About Black River AOC
The Black River is in northern Ohio. In June 2015, the boundary of the Black River AOC was modified. The geographic extent is the entire Black River mainstem from Lorain to Elyria, the French Creek watershed, the Outer Harbor, and the nearshore of the Lake Erie area including two Lake Erie beaches, Lakeview Park Beach and Century Park Beach.
Discharges from the many industrial operations on the lower river contaminated river sediments with heavy metals and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from a now closed steel mill coking operation. The river’s aquatic habitats and fish communities were severely impacted.
Impairments to the River
The long history of industrial, agricultural and urban uses to which the Black River was subjected has left its mark. Like most rivers that flow through or near the industrial heartland of the US, the Black River has been subjected to a variety of uses. Rivers were suppliers of water, agents of commerce but ultimately unfortunate receptors of and conduits for wastes.
- poor water quality due toxic substances and bacterial contamination;
- loss of biodiversity due to water contamination,
- habitat degradation and sedimentation; and,
- land use changes that have altered the river and its tributaries.
- municipal and industrial discharges
- bank erosion
- commercial and residential development
- atmospheric deposition of contaminants
- hazardous waste disposal sites
- urban stormwater runoff and combined sewer overflows
- agricultural runoff from the upper watershed
Beneficial Use Impairments
- Restrictions on fish and wildlife consumption (proposed for removal)
- Eutrophication or undesirable algae (proposed for removal)
- Restrictions on drinking water consumption, or taste and odor
- Degradation of fish and wildlife populations
- Beach closings
- Fish tumors or other deformities (in recovery)
- Degradation of aesthetics
- Degradation of benthos
- Restriction on dredging activities
- Loss of fish and wildlife habitat