WATE R QUALITY CONDITIONS
* AT THE
JORDAN RIVER
NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY
'ELMIRA, MICHIGAN
FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CC'JT^OL ADMjNISTR AT!C\
-------
WATER QUALITY CONDITIONS
* AT THE
JORDAN RIVER
NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY
ELMIRA, MICHIGAN
FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ADMINISTRATION
-------
Water Quality Conditions
at the
JORDAN RIVEH NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY
Elmira, Michigan
Prepared by the
LAKE MICHIGAN BASI?: OFFICE
Great Lakes Region
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration
Department of the Interior
February, 1969
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TABLE OF CCJ;TS:.TTS
INTRODUCTION . 1
DESCRIPTION OF SITE 2
ANALYTICAL 1STHOD3 '. 2
CRITERIA ...... 2
FIELD OBSERVATIONS A
CHEMICAL RESULTS 4
BIOLOGICAL RESULTS '. 5
SUI-a-lARY 7
CONCLUSIONS 7
RECOMT-STBATIOMS . 7
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INTRODUCTION
The Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife's (BSF&W) Jordan P.iver
National Fish Hatchery began operation in 19-^. The annual lake
trout production of 135,COO pounds is utilized in the Great Lakes
Fisheries Ccrcmission's restoration program.
The question of possible hatchery effluent pollution of the Jordan
River first arose in 1965. Since that tine, there have been nu-
merous articles in local newspapers pretesting the alleged pollu-
tion. During the spring of 1966 the ESF^r.-' conducted a study to
determine the effects of the hatchery en the chemical quality of
the river. This study, while showing high levels of nutrients in
the river, indicated that the hatchery's contribution to the total
load was very small.
A draft of a report prepared by Mr. '''. Steucke, Fish Hatchery
Biologist, BSF&f.v, indicated that organic material was being de-
posited at the confluence of the hatchery effluent and the Jordan
River, and that a treatment lagoon to remedy this problem had been
proposed.
In a memorandum dated September Zv, 19°3, the Acting Regional
Director of the 35F£-V,r, Minneapolis, Minnesota requested that the
Federal V/ater Pollution Control Administration (F-i'?CA) conduct an
evaluation of possible pollution of the Jordan River by the hatch-
ery. As a result of this request, two field investigations of the
area were conducted in the fall of 1963. This report presents the
findings of these investigations.
Federal agencies are required by Executive Order 11233 to provide
leadership in the effort to improve water quality and to prevent
water pollution from Federal Government activities. '..*hile this
order specifically exempts fish hatcher;/ effluents from the
generally applicable requirement of secondary treatment; it does
not relieve hatcheries of the responsibility of providing a lesser
degree of treatment if it is shewn to be necessary. As mentioned
earlier, the BSF£o/ recognizes this responsibility and has proposed
a treatment lagoon for the hatcher;-'.
- 1 -
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DESCRIPTION OF SITS
The Jordan River National Fish Hatcher:/- (for lake trout propaga-
tion) is located six rales southwest of Slmira, Antrin Count;.',
Michigan. The hatchery property is adjacent to the Jordan River.
(See Figure l)
The terrain in the vicinity of the hatchery is level to a gentle
roll. The Jordan River, however, has a stabilized regime in a
deep valley. The valley depth near the hatchery is approxinately
AOO feet.
Water is supplied to the hatchery by two springs. Both springs
flow continuously throughout the year. The Five-Tile Spring has
an average annual flow of 23CO gallons per minute. The Six-Tile
Spring has an average annual flow of 3900 gallons per minute.
The outfalls flowing into Five-Tile Creek carry the waste water
from the propagation tanks and front the feeding and habitation
tanks. A portion of the Six-Tile Spring flow is used in the mature
fish feeding and habitation tank and is discharged directly to the
Jordan River through a 2k inch culvert.
ANALYTICAL METHODS
Field and laboratory chemical analyses were performed using the
K7PCA Official Interim Methods for chemical analysis of surface
waters as selected by the Committee on Methods Validation and
Analytical Duality Control. Biological sampling and classifica-
tion methods are described in './ater Pollution_ PiplosT,-^ Field and
Laboratory :ianual. Lake Michigan Basin Office, Fi.'PC.i.
CRITERIA
The applicable Michigan State Standards for nutrients and resi-
dues established for the protection of fish, -rildlife, and other
aquatic life are as follows:
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"Nutrients originating from industrial, municipal,
dories tic animal sources shall be limited to the ex-
tent necessary to prevent the stimulation of growths
of algae, weeds and siirr.es which are or riay become
injurious to the designated use;"
and
' "Floating solids; None of unnatural origin.
Residues: No evidence of such naterial except of
natural origin."
The report of the National Technical Advisory Committee to the
Secretary of the Interior, entitled V.'ater j-uality Criteria, and
dated April 1, 1963, elaborates on the subject of nutrients and
nuisance plant conditions. Abundance of nitrogen and phosphorus
"promotes vegetative production if other conditions
for growth are favorable... Linited laboratory
studies made to date indicate that different species
of algae have somewhat different phosphorus require-
ments with the range of available phosphorus usually
falling between C.01 and 0.05 J^g/1 as phosphorus.
At these levels, when other conditions are favorable,
blooms may be expected... The total phosphorus is
governing as it is the reservoir that supplies the
available phosphorus. It is believed that allowable
total phosphorus depends upon a variety of factors;
e.g., type of water, character of bottom soil, tur-
bidity, temperature, and especially desired water
use. Allowable amounts of total phosphorus will
vary, but in general, it is believed that a desirable
guideline is 100 ug/1 for rivers and 50 ug/l where
streams enter lakes or reservoirs."
"The nitrogen-phosphorus ratio is also of importance.
The ratio varies with the water, season., temperature,
and geological formation, and may range from 1 or 2:1
to 100:1. In natural waters, the ratio is often very-
near 10:1, and this appears to be a good guideline
for indicating normal conditions."
o
The N:P ratio is about 3:1 in living systems. When the ratio falls
below 8:1 it indicates that the nitrogen is in short supply and is
the limiting element. When the converse occurs the phosphorus is
in short supply and more nitrogen is present thar. can be utilized.
-------
FIELD OBSERVATIONS
October 12. 1968
The initial FJPCA investigation of the effects of the hatchery
effluent on the Jordan Paver included visual observations and water
and biological sampling of stations above, at, and below the
hatchery outfalls.
Visual observations of pollution indicators included considerable
attached algae in Five-Tile Creek and extensive deposition of fecal
and other material in the river below the Six-Tile (south) outfall.
Sone attached algae was noted in the river below the hatchery but
not in excessive quantities. '.'ith the above exceptions the river
appeared to be a clear, esthetically pleasing stream.
November 13, 1968
A significant observation of the second trip was the black sci:
which was scrubbed out of the feeding and habitation tank and dis-
charged to Five-Tile Creek. This nay have been s. result of the
build-up of fecal material. Fish are fed according to size and
total weight. However, not all of the pelletized food is eaten,
and sone of it nay settle to the bottom or may dissolve and disperse.
The fecal material and the unconsumed food both contribute to the
nutrient levels of the effluent.
The Six-Tile outfall carried a snail amount of sediment to the Jordan
River. Five-Tile Creek which carries the effluent from the two
northern outfalls was clear at the point of confluence with the river.
A small patch of algae was seen attached to fslled logs in the river.
Watercress was growing in widely separated reaches of the Jordan
River.
CHEMICAL RESULTS
Results of chemical analyses for the October survey are shown in
Table 1 and for the November survey in Table 2.
Since the X:P ratio for all samples was greater than 3:1, the
phosphorus concentrations are the limiting nutrient factors.
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TABLE 1
Chemical Deterninations"
Sampling Date: 10/12/68
Analysis Dates: 11/6-3/68
Total P Nitrogen ng/1 M:P
Sta.ff Description pgA *^3_ 1103+1:02 Ratio
3288 R-l Jordan R. 200 yds.
upstream from 0.019 0.03 0.50 28:1
Five-Tile Creek
3289 E-l Five-Tile Creek just
below north outfall 0.034 0.11 1.6 50:1
3290 R-2 Jordan R. just below
Six-Tile outfall 0.026 0.1? .1.3 76:1
3291 R-3 Jordan R. 200 yds be-
low hatchery site 0.019 0.03 1.4 78:1
3292 R-5 " Jordan R. at Chestonia
Read Bridge 0.008 0,02 0.67 86:1
3295 S-l Five-Tile spring 0.004 -
3294 S-2 Six-Tile spring 0.003 -
Limits of sensitivity
P = 0.003 ng/1
N = 0.01 ing/1 (all forns)
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TABLE 2
Chemical Determinations
Sampling Date: 11/13/68
Analysis Dates: 11/21-27/63
Total P Nitrogen irj?/l N:P
CPOr Sta.# Description mgA NH KOyi-:^ Ratio
3486 "R-l Jordan R. 200 yds.
upstrean from 0.00? 0.01 1.1 158:1
Five-Tile Creek
3487 E-l Five-Tile Creek just
below north outfall 0.086 0.04 2.4 28:1
34S9 R-3 Jordan R. 200 yds.
below hatchery site 0.069 0.04 ' 1.9 28:1
3483 S-l Five-Tile spring 0.004 0.01 2.7 680:1
3484 S-2 Six-Tile spring 0.004 0.01 2.5 630:1
3488 E-2 South hatchery
effluent at slat ion R-2 0.106 0.20 2.5 25:1
3490 R-4 Jordan R. at Pinney
Bridge 0.015 0.01 1.2 80:1
Limits of sensitivity
P = 0.003 mgA
N = 0.01 iag/1 (all forms)
-------
As would be expected, the samples of spring water had the lowest
concentrations of phosphorus of any sanple tested, these values
being at or near the sensitivity of the test. The Jordan River up-
stream from the hatchery had lev/ phosphorus content. Two hundred
yards below the final hatchery effluent the concentration increased
to about 0.03 ng/1 in October and about 0.07 ng/1 in November. The
river recovered to about 0.01 ng/1 at about 4 miles dowr.strearr. frcn
the hatchery.
The annonia concentration was highest in the south hatcher;,' effluent
and in the river below where the south hatcher;- effluent enters the
river. The anr.onia, which is indicative of fresh fecal rate rial,
was rapidly converted to other forms of nitrogen within a short tine
after entering the river.
It is interesting to note that the nitrate-nitrite nitrogen was at
its maximun concentration in the springs and, therefore, masked any
contribution fron the hatchery itself, "evertheless, the nitrate-
nitrite concentration recovered to its upstrean. value by the time
the water reached the Pinney Bridge station.
BIOLOGICAL RESULTS
Benthos
Benthos sanples v;ere collected in the Jordan River and in Five-Tile
Creek at various sites above and below the entry of effluents of the
hatchery. Results of the analysis of benthos sar.ples are found in
Table 3*.
Reference to Table 3 indicates that above the hatchery at station P.-l
the river possessed a good aquatic habitat. Considerable nunbers of
pollution sensitive organises, such as, r.ayfly larvae, caddisfly
larvae, and stonefly larvae were found at this station.
Hatchery effluent station E-l and river station R-2 were both bio-
logically degraded. Thousands of pollution-tolerant sludgeworr.s
were recorded. ?!c pollution-sensitive benthic organisn was collected
at either of these stations.
Similar degraded biological conditions were noted in station E-2.
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TABLE 3
EENTKIC FAUNA
Results' Expressed in Numbers of Organisms
per square meter
3296
3297
3293
3299
3495
3300
Station;?
