GREAT LAKES-ILLINOIS RIVER BASINS
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY
INTERIM REPORT-ILLINOIS RIVER BASIN
Appendix V-Biological Investigations of
the Upper Illinois Waterway
August 1961
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
Public Health Service
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INTERIM REPORT
GREAT LAKES-ILLINOIS RIVER BASINS
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY
1. INTERIM REPORT - ILLINOIS RIVER BASIN
Appendix V - Biological Investigations of the
Upper Illinois Waterway
AUGUST, 1961
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
GREAT LAKES-ILLINOIS RIVER
BASINS PROJECT
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
FIELD OPERATIONS SECTION
ROBERT A. TAFT SANITARY ENGINEERING CENTER
CINCINNATI, OHIO
DIVISION OF WATER SUPPLY AND POLLUTION CONTROL
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
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SUMMARY
The analyses of data that were collected
during the biological survey indicated that
definite degradation by man-contributed pollu-
tion had defiled the canalized waterway in the
reaches studied; bottom animals especially
are expressive of degradation.
The April - May 1961 biological sampling
in the Upper Illinois Waterway of the Metro-
politan Chicago Area revealed associations of
bottom animals indicative of highly degraded
water. The bottom animals show responses to
both domestic sewage and wastes of industrial
origin as degradation agents.
The water quality and bottom conditions
determine the type and quantity of organisms
present. As long as the water and substrate
remain degraded by organics of domestic origin
the presence of organisms commonly associ-
ated with pollution is desirable. These organic-
waste-tolerant bottom animals, (notably
sludgeworms) are important natural agents in
"self-purification." If these organisms are
hindered in their activities by materials of
industrial origin or by too severe conditions
related to domestic sewage pollution the rate of
"self-purification" is slowed. A slower rate of
"self-purification" in a river results in a down-
stream extension of the area in which water
remains degraded. In essence, biota associated
with organic degradants, cannot contribute
their share to the natural "self-purification"
of a waterway if inhibited by an unfavorable
environment
Phytoplankton aid the "self-purification"
process in a stream. Populations of phyto-
plankton contribute to the oxygenation of a
stream through photosynthesis. If phytoplank-
ton populations are hindered in their growth
and function, the efficiency of a stream's
"self-purification" process may be reduced.,
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INTRODUCTION
The bulk of the biological data reported
here are based on the sampling of bottom
organisms and phytoplankton between April
19 and May 11, 1961. Some general informa-
tion on fish, that were gathered from casual
observations, are included.
Bottom organism samples were collected
with the Ekman dredge (Fig. IB) with some
supplemental exploratory sampling done with
the Petersen dredge (Fig. 1A). Phytoplankton
samples were analyzed from unconcentrated
water samples that were taken from the
bacteriological sample bottles. For an im-
mediate visual determination of the gross
bulk of phytoplankton that were present ten
liters were concentrated through a standard
(Number 12) plankton net. (Fig. 2).
The bottom organism biological data es-
pecially indicate that all areas of the Illinois
Waterway that were studied in Cook County
were degraded. Even the stations with the
greatest variety of types of bottom organisms
collected in Cook County show indications of
pollution (i.e., immediately below the Wilmette
lockage, Mile NS340.7, and immediately below
the Chicago Harbor lockages, Miles CH326.9
and CH325.8). Cleaner water associations of
bottom organisms were represented only on
the Des Plaines, Mile DP292.7, andtheKanka-
kee Rivers, Mile KR277.5. (Figs. 3 and 4).
