I think we've had our most dramatic changes already. Individual sites will dramatically change as we remediate and restore them, so the habitat's going to be improved. And we’ll have more habitat available. So yeah, it’s primarily individual sites that you see the big changes on, but as a whole, the river's getting healthier all the time.

- Duluth resident, 2013

Site History

Spirit Lake is a large open area in the St. Louis River estuary near the former U. S. Steel Duluth Works site that plays an important role for local people. Spirit Island, a sacred place for the Fond du Lac Band, is located within the lake. The island was a stopping place in the southwest migration of the Anishinaabe people. Spirit Lake is also important  to the Morgan Park neighborhood, which began as a company town for U. S. Steel plant workers. The plant shut down in 1981 and became a Superfund site soon after. The Lake Superior Mississippi Railroad operates a scenic passenger line that runs along the former U. S. Steel site with views of Spirit Lake.

​Although many cleanup projects around the former plant have reduced risks to public health and the environment, contamination remains in Spirit Lake sediment. An investigation reveals that the contaminants include heavy metals, PCBs, PAHs, and dioxins. Local residents have tracked these projects and eagerly anticipate remediation of the lake's sediment. 

Location
The former U. S. Steel Duluth Works site is located near Spirit Lake and miles upstream of Lake Superior. The site is located near the Morgan Park neighborhood of Duluth, MN and is within the St. Louis River Area of Concern, the largest U. S. AOC in the Great Lakes.  

Schedule

This voluntary Great Lakes Legacy Act sediment project is in the design stage and a project agreement for a cleanup between U. S. Steel and U. S. EPA has been signed. Once the design is complete, a cleanup will begin - in 2020 at the earliest. The cleanup will take two to three field seasons to complete. A field season can last anywhere from 4-10 months and is determined by considerations like weather.

Cleanup Process

Sediment to be remediated: 2.65 million cubic yards (700,000 cubic yards removed)
Contaminants: Heavy metals, PCBs, PAHs, and dioxins
Method: Dredging and capping
When: Cleanup tentatively set to start in 2020
Partners: U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and U. S. Steel
Cost: $75 million
Note: The cleanup will incorporate the creation of a shallow sheltered bay and shallow open water habitats, resulting in a net gain of 30 acres of open water. Sediment will be stored long-term in two upland Confined Disposal Facilities (CDF) and one CDF built in the delta above the ordinary high water level.
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Diagram of the proposed sediment cleanup at the former U.S. Steel Duluth Works site near Spirit Lake

Short-term Disruptions

NOISE: Contractors will incorporate solutions to prevent noise pollution during construction. Construction schedules may be adjusted to allow for work near residences to occur during daylight hours to minimize disruptions after dark. Mufflers and muted back-up alarms on equipment may also be implemented to reduce the noise of construction on the site during night hours. The City of Duluth has noise ordinances that apply to construction sites, and this project will be no exception.

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LIGHT: With the potential for around-the-clock construction, there will be considerations for illuminating the site at night. Light could be a disruption for neighbors in the short-term. Shields, barriers, and directional flood lighting can reduce the impact of light pollution.


TRUCK ROUTES: Although most of the sediment will be consolidated in on-site confined disposal facilities, large trucks and equipment will be entering and leaving the site on occasion. Trucks are expected to access the site using Grand Avenue West, but may require the use of 88th Avenue if necessary. Specific routes will be determined in the design stage and will be posted here when they become available.


WILDLIFE: Construction is likely to affect ducks, turtles, frogs, and other wildlife that currently inhabit the site. The disruption will be temporary, and the wildlife will return to a much healthier environment free from contamination exposure after the restoration is complete.


RAILROAD: Sediment remediation activities at Wire Mill Pond will impact service of the LS&M Railroad for the duration of construction. Equipment and trucks will need to cross the railroad bed to access the sediment, forcing a temporary shutdown of the railroad. The historic railroad is being considered under the State Historic Preservation Office. The process will determine whether to restore the railroad after construction, replace it with a waterfront trail, or prepare a Rails and Trails plan to include both. Decisions about the railroad will be incorporated into the final project design.
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Some sediment cleanup sites require round-the-clock activities and use bright lights at night.
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The LS&M Railroad runs along the shore of the St. Louis River and Spirit Lake. (Photo Credit Bill Majewski)

Long-term Benefits
Because of the size of the St. Louis River, local stakeholders believe that improvements from estuary sediment remediation and habitat restoration at the former Duluth Works site will largely be localized. When  a cleanup occurs: 

  • Contamination will be removed from the food chain, lowering exposure for those who eat fish from the river.

  • Restoration will improve fish and wildlife habitat for locally important species, allowing populations to increase and thrive.

  • The land of the former U.S. Steel operations will be better fit for redevelopment and may allow for recreational access.
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  • To learn more about the significant benefits enjoyed by communities in Great Lakes Areas of Concern after a cleanup, watch the Great Lakes Legacy Act video.

Community Involvement

Spirit Lake is a a sacred place for the Fond du Lac Band and an asset for many nearby Duluth residents, especially those living in Morgan Park. Contact Caitie to partner with our outreach team, request a presentation, or to set up an outreach event. Contact U. S. EPA project manager, Diana Mally to provide input on the project, ask questions, or to coordinate the project with community events on the river.

March 4, 2020 Open house at Morgan Park Community Center
  • U. S. EPA presented the final design with posters.

April 4, 2017 Morgan Park meeting at Morgan Park Community Center
August 25, 2016 U. S. Steel public meeting at Denfeld High School
Dec. 2, 2014 Morgan Park meeting at Morgan Park Community Center
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Morgan Park community members attend a meeting on Spirit Lake in 2016.

Learn about Spirit Island

More Information

Documents
Spirit Lake FAQs (PDF, 12p, 3.9MB) March 2017
Spirit Lake Proposed Plan Fact Sheet (PDF, 2p, 227KB) August 2016
Public Meeting Invitation (PDF, 2p, 294KB) August 2016
Addendum to feasibility study former U.S. Steel Duluth Works Spirit Lake sediment site (PDF, 30p, 2.67KB) December 2015
Revised feasibility study former U.S. Steel Duluth Works and Spirit Lake sediment site (PDF, 136p, 40.3 MB ) July 2015
Revised feasibility study appendices
Outreach needs assessment for St. Louis River (PDF, 17p, 903KB) October 2013
U. S. Steel Spirit Lake site habitat characterization (PDF, 61p, 34MB) May 2013
U. S. Steel Spirit Lake site habitat wetland delineation (PDF, 82p, 31MB) April 2013
Former U. S. Steel Duluth Works Spirit Lake sediment remedial investigation report (PDF, 292p, 44MB) March 2013

Stakeholders
St. Louis River Alliance
Morgan Park Community Club
City of Duluth
Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad 
Wisconsin and Minnesota Sea Grant St. Louis River - Stories and Science 
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency St. Louis River – U. S. Steel Superfund Site
Minnesota Department of Health Fish Consumption Guidance
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Area of Concern
​U. S. Environmental Protection Agency