GREAT LAKES MUD
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      • Slip 3 and Slip C - St. Louis River AOC
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​Minnesota Slip

St. Louis River Area of Concern

The sediment cleanup of Minnesota Slip is complete!

In fall 2018, 37,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment were remediated in Minnesota Slip. To do so, 2,500 cubic yards of sediment were moved around on the slip's bottom to make it level. Two feet of clean sediment dredged from other areas of the harbor were added to the slip, along with armoring stone to protect the cap from boat traffic. ​But first, the dock walls in Minnesota Slip had to be repaired to prevent erosion into Minnesota Slip and ensure safety during the cleanup. And of course, the William A. Irvin was moved outside of the slip so that the crew could access the contaminated sediment. The Irvin will return in the spring. This project was performed voluntarily under the Great Lakes Legacy Act.

The Port of Duluth-Superior is one of the largest ports on the Great Lakes. It has long been a center for trading and became open to commercial shipping traffic in 1896. The port, situated within the St. Louis River estuary, remains a hub for commerce including grain, iron-ore, and coal. The area contains multiple slips where large vessels can load, unload, or dock. Arguably the most visible of these slips is Minnesota Slip, which is located near the downtown Duluth waterfront.

Location

Minnesota Slip is located in Duluth, MN and is within the St. Louis River Area of Concern. The slip is between the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center and Canal Park, where the William A. Irvin museum is docked. 
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Water depth prior to cleanup varied within Minnesota Slip due to erosion and disturbance.
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Cross-section diagram of Minnesota Slip and the current sediment issues.

Cleanup Process

Sediment remediated: 37,000 cubic yards
Contaminants: Heavy Metals, PAHs

Method: Capping
When: 2018
Partners: U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Cost: $3 Million

Note: 2,500 cubic yards of contaminated sediment were moved to level the slip and to allow for its current use to continue. A two foot thick cap with armoring stone was placed in the slip to protect the cap from boat traffic. 

Long-term Benefits

  • The cleanup removed contamination from the food chain, which lowers exposure over time for those who eat fish from the St. Louis River.
  • The cleanup improves habitat for the benthic species that make up the base of the Great Lakes food chain, providing more abundant food supplies for fish and wildlife.   

More Information

Documents
Minnesota Slip fact sheet (PDF, 2p, 646KB) September 2018
Minnesota Slip focused feasibility study (PDF, 186p, 6.1MB) June 2014
St. Louis River Area of Concern remedial action plan update (PDF, 78p, 1.79MB) July 2013

​Stakeholders and Resources
St. Louis River Alliance
City of Duluth
Wisconsin and Minnesota Sea Grant St. Louis River - Stories and Science 
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Minnesota Department of Health Fish Consumption Guidance
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Area of Concern
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
IISG and GLR logos
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Contact Us

Great Lakes Mud c/o Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
Purdue University
195 Marsteller Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2033

​Email: abelle@illinois.edu
© 2019 Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, All Rights Reserved.
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant strives to ensure equal access and an
​inclusive environment.
Website last updated December 14, 2022
  • Home
  • Pollution
    • Dioxins
    • Heavy Metals
    • NAPL
    • Oil and Grease
    • PAHs
    • PCBs
    • TBT
    • TPH
  • Partnership
    • Great Lakes Legacy Act
    • Cost-Sharing
  • Cleanup Process
    • Project Stages
    • Dredging
    • Dry Excavation
    • Caps and Covers
    • Habitat Restoration
  • Waterbody
    • Indiana >
      • East Branch - Grand Calumet River AOC
      • East Branch Phase II - Grand Calumet River AOC
      • East Chicago Waterways - Grand Calumet River AOC
      • Indiana Harbor Canal TSCA - Grand Calumet River AOC
      • Lake George Canal Middle & East - Grand Calumet River AOC
      • Roxana Marsh - Grand Calumet River AOC
      • Stateline - Grand Calumet River AOC
      • West Branch - Grand Calumet River AOC
    • Michigan >
      • Black Lagoon - Detroit River AOC
      • Centennial Park - Detroit River AOC
      • Division Street Outfall - Muskegon Lake AOC
      • Former MGP Site - St. Marys River AOC
      • Lower Rouge River Old Channel - Rouge River AOC
      • River Raisin - River Raisin AOC
      • Riverwalk - Detroit River AOC
      • Ruddiman Creek - Muskegon Lake AOC
      • Ryerson Creek Outfall - Muskegon Lake AOC
      • Tannery Bay - St. Marys River AOC
      • Torch Lake - Torch Lake AOC
      • Upper Trenton Channel - Detroit River AOC
      • Zephyr Site - Muskegon Lake AOC
    • Minnesota >
      • Azcon/DSPA Slip - St. Louis River AOC
      • Minnesota Slip - St. Louis River AOC
      • Munger Landing - St. Louis River AOC
      • Scanlon Reservoir - St. Louis River AOC
      • Slip 3 and Slip C - St. Louis River AOC
      • SLR Interlake/Duluth Tar - St. Louis River AOC
      • Spirit Lake Site - St. Louis River AOC
    • New York >
      • Buffalo River - Buffalo River AOC
    • Ohio >
      • Ashtabula River - Ashtabula River AOC
      • Cuyahoga River Old Channel - Cuyahoga River AOC
      • Gorge Dam - Cuyahoga River AOC
      • Jack's Marine North Slip - Ashtabula River AOC
      • Ottawa River - Maumee AOC
      • Otter Creek - Maumee AOC
    • Wisconsin >
      • Greater Milwaukee Estuary - Milwaukee Estuary AOC
      • Hog Island Inlet - St. Louis River AOC
      • Howards Bay - St. Louis River AOC
      • Kinnickinnic River - Milwaukee Estuary AOC
      • Lincoln Park - Milwaukee Estuary AOC
      • Sheboygan River - Sheboygan River AOC
      • Tyco - Menominee River AOC
    • More coming soon...
  • Education
    • Grade School Curriculum
    • High School Curriculum
    • More Resources >
      • Indiana
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • Ohio
      • Wisconsin
  • Contact