Dredge sampling indicated that the bottom
life typically consists of organisms that are
associated with organic domestic-sewage type
sludges. The sludges from which bottom or-
ganisms were taken commonly revealed gar-
bage particulate matter and sewage in various
stages of decomposition accompanied by fecal
odors, often masked with petroleum odors and
often mixed with oily materials. (Fig. 5)
The dominant bottom organisms at all sta-
tions sampled, in Cook County, were sludge
worms, that reached tremendous populationso
(Fig. 6). These same worms are often as-
sociated with sludge-drying beds at sewage
treatment plants, and are obvious in small
creeks throughout the country where sludge
from domestic sewage pollution accumulates
on stream bottoms. In shallow streams which
afford visual advantages of the observation of
the bottom, not afforded in the canalized
reaches of the Illinois Waterway that were
sampled, populations of them can be seen as
red patches living in decomposing domestic-
sewage sludges. Here they burrow into the
upper surfaces of sewage sludge as they feed,
leaving their rear ends extending into the
water. Such red-colored, wormy blankets form
a signal to the investigator that the stream is
being defiled with organic wastes that may be
issuing from a domestic sewage source, or
sources, or from an industrial outfall rich in
decomposable, putrefactive organics as dis-
charged from a slaughter house, cannery, beet
sugar refinery, etc. On occasion these red
sludge worms are found in natural lakes and
streams that are not subject to man-made
pollution; here they do well on natural organics
such as may be formed from dead and decaying
aquatic weed and algal mats interlaced with
leaves that have been washed into the water, or
they may be found blanketing the putrefying
carcass of a dead beaver, muskrat, fish or
water fowl.
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Introduction
V ":x
'"-',' , . .*i-
%* - '..
FIGURE 2. Plankton Net Utilized For Gross
Visual Bulk Determinations of
Phytoplankton Quantity.
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Introduction
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BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF THE UPPER ILLINOIS WATERWAY
CENTIMETERS
FIGURE 5. A Photograph Showing the Diversity and Quantity
(per 1/4 square foot of bottom surface) of Vari-
ous Kinds of Organisms at Station CH326.9. A
Similar Sample Taken From Station SS314. 0 is
Shown in Figure 6.
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Introduction
CENTIMETERS
FIGURE 6. A Photograph Showing the Quantity of Sludgeworms,
the Only Organism Present, in 1/4 Square Foot of
Bottom Surface at Station SS314. 0. Compare This
to the Organism Diversity and Quantity That Occurs
at Station CH326. 9 Illustrated in Figure 5.
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BOTTOM ORGANISMS
When discussing the response of benthic
organisms, other than bacteria, to pollutional
environments several aspects must be con-
sidered. Some of these are discussed in the
body of the text.* It would be wise to briefly
review these principles and elaborate on them.
Many times biologists speak of "pollution
indicator" benthic macroorganisms. This
phraseology is erroneous to the uninitiated.
There are no macroorganisms that indicate
pollution by their presence. The benthic macro-
organisms referred to as "pollution indicators"
also exist in the natural environment. The
"pollution indicators" have existed long before
man began to dump his wastes into any environ-
ment. They have not recently evolved to occupy
new environmental niches. These organisms
are the species that are adjustedphysiological-
ly and morphologically to survive environ-
mental conditions that are adverse for most
benthic macroinvertebrates. Their less ad-
justed relatives are driven from the area or
killed by the adverse conditions imposed on
them.
When only a few varieties survive in an area
they reproduce and their young survive in
enormous abundance. With the removal of less
tolerant forms, competition between kinds is
reduced, thus allowing the remaining forms to
increase until they compete between them-
selves. The level at which individual kinds begin
to compete among themselves varies from
situation to situation. At some point in their
growth some factors apparently create so much
competition that further increase in the popula-
tion is not possible. If food, oxygen, and other
environmental conditions are not limiting even-
tually the population stops growth because there
is no more space, physically, to put additional
organisms. Populations would reach this level
in exceedingly rare cases. Usually such things
as food, temperature, toxicity, currents, light,
and other factors will limit the populations
before the area is physically saturated. In
many situations it is food availability that
controls the level at which competition limits
the size of the population.
In areas of heavy organic (food) deposition,
the associated physical and chemical factors,
drive competitive forms from the area. The
quantity of food material being deposited
limits the growth of the few remaining forms0
Thus, as organics are added competitive
forms are driven from the area, and surviving
forms increase in numbers due to both the
removal of competition and/or increased food
supply. If enough organics are added, eventu-
ally a "break point" occurs when organic de-
composition products create an environment
so severe that few, if any organisms, can
survive.
Another type of pollutant is the non-organic
waste. In this situation various forms are
eliminated. The forms surviving increase
slightly or not at all. Their maximum number
is rapidly reached because nutrition levels
do not change. Competition is removed from
other forms, but the population increase is
soon checked by competition for food between
individuals of a form.
As these non-organic wastes increase they
will eventually reduce the few surviving forms
in number by interfering with reproduction,
killing individuals periodically before popula-
tions can become well established, destroying
the food source, or by making food unavailable.
If enough waste is added, eventually condi-
tions become so severe that even the few
remaining tolerant forms are eliminated from
the environment.
In complex degradation systems of both
organic and inorganic wastes the two effects
work together. Initially they reduce the number
of types. The remaining few types are then
* Refer to "Interim Report Lake Michigan-Illinois River Basins Comprehensive Study,"pp. 67-69,
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Bottom Organisms
affected by an interaction of the two pollutants.
The non-organic may limit the population even
though large quantities of organic food are
being added. Large quantities of organics may
erase the influence of the inorganics by dilution
and adsorption. With different types of inor-
ganics entering the environment, it is possible
for the effects of one to be reduced by chemical
action of another on it; or it is possible for
two inorganics to function more severely when
together than if kept separate. Thus, in com-
plexes of many types of pollutants being added
to an environment there is a constant interplay
of influences on the environment at various
points.
In discussion of the degradational influences
on the macrobenthic fauna of the Chicago
Waterways many things must be considered.
The ideal situation of one sewage outfall with
one type of waste is eliminated. The total
number of outfalls may never be tabulated and
located,* when one considers the addition and
elimination of sewers in a metropolitan area as
large and diversified as Chicago. Before one
waste effluent is mixed with the water another
effluent is dropping into the Waterway. For
miles, (in under bridges, from industries,
shipping, runoff, etc.), there are waste addi-
tions to the system varying in size from small
tube drippings to the watershed itself. In
addition there is not one type of pollutant, there
is a complex, from human excrement to
garbage, petroleum wastes, street runoff,
heavy metallic ions, tannery wastes, trash
dumping, sewage outfalls, etc.; a list of varie-
ties that may never be compiled in a constant-
ly changing metropolitan industrial complex
of the magnitude of Chicago.
The simplest way of analyzing the system
is to visualize it as a large river system with
the headwaters at Lake Michigan consisting of
the North Shore Channel below the Wilmette
lockage, the Chicago River below the Chicago
Harbor lockage, and the Calumet - Sag Canal,
all flowing into the Illinois River. This concept
does not account for various geographical
entities and historical names; but when one
considers the man-made alterations, impor-
tance, direction and volume of flow, this arti-
ficial stream complex is the major drainage
pattern of the Greater Chicago Area. In essence
there are three major headwater streams in the
metropolitan area which eventually, upon junc-
tion with the Des Plaines and Kankakee Rivers,
form the Illinois River.
A glance at the data indicates one sampling
station distinctly different from all the other
samples. (Figs. 3 and 4). This is the Kankakee
River; the only Station (KR277.5) that exhibits
organisms not tolerant of degradation. The
quantitative samples exhibit seven major forms
of benthic animals, two of which, Caddisflies
and Mayflies, tolerate very little environmental
degradation. In addition to the quantitative
data, two additional forms, Scuds and Damsel-
flies, which are sensitive to degradation are
known to exist. Those forms present that will
tolerate pollution are relatively low in quantity
and do not contribute to an abnormal standing
crop dominated by one or a few fortnSo
The other stations all had one phenomenon
in common. There was a general lack of
organisms that will tolerate adverse conditions
resulting from pollution. Beyond this, the sta-
tions varied but little in the kinds of tolerant
forms present, but varied tremendously in the
quantity of the kinds present. (Figs. 3 and 4)0
Beginning at the upstream point, in our
general flow pattern, just below the Wilmette
lockage there were four kinds present, (Fig07)0
One of these, the Scud, is not typically tolerant
of organic pollution. The small numbers of
Scuds present make it doubtful if they reproduce
in this area; the standing crop may be re-
plenished by individuals carried through the
lockage from Lake Michigan. During the period
of investigation, April 19 to May 9, 1961,
diversion of lake water was obvious. Even with
the heavy flows there was evidence of organic
sludges which may build up to a considerable
extent during periods of nondiversion.
