentation, reduce fish impediments, and avoid unnatural water levels. Another key argument is the cost to repair the Dam is three times the estimated cost of removal.

More information on the current projects the Milwaukee Riverkeeper is undergoing can be found at www.milwaukeeriverkeeper.org

Other Sources:

http://yosemite.epa.gov/water%5Cadopt.nsf/by+State/DA418D86B7211FB0852579040077357E?OpenDocument

https://www.wisconsinrivers.org/local-groups/directory/item/milwaukee-riverkeeper