OSWER/OSRTI

Washington, DC 20460

NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST (NPL) 

[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.

***Final Site*** March 2012 

EIGHTEENMILE CREEK Niagara County, New York

 Site Location:

The Eighteenmile Creek site is located in Niagara County, in western NY, on the south side of Lake Ontario. It 

originates in Lockport, NY from two branches (East and West) immediately north of the New York State Barge Canal 

(a.k.a. Erie Canal); the creek flows north for 15 miles and discharges into Lake Ontario. 

 Site History:

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

creek originates, four industrial or former industrial facilities; i.e., Former Flintkote Plant site; Former United 

Paperboard Company; Upson Park; and Former White Transportation property, have been investigated. This stretch of

the creek is referred to as the Eighteenmile Creek Corridor site. There are numerous industrial facilities and hazardous 

waste sites located along Eighteenmile Creek. Investigations confirm the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) 

and other contaminants throughout Eighteenmile Creek, but specific sources of contamination have not been 

identified. Possible sources of contamination include: contaminant migration from hazardous waste sites or 

contaminated properties, industrial/municipal wastewater discharges, storm water and combined sewer outfall 

discharges. The Burt and Newfane Dams (along the creek) may cause contaminated sediments to accumulate.

 Site Contamination/Contaminants:

Sampling events indicate that Eighteenmile Creek sediments are contaminated with a variety of pollutants, including 

mercury, lead, copper, pesticides/insecticides; PCBs, dioxins, and furans. PCBs are the primary contaminants in 

sediment samples collected from Eighteenmile Creek. Although the highest PCB concentrations have been reported 

within the Corridor site, sampling data indicate that contamination extends about 13 miles downstream to Burt Dam.

 Potential Impacts on Surrounding Community/Environment:

Eighteenmile Creek is surrounded by six residential townships. 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. Several wetlands are adjacent to contaminated portions of the creek and there 

is evidence of fishing in the Corridor site and other portions of the creek. Fisherman’s Park, a public fishing area 

located within the creek, is a major fishing area (22,000 angler hours recorded in 2005). The reach of the creek 

between Burt Dam and Lake Ontario is classified an Area of Concern by the 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 the NY State 

Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the EPA since the late 1980s. The most recent study 

focused on collecting sediment samples from Eighteenmile Creek beginning just downstream of the Corridor site for 

almost the entire length of the creek, but samples were not collected between Burt Dam and Lake Ontario. 

 Need for NPL Listing:

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

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