The sediment cleanup of the Buffalo River is complete!

The Buffalo River has been cleaned up, ready for recreational use by residents and tourists! About one million cubic yards of contaminated sediment were dredged from the river. To jump start habitat, clean sand, plants, and fish structures were installed on the river's bottom. The transformation has helped the river become a beneficial community resource, both environmentally and economically.

Before cleanup, the river suffered from poor water quality, degraded fish and wildlife habitat, and contaminated sediment. The Buffalo River Restoration Partnership formed in response in a unique public-private collaboration: U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper® and Honeywell. Visit the New York DEC website for more information.

Location

The cleanup fell within the lower six miles of the Buffalo River and the City Ship Canal. Areas in green and blue show the extent of the Buffalo River AOC with dredging and capping taking place in these highlighted areas.

Buffalo River is located in the Buffalo River Area of Concern in Buffalo, New York.

Cleanup Process

The cleanup occurred in two phases. In Phase 1, the Army Corps dredged out the backlog of contaminated sediment in the federal navigation channel to authorized navigation depth, meeting the objectives of a cleaner and more navigable river. Phase 2 was performed under the Great Lakes Legacy Act and targeted side slopes of the river and sediment below the authorized depth in the navigation channel.

Phase 1
Sediment remediated: 550,000 cubic yards
Contaminants: PCBs, PAHs, lead, and mercury
Method: Mechanical dredging
When: 2011 and 2012
Partners: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cost: $4.5 Million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding plus base Army Corps funding
Note: U. S. Army Corps Strategic Navigation Dredging project

Phase 2
Sediment remediated: 495,000 cubic yards
Contaminants: PCBs, PAHs, lead, and mercury
Method: Mechanical dredging
When: 2013 - 2014
Partners: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Honeywell, Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper®
Cost: $43 Million
Note: Great Lakes Legacy Act project

Long-term Benefits

• The cleanup removed contaminated sediment from the river. Levels of contamination in fish populations will decrease over time, but it may take years before fish advisories in Buffalo River are less restrictive.

• Habitat enhancements under water improved fish and wildlife habitat, providing better food and shelter for native species.


• Removing the stigma of legacy pollution makes the Buffalo River a more enjoyable place to recreate and do business.

View from below

Scuba divers plant wild celery, one of the best aquatic habitats for waterfowl, in the Buffalo River. Credit: Seaway Diving & Salvage

More Information

Documents
Buffalo River brochure (PDF, 2p, 2.72 MB) September 2014
EPA public meeting presentation at Old First Ward Community Center (PDF, 31p, 5.52 MB) September 2013
Buffalo River Restoration Partnership fact sheet (PDF, 2p, 293 KB) August 2011
Buffalo River Restoration Partnership fact sheet (PDF, 3p, 490 KB) December 2010
Buffalo River Restoration Partnership fact sheet (PDF, 4p, 232 KB) May 2010
Buffalo River Restoration Partnership fact sheet (PDF, 2p, 213 KB) September 2009

Stakeholders
Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper
Honeywell
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency