UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ADMINISTRATION
GREAT LAKES REGION
AUGUST 1966
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STATEMENT ON
WATER POLLUTION IN THE LAKE ERIE BASIN
Prepared for the Natural Resources and Power
Subcommittee of the House Committee on
Government Operations.
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration
Great Lakes-Illinois River Basins Project
Lake Erie Program Office
Cleveland, Ohio
August 1966
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PREFACE
This statement by the Department of the Interior on water
pollution in the Lake Erie Basin summarizes the principal problems
within the Lake proper and the contributions to those problems by
the various tributaries and direct dis-charges to the Lake.
Recommendations for remedial action, as agreed upon by the
various states concerned and the Federal Government are contained
herein. The recommendations, when fully implemented, should im-
prove and maintain the quality of Lake Erie water at a level
adequate for all legitimate uses. Implementation requires the full
cooperation and coordination of water pollution control agencies
at all levels of government.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter Subject
1 Introduction
2 Summary
3 Lake Erie
4 Maumee
5 North Central Ohio
6 Greater Cleveland-Cuyahoga
7 Northeastern Ohio
8 Pennsylvania
9 New York
10 Michigan
11 Federal Enforcement Activity
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LIST OF FIGURES
After
Number Title Page No.
3-1 Location Map 3-1
3-2 Bottom Deposits and Topography 3-1
3-3 Generalized Surface Current Flow 3-3
3-4 Dissolved Oxygen Bottom Waters 3-H
5-1 North Central Ohio Basin 5-1
5-2 North Central Ohio Municipal Waste
Discharges 5-4
5-3 North Central Ohio Industrial Waste
Discharges 5-6
6-1 Rocky-Cuyahoga - Chagrin Basins 6-1
6-2 Rocky-Cuyahoga - Chagrin Basins 6-2
7-1 Grand-Ashtabula - Conneaut Basins 7-1
7-2 Grand-Ashtabula - Conneaut Basins 7-2
8-1 Pennsylvania Basin 8-1
8-2 Pennsylvania Basin 8-1
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LIST OF TABLES
Number Title PS^H ."'<-_-
3-1 Municipal Waste Treatment Facilities
3-2 Industries in Lake Erie
3-3 Industrial Waste Discharges
3-4 Suspended Solids Inputs 3 -2't
3-5 Chloride Inputs : <•*-
3-6 Total Nitrogen Inputs :< '•
3-7 Soluble Phosphate Inputs
7-1 Northeastern Ohio Municipal Waste
Inputs
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CiiAPTEP 1 - INTRODUCTION
AUTHOPITY
Comprehensive water pollution control studies were authorized
by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1956, as amended
(33 USC 466 et sen.). Initiation of the Creat Lakes-Illinois River
Comprehensive Program Activity followed an appropriation of funds by
the 86th Congress late in 1960. In accordance with the provisions of
the Act, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare delegated the
responsibility for the study to the Division of Water Supply and
Pollution Control of the Public Health Service. Passages of the "Water
Quality Act of 1965" gave the responsibility for these studies to the
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration (FWPCA). As a result
of Feorpanizatinn Plan No. 2 of 1966, the FWPCA was transferred from
the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to the Department of
the Interior effective May 10, 1966.
PURPOSE
This document discusses the quality characteristics of the
waters of Lake L'rie and its tributaries as they exist today and
some of the trends in recent years. It evaluates the effect of
waste discharges on water uses, summarizing the principal problems
and recommended corrections.
SCOPE
The area covered by this report includes the waters of Lake
Erie proper and the tributary basins in Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsyl-
vania. Detailed descriptions of Michigan and New York tributaries
have been the subjects of separate reports and are not discussed
except in very general terms.
ORGANIZATION
After initial funds for the Creat Lakes study were appropriated
by Congress in I960, the overall Creat Lakes-Illinois Fiver Basin
Project, and eventually separate Basin Program Offices were estab-
lished. The Lake Erie Program Office at Cleveland, Ohio was opened
in October 1962 to begin the Lake Erie portion of the Creat Lakes
study. The Lake Erie Program Office is now located at 21929 Lorain
Road, Cleveland, Ohio. Its permanent staff includes specialists in
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,-.i'.i-al si.ills, including sanitary and hydraulic
no1 i:>ts, biologists, bacteriologists, and oceanopraphfrs.
'..•.-. r, c~v,i! freely on the resources of the Pobert A. Taft
ji.ct'riiv Center at Cincinnati, Ohio arid the Cor.ir.uriicable
L.J .-.i. Atlanta, Ceorpia. Additional assistance and puidance
iut- have been obtained from the Great Lakes-Illinois !>iver
'. in Cliicapo.
:.t-;it i:-: based on studies made over the past three years
3,0 Piot;iam Office. As renuired l-y the authorizing
!u Late Erie Program Office has vorked closely with
.:vu: other '"ederal apenc.ies to develop a water pollution
A list of the principal agencies which have partici-
; rei aral.ion of special reports or through their release
_, ri (.ri.iation is as follows:
•i..it*! ..utf.r Resources Conniission
. ,- " r '• riei.r. >;*" iicalth
I"-U r^il.'l ,
:)tate Lioarei of ilealth
'•>trea \ Pollution Control Board
11 i o:
^ater Follution Control Board
Department cf Health
Department oi i.'atural !'esourcer>
, ''i. ^t'par uutiiil. of the Ariuy
iorps oi engineers
, . . PI.'' ait-i'-.ent oi C.oirmerce
-i' "i r .'.ure^u
• •'f'.ii '. i business Economics
, •. t'.p'Luent of the Interior
..i i( , = ,! ,1 Cor^.erci a'l Fisheries
r,!irt>;i;i ct (Hitdoor Recreation
.uvc ,! ;)f Sport Fisheries and '..'ildlife
t •U ; i Lai Surve"
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CHAPTER 2 - SUMMARY
Lake Erie and its tributaries are polluted.
of tht: Lake is deteriorating in quality at a rate greater than
that of normal af;inj; due to inputs of pollution resulting fron;
the activities of man.
Pollutants which damage water uses in Lake Erie are sewapc
and industrial wastes, oils, silts, sediments, floating solids,
and nutrients (nhcsnhates and nitrates). They cause significant
damage to recreation, commercial fishing, sport fishing, navigation,
water supply, and esthetic values.
Eutrophication, or over-fertilization, of Lake Erie and the
Maumee River is of najor concern. J'roblens froi: algal growths
stimulated by nutrients are occurring alone the Lal;e shoreline and
at sorie water intakes. Algal growths can be controlled. Eutrophi-
cation of Lake Erie may be retarilecl and perhaps even reversed by
reducing one or more nutrients to below the level required for
extensive growth.
Soluble phosphate is the one nutrient most amenable to re-
duction or exclusion from Lake Erie and its tributaries. Present
technology is capable of removing a hiph percentage of soluble
phosphates from sewage at a reasonable cost.
More than three-fourths of the soluble phosphates reaching
Lake Erie are fron municipal waste discharges. (''unicipal discharges
include some industrial wastes which are routed through municipal
facilities.) Secondary sewape treatment plants, if properly designed
and operated, will remove a significantly greater amount of phosphorus
compounds that primary treatment plants can remove.
Mscharj-es of municipal and industrial wastes originating in
Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and I.'ew York are endangering
the health or welfare of persons in states other than those in which
such discharges originate. This pollution is subject to abatement
under the Federal i.'ater Pollution Control Act.
The Maum.ee, 'Jandusky, ,-Slack, 1!ockv, and Cu^ahof;.-: Pivers and
their tributaries, all of which are tributary to Lake Erie in f>hio,
are grossly polluted. This pollution is caused by refuse, sewafc,
and sludfe which result in low dissolved oxygen, alfal growths,
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bacterial contamination, and odors. Other pollutants found in
significant areas of Lake Erie tributaries are oil, silt, and sedi-
ment. Specifically, phenols and nitrogenous compounds cause taste
and odor problems in municipal water supplies. Pollution interferes
with water uses for municipal and industrial supply, recreation,
fishing, and esthetic enjoyment.
Lake Erie and its tributary streams in the Pennsylvania Basin
are polluted by discharges of municipal and industrial wastes,
combined sewer overflows, accidental spills from vessels and in-
dustries, wastes from Lake vessels, and land drainage. This pol-
lution has caused taste and odor problems in domestic water supplies,
bacterial contamination of bathing beaches, fish kills, and algal
growths. In addition, wastes which cause the receiving waters to
foam, turn blackish-brown, and have a foul odor have interfered
with recreation and esthetic enjoyment.
Lake Erie and its tributary streams in the western New York
Basin and the Erie-Niagara Basin in New York are polluted by
municipal and industrial wastes. Discharges of these wastes cause
interferences with municipal and industrial supplies, recreation,
fish and aquatic life. In addition, these wastes cause discolora-
tion of the receiving waters, foul odors, and algal growths.
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CHAPTER 3 - LAKE ERIE
DESCRIPTION OF AREA
General Description
Lake Erie is the oldest, southernmost, and wannest of the Great
Lakes. It is by far the shallowest, and the only one with its entire
water mass lying above sea level. Lake Erie contains the smallest
volume of water; it is the most turbid; it is subject to the widest
fluctuations in water level; it has the flattest bottom; and it
undergoes the most violent wave activity. It is also the most studied
and probably the least understood. At least in recent years, it
apparently has changed the most rapidly in its chemistry and biology.
Lake Erie (Figure 3~1) is approximately 240 miles long with
its long axis oriented at about N 70° E. It is more than 50 miles
wide near the mid-point of its long axis. The lake covers an area
of 9,940 square miles, and contains a total water volume of approxi-
mately 113 cubic miles.
Figure 5-2 shows the topography of the Lake Erie bottom, with
a 20-foot contour interval, as interpreted from IJ. S. Lake Survey
charts and soundings made by the Ohio Division of Geological Survey.
Topographically, Lake Erie is separated into three basins. The
relatively small shallow western basin is separated from the large,
somewhat deeper, flat-bottomed central basin by a rocky island chain.
The relatively deep, bowl-shaped eastern basin is separated from the
central basin by a low, wide sand and gravel ridge near Erie,Pennsyl-
vania. The average depth of the western basin is 24 feet, the central
basin, 60 feet, and the eastern basin, 80 feet.
In general, the water in the western basin is the most turbid.
It is much less turbid in the central basin and is usually very
clear in the eastern basin.
Hydrology
Precipitation on the lake surface is a direct contribution to
its water supply and the lake level is affected immediately. Overwater
precipitation measurements are lacking; thus perimeter weather station
data must be transposed to the lake area. Average annual precipitation
over the lake has been estimated at 34.6 inches.
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FIGURE 3-1
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Surface runoff from the drainage area enters the lake via the
many tributary rivers or by direct runoff from the shore areas.
Average annual runoff since 1937 has been estimated at 21,000 cubic
feet per second (cfs) , equivalent to 29.1 inches of x^ater over the lake's
surface, and corresponding to 35 percent of the overland precipitation.
About 90 percent of the total inflow to Lake Erie comes from
the Detroit River, the drainage outlet for Lake Huron, The average
annual inflow, as measured by the U. S. Lake Survey near the head of
the Detroit River is 182,000 cfs, equivalent to 251.1 inches of water
on Lake Erie.
The outflow front Lake Erie is through the Niagara River at
Buffalo and the 1/elland Canal diversion at Port Colborne. Combined
outflow averages about 202,000 cfs annually. Seasonally, both inflow
and outflow are generally higher in the early sunnier and lower in the
x.'inter.
Evaporation from the lake surface is controlled by clinatological
conditions, and it is difficult to assess with confidence. According
to one estimate, it averages annually 33.5 inches. The minimum average
monthly evaporation occurs in April when the air-water temperature
difference is small and the water temperature rises sharply, absorbing
heat from the atmosphere. In September, when the water temperature
decreases sharply, dissipating heat into the atmosphere, the maximum
average monthly evaporation occurs. The low evaporation season extends
from January through June, and the high evaporation season is from July
through December.
The variations of lake level on an annual basis are small,
though on a monthly basis they may be relatively large. The average
annual change in lake storage in the period 1937-1959 has been in-
significant and it is therefore unimportant in the computations of
an average annual water budget.
Lake Currents
The net movement of water in Lake Erie is from west to east,
draining into Lake Ontario via the Niagara River. Figure 3~3 shows
the generalized flow pattern within the upper 30 feet.
About 90 percent of the input to Lake Erie is from the
Detroit River, Host of this flow comes down the center of the river,
fanning out and continuing far southward into the western basin.
The flow along the west side of the river continues along the Michigan
shore to mix with the Maumee River discharge. This flox; then con-
tinues eastward along the Ohio shore. The flow along the east side
of the Detroit River appears to move eastward along the Canadian shore.
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FIGURE 3-2
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The western basin water mixes in the island area, and most of
it then drains into the central basin via Pelee Passage. Apparently,
a dominant flow toward the west exists in the southern channels,
creating a rotary movement in the island area.
The drainage from Pelee Passage appears to reach as far south
as the Ohio shore, at least at the surface. Much of the flow must,
however, turn eastward before reaching that far south, as shown in
Figure 3-3.
The predominant eastward flow in the central and eastern basin is
reinforced by prevailing winds from the southwest. However, wind studies
for a 10-year period for Lake Erie indicate that the reversed pattern
of flox-7 may occur nearly 25 percent of the tine.
Discharges from tributary streams along the south shore such as
the Huron, Vermilion, Black, and Cuyahoga Rivers, and other streams to
the east in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York tend to stay along the
south shore and move normally eastward with an alternate, but smaller
secondary flow to the west, General dispersal of the flows from the
south shore streams with the deeper off-shore waters is limited.
The discharge of wastes and the tributary streams along the south
shore of the lake will contribute to the pollution of beaches and
other water uses as it moves along the shore, both from Ohio waters
into Pennsylvania and to a lesser extent fron Pennsylvania to Ohio.
This along-shore flow will also apply to the movement of tributary
streams and wastes from Pennsylvania to New York and to a lesser degree
from New York to Pennsylvania.
Deep water or mid-lake circulation is complex in the central
and eastern basins, being controlled to a great degree by the wind.
The wind induces surface flow in its general direction accompanied by
an opposing subsurface flow into the wind. Since south-west x-;inds
prevail, the surface flow is dominantly toward the east and the sub-
surface flow is dominantly toward the west over most of the central
and eastern basins. A wide band along the Canadian shore, as wide
as about 1/3 of the lake's width, moves predominantly eastward from top
to bottom.
It is apparent that discharges anywhere along the shores of
Lake Erie can affect water quality in Lake Erie, with the dominant
effect occurring from west to east.
Population
The 1960 census shows that approximately 10 million persons
live in the U. S. portion and 1.2 million persons live in the
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II
FIGURE 3-3
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Canadian portion of the Lake Erie Basin. This is almost three times
the 1910 population. Population of the U. S. Portion of the Basin
is expected to double within the next 50 years. By the year 2020,
the total population of the U. S. portion of the Basin is expected
to exceed 23 million. Although this overall rate of growth is com-
parable to the estimated national growth rate, past and estimated
future growth rates show great differences within the x^atershed.
Between 1940 and 1960 many economic subregions and the counties
which comprise them have shown rapid growth rates. Almost 80 percent
of the population is evenly divided between Michigan and Ohio.
Counties which have shown the most rapid growth rates during
the 1950-1960 decade include Macomb and Oakland Counties in Michigan,
and Lake and Geauga Counties in Ohio, In terras of actual numbers, how-
ever, the largest increases were in Oakland, Macornb, and Wayne Counties
in Michigan; Allen County in Indiana; Erie County in New York; and
Cuyahoga, Summit, Lorain, and Lucas Counties in Ohio. These nine
counties of the total of 45 in the Basin accounted 'for 50 percent of
the 1950-1960 increase in population. Present indications are that
these large metropolitan counties will account for an even greater
share of the total population of the Basin in the future.
Economics
Industrial activity as measured by Value Added by Manufacture,
although occurring in substantial volume in most counties, is for
the most part highly concentrated in a few metropolitan areas. The
leading counties in 1958 were: Wayne, Michigan; Cuyahoga, Ohio;
Erie, New York; Summit, Ohio; Lucas, Ohio; and Oakland and Maconb in
Michigan, in the order listed. These seven counties in 1958 accounted
for 75 percent of the total Value Added by !Ianfacture in the entire
watershed. Manufacturing is even more concentrated in a small group
of counties than Is the population. Whereas the total population of
the watershed will more than double by the year 2020, industrial activity
may increase six-or seven-fold.
The dominant industries in the largest metropolitan areas in
this [highly industrialized region arc as follows:
Detroit
Automotive and related industry, steel, chenicals, pulp and
paper, petroleum refining, and rubber.
Toledo
Automotive, glass, petroJ>eurr refining, and steel.
Cleveland
Steel, steel fabricating, automotive, and chemical.
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Erie
Pulp and paper, and general manufacturing.
.Buffalo
Steel, chemical, automotive, pulp and paper, Portland cement,
flour milling, and electrical equipment.
IMPORTANCE OF LAKE ERIE AS A WATER RESOURCE
Municipal Water Supply
Lake Erie is used as a source of municipal water supply by
27 x^aterworks serving raany municipalities. These municipal systems
serve more than 3.2 million people, and a number of industrial
firms, with some 619 million gallons per day.
A summary hy states showing the number of municipalities,
population served, and estimated water usage is given below. The
Ohio portion of the Basin accounts for about two-thirds of the use.
Number of Estimated Estimated
Municipal Population Water Usage
State Systems Served
Ohio 16 2,239,000 409
Michigan 2 23,000 3
Pennsylvania 1 160,000 44
New York 8 835.000. 163
27 3,257,000 619
Industrial VJater Supply.
Industries use an estimated 4.7 billion gallons of water
daily from Lake Erie. As the tabulation below shows, power pro-
duction (cooling water) accounts for sone 80 percent of the in-
dustrial withdrawals. VJater used for other industrial cooling
accounts for approximately 15 percent. Approximately 100 million
gallons per day (n;p,d) is withdrawn directly by industries as
process water. In addition, an unknown amount of industrial
process water is obtained from municipal supplies.
Total
Industrial Amount Used Amount Used
Withdrawal for Power for Cooling
.State (mgd) (niRci) _ feyp
Ohio 2,210 1,920 270
Michigan 337 190 2
Pennsylvania 170 140 20
New York 2,020 1,600 350
4,717 3,850 642
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Lake Eric Commerce
Lake Erie is fourth in size of the five Great Lakes, but
its total freight tonnage of 107.5 Million tons was second only
to that of Lake Huron in 1962.
The domestic shipping in 1962 on Lake Erie was 74.7 nil lion
tons, or 70 percent of the total tonnage. Domestic shipping
included all commercial movements between points in the conti-
nental United States. The foreign shipping (93 percent Canadian)
was 32.8 million tons, 30 percent of the total. In ton-mileage,
Lake Erie accounted for 12,6 billion ton-niles.
Lake Erie lias eleven major U. S. ports: Toledo, Detroit,
Cleveland, Buffalo, Ashtabula, Lorain, Sandusky, Conncaut, Fairport,
Erie, and Huron. During the period ifom 1953 to 1962, eight of
these ports have shown a decline in total tonnage. In 1964, the
Corps of Engineers dredged about 3.3 million cubic yards from Lake
Erie ports at a cost of about $1.2 million for routine Maintenance
of navigation channels.
Recreation
Lake Erie has few l®ng vide sand beaches. The best beaches
are at Catawba Island; Cedar Point at Sandusky; and Krie, Pennsylvania.
These highly developed recreational areas attract thousands of people
each year. The beaches in most other areas are relatively narrow.
Some cities, such as Cleveland, have developed artificial beaches in
order to serve the people in the area.
Lake Erie is used extensively for other recreational purposes
such as fishing and boating. There are many boat launching ramps
along the lake shore; and therefore,it is possible for people from
a wide area to use the resource. A large number of boats are trailered
to various sites each weekend, many from outside the area, Due to
this fact, it is difficult to determine exactly how many boats are
actually using the Lake. Hoxvever, an estimate can be made by total-
ing the boats registered in the counties near the Lake. This is
the basis for the second column in the tabulation below.
Total State
Boat Registration Estimated ','unber
State (1964) Using Lake, Trie.
Ohio 142,922 73,000
Michigan 362,112 79,000
Pennsylvania 70,359 6,000
New York 335,000* 34,000
918,393 192,000
^Estimate made by State of New York, Department of Conservation
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Fishing
Comme'rcial fishing has been practiced in Lake Eric for no re than
a century and a half. It has always produced more fish and a greater
variety of fish than the other Great Lakes. However, dramatic
changes have occurred during the past 30 to 60 years. The species
composition has varied greatly, and the annual harvest has diminished.
Lake herring practically vanished around 1890, and whitefish have
declined greatly since about 1920. Lake trout, which never reached
great numbers, are practically non-existent today. The blue pike, a
highly desirable species, declined from a peak annual U. S, cntch of
20 million pounds in 1936 to a meager 7,400 pounds in 1960. Saucer
also declined sharply from a U. S. catch of about 6 nillion pounds
in 1916 to alnost none in 1960.
The importance of sport fishing in Lake Erie is reflected in the
numbers of fishermen and in the annual harvest of sport fishes. In
the counties bordering Lake Erie, nore than one-half million fishing
licenses were issued in 1964. Presumably, a good nnny of those people
fish in Lake Erie. According to a 1964 report by the Ohio Department
of Natural Resources, boat anglers in 1960 harvested 1,300,000 pounds
of fish. During that year, the Ohio commercial catch was 1,290,000
pounds. Species that predominated the sport harvest were yellow perch,
sheepshead, white bass, small-mouth bass, channel catfish, and
walleyes. The highest intensity of sport fishing was in the island
area. Fishing pressure is also heavy in the Michigan and Pennsylvania
waters.
LAKE EUTROPHICATIOH
Lake Enrichment
Eutrophication is a term that is increasingly used to mean
enrichment of waters through either man-created or natural means.
Natural enrichment produces a rate of lake aging that nay be
measured only by the clock of geologic time. Additional fertili-
zation will accelerate the rate of lake aging, making noticeable
changes in water quality within a decade or even less. For example,
growing cities and expanding industries are pouring nutrients into
the nation's waterways at an ever-increasing rate, and aquatic weed
and algae nuisances are occurring in areas where they did not exist
before.
To the layman, the most perceptible characteristics are nuisance
growths of small suspended plants or algal scums, developing areas
of attached algae, and odors associated with decaying vegetation.
More subtle changes can be found by the investigator as indicated by
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decreased light penetration; decreased dissolved oxygen in bottom
waters; increased nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in the
bottom sediments in the deeper waters; significant increases and
changes in the algal population; and increases in the kinds and
numbers of bottom dwelling organisms.
There are many elements that are essential to life processes.
Among these are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus,
potassium*sulfur, and several trace minerals. Nitrogen, phos-
phorus, and potassium are the elements most often applied as
fertilizer in agricultural practice. Of the above elements, the
ones most amenable to artificial control as inputs to lakes are
nitrogen and phosphorus—particularly phosphorus. Phosphorus in
the form of phosphate is usually present only in small amounts in
unpolluted water. The discharges of domestic sewage and certain
industrial wastes increase the concentration of phosphate. Organic
phosphate in sewage and simple and complex phosphates from synthetic
detergents are the principal sources. Decomposition of the organic
material, along with soluble phosphates, results in phosphate con-
centrations in the Lake higher than the requirement for plant growth.
It is well documented that many lakes throughout the country
have been fertile reservoirs for algal development for many years
and have been labeled eutrophic. Included among these are Lake
Zoar in Connecticut, Lake Sebasticook in Maine, the Madison Lakes
in Wisconsin, Lake Erie, the Detroit Lakes in Minnesota, Green
Lake and Lake Washington in Washington, and Klaraath Lake in Oregon.
Of these, Lake Erie is the largest.
When the concentrations of inorganic nitrogen and soluble
phosphate exceed 0.3 mg/1 and 0.03 mg/1, respecitvely, prior to
the algal growing season and when other growth conditions such as
light, temperature, turbulence, and turbidity are favorable, algal
blooms develop, Those algae that would usually occur in small
numbers in infertile lakes become supplanted by larger populations
of more troublesome kinds.
As nutrient concentrations increase, the numbers of algal
cells increase. Nuisance conditions occur, such as surface scums
and foul-smellirig water. Filter-clogging problems r.ay occur at
municipal water supplies. Filamentous algae, especially Cladophora.
grow profusely on suitable subsurfaces. They, too, cause nuisance
conditions when they break loose and wash ashore at bathing beaches
to fom windrows of stinking vegetation. Growths of filamentous
algae and slimes hamper commercial fishinf by adhering to nets,
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and interfere with municipal and industrial water supplier, by clrgginp
intake screens.
At this stage of cutrophication, other changes occur in the Lake.
The bottou changes by increased deposition of organic material; this
habitat then changes from one suitable for mayfly nymphs, scuds, and
other small organisms favored as food by desirable fish to one x-here
only sludgeworms and bloodworms can exist. Fish populations change
to the coarser species because the habitat is core favorable to then.
Nutrient concentrations in Lake Erie indicate that soluble
phosphate values in the western basin consistentIv exceed the stated
critical value during studies in 1963 and 1964 with averugc concentra-
tions ranging from 0.05 to 0.15 rag/1. The central and eastern basins
now have phosphate concentrations at the critical threshold value and
any increase in present levels will produce a corresponding increase
in algal populations.
Vlater clarity as demonstrated by Secchi disc readings indicates
that visibility of the white and black disc extends through 4 feet
in the western basin, and through 13 feet in both the central and
eastern basins. Because this test measures relative turbidity caused
by a combination of algae and other suspended material, it indicates
undesirable changes in the western basin.
The biology of the western Lake Erie basin lias changed drastically
during the past 35 years, especially the past 15 years. In the Bass
Island area, samples collected in September, 1964 showed suspended algal
populations of 3,500 organisms per milliliter (about 3.5 million per
quart) compared to a maximum 1,000 per milliliter found in a study
conducted between 1938 and 1942. Species composition has also changed
from one predominantly of diatons to one presently dominated by blue-
green algae which are common to enriched waters.
A long-term progressive increase in suspended algal populations
is also apparent from data published for the area adjacent to Cleveland
in the central basin of Lake Erie. Annual averages have increased
from 200 to 400 cells per milliliter between 1920 and 1930 to between
1,500 and 2,300 cells at the present time. Also, there have been sig-
nificant changes in dominant organisms with blue-green algal forms
becoming increasingly present even in this area.
Although historical data are not available for the suspended
algae of the eastern basin, Public Health Service studies in 1963 and
1964 revealed that the kinds are similar to those that occurred in the
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central basin, and that the number of cells per milliliter ranged
from 100 to 1,300 with an average of about 400 during the sampling
period.
The filamentous g.reen alga Cladophora is encouraged by enriched
x^aters to grow on any suitable attachment site. I/hen it matures,
it characteristically breaks loose, floats to the water surface, and
creates an odorous nuisance when deposited on beaches by wind and
waves. An estimated 34(J square miles of Lake Erie has shoal waters
with a subsurface suitable for C1 a_d oph o r a growth. Nuisance conditions have
become so serious that restricted swimming and sunbathing have occurred
in the island area and at the beaches in the eastern basin, especially
east of Erie, Pennsylvania and near Dunkirk, Jiew York.
The four groups of bottom-dwelling animals that occur abundantly
in Lake Erie include sludgeworms, bloodworms, and fingernail clams,
all of which are found in a lake bed covered by decaying organic
ooze; and scuds which prefer a relatively clean lake bed. Of the
four groups, scuds are preferred as food by the more desirable fish
species. Although all of these organisms were found in all three basins
of Lake Erie, there was a difference in the relative abundance of each.
In the western basin, sludgeworms and bloodworms were predominant
in three large areas. One area extended from the Detroit River mouth
southward for more than ten miles. Another fan-shaped area extended
from the mouth of the Matinee River for a distance of ten miles. The
third area extended about 4 miles lakeward from the mouth of the Fiver
Raisin.
Sludgeworms, bloodworms, and fingernail clans predominated in
the bottom populations in almost the entire western two-thirds of
the central basin. In the eastern third of the central basin, as in
the eastern basin, scuds t.-ere the predominant animals.
The present biological conditions are in sharp contrast to the
kinds of bottom-dwelling organisms that lived in the western basin in
past years. Prior to 1953, burrowing mayfly nymphs were the predominant
bottom organisms. In September 1953 the x/estern basin became thermally
stratified and dissolved oxygen T.;as depleted in the deeper waters.
Oreat numbers of mayflies were killed. Although some areas were re-
populated by mayflies in 1954, the overall distribution of these important
fish food organisms declined year by year, am! by 1959 only a few
organisms could be found. During this same period, the caddisfly,
another desirable fisli food organism, virtually disappeared from the
deeper waters surrounding the islands. Sludgeworms and bloodworms
-------
have supplanted the mayflies and cacldisflies as the predominant
bottom-dwelling aniraals. Restoration of mayfly and cacldisfly popula-
tions will not be possible as long as periodic depletion of dissolved
oxygen occurs.
The above biological evidence indicates a general degradation of
Lake Erie from east to west, reflecting the major influence of the
large sources of waste at the west end of the Lake.
Dissolved Oxygen Deficit in the Bottom Waters
Low dissolved oxygen concentrations x-:ere detected in the bottom
waters of the central basin as early as August 1929 when PO values
of 4.4 and 4.8 rag/1 xrere recorded at two stations in the central
basin, A low value of 0.8 mg/1 was measured at one station near
Marblehead, Ohio in August 1930.
Low DO values from 1948 through 1951 of 2 to 4 mg/1 were recorded,
and in September 1959 the DO was found to be less than 3 mg/1 in a
large area of the central basin bottom water. A survey in August 1960
revealed a similarly large area where the DO was less than 3 mg/1.
One zero DO was recorded in August 1959 near the south shore.
In August 1964, an area of about the same magnitude was found
where the DO concentrations were even lower (Figure 3~4). "ost of
the affected area had DO values of 2 mg/1 or less. This area was
about 2,600 square miles, or about 25 percent of the entire Lake.
In summary, late summer dissolved oxygen values in the bottom
(hypolimnion) waters of the central basin of Lake Erie appear to have
decreased during the past 35 years fro^ about 5 mg/1 to less than
2 mg/1, with many parts near zero.
This change is caused largely by lake enrichment and thermal
stratification of water. As explained earlier, the Lake is enriched
by the introduction of such materials as nitrogen and phosphorus,
which encourage plant growth. Thermal stratification occurs when the
upper layer of the lake water becomes one temperature, a lower layer
of water becomes a different temperature, and a third layer of water
called the thermocline is sandwiched betx.'een them. The thermocline is
the layer where a sharp temperature differential exists.
During summer stratification, the upper water layer is as much
as 16°C higher than the bottom layer. A density barrier is thus
created between the upper and lo\Tcr water and no mixing occurs between
3-11
-------
FIGURE 3-4
-------
the two zones. Plant material sinks to the bottom and decays, using
oxygen which cannot be replenished from above and oxygen depletion
occurs.
The western basin does not become stratified except during periods
of calm because it is so shallow that wind-induced turbulence creates
thorough mixing from surface to bottom.
iioth the central and eastern basins do become stratified, usually
from -Tune to October. A serious dissolved oxygen deficit does not
develop in the eastern basin because it is much deeper than the central
basin. The thermocline, or middle layer of water, lowers quickly
in the central basin as stratification is established until it is about
50 feet below the surface. The lox^er layer of water in the central
basin becomes thin, sometimes only 8 to 10 feet thick. At the sane
time, the eastern basin, which is about 150 feet deep, may have a
cold bottom layer 100 feet thick. The oxygen supply in the central
basin is obviously much less than in the eastern basin and is depleted
much more rapidly.
The central basin is adjacent to the western basin where there
are large inputs of wastes and where the heaviest growths of suspended
algae occur. The overall easterly movement of water may carry some of
this material to the quieter waters of the central basin where it
settles to the bottom.
Changes in the Fishery
There are several opinions as to the decline of commercial fish-
ing in Lake Erie. Ohio commercial fishermen tend to blame Ohio
fishing regulations that have required them to use larger mesh nets
than the Canadians use. They also believe that sport fishermen and
pollution have contributed to their problems.
Some fishery biologists agree in part with the Ohio commercial
fishermen, but take a more cautions view. They recognize that the
dynamics of fishery biology allows for population and species com-
position fluctuations, and are well-aware that natural changes occur
even in remote wilderness lakes. The fishery biologist is also cog-
nizant of the changes in water quality and species composition that
have resulted from man's activities. Studies of Lake Erie water
quality date back to Civil War times, and reliable records are avail-
able for the past 50 years. Those records show a sharp rise in
certain mineral constituents such as chlorides and sulfates during
this period, and particularly in the past 30 years. Presumably,
3-12
-------
other materials such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic suspended
solids have increased comparably. Marked changes in the bottom
fauna of western Lake Erie occurred about 20 years ago. L'any biologists
believe these changes were caused by organic sedimentation and some-
times by dissolved oxygen deficits. If this is so, the Detroit,
Monroe, and Toledo areas are the likely pollution sources.
Fish species composition has also been affected by the introduction
of carp and smelt; and by the introduction of alewife and lamprey,
which gained entry to the Great Lakes through the Uelland Canal and
the New York State Barge Canal.
Smelt and alewife populations have increased greatly within the
past 10 years. Unfortunately their market value is less than the former
predominant species. Perch have also increased and are now the prin-
cipal Lake Erie commercial species. Whether perch will remain so is
problematical.
WASTE INPUTS TO LAKE EKIE
Introduction
Municipal sewage and industrial wastes are the principal pollution
materials discharged continuously into the waters of Lake Erie, These
waste sources, along with other sources such as land runoff; combined
sewer overflow; wastes from lake vessels, barge tows and pleasure craft;
and materials from dredging operations are all adding to the pollution
of the Lake by direct discharge or by increasing the tributary loadings
of rivers draining into the Lake.
Municipal Wastes
Approximately 10 million people inhabit communities throughout the
Lake Erie Basin. These communities discharge their x^aste directly into
Lake Erie or into rivers tributary to it. Table 3-1 shows the approximate
unsewered and sewered populations discharging into the various rivers
from each state bordering the Lake. The table also shows the degree of
treatment, primary and/or secondary, received by the sewered population.
Population equivalents are given of the sewered industrial loads as xvell
as the municipal loads.
About 79 percent of the total municipal waste in Ohio-Lake Erie
Basin receives secondary treatment. About 3.5 percent of the population
is not served by sewer systems.
3-13
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In the Michigan Basin, almost the entire population is in and
around Detroit. The Detroit primary sewage treatment plant serves
about 3.1 million people. While 94 percent of the southeastern.
Michigan population is sewered, only 11 percent of the total popula-
tion receives secondary treatment.
In New York, the wastes from 78 percent of the total population
receives primary treatnent. The Cities of Buffalo, Niagara Falls,
and part of Tonawanda have sewage treatment plants that give only
primary treatment. These three cities serve over a million of the
1.2 million people receiving primary treatment.
The wastes from almost 100 percent of the sewered population in
Pennsylvania receive secondary treatment. The City of Erie is the
largest city in Pennsylvania whose discharge reaches Lake Erie. Its
sewage treatment plant discharges directly into the Lake and it pro'
vides treatment for 173,000 population equivalent (PE) or about 90
percent of the total.
