Watersheds_Content Page_Root Pike Basin

Root-Pike Basin

The Root-Pike basin is located in portions of four counties; contains (entirely or portions of) 10 cities, eight towns and eight villages; and is home to about 300,000 people. The basin is divided into five watersheds: Pike Creek - Kenosha, Pike River, Root River, Wind Point and Oak Creek. The watersheds are named after the major rivers they contain or the areas they drain. Collectively the five watersheds contain about 170 miles of perennial streams, over 300 miles of intermittent streams, five named lakes, and many small lakes and ponds. Wetlands encompass over 8,500 acres (or four percent of the basin land area).

Water Resource Information For Specific Watersheds

Impaired Waters

Name/detail Start mile End mile WBIC Water type County Pollutant Impairment 303 status Priority
Lake Michigan 20 Great Lakes beach Kenosha E. coli Recreational restrictions - pathogens 303d listed Low    
North branch Pike River 0 5.23 1900 River Kenosha, Racine Sediment/total suspended solids Degraded habitat 303d listed Low
North branch Pike River 0 5.23 1900 River Kenosha, Racine Unknown pollutant Chronic aquatic toxicity 303d listed Low
Lake Michigan 20 Great Lakes Beach Kenosha E. coli Recreational restrictions - pathogens 303d listed Low    
Unnamed 0 2.91 2300 River Racine Sediment/total suspended solids Degraded habitat 303d listed Low
Unnamed 0 2.91 2300 River Racine Unknown pollutant Chronic aquatic toxicity Pollutant removed  

Watershed Details

Watershed Name/View Details Watershed size Lists (Streams, Lakes, Bays & Harbors) Counties Water Management Unit (WMU) Major Drainage System
Oak Creek 26.19 mi 2 SE05 Water lists Milwaukee Southeast Lake Michigan
Pike River 56.51 mi 2 SE02 Water lists Kenosha, Racine Southeast Lake Michigan
Pike River - Kenosha 26.84 mi 2 SE01 Water lists Kenosha Southeast Lake Michigan
Root River 198.97 mi 2 SE03 Water lists Kenosha, Milwaukee, Racine, Waukesha Southeast Lake Michigan
Wind Point 18.67 mi 2 SE04 Water lists Milwaukee, Racine Southeast Lake Michigan

Watershed Plans

Approved plans for the watersheds in the Root-Pike basin:

Additional Details

For more on the Root Pike basin, email DNR Lakes staff.