Collection Date
Analysis Date
Oligochaeta
(sludgewomo)
Tendipedidae
^bloodvroms)
Other Diptera
Nenatoda
^ roundwonns )
Anphipoda
pseuds)
Turbellaria
(flatv/oms)
Coleoptera
(aquatic beetles)
Epherneroptera
(mayfly larvae)
Trichoptera
^caddisflv larvae
Plecoptera
(stonefly larvae
R-l E-l R-2 R-3 R-L R-5
10/12/63 10/12/63 10/12/63 10/12/63 11/13/68 10/12/6;
11/5 H/12 11/27 11/3 1/7/69 H/6
40 49,000 13,000 560 10,000
600 1,400 260 40 770 300
90 - 40
90 " 40
130
40
40
950
260
90
Totals
2,020
50,490 13,260 130
1,500
10,340
Preservative: 10;? Fornalin
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Biological conditions improved somewhat at station R-3 in the river
belov; the hatchery. Blocdv;oms and roundwoms (Nematodes) were re-
corded here. Sludgeworms were not found in this sample.
Further improvement was noted in the Jordan River at Pinney Bridge,
station R-4, approximately four niles below the entrance of the
hatchery effluent. Scne pollution-sensitive scuds were recorded at
this site.
At Chestonia Bridge about 8 niles downstream from the hatchery,
station R-5> the Jordan was biologically degraded again. Large
numbers of sludgeworms were recorded at this site. The reason for
the condition at this site was not determined at the tine of the
study.
Phytoplankton
Phytoplankton recorded in the sanples collected in the study are
found in Table t. Pennate diatoms predominated in all the samples
collected.
Reference to Table k shows that phytoplankton were absent in the
samples collected fron the two sources of water for the hatchery,
namely, Five-Tile spring, station 3-1, and Six-Tile spring, station
S-2. However, the hatchery effluent at station E-l in Five-Tile
Creek contained tSO phytoplankton/ml and the hatchery effluent at
station S-2 contained 2~G/ml.
Downstream samples contained rather low numbers of phytcplankton -
not much greater than the number recorded at station R-l above the
hatchery.
Briefly, phytoplankton populations recorded in this stud;/ were
quite low. None exceeded 5CO organisms/ml, the lowest number
generally considered excessive.
Rather low water temperatures occurring during the study may have
inhibited the growth of phytoplankton. Findings of a study con-
ducted during the warmer tine of the year probably would produce
better information on the effects (if any) of the hatchery effluent
on the growth of phytoplankton in the Jordan River.
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SUMMARY
The Jordan River rational Fish Hatchery contributes significant
amounts of fish-fecal material and ur.consumed fish-food to the
Jordan River. This material deposits on the bottom and along the
banks of the river and supports pollution-tolerant benthic organisms.
These deposits are in violation of the intrastate water quality
standards of the State of Michigan.
The river above the hatchery and the stretch from. several hundred
yards below the hatchery to the Pinney Bridge is clear and
unpolluted .
The highest phosphorus concentration encountered occurred in one of
the hatchery effluents. This value v:as 0.106 np/1 which is quite
close to the F./PCA National Technical Advisory Committee recommended
limit of 0.1 mg/1. './her. this effluent nixes with the Jordan River
water, however, the concentration immediately drops to less than
0.1 rag/1. From the standpoint of nutrient enrichment, it appears
state standards are not violated by the hatchery,
[ CONCLUSIONS
The Jordan River National Fish Hatchery is in violation of llichigan
[ intrastate standards, and its discharge practices are counter tc
the intent of Executive Order 11283.
- . RECOIu-S?IDATIO:iS
The Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife should provide the Jordan
River National Fish Hatchery with a settling pond or lagoon designed
to remove solids from the hatchery effluents.
The Federal Water Pollution Control Administration should conduct
another water quality survey at the hatcher;,- site during the period
of heaviest loading and make further recommendations, if necessary,
to alleviate pollution conditions.
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