Industrial Pollution
Industrial waste information in this report was obtained from
records of the Michigan Water Resources Commission, Indiana Stream
Pollution Control Board, Ohio Department of Health, Pennsylvania
Sanitary Water Board and New York Water Pollution Control Board.
Industrial Waste Sources
State Classification (1965)
St_ate Adequate Inadequate Unknown
Ohio 116 36 9
Indiana 9 2 -
Michigan 49 19 8
Pennsylvania 522
Hew York 3 4 7
Total 182 63 26
The above tabulation shows that there are 271 known sources
of industrial wastes that discharge to the Lake and tributaries.
The states have classified about 23 percent of these industries as
having inadequate treatment facilities. The adequacy of an addi-
tional 10 percent of the industries has not been determined. Table
3-2 lists the total number of industries in each major subbasin in 1965<
The individual industries are listed in the following chapters.
3-19
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-------
Table 3~3 lists the industrial establishments that discharge directly
to the Lake or to the lower rivers in the lake-affected areas. This
represents about 20 percent of total industrial discharges in the Basin.
Of these 53 industries, 22 were reported to have inadequate treatment
facilities by the state agencies in 1965.
Inputs of Constituents
The waste substances that are discharged to the Lake from municipal
and industrial outfalls, tributaries, and land drainage are many, and
their effects on water uses are varied. Many substances such as acid,
oil, cyanide, iron, coliform bacteria, phenol, and oxygen-consuming
materials have severe effects on water uses in the localities of the
discharge. These will be dealt with in discussions of local water
use problems and damages.
Those substances that have damaging effects on the water use of
the total waters of the Lake are suspended solids (sediment), carbona-
ceous oxygen consuming materials, nitrogen compounds and soluble phos-
phate. A discussion of chlorides and dissolved solids is also included
here, not because they have reached damaging concentrations, but be-
cause their dramatic increases are indicative of the rate at which
water quality has been degraded. Tables 3~4 through 3-7 present
summaries of the major known inputs to Lake Erie of suspended solids,
chlorides, nitrogen compounds, and soluble phosphates.
Suspended Solids
Damage to Lake Erie resulting from suspended matter enterinf
from waste discharges and tributaries are dependent on the nature
of the material. Suspended matter from municipal discharges is
primarily organic and its deposition results in enriched bottom muds
or sludge banks whose effects are. largely local and can be corrected
by proper treatment for removal of these wastes. Suspended matter
from certain industries and the material from tributaries originating
as land runoff is largely inorganic and its effects on settling result-
in the filling of harbors, embayments, ship channels and the Lake.
The principal sources of suspended solids discharged to Lake
Erie are the Detroit, Maumee, Cuyahoga and Orand Rivers which
represent a total of 11,000,000 pounds per day of known discharges.
The Detroit River, because of its large volume, constitutes the
major source or 73 percent of this total, the Maumee 13.5 percent,
the Cuyahoga 4.0 percent, and the Crand 3 percent. Table 3"4 lists the
knox-7n sources of suspended solids.
3-23
-------
TABLE 3-3
LAKE ERIE
INDUSTRIAL WASTE DISCHARGES
State Classification
Type of Required
Industry Waste Status Improvements
MICHIGAN Direct to Leke Erie
Detroit Edison Power
Enrico-Fermi Station
OHIO
Maumee River (0 - lU 9 Miles)
Standard Oil Co. Oil Refinery
Gulf Oil Co. Oil Refinery
Interlake Iron Steel Solids
Sun Oil Co. Oil Refinery
Toledo Edison Power
Libbey-Owens Fords Glass Manufacture
Allied Chemical Plastics
Black River (0 - 10.2 Miles)
U. S. Steel Corp. Steel
Cuyahoga River (0-6.6 Miles)
Republic Steel Steel
Bolt & Nut Div. Acid Iron I Pickling Liquor
Mill Scale
Standard Oil Corp. Oil Refinery
#1 I Oil and phenol
#2
U. S. Steel Corp. Steel
Blast Furnace I Solids
Pickling I Pickling Liquor
Mill Scale I Solids
E. I. DuPont Chemical I Metals
Republic Steel
Coke Plant
Blast Furnace I Solids - Increase
Efficiency
Rolling Mill I Oil & Solids -
Increase Efficiency
Pickling
J. L Steel Corp. Steel I Pickling Liquor
Pickling I Pickling Liquor
Blast Furnace
Mill Scale
-------
TABLE 3-3 (Continued)
LAKE ERIE
INDUSTRIAL WASTE DISCHARGES
State Classification
Industry
Harsbaw Chemical Co.
Sherwin-Williams
Elco Lubricant Corp
Diamond Alkali Co.
U. S. Rubber Co.
Status
Olin Mathieson
Cabot Titania Corp.
Titania Dioxide Plant
Titania Tetrachloride
Detrex Chemical Ind.
Reactive Metals
Sodium & Chlorine
Plant
Metal Reduction
Plant
Extrusion Plant
Diamond Alkali Co.
General Tire & Rubber Co.
Type of
Waste
Chemicals
Chemical
Oil
Grand River (0-2.3 Miles)
Chemical
Chemical
Ashtabula River (0-3.3 Miles)
I
Required
Improvements
Reduction of metallic
salts
Acids & Alkaline Sludges
Acids & Alkaline Sludges
Aluminum & Magnesium
Co., Sandusky, Ohio
United States Gypsum
Gypsum
Cleveland Electric
Illuminating Co.
Avon Lake
Eastlake
Ashtabula
Ohio Edison Co.
Lorain
The Lubrizol Corp.
Wickliffe
Thompson Ramo Woolridge
Euclid
Chemical
Chemical
Chemical
Chemical
Chemical
Chemical
Chemical
Chemical
Direct to Lake Erie
Metals
Paper
Power
Solids - pH
Solids
Solids
Solids - Chloride
Iron Hydrocarbon
Solids
Solids and pH
Solids
Solids
Solids
I Solids
Power
Chemical
Metal Finishing
Metals Reduction
3-25
-------
Industry
Industrial Rayon Co.
Painesville
Union Carbide Corp.
Metals Division
Ashtabula
Detrex Chemical Ind.
Chloro-Alkali
Plant
Ashtabula
PENNSYLVANIA
Hammermill Paper Co.
Erie, Pa.
Interlake Iron Corp.
Erie, Pa.
Pennsylvania Electric
Erie, Pa.
HEW YORK
Bethlehem Steel Co.
Leckawanna
Perm -Dixie Cement Co.
Lacka-wanna
TABLE 3-3 (Concluded)
LAKE ERIE
INDUSTRIAL WASTE DISCHARGES
Type of
Waste
Textile
Steel Acid-iron
Chemical
State Classification
Required
Status Improvements
I Metals Reduction
Direct to Lake Erie
Paper
Metal
Flyash
I
I
Direct to Lake Erie
Steel
Inorganic Solids
I - Inadequate Treatment
3-26
-------
-------
TABLE 3-^
SUSPENDED SOLIDS INPUTS TO LAKE ERIE
Source Pounds/Day
MICHIGAN
Discharge by
Detroit River 8,600,000
Huron River 10,000
Raisin River 48,000
OHIO
Maumee River 1,600,000
Portage River 130,000
Sandusky River 130,000
Black River 73,000
Rocky River 84,000
Cuyahoga River ^90,000
Chagrin River 7p,000
Grand River 360,000
Ashtabulfl River 15,000
NEW YORK
Buffalo River 100.000
TOTALS -- Major Known Sources 11,710,000
3-27
-------
About 1.5 million pounds of the Detroit Paver discharges are
from industrial and municipal sources. The Maumee discharge;; are
largely silt originating from land runoff. The greatest quantity
is released during periods of heavy rain and high runoff, therefore
control must be instituted through improverr-nts in land use practices
on the watershed. The Cuyahoga discharges are believed to be largely
of industrial origin with some contribution from municipal vastes
and land runoff. This load on the. Cleveland harbor and channels
results in severe discoloration and the need for frequent dredging.
The Grand River sources are believed to be similar to the Cuyahoga.
Carbonaceous Qxyp,en-ConsuninR Materials
Carbonaceous oxygen-consuning rr.aterials, usually measured b>
the 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BODc) are generally considered
direct pollutants to streams in that they depress dissolved oxygen
levels. This immediate effect is not evident in lakes such as Lake
Erie. However, BOD^ is a measure of wastes that are used by
bacteria in cell growth and reproduction, thereby creating sludge
which settles to the lake bottom. Thus BODj is a measure of wastes
which produce the same end effect as nutrients, as discussed below.
Carbonaceous BODc of wastes is most effectively removed by secondary
t re atnen t.
Chloride
The concentration of chloride in the headwaters of the Detroit
River averaged 7 rag/1, 22 rag/1 at the Detroit River mouth, and 23
:ng/l at Buffalo. A threefold increase within the length of the
Detroit River completely overshadows the small increase within Lake
Erie, Major known sources of input are the municipal and industrial
contributaions at Detroit, about 3 million pounds per day, the Crand
River, 2.2 million pounds per day, and the llaumee and Cuyahoga, 1 mil-
lion pounds per day. Table 3-5 lists the known chloride inputs to
Lake Erie.
A large input of chloride from street and highway salting
for ice control during x^inter drains to the Lake through municipal
sewers and tributaries. Salt use for this purpose in 1964 in the
Basin was at least 800,000 tons, which could represent an increase
of at least 2.4 mg/1 to the chloride level of Lake Erie.
Historical data indicate that concentration of chloride in
Lake Erie was 7 mg/1 at the beginning of this century. At that
3-28
-------
TABLE >5
CHLORIDE INPUTS TO LAKE ERIE
Source
MICHIGAN
Head of Detroit River
Additions to Detroit River (incl.Canada)
Discharges by
Huron River
Raisin River
OHIO
Discharges by
Maumee River
Portage River
Sandusky River
Black River
Rocky River
Cuyahoga River
Chagrin River
Grand River
Ashtabula River
Municipalities
Toledo
Sandusky
Lorain-Avon
Lakevood
Cleveland-Westerly
Cleveland-Ea sterly
Euclid
Industrial —Direct to Lake—Ohio
PENNSYLVANIA
Municipalities
Erie
Small sources
Industrial
NEW YORK
Buffalo River
Other sources
CANADA (other than Detroit River)
Sum of Known Sources
Discharged at Niagra River
Pounds/Day
6, 500,000
11,500,000
90,000
140,000
440,000
100,000
170,000
170,000
110,000
660,000
60,000
2,200,000
20,000
80,000
7,000
17,000
10,000
37,000
140,000
14,000
unknovn
12,000
unknown
70,000
4,000
unknown
22,551,000
25,100,000
3-29
-------
time, a noticeable increase was observed. Concentrations have doubled
in each successive twenty-year period, resulting in the present-day
level of 23 rag/1.
Dissolved Solids
Dissolved solids concentrations at the head of the Detroit River
average 126 mg/1 and at Buffalo 192 mg/1. These levels represent
daily inputs of 116 million pounds per day from the watershed above
Detroit and a discharge of 210 million pounds per day to the Niagara
River from Lake Erie.
The concentration of dissolved solids in Lake Huron has remained
fairly constant at 110 to 115 mg/1 since 1900, whereas the increase in
Lake Erie at Buffalo in the same period was from 115 to 192 mg/1.
Nitrogen Compounds
Th« major known sources of nitrogen compounds entering Lake Erie
are listed in Table 3-6. The largest input is the Detroit River, which
consists of the nitrogen residual from the upper Great Lakes and the
contributions from the Detroit metropolitan area. Other important
sources are the Maumee and Cuyahoga Rivers and the discharges at Toledo
and Cleveland.
The origin of these materials in waste discharges is largely
from organic wastes, with sizeable contributions from specific manufac-
turers of ammonia and nitrogen salts. Except for local effects of dis-
charges of these materials, the principal effect on Lake Erie is that
of fertilization. However, the institution of secondary treatment will
significantly reduce nitrogen inputs and thereby aid in the control of
local problems as well as reduction in total inputs to the Lake.
Soluble Phosphate
Phosphorus, in its inorganic form of orthophosphate (PO^) is
an essential element of life. As such, it is used extensively as an
agricultural fertilizer. Therefore, it is difficult to implicate this
substance as a pollutant since it has so many beneficial qualities, but
it is recognized seriously for its effect on the biology of lakes and
streams.
3-30
-------
TABLE 3-6
TOTAL NITROGEN INPUTS TO LAKE ERIE
Source Pounds/Day
MICHIGAN
Discharge by
Detroit River 500,000
Huron River 1,600
Raisin River 3,800
OHIO
Tributaries
Mauraee River 65,000
Portage River 19,600
Sandusky River *
Black River 13,200
Rocky River *
Cuyahoga River 52,100
Chagrin River *
Grand River 4,000
Ashtabula River *
Municipalities
Toledo 40,000
Sandusky 3,500
Lorain-Avon 8,700
Lakewood 5,200
Cleveland-Westerly 19,000
Cleveland-Easterly 71,000
Euclid 6,900
Industrial—Direct to Lake *
PENNSYLVANIA
Erie 12,000
NEW YORK
Buffalo River *
Other Sources 2.100
CANADA (Other than Detroit River) *
Sum of Known Inputs 821,700
*Unknown
3-31
-------
Because phosphate is so important to life, it can become a
controlling factor in the rate of growth or size of crop, and under
conditions of limited abundance as prevail in Lake Erie, it is the one
factor most easily controlled.
Excessive phosphate in Lake Erie results in hi£h production of
algae followed by decay of this organic natter. The decay, in turn,
produces zones of oxygen depletion in bottom waters in sur.mer.
Phosphate inputs from principal sources are presented in Table 3-?.
Of the total of 174,000 pounds of soluble phosphate discharged from
known sources daily, 67 percent is from municipal and industrial sources
discharging directly to the Lake, and 33 percent from tributaries
(including the St. Clair River) and other small sources. The St. Clair
River input is 6.8 percent of this total.
A 65 percent reduction of phosphate input can be achieved through
secondary sewage treatment, operated to effect optimum phosphate
removal. The major controllable sources and the amount of reduction
that can be achieved by the secondary treatment described above are
listed below:
Detroit 45,500 pounds per day
Toledo 2,900
Sandusky 700
Lorain-Avon 1,700
Lakewood 600
Westerly 3,500
Easterly 6,800
Euclid 1,300
Erie 1,300
64,300
80% reduction
Michigan Industry 8,000
Total Reduction 72,300 pounds per day
Thus, at least 40 percent of present PO^ input (174,000 pounds
per day) can be removed by secondary treatment at the principal waste
sources. The reduction rate, based on present-day factors, must be
constantly improved in order to overcome increases in phosphate load-
ings resulting from population, industrial, and agricultural growth.
3-32
-------
TABLE 3-7
SOLUBLE PHOSPHATE INPUTS TO LAKE ERIE
Source
Pounds/Day
MICHIGAN
Discharge from Lake Huron
Municipal
Industrial
Tributaries
Huron River
Raisin River
OHIO
Municipalities
Toledo
Sandusky
Lorain-Avon
lakewood
Cleveland Westerly
Cleveland Easterly
Euclid
Industrial—Direct Discharge
Tributaries
Maumee River
Portage River
Sandusky River
Black River
Rocky River
Cuyahoga River
Chagrin River
Grand River
Ashtabula
PENNSYLVANIA
NEW YORK
Erie
Other sources
Buffalo River
Other sources
CANADA (est.-Municipal)
Sum of Major Known Sources
Discharge at Niagra River
11,800
70,000
10,000
2,000
900
8,400
1,000
2,600
1,100
14,900
2,100
unknown
11,000
1,100
6,000
3,100
3,400
3,500
300
100
2,600
2,900
2,300
2,500
5.000
174,000
24,000
3-33
-------
-------
CHAPTER k - MAUMEE RIVER BASIN
A detailed statement on the Maumee River Basin has been prepared
for release at this hearing. The following is a summary of this
statement.
The effects of pollution in the Maumee River Basin are particu-
larly evident in the Ottawa River, the Upper Maumee River, and at
Toledo. Biological, chemical, microbiological, and physical investi-
gations have affirmed this pollution. The once clear waters of this
river Basin have been degraded so that few legitimate uses may be
made of them. In some areas, the water quality is too poor for even
waste assimilation. The once-prevalent fishery is now virtually
nonexistent. Further evidence of pollution includes the abandonment of
the beaches in the Toledo area, taste and odor problems in water
sources, objectionable algal blooms and the generally esthetically
unpleasing appearance of the waters.
Industry, cities, and agriculture are all major waste sources
in the Maumee Basin. The effluents from municipal sewage treatment
plants deplete the receiving waters of oxygen and cause algal growths.
Industrial waste discharges deplete oxygen, cause taste and odor
problems and interfere with esthetic enjoyment. The wastes from
agricultural sources cause extreme turbidity, result in a need for
channel dredging, and help produce the abundant algal growths.
The Maumee Basin's population will increase from 1,li)-0,000 to
2,700,000 by 2020. Industrial activity will also increase consider-
ably. Unless extensive measures are taken now and continue into the
future, the present problems will be greatly compounded.
The need for implementation of a program for water pollution
control in the Maumee River Basin is immediate. The program must
emphasize new and enlarged sewage facilities with tertiary treatment
in some areas; proper operation of facilities; and continuous moni-
toring of operation, waste treatment efficiency, and -oter quality.
-------
-------
CHAPTER 5 - NORTH CENTRAL OHIO
DESCRIPTION OF AREA
The major Ohio tributaries to Lake Erie in N~rth Central
Ohio are the Portage, Sandusky, Huron, Vermilion, and Black
Rivers (Fig. 5-l). They drain an area of ^,109 square miles,
with a population of 600,000. The principal cities are Lorain,
Elyria, and Sandusky.
Hydrology
The rivers within this area are not hydraulically controlled
to any great extent except for an occasional run-of-the-river dam.
Low flows (those exceeded 90$ of the time) are estimated at the
U. S. Geological Survey gage nearest to the lake as follows:
Portage, 5 cfs; Sandusky, 31 cfs; Huron, Ik cfs; Vermilion, k cfs;
and Black, 2 cfs.
Economy
The economy of the area is diversified. Farm lands occupy
91 percent of the Basin. In 1962 cash receipts from agriculture
in nine counties of the Basin totaled ikk million dollars. In-
dustry is found in communities throughout the Basin, but heavy
industry is concentrated in the Elyria-Lorain area on the Black
River, Manufacture and production of clay, glass, and stone
products predominate in the western portion of the Basin, while
heavy metals, transportation, and electrical industries are im-
portant in Sandusky and Lorain County. The Value Added by Manu-
facture in nine counties of the Basin in 1962 was 720 million
dollars. The Basin is a leading producer of the mineral products
from lime, limestone, and sandstone.
WATER USES
Municipal
The average amount of water used by all municipalities in North
Central Ohio was 53 mgd in I960. Lake E>ie is the most significant
source of municipal water, supplying 35 mgd. Not only do lakefront
municipalities draw water from Lake Erie, but Elyria, located 10
miles inland, depends on the Lake for its municipal supply. Although
inland surface waters of the Basin supplied 13 mgd, Bowling Green
5-1
-------
FIGURE 5-1
-------
imported its municipal water from the Maumee River, 10 miles
avay. The lack of dependable ground water is illustrated by the
fact that only 5 mgd was supplied by this source.
Rural
The total water use in rural areas of North Central Ohio in
1955 was estimated at 2k mgd. Water uses were fairly evenly divided
between suburban and farm domestic uses, livestock watering, and
irrigation. The greatest concentration of farm irrigation in Ohio
occurs in Lorain County, and, surprisingly, golf course watering
exerts a significant demand.
Industrial
Industrial water use in North Central Ohio in 1955 was 228 mgd,
and water used in thermal power generation was 521 mgd. Of the total
industrial water use, 7 mgd was used in each of the Portage and
Sandusky River Basins, and 21^ mgd was used in the Huron to Black
River Basins. The greatest industrial water use (over 200 mgd) was
by the steel industries in Lorain and Elyria, where approximately
85 percent of the water was used for cooling.
Waterborne Commerce
Waterborne commerce in North Central Ohio is served by the port
facilities of Lorain, Huron, and Sandusky. These three ports handle
only 9 percent of the tonnage moved through all Lake Erie ports.
This cargo still amounted to 11.5 million tons in 1962. No commercial
navigation exists above the Lake-affected portions of the Basin's
rivers.
Recreation
Water-oriented recreation is popular throughout North Central
Ohio. Lake Erie and its shoreline are the most prominent features
the area has to offer. The islands of Lake Erie (offshore of
Sandusky and Port Clinton) are one of Ohio's principal recreational
areas. In this area, including Catawba Peninsula and Sandusky Bay, are
found a national monument and wildlife refuge. State facilities
include a fish hatchery, a beach, five wildlife refuges, four parks,
and twc memorials. There are also numerous private and local recre-
ation facilities. Cedar Point has one of the finest amusement parks
and bathing beaches in the country.
Transportation between the mainland and islands is provided by
5-2
-------
ferry service and "the world's shortest airline". Nine recreational
harbors and other private marinas serve the area. Winter ice fishing
is popular around the islands. East Harbor State Park's bathing
beaches attracted almost 1-1/2 million people in 1963.
Outside of the island area, recreational harbors are found
near the mouths of the Huron, Vermilion, and Black Rivers, and
several creeks; and bathing beaches are found in many locations
between Huron and Avon Point.
Upstream on the Sandusky, Huron, and Black Rivers are located
State memorials and parks, wildlife areas, and local recreational
developments. Canoeing is popular on these three streams as well
as on the Vermilion River.
Esthetics
The upstream reaches of these rivers flow through predominantly
farm lands, where water quality is slowly degraded by silt and aquatic
growths. However, as the streams flow toward the Lake through urban
areas and industrial complexes, the rivers rapidly become more de-
graded and in places grossly polluted. Their color changes to un-
natural hues, and repulsive sights and noxious odors develop by the
time they reach the Lake. This is not true for all streams in North
Central Ohio, and some recover from their pollution before flowing
into Lake Erie.
The Portage River is often septic and black below Bowling Green,
and turbid-white and rust-colored within Fostoria. The Black River
is multicolored from industrial wastes in Elyria and the city's
Cascade Park. In Lorain, the navigation channel of the Black River
is sometimes covered by oil slicks. Upstream the rivers are green-
colored by algae and often covered with the scum of aquatic growths.
River bank trash dumps are found on all rivers, and the streams are
clogged in places with logs and debris.
SOURCES OF WASTES
Municipal
Forty-three municipalities with a total population of Mi-2,000
discharge treated municipal wastes to the waters of North Central
Ohio. These major communities and numerous smaller ones (population
under 1,000) discharge a waste load of 29,000 pounds of BOD5 per day
to the Basin. The population equivalent (PE) of this waste load,.
based on 0.16? pounds of BODc per capita per day, is 171,000. In
addition to the wastes from municipal treatment systems, organized
5-3
-------
comnrinities with a total population of 74,000 discharge domestic
sewage from individual home treatment units (septic tanks) with a
waste load of 12,000 pounds of BODc per day. Sometimes, however,
this waste is discharged directly underground or to a receiving
stream without the treatment provided by a leach field. The community
of Bellevue, population 8,285, discharges raw untreated sewape from a
municipal collection system to an underground limestone cavern, which
is suspected of affecting some ground water supplies. The population
and type of municipal waste treatment in each of the subbasins of
North Central Ohio is summarized below. The locations of the major
municipal waste sources are shown in Figure 5-2. A tabulation of
the load and treatment facilities of the major municipal waste sources
is presented as follows:
MUNICIPAL WASTE TREATMENT
River Basin Secondary Primary Minor
Plants Population Plants Population Population
Portage 3 32,000 2 4,000 15,000
Sandusky 5 44,000 2 23,000 15,000
Huron 3 23,000 2 3,000 3,000
Vermilion 2 5,000 0 0 3,000
Black 7 64,000 1 76,000 9,000
Minor Tributaries 5 17,000 1 2,000 13,000-8,000*
lake Erie 2 16,000 8 59,000 8,000
Totals 27 201,000 16 167,000 74,000
* Collection system but no treatment
Approximately 75$ of the 600,000 population of North Central
Ohio live in organized communities. Of this 442,000 population, 85
percent (368,000 people) are served by central sewage treatment
plants. Fifty-five percent of the total sewered population is served
by secondary treatment. Most of the primary treatment plants are
located on lake Erie; or, as at Lorain, at the mouth of the Black
River. Inland from lake Erie, 85 percent of the population (185,000
people) are served by secondary sewage treatment.
Despite the widespread inland use of secondary sewage treatment,
the waste load, which is summarized below, often exceeds the assim-
ilative capacity of the Basin's streams. This is especially true in
the headwater reaches and below the larger municipalities. The average
BODc reduction by secondary treatment is approximately 80 percent, but
the remaining load of 7,000 pounds of BOD^ per day is still equivalent
to the raw sewage of 42,000 people. Including primary treatment, the
total BODij load to inland waters is 17,000 pounds per day.
5-4
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FIGURE 5-2
-------
River Basin
MUNICIPAL WASTE LOAD
Population Pounds per day
Equivalents* BOD_
From Sewage Treatment Plants
Portage
Sandusky
Huron
Vermilion
Black
Minor Tribu-
taries
Lake Erie
Totals
Raw
60,650
87,690
32,555
it, 710
150,125
12,655
115,865
, 250
Discharged
9,205
36,795
6,500
1,815
1*7,060
2.8U5
66,965
171,185
Raw
10,100
ll*,600
787
25,100
2,110
19,300
Discharged
1,51*0
6,ll*0
1,090
303
7,860
1*75
11,200
77,500 28,600
reduction
*P.E. = 0.l67#BOD /day
The 11 major municipalities discharging treated wastes to Lake
Erie (including Lorain) serve 1*0 percent of the Basin's population
and contribute almost two-thirds of the total municipal waste dis-
charge. The reason for this is that the average reduction of BODj-
from the primary treatment plants on Lake Erie is only 55 percent.
This efficiency, however, is good for primary treatment and indi-
cates well-operated plants. Basin-wide the efficiency of primary
treatment plants for BOD,- removal is 1*3 percent but includes very
poor results from Tiffin (20 percent removal).
Industrial
Industrial wastes from 1*1 industries are discharged to the
waters of North Central Ohio. The greatest waste loads in the Basin
are discharged to the Black River by an automotive and two steel
industries. The largest volumes of waste are discharged to Lake
Erie by two power-generating stations in Lorain County. Aside from
the large industries concentrated along the Black River, the re-
mainder of the industrial waste discharges are scattered throughout
the Basin.
Food processors and metal finishing operations are the most
numerous industries. The food processors are located in the agri-
cultural western subbasins. Many are small seasonal operations
which employ spray irrigation or holding lagoons for waste treatment.
The metal finishing industries discharge a small volume of waste
containing heavy metals and toxic compounds. These industries quite
often discharge to small streams.
5-5
-------
The other industrial waste sources include another steel in-
dustry, paper mills, chemical and rubber plants, railroad yards,
and oil producers. The locations of the industrial vsste discharges
are shown in Figure 5-3- Data on the industrial waste discharges
are now being obtained and evaluated.
Land Runoff
Rural land runoff is the source of e significant portion of the
waste load to North Central Ohio streams. The runoff carries silt,
nutrients, organic matter, and microorganisms into the streams. Silt
and nutrients are the greatest pollutants. The sediment transport
amounts to over 100,000 tons per month during the spring runoffs in
the Sandusky River alone.
Estimated nutrient loads of nitrogen and phosphate in rural land
runoff are tabulated below:
Nutrient - NH3 Organic N N03 Total N PO^
Tons per yr.-250 360 520 1,090 160
The extent of urban land runoff has not been fully defined in
North Central Ohio. Most of the communities in the Basin have com-
bined or partially combined sewer systems. These permit the dis-
charge of untreated raw sewage to the lake or nearest water course.
The overflow from combined sewers and runoff from developed septic
tank areas contain organic matter, nutrients, and microorganisms.
Microbiological pollution is the most serious result of these
discharges. It jeopardizes the use of bathing beaches and other
recreational areas. Organic discharges cause septic conditions
which result in severe local nuisance conditions.
EFFECTS OF WASTES ON WATER QUALITY AND WATER USES
DO - BOD relationships
During periods of low flow the dissolved oxygen (DO) drops to
less than K.O mg/1 below Upper Sandusky, Tiffin, and Fremont on the
Sandusky River. Forty percent of the samples collected at the crit-
ical point below Upper Sandusky showed oxygen concentrations of less
than k.Q mg/1. On three occasions there was no measurable oxygen,
and accompanying BOD's reached 39.0 mg/1. Intensive sampling programs
below Tiffin and Fremont revealed that during the low flow period
under normal loadings from the treatment plants, t^e dissolved oxygen
concentrations were near 1.0 mg/1. The Sandusky River, however, is
5-6
-------
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-------
able to assimilate the waste loads it receives and recovers rapidly
from these dissolved oxygen deficits. Below Upper Sandusky the
oxygen sag extends approximately four miles below the treatment
plant.
There are similar problems on the West Branch of the Black River
and Plum Creek from Oberlin to the lake-affected area in Lorain. The
July 196^ average of dissolved oxygen for this reach was 2 mg/1. The
highest average seasonal BOD^ in North Central Ohio was 20 mg/1 below
Elyria. Even at mile point 0.6 in the mouth of the river where Ja.Ke
dilution is high, the dissolved oxygen averaged only 3.k mg/1 during
the fall of 196k.
The most serious problems from low dissolved oxygen on the
Portage River occur above the area of study below Bowling Green and
Fostoria. Septic conditions have been reported in the stream at both
locations.
Microbiology
Domestic pollution, as indicated by total coliform densities, is
prevalent throughout most of the Basin. Because the waters of the
Basin are used for recreation and water sunply, the microbial pol-
lution presents a potential health hazard. On the Portage River at
mile point O.'i, median densities during the summer and fall of 196k
were 130,000 organisms per 100 ml. During the summer, the median
fecal coliform density was ?1,000 organisms per 100 ml. The fecal
coliform to fecal streptococci ratio for this period was 21:1, which
indicates pollution from human wastes.
The Sandusky River had median total coliform densities of 190,000
organisms per 100 ml. below Fremont at mile point 13.6 during the fall,
196k. In Sandusky Bay at the mouth of the river, the median total
coliform density was less than 1,000 organisms per 100 ml. with a max-
imum of 1,300 organisms per 100 ml. Below Fremont's treatment plant
was the only station where the fecal coliform to fecal streptococci
ratio (3:l) indicated pollution from human wastes.
The median total coliform density in the Black River at mile point
10.2 below the Elyria treatment plant was 300,000 organisms per 100
ml. during the first three months of 196k. The maximum density reached
15,300,000 per 100 ml. During April and Hay, 196k the median density
was lkO,000 organisms per 100 ml. At this same station, the median
fecal coliform density was 5T»000 organisms per 100 ml. during April
and May.
Biological conditions in the Portage, Huron, and Vermilion Rivers
5-7
-------
are generally good except for the areas near the Lake which are de-
graded "by siltation and local waste sources. No effect upon the
Lake by these rivers could be detected more than 1,000 feet into the
Lake. The San dusky River below Upper Sandusky, Tiffin, and Fremont
shows evidences of biological degradation. All pollution sensitive
bottom-dwelling animals are absent below each area, and full recov-
ery does not occur until the next water source. Between Tiffin and
Fremont, the nutrient-rich waters support a dense growth of attached
algae which completely cover the bottom in summer. Between Oberlin
and the mouth of the Black River, biological conditions typical of
a polluted stream are found.
Chemistry
Oil slicks from floating oil are found on the Sandusky, Huron,
and Black Rivers. Emulsified oil has turned the Portage River turbid
at Fostoria. The major problems from industrial wastes occur in the
industrialized Black River. The steel, automotive (metal-plating),
and chemical industries in Elyria, some of whose wastes are treated
by the municipal sewage treatment plant, are the sources of metals
and cyanide in the river at mile point 10.P. Maximum concentrations
in mg/1 during 196U were: copper, 0.31; cadmium^ 0.08; nickel^ 0. J*2;
zinCjO.28; chromium^ 1.32; and lead,O.OU.
In the navigation channel of the Black River nhenol concentra-
tions averaged 15-1 micrograms per liter during the first three
months of 196H. At this location, mile point 0.6, a maximum phenol
concentration of 65.9 micrograms per liter was found. The steel
industry is a significant source of phenol wastes, and with the re-
activations of coke operations, these waste discharges could increase
greatly. These industrial wastes are significant because two major
municipal water intakes are located near the mouth of the Black River.
EFFECTS ON THE LAKE
All the wastes emanating from the rivers in North Central Ohio
are diluted to the background concentration of the Lake within a
mile of the shoreline. The Sandusky River flows through the 15 mile
long Sandusky Bay before reaching Lake Erie. Any effects which the
Sandusky River might have on Lake Eric are exerted in Sandusky Bay.
Microbial pollution is found near the mouth of the Black River. The
196H median total coliform density at the east entrance to Lorain
Harbor was 27,000 organisms per 100 ml.
5-8
-------
CHAPTER 6 - GREATER CLEVELAND-CUYAIIOGA
AREA DESCRIPTION
The Greater Cleveland-Cuyahoga River Basin consists of the
Rocky, Cuyahoga, and Chagrin Rivers. These three rivers drain an
area of 1,^92 square miles in and around the Greater Cleveland and
Akron areas. The I960 populations of these two cities were
876,000 an 290,000 respectively and the total population in the
Basin was 270,000.
Except for its upper reaches, much of the Greater Cleveland-
Cuyahoga Basin is highly urbanized. Cleveland and Akron with their
expanding suburban communities occupy large sections of the Basin.
The Cuyahoga River rises in the farm lands of Geauga County
and meanders for 103 miles through gorges and flat lands into the
central basin of Lake Erie. Its network of tributaries drains an
area of 813 square miles. The fall of the upper Cuyahoga River is
9 feet per mile in a shallow channel cut through glacial drift.
At Cuyahoga Falls, the river falls 220 feet in 1.5 miles through a
sandstone gorge. The lower Cuyahoga River flows through a wide
preglacial valley with a fall of 6 feet per mile until it reaches
the navigation channel in Cleveland.
The Rocky River forms as two branches in rural Medina County
and drains an area of 29^ square miles. The East Branch forms near
Hinckley and the West Branch near Medina. The two branches con-
verge below Berea and flow 12 miles through the western edge of
metropolitan Cleveland to Lake Erie. Approximately 30 miles of
this river system f-low through the Cleveland Metropolitan Park.
The Chagrin River drains an area of 267 square miles with a
population of 158,000. Its headwaters rise in rural Geauga County
near Chardon. The river flows southwesterly to Chagrin Falls where
it is joined by the Aurora Branch. In Chagrin Falls the river
crosses an escarpment and falls over 100 feet before flowing north
to Lake Erie through the eastern fringe of the suburban Cleveland
area.
Hydrology
Precipitation averages 3^ inches a year with a fairly uniform
distribution throughout the year. The Cuyahoga River provides the
6-1
-------
QPO 827-2SI-9
FIGURE 6-1
-------
highest safe yield of runoff per square mile of any Ohio stream
flowing into Lake Erie. Low flow (flow equaled or exceeded 90
percent of the time) in the upper Cuyahoga is fairly high; 18.9 cfs
at Hiram Rapids, 30.5 cfs at Kent, 71.0 cfs at Old Portage "below
Akron, and 90.0 cfs at Independence above Cleveland. Streams trib-
utary to the Cuyahoga "below Akron have little sustained flow during
dry weather and some go dry part of the year. Tinkers Creek, Brandywine
Creek, Mud Brook, and Big Creek are exceptions.
