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 Population Density Greenspace and Parklands Today Watersheds: Boundaries of Slope Waste and Watersheds: The Deep Tunnel
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Boundaries of Slope, Basins of WaterThe boundaries of Milwaukee County, although determined by the history and politics of the area, are (aside from the edge determined by the shoreline of Lake Michigan) without regard for the geography of the region.This is especially obvious when looking at the catch basins or watersheds which directly effect the population of Milwaukee County. Eleven major watersheds drain southeastern Wisconsin, of these five directly effect Milwaukee County and its Lake Michigan Shoreline. A watershed is the drainage system of a specific place. When it rains, surface water eventually flows downhill first to streams, to rivers, and finally, here, to Lake Michigan itself. This elaborate system of connecting passages brings not only fresh water, but sediments, toxins, animal waste and inorganic materials downstream to Lake Michigan. The health of a watershed is determined by how quickly it drains of water, if wetlands exist to absorb and filter materials, and how much water its soils can absorb. The construction of homes, the laying of concrete, agricultural use, and the effects of industry relate to the health of drainage basins and the water that leaves them. The quality of water in the region has a direct effect on the wildlife which live in, on or near water here. Because nearly all of Milwaukee County's water comes directly from Lake Michigan, we drink what we leave to drain into our streets, streams, creeks, and rivers. Animal waste and pesticide and herbicide use from non-point sources such farmlands and yards, runoff from parking lot surfaces, pet waste dumped into storm sewers, raw sewage which overflows into streams and rivers, toxic materials released through industry and commercial activity; all contribute to the quality of the water we drink.
In Milwaukee County land use has altered most of this region. Only 5% of the total land area of 1,721,113 acres remained unaltered in 1985.
Testing the Waters Lake Michigan waters will be monitored throughout the year after specified rainfall events through the EPA's volunteer program, EMPACT. Thirteen locations in Milwaukee and Racine County have been selected for monitoring Community Recreational Water Risk.
EMPACT Additional information about river cleanup:
Milwaukee Cleaner River Project
Great Lakes WATER Institute A research and education facility operated by the Graduate School of the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (UWM). Involved in aquatic and environmental research and monitoring of Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes Basin. Home of the Center for Great Lakes Studies, the Aquaculture Institute and the NIEHS Marine and Freshwater Biomedical Sciences Center. On the map below, note the large area which funnels surface water through Milwaukee County and into Lake Michigan, the source of drinking water for most residents. Southeastern Wisconsin WatershedsMenomonee R | Milwaukee R | L Michigan | Kinnickinnic R | Oak Cr | Root R Menomonee R | Milwaukee R | L Michigan | Kinnickinnic R | Oak Cr | Root R |
