Milwaukee Urban Water Trail

Inventory of River Access Points

FMR is currently in the process of inventorying existing access points for non-motorized craft, focusing on the core, urban areas of our three rivers.  “Access” can mean a variety of things to different people, and it is our intention to use a broad interpretation of the term.  Included in the inventory are some of the obvious aspects of access: Docks and piers (public and private), legal boat launch locations (public and private), boat slips (public and private), and designated or permitted public river access locations.  Our inventory also includes information on ancillary services such as parking, public restrooms, nearby restaurants and outfitters, as well as riverside points of interest such as developed riverside trails, cultural and educational facilities, wildlife viewing areas, etc.  

Areas of concern are also identified during inventory.  These include safety hazards such as rapids and dams and other potentially dangerous stretches of river and areas of heavy boat traffic where paddlers would need to take special precautions.  FMR is also working with our partners to resolve immediate safety issues such as installation of signage identifying dams and required portages.

Inventory is currently focusing on those parts of the Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic Rivers which are in Milwaukee County, and which can regularly have enough water to be able to frequently support non-motorized watercraft.  We hope to expand the scope of this water trail in future years. 

We are currently seeking input from paddlers to provide information on their favorite access sites, resting areas, and “day paddles”, and how they could be improved or made more user friendly for non-motorized users. 

If you would like to suggest or assess a potential water trail access site, please fill out the attached river access site evaluation form and email to cheryl_nenn@mkeriverkeeper.org or mail to FMR.  If you would like to get more involved in this project, please call (414)287-0207 ext. 29.  Thank You!