Three reservoirs above Kent with a total capacity of 10 billion gallons
furnish Akron with water from the Cuyahoga. Six mgd are available
from the 2.3 billion gallon Mogadore Reservoir on the Little Cuyahoga
River in Akron. Through maximum development of reservoir sites in the
Basin, the present safe yield at Independence could be tripled.
Ground water yields of over 100 gpm are found only in isolated
areas of the Basin. Ground water use is significant in the Akron
and Cuyahoga Falls area.
Although run-of-the-river dams are located on both branches of
the Rocky River, the discharge of wastes from 15 sources supply the
greatest part of the dry weather flow. The low flow at the United
States Geological Survey gage at Berea is S.k cfs.
There are no major water developments on the Chagrin River.
The river has a relatively high dry weather flow of 0.110 cfs/sq. mi.
or 2T.7 cfs which results in part from ground water discharge from
sandstone outcrops throughout the Basin.
Economy
Although the Greater Cleveland-Cuyahoga Basin contains only 5
percent of the land in the Lake Erie Basin, its 2.3 million people
represent 20 percent of the total population. Twelve municipalities
within the Basin each have populations of 50,000 or greater. A
steady growth pattern since 1900 indicates that by the year 2020 the
population of the Basin will have climbed to six million.
The economic growth expected within the Basin should follow the
increasing population. The Cleveland area is one of the great steel
producing and fabricating areas in the country, and Akron supplies
75 percent of the world's rubber needs. In addition to these two
industries, automotive manufacturing and chemical industries play a
large role in the economy of the Basin. These industries and others
account for over 600,000 jobs. The Value Added by Manufacture in
the Basin is over three billion dollars.
Besides industry's contribution to the economy of the Basin,
6-2
-------
L_
SCALE IN MILES
10
ROCKY-CUYAHOGA-
CHAGRIN RIVER BASINS
FIGURE 6-2
-------
agriculture is still important. Dairy products are important in
Geauga County, and Cuyahoga County is a leading county in Ohio for
vegetable, nursery, and greenhouse products. The cash receipts
from the sale of agricultural products in the Basin is estimated
at 30 million dollars annually.
WATER USES
Municipal
From its headwaters, downstream to Lake Rockwell, the Cuyahoga
River supplies 50 mgd to the City of Akron's municipal water supply
system. At Cuyahoga Falls, the river recharges that city's well water
supply during periods of high flow. Wells supply 8 mgd of the muni-
cipal water supply in the Cuyahoga subbasin. Medina and Berea are
the only municipalities using the Rocky River for water supplies.
They each use an average of 1.7 mgd. The City of Cleveland, which
obtains its water from Lake Erie, supplies 22 mgd to municipalities
within the Rocky River subbasin. Only one municipality, Willoughby,
depends upon the Chagrin River for its municipal water supply. It uses
an average of 1.9 mgd. The City of Cleveland supplies 7.9 mgd of the
10.^ mgd municipal water demand in this subbasin. Wells supply only
0.6 mgd in the Chagrin River subbasin.
Lake Erie is the most significant source of municipal water
supplies in the Greater Cleveland-Cuyahoga Basin. Cleveland's four
water filtration plants supply an average of 20k mgd from Lake Erie
to most communities in Cuyahoga County and some outlying ones.
Rural
Rural water use in the Greater Cleveland-Cuyahoga Basin amounted
to 17 mgd in 1955' Golf course watering accounted for over 9 mgd of
the total.
Industrie1
In the upstream portion of the Cuyahoga subbasin, industrial
well fields tap underground supplies for 18 mgd in Akron. Surface
water meets an additional 180 mgd industrial demand in this portion
of the subbasin. Between Akron and the navigation channel in
Cleveland, 120 mgd are withdrawn for industrial use. Water supplied
from the navigation channel of the Cuyahoga River is 300 mgd. This
cannot be directly attributed to river yield since the water levels
in this section are determined by lake elevations. The Chagrin River
supplies 1.6 mgd of industrial water at Chagrin Falls.
Municipal water supplies are ample for industrial water needs
in the remainder of the Basin. Cooling water for power generation
6-3
-------
is withdravn from Lake Erie at Cleveland and Eastlake. The withdrawal
is estimated at 723 mgd. Approximately 10 mgd of industrial water
for other uses is also withdrawn directly from Lake Erie.
Waterborne Commerce
The Corps" of Engineers, U. S. Army, reported that in 1962 over
l6 million tons of cargo moved through the port of Cleveland. Iron
ore and related materials for the steel industry, petroleum products,
and materials for the chemical industry were the major types of cargo.
The Cuyahoga River is dredged to a depth of 23 feet for a distance
of 5-^ miles above its mouth to provide for navigation. There is no
commercial navigation on the Rocky or Chagrin Rivers.
Recreation
The upstream sections of the Cuyahoga River are used for fishing
and "boating. This area supports many species of fish. B low Lake
Rockwell, the species of fish "become less desirable and the quantities
decrease. Below Akron, to Lake Erie, the river is nearly devoid of
aquatic life. Reaches of the river "below Akron are unsuitable for any
type of water recreation.
Along the Cleveland metropolitan lakefront there are 10 public
beaches and several boat marinas. Because of the high microbiological
densities in the nearshore zone, the city has adopted a "swim if you
must" bathing beach program. Cuyahoga County has closed beaches in
Rocky River because of pollution.
The Rocky River flows throuf•- Cleveland Metropolitan Park from
near the Cuyehoga County line (on the East Branch) to Lake Erie where
extensive recreational use is made of the river. Two marinas are
located near the mouth of the river. Hinckley and Lester Lakes af-
ford good recreational sites upstream.
Recreation in the Chagrin River is limited to fishing and boating.
Three boat clubs end four marinas are located in the mouth of the
river. Facilities are at present rather poor but anticipated con-
struction by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers will improve naviga-
tion conditions for pleasure boating. Fishing is good throughout
the length of the river and its tributaries.
Esthetics
Debris-filled, oil-slicked, dirty-looking waterways are not pleas-
ant. One or more of these terms defines the Cuyahoga River at any
place along its course. Some reaches are blocked completely by dead
trees and stumps, while the banks are dotted with many small dumps.
Trash, ranging from tin cans to refrigerators, is a common sight in the
6-U
-------
river. In the navigation channel, where the Cuyahoga flovs through
Cleveland, even more debris exists, and the vater surface often becomes
"black with oil or sulfides from the industrial outfalls. As long as
these situations remain, the Cuyahoga will "be a liability to the cities
and adjacent property owners which it serves.
Debris is the biggest esthetic problem on the Cleveland lakefront.
It is also a navigation hazard. The discolored water and floating
debris, particularly behind the Federal Breakwater, have reduced the
esthetic value of the lakefront. The visual nuisances consist of
discarded lumber, tree limbs, metal cans, paper products, dead fish,
oil-slicks, grease, and scum. Debris-littered beaches are also found
near the mouth of the Chagrin and Rocky Rivers.
Since much of the lower Rocky River flows through a well-used
Metropolitan Park, the poor esthetic character of the stream reduces
the park's value as a recreational area. Debris and floating fecal
solids have been observed at numerous locations. During the summer,
the water is a deep green color due to blue-green algal blooms. When
flow is low, the lower 15 miles of the stream often reek with the
characteristic odor of septic sewage. The problem is particularly
severe below the Berea municipal sewage treatment plant.
The esthetic value of the Chagrin River is impaired by multi-
colored dye discharges in Chagrin Falls and municipal refuse dumps
along the river banks in Willoughby and Eastlake.
SOURCES OF WASTES
Municipal
There are 892,000 people served by 18 secondary treatment plants
and 31,000 people served by 6 primary plants which are tributary to
the Cuyahoga River. Thirty-five thousand people in organized com-
munities are not served by any central treatment plant. Cleveland's
Southerly Sewage Treatment Plant and Akron's Water Pollution Control
Station together treat the wastes from 826,000 people. The waste
load discharged by the 18 secondary treatment plants is 2^,000 pounds
of BODc- per day. This is equivalent to a raw sewage load from 142,000
people. The discharge from the six primary plants is 3,300 pounds of
BOD5 per day.
There are 12 secondary treatment plants serving 63,000 people
and one small -priraary plant tributary to the Rocky River. Twenty-
six thousand people in organized communities are not served by any
central treatment plant. The waste load discharged to the Rocky River
is 1,^00 pounds of BODc; per day. This is equivalent to the raw sewage
of 8,000 people.
There are 8,000 people served by two secondary treatment plants
6-5
-------
and 28,000 people served by one primary (intermediate) plant which
are tributary to the Chagrin River. The waste load discharged to
the Chagrin River is 2,900 pounds of BODc per day. This is equiva-
lent to the raw sewage of 17,000 people.
Lake Erie, which is the most important source of water supply
in the Basin, is also the most used for a municipal waste disposal.
Cleveland Easterly Sewage Treatment Plant is the only lakeshore
secondary treatment plant in this Basin. It serves 60^,000 people and
discharges 19,000 pounds of BOD,- per day to Lake Erie. Four primary
sewage treatment plants serve W6,000 people and discharge ^9,000
pounds of BODc per day to Lake Erie. This is equivalent to the raw
sewage of 288,000 people.
Industrial
There are Ul industrial operations of 30 industries under permit
to discharge wastes to the Cuyahoga River. These industries range
from small packing houses with overflowing septic tanks to three
"giants" of the steel industry, which each discharge an estimated 20
mgd of waste water to the navigation channel.
Only two metal plating industries are under permit by the Ohio
Department of Health to discharge directly to the Rocky River. Five
industries discharge to the Chagrin River, and three industries (one
is a power plant) discharge directly to Lake Erie,
In addition to the kO industries under permit to discharge wastes
directly to the waters of the Basin, there are 20 industries dis-
charging to storm sewers in Cleveland's eastern suburbs. Also, not one
of the industries in Akron is under permit by the Ohio Department of
Health for their direct discharges to the Cuyahoga River and its
tributaries.
Data on industrial waste discharges in the Greater Cleveland-
Cuyahoga Basin is now being collected and evaluated. To this date
only one industry, Republic Steel's Bolt and Nut Division and Cleve-
land District Plants, has made its waste discharge data available to
the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration for study.
Land Runoff
A substantial portion of the City of Cleveland is served by a
combined sewer system. This system collects both sanitary and srorm
waters, and is designed to discharge overflows to the nearest water-
course. Combined sewers are tied together with interceptor sejwers
to collect the dry weather sewage flow and transport it to sewage
treatment plants. Some allowance is made for increased flow due
to storm waters. Overflow structures are provided at most junctures
6-6
-------
between the combined sewers and the interceptor sewer so that heavy
storm water flow may continue to pass directly to the nearest water-
course.
The City of Cleveland has approximately 3^3 combined sewer over-
flow structures. During periods of storm runoff, they discharge raw
sewage and industrial wastes, mixed with storm water, directly to
Lake Erie and to streams which flow through Cleveland. There are 21 storm
water outfalls that discharge directly to the lake and ^0 outfalls that
discharge to 6 small streams flowing through eastern Cleveland to Lake
Erie. The outfalls constitute a major intermittent source of pollution.
Plugged and defective overflow structures or sewers continuously dis-
charge wastes which are not diluted by storm water. These malfunctioning
devices are responsible for a large portion of the pollution from com-
bined sewers.
EFFECTS OF WASTES ON WATER QUALITY AND WATER USES
DO-BOD Relationships
There are large dissolved oxygen deficits below Kent, Stow and
Akron, and in the navigation channel in Cleveland. During 196k,
oxygen concentrations downstream from Kent's treatment plant ranged
from a high of 9-2 mg/1 in the winter to a low of 0 mg/1 in the summer
with a yearly average of 2.k mg/1. The average dissolved oxygen below
Akron's Water Pollution Control Station was 3-3 mg/1 and the range was
from 7.6 to O.U mg/1. In the navigation channel, which is below
Cleveland's Southerly Treatment Plant and amid the industrial complex,
values ranged between 0.0 mg/1 and 1.2 mg/1 with a yearly average of
0.2 mg/1. The usually accepted minimum dissolved oxygen range for
most water uses is between 3-0 and 5-0 nig/1. Accompanying the oxygen
concentrations in these areas are BOD,- concentrations that average 10.2
mg/1, 11.3 mg/1 and 8.9 mg/1 respectively. Because of these conditions,
the water cannot support most forms of aquatic life.
Dugway Brook and Ninemile Creek on Cleveland's east side were
sampled several times in 19^3 and 196k and showed indications of
gross pollution. The dissolved oxygen concentrations in both creeks
were generally zero and the BOD,- concentrations varied from 9 to 3° mg/1.
The stream was septic when sampled in 1963 following precipitation, but
not in 196U when no precipitation occurred before sampling.
From municipal sewage, the organic load to the Rocky River had
depleted the oxygen concentration at mile point 2.9 to below k mg/1
50 percent of the time during the summer. Waste discharges above the
confluence of the branches created only local areas of pollution.
Average BODr concentrations remained above h mg/1 below Berea's
sewage treatment plant.
6-7
-------
No dissolved oxygen depletions were found in the lower Chagrin
River. Except for esthetic complaints, the water quality is little
impaired.
Microbiology
Bacterial pollution of the Cuyahoga River exists from Rockwell
Dam to its mouth. Median total coliform values per 100 ml ranges
from a low of 9,200 organisms per 100 ml at Rockwell Dam to a high
of ^70,000 organisms per 100 ml at the head of the navigation channel.
The fecal coliform to fecal streptococcus ratio is greater than 1:1
at all sampling stations and reaches a maximum of 10:1, indicating
a human origin of the microbes. The enteric pathogen study conducted
in the Cleveland reach of the river revealed lU different species of
Salmonella organisms. Salmonella was detected 65 percent of the times
sampled. These human pathogens are transmitted almost exclusively by
fecal contamination of water, food, or milk.
In order to determine the effect of storm water overflows, sam-
pling stations were established above and below an overflow on Euclid
Creek. The total coliform density was 770,000/100 ml above and
5,000,000/100 ml below the outfall. Comparing these counts to the
2,200/100 ml obtained in the 1963 survey during dry weather gives an
indication of the effect storm water overflows have on streams such
as Euclid Creek.
Discharges from sewage treatment plants, storm water overflows,
and ditches carrying septic tank drainage are causing high densities
of bacterial organisms in the Rocky River. The routine and special
studies on the main stem of the Rocky River above the lake-affected
area showed fecal pollution which impairs the water use for recrea-
tion. Maximum total coliform densities ranged from 55,000 to
1,000,000 organisms per 100 ml at the stations sampled.
Biology
In the impounded waters of the Cuyahoga River above Kent, and
between Kent and Akron, there is a prolific growth of algae and
aquatic weeds which create a nuisance condition and degrade the es-
thetic value of the river. Decomposition of these growths which
are nourished by the effluents from the sewage treatment plants of
Ravenna, Kent, and Stow exert an oxygen demand on the river.
The waters flowing from Lake Rockwell support clean water com-
munities of bottom-dwelling animals, but are rapidly degraded below
this point. Between Kent and the river mouth only pollution tol-
erant forms of bottom organisms were found. In the lower Cuyahoga,
conditions were so severe that even the most tolerant forms were
totally absent.
6-8
GPO 827—251 -8
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The nutrients from the upstream sewage treatment plants on the
Rocky River fertilize the impounded areas of the stream to such an
extent that large algal blooms develop during the summer months.
The rooted aquatics increase correspondingly. This plant life causes
nuisance problems in the Metropolitan Park, as well as taste and color
problems in the Berea water supply. Show-flowing and stagnant pools
in the river provide ideal breeding areas for mosquitoes which create
a serious nuisance condition in the park and surrounding areas.
Phenols
Results of phenol determinations on the Cuyahoga River for
illustrate a continual concentration increase from Rockwell Dam to
Lake Erie. The average summer concentrations at Lake Rockwell were 1.8
ug/1, increasing to 7.2;ug/l above Akron, and 20.8 ;ug/l above Cleve-
land. In the navigation channel, the average was 58.0 p.g/1 and
reached a maximum of 175 Jig/1. Besides creating odor problems, phenols
are toxic to many forms of aquatic life.
EFFECTS ON LAKE
At the Cuyahoga River-Lake Erie interface, dispersion or dilu-
tion of river water takes place. The dissolved oxygen values approach
saturation, and other substances approach background concentrations
of the Lake. Conductivity values at 30 harbor stations show no ap-
preciable concentration gradients one-half mile beyond the breakwall.
Because of the large sewage treatment plants located along the
Cleveland shoreline, it is difficult to trace bacterial pollution
from the Cuyahoga into the Lake. Nevertheless, the fecal coliform
to fecal streptococcus ratios in the harbor area range up to 30:1.
This ratio decreases to below 1:1 at stations further from the shore.
The population of bottom-dwelling animals shows that the Lake
is affected by Cleveland area pollution. Sludgeworms, which thrive
on organic materials averaged ii-00,000 per square meter in the harbor.
Numbers of organisms decreased between the harbor mouth and the two-
mile contour, and no significant variation could be detected beyond
this line.
The effect the Rocky and Chagrin Rivers have on Lake Erie is
less significant than that of the Cuyahoga River.
6-9
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-------
CHAPTER 7 - NORTHEASTERN OHIO
AREA DESCRIPTION
The Northeastern Ohio Basin covers an area 1,208 square miles,
of which 86 percent is in Ohio, the remainder in Pennsylvania. The
principal tributaries to the Lake in this area are the Grand River,
the Ashtabula River, and Conneaut Creek (Figure 7-1).
