Pike Creek Watershed Restoration Plan

Pike Creek following through Washington Park in the City of Kenosha

Overview

The Pike Creek- Kenosha Watershed is located entirely within Kenosha County and drains portions of the City of Kenosha, the Village of Pleasant Prairie, and the Town of Somers. The watershed actually consists of three sub-watersheds, each draining separately to Lake Michigan. The subwatersheds are Pike Creek, Barnes Creek, and Tobin Creek. Combined, they drain a total area of 27 square miles. Pike Creek receives the majority of its flow from urban stormwater runoff as it flows eastward through and under the City of Kenosha. Large parts of the stream have been enclosed. Barnes and Tobin Creeks both originate as agriculture drainage, picking up residential runoff before flowing into Lake Michigan. Urban land uses account for 41 percent of the watershed. Other land uses of the watershed are 20 percent agriculture, 19 percent grassland, nine percent forest, and seven percent wetland.

Issues

Urban stormwater runoff (nitrogen and phosphorus)
Stream enclosure (long sections piped underground)
Habitat degradation
Channelization and erosion

Planning

The Watershed Restoration Planning (WRP) process has not yet begun yet for this watershed. Root-Pike WIN is currently fundraising for the resources needed to conduct the planning process in cooperation with an engineering partner. We encourage your contribution of time and/or financial donations to advance this planning.

Adoption

Root-Pike WIN will seek adoption of the Watershed Restoration Plan once it is completed and approved by the DNR and EPA.

Implementation

Once the Watershed Restoration Planning is complete, Root-Pike WIN will take on a leadership role in advancing the goals and recommendations of the completed plan.