STATEMENT ON WATER POLLUTION
IN THE
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
July 1966
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905R66103
STATEMENT
ON
WATER POLLUTION IN THE LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
PREPARED FOR
THE NATURAL RESOURCES AND POWER SUBCOMMITTEE
OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
by
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration
Great Lakes-Illinois River Basins Project
Great Lakes Region
Chicago, Illinois
July 1966
ENVIRONMENTAL F3',TXTICM
Library, Region V
1 Korth VJackez1 Drive
Chicago, Illinois 50606
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1SVJROKMKITAL PROTECTION AGENCY
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STATEMENT ON WATER POLLUTION
IN THE
LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
ERRATA
Change
July 1966
Page
5-U
Table
5-3
August
Page
5-1
Table
5-2
The last paragraph should read:
The 9 installations listed in Table 5-3 discharge about 753>000
gallons of waste per day to surface waters. Five of these installa-
tions have secondary treatment facilities, treating approximately
310,000 gallons per day. A total of 50,000 gallons per day discharge
directly to ground disposal systems from the remaining 51 installa-
tions. The Veterans Administration Hospital, Canandaigua, will
construct secondary treatment facilities within a year, and Camp
Drum has secondary treatment facilities budgeted for 1969° These
are two of the larger installations .
Delete Air Force Plant #38 from table.
for storage purposes only. )
(Plant never opened; used
1966
Uth paragraph, 3rd sentence: "The City of Syracuse ..." should
read "Onondaga County . . .". In Uth sentence: 325,000 PE should
read U6o,000 PE.
Dupont, E. I., Niagara Falls: Under LBS BOD/DAY, 13,^00 should
read 23?00; under POPULATION EQUIVALENT, 80,^00 should read 13,^00.
Hooker Chemical, Niagara Falls: Under LBS BOD/DAY, 22,800 should
read 3,800; under POPULATION EQUIVALENT, 136,800 should read 22,800.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter Subject Page No.
SUMMARY i
1 INTRODUCTION 1-1
2 RECOMMENDED ACTIONS 2-1
3 DESCRIPTION OF AREA
Geography 3-1
Hydrology 3-1
Population 3-2
Economy 3~3
4 WATER USES
Municipal Water Supply 4-1
Industrial Water Use 4-1
Recreation 4-1
Hydro Power 4-2
Commercial Shipping 4-3
Commercial Fishing 4-3
Present Classifications 4-3
5 WASTE SOURCES
Municipal 5 1
Industrial 5-2
Combined Severs 5-2
Vessel Pollution 5-3
Land Runoff 5-3
Federal Installations 5"4
6 WATER QUALITY IN LAKE ONTARIO
Introduction 6-1
Chemical Findings 6-2
Biological Findings 6-4
Microbiological Findings 6-7
f WATER QUALITY IN TRIBUTARIES
Niagara Area 7-1
Lockport Area 7-1
Rochester Area 7-2
Syracuse Area 7-3
Finger Lakes Area 7~5
Black River Area 7-6
Barge Canal 7-7
8 LAKE CURRENTS
Lake intario 8-1
Rochester Embayment 8-5
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LIST OF TABLES
After
Number Title Page No.
• 3-1 Drainage Areas - Major Tributaries of 3-1
™ Lake Ontario
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3-2 Populations of Major Cities 3-1
3-3 Populations of Major Subbasins 3-1
3-k Population Projections - Lake Ontario 3-3
Study Area
k~1 Summary of Municipal Water Supply U-l
in the Lake Ontario Basin
U-2 Major Sources of Municipal and Industrial k-2
Water in the Lake Ontario Basin
5-1 Summary of Municipal Waste Discharges 5-2
to Surface Waters
5-2 Major Industrial Discharges Direct to 5-2
Surface Waters of the Lake Ontario
Basin
15-3 Federal Installations Discharging Direct 5-^
to Surface Waters of the Lake Ontario Basin
16-1 Seasonal and Geographical Distribution 6-9
of Dissolved Oxygen in Lake Ontario
_ 6-2 Chemical Results - Lake Ontario Cruise 6-9
• 102 - Spring
6-3 Chemical Results - Lake Ontario Cruise 6-9
• 103 - Summer
6-k Chemical Results - Lake Ontario Cruise 6-9
10U - Fall
7-1 Rochester Area Beaches 7-3
7-2 Average Nitrogen, Phosphate Concentrations 7-3
in the Finger Lakes
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• LIST OF FIGURES
| After
Number Page No.
• 3-1 Lake Ontario Program Area 3-1
5-1 Municipal Waste Treatment 5-1
• 6-1 Lake Ontario Extended Range Stations 6-1
• 8-1 Temperature Profiles of Lake Ontario 8-3
8-2 Spring Thermal Bar 8-3
I 8-3 Net Flow Directions Aug. - Oct., 196*1 8-U
in Lake Ontario
I Q-h Polar Histogram of Station 18 8-1*
8-5 Rochester Eiribayment and Locations of 8-5
• Current-Metering Stations
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SUMMARY
General
Problems related to water pollution have been identified in Lake Ontario
and most of its tributary streams. Some of these waters, particularly Lake
Ontario, are'experiencing the effects of over-fertilization which promotes
massive growths of algae. These growths, sometimes called "blooms", seriously
impair many important water uses and cause objectionable nuisance conditions
that often exceed the tolerance levels of even the most insensitive persons.
Other waters are seriously degraded, adversely affecting desirable bene-
ficial uses. Water supplies, swimming, boating, fishing, and esthetic enjoy-
ment are among the uses impaired by this degradation. Except for certain
streams in the hinterland areas of the watershed where man's activities are
minimal, there is evidence of pollution effects practically everywhere in the
water environment. While some of the effects are minor impairments today,
they are the harbingers of more serious conditions that are sure to develop
as a result of population and economic growth in the years ahead if effective
measures .are not taken at the right time in the necessary places.
Sources of Pollution
\
Municipal waste treatment plants in the Program Area serve an estimated
present population of 1,5^,000. These plants receive additional waste loads
from industries, a total population equivalent (PE) of about 2,350,000 (in
terms of oxygen consuming capacity). Of the combined untreated waste PE of
3,89^,000 received by the plants, an estimated PE of 2,299,000 is discharged
to the receiving waters. This represents an overall average removal efficiency
of about kl per cent, which is considerably less than removals of 90 Per cent
or more attainable with secondary plants.
Approximately 300 industries discharge varying amounts of oxygen demanding
wastes directly to receiving waters. In most cases little or no treatment
is provided. The biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of the wastes discharged
by 52 of these industries is estimated to be ^23,000 pounds per day, which
is about 96 per cent of the BOD from the 300 industries.
Other significant waste sources are overflows from combined sewer systems,
runoff from urban and rural areas, and wastes from commercial and private
vessels.
In addition to the organic oxygen demanding wastes other problem con-
taminants discharged to the environment include the algae nutrients, phosphorus
and nitrogen compounds, phenols, toxic materials, oil and grease, acids, alka-
lies, and bacteria.
Major Problems
Certain water bodies and sectors are experiencing problems of unusual
magnitude and complexity. The technical measures and remedial actions neces-
sary to achieve satisfactory quality will involve major improvements requiring
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large expenditures. The most severe problem conditions are summarized in
the paragraphs following.
Lake Ontario
Present nutrient levels now support prolific algal growths which cause
severe impairment to water supplies and obnoxious conditions in swimming and
shoreline residential areas. The remedy that appears most feasible at this
time is reducing the input of phosphorus to the Lake.
Eastern Lake Erie - Niagara River
Gross industrial pollution in the Buffalo River and municipal and
industrial pollution along the United States shoreline of the Niagara River
are described in the Federal Technical Report prepared for the Federal Enforce-
ment Conference on Lake Erie. The unanimous recommendations of the conferees
specify improved treatment and other measures to correct the situation.
These recommendations were subsequently adopted by the Secretary of Health,
Education and Welfare.
Rochester Area
The discharge of large volumes of poorly treated wastes into the
Rochester Embayment constitutes a continuing hazard to swimming and other
recreational use of the \^aters. Contravention of the present State clas-
sification is an established fact.
The lower three miles of the Genesee River are depleted of oxygen during
the summer months, primarily due to the organic load in the effluent from
Eastman Kodak Company's waste treatment plant. This industry has conducted
extensive research to determine a feasible method of providing additional
treatment. These studies are now completed and agreement has been made with
the State of New York to have secondary facilities in operation by 1970.
Contributing to the problem is the organic load discharged during periods
of overflow by the combined sewers of the City of Rochester.
Syracuse Area
Onondaga Lake, situated on the north side of Syracuse, receives the
effluent from municipal treatment plants serving the metropolitan Syracuse
area. On the west side the Allied Chemical Company's Solvay Division dis-
charges a variety of wastes to the Lake. This Lake is considered to be the
most grossly polluted body of water in the Program Area. Overflows from
combined sewers of the City of Syracuse are known to contribute significantly
to the problems. Huge volumes of sludge, both mineral and organic, have been
found.
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Recent actions by officials of Onondaga County, the City of Syracuse,
and Syracuse area industries are very encouraging. Substantial support by
all levels of government is imperative.
Oneida Lake
Probably one of the most heavily fertilized water bodies in the eastern
United States, Oneida Lake is an important resource that merits a substantial
effort to eliminate problems now experienced. Control of nutrients and ade-
quate waste treatment are paramount needs.
Black River
Noted for its paper mills, the lower 80 miles receives wastes with a
total PE of about 6^0,000. Conditions below outfalls of nine mills are
characterized as grossly polluted.
Lake Ontario Program
A program is being developed in cooperation with the New York State
Department of Health, other State agencies, and local governments, which will
set forth the control measures and improvement that must be provided to
achieve satisfactory water quality. Field investigations and laboratory
analyses are completed. Engineering and economic analyses now in progress
will provide the technical basis for framing the programs. Completion of
the comprehensive water pollution control program is expected early in 196?.
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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
This Statement reports the findings of a vater quality study of the Lake
Ontario Basin made during the past two years by the Lake Ontario Program Office,
located in Rochester, New York. The study has a primary mission of developing a
comprehensive vater pollution control program for the Lake Ontario Basin, one of
several being developed by the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration for
the Nation's major river basins.
The Lake Ontario Program Office is part of the Great Lakes-Illlaois River
Basins (GLIRB) Project, headquartered in Chicago.
The Project has the following general objectives:
1. The determination of the causes of water pollution and the ef-
fects of such pollution on both the quality and the beneficial
uses of our water resources.
2. The development of agreements on the desired beneficial uses
and the water quality required to accommodate those uses.
3- The determination of water pollution control measures necessary
to achieve the desired water quality objectives, including a
timetable for their accomplishment.
k. Implementation of the comprehensive programs which embody the
control measures and surveillance activities essential to
achieving our common goal of clean, eJLjear "water.
The geographic area covered by this report includes Lake Ontario, its tribu-
tary waters and related land area, and the United States portion of the St. Law-
rence River watershed to the Canadian Border.
Field survey and laboratory work are essentially completed, and evaluation of
the data is now underway. Based on study findings, a series of Comprehensive
Water Pollution Control Programs covering the St. Lawrence, Black, Oswego, Genesee
and Lower Niagara Rivers, Lake Ontario minor tributaries, and Lake Ontari& itself
will be developed for implementation by those agencies having responsibility for
water pollution control.
As directed by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the Program is being
conducted in cooperation with other Federal agencies, State agencies, and local
interests - especially, in this case, with the State of New York. Valuable
counsel and advice have been received from responsible people in a number of
private and public agencies. Many County groups and boards, such as health and
planning agencies, have been instrumental in providing local information. Private
agencies and universities have provided information and reports useful to this
Program. The Canadian Government, in carrying out its own studies, has also co-
operated with this office.
1-1
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CHAPTER 2
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
Introduction
Although engineering and economic analyses for developing the final program
are still in progress, vork has advanced to the point that many of the improve-
ment measures necessary to achieve program objectives have been determined. Some
of these measures apply present technology to problems needing immediate correc-
tion and are based on experience gained in solving similar problems elsewhere.
They will be reviewed as the studies progress to determine whether any modifica-
tions should be made prior to inclusion in the final program.
Long-range needs are currently being determined using more detailed and
sophisticated analyses. These include the need for storage for stream flow regu-
lation, advanced waste treatment, and related alternatives.
Recommendations
1. All municipal waste treatment facilities should be designed to provide
secondary (biological) waste treatment to achieve an overall reduction in un-
treated BOD (5"day Biochemical Oxygen Demand) of 90 per cent or higher on a con-
tinuous basis.
2. Continuous disinfection should be provided for all municipal waste treat-
ment plant effluents.