The Grand River is the largest stream draining an area of 712
square miles. Its headwaters are in Geauga County and it flows for
98 miles to Lake Erie at Fairport Harbor. The average fall of the
river is 5.6 feet per mile through gently rolling terrain.
The Ashtabula River, draining 137 square miles, originates in
Ashtabula County as two branches. The East and West Branches flow
for 12 miles where they join to form the main stem. The river
continues, at an average fall of 11.6 feet per mile for another 28
miles, flowing into Lake Erie at the City of Ashtabula.
Conneaut Creek, draining 191 square miles, originates in
Crawford County, Pennsylvania. It flows north through Pennsylvania
for 25 miles, then west for 20 miles through Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Here it makes a sharp bend and flows in a northeasterly direction
for 13 miles to Lake Erie at Conneaut, Ohio. The average fall of
Conneaut Creek is 11.3 feet per mile.
These Northeastern Ohio streams rise in the glaciated Allegheny
Plateau province and flow across a narrow band of Lake Plains sub-
province into the Lake. The two provinces are divided by an escarp-
ment through which the Ashtabula River and Conneaut Creek have cut
deep, steep-walled gorges. The Grand River, however, flows across the
escarpment through a broad valley. The terrain is undulating through-
out the Northeastern Ohio Basin.
The soils of the glaciated plateau are heavy till soils of the
Mahoning Trumbull family. In the Lake Plain, the soils are generally
clay aud relatively heavy. The soils and overburden of glacial till
are of low permeability and contain little ground water to supplement
dry weather flow. Sustained flow in these streams is very low as
shown by the flows tabulated as follows:
7-1
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FIGURE 7-1
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NORTHEASTERN OHIO STREAM FLOWS
Stream Location Drainage Area Period of Yield*
(Sq. Miles) Record (Yrs.) (cfs)
Grand River Madison 587 30 9.50
Ashtabula Ashtabula 118 27 0.21
Conneaut Amboy 178 18 5.60
*Flow equaled or exceeded 90 percent- of the time
Economy
The area in the Basin is 86 percent rural. The population of
approximately 180,000 is concentrated in Lake County or along the
lakeshore. The largest population centers in the Basin are Paines-
ville, Ashtabula, and Conneaut (Figure 7-2) with populations of 16,000,
25,000, and 11,000 respectively.
Painesville, Ashtabula, Conneaut, and Fairport Harbor are all
areas of large industrial activity. The production of chemicals and
allied products is the principal industry. The Value Added by Manu-
facture (VAM) in 1962 was 264 million dollars for Lake and Ashtabula
Counties combined.
Agriculture in the Northeastern Ohio Basin is quite diversified.
In 1962, cash receipts from agriculture totaled as estimated 24 mil-
lion dollars. Dairy, greenhouse, and nursery products accounted for
half of this total. Ashtabula County in 1962 ranked second among
Ohio counties in cash receipts from sale of dairy products. Lake
County ranked first among Ohio counties in cash receipts from the
sale of greenhouse and nursery products.
The commercial centers of Northeastern Ohio are Fairport Harbor,
Ashtabula, and Conneaut, In 1962, these ports handled 11 percent of
the total Lake Erie tonnage.
The Port of Conneaut, at the mouth of Conneaut Creek, and
Fairport Harbor, at the mouth of the Grand River, each handled 3.1
million tons of cargo in 1962, and ranked eighth and ninth respec-
tively in tonnage handled on Lake Erie. The Port of Ashtabula, at
the mouth of the Ashtabula River, handled 9.0 million tons of cargo,
ranking fifth among Lake Erie ports.
WATER USES
Municipal
Lake Erie provides 12.7 mgd or 83 percent of the municipal water
7-2
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FAIRPORT
HARBOR
SCALE IN MILES
GRAND - ASHTABULA -
CONNEAUT RIVER BASINS
1
5
> 1
0 5
1 — •
10
15
FIGURE 7-2
-------
supply in the Basin. Only two communities, Geneva and Jefferson,
withdraw municipal water from inland surface streams. These com-
munities, located in the Grand River Basin, withdraw 0.9 mgd from
the Grand River and 0.25 mgd from Mill Creek respectively. Only
1.43 mgd of municipal water supplies are taken from wells.
Industrial
Industrial water use in the Northeastern Ohio Basin totaled
290 mgd in 1955 and water used in thermal power generation totaled
540 mgd. Primary metals industries used 180 mgd; chemical and
allied products industries used 110 mgd. Lake Erie furnished 98
percent of the industrial water in the Basin, Sixty-six percent was
used by industries in Fairport Harbor. Cooling water accounted for
93 percent of industrial water usage.
Shoreline Recreation
There are five main shoreline recreation areas in Lake County
and four in Ashtabula County: Mentor Twp. Park, Headlands State
Park, Fairport Beach, Painesville Twp. Park, Madison Twp. Park,
Geneva-on-the-Lake, Geneva Twp. Park, Walnut Park, and Conneaut Twp.
Park. These beach areas are used for swimming, boating, water skiing,
and fishing, and serve the people of Greater-Cleveland as well as
local residents. The beaches have replaced the Cleveland lakefront
as recreation centers owing to the latter's heavy pollution.
PRINCIPAL SOURCES OF WASTE
Municipal
Nine municipalities with a total population of 71,000 (1960
census) treat their wastes. These major communities and the smaller
ones (under 1,000 population) discharge 8,000 pounds of 3005 per day.
The population equivalent (PE) of this discharged waste load based
on 0.167 pounds of BOD5 per person per day is 46,000. A tabulation
of loads and types of treatment is presented in Table 7-1. All nine
of these communities are served by sewer systems that keep separate
sanitary wastes from storm xvaters.
In addition to the load discharged by these treatment plants,
a population of approximately 20,000 discharge domestic sewage (3,000
pounds of BODc per day) into septic tanks.
GPO 827—251-7
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-------
Community
TABLE 7-3
NORTHEASTERN OHIO
PRINCIPAL MUNICIPAL WASTE DISCHARGES
Treatment Estimated Population
Sewered Equivalent*
Population
Loads per day
BOD
Raw Discharged Raw Discharged
Grand River
Fairport Harbor,Ohio Primary
Painesville, Ohio
Chardon, Ohio
Jefferson, Ohio
Ashtabula River
Primary
Secondary
Secondary
U,267 3,110 2,090 519
16,115 16,300 10,700 2,720
3,155 3,630 755 606
2,115 1,980 250 331
1,790
126
42
Conneaut Creek
Albion, Pa. Secondary
Minor Lake Tributaries
Madison, Ohio Secondary
Geneva, Ohio Secondary
Direct to Lake
Ashtabula, Ohio Primary
Conneaut, Ohio Primary
2,200 2,200
5,675
28,738
10,557
330
1,470 285
5,380 2,160
32,000 19,800
14,500 9,250
367
90
5,340
2,420
55
48
36
3,310
1,540
* Population equivalent based on U.167 pounds of BOD per day per capita
-------
Industrial
There are 26 industries located in Northeastern Ohio. Three of
these industries discharge their wastes directly into Lake Erie.
The remainder discharge wastes to inland surface streams. For ex-
ample, Fields Brook, a tributary of the Ashtabula Kiver, receives
wastes from nine of the industries in the Ashtabula area. Other
major industrial areas are near Painesville and Fairport Harbor.
Chemical and allied products are the principal industries of
Northeastern Ohio. The wastes from these industries are mainly in-
organic solids, predominantly chlorides.
Discharges from the metal finishing operations in the Basin
are snail compared to those of the chemical industries, but the
wastes are extremely toxic. They consist of acid and alkaline,,
phenolic, or other solvents, cyanide, chrome, and other heavy metals
which are being treated or used for plating.
EFFECTS OF WASTES ON WATER QUALITY & WATER USE
Grand Rive r
The lower three miles of the river are brightly colored, with
hues ranging from bright green or yellow to black. The green and
yellow colors result from chemical discharges, but the black color
has been attributed to boiler fly ash discharges. The banks of the
river in this section are covered with white sediment from chemical
discharges.
Chloride concentrations of 3,620 mg/1 and 5,260 mg/1 were found
during the summer and fall of 1964 respectively at mile point 2.3. This
station is below the discharges of several chemical industries. Above
the station, chloride concentrations during the same seasons were
40 tag/1 and 44 mg/1 respectively.
Total solid concentrations in the Grand River also increased
below the chemical industries. The average concentration during the
summer increased from 314 mg/1 at mile point 5.3 to 5,280 mg/1 at mile
point 2.3. Total dissolved solids averaged 4,710 mj'/l during this
period.
Median total coliforra densities within the river uere always
below 10,000 organisms per 100 ml except below the Foirport Harbor
and Painesville sewage treatment plants. At these locations, the
median values were 67,000 organisms per 100 ml during the sumser, 1964
and 150,000 organisms per 100 ml during the fall. Total coliform
densities were J.ess than 1,000 organisms per 100 ml at the mouth of the
river and did not indicate a great health hazard. There were no
dissolved oxygen problems in the chemically polluted frand Fiver: the
highest seasonal BOD was only 5.0 ing/I.
7-5
-------
Between Painesville and the river mouth, bottom-dwelling organ-
isms were limited to pollution tolerant sludgeworms and bloodworms.
Ashtabula River
At mile point 3.3 and above, the water is of excellent quality.
The lox
-------
Two secondary treatment plants in Pennsylvania constitute the
only municipal waste discharges to Conneaut Creek. Their combined
discharge is 60 pounds of BODr per day.
A meat packing operation at Springboro, Pennsylvania, discharges
approximately 140 pounds of BOD^ per day to Conneaut Creek from a
secondary treatment plant. Even though streamflow is low, the stream
gradient near the headwaters of Conneaut Creek seem sufficient to
prevent problems of low dissolved oxygen from developing in this
reach of the stream.
EFFECTS ON LAKE
The total loading to Lake Erie from the Grand River was measured
2.3 miles above the mouth. The results showed that the following
average pounds per day were being contributed during 1964.
Chlorides 2,200,000
Chemical Oxygen Demand 140,000
Biochemical Oxygen Demand 7,000
Total Solids 9,500,000
Phenols 75
NH3 - N 1,358
N03 - N 2,610
The actual load was greater because an undetermined quantity of
industrial wastes were being discharged to the river below this trib-
utary loading station. The principal contributions of the Grand
River to the Lake, however, consisted of total solids and chlorides.
Loads of the Ashtabula River to Lake Erie in pounds per day at
the tributary loading station 3.3 miles from the mouth were as
follows:
Chlorides 17,000
Chemical Oxygen Demand 14,000
Biochemical Oxygen Demand 13,000
Total Solids 170,000
Phenols 1
P04 55
Nil3 - N 78
N03 - N 230
7-7
-------
Chemical data show that the Grand River exerts an influence on
Lake Erie as far as two miles from the river mouth. Conductivity
and COD data show that most of the river flow is out into Lake Erie
through the entrance of the harbor. The conductivity and COD averaged
1,540 umhos and 14.0 mg/1 respectively at the mouth of the Grand
River. At the entrance to the harbor, the respective averages were
594 ;umhos and 12.2 mg/1. As far in the Lake as two miles from the
river mouth, conductivity remained at about 360 jumbos, which is
above the average of 290 >imhos for the Central Basin of Lake Erie.
The COD at all stations except in the entrance to the harbor averaged
between 10.2 mg/1 and 11.5 mg/1. This is also above the average of
8.6 mg/1 for the Central Basin of Lake Erie.
Chloride concentrations which were very high in the river averaged
between 40 and 50 mg/1 outside the breakwall and 107 mg/1 at the
entrance to the harbor.
Microbiological data show that median total coliforni densities
were below 660 per 100ml in Fairport Harbor. Two miles into the Lake,
the median total coliform density was 10 per 100 ml, which is the same
concentration of total coliforms found offshore in this section of the
Lake.
Two diffusion studies in Fairport Harbor revealed that, while
the river water was approximately 6°C warmer than the Lake water,
the density from the solids load carried by the river caused it to
flow along the bottom of the Lake. This fact explains the sudden
decrease in solids and chlorides concentration between sampling
stations on the Crand River between mile points 2.3 and 0,7. It also
explains the low total coliform densities which were found in surface
samples of Fairport Harbor.
The Ash tabula River exerts an influence on the Lake as far as
1.5 miles from the river mouth, according to the chemical data. The
average conductivity decreased from 440 ,unihos at the river mouth tr
315 /umhos at 1.5 miles from the mouth. This is somewhat above the
average conductivity in the Central Basin of Lake Erie. COD showed
the same decrease. The average COD at the river mouth was 10.9 ng/1;
at 1.5 miles from the river mouth, the average COD was 9.3 mg/1,
about equal to the average for the Central Basin.
at Mile Point 0.7
The median total coliform densities decreased from 41,000/to
150 organisms per 100 ml 1.5 miles into the Lake. Offshore from
Ashtabula, total coliform values in Lake Erie were less than 1 organ-
ism per 100 ml 60 percent of the time. Within the harbor, median
total coliform densities were below 1,500.
7-8
-------
A median total coliform value of 2,800 organisms per 100 ml was
found at the station offshore from the Ashtabula sewage treatment plant,
The average COD concentration was 10.9 mg/1.
Generally, the shoreline of Lake Erie in eastern Ohio is of good
bacterial quality.
7-9
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CHAPTER 8 - PENNSYLVANIA
DESCRIPTION OF AREA
The Pennsylvania Basin (Figure 8-1) of Lake Erie includes the
area from Twenty-mile Creek on the east to, but not including, Conneaut
Creek on the west. The area comprises 3^'i square miles and is lo-
cated within Erie County, Pennsylvania and Chautauqua County, New
York. The Basin is h6 miles long and varies in width from 6 to 13
miles. The land rises from the lake in a steep "bluff 100 to 200
feet high. This makes it generally inaccessible and unusable for
recreation, with the notable exception of Presque Isle State Park, a
seven-mile long sand and gravel peninsula at Erie. This peninsula
encloses Erie Harbor, thus protecting it and making it an important
lakeport .
The streams in this area have steep gradients as they descend
from the uplands. Flow is considerably slower through the lake
plain. Several streams drop over a steep bluff as they flow into
Lake Erie, making fish migration impossible. Streams of importance
are Crooked, Elk, Mill, Sixteenmile, Twentymile, and Walnut Creeks.
In Sixteenmile Creek, flow has varied from 0.2 cfs (l°51) to
0,710 cfs (ink?). Average stream flow varied from 3 cfs on Fllicott
Creek to 130 cfs or T^ik Creek.
Erie (Figure 8-2), with a lo6o population of 138,000, is the
third largest city in Pennsylvania. The Erie Metropolitan complex
is Pennsylvania's fifth largest, with 210,000 peonle.
There is a variety of industrial production in this area. Over
200 manufacturers produce machinery, steel, paper, plastics, and
other products. Erie's port facilities annually handle over six
million tons of Lake shipping. Tourism is a rapidly developing in-
dustry. The lakefront, particularly Presque Isle State Park, attracts
people from as far as Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo.
WATER USES
Municipal and ._ Industrial^
The predominant source of water for both municipal and industrial
usage is Lake Erie. The Lake supplies over QO percent of domestic
water supplies. The other 10 percent is supplied from reservoirs
and shallow wells. Three major industries and a power plant maintain
their own supply systems from the Lake. The City of North East has
8-1
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SPO 827-231-8
FIGURE 8-1
-------
N
SCALE IN MILES
PENNSYLVANIA BASIN
10
15
FIGURE 8-2
-------
developed Sixteennile Creek and French Creek (in the Allegheny River
Watershed) for its water supply. Only 7,000 people in urban areas use
ground vater as their domestic water source.
Recreation
Other than water supply, the largest water use in the Basin is
recreation. Swimming, boating, water skiing, fishing, and the
esthetic enjoyment of clean water are available throughout nost of
the Basin. The nucleus of this development is Presque Isle State
Park and Bay. Park attendance on a warm summer weekend is over
100,000 people. Between three and four million people visit the park
annually. The recent completion of new roadways and other facilities
will further stimulate this important water use. Higher development
of adjacent beach areas to the east and west is expected.
Although there are only ^,'(00 boat registered in Krie County,
the area is used extensively for pleasure boating. On a weekend in
the mid-summer of 19&2, the Pennsylvania Department of Fish and Game
counted 12,000 boats in the lakefront area.
Fish and Aquatic Life
Excellent year-round fishing exists in many of the area's
streams. Twentymile Creek, Trout Run, and Godfrey's Run are good
trout streams. All other streams support fish life (from trout to
suckers) except Sixteennile Creek from Route 89 to Route 5, Cascade
Creek, Mill Creek below West Thirtieth Street, and Garrison Run. "Many
fish of various types are taken from Presque Isle Harbor and all along
the shore and into the Lake.
SOURCES OF WASTES
Municipal wastes, combined sewer overflows, and industrial waste
are principal sources of discharge into the shore region. Other
wastes, discharged intermittently, also have severe, though temporary
effects. Among these are accidental spills from vessels or industries,
wastes from lake vessels and pleasure crafts, and material from
dredging operations.
Municipal
The major sources of municipal wastes are Erie, Girard, Lake City,
and North East. All major treatment plants in this basin provide
secondary treatment and remove an average of 85 percent of the organic
loading. North East and Erie chlorinate their sewage treatment plant
effluents. Lake City and Girard are enlarging their treatment plants
8-2
-------
and plan to include chlorination, as required by the State of
Pennsylvania.
Bacterial tests of Mill Creek and Garrison Run indicate that
they are receiving domestic wastes. Samples collected in the harbor
off Mill Creek in 196k revealed high coliform counts.
Combined Sever Overflows
Lake City and North East have separate sewers for domestic
wastes and stormwater runoff. Girard and Erie each have a combination
of separate and combined systems. Erie's combined system exists
mainly in the downtown- area.
