OSWER/OSRTI 

Washington, DC 20460 

NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST (NPL) 

***Proposed Site*** September 2011 

EIGHTEENMILE CREEK Niagara County, New York 

 Site Location: 

The Eighteenmile Creek site is located in Niagara County, New York, on the south side of Lake Ontario. The 

watershed includes the two main tributaries, the East Branch and the Gulf, and minor tributaries. Much of the flow in 

the main branch of Eighteenmile Creek comes from water diverted from the New York State Barge Canal (NYSBC). 

The creek flows north for approximately 15 miles and discharges into Lake Ontario in Olcott, New York. 

 Site History: 

Eighteenmile Creek has a long history of industrial use dating back to the 19th century. In Lockport, New York, where 

the creek originates, four industrial or former industrial facilities (i.e., Flintkote Plant; United Paperboard Company; 

Upson Park; and White Transportation property), as well as the NYSBC, have been investigated. The area 

encompassing these properties and the associated reach of Eighteenmile Creek (i.e., from NYSBC downstream past 

the Flintkote Plant) is referred to as the Eighteenmile Creek Corridor. There are several other industrial facilities and 

inactive hazardous waste sites located along or in the vicinity of Eighteenmile Creek. Investigations have confirmed 

the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other contaminants throughout most of Eighteenmile Creek but 

specific sources of contamination have not been definitively identified. The Burt and Newfane Dams, both located on 

Eighteenmile Creek downstream of the Eighteenmile Creek Corridor, may serve as areas within the creek where 

contaminated sediments accumulate. 

 Site Contamination/Contaminants: 

Sampling indicates that Eighteenmile Creek sediments are contaminated with a variety of pollutants, including the 

metals mercury, lead, zinc and copper; pesticide/insecticides; PCBs; and dioxins and furans. PCBs are the primary 

contaminants in sediment samples collected from the creek. Although the highest PCB concentrations have been 

reported within the Eighteenmile Creek Corridor, sampling data indicate that the sediment contamination extends 

approximately 12.71 miles downstream, just south of Burt Dam. 

 Potential Impacts on Surrounding Community/Environment: 

The land within the Eighteenmile Creek watershed consists primarily of croplands and orchards, with residential, 

commercial and industrial areas located around Lockport, Newfane, and Olcott Harbor. There are several wetlands 

located along the contaminated portion of the creek, and evidence of fishing has been reported in the Eighteenmile 

Creek Corridor and other portions of the creek. Fisherman’s Park, a public fishing area located within Eighteenmile 

Creek just downstream of Burt Dam, is a major fishing destination where several species of fish are caught and 

consumed. The reach of Eighteenmile Creek between Burt Dam and Lake Ontario is classified as an Area of Concern 

by the EPA Great Lakes National Program Office due to its natural resources value within the Lake Ontario watershed. 

 Response Activities (to date): 

Eighteenmile Creek and surrounding properties have been the focus of numerous investigations by New York State 

Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and EPA since the late 1980s. NYSDEC has identified six 

Operable Units within the Eighteenmile Creek watershed and has produced two Records of Decision (ROD), but 

remedial actions have not been implemented. 

 Need for NPL Listing: 

Other federal and state cleanup programs were evaluated but are not viable at this time. EPA received a letter of 

support for placing this site on the NPL from the State of New York. 

[The description of the site (release) is based on information available at the time the site was evaluated with the HRS. The description may 

change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination.] 

For more information about the hazardous substances identified in this narrative summary, including general information regarding the effects of exposure to 

these substances on human health, please see the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) ToxFAQs. ATSDR ToxFAQs can be found on 

the Internet at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html or by telephone at 1-888-42-ATSDR or 1-888-422-8737.