Milwaukee’s Lakefront Welcomes a Cleaner, Safer, and More Scenic Destination
Milwaukee County’s South Shore Beach has officially reopened following a major shoreline restoration led by A.W. Oakes & Son — a project years in the making and now ready for residents and visitors to enjoy for generations.
Once plagued by poor water quality and frequent closures, South Shore Beach has been reimagined and relocated 1,500 feet south to take advantage of cleaner water conditions, improved circulation, and enhanced safety. The revitalized shoreline features a wide expanse of fresh sand, robust stone breakwaters, and inviting spaces designed for both recreation and relaxation.
From Problem to Progress
For years, South Shore Beach struggled with contamination caused by stormwater runoff, waterfowl activity, and limited circulation within the existing breakwater. Twelve years of research by the McLellan Lab at the UW-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences revealed that a nearby rocky shoreline consistently had better water quality — a finding that shaped the plan to relocate the beach.
A.W. Oakes & Son was selected to bring this vision to life, delivering precision shoreline engineering on a massive scale:
- 35,000 tons of breakwater and shoreline revetment armor stone
- 13,000 tons of clean new beach sand
- A transformed former beach area into green space, seamlessly connecting to South Shore Terrace, the beer garden, and the Oak Leaf Trail
Precision Engineering Meets Lake Michigan
Bringing such a complex shoreline project to life required cutting-edge technology and skilled craftsmanship. Matt Krok, Survey & Technology Specialist, explained:
“We utilized GPS-guided bulldozers, excavators, rovers, and drone photogrammetry to achieve high accuracy and efficiency. These tools ensured impressive results in aesthetics, time frame, and budget.”
Digital tools like AutoCAD Civil 3D, Trimble Business Center, Topcon, and Propeller allowed the team to create 3D models, track real-time progress, and even visualize subsurface sand placement beneath the water.
“One unique aspect was using our Matrice 350 drone with a 45-megapixel camera to capture underwater sand placement,” Krok added. “It helped confirm our GPS-guided work was spot on.”
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The Art of Armor Stone Placement
Working on Lake Michigan’s edge brought unique challenges — from winter ice to underwater construction. Mike Rogowski, Project Lead, shared:
“Armor stone placement is an art. It takes the right operator to lock each stone in place while meeting grade. We were working in wet conditions, often relying on GPS equipment to guide us when visibility was low.”
Despite the challenges, Rogowski says the results speak for themselves:
“The finished product looks amazing and will last lifetimes. It adds new life to the lakefront — a destination spot for all.”
Teamwork in Action
Several A.W. Oakes & Son crew members brought their expertise to the shoreline. Trent Biermann, Foreman & Operator, enjoyed the hands-on rock work:
“We could work in all types of weather, but winter ice was a challenge. Every morning we had to bust ice off the rocks before placing them. GPS technology in the excavator kept us accurate.”
Jason Andersen, Foreman, took pride in the detail work:
“We used a Komatsu 490 backhoe with a Krypto Claw bucket to pick, spin, and lock the armor stone together. For the landscape rocks people can sit on, it was all about the eye — making sure it looked good, was practical, and blended with the environment.”
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A Lasting Legacy for Milwaukee
Now open to the public, South Shore Beach offers cleaner swimming waters, better storm resilience, and a more enjoyable experience for families, walkers, boaters, and nature lovers. With its wide sandy shore, thoughtfully placed seating stones, and unobstructed lake views, the space invites people to slow down, linger, and connect with Lake Michigan in a way that hasn’t been possible here in decades.
The revitalized shoreline is already drawing early visitors — parents watching their children build sandcastles, cyclists pausing for a picnic, and sailors enjoying a more protected harbor. As the summer season unfolds, Milwaukee County anticipates a sharp reduction in beach closures and an increase in recreational use, delivering on the project’s core promise. For A.W. Oakes & Son, the completion of South Shore Beach is more than just another job finished — it’s a point of pride. It represents months of coordination, precision engineering, and skilled craftsmanship from a team committed to doing the job right. As Rogowski summed up:
“We built something here that will stand the test of time — and it’s something the whole community can be proud of.”
From the first survey drone flights to the final grain of sand placed, the project stands as a testament to what can be achieved when vision, innovation, and dedication align. The new South Shore Beach is ready for the next chapter of its story — one that will be written by the people who come here, year after year, to make memories along Milwaukee’s waterfront.
