The sediment cleanup of Hog Island Inlet is complete!

Hog Island Inlet and the mouth of Newton Creek were cleaned up in 2005! Approximately 46,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment were removed. It is the second sediment remediation project performed under the Great Lakes Legacy Act, and its completion marks the environmental renewal of 17 acres of shallow, protected waters for fish, wildlife, and humans. The area is an important recreational asset for activities like bird watching, biking, and hiking. Upon completion of the project, Douglas County removed a "No Swimming" sign for the inlet. Many other projects are a part of Hog Island's recovery story. The headwaters of Newton Creek underwent a cleanup by Murphy Oil Refinery, and the Wisconsin DNR performed further remediation downstream.

Location

The cleanup of Hog Island Inlet and the mouth of Newton Creek took place in Superior, WI. Hog Island is connected to Superior Bay by a 50-foot channel. The approximate location of the sediment cleanup is outlined in orange in the image below.

Hog Island Inlet is located in the St. Louis River Area of Concern in Superior, Wisconsin.

Approximate location of sediment cleanup

Cleanup Process

Contaminated sediment in the creek and inlet was excavated "in the dry." This means that the creek was diverted, the inlet was walled off with temporary dams, and the water was pumped out of both areas. A dry bed of sediment was dug, up to 10 feet in some areas of the inlet. The contaminated sediment was segregated and stockpiled at a staging area before being disposed of at Moccasin Mike Landfill. 

Sediment remediated: 46,000 cubic yards
Contaminants: PAHs and lead
Method: Dry excavation
When: 2005
Partners: U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Cost: $6.3 million

Long-term Benefits

• The cleanup removed contaminated sediment from the mouth of Newton Creek and Hog Island Inlet. This reduces ecological and human health risks for the the St. Louis River system.

• Removing the stigma of legacy pollution makes Hog Island a more enjoyable place to recreate.

 

• The cleanup jump-started a habitat restoration effort at Hog Island by NOAA, the Great Lakes Commission, and Douglas County, resulting in the removal of invasive species, the planting of native vegetative buffer, and the addition of 30 underwater habitat structures for fish, turtles, and birds.

More Information

Documents
Hog Island Inlet Remedial Action Project Report (PDF, 45p, 1.4MB) November 2006
Hog Island completion fact sheet (PDF, 2p, 260KB) November 2005
Hog Island kick-off fact sheet (PDF, 2p, 57KB) June 2005

Stakeholders
St. Louis River Alliance
Lake Superior National Estuary Research Reserve
University of Wisconsin-Superior
City of Superior
Douglas County
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency