Surface Water Resources of Muskego

The City of Muskego has four major bodies within its boundaries. Little Muskego Lake, which covers 506 acres, is located in the north-central part of the City. Big Muskego Lake is a shallow 2,260-acre lake that covers a large are of the central and southeastern portion of the City. Bass Bay is a 100-acre water body connected to the northwest shore of Big Muskego Lake. Lake Denoon, covering 162 acres, is situated in the southwestern portion of the City and is also partially located in the Town of Norway.

There are several significant tributaries in the City of Muskego. Jewel Creek flows from Linnie Lac in New Berlin into Little Muskego Lake. Muskego Creek (also locally known as Pilak Creek), is the outlet of Little Muskego Lake which drains into Big Muskego Lake. Muskego Canal exits Big Muskego Lake and drains to Wind Lake. Tess Corners Creek is located in the northeastern part of the City. Numerous smaller surface water bodies are distributed throughout the community.

Muskego-Wind Lakes Watershed

The land surface area that collectively drains into the City's lakes and connected water bodies is termed the Muskego-Wind Lakes Watershed. These water bodies include Linnie Lac, Little Muskego Lake, Bass Bay, Big Muskego Lake, and Wind Lake.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Nonpoint Source Water Pollution Abatement Program designated this drainage area a "priority watershed" in 1991. Nonpoint sources of pollution are those that cannot easily be traced to a single source such as a discharge pipe. Nonpoint source pollutants are carried off in storm water runoff from farm fields, streets, parking lots, barnyards, construction sites, and other sources.

The Nonpoint Source Control Plan for the Muskego-Wind Lakes Priority Watershed Project, which was completed in 1993, outlines strategies to lower the nonpoint source pollutants entering the surface waters in the watershed. The City of Muskego is eligible for certain grant funding for projects to abate these pollution sources. Financial assistance from the Wisconsin DNR has been provided to the City for the development of a storm water management plan, a storm water ordinance, an erosion control ordinance, stream and shore projection projects, and community information/education projects.

For more information on lake management, please contact the Conservation Coordinator, at (262) 679-5617.