The Ryerson Creek Outfall is a 12-acre site in the northeastern part of Muskegon Lake. Mart Dock and Verplank Dock are located nearby, as well as a swath of new residential and commercial redevelopment properties along the shoreline. Lake-bottom sediment in the Ryerson Creek Outfall area is contaminated, likely caused by historic storm sewer inputs as well as legacy industries: saw mills and other timber operations, automotive production, coal gasification operations, and a foundry. The actual creek has low levels of contamination, and is not considered to be a source of pollution to the area.

Extensive sampling was performed in the Ryerson Creek Outfall area, leading to a feasibility study to determine the cleanup needs. DROs, OROs, PAHs, heavy metals, and more were found to be present in the sediment in the Ryerson Creek Outfall area.  This work is being performed under a voluntary partnership through the Great Lakes Legacy Act. A cleanup in the Ryerson Creek Outfall area has been designed. The cleanup of Ryerson Creek Outfall is the final sediment project for Muskegon Lake under the Area of Concern program. ​

Ryerson Creek Outfall Aerial View

Get a bird's-eye view of Muskegon Lake and the Ryerson Creek project area. 

Location

Ryerson Creek is located in Muskegon, MI in the northeast portion of Muskegon Lake. Ryerson Creek is in the Muskegon Lake Area of Concern.

The GLLA project targets sediment within the Ryerson Creek Outfall area.

Ryerson Creek Outfall (yellow) is the last of four sediment cleanup projects to take place in the Muskegon Lake Area of Concern.

This map created by WMSRDC shows all the Muskegon Lake Area of Concern projects, including the Ryerson Creek Outfall.

Schedule

Cleanup Process

The Ryerson Creek Outfall cleanup project could begin as early as 2020.

Sediment to be remediated: 10,000-14,000 cubic yards
Contaminants: Oil and grease, DROs, OROs, PAHs, heavy metals
Method: Sediment removal and cover
When: As early as 2020
Partners: U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, TDY Industries, and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, & Energy 
Cost: $5.5 million

Long-term Benefits

• Removing contamination would provide the sediment-dwelling organisms (benthic invertebrates) with a clean environment to grow and thrive. These organisms are at the bottom of the food chain and provide an important food source for fish in Muskegon lake.
  
• Sediment cleanups can have a positive impact on the local economy, leading to increased opportunities for recreation, redevelopment, and tourism.
• 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
​Ryerson Creek Outfall Public Meeting Presentation (PDF, 17p, 919KB) May 2019
​Eat Safe Fish in Muskegon County (PDF, 2p, 2.3MB) December 2015

Stakeholders
Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership
West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission
City of Muskegon
Muskegon County
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
TDY Industries, LLC
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy AOC program
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency