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Detroit River AOC

Contact

Weston Hillier
HillierW@Michigan.gov
517-230-6487

The Detroit River is a 32-mile international connecting channel that links Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie. The Detroit River is a binational Area of Concern that includes areas draining directly into the river from Michigan and Ontario. Physical boundaries of the Detroit River Area of Concern extend from the flashing navigation light near Peach Island to the Detroit Light in Lake Erie. Known causes of the Beneficial Use Impairments include urban and industrial development within the watershed, bacteria from municipal discharges, and contaminants discharged from industries on both sides of the Detroit River. The Detroit River Remedial Action Plan priorities include issues related to combined sewer overflows and sanitary sewer overflows, nonpoint source pollution, contaminated sediments, habitat restoration, and pollution prevention.