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Article: PCB risk rises as river level falls lower Polluted mud exposed near Lincoln Park
- Article from:
- The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee, WI)
- Article date:
- August 20, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2009 The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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By LEE BERGQUIST
Water levels on the Milwaukee River near Lincoln Park are down
dramatically this summer, and that could expose the public to new
areas of contaminated sediments.
The river contains heavy deposits of polychlorinated biphenyls, a
family of industrial pollutants banned in the 1970s.
In most years, the tainted sediments are submerged. Usually
during warmer months, the river near the park is deep enough to
accommodate speedboats and pontoons.
But this summer, dry conditions and a state order to open the
gates of the troubled Estabrook Dam have sharply lowered water
levels, laying bare large portions of the polluted river bottom.
The area along the park has the highest ...