Industrial
One inuustry, Hammermill Paper Company, contributes 90 percent of
the total oxygen demand loading to this area's water. This part of
Hammermill's waste will soon be largely removed with the installation
of deep well disposal. However, this will not alleviate the problem
caused by the industry's discharge of tannins and lignins from spent
pulping liquors. These wastes cause the water to foam, turn brownish
black in appearance, and produce a strong stench.
Other industries having discharges with a more localized effect
are Gunnison Brothers, Interlake Iron Corporation, General Electric,
and Parker-White Metal. Noticeable quantities of oil and iron have
been observed on Fourmile Creek.
EFFECTS OF WASTES ON WATER QUALITY AND WATER USES
Various communities along the lakefront have individual pollution
problems. Generally, beaches to the west of Presque Isle have main-
tained good quality, while those to the east, including Beach 11 on
Presque Isle, have at times been severely polluted. The pollution
problems at the beaches have been both bacterial and esthetic.
Fish kills have occurred sporadically in the history of the
lakeshore area and the various tributaries. The majority of the fish
kills were caused by industrial waste discharges. Others have been
caused by water temperature fluctuations. A combined effort by state
and local officials, and wildlife organizations has helped to curb
illegal industrial discharges.
Erie Harbor
As Erie Harbor is enclosed by Presque Isle and has only a small
8-3
-------
opening into Lake Erie, it is well protected and flov in and out is
restricted. Water color in the harbor and veil up the east shore is
a deep brownish-tan, caused by pulp and paper wastes. Turbidity is
relatively low in the harbor and is further reduced outside the
harbor. Filamentous green algae (Cladaphora and Chara) can be found
in most areas of the harbor where the depth is less than six feet.
Bottom deposits in the harbor are a, brownish black combination
of mud, silt, and detritus (including wood fiber). The harbor shows
a wide variety of pollution intolerant benthic organisms, indicating
that the paper mill wastes in the concentrations that normally enter
the harbor are not toxic to bottom organisms. Much sport fishinpr
takes place in the harbor which contains an adequate fish population.
Studies have shown that the part of Erie Harbor immediately
along the downtown marina facilities and docks, and off Mill Creek,
contains high coliform densities. They range from 1,000 to 500,000
organisms per 100 ml near Mill Creek and in the ship channel. The
source of this pollution is probably Mill Creek, where coliform
densities of over 1,000,000 organisms per 100 ml have been found and
from other local sources of pollution. Enteric pathogen studies re-
vealed Salmonella were isolated in both of these locations 80 percent
of the times sampled. This same organism was found in Erie's sewage.
Lake Erie Shoreline
In many areas outside the harbor the Lake bottom is composed
of coarse sand and rock. This, along with relatively fast offshore
currents, prevents the accumulation of detritus or other materials on
the bottom to the east of Hammermill. This habitat reduces the variety
of bottom organisms that can be supported, but an assortment of clean
water associated organisms have been found.
The Hamrnermill Paper Company's waste outfa.ll is located just east
of the mouth of Erie Harbor. With the prevailing winds in the area
from the west, Kammermill's effluent affects the esthetic conditions
of beaches and boating areas for 10 to 20 miles eastward. This line of
foam and foul smelling colored water is commonly visible at Sixteenmile
and Twentymile Creeks. This effluent hinders the development of the
eastern portion of the Basin as a water supply and as a recreational
area. Also, it reduces the usefulness of potentially valuable lakefront
property. When the wind is from the east, these wastes make parts or
all the beaches on Presque Isle unusable for water contact sports.
In addition to their adverse esthetic effects, these discharges
cause severe problems with tastes and odors in domestic water supplies.
In the spring of 196H, for a neriod of 5 to 10 days, when the prevailing
G-U
-------
wind was from the east, the City of Erie had high tannin concentrations
in its water intakes. They caused severe taste and odor problems and
required extensive extra treatment. Periodically, Erie closes its
eastern intake to avoid such high tannin concentrations.
In the summer of 196^, the Erie County Health Department carried
out an intensive microbiological examination of the beaches at Presque
Isle State Park. Presque Isle State Park officials, the U. S. Public
Health Service, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and the City of
Erie cooperated in this study. A summary of the data collected in the
summer of 196^ from over U,000 separate tests appears below:
MICROBIOLOGICAL RESULTS FROM PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK
SUMMER
Beach
Total Coliform Density*
% Greater
Median Than 1,000
Fecal Streptococcus
Density*
Median
Presque Isle
Presque Isle
Presque Isle
Presque Isle
- 1
- 8
- 10
- 11
36
23
20
TOO
^
05
0%
38%
10
T
It
5
*Count per 100 ml
Filter Technique
- preliminary evaluation, 196^ data, Millipore
The data in the above table indicate that Beach 1 on the west
end of the park has an occasional source of pollution which diminishes
as it progresses down the beach, whereas Beach 11 on the eastern tip
is affected by larger and more constant sources of pollution.
Preliminary analyses indicate that, except for short periods,
all of the beaches except Beach 11 are relatively free from pollution.
All beaches, but particularly Beach 11, appear to be influenced by
heavy rainfall, strong wind from any direction which causes turbulence
in the water, and winds of any velocity but long duration from the
east. Beach 11 was closed as a precautionary measure several times
during the summer of 1965 by Park officials while all western beaches
remained open at all times.
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CHAPTER 9 - NEW YORK BASINS
A report on the New York basins tributary to Lake Erie was
submitted at the Rochester meeting of the subcommittee and is
therefore not included in this report.
GPO S27-2SI—3
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CHAPTER 10 - DETROIT RIVER AND MICHIGAN TRIBUTARIES
The Detroit River and Michigan tributaries draining into Lake
Erie have been described in the Federal Water Pollution Control
Administration's "Report on Pollution of the Detroit River, Michigan
Waters of Lake Erie, and their Tributaries", April, 1965, available
from the Lake Huron Program Office, FWPCA, Crosse lie, >fichigan.
10-1
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11 - FEDERAL ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES
The Federal Water Pollution Control Administration has proceaded
in compliance with all the recommendations of the conference in the
matter of pollution of the navigable waters of the Detroit River and
Lake Erie and their tributaries (Michigan) and the conference in the
matter of pollution of Lake Erie and its tributaries (Michigan - Indiana
Ohio - Pennsylvania - New York) for which it has responsibility. The
progress and accomplishments noted below are provided only in regard
to the Detroit River and the western and central portions of Lake Erie.
That is, that portion bordered by the States of Michigan, Indiana
and Ohio.
Detroit River
Recommendations
The summary of the second session of the conference in the matter
of pollution of Detroit River and Lake Erie and their tributaries held
June 15-l8> 19^5 and issued by the Secretary of Health, Education, and
Welfare contained the following conclusions and recommendations unani-
mously agreed upon by the conferees:
1. The Detroit River and Lake Erie within the State of Michigan,
and their tributaries within the State of Michigan, are navigable waters
within the meaning of section 8 of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act.
2. Pollution of navigable waters subject to abatement under the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act is occurring in the Detroit River,
the Michigan waters of Lake Erie, and their tributaries within the
State of Michigan. The discharges causing and contributing to the
pollution come from various industrial and municipal sources.
3. While many sources of waste discharge in the area have adequate
facilities, many sources still have inadequate waste treatment facilities.
The delays in controlling the pollution problem of the area covered
by the conference are caused by the lack of such adequate facilities
and the complex municipal-industrial nature of the problem.
*K Cognizance is taken of the excellent work and programming of
the Michigan State authorities. Most wastes in the area receive a
measure of treatment or control.
5« The "Report on Pollution of the Detroit River and the Michigan
Waters of Lake Erie and Their Tributaries," prepared by the U. S.
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, dated April 1965, will
be submitted to then Michigan Water Resources Commission for implementa-
11-1
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tion under State and local law. Action taken by the Michigan Water
Resources Commission will be reported to the conferees at six-month
intervals at public meetings to be called by the Chairman of the
conference. The conferees expect that a time schedule for the control
of pollution in the area covered by the conference will be established
by the Michigan Water Resources Commission regarding all sources of
pollution within one year from the date of the issuance of this summary.
6. The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare will consult
with the Michigan Water Resources Commission on action taken under State
law by that Commission relating to specific problems of the Detroit
River and Michigan waters of Lake Erie. Staff members of the Department
of Health, Education, and Welfare will be available for presentation of
evidence and testimony at conferences and hearings before the Michigan
Water Resources Commission.
?• All municipalities and industries be required to provide a
degree of treatment sufficient to protect all legitimate uses. Where
the effluent contains significant bacterial loadings deleteriously
affecting legitimate water uses, disinfection of the effluent will be
required.
8. Sewerage systems with collection sewers terminating in adequate
treatment facilities be provided in those areas along the Michigan shore
of Lake Erie and the Detroit River where sewers do not now exist and
homes discharge either raw wastes or septic tank effluent to the water-
course.
9« Waste treatment facilities be designed to prevent the necessity
of bypassing untreated wastes during maintenance and renovation operations,
Cognizance is taken of the fact that many installations provide this
protection at the present time.
10. Programs to reduce the likelihood of accidental spills of
waste material to the river be continued and strengthened.
11. All municipal waste water treatment plants and industries dis-
charging wastes analyze regularly significant waste constituents contrib-
uting to pollution, and furnish such reports and records to the Michigan
Water Resources Commission as specified by it.
12. A Department of Health, Education, and Welfare water pollution
control surveillance station be established in the lower section of the
Detroit River. This will be in addition to the Department station now
in operation at the head of the Detroit River so as to indicate changes
in water quality after improvements are made.
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13. Surveillance will be the primary responsibility of the State
of Michigan. The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare will
assist the State at such times as requested. Surveillance will include
regular sampling of waste effluents and overflows from combined sewers
as well as aerial and power boat reconnaissance as practiced by the
Michigan Water Resources Commission. Expansion of this activity is
encouraged and recommended.
lU. The conference may be reconvened on the call of the Chairman.
Ac c ompli shments
In compliance with recommendation 6 of this conference, a Federal
representative was invited and did consult with the Michigan Water
Resources Commission on action taken under State law by that Commission
relating to specific problems of the Detroit River and Michigan Waters
of Lake Erie. The Federal representative attended all the meetings of
the Michigan Water Resources Commission in which the Detroit River
pollution problems were discussed and presented testimony on the occasions
where requested.
The Federal scientists provided the Michigan Water Resources
Commission with current information on the removal of phosphates by
sewage treatment processes.
A water pollution control surveillance station has been established
in the lower section of the Detroit River by the FWPCA as required by
recommendation 12 of the Detroit River-Lake Erie conference summary.
Automatic and continuous measurements will be made on temperature,
dissolved oxygen, conductivity and turbidity. This station has been
established as one of the national water pollution surveillance stations
of the FWPCA, which means that samples will be collected weekly for
the entire spectra of water quality measurements, including radiochemistry
and chlorinated hydrocarbons (pesticides). In addition, the station
includes a low-flow rate carbon filter for organic analysis.
Finally, in compliance with recommendation 13, the ongoing surveil-
lance of the FWPCA which includes regular sampling of waste effluents
and overflows as well as aerial and power boat reconnaissance as
practiced by the Michigan Water Resources Commission was reinforced
with State personnel and control of the operations gradually shifted
to the State which now has taken the major role in surveillance of the
Detroit River, tributaries, and waste sources. The Detroit field unit
of the International Joint Commission continues to monitor the water
quality in the Detroit River, and the Ontario Water Resources Commission
also collects additional samples. Communication between all agencies
is maintained to prevent overlap or conflict.
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Lake Erie
RecommendatIons
The summary of the second session of the conference in the matter
of pollution of Lake Erie and its tributaries held August 10-12, 1965
and issued by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare contained
the following conclusions and recommendations unanimously agreed upon
by the conferees:
1. The waters of Lake Erie within the United States are interstate
waters within the meaning of section 8 of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act. The waters of Lake Erie and its tributaries within the
United States are navigable waters within the meaning of section 8 of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
2. Lake Erie and many of its tributaries are polluted. The main
body of the Lake has deteriorated in quality at a rate many times greater
than its normal aging processes, due to the inputs of wastes resulting
from the activities of man.
3. Identified pollutants contributing to damages to water uses
in Lake Erie are sewage and industrial wastes, oils, silts, sediment,
floating solids and nutrients (phosphates and nitrates). Enrichment
of Lake Erie, caused by man-made contributions of nutrient materials,
is proceeding at an alarming rate. Pollution in Lake Erie and many
of its tributaries causes significant damage to recreation, commercial
fishing, sport fishing, navigation, water supply, and esthetic values.
U. Eutrophication or over-fertilization of Lake Erie is of major
concern. Problems are occurring along the Lake shoreline at some water
intakes and throughout the Lake from algal growths stimulated by
nutrients. Reduction of one or more of such nutrients will be beneficial
in controlling algal growths and eutrophication.
5. Many sources of waste discharge reaching Lake Erie have inadequate
waste treatment facilities. The delays in controlling tnis pollution
are caused by tne lack of such adequate facilities and the complex
municipal, industrial and biological nature of the problem.
6. Interstate pollution of Lake Erie exists. Discharges into Lake
Erie and its tributaries from various sources are endangering the health
or welfare of persons in States other than those in whicn such dis-
charges originate. In large measure this pollution is caused by
nutrients which over-fertilize the Lake. This pollution is subject
to abatement under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
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7. Municipal wastes are to be given secondary treatment or treat-
ment of such nature as to effectuate the maximum reduction of BOD and
phosphates as well as other deleterious substances.
8. Secondary treatment plants are to be so designed and operated
as to maximize the removal of phosphates.
9- Disinfection of municipal waste effluents is to be practiced
in a manner that will maintain coliform densities not in excess of
5,000 organisms per 100 ml. at water supply intakes, and not in excess
of 1,000 organisms per 100 ml. where and when the receiving waters in
proximity to the discharge point are used for recreational purposes
involving bodily contact. It is recognized that bathing water quality
standards are established by statute in New York State.
10. All new sewerage facilities are to be designed to prevent
the necessity of bypassing untreated waters.
11. Combined storm and sanitary sewers are to be prohibited in
all newly developed urban areas, and eliminated in existing areas
wherever feasible. Existing combined systems are to be patrolled and
flow-regulating structures adjusted to convey the maximum practicable
amount of combined flows to and through treatment plants.
12. Programs are to be developed to prevent accidental spills
of waste materials to Lake Erie and its tributaries. In-plant surveys
with the purpose of preventing accidents are recommended.
13. Unusual increases in waste output and accidental spills are
to be reported immediately to the appropriate State agency.
l4« Disposal of garbage, trash, and other deleterious refuse in
Lake Erie or its tributaries is to be prohibited and existing dumps
along river banks and shores of the Lake are to be removed.
15. The conferees are to meet with representatives of Federal,
State and local officials responsible for agricultural, highway and
community development programs for the purpose of supporting satis-
factory programs for the control of runoff which deleteriously affects
water quality in Lake Erie.
16. Industrial plants are to improve practices for the segrega-
tion and treatment of waste to effect the maximum reductions of the
following:
a. Acids and alkalies
b. Oil and tarry substances
11-5
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c. Phenolic compounds and organic chemicals that contribute
to taste and odor problems
d. Ammonia and other nitrogenous compounds
e. Phosphorous compounds
f. Suspended material
g. Toxic and highly-colored wastes
h. Oxygen-demanding substances
i. Excessive heat
j. Foam-producing discharges
k. Other wastes which detract from recreational uses,
esthetic enjoyment, or other beneficial uses of the
waters.
17. The Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York water
pollution control agencies are to undertake action to insure that
industrial plants discharging wastes into the waters of Lake Erie and
its tributaries within their respective jurisdictions institute programs
of sampling their effluents to provide necessary information about waste
outputs. Such sampling shall be conducted at such locations and with
such frequency as to yield statistically reliable values of all waste
outputs and to show their variations. Analyses to be so reported are
to include, where applicable: pH, oil, tarry residues, phenolics,
ammonia, total nitrogen, cyanide, toxic materials, total biochemical
oxygen demand, and all other substances listed in the preceding paragraph.
18. Waste results are to be reported in terms of both concentra-
tions and load rates. Such information will be maintained in open files
by the State agencies for all those having a legitimate interest in
the information.
19. The U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare is to
establish water pollution surveillance stations at appropriate locations
on Lake Erie. Surveillance of the tributaries will be the primary
responsibility of the States. The Department of Health, Education,
and Welfare will assist the States at such times as requested.
20. The U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare will
be responsible for developing up-to-date information and experience
concerning effective phosphate removal and the control of combined
sewer systems. This information will be reported to the conferees
regularly.
11-6
OPO 827—231—4
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21. Regional planning is often the most logical and economical
approach toward meeting pollution problems. The water pollution control
agencies of Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, and
the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare will encourage such
regional planning activities.
22. Within six months after the issuance of this Summary, the
State water pollution control agencies concerned are to present a
schedule of remedial action to the Conferees for their consideration
and evaluation.
23. The Federal Conferee recommends the following for the considera-
tion of the State agencies:
a. Recommended municipal treatment; Completion of plans
and specifications, August, 1966; completion of financing,
February, 1967; construction started, August, 19&7;
construction completed, January 1, 19&9i chlorination of
effluents, May 15, 1966; provision of stand-by and
emergency equipment to prevent interruptions in operation
of municipal treatment plants, August, 1966; patrolling
of combined sewer systems, immediately.
b. Discontinuance of garbage and trash dumping into waters;
immediately.
c. Industrial waste treatment facilities: Completed and
in operation by January 1, 1969.
2^. Federal installations: Waste treatment facilities are to
be completed and in operation by August of 1966.
25. Representatives of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers are to
meet with the Conferees, develop and put into action a program for
disposal of dredged material in Lake Erie and its tributaries which
will satisfactorily protect water quality. Such a program is to be
developed with six months after the issuance of this Summary and
effectuated as soon as possible thereafter.
