Cedar Creek is the body of water that emanates from Big Cedar Lake (West Bend, Wisconsin) and runs directly through the heart of Cedarburg, Wisconsin. The creek empties into the Milwaukee River at a point in the township of Grafton, Wisconsin. The lower portion of the creek, once heavily polluted by industrial outflowage (including the former Mercury Marine boat engine plant) was rejuvenated in the late 1980s and 1990s. Several species of fish are found in the creek, including northern pike, rock bass, smallmouth bass, bluegills, sunfish, carp, suckers and bullheads, to name a few. Several grist mills were built along the creek in the mid 1800s, including several in downtown Cedarburg.