October 2024: St. Louis River Area of Concern Updates

The St. Louis River (SLR) was designated as one of the 31 Areas of Concern (AOC) on the Great Lakes. It was designated as an AOC under the U.S. – Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement in 1987 because of significant impacts that occurred before modern environmental laws were in place. Following the SLRAOC Remedial Action Plan, state and federal agencies have been implementing management actions to address the legacy impairments. If you look, you can now see the work in progress throughout the SLRAOC: contractors are busy each construction season, plant and animal populations are rebounding, water is cleaner, and lost habitat is being restored.

Continue reading for October St. Louis River Area of Concern project updates.

Photo: Remedial work gets underway at Thomson Reservoir. Photo credit: MPCA.

Thomson Reservoir

Now through October, an activated carbon amendment is being placed to address sediments contaminated with dioxins & furans. Drivers – please be cautious of truck traffic at the site’s Hwy 210 entrance. Reservoir paddlers – please stay a safe distance away from the barges & motorized boats.

For more information on this project, click here.

Photo: Paddlers exit Perch Lake through the culvert near the location where the new bridge will be installed. Photo credit: MNDNR.

Perch Lake

Northland Constructors has begun installing an opening & a bridge through the nearby Waabizheshikana.  After completion in December, water, animals, & people in small watercraft can move freely between Perch Lake & the St. Louis River. The Marten Trail will be closed in this area during construction. 

For more information on this project, click here.

Graphic: provided by MPCA.

Progress Update

Since 3/31, the following management actions have been completed: AGP/Northland Slip, C. Reiss Coal Slip, Spirit Lake/US Steel site, Superior Waterfront Wetland (formerly Pickle Pond) & the removal of body contact restrictions from Spirit Lake.  78.8% of 80 management actions are now done.

Story Map Update

The most recent information about the MN & WI habitat restoration projects & MN remediation projects has been added. This story map is a great source of pictures, graphics, & details about these construction projects.

For more information click here.