Estabrook Dam Removal

Recent News

Media coverage

Other resources

Summary of Position on Estabrook Dam

February 2009

Contact: Cheryl Nenn, (414) 287-0207 ext. 229

Milwaukee Riverkeeper advocates for removal of the Estabrook Dam. Milwaukee Riverkeeper speaks for the rivers, and we believe that removal of the dam would have the greatest positive impacts on river ecology, flood management, water quality, sediment management, fish and aquatic life, terrestrial wildlife, and recreation. Dam removal will help us reach our vision of restoring the natural and wild aspect of the Milwaukee River for current and future generations. We believe that the ecological health restored by a free flowing river is of higher long term value than maintaining the current impoundment created by the dam. 

We also believe that the costs of repairing, replacing, and maintaining the dam will be far greater in the long run than the costs of removing the dam now. While we acknowledge that urban rivers must be considered in the context of the cities they run through, we still believe that removal of the Estabrook Dam is not only best for river ecology, but also minimizes costs to the County and thus provides the greatest good to the larger public. 

We do concede that impacts on motorized recreational boat uses will be significant and some landowners may prefer the current “aesthetics” of the impoundment instead of a free-flowing river. However, we feel that the benefits to other recreational users such as fishermen and passive non-motorized forms of boating will be significantly improved locally and watershed-wide. We believe removing the dam will mean that all people enjoying the river or engaging in recreational activities such as canoeing, kayaking, fishing, or hiking along the river’s edge will have an improved experience within our river corridor and adjacent County Parks.

We believe, weighing both pros and cons, that Milwaukee County will be exposed to less liability by removing the dam than by keeping it. We also believe based on past economic studies, that impacts to property values of upstream landowners would not be negatively impacted. 

We respect the opposing position of some landowners upstream of the dam. However, we believe the County Board has a responsibility to consider the viewpoints of environmental advocates, fishermen, paddlers, park advocates and other tax paying residents, living throughout Milwaukee County, who will be affected by this Estabrook Dam management decision. We believe the Milwaukee River should be restored and managed to the benefit of the greatest number of biological and recreational uses, and for the greatest number of users.

In closing, we urge the County Board of Supervisors and its standing committee on Parks, Energy, and Environment, to vote NOT to fund the repairs of the Estabrook Dam; to fund removal of the Estabrook Dam; and to advocate for the removal of contaminated sediments and restoration of the Milwaukee River in the area of the dam and existing impoundment. We also encourage the County Board to define and initiate a better public process regarding Estabrook Dam decisionmaking -- to educate the public on the issues and elicit informed public comment on Dam alternatives.

The following groups have signed on to Milwaukee Riverkeeper's position paper calling for the removal of the Estabrook Dam in Glendale:

  • Sierra Club Great Waters Group
  • Trout Unlimited-Southeast WI Chapter
  • Milwaukee Steelheaders
  • Milwaukee Lake and Stream Fly Fishers
  • Milwaukee County Conservation Coalition
  • Greater Milwaukee Green Party
  • Glendale Natural Areas Group

Full position paper on Estabrook Dam 

Taking a second look: Communities and Dam Removal

More resources below in PDF format:

AttachmentSize
dam_pictures.pdf1.73 MB
dam_final_report.pdf728.61 KB
Dam_matrix.pdf688.83 KB
dam_hydro.pdf375.62 KB
dam_hydro_licensing.pdf73.08 KB