3- Maximization of phosphate removal should be an immediate objective in
the design of new secondary waste treatment facilities and in the operation of
existing facilities.
4. All separately discharging industrial wastes should receive the equiva-
lent of secondary treatment, as described above. Where practicable, industrial
wastes should be discharged to municipal sewerage systems so as to receive final
treatment at properly designed and operated municipal treatment plants.
5. Master plans for future waste collection and treatment facilities should
be developed for the rapidly urbanizing metropolitan areas as quickly as possible.
Such plans should provide, among other things, for maximum use of integrated fa-
cilities which will permit eventual elimination of the conglomeration of small,
inefficient facilities surrounded by residential and commercial development.
Metropolitan or county-wide authorities are strongly recommended.
6. Combined sewers should be strictly prohibited in all newly developed
urban areas and should be separated in coordination with urban renewal projects.
Existing combined sewer systems, particularly in Buffalo, Neagara Falls, Rochester
and Syracuse, should be patrolled on a regular schedule. Overflow regulating de-
vices should be adjusted to convey the maximum practicable amount of combined flow
to treatment facilities.
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T- The New York State Department of Health, or designated pollution control
unit under its jurisdiction, should conduct waste treatment plant inspections at
least once a year for facilities serving less than 10,000 people (or equivalent
plant) and at least twice annually for larger plants.
8. Monthly reports covering the operation of municipal waste treatment
plants should be submitted to the New York State Department of Health for review,
evaluation, and appropriate action.
9- The State and County water quality monitoring programs should be intensi-
fied and use of automated equipment is strongly recommended in key location. The
monitoring program should be supplemented by monthly reports covering the quantity
and quality of all significant municipal and industrial wastes discharged in the
Program area. Data on waste discharges should be kept in open files, readily a-
vailable to all agencies and individuals who have legitimate need for such infor-
mation .
10. Adequate monitoring of swimming and other recreational waters is urgently
needed. A lack of background data on heavily used beach areas seriously hampers
making conclusive judgments on the health hazards. Epidemiological studies should
be instituted and correlated with other surveys.
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CHAPTER 3
DESCRIPTION OF AREA
Geography
The watershed tributary to Lake Ontario contains a total
drainage area of approximately 35,COO square miles. The Lake
Ontario Program area contains nearly 17,700 square miles of land
and includes the Lake proper, the United States portion of the
watershed tributary to the Lake, and the United States portion of
the St. Lawrence R iver watershed. Except for a small part of the
Genesee River Basin, the entire program area is located in New
York State.
Hydrology
Lake Ontario is approximately 190 miles long and has a mean
width of 53 miles. The average depth is 300 feet. There are four
major rivers and a large number of minor streams draining into
Lake Ontario as shown in Figure 3-1- The four major rivers are
the Niagara, Genesee, Oswego and the Black. The drainage areas
for the major rivers are shown in Table 3-1.
TABLE 3-1
Drainage Areas - Major Tributaries
of Lake Ontario
River Length of River(mi) Drainage Area (sq.mi.) Average Flow CFS
Niagara 37 1688 203,000
Genesee l6o 2479 2,739
Oswego 24 5000 6,320
Black 112 1916 3,872
The Niagara River, containing the famous Niagara Falls, is
the natural waterway connecting Lakes Erie and Ontario. The river
is the International Boundary between the United States and Canada.
The Genesee River originates in northern Pennsylvania and
flows north some 1$) miles into Lake Ontario at Rochester, New York.
The drainage basin averages about 27 miles in width. The river
flows through narrow passage ways and is noted for its scenic gorges.
The Oswego River appears to be an outgrowth of the natural
formation of the Finger Lakes and Seneca River. A major tributary,
the Seneca River, drains the Finger Lakes and enters the Oswego
River several miles north of Syracuse. The Finger Lakes consist
of Lake Owasco, Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca, Cayuga, Skaneateles
and Otisco. The Oswego River continues north and enters the lake
at Oswego. The main axis of the drainage basin takes a northeast-
erly direction. The Oswego drainage basin is about 85 miles long
and 70 miles wide.
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The Barge Canal, successor to historic Erie Canal, runs in a
generally east-west direction across the Program Area, as shown on
Figure 3-1. The canal provides an inland waterway connection between
the Great Lakes at Buffalo and at Oswego, and the Atlantic Ocean via
the Hudson River. It crosses many local tributary streams, sometimes
connecting with them and in somce cases physically separated. In other
parts of its course the Barge Canal coincides with natural rivers and
lakes.
The Black River drainage basin is pear-shaped, being about 80
miles long and 25 miles wide at the west end, and 50 miles wide at
the east end. The Black River originates via numerous small tribu-
taries on the western slopes of the Adirondack Mountains. The river
flows in a north and west direction and enters Lake Ontario near
Watertown.
The United States portion of the St. Lawrence River Drainage
Basin is not tributary to Lake Ontario, but two tributaries to the
St. Lawrence River, the Oswegatchie and the Raquette Rivers, have
their headwaters in the Adirondack Mountains. Both Rivers empty
into the St. Lawrence; the Oswegatchie at Ogdensburg, and the
Raquette at Massena. This basin is triangular in shape and each
side is approximately 85 miles long. One side forms the United
States-Canadian Boundary. The Oswegatchie River is 90 miles long
and the Raquette River is 75 miles long.
The Niagara River discharges approximately 203,000 cubic:
feet per second (cfs) of water into Lake Ontario with other tribu-
taries discharging another 35,000 cfs to the Lake. The St. Lawr^ ice
River receives 2Ul,000 cf -, from the Lake.
About 30 inches of precipitation is recorded in the water-
shed annually. On the average, direct precipitation on the Lake is
approximately offset by annual e-apo^ation from the Lake surface.
Population
The 1960 population of the study area was approximately 2.1
million. The total municipal population was approximately 69."4
per cent of this figure. Major cities in the study area and their
I960 population are shown below in Table 3-2. Major subbasin
populationsare shown in Table 3 3.
As shown in Table 3-U, the study area population is projec-
ted to increase more than two-fold by 2020, at which time it is
estimated that about 80 percent of the population will be munici-
pal.
3-2
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TABLE 3-2
Population of Major Cities
City 1960 Population
Rochester (Metropolitan) 586,000
Syracuse (Metropolitan) U23,000
Niagara Falls 103,500
Auburn 35,2U9
North Tonawanda 35,000
Watertown 33,3^6
Ithaca 28,799
Lockport 26,000
Oswego 22,155
TABLE 3-3
Population of Major Subbasins
Basin I960 Population
Niagara River 115,000
Genesee River 652,000
Oswego River 864,000
Black River 7^,000
St. Lawrence River 126,000
Lake Ontario - Minor
Tributaries 248,000
Total 2,079,000
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TABLE 3-b
Population Projections
Lake Ontario Stiidy Area
Year I960 1980 2020
Total Watershed Population 2,079,000 2,727,000 ^,310,000
Estimated Municipal
Population 1,U9,OCO 1,963,000 3fh6o,QQO
Per cent of Total Pupula-
tion that is Municipal 69 72 80
Economy
Some elements of the economy which depend upon the water re-
sources of the study area are manufacturing, agriculture, commerce,
and tourism.
Manufacturing
The manufacture of feel r.nd kindred products is the major
water using indrictry in the y'-vd;- -r,;?. Anally c is of the area-is
economy indicate tht.t thi:j ;, .astry .3 likely to remain as 1
dominant manufacturer in t>e n.itvre.
Primary neti-^.o produce:-s are second in employment of the
major water i:sii;g incLuotrias. E/ 2020 they are predicted to in-
crease in employment end still roa&ln in second place. The in-
dustries are located pr." nci'.jioLQy in the northwest counties of the
State and in the Syracuca area.
Much of t'n vat-rrhed crsa is predominately farm and forest-
land even though ii;du3tr:l:i! r.r.rrjVact-iriug and urbanization seem
to be taking cvev. Feed re."' ;tcd industries depend on the raw ma-
terials produced by the crca j'n die form of vegetables, fruit,
(apples, cherries, crap^") Ca: ,/ nni;1 pcaltry products, and live-
stock. The majority cf tl'.res L.";r^ -.:lxvral activities take place
in the hinterl-jrl so'ith and crj-:^ cf Lake Ontario,
Rochester, Osv?gc rnd Sodus Bay are the major vessel dock-
ing areas on Lake Ontario. The port facilities for the Niagara
Frontier Area are located on Lake Erie in the Buffalo Area. The
harbors cater to interstate and rlnternational trade. Some 1,000
ships per season use the Hew York State Ports.
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Tourism
Niagara Falls, the Rochester beach areas, the Ontario lake
front, State parks, and the Finger Lake areas, are important from
a recreational use standpoint. Niagara Falls is of particular
value to the area because of its scenic beauty. The beaches draw
transients to the area and the Finger Lakes with their lake shore
cottages bring the summer-long inhabitantsand the fishermen. Ex-
cept for the densely populated Rochester area, the Niagara Falls
industrial complex, the Syracuse Metropolitan Area, and a number
of the larger cities on the Finger Lakes, most of the study area
is of low population density and is expected to continue as such.
Thus, the Lake Ontario Basin area will remain an important haven
for tourists.
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CHAPTER 4
WATER USES
Municipal Water Supply
Present use by municipal water supply systems in the Lake Ontario Basin
is approximately 30? MOD. The total number of persons served by these
systems is 1,983.*000. Table k~± summarizes the municipal supplies for each
of the major basins.
Table 4-2 is a summary of the major sources for both municipal and in-
dustrial water supplies. Over 257 MGD or 80 per cent of the municipal water
used comes from the twelve surface waters listed. Lake Ontario is by far
the largest source of surface water for municipal systems, with over 53 MGD
drawn daily in 1965• The Rochester and Oswego areas are the largest custom-
ers, presently drawing 30 MGD and 8 MGD, respectively. The Syracuse area
will soon be using Lake Ontario water upon completion of a 50 MGD capacity
water treatment and transmission works by the Onondaga Water Authority. The
Finger Lakes are also sources for large systems. The City of Rochester
draws 36 MGD from Canadice and Hemlock Lakes; the Syracuse area takes over
kl MGD from Skaneateles Lake and nearly 20 MGD from Otisco Lake. The Cities
of Niagara Falls and Lockport draw over 63 MGD from the Niagara River. Fish
Creek, a tributary of Oneida Lake, supplies the City of Rome with over 13
MGD.
Industrial Water Use
Self-supplied industrial water use by the 27 major users presently
totals 625 MGD. An undetermined additional quantity, estimated at 100 MGD,
is utilized by the smaller industries.
The largest sources for industrial water, as well as for municipal sup-
plies, are listed in Table k-2. Lake Ontario supplies two large thermal
electric power plants with 160 MGD each and Eastman Kodak with 26 MGD for a
total of 3^6 MGD. Onondaga Lake water is used by Allied Chemical and Cruci-
ble Steel. These industries report drawing more than 100 MGD. Paper
mills on the Black River draw approximately 7^ MGD from that stream. In-
dustries on the Niagara River use 4l MGD of its water; a complex of industries
at Fulton use 28 MGD from the Oswego River; and the St. Lawrence supplies more
than 36 MGD to industries at Ogdensburg and Massena.
Recreation
Extensive recreational use is made of the waters within the Lake Ontario
and St. Lawrence River Basin. Poor water quality, however, seriously limits
water contact activities in many streams and lakes, particularly the Oswego,
Seneca, Genesee, and Black Rivers, the Barge Canal, and Onondaga Lake.
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Table U-l
SUMMABY OF MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLY
1
1
1
1
1
IN THE LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
POPULATION
BASIN SERVED £
Niagara 107,995
Gene see 671,819
Oswego 827, ^2 5
Black 59,725
St. Lawrence 66,085
Minor Tributaries 250,071
TOTALS 1,983,120
Table h-2.
WATER CONSUMPTION - MGD
URFACE | GROUND TOTAL
52.00 52.00
8^.67 9-25 93.92
111.25 9.15 120. UO
7.52 0.52 8.0U
11.08 0.2U 11.32
18,88 2,31 21.19
285.^0 21. U? 306.87
MAJOR SOURCES OF MUNICIPAL AND
INDUSTRIAL WATER
IN THE LAKE ONTARIO BASIN
1
1
1
SOURCE INDUSTRIAL
Canandaigua Lake
Seneca Lake
Lake Ontario 3^6**
St. Lawrence River 36
Fish Creek
Niagara River hi
Canadice and Hemlock Lakes
Otisco Lake
Black River 7^
Skaneateles Lake
Owasco Lake
Onondaga Lake 100
Oswego River 28
625*
WATER DEMAND - MGD
MUNICIPAL TOTAL
3-9 3-9
3.6 3.6
53.2 399-2
5.8 la. 8
13-2 13.2
67.0 108.
36.0 36.
19. U 19.U
U.5 78.5
la. 6 ia. 6
8.7 8.7
100.
28.
257.5 882.5
* Only the 27 largest self -supplied industrial water users are included in the
i
total listed.
** Both Rochester Gas and Electric and Niagara
on the Lake, each drawing 160 MGD. Eastman
» -
Mohawk have thermal electric plant
Kodak draws the remaining 26 MGD.
8
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The Lake Ontario shoreline is approximately 290 miles long and its
excellent boating., bathing and fishing make it an outstanding recreation at-
traction. In 1965 ;> the 12 public parks on the shoreline with swimming a-
vailable had almost 3>000;000 attendance. It is estimated that 60 per cent
of the park attendance used the swimming facilities. The most popular parks
with beaches, and their respective 19&3 annual attendance figures, are Hamlin
Beach State Park (281,000), Ontario Beach (610,000), Durand Eastman Park
(950,000), and Webster Beach Park (100,000) - all in the Rochester area;
Fairhaven Beach State Park (289,2^3), and Selkirk Shores State Park (209,800)
just west and east of Oswego respectively. More than 4,500 pleasure craft
are moored at 4 5 commercial marinas and yacht clubs. Many more pleasure
craft ply the Lake but are not moored there. Most boating activity centers
around Rochester, Sodus Bay, Oswego, and Henderson Bay. Sport fishing is
most popular in the eastern end of the Lake.
The inland lakes in the Oswego and Genesee River Basins are numbered
among the principal recreational attractions of the Country. Known generally
as the Finger Lakes (Onondaga and Oneida are not considered Finger Lakes, but
are included here for convenience), these glacial lakes offer vast quantities
of fresh water for all water contact activities. Seneca, Cayuga, and Oneida
Lakes are the largest, with surface areas of TO to 80 square miles each.
More than 57 state and local park facilities are located adjacent to these
Lakes. In 1963 the attendance at these parks was greater than 4,200,000.
More than half of this attendance was recorded at the park areas adjacent to
and on tributaries of Oneida and Onondaga Lakes. Onondaga Lake Park had over
700,000 visitations in 1963. Great pressure exists on both of these Lakes
for their use by pleasure craft. Over 5,000 boats have been reported using
Oneida on a single day. Onondaga Lake is the scene of the annual Intercol-
legiate Rowing Regatta.
The State Barge Canal System is another of the Basin's valuable recrea-
tional assets. Because of its poor water quality, however, its use is mostly
limited to boating, although fishing is popular in selected areas. Over 100
small boat marinas are estiblished along the canal system. Pleasure boating
has more than quadrupled in the last fifteen years, as indicated by the num-
ber of permits issued for lockage. The State Department of Public Works re-
ported issuing 2,000 such permits in 1952 and over 10,000 in 1965. An esti-
mated additional 30,000 craft use the canal system between the locks.
Hydro Power
The public and industrial hydroelectric facilities in the Lake Ontario
Basin have a combined capacity of approximately three million kilowatts for
use both in and outside of the Basin. This includes the large facilities on
the Niagara and St. Lawrence Rivers.
The Genesee, Oswego, Black, and Minor Tributary Basins contain 5^- hydro-
electric facilities for which data are available. The total capacity for
those plants listed as wholly industrial is only ten per cent of the total.
4-2
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All of the major streams in the St. Lawrence Basin, with the exception
of the St, Lawrence, were at one time harnessed for power* As an example,
in 1936, there were 20 public and 14 industrial utilities on the Oswegatchie
River. Now these plants are being abandoned as the new Power Authority faci-
lity on the St. Lawrence and five new plants on the Racquette River have
become the main sources of electrical energy for the area.
At the eastern and western extremities of the Ontario Basin are located
two huge hydroelectric facilities operated by the New York State Power Au-
thority. The St. Lawrence plant is operated jointly by the Power Authority
and an equivalent Canadian Agency. The St. Lawrence plant has a capacity of
1,1*00,000 KW from its 32 generators. Sixteen of these generators produce
electricity for the Power Authority. The Niagara plant has a capacity of
1,800,000 KW and all of the energy produced is consumed within the United
States. These two plants are tied in with Consolidated Alison at Utica and
together form the backbone of the New York State Power complex.
Commercial Shipping
During 1965, an estimated three million tons of cargo were handled by
Lake Ontario Ports in New York State. An estimated 1,000 ships visited the
Ports of Rochester., Great Sodus, and Oswego. The principal commodities
handled at Rochester are coal and cement; at Great Sodus, mostly coal, and
at Oswego, coal, grain, and petroleum products. Data on cargo movement
through the St. Lawrence Seaway indicated that, in 19^5, more than 43 million
tons of cargo were transported through Lake Ontario on 3>700 ships.
The use of the Barge Canal for freight traffic has remained constant
over the last 15 years. Total freight tonnage in 1962 was approximately
1,500,000 and the number of boats carrying this tonnage was about 750- The
average tonnage between the years 1947 and 1951 was 1,400,000. The eastern
section of the Canal between Oswego, Syracuse, and Albany is the most heavily
used.
Commercial Fishing
The commercial fish catch in Lake Ontario is the smallest in the Great
Lakes. Ninety per cent of the annual Lake catch is captured by Canadian
interests. The total pounds of fish reported by United States fisheries
ranged from 233,000 to 351,200 during the years I960 - 64. Yellow perch,
carp, eels and white perc.h are the principal species caught.
Present Classification of Basin Waters
New York State has just recently completed a program of classification
of its streams. The classes of water vary from A to F with the respective
best uses designated as drinking water supply, bathing, fishing, agricultural
or industrial,• and sev?-e- and ind«stri";l Taste disposal, in that order.
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The majority of the waters in the Basin area are classified B or C.
Most of the inland lakes, with the exception of Onondaga, are generally A or
B. Dry weather streams and stretches of streams below sizeable waste dis-
charges are generally D. The few streams that are E or F, such as reaches on
Nine Mile Creek, Ley Creek and Honeoye Creek, are in the process of being up-
graded .
While the existing method and scope of classification of streams by Hew
York State has done much overall for up-grading the waters in the Lake
Ontario Basin, it is known that a broader and more ambitious set of water
quality objectives and pollution control procedures must be adopted if the
maximum usage of the streams is to be realized. Under the present procedures
for classifying waters, the State Health Department is often unable to bring
an abatement action against an industry or municipality unless its discharge
stands alone and causes very obvious nuisance conditions. In other cases
even very gross pollution is excused under the State Classifications by al-
lowing special or very low quality to exist for a convenient stretch below an
existing major pollution source. Another incongruity is the sudden change of
purification that is expected of many streams. Situations have been noted
where a stream, classified to permit municipal and industrial waste discharges,
abruptly changes to a classification suitable for swimming, with inadequate
distance for the transition to higher quality to be accomplished.
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CHAPTER 5
WASTE SOURCES
Municipal Wastes,
In the study area there are a total of 169 municipal sewage treatment
facilities serving a population of over 1,5^-, 000. Many comjiunities have no
treatment facilities, including the Cities of Watertown, Fulton and Oswego
which have a combined population of nearly 70,000.
The waste load to the basin streams from all municipal sources is esti-
mated to have a total population equivalent (PE) of 2,299>000 (i*1 terms of
oxygen consuming capacity). A summary of these discharges is outlined in
Table 5-1. Of the total it is estimated that 177,000 PE is discharged by
communities having no treatment facilities. The remaining 2,122,000 popula-
tion equivalent is the resultant discharge from all municipal treatment fa-
cilities . The raw influent to the treatment facilities is that from an
equivalent population of nearly 3*900,000 people. Comparing this latter
figure against the population served, one gains an appreciation of the sig-
nificant effect of industrial connections on the basin's municipal waste
systems. Also shown in Table 5~1> the overall degree of treatment in the
basin as a whole is approximately hi per cent. There are 118 primary plants
and 51 secondary plants. All of the larger plants are of the primary type,
including the City of Rochester's large plant which discharges to Lake
Ontario. Figure 5-1 is a summary of the treatment facilities of all communi-
ties with connected populations over 10,000.
In the Lower Niagara River the only major discharge is that of the City
of Niagara Falls. This is a particularly ineffective plant. Extremely over-
loaded by industrial waste, it receives the waste from an equivalent popula-
tion of nearly M?0,000 while serving only 110,000 people. Its treatment ef-
ficiency with this high loading has been measured at about 15 per cent (BOD
reduction). The City of Lockport also has an ineffective plant overloaded by
industrial waste. The plant is of the primary type and is treating at only
33 per cent efficiency.
The primary treatment plant operated by the City of Rochester, the
largest plant in the Basin, receives a raw waste equivalent to that from
nearly 1,800,000 although it serves a population of only 375,000. Its dis-
charge after k-6 per cent treatment is directly to Lake Ontario. The City of
Syracuse also discharges a large loading with only primary treatment. Its
two plants receive approximately 325,000 PE and discharge over 200,000 PE to
Onondaga Lake for a net reduction of only kO per cent. The City of Auburn
has an ineffective plant treating only 35 per cent of an influent 98,000 PE.
Watertown is presently building a primary treatment plant for its 40,000 plus
population - heretofore discharged raw to the Black River. Only the City of
Ithaca and the Communities of Newark, Brighton, Canandaigua, Brockport, East
Rochester, Greece, Irondequoit (part), and Henrietta have adequate secondary
5-1
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plants. See the summary on Table 5-1 for the remaining major municipal dis-
charges with connected populations over 5j>000.
Industrial Waste
There are approximately 300 industries in the Lake Ontario and St. Law-
rence Basins that discharge their wastes directly to surface waters. Only a
few of the industries provide some degree of treatment to their waste before
discharge. In no case does an industry provide treatment on the par of a
secondary municipal sewage treatment facility. The total industrial waste
load generated in the Basi^n is estimated at 2,627,000 population equivalents,
BOD basis. While the organic waste loading in terms of BOD represents the
major pollution effect on r,he streams, there are also discharges of suspended
solids, chlorides, toxic mfetals, phenols, dyes and many other pollutants that
are causing gross degradation.
Summarized in Table .;t-2 is a list of the 52 major industrial polluters
in the basin. All of these have either an effluent of 1,000 pounds per day
of 5-day BOD (the equivalent of a population of 5>000 - 6,000) or a waste
high in phenols, suspended solids, etc.. Only eight of these large waste
producers effect any degree of treatment on their process waste. The total
PE loading from these industries alone is 2,537*000 or 96 per cent of the
total industrial PE discharged in the basin. These industries also represent
about 80 per cent of the toWl industrial waste volume generated in the Basin.
Paper mills and paper products plants, canneries, dairies, and other
food processing plants, and chemicals and allied products plants are the worst
offenders in the Basin. An Allied Chemical-Solvay Division plant at Syracuse
treats only a fraction of its waste in tailing ponds. The plant's discharge
to Onondaga Lake draws heavily on the Lake's oxygen reserves and deposits vast
quantities of carbonates and chlorides (approximately *)-,000 tons per day) to
the Lake. Lower Nine Mile Creek is also grossly polluted by this plant's dis-
charge. A complex of paper mills, notably St. Regis and Georgia Pacific, dis-
charge an organic loading to the Black River equivalent to more than 640,000
people, degrading the stream seriously. Another industrial complex at Fulton
pollutes the Oswego River to the extent that its oxygen resources are often
critically depleted. Sealright Container Corporation, Nestles Chocolate,
Birdseye Division of General Foods, Armstrong Cork and Worth End Paper all
discharge raw wastes within two miles of each other to the tune of 121,000 PE.
Eastman Kodak at Rochester grossly pollutes the Lower Genesee River with
330,000 PE of partially treated waste. Five industries, Union Carbide, Hooker
Chemical, International Paper, Olin Mathieson and DuPont, discharge a combined
raw waste through a diversion sewer just below the American Falls on the
Niagara River that has been estimated at 37 MGD and having a PE greater than
300,000.
Combined Sewers
Overflows from combined sewer systems are a significant factor in the
5-2
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Table 5-2
MAJOR INDUSTRIAL DISCHARGES
INDUSTRY
LOCATION
Aiello Dairy
Heuvelton
Alcoa
Massena
Allied Chemical
Solvay Division
Syracuse
Armstrong Cork
Fulton
Bordens
Pioneer Ice
Cream Division
Gouverneur
Bordens Foods
Mexico
Brownville Board
Brownville
Brownville Paper
Brownville
Carborundum Corp.
Niagara Falls
Carthage Paper
Makers , Inc .
West Carthage
Columbia Mills
Minetto
DIRECT
LAKE
RECEIVING
STREAM
Oswegatchie
River
Grass River
Onondaga Lake
Nine Mile Creek
Oswego River
Oswegatchie
Little Salmon
River
Black River
Black River
Niagara River
Black River
Oswego River
TO SURFACE WATERS
OF THE
ONTARIO BASIN
EXISTING >
TREATMENT'
WASTE EFFLUENT
IGD LBS BODc/MY POFULATK
' EQUIVALE3
None 0.60 6,000 36,000
Lagoons 19.0 900 5,400
(6,900 LBS PHENOLS A,.,,)
/ XA11.J.
None 80. 33,400 200,400
(33,400 LBS/ COD)
Tailing 80. 12,100 72,600
Pond (31,800 LBS /d COD)
None b
-•45 7,350 44,100
None 0.22 3,000 18,000
None 1.1 2,300 13,800
None 1. 1,000 6,000
None 1. 1,000 6,000
None 2.4 7,300 42,800
None 7-74 8,900 53,400
None
.49 2,000 12,000
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Table 5-2 (cont'd.)
INDUSTRY
LOCATION
Crown Zellerback
Paper
Carthage
Curtice Burns
Bergen
Curtice Burns
Cannery
Mt. Morris
Diamond Gardener
Ogdensburg
Duffy Mott
Williamson
DuPont, E. I.
Niagara Falls
Eastman Kodak
Rochester
Edgett and Burnham
Cannery
ITewark
Empire State Sugar
Montezuma
Evans Chemetics
Waterloo
Flintkote Co.
Lockport
* Total waste flow
RECEIVING
STREAM
Black River
Black Creek
Genes ee River
St. Lawrence
River
Salmon Creek
Niagara River
Gene see River
Barge Canal
Barge Canal
Seneca River
Eighteenmile
Creek
of International
EXISTING MGD L
TREATMENT
None 5-35
Spray 0-54
irrigation
None . 36
None 4.0
None 2.5
None *
Primary 26 .
None .04
Lagoons 2.0**
None 3.25
None 0 . 5
Paper, Olin Mathieson,
WASTE EFFLUENT
5'DAY EQUIVALENT
6,400 38,400
7,600 45,600
2,250 13,500
6,750 40,000
10,300 6l,8oo
13,400 80,400
55,000 330,000
2,000 12,000
8,000 48,000
10,300 61,800
2,100 12,600
DuPont, Union
Carbide, and Hooker discharged through one diversion sewer, estimated
at 37 MGD
** Discharge only in spring months
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INDUSTRY
LOCATION
General Foods
Birds Eye Division
Avon
General Foods
Birds Eye Division
Fulton
General Motors
Chevrolet Division
Roosevelton
General Motors
Harrison Radiator
Division
Lockport
Georgia Pacific
Gould Division
Lyons Falls
Hammermill Paper
Oswego
Hooker Chemical
Niagara Falls
International
Paper
Niagara Falls
Knowlton Paper
Watertown
Lewis, J. P.
Beaver Falls
M. P. Amusement
Suburban Park
Manlius
* Total waste flow
Table
RECEIVING
STREAM
Genesee River
Oswego River
St. Lawrence
River
Eighteenmile
Creek
Black River
Lake Ontario
Niagara River
Niagara River
Black River
Black River
Limestone Creek
5-2 (cont'd.)
EXISTING !»
TREATMENT
WASTE EFFLUENT
1GD LBS BOD,- /T,AY POPULATK
p/ EQUIVALEI
None 1. 16,700 100,000
None
.95 1,600 9,500
Oil 2.64 300 1,700
separation
(1450 LBS COD/ )
(77 LBS PHENOLS7/^)
/ U»lJ
Oil 1.61 1,500 LB Zn/d
separation 280 LB Cuy,^
200 LB Fl/day
None 20.3 36,900 221,000
None 2.47 4,100 24,600
None * 22,800 136,800
None 7.85* 13,100 98,600
(42,300 LB caD/day)
None 3.6 1,000 6,000
None 6.6 6,200 37,200
None
.95 1,600 9,600
of International Paper, Olin Mathieson, DuPont, Union
Carbide, and Hooker discharged through one diversion sewer, estimated
at 37 MGD
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INDUSTRY
LOCATION
Mclntyre Paper
Fayetteville
Nakoosa Edwards
Paper Co.
Unionville
National Biscuit
Lyons Falls
Kestles Compare
Fulton
North End Paper
Fulton
Northland Paper
Norfolk
Olin Mathieson
Niagara Falls
Oswego River Tissue
Phoenix
Perfection Canning
Newark
Perry Knitting
Perry
Reigel Paper
Newark
Reynolds Metals
Roosevelton
St. Regis Paper
Deferiet
* Total waste flow of
Carbide, and Hooker
at 37 MGD
Table 5-2 (cont'd.)
RECEIVING EXISTING MGD
STREAM TREATMENT
Limestone Creek None 1.28
Raquette River None 1.14
Barge Canal None .11
Oswego River None 3-0
Oswego River None .70
Raquette River None 5-70
WASTE EFFLUENT
LBS BOD,5/DAY POPULATION
77 EQUIVALENT
2,100 12,600
2,000 12,000
3,500 21,000
6,000 36,000
1,100 6,600
8,100 48,600
Niagara River None * (Total solids 7,700 mg/l)
Oswego River None 2.3
Barge Canal None 0.20
Silver Lake None .13
Barge Canal None 1.26
St. Lawrence None 9-0
River
Black River None 28.0
International Paper, Olin Mathieson,
3,800 22,800
9,100 54,600
1,700 10', 000
4,000 24,000
500 3,000
(6,700 LBS PHENOL/day)
46,600 280,000
DuPont, Union
discharged through one diversion sewer, estimated
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INDUSTRY
LOCATION
Sealright Container
Fulton
Stauffer Chemical
Lewis ton
Union Carbide
Niagara Falls
United Board and
Carton
Lockport
Upson Company
Lockport
Vanity Fair Paper
Gouverneur
* Total waste flow of
Carbide , and Hooker
at 37 MGD
Table 5-2 (cont'd.)
RECEIVING EXISTING MGD
STREAM TREATMENT
Oswego River None 5.64
Niagara River None 1.84
Niagara River None *
Eighteenmile None 1-95
Creek
Barge Canal Settling 0.85
Oswegatchie None 2.40
River
WASTE EFFLUENT
LBS BOD,-/-.y POPULATION
P/ EQUIVALENT
4,600 27,600
1,600 9,600
(65,000 LBS
SUSPENDED SOLIDS /da )
5,900 35^00
2,100 12,600
3,600 21,600
International Paper, Olin Mathieson, DuPont, Union
discharged through one diversion sewer, estimated
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pollution of many of the streams and lakes in the Basin. The systems at
Rochester and Syracuse are the most serious polluters in this regard. The
other major cities also discharge raw sewage during storm overflows except
the City of Ithaca, which has a separate system.
Sixty per cent of the City of Rochester's sewers are of the combined
type. Thirty-three overflows from their combined system discharge when two
and one half times the dry weather flow is exceeded. Thirty of these over-
flows discharge to the Genesee River and three to Irondequoit Bay. Four of
these overflows receive chlorination prior to discharge and chlorination fa-
cilities are planned for four more.
The sewers of the City of Syracuse are almost all of the combined type.
Syracuse's eight miles of main interceptors have 64 possible overflow points
to Onondaga Creek and Harbor Brook. The interceptors are designed to handle
about two times the City's kO MGD dry weather flow, but due to negligent
maintenance, the subsequent deterioration of the overflow chambers,, and the
buildup of grit in the interceptors, many of the overflow outlets discharge
continuously. In October of 1957, New York State Department of Health con-
ducted a survey which indicated that approximately 40 per cent of the total
sanitary sewage flow in the City was being discharged directly to the streams
without interception and treatment. A report in 1961 by an engineering con-
sultant of the improvement needs in the sewer system revealed the situation
had not changed greatly. They found twelve overflows discharging raw sewage
continuously and nine intermittently. The consultant engineers designated
the cause as a lack of maintenance of the interceptor connections and a build-
up of an estimated 2,300 cubic yards of grit in the interceptors, greatly
decreasing their capacity.
Vessel Pollution
During 19&5* about 1,000 commercial vessels visited Rochester, Sodus,
and Oswego and probably remained in port from one to two days . Pleasure
craft in Lake Ontario presently number some 4,500 permanently moored and many
more in transit.
Pollution discharged from commercial vessels and small craft is not
generally a significant problem compared to discharges from municipalities
and industries unless concentrated in a bay or near beaches . Many of the
marinas are located in protected covelike locations, however, such as Iron-
dequoit and Sodus Bays, where garbage and other debris often produce un-
sightly, littered waters .
Land Runoff
Loss of soil, fertilizers and pesticides is of increasing concern with
regard to the quality of the Basin's streams, inland lakes and, especially,
Lake Ontario. Water erosion of soil particularly severe in the Honeoye Creek
5-3
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watershed in the Genesee Basin and extensive sections of the Seneca, Keuka,
Canandaigua, and Clyde River drainage basin. Moderate erosion takes place
in the- entire- Genesee Basin. The high turbidity of the Genesee River in the
spring months is a result of this erosion.
Pesticides are used extensively in the fruit belt east and west of
Rochester along the Lake shoreline. Determinations as to the amount of
these pesticides reaching the streams of the area and Lake Ontario are in-
complete. Some minor application of pesticides is practiced in the Finger
Lakes region, and analysis of samples from Cayuga and Seneca Lakes i-i ac-
cordingly forthcoming.
Fertilizers are applied in significant amounts to many areas of moder-
ately productive solids. Improper application, particularly f." the spring,
can result in the excessive loss of fertilizers to the streams. A program
is underway to determine the amount of phosphates and nitrogens that reach
Lake Ontario as a result of runoff from rural lands.
Federal Installations
There are 60 Federal Installations in the Lake Ontario Basin that dis-
charge their wastes directly to surface waters or to the ground. Table 5-3
lists only those installations discharging directly to surface waters.
Ground discharges are not included in Table 5-3 because only a small fraction
of the total flow from all installations is discharged in this manner. Those
installations -connected to a recognized se-wer -syrteni are not, included because
their loadings would be reflected in the municipal rswage treatment inventory.
The 10 installations listed in Table 5-3 discharge almost ons '.lion
gallons per day of wastes to surface waters. Five of t?ece installations
have secondary treatment facilities, treating approximately 310,000 gallons
per day. A total of 50,000 gallons per day is discharged directly to the
ground disposal systems from the renaining 50 installations. Two of the
larger installations, the Veterans Administration Hospital. Cano,ndaigua,
and Camp Drum, are now preparing plans for secondary treatment units. The
Air Force Plant No. 38 is working on a proposal to connect to the Niagara
Falls municipal system.
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Table 5-3
FEDERAL IHSTALMTIOHS-DISai/mGII^»5ffiCTLT TO
SURFACE mTERS OF THE LAKE ONTARIO BASIN*
ESTIMATED
INSTALLATION
AGENCY
RECEIVING WASTE
FLOW
TREATMENT
STREAM GPD
Air Force Plant # 38
Camp Drum
Custom House
Ogdensburg
Lockport Air Force
Station
Niagara Life -boat
Station
Seneca Ordinance Depot
Romulus
Snell Lock Overlook
Verona Test Annex
i^erans Administration
Hospital
Canandaigua
Watertown Air Force
Station
Air Force
Army
General
Services
Adtnini st rat ion
Air Force
Coast Guard
Army
St. Lawrence
Seaway Corp.
Air Force
Veterans
Administration
Air Force
Threemile Creek 122
Black River 100
St. Lawrence River 7
Niagara River 80
Niagara River 1
Reeder Creek 92
Kendaia Creek 90
Kendaia Creek 10
St. Lawrence River
German Creek U
Canandaigua Lake 3^0
Sandy Creek 27
,000
,000
,650
,000
,000
,500
,000
,000
500
,000
,000
,500
* There are 50 other Federal agency installations discharging a total
GPD to ground disposal
** New plant in operation
systems .
Minor
Primary
Secondary
Secondary
None
Secondary
Secondary
Secondary**
Minor
Secondary
Ineffective
Primary
"Secondary
of 50,000
by December, 1966.
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CHAPTER 6
WATER QUALITY IN LAKE ONTARIO
Introduction
In the Comprehensive Study of the Water Quality in Lake Ontario,
analytical data has been assembled on all parameters which are recognized
as significant factors affecting the quality of this water.
