Cedar Creek (Wisconsin) facts for kids

A view of Cedar Creek in Wisconsin.

Cedar Creek is a stream in southeastern Wisconsin, United States. It's about 53 kilometers (33 miles) long. The area that drains into Cedar Creek is called its watershed, and it covers about 330 square kilometers (127 square miles). This watershed is part of a larger one that feeds into the Milwaukee River.

Where Cedar Creek Flows

Cedar Creek starts at Big Cedar Lake near the Town of West Bend. From there, it flows east into Little Cedar Lake. It continues east through the village of Jackson. Then, it turns south and crosses State Highway 60. You can find a special gauge here that measures the water level.

The creek briefly goes through Grafton before reaching the north side of Cedarburg. It flows right through downtown Cedarburg. Finally, Cedar Creek empties into the Milwaukee River southeast of Cedarburg. The part of the creek that runs through Cedarburg has a steep slope. Long ago, early settlers used this fast-flowing water to power their mills.

Some parts of the creek, especially near downtown Cedarburg, have had pollution from old factories. But don't worry, many cleanups have happened to make the creek healthier. For example, a big cleanup was finished in 2018, clearing areas from the Cedarburg Mill's pond all the way to the Cedarburg Wire and Nail Factory dam.

Old Mills Along the Creek

In the past, many mills were built along the lower part of Cedar Creek. These mills used the creek's water power to run their machines. They were very important for the local economy.

Over time, mills started using steam or electric power instead of water. During the Great Depression and later, smaller mills found it hard to compete with bigger factories. By the late 1960s, all the mills had stopped working. Some of the old mill buildings are now used for shops or other businesses, while others were torn down.

When the Creek Floods

Cedar Creek is usually a small, calm stream. However, like many rivers and creeks, it can flood sometimes. Flooding happens when there's too much rain or snowmelt, and the water overflows its banks.

In 1881, a sudden spring thaw caused a big flood. This flood washed away almost all the dams on Cedar Creek, except for the one at the Cedarburg Mill. It also destroyed at least one bridge. Other large floods happened in 1952, 1959, 1960, and 1975. In 1996, another flood washed out the dam at the Concordia Mill.

Parks Along Cedar Creek

Many public parks are located along Cedar Creek, offering places for people to enjoy nature and outdoor activities.

Bridges Over Cedar Creek

Many roads and railroads cross over Cedar Creek using bridges. Some of these bridges have interesting histories.