From the Wilmette lockage downstream via
the North Shore Channel and the North Branch
of the Chicago River a typical organic degrada-
tion occurs. (Fig. 7). The reduction in types
of kinds, from four at the Wilmette lockage
(NS340.7) to one nine miles downstream
(NB331.4), and the increase from 1,300 to
47,700 Sludgeworms per square foot at these
respective stations is indicative of the organic
sludges being deposited in the waterway sys-
tem.
* A tabulation of known sources is listed in the "Interim Report Lake Michigan-Illinois River Basins
Comprehensive Study," pp. 70-118.
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10
BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF THE UPPER ILLINOIS WATERWAY
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12
BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF THE UPPER ILLINOIS WATERWAY
deposition. Considering the lack of sludge
deposition there remains a fair quantity of
Sludgeworms that subsist on water suspended
organics such as human feces; garbage: as
peas, corn, celery, and lettuce, etc.
Impounded areas behind the navigation pools
(DP285.8 and IR271.5), the Brandon and Dres-
den Pools respectively, with their standing
water, may be considered as settling basins.
The sludge deposits in these impoundments
occupy a large portion of the reservoirs.
Water depths of only a few feet, outside of the
navigation channel, may be found a short
distance behind the thirty-eight foot high
Brandon Road Dam. In these areas a build-
up in the quantity of Sludgeworms occurs.
(Fig. 3). Bloodworms and Fingernail Clams
were also found in the Dresden Pool.
In the region below the Lockport Locks
the Des Plaines River joins the complex. The
one station sampled on the Des Plaines im-
mediately above the junction with the Chicago
Sanitary and Ship Canal, indicated a lower
level of pollution than that which exists in
the Sanitary and Ship Canal. Direct comparison
with the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal
Stations is not feasible. The Des Plaines Sta-
tion (DP292.7) is physically very different
from the remainder of the system, being
located in shallow water enabling one to see
the bottom. It is also devoid of barge traffic.
The Calumet-Sag Canal tributary appears
to be the most complex tributary in the
system. The Blue Island Locks, immediately
downstream from the Little Calumet River,
divide this system into two segments. From
these locks on the Calumet - Sag Canal to
the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, flow is
toward the Chicago Sanitary and Ship CanaL
This flow is low in both volume and velocity.
In the upper reaches of this section a
confirmed canalized area (Station CS317.9)
exhibited no organic sludge and few Sludge-
worms. This narrow, confined channel ex-
hibits strong vertical currents from barge
traffic. These currents apparently do not
allow settling of particulate material since
no sludge was taken in dredge sampling. It
may be assumed that inorganic pollutants
and/or benthos disturbance (caused by barge
traffic) in this canalized section reduce the
expected variety of organisms.
Downstream from the confined canalized
area the canal widens. Turbulence reduction
allows a settling of organic material (Station
CS308.4) and the standing crop of Sludgeworms
shows a marked increase, Figure 3.
Above the Blue Island Locks a "settling
basin" exists. These Stations (LC322.4 and
LC320.1) exhibit heavy sludge deposits. This
"settling basin" also extends an undetermined
distance up the Little Calumet (Station LC320.2)
tributary.
Station (LC322.4) shows the greatest organ-
ism diversity in the Calumet-Sag Sytem, Figure
3. Yet this station exhibits a possible influence
of partial inorganic pollutants. It is suspected
that periodic laminar flows of inorganics into
this area may influence the organisms in some
"cross-sections" of this stream and not in
others.
