Sheboygan River

After almost 30 years, having the Sheboygan River cleaner and deeper will add significant benefits both recreationally and financially to our local economy that already provides almost a $9 million waterfront economic impact.

- Terry Van Akkeren, Mayor of Sheboygan, 2012

The sediment cleanup at Sheboygan River is complete!

The Sheboygan River was cleaned up in 2012 and 2013, transforming "a black eye on the community" into a tremendous asset. The removal of PCB-contaminated sediment from the lower river and harbor has led to a reduction of pollution in the food chain and over time should lessen restrictions on fish consumption. The river can now act as a thoroughfare for boaters to Lake Michigan without worry of boat damage from contaminated sediment deposits. Community leaders look forward to increased tourism as well, as the stigma of pollution lifts with the passage of time.

Location

Many sediment cleanups took place nearby on the Sheboygan River and at the same time of the Great Lakes Legacy Act project. This included two Superfund projects, a former manufactured gas plant at Camp Marina and another cleanup upstream of the 8th Street Bridge, as well as a navigational dredging project by U. S. EPA from the 8th Street Bridge to the river mouth. The Legacy Act project targeted sediment between the C&NW Bridge and the 8th Street Bridge.

The Sheboygan River is located in the Sheboygan River Area of Concern in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Cleanup Process

Legacy dredging was coordinated alongside three Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) habitat restoration projects, as well as three sediment remediation projects in 2011-2012. Sediment projects were administered under Superfund and the GLRI, remediating an additional 250,000 cubic yards of sediment. The University of Wisconsin-Extension played a large outreach role in cooperation with Sea Grant and the municipalities.

Sediment remediated: 148,000 cubic yards
Contaminants: PCBs and PAHs
Method: Mechanical dredging and a sand cover
When: 2012 and 2013
Partners: U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Sheboygan County, the City of Sheboygan, Pollution Risk Services, and Wisconsin Public Service
Cost: $59.1 million
Note: The cost figure includes funding match generated under activities performed for Superfund remediation.

Long-term Benefits

Enhanced the river as a recreational asset for the community and a thoroughfare to Lake Michigan
Citizen reports of a higher quality of life, increased recreational opportunities, and improved perceptions of the river overall

Removal of shallow deposits of contaminated sediment that caused extensive boat damage and perpetuated a fear of the river
Reduction of PCBs in the food chain, which could lead to lessened restrictions on fish consumption over time
The cleanup and restoration of the Sheboygan River have contributed to community revitalization in Sheboygan. Learn about Sheboygan’s revitalization, including its riverfront development and increased water recreation.

Public Service Announcement

A public service announcement produced by Sea Grant programs at Illinois-Indiana and Wisconsin provided the community with information on what to expect during and after dredging on the Sheboygan River.