|
The Eighteenmile Creek watershed is
located along the southern shore of Lake Ontario in Niagara County, New
York. Eighteenmile Creek flows generally to the north and discharges into
Lake Ontario, through Olcott Harbor, approximately 18 miles east of the
mouth of the Niagara River. The watershed has a drainage area of
approximately 58,056 acres and includes Eighteenmile Creek; the two main
tributaries, the East Branch and the Gulf, and minor tributaries. In
addition, much of the flow in the main branch of Eighteenmile Creek comes
from water diverted from the New York State Barge Canal.
The natural topography of the area can be characterized as two relatively
flat plains at different elevations separated by the Niagara Escarpment. The
southernmost portion of the watershed is at a higher elevation than the
remainder of the watershed and is separated by the Niagara Escarpment along
the northern portion of the City of Lockport. The watershed lies entirely
within Niagara County and encompasses portions of the Towns of Cambria,
Lockport (including a portion of the City of Lockport), Royalton, Hartland,
Newfane, and Wilson. The majority of the watershed can be characterized as a
rural area comprising agricultural lands, with scattered residences along
roadways, and rural villages; including Olcott, Newfane, and Gasport. A
portion of one urban area, the City of Lockport, falls within the watershed
and is the most densely populated area within the watershed. Commercial and
industrial uses are concentrated in the City of Lockport.
The main branch of Eighteenmile Creek originates southeast of the City of
Lockport, in the vicinity of Keck and Chestnut Ridge Roads, on the south
side of the Niagara Escarpment. It travels northwest through the city and is
diverted underground near Vine Street, travels north underground under the
Canal to a point near Clinton Street, where it resurfaces. It continues
generally north, descending approximately 240 feet over the Niagara
Escarpment and flows north through the Town of Newfane before draining into
Lake Ontario at Olcott Harbor.
A section of Eighteenmile Creek was designated as an Area of Concern (AOC)
by the International Joint Commission because of an existing fish
consumption advisory, benthic population decline, a degradation of fish and
wildlife populations, prevalence of bird and animal deformities or
reproductive problems and restrictions on dredging. Over the years, numerous
contaminants have been identified in creek sediments which have a
detrimental effect to the AOC and Lake Ontario. These contaminants include
but are not limited to; Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs); Mercury; Dioxins
and Furans; Dieldrin; Mirex; DDT; Lead; and Copper. Sediments contaminated
with these substances have directly contributed to the impairments just
mentioned.
Interestingly enough, the AOC is relatively pristine to the naked eye. This
section of Eighteenmile Creek flows through a steep sided, undeveloped
wooded gorge, where habitat disturbances are minimal. The extensive beds of
emergent and submergent aquatic vegetation in this area account for an
estimated 65 acres, comprising one of the largest coastal wetlands in the
western portion of Lake Ontario. These wetlands and undisturbed woodlands
bordering Eighteen Mile Creek provide valuable habitats for wildlife that
are uncommon in Niagara County's coastal area.
A variety of bird species inhabit the area, including great blue heron,
green-backed heron, mallard, wood duck, belted kingfisher, marsh wren,
common yellowthroat, red-winged blackbird, and swamp sparrow.. Eighteen Mile
Creek is particularly significant because large concentrations of Coho and
Chinook salmon and brown trout migrate from Lake Ontario into the creek each
fall. In addition, steelhead migrate into Eighteen Mile Creek during the
fall and between late February and April. Due to the importance of this
area, NYSDEC has determined that, �Disturbances of wetland vegetation,
including submergent beds, through dredging, filling, or bulkheading
[excluding Olcott Harbor], would result in a direct loss of valuable habitat
area."
The mission of the Eighteenmile Creek
Remedial Action Plan (RAP) is, to restore the chemical, physical and
biological integrity of the ecosystem in the Eighteenmile Creek Area of
Concern in a manner that reflects the communities concern for the
preservation and protection of the waterway. Specific goals of the RAP are
the protection and enhancement of human health, fish and wildlife,
aesthetics, recreation and the economy of the Eighteenmile Creek Area of
Concern. Bathing and aquatic life have been established as the best uses of
Eighteenmile Creek through a public process under the New York State Stream
Classification System. The RAP is designed to restore these uses where they
have been impaired and to move toward the reduction of all sources of
pollutants.
Due to the cost and extent of
contamination in Eighteenmile Creek, the
NYSDEC requested the Eighteenmile Creek
Sediment Site be nominated to the National
Priorities List (also known as Superfund).
Eighteenmile Creek was placed on the
National Priorities List in 2012, breaking
the site into three different Operable Units
(OU). OU1 includes the relocation of
residents on Water Street and demolition of
the homes as well as the former Flintkote factory.
OU2 includes soil remediation of the Creek
Corridor (several parcels of land in the
City of Lockport between the Barge Canal and
Harwood Street). OU3 involves
remediation of approximately 15 miles of
creek sediments from Harwood Street in the City of Lockport, to
Lake Ontario. Lastly, OU4 involves
remediating several residential properties
east of the Creek Corridor. More information
about hte Superfund site can be found on the
EPA's website-
https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.docdata&id=0206456
The RAP has worked very
closely with Superfund to ensure that work
being completed will contribute to both Superfund
and AOC objectives.
|