Three sampling cruises were conducted covering U2 selected stations
on the lake. The cruises were of approximately two weeks duration and were
conducted May 10 through 28, July 19 through August 6, and September 13
through October 6, 19&5. The sampling, therefore, embraced the spring, summer,
and fall seasons. For the purpose of this presentation, the lake has been
divided into three sectors; namely, the western, central, and eastern, as
shown in Figure 6-1.
Chemical Findings
Physical and chemical changes in Lake Ontario are caused by natural
phenomena and by the activities of man. The constituents measured in this
study reflect those changes, or build-ups, from various natural events, waste-
water discharges, and other water uses. A brief discussion of major parameters
is given in subsequent paragraphs, and results are summarized in tables at
the end of this text.
Hydrogen Ion Concentration (pH)
Most natural waters are slightly alkaline, and Lake Ontario is typical
in this respect, with pH values ranging from 7.9 "to 9.0 in the -western sector
and 8.1 to 8.7 in the central and eastern sectors. No appreciable seasonal
variations were noted. Similarly, only slight variations were detected in
the vertical profiles of all U2 stations sampled.
Alkalinity
Alkalinity, while not important in itself, does serve as a measure of
the gross amount of carbonates, bicarbonates, hydroxides, and other anionic
groups present in the water. The carbonates and their hydrolytic product
(C02) serve as a source of carbon for various biological species, thereby
affecting the productivity of the lake. The alkalinity values found in this
investigation were essentially uniform throughout the entire lake. The
average concentration for the western, central and eastern sectors during
the spring cruise were 96, 98 and 95, respectively. The values showed a
slight increase during the fall cruise, averaging 100, 101 and 9^ for the
6-1
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FIGURE 6-1
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western, central and eastern sectors, respectively.
Dissolved Oxygen
Table 6-1 summarizes the comparative ranges of dissolved oxygen concen-
trations for the lake during the three seasons of investigation. These
values, for the most part, represent saturation or near saturation concentra-
tions.
Vertical profiles of dissolved oxygen were measured at all of the h2
sampling stations. During the spring season the temperature range from top
to "bottom was around 3 to U°C, and there was essentially no thermal strati-
fication. Values of dissolved oxygen showed no significant variation among
the three sectors studied. In many, but certainly not in all, cases there
was a slight decrease in dissolved oxygen concentrations as the depth increased.
However, no zones of even moderate depletion were found.
Biochemical and Chemical Oxygen Demand
The BOD's and COD's were determined at each station in order to get an
estimate of organic matter present in the lake. There was essentially no
variation in the BOD profiles. Most of the results were less than 1 mg/1.
The maximum value to occur was 2.U mg/1.
The COD concentrations recorded during the spring cruise averaged 8.6 mg/1
for the western sector and 6 mg/1 for both the central and the eastern sectors.
Results of the summer season show almost comparable averages, with values of
7.8, 7.7 and 8.7 mg/1 for western, central and eastern sectors, respectively.
Concentrations in the fall season for the three sectors were 8.9 mg/1 in the
western, 5.0 mg/1 in the central, and 7.0 mg/1 in the eastern sector. The
seasonal variation was minimal, and no appreciable difference in geographical
distribution of COD was apparent.
Phosphate
Both total and soluble phosphates were determined in this study. The
total phosphate was determined by digesting the sample with potassium persul-
fate in order to free any phosphate which might be a constituent of organic
compounds. Because the decision to include the total phosphate was made late
in the study, values for this parameter do not appear in the tabulation of
the spring cruise. Tables 6-3 and 6-k show both total and soluble phosphates
for the summer and fall cruises.
The average phosphate values are essentially the same for all seasons
and at all stations sampled. It is evident that the concentration of this
nutrient is approaching the critical level associated with over-production
of algae and attendant problems.
6-2
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Ammonia, Organic and Nitrate Nitrogen
Concentrations of ammonia, organic and nitrate nitrogen were determined
at each station throughout the three sampling cruises, and results are also
shown in Tables 6-2, 6-3, and 6-h.
There appears to be no particular pattern in the vertical distribution
of ammonia concentrations since they varied from station to station with
respect to maxima and minima and in relationship to depth. A similar condi-
tion existed horizontally in that high and low values were at random throughout
each sector.
The average nitrate values were 0.33 rag/1, 0.33 nig/1 and 0.36 mg/1 for
the western, central and eastern sectors, respectively. It is evident that
no appreciable variation existed.
Other Parameters
The analyses performed and the ranges found for other parameters are
summarized below.
Chlorides, spring season
western sector, range from 2^ to 25 mg/1
central sector, range from 2k to 25 mg/1
eastern sector, range from 2h to 27 mg/1
Chlorides, summer season
western sector, range from 22 to 26 mg/1
central sector, range from 23 to 25 mg/1
eastern sector, range from 23 to 25 mg/1
Chlorides, fall season
western sector, range from 23 to 25 mg/1
central sector, range from 23 to 26 mg/1
eastern sector, range from 23 to 26 mg/1
Conductance (Specific), spring season
western sector, range from 270 to 320 micromhos per cm
central sector, range from 301 to 3^-0 micromhos per cm
eastern sector, range from 305 to 350 micromhos per cm
Conductance (Specific), suioter season
western sector, range from 300 to 330 micromhos per cm
central sector, range from 275 to 330 micromhos per cm
eastern sector, range from 295 to 32^ micromhos per cm
6-3
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Conductance (Specific), fall season
western sector, range from 300 to 3^0 micromhos per cm
central sector, range from 270 to 3&0 micromhos per cm
eastern sector, range from 300 to 330 micromhos per cm
Sodium and Potassium
Sodium and potassium were determined only during the spring season.
The results were so uniformly distributed it was felt that they
were of little water quality significance. The sodium ranged
between 11.k and 13.U mg/1 for the overall lake. The potassium
range was between l.k and 2.1 mg/1 for the entire lake.
Dissolved Solids, spring season
western sector average - 165 mg/1
central sector average - 190 mg/1
eastern sector average - 170 mg/1
Dissolved Solids, summer season
western sector average - 190 mg/1
central sector average - 190 mg/1
eastern sector average - 195 nig/1
Dissolved Solids, fall season
western sector average - l80 mg/1
central sector average - 170 mg/1
eastern sector average - 200 mg/1
Biological Findings
Biological sampling consisted of analyses of benthic fauna, phytoplankton,
attached algae, chlorophyll, light penetration, and seston.
Benthic Fauna
The benthic fauna of Lake Ontario was comprised principally of seven
types of organisms. However, two types, Amphipoda (scuds) and Oligochaeta
(sludgeworms), constituted 95 per cent of all organisms collected. The
remaining 5 per cent consisted of Sphaeriidae (fingernail clams), Tendipedi-
dae (bloodworms), Isopoda (aquatic sow bugs), Hirudinea (leeches), and
%sidacea (opossum shrimp) in that order of dominance. Amphipoda were the
predominant organisms at all stations in the lake except Station 10. This
station is located approximately five miles northeast of the Niagara River
outlet. The predominant organisms at Station 10 were Oligochaeta, which
6-U
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comprised 95 per cent of the total number of organisms per square meter. The
remaining 5 per cent were fingernail clams, scuds, and bloodworms.
The ranges in number of organisms per square meter varied from 0 to
5^00, of which scuds and sludgeworms comprised approximately 72 per cent and
23 per cent, respectively, at all deep water stations, except Station 10, and
during all phases of sampling.
A difference in bottom fauna does exist between the lake proper and the
major harbor areas, such as the Niagara River, Genesee River, and the Oswego
River harbors. The absence of clean water organisms and the presence of a
greater number of pollution-tolerant organisms indicated that these rivers do
contribute to the degradation of the water quality in these areas.
Phytoplankton
The densities of phytoplankton in Lake Ontario ranged from a minimum of
50 organisms per ml to a maximum of 3&00 organisms per ml in 1965. Although
total numbers of phytoplankton in this range indicate moderate biological
activity, the type of algae present is very important. In May of 19&5, "the
total counts were greater than in July or September. These counts-.consisted
predominantly of the green alga Scenedesmus, indicating a Spring pulse.
During the July and September samp~ling~sea"i"ons, the predominant form identified
was Chlamydomonas, a flagellated green alga. Both Scenedesmus and Chlamydomo-
na_£ are indicative of nutrient enrichment and are not found as dominant forms
in the other Great Lakes, except Lake Erie.
Chlorophyll analyses during these seasons revealed a higher photosynthetic
activity during the summer and fall than in the spring, due to the greater
intensity of sunlight, length of day, and change in predominant organisms.
The types of phytoplankton present in the summer and fall were large cell
green algae, capable of containing more chlorophyll per unit volume than the
algae found in the spring.
Extended-range plankton analyses of the other Great Lakes, except Lake
Erie, reveal that they are dominated by diatoms, a group of algae generally
associated with clean water and streams of low nutrient values. In Lake
Ontario, green algae were predominant, indicating organic enrichment. The
source of this enrichment is due primarily to the large influx of nutrients
from the Niagara River and other major tributaries and wastes discharging
into Lake Ontario.
When inorganic nitrogen concentrations exceed 0.3 mg/1 and soluble
phosphates exceed 0.03 mg/1, along with favorable chemical and physical condi-
tions, i.e., light, temperature, turbidity, trace elements, and vitamins,
conditions can exist to produce algal blooms.
Nitrate and phosphate concentrations in Lake Ontario, as discussed under
chemical findings in this report, are sufficient to support algal blooms
6-5
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throughout the lake. On July 23, 19&5, a bloom occurred which covered the
entire deep-water area, beginning about ten miles from both the United States
and Canadian shores and extending from the eastern to the western end of the
lake. It was identified as Anabaena, a filamentous blue-green alga associated
with high nutrient levels. The bloom appeared as a blue-green film on the
surface of the water and counts averaged 10,000 organisms per milliliter.
Attached Algae
In July of 1965, visual observations were made to determine the extent
of Cladophora growth along the United States shoreline. Cladophora, a fila-
mentous green alga, is found in areas where the bottom is generally rocky
and shallow, and wave action occurs. Lake Ontario affords an excellent sub-
strate for algal attachment. Along the United States shoreline there are
approximately 250 square miles of suitable substrate for attachment of
Cladophora. Considering the Canadian shoreline, this area would be more than
dbublecL
Along the entire Lake Ontario shoreline Cladophora flourishes and pro-
duces many problems. When it matures, during the summer, it breaks away from
the rocks and is carried by the currents to the beach. Here, it is battered
by wave action and decaying takes place. Windrows of decaying algae have been
noticed at all beaches and problems have occurred with water supply intakes
along the lake.
This condition occurs all summer. Beaches and cottage areas have been
rendered unsuitable because of obnoxious odor and appearance.
Summary
Evaluation of biological conditions in Lake Ontario shows the lake can
be classified as tending to become eutrophic.
The benthic fauna of the lake indicates oligotrophic conditions. However,
the phytytoplankton and attached algae problems that occur tend to support a
eutrophic nature. The ability of the lake to support algal blooms in the lake
and great masses of Cladophora along the littoral zone is a definite indication
of eutrophication. The average light penetration value of 5 meters (Secchi
Disc) at the extended-range stations is the shallowest of all the Great Lakes,
except for Lake Erie, which has an average of U.5 meters.
Apparently the one major factor that saves Lake Ontario from becoming
eutrophic is its deep water.
6-6
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Microbiological Findings
The microbiological study of the Lake Ontario Basin included tributary
mouth, harbor-inshore, and extended range stations. The parameters considered
in the study were total coliform, fecal coliform, fecal streptococcus, and
total plate counts. All of the tests were run by the membrane filter tech-
nique .
The total coliform test is used as an index of all coliform organisms
present and does not differentiate those of fecal and non-fecal origin.
The fecal coliform test is a measure of the coliform organisms definitely
of fecal origin. This test may be used to indicate the type of pollution and
whether or not it is recent, as fecal types have a faster die-off rate in the
water environment than those of non-fecal origin.
Fecal streptococcus organisms are all strict parasites of warm-blooded
animals and have about the same die-off rate as fecal coliform organisms, but
less than some of non-fecal origin. Their main usefulness is to confirm the
supposition presented by evidence of coliform organisms.
The total plate count is a supplemental test which uses a nutrient media
that is conducive to the growth of a great number of bacterial types, includ-
ing those of natural waters and the intestines. Plate counts at 20°C give an
estimate of heterotrophic bacteria in natural waters. Plate counts at 35 C
are indicative of heterotrophic organisms of pollutional origin.
The following paragraphs give the results of the tributary mouth, harbor-
inshore, and extended range sampling.
