Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
MI01, MI02
15100
0.00 - 3.16
3.16
Water is impaired due to one or more pollutants and associated quality impacts.
Notes
This portion of the Kinnickinnic River was listed for PCBs, E. coli, Unspecified Metals, and Total Phosphorus in the 1998 cycle. An additional listing for Fecal Coliform was added in the 2010 cycle and for Chloride in the 2022 cycle.
This portion of the Kinnickinnic River was evaluated every two-year cycle from 2012 to 2024. Evaluation of metals showed levels appropriate for healthy aquatic communities.Pollutant
Chloride
Listed For
Fish and Aquatic Life
Impairments
Acute Aquatic Toxicity, Chronic Aquatic Toxicity
Current Use
Unsupported Aquatic Life
Listing Status
303d Listed
Attainable Use
Default - Fish and Aquatic Life
Priority
Low
Designated Use
Default - Fish and Aquatic Life
303(d) ID
2022-010
Listing Date
4/1/2022
Impaired Water Notes
This water was assessed during the 2022 listing cycle; new chloride sample data exceed 2022 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use.
Date
6/9/2021
Pollutant
Fecal Coliform
Listed For
Recreation
Impairments
Recreational Restrictions - Pathogens
Current Use
Restricted Recreation
Listing Status
TMDL Approved
Attainable Use
Recreation
Priority
Not Applicable
Designated Use
Recreation
303(d) ID
2010-29
Listing Date
4/1/2010
Impaired Water Notes
The Milwaukee River Watershed TMDL was approved by the EPA on March 9, 2018 and covers waters in the basin impaired for Total Phosphorus, Sediment/Total Suspended Solids, and bacteria (E. coli and Fecal Coliform).
Date
3/9/2018
Impaired Water Notes
The entire mainstem of the Kinnickinnic River is severely degraded. Over 30 years of water quality data collected by MMSD and USGS were used to calibrate HSPF models for assessing baseline water quality in the KK Watershed. The entire length of the KK River is being listed for recreational restrictions due to high bacteria (Fecal Coliform) levels. Fecal coliform concentrations exceed the variance criterion (1000chu/100mL) or WisCALM threshold more than 20% of the time.
A large portion of the Kinnickinnic River is concrete lined, in conduit and contains drop structures. This reach of the KK River is being listed for recreational restrictions due to high fecal coliform (bacteria) levels caused by urban runoff, and possibly leaking sewers and/or illicit discharges. The technical reports by SEWRPC (TR 39) and by MMSD (Watershed Restoration Plans) provide the assessment information to support listing the KK for recreational restrictions. Tributaries in the KK watershed, where modeling assessment points exist, are also being proposed to be listed for Fecal Coliform as work is being done in the entire watershed to address this impairment.
Date
11/25/2009
Pollutant
PCBs
Listed For
Fish Consumption
Impairments
PCBs Contaminated Fish Tissue
Current Use
Specific Restricted Fish Consumption
Listing Status
303d Listed
Attainable Use
General Fish Consumption Advice
Priority
Low
Designated Use
General Fish Consumption Advice
303(d) ID
289
Listing Date
4/1/1998
Pollutant
Total Phosphorus
Listed For
Fish and Aquatic Life
Impairments
Degraded Biological Community, Low DO
Current Use
Unsupported Aquatic Life
Listing Status
TMDL Approved
Attainable Use
Default - Fish and Aquatic Life
Priority
Not Applicable
Designated Use
Default - Fish and Aquatic Life
303(d) ID
289
Listing Date
4/1/1998
Impaired Water Notes
The Milwaukee River Watershed TMDL was approved by the EPA on March 9, 2018 and covers waters in the basin impaired for Total Phosphorus, Sediment/Total Suspended Solids, and bacteria (E. coli and Fecal Coliform).
Date
3/9/2018
Impaired Water Notes
This water was assessed during the 2014 listing cycle; total phosphorus sample data exceed 2014 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use, however, no biological data (i.e. no macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) were available to assess biological impairment).
Date
2/26/2014
Impaired Water Notes
This water was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; biological impairment was observed (i.e. at least one macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) average scored in the poor condition category).
Date
8/29/2015
Pollutant
Unspecified Metals
Listed For
Fish and Aquatic Life
Impairments
Chronic Aquatic Toxicity
Current Use
Unsupported Aquatic Life
Listing Status
303d Listed
Attainable Use
Default - Fish and Aquatic Life
Priority
Low
Designated Use
Default - Fish and Aquatic Life
303(d) ID
289
Listing Date
4/1/1998
Pollutant
E. coli
Listed For
Recreation
Impairments
Recreational Restrictions - Pathogens
Current Use
Restricted Recreation
Listing Status
TMDL Approved
Attainable Use
Recreation
Priority
Not Applicable
Designated Use
Recreation
303(d) ID
289
Listing Date
4/1/1998
Impaired Water Notes
The Milwaukee River Watershed TMDL was approved by the EPA on March 9, 2018 and covers waters in the basin impaired for Total Phosphorus, Sediment/Total Suspended Solids, and bacteria (E. coli and Fecal Coliform).
Date
3/9/2018