The Grand Calumet River has long been recognized as one of the most contaminated rivers in the nation. With a history rich in steelmaking, meatpacking, and oil refining, a cocktail of heavy metals, PCBs, PAHs, NAPL, and oil and grease was discharged into the river before modern environmental controls were established. Water quality is still challenged by pollution from combined sewer overflows, non-point sources, and industrial discharges, but the sources responsible for sediment contamination are mostly a thing of the past. Concerted efforts to clean up the river are making it closer than ever to becoming safe for people, fish, and wildlife to use and enjoy.

Since 2009, more than 2 million cubic yards of contaminated sediment have been dredged or capped in the 13-mile Grand Calumet River system under the Great Lakes Legacy Act (GLLA). Acres of wetland have been restored with native trees, grasses, and other plants, providing food and shelter to local fish and wildlife.

East Branch Phase II of the Grand Calumet River is in the design stage. The design includes closing the Ralston Street Lagoon as part of the project.

Location

East Branch Phase II on the Grand Calumet River, labeled #6 on the map, is between Cline Ave and the U. S. Steel Reach.

The East Branch Phase II project on the Grand Calumet River is located in the Grand Calumet River Area of Concern in Gary, Indiana.

Schedule

The project is currently in the design stage.

Cleanup Process

Many sections of the river have been or are getting cleaned up through the GLLA. In addition, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers is dredging 1.4 million cubic yards from the canal, and a U. S. Steel enforcement dredging project removed 788,000 cubic yards of PCB-contaminated sediment in 2007.

Status: Design
Sediment to be remediated: TBD
Contaminants: Heavy metals, PAHs, and PCBs
Method: TBD
Partners: Gary Sanitary District
Cost: TBD
Note: The partners may modify the existing agreement to include cleanup.

More Information

Documents and Resources
Grand Calumet River Area of Concern habitat report (PDF, 21p, 649KB) March 2014
Grand Calumet River FAQs (PDF, 12p, 5 MB) June 2013

Stakeholders
Gary Sanitary District
IN Department of Environmental Management
IN Department of Natural Resources
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency