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                                                             24
and about 400,000 gpd of sanitary wastes from about 1,200 employees,
after primary treatment, at River Mile 11.1.  The industrial wastes
containing iron oxide and silica oxide are treated with acid to
reduce the pH and are settled before discharge.

        Past data have shown that the high iron and manganese
contents from upstream acid mine drainage and taste, odor, and
color from paper-mill wastes persist in the North Branch down-
stream below Cumberland.

        Patterson Creels; enters the North Branch from West Vir-
ginia at River Mile 9.0.  The average annual sediment discharge
froffl Patterson Creels, as ineasurGd at Headsville. West Virginia^
is-84 tons per square mile, or 18,400 tons per year.

        Because of a lack of current water quality data for the
North Branch and the Potomac River between Cumberland, Maryland,
and Hancock, Maryland (River Mile 23?. 5), a special study of
that reach was made by the Chesapeake Bay-Susquehanna River
Basins Project of the Public Health Service in July 1965.  At
each of the five stations established during the study, four
sampling runs were made.  Three runs were performed during the
daylight hours, and one was performed prior to sunrise to evaluate
possible algal activity.  The results of that survey are pre-
sented in Appendix III.  Above the Cumberland sewage treatment
plant effluent outfall, at River Mile 19.6, the B.O.D. averaged
1.8 mg/1; dissolved oxygen, 3.6 Bg/1; coliform bacteria, 9,9°0/
100 ml  (geometric mean); and hardness, 230 mg/1.  The dissolved
oxygen at 3:00 a.m. (3.2 mg/l) was slightly lower than at 2:30
p.m. of the same day (3.9 mg/l).  The water temperature and total
dissolved solids averaged 82.8 F. and 450 mg/l, respectively.
Average stream flow during the survey was 168 cfs.

        Downstream of the Cumberland sewage treatment plant and
the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company industrial waste outfalls,
the average total dissolved solids during the special survey
increased to 490 mg/l and the total hardness to 250 mg/l, while
coliform bacteria count decreased to 2,300/100 ml.  Factors
explaining the reduced bacterial counts would be the natural die-
off in the seven miles of stream between the sampling points,
especially in the pool behind a low dam on the North Branch at
the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, and the diluting effects of
stream  flows from Evitts Creek and other small tributaries.  The
B.O.D.  dropped slightly to an average of 1.1 mg/l, even though
on two  sampling runs the change was not significant.  There was
no change in the average dissolved oxygen concentration (3.6 mg/l)
between the two stations.  The water temperature dropped an
average of 3.6°F. to 79,2°F.; this would be expected because of

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                                                             25
artificially elevated water temperatures at the upstream station
from industrial cooling water discharges.

        A third sampling station in the special survey of July
1965 was located at Oldtown, Maryland, 2.2 miles upstream from
the mouth of the North Branch.  The coliform bacteria count
(2,300/100 ml) was the same as that for the last station upstream
(a distance of 9.0 miles).  The average B.O.D. increased to 1.7
mg/1, and the average dissolved oxygen concentration increased
to 6,2 mg/1.  The dissolved oxygen concentration in the middle
of the night (5.1 mg/l) was 2.2 mg/1 lower than on the same day
in the late afternoon (7.3 mg/l) , indicating the possible presence
of photosynthetic plants.  The total dissolved solids averaged
c;T^O Tn^/T.  "'"h1? t-frhfil bcirdrif^s?'. gvffT*pcr§r! 5^-0 TnCT/l- snd tlift
water temperature was 80.6 F.
        Wills Creek does not meet the minimum requirements for
INCOPOT Class D because of B.O.D. concentrations higher than
5.0 mg/1 and falls into MDWR Class C because of B.O.D. concentra-
tions above 7.0 mg/1 and coliform bacteria counts over 10,000/100
ml.  Braddock Run and Jennings Run of Wills Creek have these
same classifications because of mine drainage conditions in addi-
tion to untreated sewage discharges.  Evitts Creek in Maryland,
except possibly immediately below the sewage effluent outfall of
Growdenvale, may be classified as INCOPOT Class B and MDWR Class
A.  The North Branch in this sub -reach does not meet the minimum
requirements for INCOPOT Class D because of average dissolved
oxygen concentrations below 4.0 mg/1 in the upper portion and
the presence of odors throughout, and falls into MDWR Class C
because of the same reasons plus coliform bacteria concentrations
over 10,000/100 ml in the upper portion.

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                                                             27
                [T0  POTOMAC RIVER,  SOUTH BRANCH
                     TO CONOCOCHEAGUE CREEK
Upstream River Mile „

Downstream River Mile

Length of Reach „

Are_- draining Directly to Reach „

Total Drainage Area to Downstream
  Limit of Reach  „ „ „ „ „ . „ .
                                             210 . 7

                                              7k. k miles

                                                   square miles
                                            ,110   square miles
Summary

        The Potomac River is formed 285.1 miles above its mouth
by the confluence of the North Branch from Maryland and the
South Branch from West Virginia,  The North Branch, as it enters
the Potomac River, contains iron, manganese, and taste and odor
producing substances in greater than trace concentrations„  Water
of higher quality from large tributaries in West Virginia, includ-
ing the South Branch and the Cacapon River, provide dilution of
these undesirable constituents from the North Branch.  At the
lower end of the reach, after receiving dilution flows and under-
going self-purification, the quality is good, except that some
taste and odor producing substances are still present»  Surface
run-off and several small communities constitute the only waste
sources within this reach,  A map of this reach is presented in
Figure 13 <,
South Branch to. Tonoloway Creek (47«6 miles)

        The South Branch Potomac Riverj as it joins the North
Branch to form the Potomac River at River Mile 285*1, is of a
quality suitable for most uses.  Normally, the dissolved oxygen
content is 80 per cent of saturation or higher, and the B.O.D0
is less than 3»0 mg/1.  Manganese removal, however, may be nec-
essary to reduce concentrations to satisfy some water uses.  The
South Branch contains some taste and odor producing substances,
but to a lower degree than the North Branch.  The average stream
discharge of the South Branch (1,253 cfs for a 39-year period of
record as measured 13 miles upstream from its mouth) is about 67
per cent of the average discharge of the North Branch (1,867 cfs
for a 25-year period), and, therefore, provides considerable

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                                                             28
dilution of some constituents in the North Branch, such as iron,
color, tastes and .odors,  The alkalinity of the South Branch
normally ranges from 5° to 100 mg/lc,  The coliCcrm bacteria con-
centraticns of the South Branch usually fall below 2,000/100 ml.
The average annual sediment discharge from the South Branch is
107 tors per square mile., or 157,000 tons per year,  Comparable
sediment figures for the North Branch are 138 tons per square
milej, or 225,000 tons per year..  While the North Branch contrib-
•utes mere sediment uer square mile of tributary area, it also
cs.T."ributes acre \/-a; er in about the same proportion, and thus the
sut ;irv'.ed solids i-orrcent cf these tvro rivers is quite comparable,,
        The tov/n of Pavi Paw, West Virginia (Elver- Mile ?^f, &} .               •*
discharges about ^OfOOO gpd of untreated wastes from 750 persons
to the Potomac River,,  A waste stabilization lagoon is under con-            K?
struction> and, after completion, the waste loading discharged               §p
to the Paver is estimated to be about 15 pounds of 3.O.D. per
day,  A reduction in colifor.m bacteria of about 9® per cent can
also be expected 0

        The average annual sediment discharge of the Potomac
River at Paw Paw, West Virginia, is 123 tons per square mile,                K*
or 383,000 tons per year,                                                    ••

        A previously mentioned survey by the Chesapeake Bay-                 B"
Susquehanna River Basins Project of the Public Health Service in             S-
July 1965, indicated that the dissolved oxygen concentration of
the Potomac River at Paw Paw, West Virginia (River Mile 27t>° 5),              m
averaged 6,9 mg/1; the B.O.D., 1.3 mg/1; the total dissolved                 W_
solids, 320 mg/1; the total hardness, 150 mg/1; and the coliform
bacteria concentration, 9*500/100 m!0  The sewage outfall at
Paw Paw., located 0,3 mile upstream of the sampling station, may              B-
have some influence on the coliform concentrations.  The average             »
stream flov at Paw Paw during the survey was 597 cfs, as compar-
ed to a long-term average of 3,120 cfs (25 years of record).                 ft"

        Most of the drainage area of the Potomac River within
this sub-reach is covered by forests „  Farm land occurs inter-               g*
mittently.                                                                   ff

        The Cacapon River joins tha Potomac River from West
Virginia at River Mile 2if709»  Available data .indicate that the              |
water quality of the Cacapon River is excellent for most uses,               *•
The average stream discharge of the Cacapon River (56^ cfs for
a 40-year period of record, measured 6,5 miles from the mouth)               jjh
is only about 16 per cent of the annual average stream discharge             |
of the Potomac River (3.^35 cfs for a 31-year period) just up-
stream from their confluence; thus^, in general, a slight                     *g^

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                                                                                  29
*
11
improvement of water quality in the Potomac River by the dilution
could be expected.  The dissolved oxygen concentration in the
Cacapon River seldom falls below 9° per cent of saturation,  and
the B.O.D. is normally below 3.0 mg/1.  Coliform bacteria are
generally below 1,000/100 ml, and the suspended solids concentra-
tions generally are less than 5° mg/1.  Total solids are normally
less than 150 mg/1, and turbidity is less than 10 standard scale
units.  The average annual sediment discharge of the Cacapon
River is 6^ tons per square mile, or ^3,600 tons per year, about
one-half of the areal rate in the Potomac River Basin above Paw
Paw.

        The most doisnstream station of the special Public Health
Service survey of July 19&5 was at Hancock, Maryland (River Mile
239.1).  The Potomac River at that point (37. ^ miles from the
next upstream station) had an average dissolved oxygen concentra-
tion of 7.6 mg/1.  The dissolved oxygen concentration of 6.8
mg/1 at 7:00 a.m. was 2.0 mg/1 lower than the 8,8 mg/1 found at
5:00 p.m. on the same day, indicating the possible presence of
photosynthetic aquatic plants.  The B.O.D. averaged 1.0 mg/1;
total dissolved solids, 300 mg/1; the total hardness, 1^0 mg/1;
and the mean coliform bacteria count was 2,300/100 ml.  The
stream flow at Hancock during the survey averaged 907 cfs and
at Paw Paw was 597 cfs.  The U. S. Geological Survey has deter-
mined the travel time between Paw Paw and Hancock at 1,010 cfs
(measured at Paw Pew) to be U856 hours} a velocity of 0,78 miles
per hour.  The average stream flow of the Potomac River at Han-
cock is 3,999 cfs  (31 years of record).

        Hancock, Maryland, a city of 2,000 persons, obtains its
water supply (200,000 gpd; from Little Tonolowav Creek about one
mile above its confluence with the Potomac River at River Mile
238.8 and maintains an emergency pump on the Potomac River at
River Mile 239.0.  No recent samples of the Potomac River supply
at Hancock have been taken, although the Little Tonoloway Creek
supply is reported to contain about 200 mg/1 of hardness and
about l80 mg/1 of alkalinity.

        Warm Springs Run, as it enters the Potomac River from
West Virginia at River Mile 238.3, receives untreated sewage
from over 700 persons at Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, 7.0
miles upstream, and industrial and sanitary wastes from the
Pennsylvania Glass Sand Company, ^.0 miles upstream.  The Pennsyl-
vania Glass Sand Company employs about 225 persons.  These indus-
trial wastes of about 180,000 gpd, with high concentrations of
suspended solids,  are treated by settling.  Before the recent
construction of a  settling basin at the plant, suspended solids
concentrations of  about 10,000 mg/1 were found in Warm Springs

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                                                                             I
Run.  The degree of reduction of suspended solids by the present
treatment has not be?n. established„                                          f

        The Potomac River in the upper portion of this sub-reach
may be classified as INCQPOT Class D because of mean colifona                r
bacteria counts over 5,000/100 ml and the presence of taste and              [^
odor producing substances,, and MDWR Class C because of the pres-
ence of taste and odor producing substances.  After self-purification        f
and dilution, the lower portion of the sub-reach may be classi-              j
fied as JNC09CT Class C because o'f mean ccliform bacteria counts             *""
be-n-Men 500 and 5,000/100 ml, and MDWR Class B because of mean
coliforui bacteria counts between 2,000 and 10,000/100 ml (assum-             £
ins for both Cisco's fi"^tier's th.2.~t taste end odor "araduci/rip mih—              »
  »-                   •""                          j,       '_?                   —
stances are present only 3acasionally).  Little Tonoloway Creek
may be classified as INCOPOT Class B and MDWR Class A.                       I
                                                                             1^

Tonoloway Greek to. Conocoeheague Creek (26,8 miles)                          ^

        Tonoj ov/ay Creels; enters the Potomac River at River Mile               *~
237„5.  The City of Hancock discharges about 150,000 gpd of
sewage effluent from 2.,000 persons, after treatment by waste                 IT
stabilization lagoon,, to Tonoloway Creek at about River Mile                 L
0C8.  An additional 200 persons at Hancock discharge untreated
sewage to the Creek.  The estimated total organic loading to                 t?
the Creek is about 80 pounds of B.O.D. per day.                              &

        Back Creek, which enters the Potomac River at River Mile             ^.
225.9, from West Virginia, has an average annual sediment dis-               W
charge of 51 tons per square mile, or 12,^00 tons per year.                  *
Back Creek receives untreated sewage from about 500 persons
throughout its drainage area, but these wastes are stabilized                ||
to negligible levels before ^he Creek reaches the Potomac River.             B?
A sand and gravel operation on Back Creek does not appear to
impair water quality.                                                        me
                                                                             I
        Much of the drainage area to this sub-reach is covered
by forests with intermittent farm Iand0

        This sub-reach down, to Back Creek has been clouded and               "^
covered with silt fines from Warm Springs Run (River Mile 238.3).
Since the construction of the settling basin at the glass-sand               &
plant on Warm Springs Fun, the present concentration of suspend-             B
ed solids is unknorm0

        The City of Hagerstown, Maryland, obtains most of its                |j
water supply from the Potomac River at River Mile 212.0.  This
source serves 57,000 persons^ while mountain springs serve an                _^
                                                                             I

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                                                             31
additional 28,000 persons.
control tastes and odors.
The Potomac source is treated to
        The only current water quality data available for this
sub-reach are those obtained for the Public Health Service Water
Pollution Surveillance System at Williamsport, Maryland, in
cooperation with the Hagerstown Water Department.  Periodic
samples are taken above the water supply intake at River Mile
212.5.  Five years of data (1960 - 1965) from that station have
been analyzed, and a summary of the results is presented in Ap-
pendix IV.  These analyses include 35 observations for dissolved
oxygen, 36 for B.O.D., l8o for coliform bacteria, 197 for pH,
intermediate iiuuiuers for other indicators, and 8 observations
for C.O.D. (chemical oxygen demand).  The summary shows that the
monthly average dissolved oxygen concentration reached a miniinum
of 7.5 Kg/1 in August, with the minimum individual observation
of 6.0 mg/1 also occurring in August.  The monthly average B.O.D.
reached a maximum concentration of 1.3 mg/1 in September and
November, with a maximum individual value of 2.6 mg/1 occurring
in November.  The maximum monthly mean coliform bacteria concen-
tration was reported as 590/100 ml.

        The monthly average water temperatures of the Potomac
River at Williamsport range from 35.2 F. in January to 77.2 F.
in July, with the maximum individual value of 82.0 F. having
occurred in July.  The maximum individual determination of gross
beta radioactivity of 1^1 pc/1 (picocuries per liter, a picocurie
being one-millionth of a microcurie, or commonly called a micro-
microcurie), the maximum monthly (February) average of 43 pc/1,
and the annual average of 19 pc/1, are all well under the maximum
permissible concentration of 1,000 pc/1 for mixtures of unknown
radionuclides.

        As noted in the preceding discussion, current water
quality data  for this sub-reach are minimal; however, based upon
the known quality of water at Williamsport, Maryland (River Mile
212.5), "the sub-reach may be classified as INCOPOT Class C be-
cause of monthly mean coliform bacteria counts between 5°0 and
5,000/100 ml, and MDWR Class A because of monthly mean coliform
bacteria counts between 100 and 2,000/100 ml.  Taste and odor
producing substances occur only occasionally.

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                                                                              33
]
!
                     POTOMAC RIVER, CONOCOCHEAGUE
                     CREEK TO LITTLE FALLS
Upstream River Mile , „ „ . . „ 0 . „ „ „    210 „ 7

Downstream River Mile . a , ...... .    116.1

Length of Reach .............     9^.6 miles

Area Draining Directly to Reach . . . . .  5,4?0   square miles
                 Total Drainage Area to Downstream
                   Limit of Reach  „ 0 ........ 0  . 11,580   square miles
                 Summary

                         The waters of the Potomac River from Conococheague Creek
                 to Little Falls are moderately hard (annual averages between 100
                 mg/1 and 125 mg/l) .  Monthly mean coliform bacteria concentra-
                 tions generally exceed 2,000/100 ml immediately below major trib-
                 utaries, and die-off to lower values between these tributaries.
                 Maximum monthly mean coliform bacteria concentrations of 9}QQQ/
                 100 ml occur at Point -of -Rocks, Maryland, and then decrease to
                 3,900/100 ml at Great Falls, Maryland.  These maximum values
                 commonly occur at high stream flows, indicating that surface
                 drainage may be a principal source of the bacteria.  Average
                 monthly dissolved oxygen concentrations in the Potomac River
                 are generally above 600 mg/1, but fall to about 3-0 Wg/1 at
                 times.  Two thermo-electric generating stations (at Williamsport,
                 Maryland, and just downstream from the Monocacy River) raise
                 the temperature of the Potomac River by several degrees (F.),
                 but there appears to be no serious effect on water quality.
                 Manganese is present in concentrations which may require removal
                 Tor some uses in upstream portions of this reach, but is diluted
                 to insignificant levels downstream.  Tastes and odors are present
                 at times in municipal water supplies drawn from this reach,
                 Several tributaries of the Potomac River in this reach have de-
                 graded water quality because of municipal and/or industrial vraste
                 discharges „  Conococheague Creek contains taste and odor produc-
                 ing substances and hardness concentrations of about 180 mg/1.
                 Antietam Creek contains moderate concentrations of coliform bac-
                 teria. is low in dissolved oxygen below Hagerstown (l.O mg/1 at
                 times), and has a hardness from 190 mg/1 upstream to 225 Kg/1
                 downstream.  The Monocacy River has been found to have low con-
                 centrations of dissolved oxygen just below the Pennsylvania State
                 line and below Frederick, Maryland, and at times to contain taste

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and odor producing si3Dstances0  A map of this reach of the Potomac
River is presented in Figure Ik0
Conccocheag]ie_._C:ree^LXQ^ Mtle_tam Creek (30,5 Mies)

        Conocrcheague Creek, upstream of the Maryland-Pennsylvania
State line, receives, following secondary treatment, 100,000 gpd
rrc.7i 850 persons at the Scotland Orphanage and 300,000 gpd from
Ly7^0 persons at the Dixon TB Hospital in Pennsylvania; 3,000,000
gpd .if se^ondazy eew^ge plant effluent from 22,000 persons at
Chamber-:-"burg, Pennsylvania] 500,000 gpd of canning wastes from
x-he H, J« Heins Company., and 25,000 gpd from Path Valley Esso
at Chambersburg, both after secondary treatment$ 220,000 gpd of
secondary effluent frcia 2,300 persons at Lfereersburg, Pennsyl-
vania; 220,000 gpd of tannery wastes from Lcwengart and Company
at Mercersturg, after primary treatment; 125,000 gpd of secondary
effluent from 4,000 persons at Greencastle, Pennsylvania; and
12,000 gpd of meat packing wastes from the Greencastle Packing
Company at Greencastle, after secondary treatment.  Although data
are limited, Conocochaague Creek appears to be of good quality
with respect to dissolved oxygen (greater than 605 mg/l) and
B0O.D. content (less than 1,5 mg/l) as it enters Maryland.  How-
ever, substances producing tastes and odors are present, hardness
is about 180 mg/l, and the alkalinity is about 160 mg/l0  The
V/. D. Byron and Sons Tannery at Williamsport, Maryland, obtains
210,000 gpd of water from Conococheague Creek at River Mile Q.k,
84,000 gpd from a spring, and 66^000 gpd from Williamsport, and
discharges 300,000 gpd of process wastes to the Creek at River
Mile 003 after screening, neutralization, aeration, and settling.
Conococheague Creek;, as it enters the Potomac River at River Mile
21007, has a hardness of about 150 mg/l, alkalinity of about 130
mg/l, and taste and odor producing substances,,  Conococheague
Creek, as measured at Fairview, Maryland, 18 miles upstream of
its mouth, discharges a relatively high average annual sediment
load of 21? tons per square mile, or 107,000 tons per year*

        The Potomac Edison Company, R0 Paul Smith Station, obtains
an average of 7200 mgd of cooling water plus ^2,000 gpd for boiler
and other uses from a low dam on the Potomac River at River Mile
21006, just bslav the entry of Conococheague Creek, and returns
the used waters to the Potomac River just downstream^  The maximum
usages during hot v/aathsr are 1,92,0 mgd for cooling and 6^1,000
gpd for boiler and ether uses,,  Fly ash is removed from wash
waters by settling before discharge.  The rise in temperature
of the Potomac River is not pronounced, usually being no more
than 3oO°F.

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                                                             35
        Williamsport s Maryland,, discharges 30,000 gpd °f sewage
effluent from 1,900 persons, after primary treatment, to the
Potomac River at River Mils 210,3,,  The organic waste loading
is about 210 pounds of B^O.D, per day.

        The water quality of the Potomac River is affected by
the Conococheague Creek waters and the sewage effluent discharge
from Williamsporo, but not to a point causing nuisance conditions
because of the large amounts of dilution afforded by the Potomac.
Ihy stream flow of Conococheague Creek at Fairvievr, Maryland,
l8<,C nf.les upstream of its mouth, averaged 761 efs over 35 years,
as compared to 3,999 cfs over 3! years for the Potomac River at
Hancock, Maryland„  Generally, • the maximuxn B00,,D0 in the Potomac
River increases from 100 Kg/1 upstream of Conococheague Creek to
about 1..5 nig/1 downstream of the Creek and Williamsport; the
annual average alkalinity increases from about 50 mg/1 upstream
to about 100 mg/1 downstream; and the maximum nonthly coliform
bacteria counts increase from about 600 to about 2,000/100 ml.
Limited data are available on dissolved oxygen concentration;
however^, it appears that the dissolved oxygen concentration de-
creases slightly from 85 per cent saturation upstream to about
80 per cent saturation downstream much of the time during warm
weather0  .Dissolved oxygen concentrations are near saturation
during some days downstream to Conococheague Creek and Williams -
portc  This may be the result of photosynthesis by growths of
plant life stimulated by nutrients in the tannery wastes (typical-
ly high in nitrogen content), and in the Williamsport sewage
effluent,,  Night-time sampling would be necessary to determine
daily minimum concentrations of dissolved oxygen.  The Potomac
River below Conococheague Creek and Williamsport has a hardness
of approximately 125 mg/1, and contains some taste and odor pro-
ducing substances,

        The E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company explosives plant
at Falling Waters, West Virginia, discharges 10,000 gpd of sani-
tary wastes from 420 persons, after intermediate (approximately
50 p?r cent B.O.D. removal) treatment, and 500,000 gpd of indus-
trial wastes to the Potomac River at River Mile 205,4,  The
industrial waste loading is unknown„  Nitrogenous substances
are typical of this type of industrial waste0

        Qpequon Creek enters the Potomac River from West Virginia
at River Mile 202000  Opequon Creek and its tributaries receive
2,5 mgd of sewage effluent from Winchester, Virginia, after secon-
dary treatment; 300^000 gpd of canning wastes from the Musselman
Canning Company in Inwood, West Virginia, after intermediate (ap-
proximately 60 per cent B.O.D. reduction) treatment; 205 mgd of
sewage effluent from 12,000 persons at Martinsburg, West Virginia,

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after secondary treatment; and a total of about 7^0}000 gpd of
industrial wastes from the National Fruit Company, Interwoven
Company, Standard Lime and Stone Company, and Blair Lirnesxone
Company at Mart ins burg, none of v/hose v.'aste loadings are known.
Belov; tortinsburg, Opequon Creek has a 3.0.D0 of approximately
3.0 mg/1, with values at times greater than 5<>0 ir£/l.  The
hardness is about 250 mg/1, alkalinity about 225 mg/1, and coli-
form bacteria frequently exceed 10,000/100 ml.  Dissolved oxygen
concentrations fall to 3.5 £&/l at Martinsburg during warmest
periods with corresponding low stream discharges, but lower D.O.
valrc.s ir.ay occur betv;een this point and the confluence with the
Potomac. 8,3 miles uov/nstreanu  Opequon Creek, near Martinsburg,
has a moderate average annual sediment discharge of 97 tons per
square mile, or 26,400 tons per year.  The stream flov/ added to
the Potomac River by the Opequon is relatively small (204 cfs
average over 16 years at Martinsburg, as compared to a 3,999 cfs
average over 31 years on the Potomac River at Hancock), so that
the water quality of the Potomac River is not seriously affected
by the lower quality water from Opequon Creek,,

        Shepherdstown, West Virginia, obtains its water supply
from the Potomac River at River Mile 183.6 and provides spray
aeration to remove tastes and odors during the treatment process.
The Potomac River at Shepherdstovm has a hardness of about 125
mg/1 and an alkalinity of about 100 mg/1.  Coliform "bacteria con-
centrations are generally less than 2,000/100 ml.  Dissolved
oxygen concentrations are normally greater than 605 mg/1 and
fall below 5=0 mg/1 only rarely during the warmest weather„
B.Q.D. levels average about 1,5 to 200 mg/1 at this point.

        Shepherdstown discharges 150,000 gpd of untreated sewage
from 2,000 persons at about River Mile 183.O,  The loading is
estimated to be 3^0 pounds of B.O.D. per day«

        Conococheague Creek may be classified as INCOPOT Class
D and MDWR Class C because of taste and odor producing substances.
The taste and odor problem is moderate above Williamsport but
great below Williamsport»  The Potomac River in this sub-reach
may be classified as INCOPOT Class D because of dissolved oxygen
concentrations belcw 5<>0 mg/1 and the presence of taste and odor
producing substances, and MDWR Class B because of dissolved oxygen
concentrations between 3«0 and 5D0 mg/1, v/ith an average of about
4.0 mg/1.
Antietam Creek to Monocacy River  (26.7 miles)

         Antietam Creek;,  as it  enters Maryland  from Pennsylvania
at River Mile  37,0,  contains 1.2  mgd of secondary sewage effluent

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                                                             37
from 11,000 persons at Waynesboro, Pennsylvania; 21,000 gpd of
secondary sewage effluent from 350 persons at the E. U. B, Orphan-
age in Pennsylvania; and 140,000 gpd of secondary sewage effluent
from 1,500 military residents plus 280 civilian employees at Fort
Ritchie (National Guard), Maryland.  The average of six samples
taken in September and October of 1958 just below the State line
showed that the water quality was good with respect to dissolved
oxygen concentration (7.8 mg/l) and B.O.D. (l05 mg/l).  Antietam
Creek at that point had a hardness and an alkalinity of 186 mg/l
and 162 mg/l, respectively, and a coliform count of 8,100/100 ml.
Hagerstown obtains part of its water supply from mountain springs
of high quality in the headwaters of Little Antietam Creek (the
more northernly of the two Little Antietam Creeks).  Marquelie
Cement Manufacturing Company at Security, Maryland, obtains 8,1
mgd of water from Antietam Creek at River Mile 27.,0 and discharg-
es 7„8 mgd of cooling water at River Mile 26080  The Fairchild
Stratos Corporation discharges about 30,000 gpd of sanitary wastes
from i<-,600 employees, after secondary treatment, and 50,000 gpd
of cooling water to the West Branch of Marsh Run, about 5,0 miles
upstream from the confluence of Marsh Run with Antietam Creek
at River Mile 26.k.  The Municipal Electric Light Plant obtains
an average of 33.k mgd of cooling water and a maximum of 62,2
mgd from a low dam impoundment on Antietam Creek at River Mile
2308 and discharges the used cooling water just downstream.  The
Western Maryland Railway Company discharges 150,000 gpd of engine
and railroad car cleaning wastes, after settling and oil removal,
to a small tributary at Hagerstown, Maryland, which enters Antie-
tam Creek at River Mile 23.7.  Potomac Creamery Company discharges
an unknown quantity of cooling water to a branch of that same
small tributary.  Hagerstown discharges about 3.8 mgd of secondary
sewage effluent from 36,000 persons to Antietam Creek at River
Mile 22060  Sampling upstream and downstream of the effluent out-
fall shows that under average stream flow conditions (265 cfs
average over 40 years at Sharpsburg, Maryland), the B.00D. in-
creases from about 100 mg/l above the outfall to about 2,5 mg/l
below the outfall; the dissolved oxygen concentration decreases
from about 98 per cent to about 30 per cent of saturation in
hot weather,  Coliform bacteria concentrations increase from 5^0
to 3,000/100 ml.  The alkalinity below the Hagerstown outfall
ranges from 150 to 200 mg/l.  Funkstown, Maryland, discharges to
Antietam Creek at River Mile 21„k about 75,000 gpd of wastes from
970 persons, after treatment by a stabilization lagoon.  The
Maryland State Reformatory for Males at Breathedsville, Maryland,
discharges 125,000 gpd of secondary sewage effluent from 1,250
persons to Antietam Creek at River Mile 12040  Boonsboro, Mary-
land, discharges 120,000 gpd of sev/age effluent from 1,200 per-
sons after treatment by a waste stabilization lagoon, to a trib-
utary of Little Antietam Creek (southern)„  Boonsboro obtains

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its water supply from Gilardl .Run of Little Antietam Creek (south-
ern) and from several springs „  Keedysville, Maryland, does not
have a municipal sewerage system but is estimated to discharge
about 47,000 gpd of untreated sewage from 320 persons through
individual and small sewerage systems to Little Antietam Creek
(southern) about 1.0 mile above its confluence with Antietam
Creek.  The total organic loading from these four discharges is
about 1^0 pounds of B.O.D. per day.  Untreated sewage from small
collection systems in a portion of Sharpsburg, Maryland, discharg-
es to Antietam Creek.  Antietam Creek near Sharpsburg, Maryland,
has a high average annual sediment discharge of 193 tons per
square mile, or 5^,200 tons per year.  Although no recent water
quality data are available on Antietam Creek except at Hagerstown,
the results of six samples taken in September and October of 195°
showed that dissolved oxygen concentrations remained high through-
out Antietam Creek, even with B.O.D. loadings higher than at
present.  The hardness near the mouth was about 225 Eig/1, and
the alkalinity about 175 mg/1.

        Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, discharges untreated sewage
from 250 persons to the Potomac River and the Shenandoah River at
their confluence.

        The Shenandoah River enters the Potomac River from West
Virginia at River Mile 171.5 and transports the residual of muni-
cipal wastes and industrial wastes of a wide variety from Virginia
and West Virginia.  The Shenandoah River at Millville, West Vir-
ginia, has a moderate average annual sediment discharge of 120
tons per square mile, or 3^5,000 tons per year.  The Public Health
Service has maintained a station of the National Water Pollution
Surveillance System at Berryville, Virginia, since June 196l,
in cooperation with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.  Mineral
analyses were performed weekly for a total of about 150 observa-
tions through February 19&5, while smaller numbers of observations
were made for dissolved oxygen (73), B.O.D. (39), and certain
other indicators.  This station is about 25 miles upstream of
the mouth of the Shenandoah River and, therefore, does not show
the effects of several downstream waste discharges in West Vir-
ginia.  However, by considering the sampling results at Berryville
along with the results of samples obtained in September and Octo-
ber of 1958 at the mouth of the Shenandoah River, a reasonable
description of the water quality of the Shenandoah River entering
the Potomac River may be given.  The 48-year average stream flow
of the Shenandoah River at Millville, West Virginia, 5«° miles
upstream  from its mouth, is 2,677 cfs, as compared with an aver-
age flow  (including the Shenandoah River) of the Potomac River
at Point-of-Rocks, Maryland, of 9,215 cfs over 68 years of record.
The results from the analysis of approximately three and one-half

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                                                             39
years of sampling at Berryville are briefly summarized in Appen-
dix IV.  This analysis indicates that the monthly average dis-
solved oxygen concentrations reached a jninimun of 7.2 mg/1 in
July, with the lowest observed concentration of 5»1 TOg/1 occurr-
ing in August,  In the month of August, the monthly average B00»D0
reached a maximum concentration of 5.1 mg/1, and a maximum indivi-
dual value of 6.7 mg/1 was observed.  The maximum monthly mean
coliform bacteria concentration of 300/100 ml occurred in October.
Recent results of sampling by the Interstate Commission on the
Potomac River Basin at West Virginia Highway 9, about six miles
from the mouth of the Shenandoah River, showed that the mean
coliform counts for individual months reached as high as 6,300/
100 ml.

        The monthly average water temperatures of the Shenandoah
River at Berryville ranged from 35.7°F. in January to 77.7°F. in
July, with the maximum individual value of 82. k F. occurring in
July.  The maximum monthly average hardness of l8l mg/1 occurred
in October (at lowest flows) as did the maximum individual value
of 2^0 mg/1; the annual average hardness concentration appears
to be approximately 1U6 mg/1.  The maximum individual determina-
tion of gross beta radioactivity of 136 pc/1 (picocuries per
liter), the maximum monthly (March) average of 70 pc/1, and the
annual average of 37 pc/1, are all well under the maximum per-
missible concentration of 1,000 pc/1 for mixtures of unknown
radionuclides.  Other constituents measured were well within
acceptable limits.  Samples obtained in 195^ at the mouth indi-
cate that iron, manganese, and taste and odor producing substances
were present in concentrations which may require treatment prior
to satisfying some water uses.  Monthly sampling of the Shenandoah
River at River Mile J.k- in 1963 by the West Virginia Department
of Natural Resources, indicated that the quality was essentially
the same as at Berryville, except that higher B.O.D. concentra-
tions (up to 6.9 mg/1 in June) were found.

        The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad locomotive maintenance
shop at Brunswick obtains its water supply from the Potomac River
at River Mile 165.5 and discharges the waste cleaning waters,
after settling and oil removal, at River Mile 165.3.

        Brunswick, Maryland, discharges about 250,000 gpd of
sewage effluent from 3,700 persons, after primary treatment, to
the Potomac River at River Mile 165.2.  This loading amounts to
about ^10 pounds of B.O.D. per day when the treatment plant is
operating efficiently.  The Maryland State Department of Health
has recommended replacement of the treatment plant.

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            2lJ=iLj]jL2H£<= I'.iarjl-ar.cl  Cutcctin Cr-ek of Virginia is
discussed in the fcllovr-ng section),  enters the Potomac .River at
River Mile 162A,  J^srsviile,, Maryland,  discharges 25,000 gpd
of sewage effluent- fros i'-pO persons,,  after primary treatment., to
Catoctin Greek at a'coat Fiver Mile 2!f-,7,   Ttis loading from %ers-
ville is about 50 po-.xn-s  of B.05D0 per  da:/,,  Myersville obtains
its water supply froji spring.3 along Brojd_Smi, which enters Ca-
toctin Crsek at Piv-sr Vile '"• ,8,  arid provides only chiorination<,
Middietown^, JferylancL, discharge 60 ,,000 gpd of sewage effluent
from 1,100 persons ,,  aft^r- primary treatment, to Catoetin Creek
at about, Elver Mile  15 „ 4,  'Hie loading  from Middletown is about
120 pounds of E.G.. D0 per  day,, Catoctin Hreek near Middletown
has a low average annual  sediment discharge of k7 tons per square
irdlej or 31^,200 tons par  jear0   While no recent water quality
data are available for Gatoctin  Creek,  the results from sis
samples taken in September and October  of 1958 indicated that
the hardness and. alkalinity ~?/ere quite  Icw^ being 55 azid. 50
respectively,
                          irginia^  enters the Potomac River at
River Mile l^oS,,   Catoctin Greek receives about 10 5 _, 000 gpd of
sewage effluent  from 850 persons, after primary treatment^ at
Purcellviile , Virginia,  about 1.10 ^ 000 gpd of meat packing wastes
from Jo Lynn Cornwellj Inc0? at Pu.rcellvillej and untreated
sewage from individual or small collection systems at Lovatts-
ville, Virginia,

        At Point -of -Recks., Maryland (River Mile 159o5), the
Potomac P,iyer has  an average stream discharge of 9*215 cfs (68
years of record) ;  however^ the range of stream discharges is
great, with fluctuations often occurring rapidly.  During lower
stream discharges , the Potojnae River at Point -of -P.ccka is moder-
ately hard (15°  Eg/1 at  2/300 cfs), while at high stream discharges }
hardness is low  (60 mg/1 at yO.QQQ ofs and higher) ,  The average
annual sediment  discharge is 1.13 tons per square mile,, or 1,, 090^000
tons per year0   Tha sediment discharge varies greatly throughout
the year here,, as  at- mo?t locations in the Basin,,  In 1962, the
monthly sediment dia charge ranged frcoi 295 tcr,s in. September to
601,653 tons ir.  March o   Even during low stream discharges (about
1,500 cfs),, and  at highest tesroerature-s , the monthly average dis-
solved oxygen  eccicentraiaons do not fall below about 600 jcg/1.
Monthly average  B,00Da  concentrations T-arge between 1,,0 and 6,1
isg/1, with an  annual avei-age corie-sri-' ration, of 20p rcg/l0  Generally,
the higher B,0,,D.,  concent rat ions oc-xir at higher flows during
the winter and early sprirg, x?hile lower 5onoentr«?";ions occur- at
lower flows darlr^ th^?  si5jTJuer0  The highest colifoim bacteria
concentrations at Polnt-of-F.otk-: c>::^xc curing the high flows of
winter and spring (ruft-jm of 9 .« 000/100 mi for January - Juna for

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three years), while the lowest coliform "bacteria concentrations
occur during the low flows of summer and early fall (mean of
2,300/100 ml for July - October for three years).  This relation-
ship between coliform bacteria concentration and stream discharge
'is under special study by the Interstate Commission on the Potomac
River Basin.  The washing of pastures and barnyards by heavy rain-
fall is suspected as a source of the high concentrations,

        Antietam Creek, upstream from Hagerstown, may be classi-
fied as INCOPOT Class C and MDWR Class B because of monthly mean
'coliform bacteria concentrations above 5,000/100 ml.  Antietam
preek downstream from Hagerstown may be classified as INCOPOT
Class D and MBiVR Class C because of average dissolved oxygen con-
centrations below k.O Kg/1.  Even though current water quality
data are not available for the Potomac River between Antietam
Creek and the Shenandoah River, the classifications may be as-
sumed to be the same as those for the sub-reach immediately up-
stream (discussed in the previous section); i.e., INCOPOT Class
D and MDWR Class B.  The Potomac River between the Shenandoah
River and the Monocacy River may be classified as INCOPOT Class
D because of average B.O.D. concentrations above 3.0 mg/1, coli-
form bacteria concentrations greater than 5,000/100 ml, and the
presence of taste and odor producing substances, and MDWR Class
C because of monthly average B.O.D. concentrations over 6.0 mg/1,
coliform bacteria concentrations over 10,000/100 ml, and the
presence of taste and odor producing substances.  In the absence
of current water quality data for Catoctin Creek, it can be
classified as INCOPOT Class D and MDWR Class B because of coli-
form bacteria concentrations over 5,000/100 ml found in 1958.


Monocacy River to Little Falls (37.^ miles)

        The Monocacy River enters the Potomac River at River Mile
153.5 and has an average stream discharge (886 cfs over 3^ years,
as measured near Frederick, Maryland) of about 10 per cent of
that of the Potomac River upstream (9,215 cfs over 68 years at
Point-of-Rocks, Maryland).  Rock Creek joins Marsh Creek at the
Pennsylvania State line to form the Monocacy River at River Mile -
52.5.  Results of six samples from Rock Creek, taken in September
and October of 1958, indicate an average B.O.D. of U.6 mg/1, an
average alkalinity of 122 mg/1, hardness of about 125 mg/1, and
a mean coliform bacteria concentration of 2,900/100 ml.  Dissolved
oxygen concentrations averaged 4.5 cig/1, with a minimum of 1.5 rag/1
found on one occasion.  Waste effluents discharged to the Monocacy
River drainage area in Pennsylvania are 750,000 gpd from 10,000
persons, after secondary treatment, at Gettysburg; 160,000 gpd
from 2,800 persons, after secondary treatment, at Littlestown;

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                                                             42
and 108,000 gpd of Inorganic wastes from the Funkhouser Company,
after settling in lagconsa  The results from other sampling in
the Monocacy River drainage area in 195^ are generally not ap-
plicable at present because of changes in v/aste treatment and
populations, except for hardness, which was about 100 rag/1 in
stream reaches downstream from the State line, and alkalinity
was 80 mg/l0  The headwaters of several tributaries of the
Monocacy River serve as water supplies for several communities
and receive only chlorination«  Pinev Creek, which enters the
Monocacy River at River Mile 45»3.. receives about 150,000 gpd
of sewage effluent from 1,500 persons,, after secondary treat-
ment, from Taneytown, Maryland; 22,000 gpd of cooling water from
Cambridge Rubber Company; and 10,000 gpd of cooling water from
A. W. Feeser and Company, both at Taneytown„  The loading from
the City of Taneytown is estimated to be 38 pounds of B.O.D.
per day0  The Toms Creek drainage basin, which drains to the
Monocacy River at River Mile ^3,9^ receives 35,000 gpd of sewage
effluent from 200 persons, after secondary treatment, at the
Victor Cullen State Hospital, Sabillasville, Maryland; 250,000
gpd from 2,600 persons, after secondary treatment, at Emmitsburg,
Maryland; 50,000 gpd from 600 persons, after treatment by waste
stabilization lagoon following primary treatment, at Mount St.
Mary's College at Emmitsburg; and 70,000 gpd from 900 persons,
after primary treatment, at Mount St0 Joseph's Academy at Emmits-
burg0  The total organic waste discharge to the Toms Creek drain-
age area is estimated to be about 200 pounds of B000D. per day*
The Double Pipe Creek drainage basin, which enters the Monocacy
River at River Mile 38.3, receives 40,000 gpd of milk-processing
wastes from the Willow Farms Dairy; about 750,000 gpd of sewage
effluent from 8,000 persons, after secondary treatment, at West-
minster, Maryland; 20,000 gpd of steam condensate from the
distillation of wormseed oil at the George W. Magin Company;
55,000 gpd of sewage effluent from 700 persons, after secondary
treatment, at New Windsor, Maryland; and 65,000 gpd from 800
persons, after treatment by waste stabilization lagoon, at Union
Bridge, Maryland,  The total organic v/aste loading to the Double
Pipe Creek drainage area is estimated to be about 250 pounds of
B.O.D. per day0

        The Maryland State Department of Health sampled the
Monocacy River for four days in September 1964„  At River Mile
32.9, which is 5,4 miles downstream from Double Pipe Greek, the
B.O.D. averaged I0k mg/l<,  The dissolved oxygen concentration
averaged 806 mg/1, with a minimum of 800 mg/1, and the mean coli-
form bacteria concentration was 850/100 ml.  Hunting Creek, which
enters the Monocacy River at River Mile 31»6, or its tributaries,
receive 55,000 gpd of sewage effluent from 675 persons, after
secondary treatment, at Thurmont, Maryland; 18,000 gpd of meat-

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i              packing wastes,  after primary treatment,  from Howard Late and
               Company at Thurmont;  and 9,000 gpd of meat-packing  wastes,  after
B              treatment by waste stabilization lagoon,  from Fraley's Meats at
I              Catoctin Furnace,  Maryland.   The total waste loading to  the
               Hunting Creek  drainage  area  is estimated  to be 150  pounds of
               B.O.D. per day.  The  results of four samples taken  in September
               119614-, by the Maryland State  Department of Health, from the
               Monocacy River at  River Mile 28.2 (3.4 miles downstream  from
               Hunting Creek) indicated an  average B.O.D.  of 1.0 mg/1,  an aver-
               Iage  dissolved  oxygen  concentration of 8.8 mg/1,  and a mean coli-
               form bacteria  concentration  of 75°A00 ml.   Thus, even with the
               added waste  loading from Hunting Creek, the dissolved oxygen
•••i            ccncsntrsLticn  rensi^ed  h^"h   sncl "the B.O.D. and coliforni bsctsris.
I              concentrations decreased from values found at the upstream sampl-
               ing  station.  A  slope of about k.O feet per mile aids in the
               self-purification  of  this stream.  The slope downstream  from
               (this point decreases  to 2.2  feet per mile.   During  the same
               survey, the  dissolved oxygen content of the Monocacy River in-
               creased to an  average of 8.9 mg/1 at River Mile 25.2 and to an
               (average of 10.2  mg/1  at River Mile 22. k,  while the  B.O.D. concen-
               tration increased  to  an average of about  1.3 Jflg/1 at these two
               stations.  The mean coliform bacteria concentration decreased
I              to 3^0/100 ml  at River  Mile  25.2 and increased to 880/100 ml at
I              River Mile 22,h.  The increase in coliform concentration at River
               Mile 22.4 is attributed to waste discharges from individual and
               small sewerage systems  at Walkersville, Maryland (estimated to
I              be 85,000 gpd  from 680  persons), and other small communities in
•              the  vicinity.

1                       Frederick, Maryland, and Fort Detrick, Maryland,  obtain
               water supplies from the Monocacy River at River Mile 20.4.  Taste
               and  odor control are  practiced at each treatment facility.  A
               sample of raw  water from the Frederick supply, taken by  the Mary-
I              land State Department of Health in July 1962, contained  88 mg/1
               hardness, 73 mg/1  alkalinity, iMt mg/1 total dissolved solids,
               9.3  rag/1 chlorides, 2.0 mg/1 nitrates, 0.2 mg/1 iron, and had a
               (turbidity of 10  units,  color of 18 units, and a pH  of 8.2.  Ideal
               Farms Dairy  discharges  ij-,000 gpd of cooling water to Detrick
               Creek,, which enters the Monocacy River at River Mile 20.1.  Fort
I               Detrick discharges 650,000 gpd of sewage  effluent after  secondary
               treatment to the Monocacy River at River  Mile 19.7.  Waste dis-
               charges from Fort  Detrick average 15 pounds of B.O.D. per day,
               indicating a high  degree of  treatment (about 95 per cent removal),

                       Carroll  Creek,  which flows through the City of Frederick
               and  enters the Monocacy River at River Mile 18.8, receives 9k,QQQ
               gpd  of neutralized plating wastes from the Everedy  Company; an
               unknown quantity of cooling  waters from Jenkins  Brothers; unknovm

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                                                             44
quantities of cooling water from the Corning Packaging Company;
and an unknown quantity of condenser cooling water from Fort
Detrick.  A survey of Carroll Creek in 1961 by the Maryland
Water Pollution Control Commission indicated the dissolved oxy-
gen content to be high both .in the winter (range of 1001 to 12,3
mg/l) and in the summer (range of 8.6 to 14»0 mg/l).  Obviously,
photosynthesis brought about supersaturated dissolved oxygen
conditions at times during the summer.  The B.O.D. ranged from
0,6 to 5.4 mg/l.  Large quantities of trash and refuse in the
Creek were reported.  The Monocacy River at Jug Bridge near
Frederick has a very high average annual sediment discharge of
327 tons per square mile, or 267,000 tons per year.

        The City of Frederick discharges 3.8 mgd of secondary
sewage effluent from 2k, 500 persons to the Monocacy River at
River Mile 18.7.  The wastes treated at the sewage treatment
plant include dairy, poultry, meat-packing, and cannery wastes.
Even with a high degree of treatment (average of about 90 per
cent), the waste loading after treatment during the canning sea-
son in September 1964, was found to be 1,200 pounds of B.O.D.
per day.  The Maryland Cooperative Milk Producers discharges
2,000 gpd of wastes from its milk receiving station at Union-
ville, Maryland, to the North Fork of Linganore Creek.  Linga-
nore Creek enters the Monocacy River at River Mile 16.3.  The
Maryland State Department of Health survey in September 1964
found the following average concentrations in the Monocacy River
at River Mile 15.6 (3.! miles downstream of the Frederick ef-
fluent outfall): dissolved oxygen of 1.0 mg/1 (minimum of 0.1
mg/l), B.O.D. of 3.4 mg/l (maximum of 4.5 mg/l), and colifonu
bacteria of 2,400,000/100 ml.  The average dissolved oxygen con-
centration increased rapidly to 6.8- mg/l at River Mile 12.9 and
was found to be 8.5 mg/l at River Mile 1.8.  The B.O.D. decreased
to an average of 2.2 mg/l at River Mile 1.8, and the coliform
bacteria decreased to 830/100 ml at that point.  Examination of
three years of data from the Interstate Commission on the Potomac
River Basin network station near the mouth of the Monocaey River
shows that the monthly average dissolved oxygen content at that
point ranged from 6.4 mg/l in August to 12.3 mg/l in February.
The average B.O.D. concentration ranged from 1.2 mg/l in Septem-
ber to 4.6 mg/l in February, and the mean coliforro bacteria con-
centration ranged from 1,300/100 ml in September to 36,000/100
ml in March.

        The Potomac Electric Power Company obtains an average of
355 mgd and a maximum of 415 mgd from the Potomac River at River
Mile 15204 for the Dickerson Generating Station in Maryland, and
discharges the heated waters after use at River Mile 152,1.

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Sanitary wastes from 8l employees are given secondary treatment
before discharge at the same point.  The Academy of Natural Sci-
ences of Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) performed expensive biological
and chemical surveys of the Potomac River upstream and downstream
of the Station in 1956, I960, and 1961 to determine the effects
of the heated waste discharges on the River.  These surveys were
performed both before and after initial operation (1958) and
expansion (i960) of the Station.  The 1961 report concludes,
"These surveys were carried out in June (High Water) and August
(Low Water) and indicated that overall there were no major changes
in the aquatic biota that might have been caused by the PEPCO
operations."  The Potomac River was rated as "healthy" with re-
spect to all biological types at all sampling stations during
each of the three survey periods.  Examination of the temperature
data reveals that the warmer waters of the Shenandoah River do
not mix readily with the cooler waters of the Potomac River during
higher stream discharges.  At 6:00 a.m. in June, at Point-of-Rocks,
Maryland (River Mile 159.5), the vrater temperature on the right
(Virginia) bank was 1.8  to 5.6 F. higher than on the left (Mary-
land) bank, though this differential decreased to 0.7° to 1.8°F.
by 6:00 p0m.  Daring low stream discharges, the difference in
temperatures between banks at Point-of-Rocks was insignificant.
Immediately below the Generating Station, the water temperature
on the left bank at 6:00 a.m. averaged 80.8°F. for the four sampl-
ing days in June (high stream discharges), while the corresponding
temperatures on the right bank averaged 75.H°F., the differential
of 5.^°F. being caused by the Station's discharge.  The maximum
water temperatures in June at the Station were reached at 3:00
p.m., being 82.0°F. on the left bank (Station side) and 77.4°F.
on the right bank, a differential of i.6°F.  In August (low
stream discharge), the 6:00 a.m. temperatures immediately below
the Station averaged 85.8 F. on the left bank and 78.U°F. on the
right bank, a differential of T.k°F., while the 3:00 p.m. tempera-
tures averaged 92.1 F. on the left bank and 83.! F. on the right
bank, a differential of 9.0 F.  Dissolved oxygen concentrations
were decreased by the elevated temperatures, but no dissolved
oxygen concentrations below 6.0 mg/1 were found.  Total hardness
measured at the Generating Station in 1961 averaged 115 mg/1 in
June and 137 mg/1 in August; the alkalinity averaged 79 mg/1 in
June and 99 mg/1 in August; the B.O.D. of one sample in June was
2.5 mg/1 and of one sample in August was 6.0 mg/1; and the mean
coliform bacteria concentration was 5^0/100 ml in June and 120/100
ml in August.  Dissolved iron content was insignificant, phosphate
averaged 0.06 mg/1 in June and 0.10 mg/1 in August; nitrate nitro-
gen averaged 0.59 mg/1 in June and 0.3! mg/1 in August; and total
of nitrite, nitrate, and ammonia nitrogen averaged 0.69 mg/1 in
June and 0.39 mg/1 in August.  The Academy found the water quality
of the Potomac River 5.5 miles downstream of the Generating Station

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                                                             46
(i.e., River Mile 146.6) to be essentially the same as that im-
mediately "below the Station, except that the temperatures were
lower (roughly 5.0  to 9.0 F, on the left bank) and the dissolved
oxygen concentrations were higher by about 0.5 to 4.0 mg/1, with
evidence of photosynthetic plants being present at the lov/er
sampling station.

        Goose Creekf which enters the Potomac River from Virginia
at River Mile 142.1, receives a total of about 240,000 gpd of
sewage effluent from about 3,000 persons from Middlesburg, Lees-
burg, Goose Creek Country Club, and Foxcroft School, all after
secondary treatment.  Goose Creek has a very high average annual
sediment discharge of 290 tons per square mile, or 98,000 tons
per year, as measured near Leesburg, Virginia.

        Sugarland Creek? which enters the Potomac River from
Virginia at River Mile 135.3, receives about 155,000 gpd of
sewage effluent from 1,960 persons, after secondary treatment,
from Herndon, Virginia.  Three years of data from the Interstate
Commission network show that the maximum monthly average B.O.D.
concentration was 3.2 mg/1 in January, the minimum monthly mean
dissolved oxygen concentration was 4.3 mg/l in September, and
the maximum mean monthly coliform bacteria concentration was
89,000/100 ml in August.

        Seneca Creek, which enters the Potomac River at River
Mile 133.9/ or its tributaries, receive about 1,200 gpd of plating
wastes after neutralization, oxidation, and settling from Weinschel
Engineering Company; 15,000 gpd of milk processing wastes and
10,000 gpd of cooling water from Hadley Farms Dairy at Laytons-
ville, Maryland.  The maximum monthly average B.O.D. concentration
of Seneca Creek for three years was 3.3 mg/1 in February, the
minimum monthly average dissolved oxygen concentration was 7.4
mg/1 in June, and the maximum monthly mean coliform bacteria con-
centration was 9,900/100 ml in June.  Seneca Creek has a very
high average annual sediment discharge of 320 tons per square
mile, or 32,300 tons per year, as measured at Dawsonville, Mary-
land.

        Watts Branch, which enters the Potomac River at River
Mile 129.2 has an unusually high average annual sediment dis-
charge of 516 tons per square mile, or 1,91° tons per year.

        Difficult Run, which enters the Potomac River from Vir-
ginia at River Mile 124.1, also has a high average annual sedi-
ment discharge of 290 tons per square mile, or 16,200 tons per
year.

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        The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission obtains an
average of 5.5 ragd from the Potomac River at about River Mile
127.0.  The Washington Aqueduct Division, U. S. Army Engineer
District, Baltimore, obtains an average of 167 mgd froia the
Potomac River-at Great Falls, Maryland (River Mile 126.5), to
supply Washington, D. C.  Treatment practices, at times, include
taste and odor control.

        The Public Health Service maintains a station of the
National Water Pollution Surveillance System at Great Falls in
cooperation with the Washington Aqueduct Division.  The results
from five years of weekly sampling have been analyzed and are
summarized in Appendix IV.  That analysis shows that the monthly
average dissolved oxygen concentration reached a minimum of 5»9
mg/1 in July, when a minimum individual value of 3.0 mg/1 occurred.
The monthly average B.O.D. reached a maximum concentration (3.3
mg/l) in February, with a maximim individual concentration value
of 8.6 mg/1.  The maximum monthly mean coliform bacteria concen-
tration of 3,900/100 ml occurred in March.  While this coliform
concentration was determined from weekly sampling for a period
of five years, daily sampling for four years (within the above
five-year period) by the Washington Aqueduct Division resulted
in a monthly mean of 8,200/100 ml for March,  That Division
attributes the difference in results to the "flashy" nature of
the Potomac River, so that weekly sampling may miss many high
bacterial counts at high stream flows of short duration.  The
fact that the highest concentrations of B.O.D. and coliform
bacteria occur at times of highest stream discharge suggests
that surface drainage is a principal source.  Calculations of
the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin show that
the coliform bacteria counts exceed 2,000/100 ml at least some
portion of every month and up to about 95 per cent of the time
during some months, the high values occurring principally in the
winter (high stream flow) months.  The monthly average \vater
temperatures at Great Falls ranged from 3^.7 F. in January to
78.6 F. in July, with a maximum individual value of 91.9 F.
(occurring in July),  The maximum monthly average hardness of
14l mg/1 occurred in October (at lowest flows) with a maximum
individual value of 188 mg/1 occurring in August; the annual aver-
age hardness was 105 mg/1.  The maximum individual determination
of gross beta radioactivity of 213 pc/1 (picocuries per liter),
the maximum monthly average of 55 pc/1 (November), and the annual
average of 23 pc/1, are well under the maximum permissible con-
centration of 1,000 pc/1 for mixtures of unknown radionuclides
in the absence of alpha emitters and Strontium 90.  The maximum
soluble phosphate phosphorus concentration of 0.3 mg/1 occurred
in April.  A special study of chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides
was made on September 23, 196U, as part of the National Water

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Pollution Surveillance System,  At Great Falls, the Potomac River
had a concentration of Dieldrin between O.Olj.O/ug/1 (micrograms
per liter) and 0.08/ug/l and a concentration of Endrin between
0.09lyug/l and O.lSo/ug/l, the latter being the highest concen-
tration found at any of the stations located throughout the Nation.
(These values are similar in magnitude to those found in the lower
Mississippi River during the major fish kill of 196^, except that
the concentrations in the Potomac River were apparently of short
duration.)  Water of the Potomac River at Great Falls is generally
moderately hard, and at times contains tastes and odors.

        The U. S. Navy Bureau of Ships discharges about 130,000
gpd of secondary sewage effluent from about 1,600 persons at- the
David Taylor Model Basin, Carderock, Maryland, to the Potomac
River at River Mile 121.7.

        Downstream from the vicinity of Cabin John Creek (River
Mile 119.0), the sewerage system draining to the District of
Columbia Blue Plains Sewage Treatment Plant (now called the
District of Columbia Y/ater Pollution Control Plant) contains
combined sewers which transport both sanitary sewage and storm
drainage.  These sewers overflow during intensive rain storms,
thus allowing untreated sewage to enter the Potomac River.  An
extensive program is underway to provide separate sewers through-
out the entire sewerage system.

        Little Falls Branch, which enters the Potomac River at
River Mile 116.3 just upstream of the District of Columbia bound-
ary line, receives about 10,000 gpd of settled concrete truck
washing wastes from Maloney Concrete Company and occasional dis-
charges of oil-drum cleaning and oil spillage wastes from the
Washington Petroleum Company, both in the Chevy Chase area of
Maryland.  Little Falls Branch has an extremely high average
annual sediment discharge of 2,320 tons per square mile, or
9,530 tons per year, as measured near Bethesda, Maryland.

        During low stream discharge periods, the Washington Aque-
duct Division obtains a portion of the water supply for Washington,
D. C., just above Little Falls at River Mile 116.3.  The Dalecarlia
Water Filtration Plant of the Washington Aqueduct Division dis-
charges an average of 1.8 rngd of filter wash water plus wastes
from washing settling basins (discharged at high stream flows)
to the Potomac River below Little Falls.  These wastes contain
all of the silt removed from the raw water, plus coagulating
chemicals, principally alum.  The maximum wash water use occurs
during the summer, with the peak usage occurring in August.  The
average wash water use over the past five years was 2.2 mgd, or
about 1.3 per cent of the total raw water intake volume (for two
filtration plants).

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        The head of tide on the Potomac River begins just below
the lower end of Little Falls (River Mile 116.1).  The average
Potomac River discharge to the estuary is 11,040 cfs (33 years of
record, measured two miles upstream of the District of Columbia
boundary).

        The Monocacy River, in the approximately 15-mile reach
upstream of Frederick, may be classified as INCOPOT Class C be-
cause of mean coliform bacteria counts between 500 and 5,000/100
ml, and MDWR Class A because of average B.O.D. concentrations
between 1.0 and 2.5 mg/1.  In a reach just below the Pennsylvania
State line, about five miles in length, the Monocacy River does
not meet the Eiininrain criteria for INCOPOT Class D and must be
classified as MDWR .Class C because of dissolved oxygen concentra-
tions less than 2.0 mg/1.  In between these two reaches, the
remaining 12 miles probably falls within INCOPOT Class D and
MDWR Class B, since monthly coliform bacteria concentrations are
estimated to range from 2,000 to 10,000/100 ml.  The Monocacy
River below Frederick must be classified as not meeting INCOPOT
Class D minimum criteria, and as MDWR Class C, because mean
monthly coliform bacteria concentrations exceed 10,000/100 ml,
and dissolved oxygen concentrations fall to 1.0 mg/1.  Carroll
Creek of the Monocacy River must also be classified as not meet-
ing INCOPOT Class D, and as MPWR Class C because of large quan-
tities of floating solids and debris.  Even though coliform
bacteria counts v/ere not obtained in the survey of Carroll Creek
in 1961, high counts would be suspected in this small stream
which traverses densely populated areas.  Low dissolved oxygen
concentrations could also be suspected, since B.O.D. concentra-
tions over 4.0 mg/1 were found.

        The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River has estab-
lished specific objectives and criteria for the main stem Potomac
River from the Monocacy River to Little Falls which are presented
in Appendix I.  The classification system used upstream is, there-
fore, not utilized for the main stem Potomac River in this sub-
reach and below.  The Potomac River is well within the criteria
set by the Interstate Commission for this sub-reach during most
of the year.  However, during the high stream flow periods of
March through May, the monthly median coliform bacteria concen-
trations are greater than 2,000/100 ml, at times taste and odor
producing substances are present, and occasionally individual pH
values exceed 8.5.  On very rare occasions, the dissolved oxygen
concentration has been below 4.0 mg/1.  The Potomac River in this
sub-reach would be MDWR Class B, since monthly mean coliform
bacteria concentrations lie between 2,000 and 10,000/100 ml,
monthly mean dissolved oxygen concentrations lie between 4.0 and
6.0 mg/1 with no value falling below 3.0 mg/1, and monthly average

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                                                             50
B.O.D. concentrations fall between 2.5 and 6.0 mg/1.  Seneca
Creek may be classified as INCOPOT Class D and MDWR Class B,
because of monthly geometric mean coliform bacteria concentra-
tions betvreen 2,000 and 10,000/100 ml and monthly average B.O.D.
concentrations between 2.5 and 6.0 mg/1.  Muddy Branch, which
enters the Potomac River at River Mile 13!.^, may be classified
as INCOPOT Class D and MDYYR Class B, because of monthly mean
coliform bacteria concentrations between 2,000 and 10,000/100 mle

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                                                             51


                   IV.  POTOMAC RIVER ESTUARY


Upstream River Mile »	    Il60l

Downstream River Mile ..........      000

Length of Estuary	    116.1 miles

Area Draining Directly to Estuary ....  3,090   square miles

Total Drainage Area to Potomac
  River Basin .,.;„......,.. l4,6"0   square miles
        Waste effluents discharged in the metropolitan area of
the District of Columbia significantly reduce water quality in
the upper Potomac River estuary over a distance of approximately
1*0 miles from the vicinity of the l^th Street Bridge in the
District of Columbia to Sandy Point.  Deleterious effects at-
tributable to these wastes include very high bacterial levels,
high concentrations of organic materials, a low and sometimes
depleted dissolved oxygen content, and high nutrient concentra-
tions which bring about massive algal blooms.  The algal blooms
discolor the water, reduce its clarity, and in general create a
displeasing aesthetic appearance.  The subsequent death, sedimen-
tation, and decay of these organisms may contribute further to
the unsatisfactory oxygen conditions in the upper estuary.  Low
dissolved oxygen levels may be a predisposing, if not primary,
factor in some of the fish kills which are repeatedly observed
in the Potomac,  Suspended sediment entering at the head of the
estuary from the Potomac River, from surface runoff in the D. C.
metropolitan area, and from sand and gravel operations, contrib-
ute to the turbidity of the upper estuary.

        In the lower estuary from U. S. Highway 301 Bridge to the
mouth, water quality is generally satisfactory for most uses;
however, occasional algal blooms and fish kills do occur.  In
addition, there are a few small isolated areas below waste out-
falls where coliform bacteria concentrations are such as to pre-
vent the commercial harvesting of shellfish.  Depleted oxygen
conditions in the deep waters near the mouth of the Potomac are
observed annually during the warmest months of the year0  This
condition is common to all deep waters of the Chesapeake Bay
and its tributary estuaries.

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                                                             52
        The water quality objectives set for the estuary from
Little Falls to Hallowing Point by the Interstate Commission on
the Potomac River Basin are not being met in all respects at the
present time (1965).

        A map of the Potomac River estuary is presented in
Figure 15.                           ,
Little Falls to U. S. Highway "301 Bridge (67.3 miles)

        The quality of estuarial waters is predominantly influ-
enced by the quality of the fresh water trifles? at its head and
the brackish or salt water body at its mouth.  In addition, trib-
utary streams, ground water, and waste water discharges entering
the estuary along its length affect the water quality.

        The principal fresh water inflow to the Potomac estuary
is provided by the Potomac River.  The River, upon entering the
area of tidal influence just below Little Falls, 116.1 miles
above Chesapeake Bay, has drained about 11,500 square miles, or
about 80 per cent of the total area draining to the tidal estuary.
The River provides roughly 80 per cent of the total fresh water
inflow, since ground-water accretions to the estuary are not
considered to be significant.

        Minor tributary streams having relatively small drain-
age basins enter the estuary all along its length.  Two of these,
Rock Creek and Anacostia River, enter near the head of the estu-
ary and drain major portions of the District of Columbia Metro-
politan Area.  All of these tributaries are important to the
estuary, but more from the standpoint of quality than quantity.

        Rock Creek, which enters the Potomac River estuary in
the District of Columbia at River Mile 111.9, receives untreated
sewage when combined sewers overflow during storms.  Also, the
District of Columbia West Heating Plant discharges 225,000 gpd
of cooling water and 225,000 gpd of boiler blowdown and water
softener backwash to Rock Creek.  Minor quantities of oil from
spillage at two establishments are discharged to tributaries,,
Because of the storm-water overflows, the water quality in Rock
Creek is highly variable.  Monthly mean B.O.D. values at the
mouth average k.k mg/1 during December through May, and 2.8 mg/1
during June through November, reflecting high storm-water flows
in the v/inter and spring.  Monthly mean coliform bacteria counts
at the mouth vary from 110 to 130,000/100 ml, showing no distinct
seasonal pattern.  Monthly mean dissolved oxygen concentrations
at the mouth average 8.9 mg/1 during June through November, with

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                                                             53
no monthly mean below 7.0 mg/1.  The quality of water upstream
in Rock Creek for nine miles is essentially the same as at the
mouth, although B.O.D. and coliform concentrations are slightly
lower upstream.  The quality of the Potomac River estuary adja-
cent to the confluence -with Rock Creek is generally better than
that in Rock Creek, indicating that the lower water quality in
Rock Creek is the result of the storm-water overflows from com-
bined sewers in the drainage area, and not due to tidal exchange
with the Potomac estuary.  The average annual sediment discharge
of Rock Creek at Sherrill Drive, Washington, D. C., is 1,600 tons
per square mile, or 99,500 tons per year.

        The Anacostia River, which enters the Potomac River estu-
ary in the District of Columbia at River Mile 107.8, is influ-
enced for about four miles by tidal exchange with the main estuary.
Significant concentrations of sewage effluent from the District
of Columbia Blue Plains Sewage Treatment Plant have been traced
by dye throughout the lower four miles of the Anacostia River.
Untreated sewage from combined sewers overflowing during storms
discharges directly to the Anacostia River.  Other discharges to
the River or its tributaries include 26k mgd of cooling water
from two electric generating stations, wash water from sand and
gravel -washing operations, 110,000 gpd of sanitary waste effluent,
after primary treatment, and 160,000 gpd of cooling water from
the Naval Ordnance Laboratory, and other wastes of lesser signifi-
cance.  The quality of water in the Anacostia River is highly
variable.  Monthly mean eoliform counts in the lower seven miles
have ranged from 500 to ^,880,000/100 ml, the higher values
generally occurring December through May, but with high and low
values being found throughout the year.  Monthly mean B.O.D.
values range from 0.9 to 17.2 mg/1, being generally higher up-
stream during December through May, and generally higher down-
stream from June through November.  Monthly mean dissolved oxygen
concentrations near zero may be found at times beginning two
miles above the mouth and extending upstream for two or more
miles, but concentrations are generally above 5.0 mg/1 near the
mouth throughout the year.  The average annual sediment discharge
of the Northeast Branch Anacostia River at Riverdale, Maryland,
is 1,060 tons per square mile, or 77,HOO tons per year; of the
Northwest Branch Anacostia River near Colesville, Maryland, is
470 tons per square mile, or 10,000 tons per year; of the North-
west Branch Anacostia River near Hyattsville, Maryland, is 1,850
tons per square mile, or 91,300 tons per year.

        The quality of the Potomac River at Great Falls, summa-
rized in Appendix IV, may be considered representative of the
fresh water contribution to the estuary.  By considering its
chloride content, which is quite low as compared to that found

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at the mouth in Chesapeake Bay, some idea may be gained,of the
distribution along the estuary of the soluble constituents con-
tributed by both sources .

        Mineral Salts,,.  It is generally recognized that the
chloride content of the estuary will gradually increase from a
minimum value at the head to a maximum value at the mouth.  This
is also true of other constituents such as alkalinity, sodium,
potassium, and others which are present in much higher concentra-
tions in the sea than in rivers.  Chlorides, however, are usually
of greater significance to most water uses.

        The chloride content of the Potomac River at Great Falls
varies from 3.0 to 30 mg/1, while that of the Chesapeake Bay at
the mouth of the Potomac River varies from about 5,000 to 10,000
mg/1.  The chloride content within the estuary will lie between
these extremes, the actual value being dependent upon location
in the estuary and seasonal differences in fresh water inflow
rates.  The chlorides of the Bay waters move up the estuary by
a process usually referred to as turbulent diffusion, which is
brought about by the action of reversing tidal currents.  The
chlorides contributed by the Potomac River move downstream by
the same process and, in addition, are displaced seaward by the
river discharge which flows through the estuary to the Bay.  This
latter process is referred to as advection0

        As would be expected^ the chloride concentration in the
upper estuary varies inversely with the river inflow.  At the
Public Health Service automatic water quality monitor on Memo-
rial Bridge at Washington, D. C., the chloride concentration
between July 19&3 and December 1964- varied from a low of 5-0 mg/1
during the winter, to a high of 50 mg/1 during the late autumn
of 1964-.  This latter value is almost twice the maximum chloride
concentration found at Great Falls and reflects the presence of
sea salts which have diffused upward from the Bay.  At the U. S.
Highway 301 Bridge (River Mile k-Q,3), the low spring chloride
content is usually greater than 1,500 Kg/1, while the late fall
maximum concentration will generally reach 6^,000 mg/1.

        During the four-year period of 1961 - 196^, chloride con-
centrations of 250 mg/1 reached approximately 86, 90, 98, and 9°
miles above the River mouth in successive years, the maximum up-
ward intrusion taking place in the late fall.  The maximum intru-
sion occurred in November of 1963, when chlorides of 192 and 359
mg/1 were observed at Fort Foote  (River Mile 101.7) and Fort
Y/ashington (River Mile 97*8), respectively.  This extensive up-
stream  intrusion of sea salts can be attributed to the very low
Potomac River flows experienced during that year and v/as comparable

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                                                             55
to the intrusion found during the 1930 drought„  In that year,
the chloride level at Indian Head (River Mile 86.3) reached a
maximum value of just over 3,000 mg/1, while in 1963, a maximum
of 2,650 mg/1 was observed at Possum Point (River Mile 78.5).
The total Potomac River flow (at Point-of-Rocks, Maryland) in
1930 was k,7 million acre-feet, while in 19&3, 5.1 million acre-
feet were discharged at this Potomac River gage.  It is doubtful
that chloride concentrations in excess of 250 mg/1 would ever
be found very far upstream of Fort Foote, unless droughts were
more severe than those experienced over the last 70 years.  The
250 mg/1 chloride level is significant, since this is the recom-
mended maximum concentration for drinking water supplies (Public
Health Service Drinking Water Standards).

        Should the Potomac River Basin flows above the estuary-
become more regulated as the result of dam construction, minimum
drought flows to the estuary will be increased, and the upstream
intrusion of sea salts will be inhibited.  On the other hand, if
any significant quantity of Potomac River water is not returned
to the upper estuary after use, a further intrusion of salts
would be expected„

        The variations in chlorides described above apply also to
total dissolved solids, hardness, and sulfates.  During periods
of low fresh water inflow, the total dissolved solids content of
the Potomac River at Memorial Bridge falls between 200 to 300 mg/1,
the hardness between 150 to 200 mg/1, and sulfates in the range
from 75 to 100 mg/1.  When the Potomac River flows are high, these
concentrations drop to ranges of IkO to 200 mg/1 for total dis-
solved solids, 80 to 135 mg/1 for hardness, and 25 to 50 mg/1 for
sulfates,,  The lowest concentrations cited are comparable to those
found in the Potomac River at Great Falls at times of maximum flow,
while the highest values are all higher than those encountered at
Great Falls and reflect the presence of sea salts just as in the
case of chlorides.  As one moves down the estuary, each of these
quality indicators increases in a manner similar to the increases
described for chlorides,

        Temperature.  Water temperatures in the upper estuary
reflect ambient conditions, being highest in July and lowest in
January,  The five-year mean (i960 - 196^) surface temperatures
at Memorial Bridge for the above months were 82° and 36°F., re-
spectively.  Maximum values in the mid-nineties may be found in
shallow waters at sunset during the summer„  These temperatures
are typical of the entire upper estuary down to the U. S. Highway
301 Bridge.  At depths below 30 feet in the saline portions of
the upper estuary, water temperatures are usually 2,0° to 3.0 F.
cooler.

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        Sediment and Water Transparency.  A considerable sediment
load, estimated to be approximately 2.5 million tons annually,  is
transported to the estuary by tributary streams „  Much of this  load
is delivered to the head of tide by the Potomac River; however,
significant amounts also enter from the smaller tributaries which
drain the Washington Metropolitan Area,,  This silt contributes  to
the turbidity of the tidal estuary before settling to the bottom.
Since 9° psz* cent of the upstream load enters during that 10 per
cent of the time when stream flows are highest, maximum turbidity
levels would be expected during the same period of the year; i.e.,
late winter and spring.  Any intense local rainstorm in the
Washington Metropolitan Area will produce a heavy silt load which
causes very high turbidities in the estuary at and near Washington.
This silt gives the water, an obvious brov/n color} which rapidly
dissipates as the suspended material settles out.

        The average turbidity of the Potomac River during the four-
year period from 19&1 - 1964 is shown in Figure 10  The average
turbidity in the upper five miles of the estuary and that observed
near Maryland Point, 5° ffi^les downstream, are both relatively low,
being less than 40 J0C0Uo   Everywhere in the 50-mile reach be-
tween these two limits, the turbidity is higher.  Two turbidity
peaks may be readily identified,  A rather sharp peak (51 JoC.U.),
occurring near the Blue Plains outfall, is attributed to the dis-
charge of sewage treatment plant effluent containing suspended
solids.  After the peak at the sewage treatment plant, a more
gradual build-up in turbidity is observed, reaching a maximum of
54 J.C.U. at Hallowing Point.  This turbidity build-up is similar
to the B.O.D0 build-up in the estuary (discussed in a later sec-
tion).  Both B.O.D. and turbidity reach a peak at Hallowing Point,
15 miles below the Blue Plains outfall, and are assumed to derive
from the same cause; i.e., algal cells.  This assumption is sup-
ported by recent findings of the Chesapeake Bay Institute, which
is carrying out algae and nutrient studies in the Potomac estuary
for the Public Health Service.  For these studies, maximum chloro-
phyll levels3 indicative of maximum algal density, have been con-
sistently found at stations near Hallowing Point.  Thus, while the
direct effect of the Blue Plains effluent in increasing turbidity
is quite noticeable, the indirect effects caused by the stimula-
tion of algal growths reach even higher levels and affect a much
greater section of the estuary.

        A large (400 tons per hour) sand and gravel dredging opera-
tion is carried out on Greenway Flats just below Hallowing Point.
   Jackson Candle Units

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                                                             57
Studies by the Maryland Department of Water Resources show that
a great deal of turbidity is created in the immediate vicinity of
the dredging and washing operations.  These effects are confined,
however, and are not noticeable beyond a distance of about 1,000 feet.

        The Potomac River at Great Falls had an average turbidity
of ^0 J.C.U. for 252 samples collected over a recent five-year
period.  This is quite comparable to the estuary outside of the
area influenced by waste discharges.  The Potomac estuary also
compares favorably with another heavily populated East Coast estu-
ary, the Delaware at Philadelphia, where the average of 53 readings
during the 1962 water year was 80 J.C.U.

        Turbidity or resistance to light penetration into the water
may also be measured by means of the Secchi disk or photometer cells.
Equivalent Secchi disk readings, or the depths at which approximately
16 per cent of the incident light remains, were recorded during the
period from March to September of 19^5.  In the navigation channel
of the upper estuary below Giesboro Point, Secchi disk readings
varied from 1.5 to 5.0 feet.  The lowest values, 1.5 to 2.5 feet,
were found between Giesboro Point (River Mile 107.4) and Indian
Head (River Mile 86.5); values in this area were usually higher
in the spring than in the summer.  Between Indian Head and U. S.
Highway 301 Bridge, somewhat higher readings were obtained, ranging
from 2 to 5 feet.  In this reach, however, the higher readings
were obtained in. August and September.  It appears that in the
spring the upper estuary is uniformly turbid as a result of spring
runoff.  In the summer, the lower portion becomes clearer as the
silt load is reduced, while algal growths in the upper portion
restrict light penetration even further than the light restriction
experienced in the spring.

        Nutrients.  Heavy algal growths which give a bright green
color to the water are observed throughout the upper estuary dur-
ing the warmest months of the year.  These growths are known to
be stimulated by the fertilizing materials contained in waste ef-
fluents, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus.  During August and
September of 19&5, when algal growths were particularly heavy,
about 15 tons of inorganic nitrogen were added to the estuary
each day in waste effluents, in addition to about 3.0 tons per
day which entered in the Potomac River inflow.  Most of the nitro-
gen was in the form of ammonia, with a peak concentration of over
3.0 mg/1 being observed near the Blue Plains Sewage Treatment
Plant outfall.  Much of the ammonia was subsequently converted
by bacterial oxidation to the nitrate form, which reached a con-
centration of over 1.0 mg/1 about 10 miles below the Blue Plains
outfall.  Extremely high phosphorus concentrations were also
present, 0.9 rcg/1 being observed near Fort Washington.

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                                                             58


        In a study of the Potomac River in the Washington Metro-
politan Area (1959), the total phosphorus content of the River
just above the tidal reach was found to be 0.23 Eg/I, and the
content in the tidal area several miles below the municipal
sewage effluent outfall v;as found to be greater than 1.0 njg/l.
Based on measurements made in 19^5, it is estimated that approx-
imately eight tons per day of phosphorus are discharged to the
estuary in v/aste effluents.  These nutrient materials are present
in sufficient quantity to support massive algal growths in the
estuary.  Chlorophyll levels, which are indicative of algal
density, were found in 19&5 "t° have reached a maximum of l8o/ug/l
in the estuary.  This level is higher than previously reported- •
anywhere in the Chesapeake Bay tidal system,

        Influence of Waste-Water Discharges.  The Potomac River
estuary and its minor tributaries receive waste-water discharges
from the Washington Metropolitan Area, several communities and
Federal installations below Washington, power generating stations,
and several industries, principally sand and gravel washing opera-
tions.  The principal organic waste loadings occur in the Washing-
ton Metropolitan Area and include the District of Columbia Blue
Plains Sewage Treatment Plant (80,300 Ibs/day B.O.D.), Arlington
County (23 000 Ibs/day B.O.D.), and Fairfax County (12,500 Ibs/
day B.O.D.).  A complete listing of waste discharges giving
location and treatment provided is presented in Appendix V.

        The Blue Plains Sewage Treatment Plant outfall, which is
the principal waste source, enters the estuary at River Mile 105.k.
Upon leaving the outfall pipe, which lies on the bottom and termi-
nates at the eastern edge of the deep water channel, this waste
stream rises to the surface, becoming slightly diluted by the
surrounding waters which are entrained in the waste plume.  The
turbulence of the moving tidal waters bring about favorable mir-
ing conditions, with the wastes being transported over several
miles upstream or downstream depending on whether the tide is
flooding or ebbing.  To a large extent, the water mass contain-
ing the waste is returned to the vicinity of the outfall by the
reversing tidal current.  However, in traversing the distance of
the tidal excursion, the waste material is mixed throughout a
larger water mass by turbulent diffusion processes, resulting in
lower v/aste concentrations on returning to the point of discoarge.

        An idealized pattern of dispersion of a waste discharge
to a uniform tidal channel having no inflow may be envisioned
by considering the incremental discharge at the time of slac^
water.  A plot of waste concentration versus distance longi-
tudinally along the estuary would, at the time of discharge,

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                                                             59
show an extremely high concentration at the discharge point,
with no waste present at short distances upstream or downstream.
After one complete tidal cycle, such a plot would show the peak
concentration remaining at the point of discharge, though greatly
reduced in magnitude, with a normal distribution of waste both
upstream and downstream for a total distance approaching the
tidal excursion distance.  With succeeding tidal cycles, the
normal distribution of waste concentration would remain about
the discharge point but with a diminishing peak concentration.
From this peak value, the concentration decreases in both up-
stream and downstream directions for large distances.  Ultimately
this curve would flatten out to a straight line, indicating uni-
formly infinitesimal concentrations throughout the system.  Under
the more practical conditions of the Potomac estuary with stream
flow entering at the head, the channel cross-section increasing
toward the mouth, and a net outflow to the ocean causing a net
outflow displacement seaward through the estuary, the normal
distribution mentioned above would be skewed toward the Bay, and
the peak concentration, instead of remaining in the vicinity of
the outfall, would have a net movement seaward with time.

        In the usual case of a steady discharge, such as that
from a waste treatment plant, the peak concentration in the
estuary would lie downstream from the discharge point at low
slack water and above the discharge at high slack water.  If
averaged over a tidal cycle, the peak concentration would be
found at the outfall.  Both the magnitude of the peak concentra-
tion and the extent of the upstream intrusion of the waste would
be limited by the fresh water inflow entering at the head of the
estuary.  In the case of non-conservative pollutants, increasing
stream flows to the estuary would result in an increase in down-
stream pollutant concentrations.

        Oxygen Balance.  The presence of organic waste discharges
to the Potomac River may be detected by increased B.O.D. concen-
trations and the resulting depressed dissolved oxygen conditions,
which these waste materials bring about in the estuary.

        Samples collected at five stations located at about one-
mile intervals above the iVth Street Bridge from June to November
show the B.O.D. to be quite uniform.  The B.O.D. level exceeded
10 per cent of the time in this area is near 3.5 mg/1.  Below
the l^th Street Bridge, the B.O.D. concentration rises rapidly
over the next four miles, reaching a maxumum just below the Blue
Plains outfall where the level exceeded 10 per cent of the time
is 12.0 mg/1.  The B.O.D. concentration drops very slowly and
at a distance of kO miles below the peak concentration has not
returned to the levels found above the l^th Street Bridge.  The

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                                                             60
upper 10 per cent of the concentrations found at Maryland Point
(River Mile 6l.O) exceed 4.3 mg/1.

        An attempt to balance the incoming B.O.D. waste loadings
with the total B.O.D. found in the estuary has shown more than
ten times the calculated value to be present.  This apparent pro-
duction of secondary B.O.D. in the estuary begins above the Blue
Plains outfall and reaches a peak some 15 miles below the outfall,
after which it begins to drop off.  It may be presumed that this
discrepancy is partially attributable to algal cells which are
contained in the samples collected in the estuary but are not
present in the waste-water effluent samples.

        Dissolved oxygen concentrations in the estuary drop
steadily from the head of tide to a minimum at the Blue Plains
outfall, as shown in Figure 2.  In the critical two-month period
from July 15 to September 15, the lowest 10 per cent of the values
observed over five years were below 6.7 mg/1 at River Mile 114.8,
dropping to 1.4 mg/1 at the Blue Plains outfall.  Proceeding down-
stream, dissolved oxygen concentrations rise steadily, and at
Sandy Point (River Mile 75.0), the lower 10 per cent of the values
lie below 6.5 mg/1, similar to conditions found some 1*0 miles
upstream.  The recovery of the dissolved oxygen curve is impeded
by the increasing salinity and resulting decreased solubility
of oxygen encountered downstream of the Washington Metropolitan
Area.

        From the above, it is evident that the estuary oxygen
balance is affected by Metropolitan Area waste discharges over
a distance of about 40 miles.  These effects are most serious in
a 10-mile reach extending from Giesboro Point (River Mile 107.4)
to Fort Washington (River Mile 97.8) where dissolved oxygen con-
centrations are less than 4.0 mg/1 half of the time during the
warm summer months.  Concentrations between zero and 1.0 mg/1
are not infrequent in this stretch.  Furthermore, it should be
noted that the concentrations discussed above were found in
samples collected near the surface of the navigation channel
during daylight hours.  Nighttime samples collected near the
bottom, especially outside the channel, could be as much as 1.0
to 2.0 mg/1 lower.  This is due to the uptake of oxygen by both
the decomposible, organically rich bottom muds and respiring
phytoplankton, which may be found in great numbers in the upper
estuary during the warmer months.

        The trend in critical dissolved oxygen concentrations at
six estuary stations measured over the past 10 years is shown in
Figures 3 through 8.  Little significant improvement in minimum
dissolved oxygen concentrations is apparent during that period.

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                                                             61
        Bacteriological Quality.  The number of coliform organisms
present in the estuary is markedly influenced by the waste efflu-
ents discharged in the Washington Metropolitan Area, primarily
by that discharged at Blue Plains.  Figures 9 and 10 show the five-
year mean of the average monthly concentrations found in the June
through November, and December through May periods, respectively.
The highest coliform concentrations are encountered in the winter
and spring months, considered to be primarily the result of the
cessation of chlorination of the Blue Plains effluent.  The high
fresh water inflows which carry large numbers of coliforms and,
in the case of downstream stations, the lower die-off rates
experienced in colder weather, and the advective effects of high
stream flows on the pealc concentration, also contribute to higher
bacterial levels during December through May,  During the same
period, the mean coliform counts above the .estuary were 6,800/100
ml at Point-of-Rocks (River Mile 159A), Maryland, and 3,100/100
ml at Great Falls (River Mile 126.5).  Coliform levels in the
upper five miles of the estuary above the Memorial Bridge are
lower than those in the River at Point-of-Rocks, and it is not
until a half-mile below the Itoi Street Bridge that the upper
River coliform levels are exceeded in the estuary.  The mean coli-
form counts quickly riss in the If. 5 miles below this point and
reach a peak of 260,000/100 ml near the Blue Plains outfall.  This
high level slowly drops over the next 30 miles, until a relatively
stable mean value, less than 200/100 ml, is reached.  Thus, in the
winter and spring months, the mean coliform level in three over-
lapping reaches of different lengths in the vicinity of the Blue
Plains outfall are as follows:  in the upper 30 miles of the estu-
ary, mean coliform counts generally exceed 2,000/100 ml; in the
15-mile reach from Potomac Park (River Mile 109.1) to below
Marshall Hall (River Mile 9308), they exceed 10,000/100 ml; and
they exceed 50,000/100 ml in a five-mile reach from just below
Giesboro Point (River Mile 107 A) to a point below Fort Foote
(River Mile 101.7).

        In the summer and fall months of the recreational season
on the Potomac estuary, the River contributes less inflow and
contains fewer coliform organisms.  However, coliform concentra-
tions in the estuary above the Blue Plains outfall are as high,
or higher, at this time than during the winter, since further
upstream intrusion of wastes is possible.  Though the Blue Plains
effluent is chlorinated, some regrowth of organisms possibly
takes place in the estuary.  The mean peak concentration at the
outfall is less than half the winter-spring value, or 120,OOO/
100 ml.  The drop in bacterial numbers is more rapid than in
the winter below the plant, and mean concentrations less than
1,000/100 ml are found at Hallowing Point (River Mile 89.5).
In the summer-fall season, then, mean coliform concentrations

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                                                             62
in excess of 2,000/100 ml extend over a 20-mile stretch of the
upper estuary above Fort Washington, and values greater than
50,000/100 ml are confined to a four-mile stretch from below
Giesboro Point to just above Fort Foote.

        Fish Kills .  The Potomac estuary has had a long history
of large fish kills „  One of the more recent of these (1963) was
tentatively attributed to a bacterial infection among the -white
perch „  The large kill which occurred in May 19^5, however, af-
fected several different fish species, and in this case,, bacterial
studies yielded negative results.  The extent of this kill is
shown in Figure 11.  Examination of a few of the more than 500,000
fish estimated to have died showed the presence of pesticides,
However, these compounds were also found at similar non-lethal
levels in fish that were not affected and was not considered to
have caused the mass mortality which was observed „  A small num-
ber of water samples analyzed for dissolved oxygen at that time
showed concentrations much lower than would be expected at that
time of year, and this condition may have contributed, directly
or indirectly > to the fish kill.  A definite correlation may not
always be established between man-made pollution and fish kills
in the Potomac River; however, this possibility can not be com-
pletely ruled outo
        Water QnaJ.i+.y Criteria.  The water quality objectives
and criteria established for the upper Potomac estuary in 1958
by the  Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin are
given in Appendix I.  The objectives and criteria differ for
each of three reaches of the estuary „

        In the upper reach, from Little Falls (River Mile Il6»l)
to Key  Bridge (River Mile 112.5), the water use objectives are
swimming,  boating, shore recreation, and propagation of all fish
species.   The criteria established to meet these objectives are
currently  not being met with respect to coliform numbers, since
levels  in  excess of the maximum of 2,000/100 ml specified for
"nearly all" of the samples are frequently observed ,  Criteria
established for dissolved oxygen are being met in this reach0

        In the middle reach, from Key Bridge (River Mile 112 0 5)
to Fort Washington (River Mile 97 08), the water use objectives
are boating, shore recreation, industrial water supply, safe
passage of all fish, and propagation of the hardier types of
fish.   Here the criterion for the coliform group is less than
10,000/100 ml in  "most" of the samples „  This criterion is not
met in  the reach  except for a two-mile stretch at the upper end<,
The specified monthly average dissolved oxygen of 500 mg/1 with
a minimum  of U00.mg/l is not met anywhere in the reach during

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the summer months.  The turbidity criterion is not met because
of storm runoff, and the nutrients in waste effluents could be
interpreted as deleterious substances which make the waters un-
suitable, through the stimulation of algal growths, for boating
and shore recreation.  The fish kills observed in this and lower
reaches of the estuary are ample evidence that the waters are
unsafe for the passage of all species of fish.  It is not possible
to state conclusively at this time, however, that this condition
is brought about by man-made pollution.

        In the lowest reach for which objectives and criteria
have been established; i.e.. Fort Washington (River Mile 97.8)
to Hallowing Point (River Mile 89.5), the water uses to be pro-
tected are boating, fishing, swimming, and other recreational
-uses.  The coliform criterion of 2,000/100 ml is exceeded in most
of the samples collected in this reach during most of the year.
The minimum monthly average dissolved oxygen of 5.0 mg/1, with
no dissolved oxygen below 4.0 mg/1, is likewise not achieved at
all times.  The comments on the upstream reaches pertaining to
effects of algae and low water transparency on suitability of the
water for recreational purposes and to fish kills apply in this
reach as well.
U. S. Highway 301 Bridge to. Mouth of Potomac (48.8 miles)

        In the lower Potomac estuary from the IT. S. Highway 301
(Wbrgantown) Bridge to the Paver mouth, there is always present
a detectable amount of sea salts which diffuse up the estuary
from Chesapeake Bay.  These concentrations are highest during
the later summer and fall months due to the low fresh water in-
flows to the Potomac estuary and to the entire Bay system which  ^
are experienced at this time.  During the fall months, salinities
average approximately 9.0 and 11 parts per thousand at the sur-
face and at a 30-foot depth, respectively, near the Highway 301
Bridge.  This vertical stratification in the fall is not as pro-
nounced with respect to temperature, which averages near 52 F0,
through the water column.  Surface dissolved oxygen values are
generally near.7.0 mg/1, although values up to 11 mg/1 may be
found in late fall when temperatures have dropped.  Little infor-
mation is available on bottom oxygen conditions in the Highway
301 Bridge area.
   1 ppt salinity is approximately equal to 550 mg/1 chlorides.

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        At the mouth of the Potomac during late summer and fall,
the salinities are the highest experienced in the Potomac estuary,
usually being about 1? ppt at the surface and 18 ppt at the 30-
foot depth.  Surface water temperatures in the fall are warmer at
the mouth than upstream, being near 57 F. at the surface and about
two degrees less at a 30-foot depth.  Surface dissolved oxygen
values are similar to those experienced upstream, 6.0 to 7.0 mg/1
during the warmer fall months and rising to 10 and 11 mg/1 during
late fall.  At a 40-foot depth at the mouth, the dissolved oxygen
concentrations are generally 1.0 to 3.0 mg/1 less than surface
values; pH values of 8.0 and 8.4 have been reported at 40 feet
and the surface, respectively.

        Daring the winter months, the salinity at Highway 301
Bridge drops to about 5.0 ppt under the influence of increased
fresh water inflows.  Temperatures are usually near 36°F., and
saturated dissolved oxygen concentrations are normally present.
A similar effect is felt at the mouth, where salinities are
about 13 and 15 ppt at the surface and at a UO-foot depth, re-
spectively.  Water temperatures are usually two to four degrees
warmer at the mouth than at Highway 301 Bridge.  Saturated dis-
solved oxygen conditions may be found both at the surface and
at the deeper waters near the mouth.

        During the spring months, salinities are at their lowest
values, coinciding with highest fresh water inflows.  At the
Highway 301 Bridge, salinity is usually near 3.0 ppt at the sur-
face and 4.0 ppt at a 30-foot depth.  Surface temperatures average
57°F. at the surface, being two to four degrees cooler in the
deeper waters.  Dissolved oxygen concentrations are near satura-
tion at the surface and may be significantly less near the bottom
at this time, although little data are currently available; pH
values near 8.0 are usually found.  At the mouth, surface salinity
may drop to 10 ppt and is some 2.0 to 3.0 ppt higher in the bot-
tom layers.  Water temperatures are similar to those found near
the Highway 301 Bridge, and pH values usually lie between 8.0
and 9.0.

        During the summer months, salinities in the lower estuary
begin their annual upward rise, as fresh water inflows drop off.
Vertical stratification is also most pronounced at this time of
year, as reflected by salinity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen
concentrations.  Surface and 30-foot salinities are usually 7.0
and 10 ppt at Highway 301 Bridge and 13 and 16 ppt, respectively,
at the mouth of the estuary.  Average surface water temperatures
are at or above 8l°F. throughout the entire lower estuary and
are two to four degrees cooler at a depth of 30 feet.  Very
striking dissolved oxygen conditions are found in the lower

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estuary during the warm summer months „  Daytime dissolved oxygen
concentrations at the surface are generally at or above satura-
tion and, while no nighttime dissolved oxygen values are available,
it could be expected that these would be below saturation.  In
the deeper waters (kO feet and "below) at the mouth of the Potomac,
complete depletion of oxygen is commonly found from July to Sep-
tember,,  The pH values in these deep waters are just above 7*0>
while at the surface the pH generally exceeds 8000  These com-
pletely deoxygenated conditions are also found below kO feet
throughout the entire central portion of Chesapeake Bay during
the summer and can be attributed to oxygen uptake by bottom
sediments coupled with a lack of vertical mixing due to a sig-
nificant degree of vertical density stratification.  It is not
known how far up the Potomac estuary similar conditions exist,
but it may be reasonably assumed that the entire lower estuary
is probably devoid of oxygen at water depths greater than 35 to
kO feet during the summer<,

        Transparency of the water, as measured by Secchi disk
readings taken between March and September, varied from 3 to 13
feet.  The highest values are found near the Chesapeake Bay in
the spring (11-13 feet) and near the Highway 301 Bridge in the
summer (7-9 feet),  The water is more turbid at the Eiver mouth
in summer (7-8 feet) and near the Highway 301 Bridge in the
spring (3-5 feet),

        The Maryland State Department of Health, as a participant
in the certification program of interstate shellfish shippers in
cooperation with the Public Health Service and the shellfish
industry, has classified the waters of the lower Potomac River
estuary and its estuarins tributaries a3cording to Part I of the
ManuaJ. of Operations of the Cooperative j'rggram for the Certifi-
cation- of Interstate Shellfish Shippers[, PHS Publication No. 33.
Based upon bacteriological sampling and sanitary surveys, the
following areas have been classified as "prohibited:" Neale _Sound
north of Cobb Island (River Mile 38,1); Br?ton,_Bay north of a
line drawn from Society Hill to Lovers Point (River Mile 27 ,,2);
and St. Mary's River upstream from a line from Portobello Point
east to the opposite shore0  All other areas are classified as
"approved0"  The upstream limit of shellfish production in the
estuary lies between Colonial Beach and Dahlgren, Virginia, on
the western shora and just downstream from the Highway 301 Bridge
on the eastern shore,  The Potomac River produces about 13 per
cent of the clams and 10 per cent of the oysters harvested in
Maryland 0

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                        OF WATER QUALITY IN THE
                PQICMAC RIVER BASIN IN MftRYLAND
        Numerous significant water quality problems exist in
the Potomac River Basin in Maryland,,  In the 97-mile length of
the North Branch, the wide-spread occurrence of mine drainage
inhibits the development of normal biological life in many of
the tributary streams as well as in the upper North Branch it-
self.  Water containing mine drainage requires expensive treat-
ment when usad for municipal and industrial purposes„  Iron and
manganese are also present in concentrations which may require
removal to satisfy some uses in this sub-basin,,  High bacterial
counts and low dissolved oxygen concentrations are found in the
lower third of the North Branch „

        The 7^-inile reach of the main stem Potomac River down-
stream from the confluence of the North and South Branches to
Conococheague Creek gradually improves in quality over that
found in the North Branch, because of dilution by better quality
waters entering from West Virginia»  However, due to discharges
of untreated domestic wastes and run-off from agricultural areas,
eoliform bacteria are present throughout this reach in concentra-
tions unsatisfactory for some uses when compared with criteria of
the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River and Maryland. De-
partment of Water Resources„

        Several tributaries which enter the Potomac River in the
95-mile reach from Conococheague Creek to the estuary have lowered
water quality because of municipal or industrial waste discharges.
Great quantities of suspended sediment are contributed by the
Monocacy sub-basin, and high eoliform bacteria levels occur in
streams throughout the area at times of high spring stream flows,,
Tastes, odors,, iron, and manganese are problems at times in sur-
face water supplies in this area.  The discharge of some untreated
sewage and entry of inferior quality water from tributaries
adversely affect dissolved oxygen levels in the upper third of
this reach.

        The quality of Trader in a 40-mile reach of the upper
Potomac estuary is seriously diminished by pollution from v/aste-
water discharges.  Deleterious effects attributable to these
wastes include very high bacterial levels, high concentrations
of  organic materials, a low and sometimes depleted dissolved
oxygen content, and high nutrient concentrations v/hich bring
about massive algal blooms„  The algal blooms discolor the water,
reduce its clarity, and, in general, create a displeasing aesthe-
tic appearance.  The subsequent death, sedimentation, and decay

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                                                             68
of these organisms may contribute further to the unsatisfactory
oxygen conditions in the upper estuary.  Low dissolved oxygen
levels may be a predisposing, if not primary, factor in some of
the fish kills v/hich are repeatedly observed in the Potomac.
Suspended sediment entering at the head of the estuary from the
Potomac River from surface runoff in the Washington Metropolitan
Area and from sand and gravel operations also contributes to the
excessive turbidity of the upper estuary.

        In the lower estuary from U. S. Highway 301 Bridge to the
mouth, water quality is generally satisfactory for most uses;
however, occasional algal blooms and fish kills do occur.  In
addition, there are a few small isolated areas below waste out-
falls where coliform bacteria concentrations are such as to pre-
vent the commercial harvesting of shellfish.  Depleted oxygen
conditions in the deep waters near the mouth of the Potomac are
observed annually during the warmest months of the year.  This
condition is common to all deep waters of the Chesapeake Bay.

        The present (19^5) water quality from Little Falls to
Hallowing Point generally does not meet the objectives set for
this reach of the estuary by the Interstate Commission on the
Potomac River Basin.  Results of studies have indicated that
for the major portion of this reach, coliform and dissolved oxy-
gen concentrations failed to meet the criteria established for
these-indicators more than 50 per cent of the time.

        Diagrams illustrating the present water quality based
on Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin criteria
(Table l) and the Maryland Department of Water Resources (Table
II) are presented in Figures 16 and 17, respectively.
                                                                            I
                                                                            1C
                                                                            1C
                                                                            1C
                                                                             c

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                                INDEX
                                                               69
Aaron Run. 16
Abram Creek (W. Va.), 15
Academy of Natural Sciences of
  Philadelphia, 8, 45
Allegany Ballistics Laboratory
  of Hercules Powder Co.
  (Rocket Center, W. Va.), 20
Alpine Coal Co. (Henry, W. Va.),
  14
Amcelle, Md., 21
Anacostia River j, 52,. 53
Antietam Creek (Md., Pa.), 33,
  34, 36, 37, 38
Arlington, Va., County of, 58

Back Creek (Va., W. Va.), 30
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
  (locomotive maintenance shop,
  Brunswick, Md.), 39
Barton, Md., 17
Barton's Dairy (Pinto, Md.), 20
Bayard, W. Va., 14, 15
Bel Air, Md., 20
Berkeley Springs, W. Va., 29
Berryville, Va., 38, 39
Bethesda, Md., 48
Blair Limestone Co. (Martins -
  burg, W. Va.), 36
Blue Plains Sewage Treatment
  Plant, Washington, D. C.
  (now called D. C. Water
  Pollution Control Plant), 48,
  53, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 6l
Boonsboro, Md., 37
Bowling Green, Md., 21, 22
Braddock Runf 23, 25
Breathedsville, Md., 37
Breton Bay,. 65
Broad Run^ 40
Brunswick, Md., 39
Buffalo Creak (ff. Va.), 14, li
Byron, W. D., and Sons Tannery
  (Williamsport, Md.), 34

Cabin John Creekf 48
Cacapon River (W. Va.), 27, 2J
  29
Cambridge Rubber Company (Tan<
  town, Md.), 42
Carderock, Md., 48
Carroll Greek. 6, 43, 44, 49
Catoctin Creek^ (Md.), 40
Catoctin Creels; (Va.), 40
Catoctin. Furnace, Md., 43
Celanese Fibers Co. (Amcelle,
  Md.), 21
Chambersburg, Pa., 34
Chesapeake Bayf 8, 51, 52, 54.
  58, 63, 65, 68
Chesapeake Bay Institute of
  The Johns Hopkins University
  8, 56
Chesapeake Bay-Susquehanna RT
  Basins Project, 1, 24, 28, '<.
Chesapeake Biological Laborat(
  University of Maryland
  (Solomons, Md.), 8
Chevy Chase, Md., 48
Cobb Island, Md., 65
Colesville, Md., 7, 53
Colonial Beach, Va., 65
Conococheague Creek (Md., Pa,,
  27, 30, 33, 34, 35, 36, 67
Corning Packaging Co. (Freder-
  ick, Md.), 44
Cornwell, J. Lynn, Inc. (Pure?
  vine, Va.), 40
Cresaptcrwn, Md., 20, 21
Cullen, Victor, State Hospital
  (Sabillasville, Md.), 42
   Words underlined are names of streams or other bodies of water.
   State abbreviations are designated where streams are not entirely
   within the State of Maryland.

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                                                               70
                          INDEX (Continued)
Cumberland, Md., 7, 18, 21, 22,
  23, 24
Cumberland Brevong Co. (Cumber-
  land, Md.), 23
Cumberland Coca-Cola Bottling
  Co.(Cumberland, Md.), 23

Dahlgren, Va0, 65
Dalecarlia Water Filtration
  Plant (of Washington Aque-
  duct Division), 48
Dashiell Dairy (Midland, Md.),
  18
Dawsonville, Md., 46
Deakin Run (W. Va.), 14
Department of Sanitary Engineer-
  ing and Water Resources of The
  Johns Hopkins University, 6
Detrick Creelc. 43
Dickerson Generating Station
  (Dickerson, Md.), 44
Dickerson, Md., 8
Difficult Run (Va,), 46
District of Columbia (see
  Washington, Metropolitan
  Area of)
District of Columbia Blue
  Plains Sewage Treatment
  Plant (see Blue Plains)
District of Columbia Depart-
  ment of Public Health, 5
Dixon TB Hospital, Pa., 34
Double Pipe Creek. 42
DuPont de Nemours and Co,
  explosives plant (Falling
  Waters, V/. Va,), 35

Elk^Run (W. Va.), 14
Emrnitsburg, Md0, 42
E.U.B. Orphanage (Pa.), 37
Everedy Co. (Frederick, Md.),
  43
Kvi+.-hg n-rppv (Md., Pa.), 23,
  24, 25
Fairchild Stratos Corp,, The
  (Hagerstown, Md.), 37
Fairfax, Va., County of, 58
Fairview, Md., 34, 35
Falling Waters, W. Va., 35
Feeser, A. W. and Co. (Taney-
  town, Md0), 42
Fish and Wildlife Service (see
  U. S, Department of the
  Interior; Fish and Wildlife
  Service)
Fort Detrick (U. S. Army), Md.,
  43, 44
Fort Foote, Md., 54, 55, 6l, 62
Fort Ritchie (National Guard),
  Md., 37
Fort Washington, Md., 54, 57,
  60, 62> 63
Foxcroft School (Va.), 46
Fraley's Meats (Catoctin Furnace,
  MdJ, 43
Frederick, Md., 7, 33, 43, 44,
  49
Frederick, Md., County of, 7
Frostburg, Md., 17, 18, 23
Funkhouser Co. (Littlestomi,
  Pa.-), 42
Funkstown, Md0, 37

Geological Survey (see U. S.
  Department of the Interior,
  Geological Survey)
Georges Creek. 17, 18, 19
Giesboro Point, 57, 60, 6l, 62
Gilardi Rmij 38
Goose Creek (Va0), 46
Goose Creek Country Club (Va0),
  46
Great Falls, Md., 5, 33, 47, 48,
  53, 54, 55, 57, 6l
Greencastle, Pa0, 34
Greencastle Packing Co. (Green-
  castle, Pa.), 34
Growdenvale, Md., 23
I
r

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                                        INDEX (Continued)
                                                                             71
I
Hadley Farms Dairy (Laytonsville,
  Ma.), 46
Hagerstown, Md., 30, 31, 33, 37,
  38
Hallowing Point, Md., 3, 52, 56,
  6l, 63, 68
Hancock, Md., 7, 24, 29, 35, 36
Harpers Ferry, W. Va., 38
Headsville, W. Va., 24
Heinz, H. J., Go. (Chambers-
  burg, Pa.), 34
Henry, W. Va., 14
Herndon, Va., 46
Hopkins, The Johns, University
  (see Chesapeake Bay Institute,
  Department of Sanitary Engineer-
  ing and Water Resources)
Hunting. Creek. 42, 43
Hyattsville, Md., 53
Hyndman, Pa., 22

Indian Head, Md., 55, 57
Interstate  Commission on the
  Potomac River Basin, 3,  5, 6,
  15, 19, 22, 25, 30, 31,  39,
  41, 44, 49, 52, 62, 67,  68
Interwoven  Co,  (Martinsburg,
  W. Va.),  36
Inwood, W.  Va., 35

Jenkins Brothers  (Frederick,
  Md.), 43
Jennings Run. 23, 25
Jug Bridge, Md., 44

Keedysville, Md., 38
Kelly-Springfield Tire  Co.
   (Cumberland, Md.),  22,  23
Key Bridge, Washington, D. C.,
  62
Keyser, W.  Va., 19,  20, 21
Kitzmiller, Md.,  15

Late,  Howard, and Company
   (Thunaont,  Md.),  43
La Vale, Md0, 23
Laytonsville, Md., 46
Leesburg, Va., 46
Linganore Creek, 44
Little Antietam Creek. 37, 38
Little Falls, 3, 49, 52, 62,
  68
Little Falls Branch. 48
Little Tonoloway Creek. (Md.,   '
  Pa.), 29, 30
Lonoconing, Md0, 17
Lotz Wholesale Meats Co»
  (Frostburg, Md.), 18
Lovers Point, Md., 65
Lovettsville, Va., 40
Lowengart and Co. (Mercersburg,
  Pa.), 34
Luke, Md., 14, 18, 20

Magin, George W., Co. (New
  Windsor, Md.), 42
Maloney Concrete Co, (Chevy
  Chase, Md.), 48
Marquette Cement Manufacturing
  Co.(Security Md.), 37
Marsh Creek  (Pa.), 41
Marsh Runf 37
Marshall Hall, Md., 6l
Martin-Marietta Corp-.,  (Appa-
  lachian Stone Division)
  (Cumberland, Md.), 23
Martin-Marietta Corp.,  (Manley
  Sand Division), Hyndman, Pa.
  23
Martinsburg, W. Va., 35,  36
Maryland Cooperative Milk Pro-
  ducers  (Unionville, Md.),  44
Maryland Department of  Chesa-
  peake Bay  Affairs, 7
Maryland Department of Water
  Resources,  6, 7, 14,  15, 19,
  22, 25,  30,  31, 36, 41,  57,
  67, 68
Maryland  Point, Md.,  56,  60

-------
                                                               72
                          INDEX (Continued)
                                                                               I
Maryland State Department of
  Health (Baltimore, MdJ, 7,
  39, 42, 43, 44, 65
Maryland State Planning Depart-
  ment., 1
Maryland State Reformatory for
  Males (Breathedsville, MdJ, 37
Maryland Water Pollution Control
  Commission, 3, 6, 44
Mason's Dairy (Cresaptown, MdJ,
  20
Memorial Bridge (Washington,
  D. C.), 5, 54, 55, 61
Mercersburg, Pa., 34
Middlesburg, Va., 46
Middletown, Ml., 40
Mill Runf 20
Milville, W. Va., 38
Mississippi Riverf 48
Monocacy River. 3, 7, 33, 36,
  41, 42, 43, 44, 49, 67
Mt. St. Joseph's Academy
  (Emmitsburg, MdJ, 42
Mt. St. Mary's College
  (Emmitsburg, MdJ, 42
Muddy Branch^ 50
Municipal Electric Light Plant
  (Hagerstown, Md.), 37
Musselman Canning Co0 (Inwood,
  W. Va.), 35
Myersville, Md., 40

National Fruit Co. (Martinsburg,
  W. VaJ, 36
Neale Sound. Md., 65
New Creek (W. VaJ, 19, 20, 22
New Windsor, Md., 42
North Branch Coal Co. (Bayard,
  W. Va.), 14
North Branch Potomac Riverf 5,
  6, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,
  19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25,
  27, 28, 67
North Fort of Lineanore Creek.
  44
Northeast Branch Anacostia,
  River, 53
Northwest Branch AnacQstia^
  Hiyer, 7, 53

Ohio River Basin^ 13
Oldtown, Md0, 25
Onequon Creek, (Va0, W. VaJ
  35, 36

Path Valley Esso (Chambersburg,
  Pa.), 34
Patterson Creek (W. Va.), 24
Paw Paw, W. Va., 28, 29
Pennsylvania Glass and Sand Co0
  (Berkeley Springs, W. VaJ,
  29
Philadelphia, Pa0, 57
Piedmont, W. Va., 16, 18, 19, 20
Pinev Creekf 42
Pinto, Md., 20
Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co.
  (Cumberland, Md.), 2J} 24
Point-of-Rocks, Md., 7, 15, 33,
  40, 45, 55, 61
Portobello Point, Md0, 59
Possum Point, Va0, 8, 55
Potomac Creamery Co0 (Hagers-
  town, MdJ, 37
Potomac Edison Coa (Cumberland^
  MdJ, 22, 23
Potomac Edison Co,, R. Paul
  Smith Station (Williamsport,
  Md.), 34
Potomac Electric Power Co0
  (PEPCO), 8, 44
Potomac Farms Quality Dairy
  Products (Cumberland, Md J,
  23
Potomac Park, D0 C., 6l
Potomac Riverj 3, 8, 9, 24, 27,
  28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36,
  38, 39, 40, 41, 44, 45, 46, 47,
  48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55,
  56, 57, 58, 59, 6l, 62, 63, 64,
  65, 67, 68
t
r
r
r
                                                                               r

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                                                               73
                          INDEX (Continued)
Potomac River estuary, 8, 51,
  52, 53, 57, 59, 6l, 62, 63,
  64, 65, 67, 68
Public Health Service (see U.
  S. Department of Health,
  Education, and Welfare,
  Public Health Service)
Public Health Service Drinking
  Water Standards, 55
Purcellvilla, Md., 40

Quantico Creek (Va,,), 8
Queen City Brewing Co. (Cumber-
  land, Md.), 23
Queen City Cooperative Dairy,
  Inc. (Cumberland, Md.), 23

Rawlings Heights, Md., 20
Reservoirs (see Savage Reser-
  voir, Stony River Reservoirs)
Ridgeley, W. Va., 23
Riverdale, Md., 53
Rock Creek (Md.), 52, 53
Rock, Creek (Pa.), 41

Sabillaaville, Md., 42
St. Mary's River, 6, 65
Sandy Point, 50, 60
Sandy Spring Run, 18
Savage Reservoir, 16
Savage River, 16, 19
Scotland Orphanage (Pa,), 34
Security, Md., 37
Seneca Creek, 46
Shallmar, Md0, 15
Sharpsburg,  Md,, 37, 38
Shenandoah Riverf 38, 39, 45
Shepherdstown, W. Va., 9, 36
Society Hill, Md., 65
Solomons, Md., 17
South Branch Potomac, River.,
  27, 67
Standard Lime and Stone  Co.
  (Martinsburg, W. Va.),  36
Stony River  (W. Va.), 15
Stony River Reservoirs (¥/. Va
  15, 16
Stream Classifications (see
  Classification of Streams)
  or (see Maryland Department
  of Water Resources or Inter
  state Commission on the
  Potomac River Basin)
Sugarland Creek (Va,,), 46
Surveillance Station (see
  Williamsport, Great Falls,
  Memorial Bridge, Cumberlanc
  Point-of-Rocks, Frederick,
  West Virginia Department o:
  Natural Resources, Colesvil
  Shepherdstown, Oldtown, Md

Taneytown, Md., 42
Taylor, David, Model Basin
  (Carderock, Md.), 48
Thurmont, Md0, 42, 43
Toms Creek (Md., Pa.), 42
Tonoloway Creek (Md., Pa 0),
  27, 30

Union Bridge, Md., 42
Unionville, Md., 44
U0 S. Army Corps of Engineer
  38
U. S. Department of Health,
  Education, and Welfare, Pv
  Health Service, 5. 6,  8, :
  31, 38, 47, 54, 56, 65
U. S. Department of the  Int«
  Fish and Wildlife Service,
U. S. Department of the  Inte
  Geological Survey, 1,  7, 2
U. S. Geological Survey  (se<
  S. Department of the Inte:
  Geological Survey)
U. S. Highway 301 Bridge, B
  52, 54,  55, 57, 63, 64, 6
U. S. Naval Ordnance Labora
   (Whiteoak, Md.),  53
U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships,

-------
                                                               74
                          INDEX (Continued)
Upper Potomac River Commission
  Waste Treatment Facility
  (Westernport, Md.), 17, 18

Virginia Electric and Power Co.
  (Possum Point, Va., Steam
  Generating Plant), 8
Virginia Department of Conserva-
  tion and Economic Development,
  Division of Water Resources, 8
Virginia State Department of
  Health, 8

Walkersville, Md., 43
Warm Springs Run (W. Va.), 29
Washington Aqueduct Division of
  U. S. Army Engineer District,
  5, 47, 48
Washington (Metropolitan Area),
  4, 6, 47, 48, 49, 51, 52, 53,
  54, 56, 58, 60, 6l, 68
Washington Petroleum Co. (Chevy
  Chase, Md.), 48
Washington Suburban Sanitary
  Commission, 47
Water Pollution Surveillance
  System, Public Health Service,
  38, 47
Watts Branch. 46
Waynesboro, Pa., 37
Weinschel Engineering Co..
  (Gaithersburg, Md,), 46
West Branch of Marsh Run. 37
West Heating Plant (Washington,
  D. C.), 52
Western Maryland Railway Co.
  (Hagerstown, Md.), 37
Westernport, Md., 16, 17, 18,
  19, 20
Westminster, Md., 42
West Virginia Department of
  Natural Resources, Division
  of Water Resources, 9, 39
West Virginia Pulp and Paper
  Co. (Luke, Md.), 5, 16, 17 ,
  18, 19, 20
Williamsport, Md., 5, 31, 33,
  34, 35, 36
Willow Farms Dairy (Westminster,
  Md.), 42
Wills Creek (Md., Pa.), 19, 22,
  23, 25
Winchester, Va., 35
Wolfden Run^ 15

Youhioghenv River - Ohio River
       , 13
Zekiah
            j. 6
14th Street Bridge, Washington,
  D. C., 51, 59, 61

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                                    75
APPENDICES

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   APPENDIX I.  WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR THE POTOMAC RIVER
              IN IKE WASHINGTON J/STROPOLITAN ARE&
        Interstate Comnission on the Potomac River Basin
                   (Adopted January 22., 1958)
        The ultimate goal, of a comprehensive pollution abatement
program Is to provide that quality of water in the Potomac which
will be compatible wiin the principal uses the people desire to
mate of them,,  Many uses are currently being mads of the river
even though the water quality is far from desirable for many such
uses.  Other uses are proposed for the future which can be realiz-
ed only if pollution abatement is achieved.  It is believed that
the following water quality objectives and criteria for Five
Sections of the Potomac River in the Washington Metropolitan Area
are capable of achievement and desirable of attainment.  Some
aspects are admittedly long-range objectives.  For example^ the
complete removal of raw sewage most await elimination of combined
sewage and an application of practical methods of disposal of
sewage and other wastes from boats.  Nevertheless, the objectives
are worthy goals and should be sought„

        Because of the varying nature of the streams and the
situations pertaining to them, no single set of water quality
criteria can be .made to apply to the entire Metropolitan region.
The portion of the Potomac under consideration has been divided
into Five Sections,

        (l)  Mouth of Monocacy to Great Falls

        (2)  Great Falls to Little Falls

        (3)  Little Falls to Key Bridge

        (4)  Key Bridge to Fort Washington

        (5)  Fort Vfashington to Hallowing Point

        Key Bridge is the present division point between Sections
(3) and (4), but. this would be aoved downstream to the vicinity
of 14th Street Bridge in Washington at the proposed "Barrier Dam!'
if the provision *'or a water recreation basin is adopted as r-5c~
omTiiended in the v/oliran Report entitled, "A Clean Potomac River
in the Washington Metropolitan Area," November

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                                                          1-2
                    APPENDIX I.  (Continued)

        As a "basic consideration applying to all Sections,  the
Commission advocates that all sewage or industrial wastes dis-
charged or permitted to flow into tributaries of the Potomac
should be treated to that extent, if any, v/hich may be necessary
to maintain such waters in a sanitary and satisfactory condi-
tion at least equal to the criteria recommended below for the
waters of the Potomac immediately above the confluence of the
tributary with the main stream.

        The water quality objectives for the Sections indicated
above are as follows:

                           SECTION I

POTOMAC RIVERs  MONQCACY RIVER TO GREAT FAILS

Objective:  The establishment of conditions suitable for domestic
            water supplies, fish propagation, and recreational
            uses, and elimination of excessive soil erosion.

Criteria:   The water quality shall be held in the normal natural
            condition of the stream, with nearly all samples fall-
            ing within the following limits:

            1.  Coliform Group: MPN not to exceed 2,000 per 100 ml.

            2.  pH: Range between 6.5 and 8.5.

            3.  D, 0.: Monthly median not less than 6.5 ppm, with
                no D. 0. below 4.0 ppm.

            4.  Turbidity: After opportunity for good mixing in
                the River, turbidity of the stream should not be
                appreciably changed.

            5o  Other Conditions:  There shall be no floating
                solids, oil,' settleable solids, or sludge deposits
                attributable to sewage, industrial wastes or other
                v/astes.  There shall be no toxic wastes, delete-
                rious substances, colored or other wastes, or
                heated liquids, taste or odor producing substances
                either alone or in combinations sufficient to be
                injurious to fish life or to make the waters un-
                safe or unsuitable as a source of municipal water
                supply or other desirable uses.

-------
                    APPENDIX I.  (Continued)

                           SECTION II

POTOMAC RIVER:  GREAT FALLS TO LITTLE FALLS

Objective:  The elimination of sewage and vraste effluent and
            excessive soil erosion so that the water will be
            suitable for domestic water supplies and fish life.

Criteria:   The water quality shall be held in the normal natural
            condition of the stream, with nearly all samples fall-
            ing within the following limits:

            1.  Goliform Group: MPN not to exceed 2,000 per 100 ml.

            2.  pH: Range between 6.5 and 8.5.

            3.  D. 0.: Monthly median not less than 6.5 ppm, with
                no D. 0. below 4.0 ppm.

            4.  Turbidity: After opportunity for good mixing in
                the River, turbidity of the stream should not be
                appreciably changed.

            5.  Other Conditions: There shall be no floating
                solids, oil, settleable solids, or sludge deposits
                attributable to sewage, industrial wastes or other
                wastes.  There shall, be no toxic wastes, delete-
                rious substances, colored or other wastes, or
                heated liquids, taste or odor producing substances,
                either alone or in combinations in sufficient
                amounts to be injurious to fish life or to make
                the waters unsafe or unsuitable as a source of
                municipal water supply or other desirable uses.
                          SECTION III

POTOMAC RIVER:  LITTLE FALLS TO KEY BRIDGE

Objective:  The elimination of sewage and waste effluent and
            excessive soil erosion so that the water will be
            suitable for swimming, boating, shore recreation,
            and safe for all species of fish life with favor-
            able conditions prevailing for their propagation.

-------
                                                                            1-4
                                       APPENDIX I.  (Continued)

                   Criteria:   The water quality shall be held in the normal natural
                               condition of the stream, vdth nearly all samples fall-
                               ing within the following limits:

                               1.  Coliform Group: MPN not to exceed 2,000 per 100 ml.

                               2.  pH; Range between 605 and 8.5.

                               3.  D, 0,: Monthly median not less than 6.5 ppm, with
                                   no D. 0. below 4-0 ppm.

                               4.  Turbidity:  After opportunity for good mixing  in
                                   the River, turbidity of the stream should not  be
                                   appreciably changed,

                               5.  Other Conditions:  There shall be no oil, floating
                                   solids, settleable solids, or sludge deposits  at-
                                   tributable to sewage, industrial wastes, or other
                                   wastes.  There shall be no toxic wastes, delete-
                                   rious substances, colored or other wastes or heated
                                   liquids, taste or odor producing substances, either
                                   alone or in combinations, in sufficient amounts to
                                   be injurious to fish life or to make the waters
                                   unsafe for swimming or shore recreation.
u
i*
m
                          SECTION IV

POTOmC RIVER:  KEX BRIDGE TO FORT WASHINGTON

Objective:  To reduce the quantity of combined sewage discharged,
            and to control the quality of waste effluents by
            effective treatment so as to make the water suitable
            for boating,  shore recreation, industrial water supply
            and safe for  the passage of all species of fish, with
            favorable conditions prevailing for the propagation
            of the hardier types„

Criteria:   The water quality shall be maintained so that the
            results of most  of the samples fall within the follow-
            ing limits:

            1.  Coliform  Group: MPN not to exceed 10,000 per 100 i

            2.  pH: Range between 6.5 and 8.5.

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                                                         1-5


                    APPENDIX I.   (Continued)
            3.   D.  0.:  Monthly average not less  than 5.0 ppm,
                with no D.  0.  "below 4.0 ppm.

            4.   Turbidity:  After opportunity  for good mixing  in
                the River,  turbidity of the stream should not be
                appreciably changed.

            5.   Other Conditions:  There shall be no floating
                solids, oil, settleable solids,  or sludge deposits
                attributable to sewage, industrial wastes or  other
                wastes.  There shall be no toxic wastes,  delete-
                rious substances, colored or  other wastes or
                heated liquids, taste or odor producing substances,
                either alone or in combinations, in sufficient
                amounts to make the waters unsafe or unsuitable
                as  a source of industrial process water supply,
                or for boating, shore recreation, passage of  all
                species of fish or propagation of the hardier
                species of fish.
                           SECTION V

POTOMAC RIVER:  FORT WASHINGTON TO HALLOWING POINT

Objective:  To reduce the quality of combined sewage discharged
            and to control the quality of waste effluents  by
            effective treatment of wastes and disinfection of
            effluents to make the water suitable for boating,
            fishing, swimming, and other recreational uses.

Criteria:   The water quality shall be maintained so that  the
            results of most of the samples fall within the
            following limits:

            1,  Coliform Group: MPN not to exceed 2,000 per 100 ml.

            2.  pH: Range between 6.5 and 8.5.

            3.  D. 0,,: Monthly average not less than 6.5 ppm,
                with no D. 0. below 4.0 ppm.

            4,  Turbidity: After opportunity for good mixing in
                the River, turbidity of the stream should  not be
                appreciably changed.

-------
                                                          1-6
                    APPENDIX I.  (Continued)
                Other Conditions: There shall be no floating
                solids, oil, settleable solids,  or sludge deposits
                attributable to sewage, industrial wastes or other
                wastes.  There shall be no toxic v/astes,  delete-
                rious substances, colored or other wastes or
                heated liquids, taste or odor producing substances,
                either alone or in combinations, in sufficient
                amounts to be injurious to fish life or to make
                the waters unsafe or unsuitable for swimming,
                fishing, or other recreational uses.
INTERPRETIVE NOTES:

        In arriving at numerical values included in the foregoing
objectives, it is the intent that A.P,H»A. Standard Methods be
utilized.  It is further intended with a series of samples, that
arithmetical averages be used.

        The reference "other wastes" under Condition No. 5 of
the foregoing objectives shall be interpreted to include trash,
garbage, dirt, soil, or any matter causing or aiding pollution.

        With reference to disinfection of effluents for safe-
guarding of recreational areas, it is intended that the recrea-
tional season comprise the period of May 1 to September 30.

-------
                                                          II - 1
        APPENDIX II o  SUMMARY OF ANALYSES OF WATER QUALITY
         DATA FOR THE NORTH BRANCH POTOMAC RIVER OBTAINED
           BY THE WEST VIRGINIA PULP AND PAPER COMPANY

 A.  Above Luke, Maryland (River Mile 53.1)
     Critical Concentrations (January 1962 - February 1965)
Item
D. 0.
Temperature
B,00D05
pH
Color
Turbidity
Total
Alkalinity
Hardness
Total
Dissolved
Solids
Suspended
Solids
Units
*A
°C
mg/1
	
Platinum
Jackson
Candle
mg/1
mg/1

mg/1
mg/1
Critical
Month
July
July
July
August
July
March
May
July

July
March
No. Obser-
High (H) vat ions for
or Critical
Low (L) Mean Month
T Q O
H 19.6
H 4,5
L 4.7*
H 7
H 45ol
L 4,0
H 83 .7

H 217
H 47
61
6l
61
65
61
65
65
61

61
65
Geometric

-------
                                                          II - 2
 B.
               APPENDIX II.  (Continued)

Below Luke, Maryland (River Mile 52.4-)
Critical Concentrations (January 1962 - February 1965)

1
1
•
1

1

1
1



i
1
11
Item
D. 0.
Temperature
B.O.D05
pH
Color
Turbidity

Total
Alkalinity
Hardness
Total
Dissolved
_ Solids
^^" Suspended
Solids
Mi
Units
mg/1
°c.
mg/1
—
Platinum
Jackson
Candle

Eg/1
mg/1


mg/1

mg/1
High (H)
Critical or
Month Low (L)
August
July
September
October
October

October

April
July


July

October
L
H
H
H
H

H

L
H


H

H
No0 Obser-
vations for
Critical
Mean Month
7.1
24.2
20.5
9.4*
11.

67.3

9.6
98.1


381

169
65
43**
58
66
68

68

58
63


63

68
Geometric

Two years only

-------
                                                                 II - 3
                        APPENDIX II.   (Continued)

     C.   At Keyser,  West Virginia (River Mile 45.9)
         Critical Concentrations (January 1962 - February 1965)
Item
D. 0.
Temperature
B.O.D
pH
Color
Turbidity
Total
Alaklinity
Hardness
Total
Dissolved
Solids
Suspended
Solids
Units
Kg/1
°C.
fflg/1
Platinum
Jaclson
Candle
rog/1
Eg/1
mg/1
mg/1
Critical
Month
August
July
December
September
August
October
April
October
October
September
No0 Obser-
High (H) vations for
or Critical
Low (L) Mean Month
L
H
H
H
H
H
L
H
H
H
6.8
24.0
21.2
8.2*
118
115.7
13.8
210
638
154
65
41**
46
60
64
68
57
68
68
56
•**
    Geometric
    Two years only

-------
                                                         II - 4
                   APPENDIX II.   (Continued)

 D0  Upper Potomac River  Commission Waste Treatment Facility,
    Westernport, Maryland  (River Mile  51.0)
    Critical  Concentrations (January 1962  - February 1965)

                                                        No. Obser-
                                  High (H)             vations for
                       Critical       or                 Critical
                                                            90
Item
D. 0.
° ° °5
pH
Color
Turbidity
Total
Dissolved
Solids
Suspended
Solids
Units
Big/1
3!g/l

Platinum
Jackson
Candle


H>g/l
fflg/1
Month
April
V -, rr

toy
February
October


June
August
Low \ L %!
L

L
H
H


H
H
Mean
2,5
*"*~ • J —
608*
329
420


1,725
353
                                                            93

                                                            84


                                                            93



                                                            90


                                                            93
Geometric

-------
              APPENDIX III
WATER QUALITY DATA FROM A SPECIAL STUDZ
   OF THE UPPER PQTCMAC RIVER BY THE
     PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE IN 1965

-------
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-------
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