Tributary Mouth and Harbor-Inshore
Western Sector - The western sector has two tributary mouths: the Niagara
River, which had total coliform averages of 6UO per 100 ml (milliliters), and
Eighteen Mile Creek, which averaged 1,030 coliforms per ml. The harbor-
inshore stations in the immediate surrounding area of the Niagara River showed
averages as high, or slightly higher than, the tributary mouth station.. The
rest of the harbor-inshore stations in the western sector averaged below 300
coliforms per 100 ml. Fecal streptococcus results were generally consistent
with total coliform values.
Central Sector - The central sector has many small streams and creeks,
along with a sizable river, the Genesee. Three tributary mouth stations in
the area showed coliform averages over 1000 coliforms per 100 ml. They are:
Johnson Creek, with 1,300 coliforms per 100 ml; Salmon Creek, with 1,100
coliforms per 100 ml; and the Genesee River, with 2,900 coliforms per 100 ml.
All harbor and inshore stations west of the Rochester harbor stations averaged
less than 250 coliforms per 100 ml, with correspondingly low fecal streptococ-
cus numbers.
The Rochester harbor stations, excluding Irondequoit Bay, indicated sig-
nificantly higher pollutional loading. The total coliform numbers for these
6-7
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stations averaged 1,200 per 100 ml, but fecal streptococcus numbers were low
and seemed to have no correlation with high coliform counts. The Irondequoit
Bay stations showed little pollution, with total coliforms averaging 100 per
100 ml and fecal streptococcus organisms averaging 6 per 100 ml.
The central sector harbor-inshore stations to the east of the Rochester
harbor had somewhat lower coliform averages of 9UO per 100 ml and fecal strep-
tococcus averages of 37 per 100 ml. The high counts in this area were general-
ly downflow from the Rochester harbor.
Eastern Sector - The eastern sector is under the influence of several
large~itFeanis7~The~Oswego and Black Rivers, and many smaller tributaries.
Three of the tributary mouth stations gave average total coliform numbers
over 1000 per 100 ml: the Oswego River with 1,600 per 100 ml, the Salmon
River with 1,900 per 100 ml, and the Black River with 3,200 per 100 ml.
Fecal streptococcus all were well over 100 per 100 ml.
The harbor-inshore stations west of the Oswego harbor had little pollu-
tion, with total coliforms averaging 100 per 100 ml and fecal streptococcus
organisms averaging 5 per 100 ml. The Oswego harbor stations, although evi-
dencing higher coliform counts, were not unduly high, except for a few stations
in close proximity to the mouth of the Oswego River. Their averages were
260 per 100 ml and fecal streptococcus averaged 13 per 100 ml. Stations east
of the Oswego harbor gave little evidence of fecal pollution away from the
tributary mouths. Total coliform numbers were 80 per 100 ml and fecal strep-
tococcus averaged 8 per 100 ml.
Extended Range
Western Sector - The western sector, as a whole, had the highest total
plate counts, but did not have high total coliform counts, except for a very
slight increase in the mid-summer cruise.
Both total plate counts and total coliform counts were low in the
western sector lake stations. The 20°C, or non-pollutional, plate cour
were higher than the 35°C, or pollution-indicating, plates.
Total coliform counts for the western sector were low, many stations
having none. A few, however, were in the 500/100 ml range. Their numbers
increased very little from the spring to mid-summer cruises, and their
greatest concentrations were immediately in the vicinity of flow from Toronto
and the Niagara River.
Central Sector - The central sector had the best waters of the three,
but the Jsouthe~:Fn~portion, or the United States side, of the lake showed the
higher numbers of total coliforms and total bacteria.
Again, the 20°C plate counts were higher than the 35 plates, with a
random mixing throughout the depths. A general in crease in both types was
6-8
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noticed in the mid-summer cruise. The highest total plate counts were in
the vicinity of Rochester, and there appeared to be some diffusion of these
high counts out in the lake to the northeast.
The total coliform counts were very low, some stations recording none
on the spring cruise. There was a small increase in the mid-summer cruise
and a generally greater increase at Station 23 outside and downflow from
Rochester, where the surface sample was in the range of 500 coliforms per
100 ml.
Eastern Sector - The eastern sector again showed higher bacterial values,
especialiy~Tn"The~southeast area. The total plate counts indicated a greater
amount of 20°C non-pollutional organisms than 35°C pollution-indicating
organisms in both the spring and mid-summer cruises.
Total coliform counts were low on both cruises in the eastern sector
of the lake, ranging from zero, in most instances, to only 100 per 100 ml
at Station Ul.
Conclusions
Although certain tributaries of Lake Ontario introduce fairly high
quantities of polluted water, the main body of the lake at the present time
is not to be considered a bacterially contaminated water. As the tributaries
enter the lake, their waters mix and dissipate the pollutional load with the
lake and, except for harbor-inshore stations in close proximity to or
downflow of the tributaries^ the quality remains good.
6-9
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CHAPTER 7
WATER QUALITY IN TRIBUTARIES
Niagara Area
The Niagara River contributes 80 to 85 per cent of the total flow input
to Lake Ontario and, as such, its quality has a significant effect on Lake
Ontario. Detriment to the Lake is evidenced by the biological findings at
the mouth of the River which indicated a predominance of pollution-tolerant
organisms.
The River is the recipient of poorly treated waste from Buffalo, Niagara
Falls, and Tonawanda. The three plants in these areas serve 1,200,000 people.
The facilities at Buffalo and Tonawanda are primary plants. The Niagara
Falls plant operates at somewhat less than an average primary plant; it re-
ceives a loading of 483,000 PE but serves only 110:,000.
The amount of industrial waste discharged directly or indirectly to the
Niagara River is known to be astronomical. Data on waste volume and concen-
tration for those industries in the Buffalo area is not available and in the
Niagara Falls area, it is incoraplete. Some idea is gained of the magnitude
of the problem, however, when it is shown that the total industrial water
usage for the area is over 1,000 MGD. At Niagara Falls it is known that five
industries, Hooker Chemical, International Paper, Olin Mathieson, DuPont, and
Union Carbide discharge a combined untreated vaste of 37 MGD through a diver-
sion sewer. The total PE of this discharge is estimated to be well over
300,000. This discharge, also replete in chlorides, acids, alkalies, cyan-
ides, suspended solids, phenols} dyes, and other chemical by-products, often
causes obnoxious odors that permeate the tourist areas at the Falls. In a
study of the odor problem by the Buffalo Unit of the International Joint Com-
mission in 1964, it was found that strong pungent chemical and septic odors
frequently engulf the gorge area, especially in the vicinity of the American
"Maid of the Mist" dock. The report conolu'ed the cause of the odor problem
was two-fold; the waters of the diversion sewer and the air pollution that
is drawn into the gorge.
Lockport Area
Eighteen Mile Creek, the only sizeable tributary to Lake Ontario in the
hundred miles of shoreline between the Niagara and the Genesee River is a
grossly polluted stream. The recipient of toxic industrial chemicals and
poorly treated domestic waste from the highly industrial Lockport area, this
stream is in an extremely degraded condition.
The Creek is in a state of biological inactivity. From Lockport to the
dam just above Burt even sludge worms were found in extremely low numbers.
Below the dam the Creek begins to recover and both pollution-tolerant and
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non-pollution-tolerant algae thrive. A wide variety of benthic organisms
begin to occur at Burt, including both clean water and pollution-tolerant
forms suggesting a highly enriched environment. A study in 1963 found the
stream to be almost devoid of oxygen for a six mile stretch below Lockport.
Five-day BODs ranged from 22 mg/1 immediately below the City to 10 mg/1 eight
miles downstream.
Industrial discharges to the Creek are both high in organic and toxic
metals. Flintkote Company and United Board and Carton of Lockport manufac-
turers of paper products discharge a raw waste with an organic loading equiva-
lent to nearly 14-8,000 people. This is almost one and one-half times the
33^500 population of the entire watershed. Harrison Radiator Division of
General Motors, after oil separation, discharges 1,500 pounds of zinc, 280
pounds of copper and 200 pounds of fluoride per day to Eighteen Mile Creek.
Three other chemical producers discharge an assortment of harmful
wastes, including cyanides, spent acids, and scrubbing alkalies - nearly all
untreated. The primary treatment plant at Lockport discharges a PE of 25,000.
Rochester Area
Lower Genesee River
The lower Genesee River, a twelve mile stretch of river below its conflu-
ence with the Barge Canal, is grossly polluted. As the River traverses the
City of Rochester some thirty overflows from combined sewers discharge to the
River. The discharge occurs continually at a number of locations and periodi-
cally at other stations when the flov in the combined sewers exceeds two and
a half times the dry weather flow. Four overflows have chlorination.
The Eastman Kodak Park works is by far the main polluter to the River.
Despite good primary treatment of a flow that includes waste from a paper
plant, a gelatin plant, and a chemical processing works, their effluent is
still equivalent to that from a 330,000 population in terras of organic
loading. The waste also includes high concentrations of chromium, copper,
cyanides, and phenols. Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation adds greatly
to the suspended solids concentration in the River by discharging tons of
fly ash.
Data collected this past year disclosed zero oxygen zones in the lower
three to four miles and five-day BOD's of 25 to 30 mg/1. Fish kills have
often taken place in this stretch of the River. The River recovers somewhat
only after it mixe' with Lake Ontario water.
Rochester Embayment
The Lake waters in the vicinity of the Rochester Embayment are polluted.
High coliform and fecal streptococci counts are common; plumes of sewage
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solids emanating from the Rochester Sewage Treatment Plant outfall float on
the surface; and high turbidities are common both because of the vaste
loadings and erosion in the Genesee drainage area.
In special beach studies conducted by this Department during the summer
of 1965 and since May of 1966, preliminary data indicates that beaches under
certain conditions experience high bacteria counts. The high counts are as-
sociated with northerly and northeasterly winds and lake turbulence. Table
7-1 gives a general idea of coliform densities for 19^5 and 1966.
During the summer of 1965 unusual amounts of floating solids were ob-
served in the vicinity of the Rochester Treatment Plant Outfall. Investiga-
tion revealed poor settling capacities and bypassing of great quantities of
suspended sewage solids at the sewage treatment plant. Aerial photos from
above the outfall location continue to show a milky-colored sewage plume - or
waste being dispersed offshore in the Rochester Embayment.
Irondequoit Bay
Irondequoit Bay, a three square mile inlet of Lake Ontario to the east
and north of Rochester, is considered to be heavily polluted. The Bay is
over-fertilized by nutrients and, because of this, propagates large periodic
growths of algae. Most of the algae is of the nuisance type and eventually
die off, causing large deposits of oxygen-demanding material on the bottom of
the Bay. The small outlet to Lake Ontario, three to k feet deep, does not
allow a free exchange of Lake and Bay waters. This restriction on flow, the
redepositing of the organic matter, plus other related factors to the Bay,
tend to retain the nutrients in the Bay area.
Discharged to the Bay, along the shoreline or directly, or via Irondequoit
Creek, is the treated (secondary) waste from over 100,000 population. The Bay
is the only drainage basin to Lake Ontario where all sewage treatment plants
have secondary treatment.
Dissolved oxygen levels in the Bay were found to be relatively high near
the surface but declined to zero when depths of 20 feet were reached. Nutri-
ents for plant growth were noted in the Bay waters in concentrations of 1 to
2 mg/1 for nitrates and 1 to 3 mg/1 for phosphates.
Syracuse Area
Onondaga Lake
Perhaps the most serious pollution problem in the Lake Ontario Basin is
that existing in Onondaga Lake. Litterally used up, its waters are extremely
degraded and, in the south end in particular, the Lake is an ugly eyesore.
Its shoreline is covered with rubbish, trash, and black oily sludge and the
surface of the water is covered with foul smelling decaying sludge that is
churned to the surface with every passing boat.
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•Table 7-1
COLIFORM DENSITIES - 1965 AND 1966
_ ROCHESTER AREA BEACHES
1
Ontario Durand -Eastman Webster
| Year 1965 1966 1965
• No. Samples 23 3^ 11
Colif orm/100 ml
1 Highest Q,hOO lU,000 16,000
Median 1,000 220 520
| % Above 1,000/100 ml 52 27 36
• % Above 2,UOO/100 ml 17 21 l8
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• Table 7-2
1966 1965 1966
35 5 19
18,000 5,300 50,000
1,100 180 i,Uoo
51 20 63
26 20 37
•AVERAGE NITROGEN, PHOSPHATE CONCENTRATIONS
IN THE FINGER LAKES
mg/1
1
ILAKE NH3 NO^
Otisco 0.18 0.32
I Skaneateles 0.09 0.66
• Owasco 0.13 0.63
Cayuga 0.2U 0.80
1 Seneca 0.17 O.U6
Keuka 0.08 0.28
• Canandaigua 0.08 O.U2
1
1
POI^
TOTAL SOLUBLE
0.06 0.02
0.02 0.01
0.03 0.02
O.OU 0.02
0.0k 0.01
0.03 0.02
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The Lake is northwest of the City of Syracuse. It is about four square
miles in area, with depths ranging between twenty and sixty feet. The main
tributaries are four Creeks, Onondaga, Ley, and Harbor Brook (all three of
which run through Syracuse), and Nine Mile Creek. The outlet of this Lake
flows into the Seneca River, which joins the Oneida River to form the Oswego
River which empties into Lake Ontario - a distance totaling about thirty
miles.
