From Great Lakes Wiki
The Eighteenmile Creek Area of Concern (AoC) is located in the Town of Newfane, Niagara County, in western New York State. The creek flows from the south and discharges through Olcott Harbor into Lake Ontario, approximately 18 miles east of the mouth of the Niagara River. The AoC includes Olcott Harbor at the mouth of the creek and extends upstream to the farthest point at which backwater conditions exist during Lake Ontario’s highest monthly average lake level. This point is located just downstream of the Burt Dam, approximately 2 miles south of Olcott Harbor. The Eighteenmile Creek watershed downstream of the Burt Dam is primarily composed of cropland, orchards and residential areas. Upstream of the Burt Dam, the watershed is composed mainly of cropland and orchards, with residential and commercial areas like the historically industrialized City of Lockport.
As of January 1, 2005, the Niagara County Soil & Water Conservation District has taken over as coordinator of Eighteenmile Creek’s Remedial Action Plan (RAP). The District also assists the Eighteenmile Creek Remedial Advisory Committee (RAC) by facilitating their quarterly meetings and providing staff support towards the implementation of the creek’s RAP. For more information about the RAC and the RAP, please visit www.eighteenmilerap.com, or see Community Involvement below.
Priorities for the Eighteenmile Creek continue to include track-down of possible sources of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and other contaminants, identification and assessment of contaminated sediments present throughout the creek, and the assessment of Beneficial Use Impairments which remain classified as “unknown†and “likely.†The Eighteenmile Creek corridor and Olcott Harbor provide important riparian and aquatic habitat for cold and warm water fish as well as threatened species like the Blanding’s Turtle, which has been identified in the AoC. The AoC is mainly characterized by activities like sport fishing and attracts approximately 15,000 anglers yearly, especially during fall salmon runs. For these reasons, additional priorities for Eighteenmile Creek include habitat creation and restoration as well as improved fishing and recreation access.
Why was this area listed as an AoC?
In 1985 Eighteenmile Creek was designated as an AoC because of water quality and bottom sediment problems associated with past industrial and municipal discharge practices, the disposal of waste and the use of pesticides. 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 contributed to the restrictions of fish and wildlife consumption, degradation of benthitic organisms, and restrictions on dredging activities in the AoC. It is also suspected that these contaminated sediments contribute to a degradation of fish and wildlife populations, the presence of fish tumors, and the prevalence of bird and animal deformities or reproductive problems.
