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Deer Lake Area of Concern

Background | Use Impairments
RAP Status | Schedule | Progress and Achievements | Outlook
Research | Publications
Community Involvement | Partners | Contacts

What is an AOC and a RAP?

Background

Deer Lake is a 906 acre impoundment in central Marquette County near Ishpeming. The Area of Concern (AOC) includes the Carp River watershed, Deer Lake, and the Carp River downstream about twenty miles to Lake Superior in Marquette.

Mercury used in ore research was discharged to sewers in Ishpeming by mining laboratories for about 50 years, ending in 1981. This heavy metal passed through the old wastewater treatment plants, contaminating sediments and water in the AOC. Nutrient loadings from the Ishpeming wastewater treatment plant accelerated eutrophication (enrichment) of the lake. The treatment plant was updated in 1985, but the lake remains highly productive. Deer Lake continues to recover from effects of past municipal and industrial discharges. Water quality conditions have greatly improved in the last seven years, but elevated levels of mercury are still a problem.

Beneficial Use Impairments

A Remedial Action Plan (RAP) was initially written by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), currently called the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) in 1987. This RAP described problems known at the time and identified actions and studies needed to further define and remediate those problems. However, the RAP was written before the 1987 amendments to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement that outlined new guidelines for RAPs. These guidelines include identifying impairments for any of the 14 designated beneficial use impairments. The primary impaired use of the AOC is fish consumption.

Restrictions on Fish & Wildlife Consumption
Mercury contamination of fish caught in the Deer Lake AOC has resulted in a ban on fish consumption since 1981. Sediments also have elevated mercury levels (2-16 parts per million). It is illegal to possess fish from Deer Lake. Fish-eating birds such as herons, kingfishers and bald eagles in the AOC have concentrated this metal (up to 40 parts per million in tissue) because it accumulates in the food chain. Eagles that have high concentrations of mercury produce eggs that seldom hatch. Two eagles, however, fledged in summer 1998.

GLIN: Fish Consumption Advisories; Wildlife;
Toxic Contaminants

RAP Status

Bylaws for the PAC have been adopted, PAC officers have been elected, and committees have been assigned for research and identification of beneficial use impairments. Issues relating to the AOC and goals for the PAC have been discussed. A primary goal is to restore beneficial uses of the Carp River watershed (in which Deer Lake is located) that have been impacted by the causes that led to the lake's designation as an AOC.

Schedule

Meetings:

  • The Deer Lake Area Public Advisory Council meets monthly.

RAP Milestones:

  • 1998: Stream monitoring initiated with public schools and PAC.
  • 1998: First stream clean-up by volunteers.
  • 1998: Beaver dam removal by private citizens with Boy Scouts and PAC involvement.
  • 1998: Sediment traps back on cleaning schedule.
  • 1997: Deer Lake Area Public Advisory Council was formed.
  • 1987: Deer Lake Remedial Action Plan written by the MDNR.

Progress and Achievements

Mercury Contamination

Cleveland Cliffs Iron (CCI) Company operated the laboratories that were the source of extra mercury to the AOC. A consent judgement for restoring the lake and for monitoring mercury levels in fish was entered into between the MDNR and CCI is 1984. By consent, Deer Lake was drawn down to the lowest possible level in the fall of 1984, killing most of the resident fish. In late 1986, rotenone was used to kill fish left in the remaining 90 acre natural lake. Carp Creek was temporarily routed around the lake to prevent downstream movement of rotenone during this process. The impoundment was refilled in 1987.

Subsequent fish stocking and monitoring activities have proceeded as outlined in the consent judgement. Northern pike re-established in the lake naturally. Walleye fry were stocked for four years. The last time the MDNR stocked walleye fry was in 1990. MDNR fishery biologists suggest that natural reproduction has been sustained in the Deer Lake walleye fishery. The mean mercury concentrations for the fish fillets considered still exceed the Michigan Department of Public Health (MDPH) fish consumption advisory trigger level of 0.5 parts per million (ppm).

A recreational fishery has developed since Deer Lake was restocked. The MDEQ has designated the lake a catch and release fishery to eliminate contaminated fish consumption, while still providing recreation opportunities. It is illegal to possess fish caught in Deer Lake. The catch and release fishery in Deer Lake has gained attention from anglers throughout the midwest because of the outstanding northern pike fishery. In 1993, the local Trout Unlimited Chapter in Marquette and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, in cooperation with MDNR Fisheries Division jointly implemented a bank stabilization project on an erosion site in the Carp River. The project protected valuable brook trout habitat.

Effective April 29, 1995, MDPH relaxed the fish consumption advisory on the Carp River in Marquette County. The "No Consumption advisory on all species" will exclude brook trout. Brook trout that were between 7 and 12 inches in length contained a maximum of only 0.31 ppm mercury, with an average of 0.17 ppm. This reflects the fact that brook trout depend less on other fish as part of ther diet than do pike. The mercury concentrations in the brook trout were well below the MDPH trigger level of concern. Other species of fish from the river remain under the "No Consumption" advisory due to mercury contamination.

