Newburgh Lake
Returned to a Resource for All to Enjoy!
A Lake Reborn
By: Bill Semion, Michigan Out-of-Doors Magazine, Michigan United
Conservation Clubs
State Lifts Consumption Ban on Three Types of Fish
in Newburgh Lake
Good news! On August 13, 2003, the State of Michigan declared that
certain species of fish in Newburgh Lake can be safely consumed.
For many years, Newburgh Lake had offered excellent recreational
opportunities for the citizens in the Rouge River Watershed. Newburgh
Lake was created in the early 1900s. Over the years, sediments accumulated
which significantly degraded the recreational quality of Newburgh
Lake. Shallow water depths resulting from the sediment accumulation
and nutrient-rich water led to excessive growth of aquatic plants.
Moreover, some of these sediments contain toxic contaminants such
as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) that entered the food chain
and contaminated the fish which resulted in a potential human health
hazard associated with fish consumption. To eliminate this possible
hazard and other water quality problems, it was necessary to remove
the contaminated sediments. This lead to the Newburgh Lake Restoration
Project which focused on the following objectives:
- Eliminate PCB fish advisory
- Enhance water quality
- Enhance recreation
Planning for the restoration project began in 1993 followed by
the final design being completed in 1996 with construction starting
in April 1997 and completion in October 1998.
The most challenging phase of the project was the excavation and
removal of 558,000 tons of sediments, much of which was contaminated
with PCBs. Beyond sediment removal, 7 acres of fish spawning beds
and habitat structures were built throughout the lake bottom; 10
acres of beneficial aquatic vegetation were planted in constructed
shoal areas; 28,000 pounds of PCB contaminated fish were eradicated
and removed from the lake and its adjacent waterways; over 30,000
fish of various species were restocked; and numerous shoreline and
infrastructure upgrades were made to enhance the recreational use
of the surrounding park area.
For a brief, two page summary of the Newburgh Lake Restoration
Project click on the following: Newburgh
Lake Restoration Project Profile. To obtain additional details
on the pollution problems that existed in Newburgh Lake, see What
was the Pollution Problem?. To see a brief description of the
overall restoration plan see What was the Restoration
Plan?. Shortly after the restoration project was completed,
the Rouge Project developed a summary document of what had been
accomplished in the Lake restoration along with projections of what
anticipated changes would occur over the next three years. That
document can be viewed at How Newburgh Lake
Has Changed. For photographs of the project see Newburgh
Lake Photo Library. Individuals need to take an active role
in eliminating future pollution problems in Newburgh Lake. For information
on that subject see Our Actions Affect Newburgh
Lake. By clicking on Reports,
access is obtained to detailed technical reports on the Newburgh
Lake Restoration Project. Within the listing are the following reports:
"Newburgh Lake Restoration", "Sediment Remediation
Techniques, Review of Existing References with Application to Newburgh
Lake", and "Wayne County Newburgh Lake Restoration Project
Final Construction Report".
Newburgh Lake Restoration
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