An artificial but pleasing and functional meander
Ripples
I still don’t quite understand all the construction occurring in Hansen Park. Half of the new retention ponds (‘The Tosa Strip Mine” as some not-so-fondly call it) have been fenced off and digging and drilling is occurring where the archery range used to be. However, further up the road near the bike path the new stream bed for the Little Menomonee River is starting to take shape. A stretch of cement walls have been removed and in its place a gravel based meandering river is being created. I am sure the Little Menomonee River never had a gravel bed such as this, but is undoubtedly needed to control the runoff during heavy rains. Unfortunately, recreating the marshes that probably sprouted from the river banks is now impossible due to its proximity to all the houses in Wauwatosa.
On my return walk from checking out the newly created river banks I observed a Mink. It’s the first Mink I’ve ever seen in Wauwatosa. This one was seen going under the golf cart bridge on the back 9 and in an area frequented by a Great Blue Heron, occasional Muskrat, and the lone, old Snapping Turtle that haunts the muck.
A Mink Out Hunting