Above the Blue Island Locks (Station
LC320.1) to Lake Michigan (Station CA333),
flow is not consistent. Gradient in either di-
rection is negligible. Flow is influenced pri-
marily by the water level in Lake Michigan.
Wind influence on lake levels as well as wind
originated seiches undoubtedly create inter-
mittent and oscillatory flow direction changes
in this "estuary type" situation. Rainfall would
also affect flow direction. These influences on
the distribution of organisms cannot be ignored.
With a "sloshing" action, water degradation
agents are semi-confined to a segment of the
system. Because of this, water masses may
traverse this area in two directions for per-
iods of time, before fractions of the water are
discharged in either direction. Dilution is also
slow. Thus, the organics from the Calumet
Sewage Treatment plant are basically confined
to an area above and below the effluent dis-
charges at certain times. The slow progres-
sion of water from this area allows organic
materials to settle and break down before the
water moves out of the area. Sludge movement
out of this area is slow.
Another area of "estuary type" is the Calu-
met Harbor (Stations CA333+ and CA328.1).
This area is probably primarily influenced by
inorganics from the heavily industrialized
environs. Only the Sludgeworm survives in
minimal quantities. (Figs. 3 and 4).
A tributary to the system, the Grand Calu-
met River (Station GC325.8) is unique. This
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Bottom Organisms
river has a low flow and a heavy organic load. very few Sludgeworms (40 per square foot of
Sludge deposits are extensive. The sludge bottom) to survive. Extended periods of sep-
decomposition products and associated sep- ticity prohibit the establishment of quantities
ticity have influenced this organic environment of Sludgeworms to utilize the organics present.
to proceed beyond the "break point," allowing
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PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF BIOLOGICAL SAMPLING
STATIONS AND THEIR KINDS OF BOTTOM ORGANISMS
Station (NS340.7)
Four types of organisms (i.e., Sludgeworms,
Leeches, Bloodworms, and Scuds) were col-
lected. The former three may be classified as
pollution tolerant forms; whereas the fourth
type, represented by three individuals that
were collected, may have been transported
from the lake through the lockage.
The bottom material was a heterogeneous
mixture of inorganics and organics. This area
is canalized at this point, the canalization
continuing downstream approximately 2.5
miles below the Northside Sewage Treatment
Plant.
Station (NS334.9)
Three types of organisms (Sludgeworms,
Leeches, and Pulmonate Snails) were col-
lected. This is the first station below the
Northside Sewage Treatment Plant. The stream
is canalized. The increase in Sludgeworms is
quite evident even though the substrate is not
complet aly covered by sludge. The bottom is
largely composed of hard blue clay. The
Sludgeworms that were taken were dredged up
as solid balls of worms approximately 1-1/2
to 2" in diameter. There was an abundance of
suspended solids present such as vegetable
fragments.
Station (NB331.4)
Sludgeworms were the only organism found.
The channel at this station is much wider than
upstream stations and stream velocities were
reduced. Sludge deposition is quite evident. The
number and volume of Sludgeworms is much
increased over the two upstream Stations
(NS340.7 and NS334.9). (Fig. 7).
Station (SB324.3)
Two types of organisms (Sludgeworms and
Fingernail Clams) were collected. Fiberous
sludge was present mixed with silt, sand, and
fragments of Fingernail Clam and Snail shells.
Station (SS320.0)
Only Sludgeworms were collected. Petrole-
um wastes in bottom materials were apparent.
Station (SS317.3)
Only Sludgeworms were collected. The
bottom was composed of blue clay, some
sand, oil, trash, paper towels, spaghetti, and
fresh-appearing vegetable matter.
Station (SS314.0)
Only Sludgeworms were collected. A portion
of the bottom was a jelly-like mass of sludge,
and some of the substrate was formed from
blue clay.
Station (SS307.9)
Sludgeworms were the only organism col-
lected. The bottom was composed of sludge,
a few rocks, oil, and grease.
