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)
To stay up to date on the project and other AOC updates, please sign up for the Waterway Restoration Partnership newsletter below.
Partner Lead: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Status: Planning
Outcome: Cleaned-up Waterways
More Information: Sediment Fact Sheet, Floodplains Cleanup Fact Sheet, Floodplains FAQs, Floodplains Sampling Fact Sheet
Public Meeting Recordings: Cleaning Up the Milwaukee River Floodplains (November 2, 2023), Cleaning Up Our Toxic Legacy: Milwaukee River Greenway (May 9, 2022), Milwaukee River Floodplains & Your Health (December 13, 2021)