Newburgh Lake Restoration Plan

The Newburgh Lake Restoration Project was a multi-step process that needs the support and assistance from individuals and agencies across the Rouge River Watershed and the State. Following are components of the restoration plan:

Remediation of Contaminated Sediment

The restoration plan included the removal of contaminated sediment from the lake bottom. Removal of contaminated sediment was accomplished by using mechanical equipment to excavate the sediments from the lake bottom. The contaminated sediment was properly disposed of after its removal.

Increase Lake Depth

Another problem addressed by the restoration was the shallow water depths (averaging 3.9 feet). The restoration plan provided for an 8 foot minimum depth, with the exception of shallow areas built for fish spawning and nursery.

Fish Removal and Restocking

A primary goal of the Newburgh Lake restoration effort was to remove the PCB fish advisory in Newburgh Lake. In order to eliminate the PCB fish consumption advisory and to assure that there were no remaining contaminated fish after the sediment remediation, all fish in Newburgh Lake were eradicated and removed, and the source of the contaminants removed.

A final phase of the restoration was to restock native fish in the Lake. The predominant species stocked or recruited from the upstream Rouge River are bluegill, largemouth bass, and pumpkinseed.

To assess the success of the Newburgh Lake sediment remediation project, MDEQ and MDNR collected fish from the lake in 2001 and 2002. Data for the 2001 samples showed that PCB concentrations in all of the largemouth bass and channel catfish, and 9 of 10 carp, were less than the 2.0 ppm standard for edible fish. 2002 data are pending. Mercury concentrations were also low. Prior to the 2003 fishing season, MDEQ will propose to the Michigan Department of Community Health that the existing fish consumption advisory for the Middle Branch, which bans consumption of game fish, be relaxed to limiting the number of fish meals consumed by children and women of childbearing age.

Aquatic Plant Control

Throughout the summer, Newburgh Lake suffered from "blooms" of aquatic plants that covered much of its surface, causing odor and other visual and recreational problems for humans.

The removal of contaminated sediment removed all existing vegetation, including the dominant vegetation, Chara. Although this initial removal of the Chara provides an immediate solution, it is probable that the potentially problematic vegetation will return. This vegetation will be controlled to some extent by the additional depth. In the future, the nuisance plants may be controlled either by occasionally draining the lake over the winter or by mechanical harvesting.

Vegetation Restoration

Although some aquatic plants could be nuisances, other plants were essential in the restoration efforts. These plants are capable of removing pollutants through a variety of physical, chemical and biological processes. In addition, aquatic vegetation near the shoreline provides valuable fish and wildlife habitat and can be visually attractive using plants with showy flowers.

The restoration project introduced naturally occurring vegetation back into Newburgh Lake, primarily near the shore area (known as the littoral zone). This was accomplished by physically planting the selected vegetation in the Lake.

Fish and Wildlife Habitat Enhancement

An important goal of the vegetation restoration was to support a viable fishery, contributing to a healthy lake ecology as well as providing recreation for anglers. This was done through a combination of planting appropriate areas with a variety of plant life beneficial to fish and construction of deeper water holes and areas containing rocks to create a diversity of habitats.

Many of the plant species selected for the restoration are enhancing the wildlife in the area. In addition to the plantings, wildlife is enhanced by landscaping with wildlife-attractive trees and shrubs.

Please address all comments and suggestions about the contents of this Web page to rougeweb@co.wayne.mi.us.

The Rouge River National Wet Weather Demonstration Project is funded, in part, by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Grants #XP995743-01, -02, -03, -04, -05, -06, -08 and C-264000-01.