After removing more than 125,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment, Muskegon Lake is a step closer to being taken off of the list of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes areas of concern. Over the past two decades, the Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute at Grand Valley State University has aided in several large-scale projects to help improve the quality of water in West Michigan.

The efforts to clean up Ruddiman Creek have made a significant impact on freshwater resources in the area. The $13.5 million project removed 126,000 pounds of lead from the sediments in the creek, along with a slew of other heavy metals and hazardous materials. Rick Rediske, professor of water resources at Grand Valley, acted as a liaison between the EPA and the community during the project by transmitting data. According to Rediske, AWRI helped with the initial testing of the sediments, designing the project, and conducting follow up testing. 

Director Al Steinman collects water and sediment samples in the field.

A more recent project focused on removing high levels of mercury and other heavy metals from the Hartshorne Marina area in Muskegon. Sixty acres of contaminated sediment were removed and habitats were restored. The water wasn’t unsafe for boaters or swimmers, but the sediments were toxic to fish. With the removal of the contaminated sediments, fish in the area can begin to repopulate.

“Muskegon Lake is listed as an Area of Concern and we are doing everything we can to push it out of that designation,” Rediske said. “Not only will it make water safer, but it will ultimately help the economy.”

According to Rediske, both projects opened up the areas for more recreation. Ruddiman Creek is part of a public park, so it was crucial for the area to be cleaned up to protect the safety of park visitors. Since the creek also runs through several Muskegon area neighborhoods, the clean-up also increased property values.

“These areas were really a black eye on Muskegon Lake,” Rediske said. “People shouldn’t be worried about the water that surrounds them, so that is why AWRI works so hard to improve these important parts of the lakeshore.”