The Ruddiman Creek and Pond remediation is located in Muskegon, County, Michigan and consists of approximately 2.3 miles of creek, a 21-acre pond, and approximately 39 acres of wetlands adjacent to the pond and creek. The pond discharges to Muskegon Lake and then to Lake Michigan. The Ruddiman Creek drainage is approximately 3,000 acres, and includes the cities of Muskegon, Norton Shores, Muskegon Heights, and Roosevelt Park. All four cities have storm sewers contributing to Ruddiman Creek. The watershed includes properties used for industrial, commercial, residential, and recreational pruposes.
Currently the main branch of Ruddiman Creek is posted as a No Swimming, Fishing or Recreation Area due in part to contaminated sediment. The primary contaminants of concern include cadmium at 25 parts per millions (ppm), chromium at 2,900 ppm, polychlorinated biphenyls at 6 ppm and lead at 1,200 ppm.
The $10.6 million project is expected to take about nine months and remove approximately 80,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment. Upon completion of the sediment removal, the creek and pond will be reconstructed and water flow patterns restored.
The project is a joint effort between the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO). This project is being performed under the authority and guidelines provided by the Clean Michigan Initiative of 1998 and the Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2002. USEPA Emergency Response Branch is providing assistance by conducting project oversight and providing contract support.
