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Menomonee River (Wisconsin)
Project Status: modeling
is complete
River Basin
Characteristics
The Menomonee River is a tributary to the Milwaukee River and discharges
to a Federal navigation channel at Milwaukee Harbor near Milwaukee,
Wisconsin. The Menomonee River watershed encompassess approximately
140 square miles, including portions of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee,
and Washington counties. As primarily urban areas, the lower and central
portions of the watershed include mainly residential, commercial, and
industrial developments. Some agricultural land can be found near the
upper reach of the Menomonee River; however, this area is being developed
at a rapid pace.
As with other areas of rapid
urban development, increases in impervious area contribute to a flashier
system with higher peak velocities and shear stresses. Bank erosion
and erosion from construction sites also contribute heavily to waterway
pollution within the Menomonee River watershed.
Modeling Approach
The primary objective of the Tributary Modeling project for the Menomonee
River was to find an effective solution to help stem urban runoff, stormwater,
and sedimentation to the Milwaukee River. An existing HSPF hydrologic
model, developed for MMSD, was provided to USACE. HEC-6
was used to predict sediment transport, while BASINS 3.0 water
quality model provided further analysis.
Modeling was completed in April of
2002. Subsequently, a workshop was conducted in Milwaukee in May 2002
to train users from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sanitary District (MMSD)
and Milwaukee Port Authority.
Use and Applications
The Menomonee River Model examined the effects of urban development
on sediment delivery and transport. Data provided to the MMSD included
an assessment of the benefits of peak flood mitigation projects, model
sediment delivery, and model soil conservation measures on agricultural
areas. This model will be used by local agencies to manage urban growth
and assess river restoration projects.
Project Partners
Baird
& Associates
Milwaukee
Metropolitan Sanitary District (MMSD)
Milwaukee
Port Authority
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency
U.S. Geological Survey
For
more information—or to obtain digital data for advanced modeling
purposes—contact:
James P. Selegean, P.E.,
Ph.D.
Great Lakes Hydraulics and Hydrology Office
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Detroit District
477 Michigan Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226
Office: (313) 226-6791
Fax: (313) 226-2398
James.P.Selegean@usace.army.mil
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The
lower 4.8 km of the river is part of the Milwaukee River Area of Concern