Continued monitoring will indicate whether mercury levels in the Deer Lake ecosystem will eventually fall to levels found elsewhere in Michigan. Currently, there is a consumption advisory for certain large fish caught in all inland lakes in Michigan because of concerns about widespread high mercury levels in the environment. This general advisory is in addition to the specific ban on all consumption for Deer Lake fish because of mercury.

Marsh Monitoring Program

A marsh monitoring program was initiated during 1995. The program is conducted by the Long Point Bird Observatory from Ontario Canada. Funding for activities in the United States was provided through a grant of the Great Lakes Protection Fund. This long-term program is coordinated with local volunteers who conduct the marsh surveys.

Outlook

The formation of the Public Advisory Council is a very positive step, with strong community support from a large stakeholder base. In 1999:

  • The Remedial Action Plan will be updated, which will aid agency staff when management strategies come up for review.
  • Stream clean-ups and beaver dam removals will continue.
  • A lake clean-up is in the planning stage.
  • Water quality monitoring by public schools will continue.
  • The PAC will assist with the release of state and Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company negotiations for public review and comment.
  • Signage around the lake will continue.

Research

There is ongoing sampling of fish and sediment cores.

Publications

  • MDNR. 1987. Deer Lake Remedial Action Plan.

Community Involvement

A Public Advisory Council has been created for the Deer Lake AOC. The 20-member PAC has positions for 5 agency representatives who serve in an advisory capacity (they participate, but don't vote) and 15 citizens representing a cross-section of interests in the Carp River watershed.

Partners

Contacts

Scott Chilman
Deer Lake AOC SPAC and PAC Chair
102 South Main Street
Ishpeming, MI 49849
sc@ellerbruch.nmu.edu

Sharon Baker, RAP Contact
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Surface Water Quality Division
P.O. Box 30028
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 335-3310
bakersl@state.mi.us

Mark Messersmith
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5
77 W. Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60604-3590
(312) 353-2154
messersmith.mark@epamail.epa.gov

middleGreat Lakes Areas of Concern

Compiled: February 25, 1998
by Ric Lawson, rlawson@glc.org

Great Lakes Areas of Concern
back to USEPA Great Lakes
Area of Concern Home

Deer Lake Area of Concern

What is an AOC and a RAP?

Background

Deer Lake is a 906 acre impoundment in central Marquette County near Ishpeming. The Area of Concern (AOC) includes the Carp River watershed, Deer Lake, and the Carp River downstream about twenty miles to Lake Superior in Marquette.

Mercury used in ore research was discharged to sewers in Ishpeming by mining laboratories for about 50 years, ending in 1981. This heavy metal passed through the old wastewater treatment plants, contaminating sediments and water in the AOC. Nutrient loadings from the Ishpeming wastewater treatment plant accelerated eutrophication (enrichment) of the lake. The treatment plant was updated in 1985, but the lake remains highly productive. Deer Lake continues to recover from effects of past municipal and industrial discharges. Water quality conditions have greatly improved in the last seven years, but elevated levels of mercury are still a problem.

Beneficial Use Impairments

A Remedial Action Plan (RAP) was initially written by Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), currently called the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) in 1987. This RAP described problems known at the time and identified actions and studies needed to further define and remediate those problems. However, the RAP was written before the 1987 amendments to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement that outlined new guidelines for RAPs. These guidelines include identifying impairments for any of the 14 designated beneficial use impairments. The primary impaired use of the AOC is fish consumption.

Restrictions on Fish & Wildlife Consumption
Mercury contamination of fish caught in the Deer Lake AOC has resulted in a ban on fish consumption since 1981. Sediments also have elevated mercury levels (2-16 parts per million). It is illegal to possess fish from Deer Lake. Fish-eating birds such as herons, kingfishers and bald eagles in the AOC have concentrated this metal (up to 40 parts per million in tissue) because it accumulates in the food chain. Eagles that have high concentrations of mercury produce eggs that seldom hatch. Two eagles, however, fledged in summer 1998.

GLIN: Fish Consumption Advisories; Wildlife;
Toxic Contaminants

RAP Status

Bylaws for the PAC have been adopted, PAC officers have been elected, and committees have been assigned for research and identification of beneficial use impairments. Issues relating to the AOC and goals for the PAC have been discussed. A primary goal is to restore beneficial uses of the Carp River watershed (in which Deer Lake is located) that have been impacted by the causes that led to the lake's designation as an AOC.

Schedule

Meetings:

  • The Deer Lake Area Public Advisory Council meets monthly.