Station (SS300.5)
The bottom consisted of bedrock. Dredge
hauls contained fist-size rock fragments cov-
ered by the "sewage bacterium," SphaerotiluSo
A few Sludgeworms were collected from the
rocks and slime. Substrate characteristics
prohibited quantitative sampling.
Station (SS291.1)
Sludgeworms were the only form collected.
Some organic sludge was present in addition
to stones, sticks, and tar balls. Barge traffic
apparently prevented sludge deposition.
14
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Physical Description of Biological Sampling Stations
15
Station (DP285.8)
Only Sludgeworms were collected. This
station was in the Brandon pool. This pool
serves as a settling basin in the waterway
system. Away from the navigation channel
sludge beds exist just two feet below the
water surface. Sludges are mixed with grease,
oil, and balls of tar.
Station (IR271.5)
Three pollution tolerant forms (Sludge-
worms, Bloodworms and Fingernail Clams)
were collected. The station, located in Dresden
pool, also serves as a settling basin. The sub-
strate is composed of sludge, sand, silt, and
plant detritus. Petroleum odors were notice-
able in the substrate. Even though this station
is below theKankakee River junction, organism
influence from this tributary was not observed.
Station (CA333+)
Only a few Sludgeworms were collected.
This was an industrialized area. The bottom
was made up of inorganic material with a
trace of organic matter.
Station (CAS28.1)
A few Sludgeworms were collected. This is
an industrialized area. The bottom is composed
of blue clay, some gravel, red silt, and oil.
Station (LC322.4)
Four organisms (Sludgeworms, Blood-
worms, Fingernail Clams and Leeches) were
collected. The bottom was composed of fine
loose clay and organic sludge.
Station (LC320.1)
Numerous Sludgeworms and Leeches were
collected. This station is between the outfalls
of the Calumet Plant. Industrial outfalls were
also observed. The bottom was composed of
loose clay and silt-like sludge.
Station (CS317.9)
Only Sludgeworms were collected. Barge
traffic apparently prevented sludge deposition.
Bottom deposits consisted of pea gravel, slate
fragments, and fragments of concrete.
Station CS308.4)
Sludgeworms only were collected. This sta-
tion is below the canalized area of the Blue
Island Lockage. Organic sludge deposition was
quite evident.
Station (GC325.8)
Only Sludgeworms were collected. The
sludge was heavy, partially decomposed, black,
and septic. Sludge was observed rising to the
surface in chunks. Gas bubbles were numerous
and large.
Station (LC320.2)
Two forms of organisms (Sludgeworms and
Bloodworms) were collected. Organic silt-like
sludge was present. No barge traffic was ob-
served, although pleasure craft did use this
area for dockage. The area is basically part of
a settling basin for the wastes from the Little
Calumet tributary and also for outfall mater-
ials from the Calumet Plant.
Station (CH326.9)
Five types of organisms (Sludgeworms,
Fingernail Clams, Pulmonate Snails, Opercu-
late Snails, and Leeches) were collected. The
bottom was composed of a variety of inorganic
and some organic materials.
Station (CH325.8)
Five types of organisms (Sludgeworms,
Fingernail Clams, Pulmonate Snails, Opercu-
late Snails, and Leeches) were founds Trash,
consisting of newspaper material, cigarette
filters, cellophane, etc., was observed in the
substrate.
Station (DP292.7)
Four forms of organisms (Sludgeworms,
Fingernail Clams, Pulmonate Snails, and
Leeches) were collected. This station is not
comparable to other stations, since the maxi-
mum depth was 18 inches.
Station (KR277.5)
Seven forms of organisms (Sludgeworms,
Bloodworms, Fingernail Clams, Operculate
Snails, Leeches, Mayflies, Caddisflies) were
collected. This was the most diversified popu-
lation found in the entire system. Some of the
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16 BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF THE UPPER ILLINOIS WATERWAY
forms, such as Mayflies and Caddisflies, are This area is used quite extensively for
considered to be clean water forms. The boating, swimming, sport fishing and water
bottom is composed of sands, silts and gravels fowl hunting.
with some natural organic material.
