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Ruddiman Creek

Muskegon Lake Area of Concern

The sediment cleanup at Ruddiman Creek is complete!

Prior to its cleanup, the Ruddiman Creek watershed was a major contributor of pollution to Muskegon Lake. Historic, direct discharges of industrial and municipal wastewater, sewer overflows, and urban runoff from surrounding communities led to its degradation. A Great Lakes Legacy Act (GLLA) cleanup was completed in 2006, removing approximately 90,000 cubic yards from Ruddiman Creek and Ruddiman Pond. A sand cover was added to help meet cleanup goals and provide a clean foundation for bottom-dwelling critters to establish.

Ruddiman Creek and Ruddiman Pond are located in the Glenside Neighborhood of Muskegon, MI. Local residents formed the Ruddiman Creek Task Force and played a pivotal role in planning the cleanup and performing community outreach. These efforts won many awards with special honors to lead volunteer and local resident, Theresa Bernhardt.

Location

The GLLA cleanup took place in Ruddiman Pond and on the main channel of Ruddiman Creek, including 39 acres of associated wetland. The creek and pond are part of the Muskegon Lake drainage system, which is ultimately a tributary to Lake Michigan.
The Ruddiman Creek cleanup site is located in Muskegon, MI. The site is located within the Muskegon Lake Area of Concern.
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Remedial action is outlined in red.
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This map created by WMSRDC shows all the Muskegon Lake Area of Concern projects, including Ruddiman Creek.

Cleanup Process

Sediment remediated: 89,900 cubic yards
Contaminants: PCBs, lead, and cadmium, and chromium
Method: Mechanical dredging, dry excavation, and a sand cover
When: 2005-2006
Partners: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Cost: $14.2 million
Notes: The contaminated sediment was transported to Ottawa County Farms Landfill in Coopersville, MI.

Long-term Benefits

  • The cleanup removed pollution from a residential neighborhood, lessening exposure for children, families, and pets that live and play in the area.
  • The cleanup reduced PCB contamination from the watershed's food chain, lessening exposure for people who eat fish from Muskegon Lake. It may take years before fish advisories are less restrictive.
  • The removal of oil sheens and debris improved the aesthetic value of the pond and creek.
  • A cleaner watershed has helped lead to increased opportunities for recreation.
  • The cleanup and restoration of Muskegon Lake have contributed to community revitalization in Muskegon. Learn about Muskegon’s revitalization, including its waterfront events and housing.

More Information

Documents and Resources
Great Lakes Areas of Concern: Six Strategies to Support Community Revitalization (PDF, 8p, 987KB) 2024
Muskegon’s Revitalization: The Muskegon Lake Area of Concern (video, 4:33), 2022
Ruddiman Creek final project report (PDF, 125p, 3.9MB) March 2011
Ruddiman Creek completion fact sheet (PDF, 2p, 1.1MB) May 2006
Ruddiman Creek kick-off fact sheet (PDF, 2p, 945KB) July 2005
Stakeholders
​Ruddiman Creek Task Force

Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership
West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
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: [email protected]
© 2025 Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, All Rights Reserved.
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant strives to ensure equal access and an
​inclusive environment.
  • 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
  • Community Revitalization
    • Ashtabula
    • Buffalo
    • Duluth
    • Muskegon
    • Sheboygan
  • 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
      • Thomson Reservoir - 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