123,000 Tons of Logging-Era Debris to Be Removed from Lake

Mill debris washed up along the shore of Muskegon Lake. Photo credit: NOAAAs many as 47 sawmills once operated along the banks of Michigan’s Muskegon Lake during the 1800s. As a result, the body of water was a perpetual dumping spot for the booming logging area’s mill debris.

Now, a $2.8 million effort is underway to remove roughly 123,000 tons of submerged lumber debris in order to restore the lake’s fish habitats, which includes that of the endangered lake sturgeon, according to MLive Media Group.

The effort is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through a partnership with the Great Lakes Commission. The mill debris removal will restore 11.4 acres of open water and wetlands.

Muskegon Lake, which connects directly to Lake Michigan, is currently listed as a “Great Lakes Area of Concern” due to the underwater hills of sawdust and wood scraps from the 19^th century lumber mills.

Logging, dam construction and excessive fishing eliminated approximately 99 percent of the lake sturgeon population from Lake Michigan and its tributaries, according to MLive.

A logging-era mill located near the banks of Muskegon Lake. Photo Credit: NOAA