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PHYTOPLANKTON
Data collected during a six-hour period on
both May 10 and May 11, 1961 illustrate the
total numbers of phytoplankton per milliliter.
(Figs. 8 and 9). These data supplement similar
data already reported for April 28 and May 4,
1961.* An additional graph (Fig. 10), plotting
the mean of total phytoplankton counts for
April 28, May 4, May 10, and May 11, 1961, is
presented to summarize the data.
Data indicate that most kinds were found at
each of the stations throughout the Illinois
Waterway system in Cook County, although
numbers of kinds showed considerable varia-
tion from station to station.
The data discussed above, based on collec-
tions that were made from all stations within a
six-hour period, indicate that there is a down-
ward trend in total numbers of algae from
the Lake Michigan intakes into the canalized
system. Phytoplankton present a transitory
picture at any point in a flowing water system
in that they are weakly swimming or floating
plants without powers of locomotion. Thus,
being at the mercy of natural stream veloci-
ties, they are not a good index of a fixed
station. Too, phytoplankton collections made
on different days at the same station may vary
widely in numbers per milliliter, since their
abundance at any one station might be dependent
on the amount of floating solids, turbidity,
cloud cover, and varying waste discharges
present at different times of collection. For
example, these variations are demonstrated
through data collected from Stations (SS317.3,
SS307.9, CA328.1, and LC322.4) on days
between April 25, 1961 and May 11, 1961 as
shown in Figure 11. The total phytoplankton
counts per milliliter at Station (SS317.3) ranged
from a low 1,760 to a high of 3,629. At Station
(SS307.9) the range in total count was from
1,378 per milliliter to 2,576 per milliliter,
while a variation of 652 per milliliter to 3,119
per milliliter was noted at Station (CA328.1).
At Station (LC322.4) the variation was from
254 per milliliter to 2,705 per millilitero
All phytoplankton counts were made in ac-
cordance with the strip count method as out-
lined in the Eleventh Edition of Standard
Methods for the Examination of Water and
Wastewater. **
* See Figs. 11 and 12 in "Interim Report, Great Lakes-Illinois River Basins Comprehensive Study."
** Anon, "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, Eleventh Edition,"Amer.
Pub. Health Assoc., New York (1960).
17
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18
BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF THE UPPER ILLINOIS WATERWAY
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20
BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF THE UPPER ILLINOIS WATERWAY
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Phytoplankton
21
STATION = SS 317.3
i i
4000
cr
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- 2000
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STATION = SS 307.9
J I I I
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STATION = CA 328.
4000
3000
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STATION = LC 322.4
APRIL 25 APRIL28 MAY 4
I 9 6
MAY 10
MAY I I
FIGURE 11. Variations at Single Stations in Total Numbers
of Phytoplankton Per Milliliter on Different
Dates.
-------
GENERAL INFORMATION ON FISH IN THE CHICAGO AREA
During this survey no intensified sampling
for fish was undertaken. However, limited col-
lecting, visual observations, and conversations
with people in the various reaches of this
river system indicate that in some sections of
the system certain types of fish are known.
Directly below the Wilmette lockage
(NS340.7) on April 21, 1961, Bluntnose and
Fathead minnows were collected with a dip
net. Further downstream at the junction of the
North Branch of the Chicago River and the
North Shore Channel, (near Station NS333.4)
children were observed fishing. No fish had
been caught; questioning revealed that Goldfish
and Carp had been taken at this location.
On April 27, 1961 within the Chicago Sani-
tary and Ship Canal between Stations (SS320.0)
and (SS307.9) many recently dead fish were
observed, consisting of Alewives, Smelts and
Chubs. No live fish were observed at any time
in this area during the survey.
Dead Alewives were observed in and below
Calumet Harbor (CA333+) on May 9, 196L
Since the flow of water there is so haphazard
it is not known if death occurred within the
lake or the harbor.
On May 4, 1961 live Goldfish and Carp were
observed in the Dresden Pool, (IR27L5) while
collecting bottom fauna.
22
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