The Lake has a long record of pollution. In addition to the apparent
callous disregard of the area municipalities and industries as to the amount
of pollution they impose on the Lake, the situation is aggravated by its
natural hydrologic features. It appears from a preliminary analysis that the
Lake would be hard pressed to assimilate even highly polished effluents since
it has very little flushing action. The detention time for the Lake has been
estimated at over 200 days, an extremely long time for this size lake.
Analysis of samples taken in the summer of 19^5 indicated a zone of zero
dissolved oxygen concentration below the 25 foot depth. In July of 19^5
total plankton organism counts per milliter ranged up to 100,000 and con-
sisted almost entirely of hardy pollution-tolerant organisms, euglena and
cyclptella. Chlorides ranged between 1,300 and 3,000 mg/1 in different parts
of the Lake. Undoubtedly, the chloride input by the large Allied Chemical,
Solvay Works, is a factor. In a sampling in November of 19&5; ^000
of chlorides were being discharged by Solvay to the Lake.
The organic content of the Lake is also high. Five-day BOD's averaged
15 mg/1 in 1965. This is understandable in view of the fact that the two
large Syracuse treatment plants, and Solvay discharged a PE of over VfO,000.
Overflows from combined sewers are another factor in the high organic content
of the Lake (see discussion on combined sewers in Chapter 5)«
Vast deposits of both organic and inorganic sediments were found in the
Lake in 1965. Cores of the deposits revealed varying layers of black sludge
and white clayey material. The result of many years of discharge of calcium
and sodium carbonates by Solvay and partially treated waste by Syracuse,
these deposits ranged up to ten feet in depth.
Oneida Lake
Oneida Lake is plagued by nuisance weed and excess algal growths re-
sulting from over-fertilization. In addition to being over-fertilized,
mostly from the domestic waste of municipalities on or near the south shore,
the Lake unfortunately affords the ideal bottom surfaces for an abundant
plant growth. The Lake is relatively shallow with only few areas greater
than 20 feet in depth.
In a survey this past summer, approximately 20 square miles or one-
fourth of the Lake surface was covered by some type of plant growth. At the
same time, great masses of odorous sponge-like decaying algae were piled up
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on the beaches. Records show that nuisance algae conditions have always
been a problem on the Lake, but not to the extent experienced in recent
years. A comparison of recent data with that of a study made in 1918 indi-
cates that the suspended organic matter has increased more than five-fold,
and that the types of algae have changed from the relatively harmless free
diatoms to undesireable blue-greens. In the summer of 19&5, nitrate concen-
trations ranged from 0.15 to 0.30 mg/1 and phosphates from 0.2 to greater
than 1.0 mg/1.
The main sources of pollution to the Lake are from three Creeks that
enter the Lake from the south. It has been estimated that the present popu-
lation tributary to these Creeks, Chittenango, Canaseraga, and Oneida, is
about 85,000 people. In no case is the waste treatment by any of the ten
communities comprising this population better than primary.
Oswego River
Formed north of Syracuse by the juncture of the Oneida and Seneca Rivers,
the Osvego is a pollution-laden stream that discharges nearly 6,300 cfs annu-
ally to Lake Ontario. The Oswego, high in dissolved and suspended organics
at its headwaters, receives raw domestic sewage from three communities and
untreated industrial wastes from six large and many small industries.
The River exhibits moderate pollution through and below Phoenix and then
recovers slightly. At Fulton, the canalized section between two locks is a
veritable sewage lagoon. Discharged to the River above and in this section
is the raw waste of the Town's 1^,000 residents,, a large General Foods-Birds -
eye Division food processing pln.nt, Nestle's, Sealright Container and North
End Paper. Together these industries contribute,an organic loading equiva-
lent to a population -.f more than 77,000.
The River receives no respite belcw Fulton. Just two miles downstream,
Armstrong Cork adds '—other loading without treatment of 44,100 PE. Its dis-
charge has created an unsightly delta of deposits in the River below the out-
fall. Further downstream, bottom deposits are re-suspended by passing tugs,
making the River a foul black waterway as it passes Battle Island State Park.
Dissolved oxygen concentrations of 3 to 4 mg/1 were found in this stretch in
August, 1965. The devastation to the River culminates in the discharga by
the City of Oswego of tbe raw waste from nearly 21,000 people.
Finger Lakes
This discussion of the Finger Lakes Region includes Owasco, Canandaigua,
Keuka, Seneca; Cayuga Skaneateles, and Otisco Lakes. Except for some local-
ized pollution at Ithaca, Geneva and Dresden, the quality of the waters in
these Lakes is relatively good. Over fertilization is becoming a problem;
however, and if these Lakes continue to be maltreated in the manner of Oneida
and Onondaga Lakes, they too will become degraded. The purification capacity
of all these Lakes is limited by their relatively long detention times.
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The major problem on the Lakes is the inadequate sewage disposal systems
serving private cottages. Indications are that most of the cottages dis-
charge raw sewage or septic tank effluents directly to the Lakes. At present
the only two large concentrated sources of pollution are municipal wastes
from the Cities of Ithaca and Geneva. Ithaca provides secondary treatment
before discharging its waste tc'Cayuga Inlet. Geneva provides primary treat-
ment before discharging its waste into the northern end of Seneca Lake.
The most striking feature of the area is the series of north-south
valleys that comprise the major portion of the drainage basin. The pictur-
esque Finger Lakes lie in thsse valleys. Streams cascading over hills sur-
rounding the Lakes have carved out more than ^00 gorges and waterfalls,,
creating a scenic wonderland. The region is readily accessible from many of
the large centers of population in the central portion of the State and is
developing more and more as a resort area. A rise in the recreational and
fishing use of the water is probable.
The Finger Lakes were all sampled extensively in 1965. They all re-
vealed benthic organisms and phytoplankton of the clean water variety except
Seneca and Cayuga Lakes. Both of these Lakes are biologically enricheu es-
pecially at their inlets and outlets. Cayuga Inlet at Ithaca is in a pol-
luted state as revealed by its bottom fauna. Si'.nmier populations of sludge-
worms averaged 10,000 organisms/s^. meter. Sludgeworm populations dropped
rapidly in the Lake. The northern end of Cayuga Lake is also highly fertile
due to its shallow water, rooted aquatic vegetation, and warmer temperatures.
This area is part of the Monte zurna Marsh and contains a wide variety of fish
and waterfowl. Catherine Creek at Watkins Glen on Seneca Lake also possessed
a fairly high number of sludgeworms (3,600/sq. meter). At the north end,
near Geneva, the Lake forms a fairly shallow shelf, conducive to the growth
of rooted aquatic vegetation. A variety of both clean water and pollution-
tolerant organisms exist on this shelf, thus providing the support for a wide
variety of fish life.
Phytoplankton populations on both Lakes were fairly uniform throughout
their length. These populations were generally of moderate concentrations
but were dominated by pollution-tolerant green flagellates and green cocoid
algae. Extensive blooms of Anabena have been reported in recent years in the
south end of Cayuga and the north end of Seneca.
In terms of their nutrient content all of the Finger Lakes exhibit signs
of accelerated aging. Table 7~2 is a summary of the average nitrogen and
phosphate results obtained from samples collected in the summer and fall of
1965* Hitrogen and phosphate concentrations are well above the critical re-
quirements for abundant algal growths.
Black River Area
The Black River is in a severely polluted condition. Untreated dis-
charges by nine paper and pulp mills totaling 6^0,000 PE and another 58,000
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PE from communities seriously deteriorate the stream despite the excellent
natural assimilative capacity and the high dilution of the River (average
flow 3,900 cfs).
An estimated organic loading from a population equivalent to almost
430,000, pollutes the Black River in its lower reach below Carthage. Fifty
thousand of this is from municipal discharges. The remaining ninety per cent
is contributed by paper and pulp mills} two-thirds of this by the St. Regis
Paper Co. at Deferiet. In a sampling of this and other mills in the summer
of 1965, the mill's effluent was found to have a devastating effect on the
stream. Emerging from a raceway shrouded with a yellowish colored atmosphere,
a multi-colored water surface and a deposit ladden bottom, this mill's waste
depleted the oxygen resources of the stream for miles downstream. Watertown,
currently discharging a raw waste, is presently constructing primary treat-
ment facilities.
At Lyons Falls the River receives an industrial loading from the Georgia
Pacific-Gould Division, pulp and paper plant of 221,000 PE. Degradation of
the River by this discharge is severe. A joint study by the New York State
Department of Health and the National Council for Stream Improvement in
August, 1965, found the DO to be about 2.0 mg/1 for the entire 30 mile reach
of River between Lyons Falls and Carthage except for a short distance down-
stream of the Beaver River confluence, when the DO rose momemtarily to 4.0
mg/1.
Barge Canal
The waters of the Barge Canal system tributary to Lake Ontario are, in
general, of poor quality. At two areas, below Newark and below Seneca Falls
and Waterloo, the Canal is seriously polluted. In a Water Quality Control
Study of the entire Canal System in 1963 to 1964 by the Public Health Service,
it was determined that 315 municipal and industrial waste discharges impose
an organic loading on the Canal equivalent to 6,000,000 people. More than
five-sixths of this was attributed to industrial discharges. Only 27 per
cent of the 315 sources were known to have received any treatment.
Seneca Falls-Waterloo Area
Known as the Cayuga-Seneca Section of the Barge Canal, this thirteen
mile length of stream is extremely polluted. Many fish kills have been re-
ported near Seneca Falls; of note were the kills in October, 1961, September
of 1962, and October of 1963.
Data from both October, 1963, and September, 1965, revealed the dis-
solved oxygen in this stretch dropped from a level of around 10 mg/1 at its
headwaters at Seneca Lake to consistent lows of 1 to 2 mg/1 at Seneca Falls.
The cause of this degradation is principally industrial wastes and to a lesser
extent the poorly treated municipal waste from the 12,000 residents of Seneca
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Palls and Waterloo. Evans Chemetics vith a PE of 61^,000 and Home Style Foods
(partially treated in the Waterloo treatment plant) with an estimated ef-
fluent equally strong discharge at Waterloo.
Newark Area
Another serious pollution problem exists below Newark. The cause of the
pollution is a combination of a lack of industrial waste treatment and un-
favorable hydrological features. There is a lock at Newark but no dam for
flow regulation. The entire Canal flow is diverted upstream of Newark and
carried via Ganargua Creek to a point on the Canal 18 miles downstream of
Newark. This in effect creates a stagnant pool downstream of Newark.
An industrial waste survey of the three largest industrial polluters
(Edgett and Burnham Cannery; Perfection Canning and Riegel Paper) in the
Newark area and an intensive DO survey of the Canal were conducted in the
summer of 19^5• Dissolved oxygen concentrations dropped from about 8 to 9
mg/1 above Newark to zero mg/1 about one mile below the industrial discharges
at Newark and remained at zero mg/1 until Lyons, a distance of about 7 miles.
Massive fish kills are reported to have occurred in this pool in August of
196l, October, 1963, and November, 196*4-.
Newark does have fairly good treatment for its 12,,000 residents. It is
one of the few secondary treatment plants in the Lake Ontario Basin.
7-8
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CHAPTER 8
LAKE CURRENTS
Lake Ontario
Oceanographic studies of Lake Ontario were begun in August 196^. Their
purpose was to determine the water circulation of the lake, to establish the
cause and effect relationships so as to be able to predict the movement of
pollutants occurring in, and being discharged into, the lake, and to enable
other interested groups to more accurately describe and understand the physi-
cal, biological, and chemical phenomena of the lake. To accomplish this,
seventeen current-metering stations were set in Lake Ontario. Richardson-
type current meters were installed at various depths at each station. The
Richardson current meter is a self-contained recording instrument; a clock
turns it on periodically (every 30 minutes in this case) whereupon it
records directional and speed data for one minute on 16 mm film and then
shuts itself off until it again recycles. Temperature recorders were also
installed, suspended at depths of 30, 50, 75, 100 and every 100 feet there-
after. A recording anemometer was mounted on an anchored surface buoy,
except during the winter months. These stations were in operation for
fourteen months from August 196^ to early November 1965. In order to sup-
plement the current data obtained from these seventeen stations, several
temporary nearshore stations were also operated.
