walking path along miller park in valley park

Valley Park

Project Update

To provide continued flood risk reduction benefits to the residents in Valley Park, MMSD maintains the Valley Park Levee to meet Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) standards. 

MMSD is reviewing the location of trees and other vegetation on the levee in comparison to levee area standards. Technical analysis is underway to determine what vegetation can remain and if removal of some vegetation in the levee maintenance zone may be required.​​​​​​

Project Overview

Completed in 2001, the $12 million Valley Park Flood Management Project created a levee and floodwall to help protect 133 homes that were ravaged by floods in 1997 and 1998. The project is part of a group of projects that work together to reduce the risk of flooding on the Menomonee River.

The Valley Park levee uses a hybrid levee and floodwall approach to protect residents. There is a seven-foot-high and 800-foot-long earthen embankment levee and a five-foot-high, 750-foot-long reinforced concrete floodwall.

To construct the levee and floodwall, MMSD acquired 18 homes. Some of the homes acquired by MMSD were replaced within the neighborhood, but outside of the floodplain. MMSD staff worked closely with neighborhood residents to develop a relocation plan. Residents were involved in selecting an architect and working closely with the contractor on home designs and met frequently with District staff.

The construction of the Valley Park Levee along the Menomonee River expanded the original Valley Park area managed by Milwaukee County Parks from 1.5 acres to 3 acres. A new 10-foot-wide access drive was built atop the levee for maintenance and security. The Valley Park Levee system includes a one million gallon underground storage tank at the south end of Valley Park to collect storm water from the neighborhood. An underground pump station sends the storm water collected in the underground storage tank to the Menomonee River.​​​​​​

Project Map

Project Benefits

  • Reduce the risk of flooding in the Valley Park neighborhood.

Project Timeline

  • Construction – Completed in 2001

  • Levee Maintenance – on-going

 

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    Views of the levee from the riverbank.

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    Views of the levee from the riverbank.

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