26. The conferees will establish a Technical Committee as soon
as possible which will evaluate water quality problems in Lake Erie
relating to nutrients and make recommendations to the conferees within
six months after the issuance of this Summary.
27. The conference may be reconvened on the call of the Chairman.
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Ac c ompli shment s
The FWPCA, in compliance with recommendation 11, has established
and will continue the process of reviewing urban renewal projects for
Jroper separation of storm and sanitary sewers. The FWPCA recornmenda
tion for the construction of separate storm and sanitary sewers will
be complied with at the University-Euclid Urban Renewal Project in
Cleveland, Ohio, the Vistula Meadows Urban Renewal Project in Toledo>
Ohio, and the Cascade Urban Renewal Project in Akron, Ohio.
In keeping with recommendation 15 of the Lake Erie conference
summary a meeting has been held with the Bureau of Public Roads and
state highway officials in pursuit of programs to control runoff whio.,;
deleteriously effects Lake Erie. The Federal and State highway officials-
indicated great interest in minimizing pollution, and have received
an Instructional Memorandum from the Federal Highway Administrator tc
conduct the Federal highway program in such a way as to be in compliasa«
with President Johnson's Executive Order No. 11288.
In compliance with recommendation 19 a Federal surveillance program
has been established in the western portion of Lake Erie covering
Michigan and Ohio waters. Plans are presently being prepared which
will provide a more complete surveillance program on Lake Erie to evaluate
the effectiveness of pollution control practices in local and lake-wide
situations, to determine needs in local and lake-wide pollution situa-
tions, and to determine cause and effect relationships among chemical,
biological, and physical factors in lake eutrophication.
The ongoing responsibilities established by recommendation 20
are being fulfilled. Information has been made available by the
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration to the States and
municipalities on both phosphate removal and on control of combined
sewer systems. The Technical Committee, appointed by the Conferees,
heard from Federal Water Pollution Control Administration scientists
and engineers and private consultants were made available. The Chief
of the Technical Services Branch, Federal Water Pollution Control
Administration, met with the Michigan Water Resources Commission to
relate recent experiences in phosphate removal. Several sites are
now being surveyed in the Lake Erie area for a field demonstration of
phosphate removal at one or more operating sewage treatment plants.
Regional planning on pollution problems required by recommendation
21 was furthered by the provision of the Water Quality Act of 1965
that permits construction grant increases of 10 percent where a sewage
treatment plant project is certified as conforming with a comprehensive
metropolitan area plan. Such increased grants have been made to:
Detroit, $60,000; Oakland County, Michigan, $18,62^; the 8| Mile Relief
11-8
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b'.uju in Ma comb County, Michigan, $110,715; Plymouth, Ohio, $10,300;
aud Sylvania, Ohio, $20,3^0. The total 10 percent grant increases
cuuGutTt to $£19,979- Meetings have also been held with some Conference
/U ea regional planning agencies.
in addition to the 10 percent construction grant increases, a
tucuJ of Ik regular construction grants, amounting to $3;927;790, in
support of eligible construction of $13,583>1^7.> have been made to
communities in the western and central portions of the Lake Erie Basin
since last summer.
lu compliance with recommendation 25 a meeting was held with
lepi-eseutatives of the Chief of the Corps of Engineers to discuss the
problem of dredged material disposal. The Corps of Engineers has
proceeded diligently in the development of plans for disposal that
would minimize pollutional effects.
Kecommendation 26 of the Lake Erie conference summary calling for
the establishment of a Technical Committee has been fulfilled. The
conferees appointed a Technical Committee which met, heard testimony
from a number of Federal, State and private consultants, prepared an
interim report, and presented their preliminary recommendations to the
conferees. This Technical Committee continues to function and will
provide a more detailed report to the conferees.
In a continuing effort to carry out the recommendations of the Lake
Erie Conferences and to stimulate necessary action on the part of all
concerned, the conferees met again on June 22, 1966. At that time the
States of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio reported their own progress and
accomplishments in the western and central portions of the Lake Erie
Basin since the previous conference; and all the conferees agreed that
to assure continued progress they would meet again in six months. At
that time, when municipalities have proceeded with their plans for the
construction of adequate waste facilities, a detailed abatement schedule
may be drawn up which will include both municipalities and industries.
Federal Installations
la support of Executive Order 11288 concerning the waste treatment
practices of Federal installations and recommendation 2k of the Lake
Erie conference summary all such installations in the western and central
portions of the Lake Erie Basin are providing adequate treatment or have
initiated satisfactory abatement programs.
The control and abatement of water pollution from Federal installations
is being given special attention. There are 391 Federal installations in
the conference area, 'jkl of which discharge waste water to municipal sewer
systems. The treatment provided by these municipal systems is as follows:
11-9
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a) 7 installations discharge to 3 municipal systems presently
providing no treatment]
b) 119 installations discharge to municipal systems providing
primary or intermediate treatment;
c) 215 installations discharge to municipal systems providing
secondary treatment.
All but twelve of the sixty-six Federal installations in the Detroit
Conference Area discharge their waterborne wastes to municipal systems.
Forty-two installations discharge to the primary sewage treatment systems
of the City of Detroit and the Wayne County Disposal Systems. The remaining
twelve systems are served by six municipalities which provide secondary
treatment.
Nine of the twelve Federal installations in the Detroit Conference Area
(Western Lake Erie Basin) which do not discharge to municipal systems are
presently providing adequate secondary treatment of their sanitary wastes
and are in compliance with the Conference Summary. The three installations
not in compliance with the Conference Summary have initiated satisfactory
abatement programs. The status of these installations is as follows:
a) those installations presently providing secondary treatment
and which are in compliance with the Conference Summary;
Detroit Defense Area Installations, Michigan
NIKE Site 57 C & H, Newport, Monroe County. The housing
area has been taken over by the Navy Reserve. All sanitary
wastes receive treatment in an extended aeration sewage
treatment plant. The wastes from the Army Control Area
also receive treatment in this plant.
NIKE Site 57-L, Newport, Monroe County. This launch area
discharges approximately 2,000 GPD of waterborn wastes to
the ground via a septic tank and underground sand filter.
These facilities are adequate and are providing satisfactory
treatment.
NIKE Site 87 C&L, Miford, Oakland Co. The control facility
discharges approximately ^000 GPD of sewage to a septic tank
and sub-surface sand filter system which provides adequate
treatment. The launch facility is served by a septic tank
and tile drain field.
NIKE Site 6l-L, Romulus, Wayne Co. This launch complex
discharges 1000 GPD to a septic tank and sub-surface sand
filter treatment system, thence to the ground. These
facilities are satisfactory.
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Detroit Defense Area, New Boston, Wayne Co.
This U.S.A. Engineers facility is served by a septic tank
and sub-surface disposal field which provides adequate
treatment for the limited quantity of sanitary vastes gen-
erated (UOO GPD).
Detroit Ordinance Storage Facility #3, Livonia, Wayne Co.
This Array Ordinance Corps facility discharges a. minimum
amount of sanitary wastes to a septic tank and sub-surface
disposal system. These facilities are adequate.
Detroit Radar ARSg 1, Detroit, Wayne Co.
Sanitary wastes from this facility, in the amount of 125 GPD,
are discharged to the ground via a septic tank and tile field
system which provides satisfactory treatment.
b) those installations not providing secondary treatment and not in
compliance with the Conference Summary:
U.S.. Coast Guard, Detroit River Light Station, Monroe Co.
This station presently discharges approximately 350 GPD of
raw sewage into Lake Erie. The Coast Guard has had plans to
unman and automate the light station for several years and
has tried to do so. Previous attempts to install automated
facilities have resulted in their destruction by ice on the
lake. The Coast Guard is presently designing a new automated
light structure and expects to have the existing station
unmaned within the next 12 months.
U.S. Navy, Grosse lie Naval Air Station, Grosse lie, Wayne Co.
(and the U.S. Department of the Interior, FWPCA, Lake Huron
Program Office at the Naval Air Station)
The Naval Mr Station has improved its primary treatment plant
and provided continuous chlorination. Further treatment facili-
ties have not been programmed because the Station is scheduled
for de-activation by September 1, 196?. A package aeration
plant with chlorination was put into operation at the boat dock
and the airplane washing wastes are ncrtr being treated by the
Grosse lie sewage treatment plant. Should the Station not be
de-activated secondary treatment facilities will be constructed
or a connection to the municipal system effected.
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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in response to FWPCA recommendations
has ordered that the practice of dumping ships' garbage arid trash at the
dredged material disposal area be stopped; that closer control be maintained
in order to prevent the spillage of dredged material outside of the disposal
areas: and that treatment units "be provided on board dredging vessels for
sanitary wastes.
There are 325 Federal installations in the Lake Erie Conference Area
involving the States of Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.
Of these, 28j discharge all or a portion of their wastes to municipal systems.
Sever installations discharge to three municipalities providing no treatment;
77 ir-stallations discharge to 26 municipal systems providing primary ot
intermediate treatment; and 203 installations discharge to 55 municipal system?
providing secondary treatment. Forty-one Federal installations in the L&ke
Erie Conference Area provide treatment facilities to treat all or a portion of
their wastes. The following installations have adequate treatment fn^nit-, t^-a
arid are in compliance with the conference summary:
U,S. Coast Guard installations, Lake Erie:
Marblehead Lifeboat Station, Ottawa Co., Ohio
The septic tank and sub-surface disposal system (tile drain
field) is operationg satisfactori L;, ,
Toledo Harbor Light Station, Toledo Ohio
Sanitary wastes are no longer generated at this station, Tfc
was unmanned and automated effective August 5, 1966,
Lorain Liftboat Station, Lorain, Ohio
This station effected a connection to the City of Lorain
sewer system on August 1, 1966,
Sandusky Bay Light Station, Ohio
The septic tank and tile drain field are operatiiig satisfac-
torily.
Cleveland Reserve Training Unit, Cleveland, Ohio
The septic tank and sub-surface disposal system is adequate.
Chesterland Radio Station, Gates Milles, Ohio
The septic tank and sub-surface disposal system is adequate.
Fairport Harbor Light Station, Fairport, Ohio
A new tile field was completed in May 1966. The septic tank
system is now adequate.
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Erie Lifeboat Station, Erie,.Pennsylvania
The septic tank and sub-surface disposal tile field is satis-
factory .
Buffalo Lifeboat Station, Buffalo, New York
The aerobic package sewage treatment plant with effluent
chlorination is satisfactory.
GSA, Defense Materials Supply Depot, New Haven, Indiana
The septic tank and sub-surface disposal systems are adequate
and operating satisfactorily.
Erie Army Ordinance Depot, Port Clinton, Ohio
This facility is to be phased out by December 31, 1966. The
secondary sewage treatment facilities are providing adequate
treatment of the sanitary wastes and provide chlorination of
the plant effluent. The limited amount of industrial wastes
now generated do riot present a pollution hazard since 90$ of
it is cooling water.
Locust Point Firing Range, Ottawa Co., Ohio
Sanitary facilities at the Range consist of pit-type privies
and are adequate for the limited use that they receive.
Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial National Monument,
Put-In-Bay, Ohio
Sewage from the public comfort station receives adequate treat-
ment by a septic tank and tile drainfteld system. The Superin-
tendent's home and the National Park Service office are each
served by 500 gallon capacity septic tanks, the effluent from
which is discharged to the Put-In-Bay sewer system which dis-
charges into Lake Erie without further treatment.
Post Office, Bellevue, Ohio
Sewage from 27 employees (250 gpd) and some storm water flow
to a concrete-block-lined cesspool on the installation's
property. The system appears hydraulically adequate to handle
the flow. The City of Bellevue does not have a municipal
sewerage system, but an engineer has been hired to develop a
sewerage plan.
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Cleveland Army Tank Automotive Plant, Cleveland, Ohio
Previous problems with the jointly used sewer have been recti-
fied. Sufficient hydraulic capacity now exists. All sanitary
wastes are discharged to the Cleveland sewer system. All
industrial wastes receive adequate treatment prior to discharge
to Abrams Creek and the Rocky River.
The Lewis Research Center, NASA, Cleveland, Ohio
All industrial wastes receive adequate treatment prior to dis-
charge to the Rocky River. All sanitary wastes are discharged
to the Cleveland City sewer system.
Army NIKE Missile Sites, Cleveland Area
Site 29C
Secondary treatment facilities are operating satisfactorily.
The plant effluent is chlorinated.
Site 3ln,
All sanitary wastes receive secondary treatment prior to
subsurface disposal. The system is adequate.
Army Defense Area Housing, Cleveland Area, Ohio
Housing units located in Berea (2), Grand River (l), Mentor (9),
and Painesville (l), Ohio are leased by the Army for use by
Army Defense Area personnel. All units discharge sanitary wastes
to the ground via septic tank and tile drain field systems. These
housing units are not owned fry "the Federal government, and as
such the Army has no direct control over the waste disposal
facilities provided.
Naval Reserve Training Center, Buffalo, New York
Approximately 3000 gpd of sanitary sewage is discharged to the
ground via 2-500 gallon capacity septic tanks and a tile drain
field system. This system is adequate at present.
OPO 827-251-3
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Air Force Plant #4-9, Buffalo, New York
All sanitary wastes are discharged to the Buffalo City sewer
system. Cooling water discharges to Scajaquada Creek do not
present a pollution hazard.
Army NIKE Sites, Buffalo area
Sites lH and 18 (C&L)
The septic tanks, sand filters, and post chlorinators
are providing satisfactory treatment.
Site 9 (C&L)
The septic tank and sub-surface disposal field system
is adequate.
Post Office, Springville, New York
The septic tank system is adequate. No connection has "been
made to the recently completed City sewer system as yet,
however, the post office plans to do so.
The following installations are not in compliance with the conference
summary at present, but are expected to be within the near future:
U.S. Coast Guard Installations, Lake Erie:
Put-In-Bay Light Station, South Bass Island, Ohio
This facility consists of a houseboat which is manned by a
compliment of 6 men during the summer months. The houseboat
is served by a retention tank with chlorination. The Coast
Guard will be required to install a suitable treatment unit
to replace the existing inadequate facilities. No plans for
the conversion have been prepared at this time.
Cleveland Lifeboat Station, Ohio
Treatment facilities at this installation consist of a septic
tank which discharges directly to Lake Erie. The Coast Guard
plans to advertise for bids on a project to install an aerobic
digester with effluent chlorination during August, 1966. The
plant is expected to be operational by Fall 1966.
Ashtabula Light Station, Ohio
The sewage from two persons is discharged directly to Lake Erie
without treatment. A gas fired incinerator unit is to be in-
stalled this Fall.
11-15
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The Lewis Research Center, NASA, Plum Brook Facility, Sandusky, Ohio
Activities associated with the research, development and
testing of propulsion systems and components, fuels and
materials are carried out at this iftatallation. Sanitary
wastes from 570 employees are discharged to three treatment
systems. A primary treatment plant discharges 71,^-00 GPD to
Plum Brook. Approximately 1,000 GPD of sanitary wastes are
discharged to some sixteen scattered septic tank and subsurface
disposal systems serving isolated areas at the facility. A
package secondary sewage treatment plant, designed for a flow
of 15,000 GPD, serves the new Space Propulsion facility which
is still under construction. This plant has chlorination
facilities.
The installation has been notified that the primary treatment
plant is inadequate. Plans for secondary treatment units are
presently "being prepared. Construction is contemplated for
next year.
Approximately 1 M3D of cooling water associated with the
operation of the installation's nuclear reactor is discharged
to Plum Brook. All discharges are continually monitored to
insure conformance with applicable standards.
Post Office, Silver Creek, New York
Sewage from 12 employees flows to a septic tank and then to
the Silver Creek storm sewer system without further treatment.
The City of Silver Ciregk does not have a municipal sanitary
sewerage system at present.
11-16
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Although Selfridge Air Force Base is not included within the Lake Erie
Basin or in an enforcement conference area, the discharges to the Clinton
River have "been the subject of both State and Federal concern; and the
accomplishments vith regard to this problem are noteworthy. FWPCA recommenda-
tions called for the Air Force to install sewage treatment facilities capable
of producing an effluent haviftg very low biochemical oxygen demand, suspended
solids, total phosphates, coliforms and oil and to initiate a vigorous prc- -
gram of sampling and analysis for these parameters. The FWPCA recommended
that the sewage from the Army NIKE Sites and the Missile Maintenance Area at
Selfridge be pumped to the Air Force sewage plant for treatment or that the
effluent from the septic tanks either (l) be pumped out of the basin, (2) be
contained in evaporation lagoons, or (3) if discharged to the Clinton River,
shall not exceed strict requirements for biochemical oxygen demand, suspended
solids, total phosphates and coliforms. If the last alternative is imple-
mented, an active, ongoing testing program is to be conducted. On July 18, 1966
representatives of the FWPCA, the Air Force and the Army met, the recommenda-
tions of the FWPCA were accepted, and the following time schedules set:
U.S. Army NIKE Sites and Missle Maintenance Area
1. Plans completed for abatement
program December 31, 1966
2. Final plans and specifications
and contract award July 1, 1967
3- Construction completed December 31, 1967
Selfridge Air Force Base Sewage Treatment Plant
1. Final plans and specifications
and contract award October 1, 1967
2. Construction completed October 1, 1968
The State of Michigan has concurred in the effluent standards recommend-
ed by the FWPCA. However, State of Michigan representatives have stated that
they believe that the interests of the public would best be served if the
wastes from Selfridge Air Force Base were brought together with the wastes
from the communities in the lower Clinton River Valley for treatment and dis-
posal in the manner to be determined by the current engineering investigation
being conducted by, and for, the County of Macomb. This determination is to
be made by November 1966. In the interim, the Army and Air Force will be re-
quested to proceed in accordance with the aforementioned time schedule. Ad-
herance to this time schedule will depend on the availability of government
funds.
11-17 GPO 827-251-2
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