Wildcat Creek Waterway Improvement
2020 Engineering Excellence State Finalist
Entering Firm: Ruekert & Mielke Inc.
Client: City of Greenfield
Rivers and streams usually run through multiple communities, meaning any decisions made in one locality affect the others. Wildcat Creek in Milwaukee County was no exception. Its pollution was a regional concern.
Ruekert & Mielke took the lead on working with these various stakeholders. Site surveys and flood evaluations were done in each community to determine the biggest impact points for the waterway. The team evaluated these issues to determine how to best address the pollutants that were running into the creek and destroying natural habitats. The solution was staged to ensure that adequate funding could be found in each of the affected communities.
The design team addressed four different roadways that were contributing the most runoff and added barriers at each crossing to prevent further pollution. A floodwall was constructed to prevent overflow and a natural-looking bank was created where the creek ran through a park.
The finalized project restored over 21,000 feet of riparian habitat and turned the polluted eyesore into a natural resource. The design team worked closely with every community to create a positive benefit for the entire region.