RAP Milestones:

  • 1998: Stream monitoring initiated with public schools and PAC.
  • 1998: First stream clean-up by volunteers.
  • 1998: Beaver dam removal by private citizens with Boy Scouts and PAC involvement.
  • 1998: Sediment traps back on cleaning schedule.
  • 1997: Deer Lake Area Public Advisory Council was formed.
  • 1987: Deer Lake Remedial Action Plan written by the MDNR.

Progress and Achievements

Mercury Contamination

Cleveland Cliffs Iron (CCI) Company operated the laboratories that were the source of extra mercury to the AOC. A consent judgement for restoring the lake and for monitoring mercury levels in fish was entered into between the MDNR and CCI is 1984. By consent, Deer Lake was drawn down to the lowest possible level in the fall of 1984, killing most of the resident fish. In late 1986, rotenone was used to kill fish left in the remaining 90 acre natural lake. Carp Creek was temporarily routed around the lake to prevent downstream movement of rotenone during this process. The impoundment was refilled in 1987.

Subsequent fish stocking and monitoring activities have proceeded as outlined in the consent judgement. Northern pike re-established in the lake naturally. Walleye fry were stocked for four years. The last time the MDNR stocked walleye fry was in 1990. MDNR fishery biologists suggest that natural reproduction has been sustained in the Deer Lake walleye fishery. The mean mercury concentrations for the fish fillets considered still exceed the Michigan Department of Public Health (MDPH) fish consumption advisory trigger level of 0.5 parts per million (ppm).

A recreational fishery has developed since Deer Lake was restocked. The MDEQ has designated the lake a catch and release fishery to eliminate contaminated fish consumption, while still providing recreation opportunities. It is illegal to possess fish caught in Deer Lake. The catch and release fishery in Deer Lake has gained attention from anglers throughout the midwest because of the outstanding northern pike fishery. In 1993, the local Trout Unlimited Chapter in Marquette and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, in cooperation with MDNR Fisheries Division jointly implemented a bank stabilization project on an erosion site in the Carp River. The project protected valuable brook trout habitat.

Effective April 29, 1995, MDPH relaxed the fish consumption advisory on the Carp River in Marquette County. The "No Consumption advisory on all species" will exclude brook trout. Brook trout that were between 7 and 12 inches in length contained a maximum of only 0.31 ppm mercury, with an average of 0.17 ppm. This reflects the fact that brook trout depend less on other fish as part of ther diet than do pike. The mercury concentrations in the brook trout were well below the MDPH trigger level of concern. Other species of fish from the river remain under the "No Consumption" advisory due to mercury contamination.

Continued monitoring will indicate whether mercury levels in the Deer Lake ecosystem will eventually fall to levels found elsewhere in Michigan. Currently, there is a consumption advisory for certain large fish caught in all inland lakes in Michigan because of concerns about widespread high mercury levels in the environment. This general advisory is in addition to the specific ban on all consumption for Deer Lake fish because of mercury.

Marsh Monitoring Program

A marsh monitoring program was initiated during 1995. The program is conducted by the Long Point Bird Observatory from Ontario Canada. Funding for activities in the United States was provided through a grant of the Great Lakes Protection Fund. This long-term program is coordinated with local volunteers who conduct the marsh surveys.

Outlook

The formation of the Public Advisory Council is a very positive step, with strong community support from a large stakeholder base. In 1999:

  • The Remedial Action Plan will be updated, which will aid agency staff when management strategies come up for review.
  • Stream clean-ups and beaver dam removals will continue.
  • A lake clean-up is in the planning stage.
  • Water quality monitoring by public schools will continue.
  • The PAC will assist with the release of state and Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company negotiations for public review and comment.
  • Signage around the lake will continue.

Research

There is ongoing sampling of fish and sediment cores.

Publications

  • MDNR. 1987. Deer Lake Remedial Action Plan.

Community Involvement

A Public Advisory Council has been created for the Deer Lake AOC. The 20-member PAC has positions for 5 agency representatives who serve in an advisory capacity (they participate, but don't vote) and 15 citizens representing a cross-section of interests in the Carp River watershed.

Partners

Contacts

Scott Chilman
Deer Lake AOC SPAC and PAC Chair
102 South Main Street
Ishpeming, MI 49849
sc@ellerbruch.nmu.edu

Sharon Baker, RAP Contact
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Surface Water Quality Division
P.O. Box 30028
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 335-3310
bakersl@state.mi.us

Mark Messersmith
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5
77 W. Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60604-3590
(312) 353-2154
messersmith.mark@epamail.epa.gov

Compiled: February 25, 1998
by Ric Lawson, rlawson@glc.org

Great Lakes Areas of Concern
[../../footer.htm]

Created: March 23, 1999
Revised: May 22, 2002
Maintained by Pranas Pranckevicius
URL: http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/aoc/drlake/

Created: March 23, 1999
Revised: July 20, 2006
Maintained by Pranas Pranckevicius
URL: http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/aoc/drlake/