developed as residential or commercial/industrial which decreases the available land surface for absorption. Homes near the river are required to carry flood insurance, and damaging flooding is a common occurrence. A storm on May 21, 2004, that produced of rain resulted in the river rising over in only three hours. The Ecorse River flows into the Detroit River about midway along that river's course. The next river north of the Ecorse is the Rouge River, while the next river south is the Huron River. The watershed is heavily developed, with a population density of 3,711 people per square mile in 2000. It is also heavily industrialized with both light and heavy industry. Contamination is a problem, both from ongoing industrial and residential sources and as a legacy of the steel works along its lower length. Flood control It was reported in September 2008 that the Wayne County Department of Environment will begin the first phase of a $239 million project to protect the nine municipalities along the north branch of the creek from flash flooding. The first phase, to begin in early 2009, is to cost $7 to $10 million and will be funded by special assessments on the 48,000 properties in the watershed. It will consist of changes to the 80 paths that cross the creek, as well as constructing new drains and basins. Note Some sources designate the North and South branches as Ecorse Creek and the only short combined stream as Ecorse River. As of April 14, 2009, a high amount of E. coli bacteria from human waste was found to be in the creek water. Officials were urging citizens to stay out and away from the water. See also List of rivers of Michigan References External links Ecorse Creek Watershed Inter-Municipality Committee Water quality report from Environmental Quality Ecorse Creek Flood Control Detroit River Rivers of Wayne County, Michigan Rivers of Michigan