Description
Lake Ontario is approximately 190 miles long and 53 miles wide. Its
greatest depth is 8^2 feet; the average depth is 300 feet. The total
volume of the lake is 391 cubic miles and retention time is on the order
of nine years. The surface area of the lake is 7,600 square miles; its
basinal area is 3^-j800 square miles. The lake surface is 2U6 feet above
sea level and its deepest part is 600 feet below sea level. The Niagara
River, with an average yearly flow of 205,000 cubic feet per second, is by
far the largest river draining into the lake. Mean yearly outflow through
the St. Lawrence River is 2^1,000 cubic feet per second. Net inflow to
Lake Ontario from other streams and ground-water sources is on the order
of 35»000 cubic feet per second.
Lake Ontario can be divided into two longitudinal basins: one is
located almost centrally, with a maximum depth of 630 feet, and the other
is at the eastern end of the lake and has a maximum depth of 8^2 feet. Of
the two basins, the shallower one comprises almost two-thirds of the lake
and has gently sloping sides. The deeper basin is much more sharply defined.
A ridge separates the two basins, with a maximum sill depth of 5^0 feet.
8-1
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Factors Governing Water Circulation
Three principal factors govern water circulation: the winds, their
velocity and direction; water temperature, as it affects density varia-
tions within a water column; and barometric pressure, as regards low and
high pressure cells, their direction, areal extent and magnitude. All
three factors, winds, barometric pressure, and temperatures are acting
on the water mass; however, the dominant factors are the winds occurring
over the water surface and the temperature characteristics of the water
column. Other factors that act upon the movements generated by the winds,
temperatures, and barometric pressure are the harmonic reinforcement or
attenuation due to the physical shape of the lake basin and the rotation
of the earth, or the ^oriolis effect.
Winds
The wind data collected at the current-metering stations shows that
the prevailing, or net transport, direction is from the southwest in the
summer and fall months. In the winter and spring months data from land
stations show a northerly shift in the prevailing winds; the directions
are west to northwest. Lake stations near the shore tend to show the
effects of onshore and offshore winds, which askews their directional
modes. While the direction of net wind agrees well with the prevailing
land winds, the total flow directions do not agree well. Winds observed over
the lake quite often have no relation to the winds on land. Thus, it
would be difficult to predict what the directions of lake currents are
solely from shore-based wind stations.
The average wind velocities observed were about 15 miles per hour.
The empirical relation between winds and currents observed by previous
investigators is that currents travel approximately 45 degrees to the
right of the mean wind direction and current velocities are approxima-
tely 2 percent of wind velocity. With our data still not completely
processed, we find currents to flow approximately 30 decrees to the
right of the mean wind direction and current velocities somewhat less
than 2 percent of the wind velocity.
Temperatures
Lake Ontario is a dimictic lake having a surface temperature
above 56°F. in summer and below 39 F. in winter, a large thermal gradient,
and two vertical circulation periods, one in spring and one in fall.
In Lake Ontario, heating in the spring from a low temperature, the water
becomes divided into an upper layer of warm, readily circulating, and
turbulent water called the epilimnion, and a lower layer of cold, and
relatively undisturbed water called the hypolimnion. A layer separating
the epilimnion and hypolimnion, a region where a rapid temperature change
takes place, is called the thermocline.
When the lake is stratified the waters in the hypolimnion (the lower
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layer) are physically and chemically isolated, the effects of which are
that during this period little oxygen replacement takes place in this
zone and any chemical or biological system must operate on a reserve
supply. Fortunately, in the case of Lake Ontario, 85 percent of the
lake's volume is in the hypolimnion (the lower layer). This is not the
case in shallow-water lakes, such as Lake Erie, where less than 20 per-
cent of the total volume is contained in the hypolimnion and serious
oxygen depletion is common. Daring this period of stratification the
volume of water with which a pollutant could mix is greatly reduced.
What may be considered a safe input in the winter months when the lake
is essentially isothermal may in summer months be critical, particularly
in embayments during periods of quiesence.
In the winter months the lake again becomes stratified, but the
stratification is not as stable nor as pronounced as in summer, so that
for practical purposes the lake can be considered to be essentially
isothermal. At this time the bottom layer will again be made up of
water at maximum dengity of 39°F., but the surface layer can cool to a
temperature below 39 F. Thus, in winter there is at times warmer water
at the bottom of the lake and a colder layer at the surface. The period of
thermal change between summer and winter conditions is called the "over-
turn" .
The
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0-
100-
zoo-
300-
400-
Gibroltor Pt.
N
Prince Edward
Point
0-
Niagara River
Little Sodus
Bay
GREAT LAKES 5 ILLINOIS RIVER BASINS PROJECT
LAKE ONTARIO PROGRAM
TEMPERATURE PROFILES
OF LAKE ONTARIO
DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ADMIN.
GREAT LAKES REGION CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
FIGURE 8-1
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FIGURE 8-2
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develops at U°C. isotherm. This thermal bar or interface of maximum density
hinders mixing between the two waters. Pollutants discharged into the
inshore side of the J 3rmal bar at this time could build up to high levels,
particularly in embayments.
Currents
The data collected during the first phase of operation (August to
November 196U) show that the net surface flow (Figure 8-3) is well developed
toward the east along the southern shore, with a lesser return flow to the
west along the northern shore; the return flow originates in the area east
of Scotch Bonnet Shoal. The net flow (Figure &-h) of what can be considered
Niagara River water is strongly developed toward the east. There is a sug-
gestion of a gyral occur--"- ; in the western end of the lake. If this gyral
is there, retention times for any pollutant discharged into this area would,
naturally be longer and some build-up could occur. In the eastern end of
the lake, net flows are generally towards the northeast and are less sharply
defined than in the western end of the lake.
Not all of the data from Phase II (November I^6k to May 19&5) and
Phase III (May 1965 to October 19&5) °f current -metering operations has been
processed, but it appears that the previously-described system of net cir-
culation is associated with the lake being vertically stratified. The
counterclockwise circulation in the western end becomes dominant in late
June and remains so until sometime in November, which is when fall overturn
occurs and the lake becomes essentially isothermal. From late November,
the net surface circulation in the western end is eastward, suggesting that
upwelling occurs often in this end of the lake. While the fact that the
lake is essentially isothermal during this period is important in establish-
ing this system of circulation, the direction of the prevailing winds has
shifted and increased in velocity so that the winds are now principally
from the northwest, whereas before they were from the west -southwest. That
is, the whole net surface flow of the lake is eastward and a bottom return
flow is developed westward. Thus, while the previously counterclockwise
circulation still exists to some extent, the dominant direction of net
surface flow is to""ird the east and the circulation is verticular, parti-
cularly in the western end. In other words, the surface layer in the
western end is being displaced to the east, and this water is replaced by
deeper water (upwelling). As the surface layer moves eastward it cools
and gradually sinks to replace the bottom water that is being displaced
westward. At this time, the lake is sort of cleaning its house to have
another go at summer. This pattern lasts until the lake again becomes
stratified and the winds become more from the south, which is sometime in
June.
The average effective velocity (the velocity of ne": water transport)
is approximately 5 cm/sec. The average velocity is on the order of 15 cm/sec,
Velocities observed ranged from the starting speed of the current meter,
0.05 cm/sec., to over 50 cm/sec.
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FIGtJRF
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30 %H
i
20 -
10 -
30 Feet
^-—
30 % -
20 -
10 -
-N-
n
30%-
20 -
10 -
75 Feet
-
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50 Feet
<£- — T
<^-^^
30%-
20 -
10 -
100 Feet
•
GREAT LAKES 8 ILLINOIS RIVER BASINS PROJECT
LAKE ONTARIO PROGRAM
POLAR HISTOGRAMS OF STA 18
FOUR MILES N.W. OF NIAGARA RIVER
NET FLOW AUG. TO OCT. 1964
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ADMIN.
GREAT LAKES REGION CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
FIGURE 8-4
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Rochester Embayment
Of special interest in water pollution control is the effect that
pollution, stemming from several sewer outfalls and the Genesee River,
has on bathing beaches and various water intakes within the Rochester
Embayment.
Braddock Point to the west and Wine Mile Point to the east form the
general limits of the Rochester Embayment. The total area of the Bay is
approximately 35 square miles and it contains approximately 8 million cubic
feet of water. The average stream flow of the Genesee River, the princi-
pal stream discharging into the Bay, is 2,726 cubic feet/sec.
The Lake Ontario Program Office has placed a total of five current-
metering stations within the Embayment (Figure 8-5) in order to determine
what the water circulation is and how it relates to the winds and the move-
ment of pollutants. Station No. 19, data from which this preliminary
report is based, was in operation from November 15, 196^ to December 3>
196^, and was located on the western side of the Embayment near the Monroe
County Water Authority's intake at a depth of ^5 feet. The other stations
were only recently retrieved and data recovered from them. Analysis of
these data is now in progress, and results will be available for a later
report.
Temperatures
The temperature characteristics of the Rochester Embayment are much
like those of the rest of the Lake. Stratification develops in May and
lasts until November. During approximately eight months of the year, the
water of the Genesee River is warmer and, therefore, less dense than the
Embayment waters. This means that during this time Genesee River water
will float out on top of the Embayment's surface waters and be in a position
to be most readily affected by the winds.
The effluent from the Rochester Sanitary Outfall appears to have a
higher temperature than the Embayment waters all year round; thus the
effluent will rise and then spread out over the surface where its movement
can also be readily affected by the winds.
The important point here is that, while the volume of water moving
through a prismatic cross-section of the Embayment, at any one time, is
huge compared to the discharge of the Sanitary Outfall and Genesee River,
the waters from the Genesee River and the Sanitary Outfall are confined
generally to a thin layer on the surface and pollutants can thus be readily
transported in any direction about the Embayment by the winds until the
polluted layer is mixed with the lake waters and even then throughout the
summer months this mixing will occur only in the epilimnion.
8-5
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FIGURE 8-S
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Currents
There exists a very close relation between wind direction and cur-
rent direction and wind velocity and current velocity in the Rochester
Embayment. The response of the water mass to a change is quite rapid,
sometimes it is less than four hours. Except for times when a current
reversal was taking place the currents either move in a westerly direc-
tion or an easterly direction. When the currents are flowing easterly
the flow of the Genesee River and the discharge from the Rochester Sani-
tary Outfall will be included in this flow. The same holds true when a
westerly flow is established. Both the westerly and easterly flow will
have a tendency to move inshore,particularly the surface waters.
Winds from the northwest (because of the shape of the Embayment)
at times generate a westerly current. As the winds come more from the
north the likelihood of a westerly flow increases. Winds from the
north and northeast will generate a current flowing westerly. This
current is probably the most important as regards pollution to the
western beaches and the water intakes in that it has a strong inshore
tendency which will more or less slide the surface waters into shore where
they can concentrate. Added to this is the fact that winds from these
directions will most likely be somewhat higher in velocity than winds from
other directions.
Winds from the east and southeast will cause currents to flow
westerly, however, this current will tend to move surface waters away
from shore. Winds from the west northwest, wes^ southwest, soutl)
southeast will generate an easterly flow. The current generated by a
west northwest to west wind will have a strong inshore tendency; the
tendency will be reduced as the wind comes more from the south.
Predictions of current directions based on wind records for a five-
year period from the U. S. Coast Guard Station at Rochester, New York, is
that currents flowing towards the east will occur 55 percent of the time;
currents flowing to the west will occur 35 percent of the time, and 10
percent of the time the currents will be in the process of reversal.
Usually during a period of wind change, say from west to northeast,
there is a period of calm at which time the current velocities become
quite low. A possible hazard lies in the fact that during this period
of quiescence a pool of polluted water could form in the area of the
sewer outfall, spreading out on the surface, and then as the wind shifts
to the northeast and picks up in velocity the polluted water could be
moved rapidly inshore, affecting the bathing areas. A continuing shift
in wind conditions and inshore turbulence would break the pool up and
move it away. Thus no biological evidence of this pollution would
exist, unless a sample was fortuitously taken during this period. Such
conditions, as this rapid in and out movement of water could occur in
a day or less. Further, if after the sample was tested and it was de-
termined that pollution was serious enough to close the beaches, the
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decision would be a day late and the beaches could be closed because of
pollution that was no longer existing. To carry it further,, if the winds
had a periodocity of 2k hours, beaches might be open when pollution existed
and closed when no pollution existed. The point here is that an under-
standing of the relation between wind, currents and bacteriology is needed
in order to make intelligent decisions.
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1 '.:•.-., 'Jj'jko.? Driva -
O.ICC.-D, Illinois 6060S
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