Wildcat Creek
W.Howard Ave. to Kulwicki Park (1.2-1.5 miles)('Stupid Boater Tricks')
| Difficulty | I-II |
| Length | 1.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 45 fpm |
| Gauge | Wilson Park Creek @ Gmia Outfall 7 @ Milwaukee,wi |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 1 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 10, 2026 |
River Description
Quick Facts
Location: Greenfield (Milwaukee), WI.
Put-in: 42.97092 -88.06561 (4001 S.122nd Street)
Take-out: 42.9659, -88.0468 (Kulwicki Park)
Shuttle Length/DriveTIme: 1.3 miles/5 minutes Shuttle Route
Gradient: 45 FPM Ave, 55 FPM max mile.
Never rely on class/rating or gradient to decide if you should run a river/rapids!
More important are 'character factors' such as: (1) continuous versus pool/drop, (2) wide-channel with multiple routes versus narrow channel with just one route, (3) straight routes versus complex technical moves required routes, (4) gradual river banks versus rocky shores or steep-walled gorges, (5) heavily wooded (prone to strainers, sweepers, deadfall) versus shrubs, grasslands, or non-vegetated surroundings, et cetera.
Character: Extremely narrow, overhanging trees and shrubs, likely deadfall, minimal eddies and little chance for egress.
Typical width: 5-10 ft.
Drainage area at put- in: 1.1 sq.mi.
Drainage area at take-out: 1.9 sq.mi.
General Overview
This micro-creek will require significant rain to come up, and you'll likely have to arrive while it's still raining (or IMMEDIATELY after it stops) to have any shot at it having enough flow. Since the window of opportunity is so brief, you don't really want to take too much time scouting while it's runnable. Therefore, it is recommended that anyone thinking of trying this run should do visual recon just a day or two before predicted rains might make it runnable!
It's not whether there is wood, it's whether it is possible to get under/over/around the wood in your boat, or (if it must be portag
...River Features
Possible Put-in (0.6 sq.mi. drainage)
The N.E. corner at 124th and W.Howard Avenue is city owned. Best parking would be on 124th Street, but the creek is heavily wooded the short distance from there to Howard, so far better to put in on upstream side of Howard. Unfortunately, it may be tougher to find a way to park off the road close to the river on Howard.
As shown in the photo, the downstream of Howard Avenue has streambanks 'armored' with gabion baskets (chain-link-fence boxes, filled with rocks), making it not very scenic, but confining the flow and (at least somewhat) diminishing the likelihood of strainers or blockages in the immediate downstream area (since there are not trees and shrubs on eroding banks).
A private footbridge downstream (just before the following/recommended access) should have adequate clearance at any reasonably boatable flow.
Just beyond that footbridge, as a tributary enters from the right, the first of a number of tight zig-zags occurs.
Recommended Access: 4001 S.122nd Street (1.08 Sq.Mi.Drainage)
From the dead-end stub of 122nd Street, DO NOT WALK DUE NORTH TO THE CREEK! THAT IS PRIVATE PROPERTY! (Potential disputes regarding unmarked/indistict public vs private property are a reason for not listing this as primary put-in.)
A narrow City of Greenfield property flanks a paved path. At a fire hydrant (even with the back corner of a house), city property extends north to the confluence of a branch of the creek (adding nearly equal flow). From here to Beloit Road, most of the land along the creek is designated as 'Wildcat Creek Nature Corridor'.
A major zig-zag in this very narrow creek is very likely to catch wood, and (even lacking wood) will take significant skills to successfully navigate.
We highly recommend scouting this location before putting in at the upstream site! (And, since this location cuts off just over a quarter-mile of relatively uneventful flow, you might just as well put in here as you scout here.)
Alternate Take-out
As an alternative to the listed take-out, some paddlers might find it more convenient to use a dead-end stub behind the Aldi's store. This is a (slightly) less 'visible' location (if you need to change into/out-of boating gear, or to stash a bike for self-support shuttle). It also cuts off the short narrow gabion-lined approach to Cold Spring Road, which has had branches and grape vines overhanging and possibly impeding passage.
Take-out
Almost as soon as you clear the S.108th Street culvert, start looking for a good place (river-left) to land, exit your boat, and carry up to your 'drop vehicle(s)' in Kulwicki Park.
FWIW, right around the corner (at 4353 S.108th) is Organ Piper Pizza. They open 5pm T/W/Th, 4pm F/Sa/Su.
Music on the Wurlitzer Pipe Organ starts a half-hour after they open. It's quite an experience.
(There are menu options besides pizza, and they do have adult beverages: beer, wine, mixed drinks.)
Trip Reports
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