195 - Integrated Stream Restoration, Floodplain, and Regional Park Improvements in Milwaukee

The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) is partnering with Milwaukee County Parks and others to make improvements along the Kinnickinnic River and within the 140-year-old Jackson Park. The lagoon, natural wooded areas, picnic sites, play fields, summer farmers’ market and other amenities make this regional park popular. A significant portion of the river is lined with concrete or enclosed in culverts, resembling a drainage ditch. This project is part of a larger watershed plan to reduce flood risk to over 700 structures, improve public safety and stream habitat, and revitalize community spaces.
This presentation will provide a summary of the Jackson Park project, from planning to final design. The project will replace 2,100 feet of concrete channel lining and enclosed culverts with a natural stream design and reshape riparian parkland to increase flood storage to reduce flood risk for downstream neighborhoods. All of this work provides the opportunity to re-envision these areas of Jackson Park and improve park opportunities for the community! Improvements include removing contaminated sediments from the lagoon, updating park assets such trails and sports courts, and improving community access along the river and lagoon shoreline. Critical to this project is the hydrologic and hydraulic floodplain modeling analysis including unsteady flow modeling to confirm available lagoon storage is utilized during the peak design storm, 2D hydraulic modeling to predict sediment deposition locations, and confirming the water level regime is consistent with park use requirements. Construction is planned in four bid packages beginning in 2024.