The sediment cleanup of the Ashtabula River is complete!

A Great Lakes Legacy Act (GLLA) sediment cleanup removed 497,000 cubic yards of PCB-contaminated sediment from the Ashtabula River in 2006 and 2007. Contaminants were transported to a landfill by a pipeline for disposal. The landfill was constructed to dispose of contaminated sediment from the Ashtabula River. The GLLA project was funded by the U. S. EPA and the Ashtabula City Port Authority, with contributions from the State of Ohio and a number of local industries. 

The Ashtabula River gets its name from the Iroquois word Hash-tah-buh-lah meaning "river of many fish."  More than a decade later, the Ashtabula River is once again a destination for recreational boaters and fishermen in northeast Ohio. 

Location

The GLLA sediment cleanup took place from the upstream side of the 5th street bridge to the Upper Turning Basin in Ashtabula, Ohio. The Ashtabula River is located in the Ashtabula River of Concern.

Cleanup Process

Sediment remediated: ​497,000 cubic yards
Contaminants: PCBs
Method: Hydraulic dredging
When: 2006–2007
Partners: U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Ashtabula City Port Authority
Cost: $57.6M

Long-term Benefits

• Dredging provided sufficient water depth for commercial and recreational boating on the Ashtabula River.

​

• The cleanup removed contaminated sediment from the Ashtabula River, reducing contaminant levels in fish and allowing for less restrictive fish consumption advisories. 
  

​

• The cleanup and restoration of the Ashtabula River have contributed to community revitalization in Ashtabula. Learn about Ashtabula’s revitalization, including its increased recreational offerings and tourism. 

More Information

Documents and Resources
Great Lakes Areas of Concern: Six Strategies to Support Community Revitalization (PDF, 8p, 987KB) 2024
Ashtabula’s Revitalization: The Ashtabula River Area of Concern (video, 4:39), 2022
Ashtabula River sediment disposal facility (PDF, 1p, 916KB) September 2006
Ashtabula River sediment cleanup fact sheet (PDF, 2p, 260KB) December 2005

Stakeholders
City of Ashtabula Port Authority
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency