Oak Creek
Mill Road to Lake Michigan (PnP or 0.8 mile)*Access&Safety Issues*
| Difficulty | I-II |
| Length | 0.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 20 fpm |
| Gauge | Oak Creek at South Milwaukee, Wi |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 8 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | February 23, 2024 |
River Description
This description is being included in the AW listings primarily in case some boater in the area figures they've made a discovery of an 'unknown' bit of whitewater.
For some miles above the Mill Pond, Oak Creek could provide some very mild swiftwater/whitewater entertainment since there are a few areas of (minor) gradient containing riffles, rips, and minor rapids and logjam/rootball 'pourovers'. However, we cannot recommend attempting to boat upstream of the Mill Pond. The creek is heavily modified, having been long ago straightened (not necessarily 'straight', just smoothed, altered course) channelized (a few areas of cement or otherwise armored streambanks), and confined for the convenience of building roads, houses and businesses along its banks. When the creek leaves the most heavily altered area and enters more natural, wooded banks, it is highly prone to deadfall and snags. In such a small, tight creek, any deadfall will be difficult to avoid, and it is likely it will be difficult (at any elevated flows, at least) to find slackwater or eddies to safely get out and portage.
The Mill Pond has (over decades) silted in, and is generally quite shallow. Water spills over the dam and lands on very shallow uniform bedrock. DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT GOING OVER THE DAM!
Immediately after the dam, water rushes under Mill Street bridge, sheeting across sloping bedrock, then encounters a bit of a pool. A fine looking wave sometimes builds up here (at moderate flows). Play would be possible, but putting in upstream of the wave (to run the brief approach, eddy out, and play) is quite awkward due to the vertical stone walls. So, skip the run-in by just putting in at the pool.
Any time the creek runs high enough to form the wave, water quality tends to be disgusting, often with much trash and debris in the eddies.
This pool is an extremely popular spot for area fishermen who are likely to be qui
...River Features
Put In
Put-in is most convenient from the pool just downstream of the dam at Mill Road. However, one of the biggest 'safety' issues is likely to be contentious fishermen, protesting your intrusion and interference with their right to fish.
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportWater dropping off the dam lands hard and shallow on bedrock. Do not even think about running this dam. (Flow of 375 cfs.)
Looking downstream from near the Mill Road, this shot shows the wave and pool beyond.
(Flow of 375 cfs.)
A closer look at the wave train and the pool. (Flow of 375 cfs.)
Looking straight down/across the main wave at Mill Road. (Flow of 375 cfs.)
Need a good reason not to do this? Just look at the water, and all the trash floating in the pool. Expect this to be the 'norm' almost any time this creek runs at what would otherwise be a boatable flow. (Flow of 375 cfs.)
The river-left shore has severely eroded and collapsed, creating a handy spot for access, mostly for fishermen who frequent this location. (Flow of 375 cfs.)
Just out of the pool, the wave train diminishes as it caroms off a rock wall diverting flow 90-degrees to the left to pass under the parkway road. There is substantial rubble under this flow, causing minor turbulence. (Flow of 375 cfs.)
Around another bend, expect another snag. Is this enough proof that you DON'T want to do this river? You'll be out of your boat as much as in it! That is, IF you could find a way to get out of the current to get out of your boat! (Flow of 375 cfs.)
Immediately downstream of the first parkway bridge, presently there is a large tree laying diagonally across the river. While this one can be gotten under by a skilled boater, in control, others will not allow passage. (Flow of 375 cfs.)
There is a very small ledge just a little downstream (immediate foreground of photo). For years massive trees blocked flow right at this ledge. Presently those are gone, but just downstream (background in photo) two more trees lay in and over the water, blocking passage. (Flow of 375 cfs.)