REPORT OK THE
CALUMET AREA SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM
BY
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION & WELFARE
FOR THE PERIOD
JUNE THROUGH NOVEMBER, 1965
ILLINOIS-INDIANA
U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration*
Region V, Chicago, Illinois
January, 1966
* Formerly U.S. Public Health Service, Division of Water Supply
and Pollution Control
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF FIGURES
Page No.
I. FOREWORD 1
II. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 2
III. INTRODUCTION ^
Authority and Organization
Purpose and Scope
IV. DESCRIPTION OF SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM 5
Present Staff
Beach, Stream, and Harbor Sampling
Hydraulic Surveys
Biological Surveys
Automatic Monitoring
Other Accomplishments to Date
V. MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF WATER 10
Introduction
Beach Sampling
Stream and Harbor
VI. CHEMICAL QUALITY OF WATER 23
Introduction
Stream and Harbor Stations
VII. BIOLOGICAL SURVEYS 28
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LIST OF TABLES
Page No.
V-l QUANTITY OF BEACH SAMPLES FILTERED TO DETERMINE 11
BACTERIOLOGICAL COUNTS
V-2 PERCENT OF BEACH SAMPLES OVER 1000 COLIFORM PER 13
100 MILLILITER AND TOTAL NUMBER OF SAMPLES
COLLECTED IN 1965 SEASON
V-3 NUMBER OF DAYS AND PERCENT OF TIME WATER QUALITY AT lU
BEACHES DID NOT MEET CALUMET AREA TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
CRITERIA FOR BEACHES IN 1965 SEASON
Following
Page No.
VI-1 CHEMICAL QUALITY OF WATER - GRAND CALUMET RIVER 23
at - Broadway
- Pennsylvania R.R. Bridge
VI-2 CHEMICAL QUALITY OF WATER - INDIANA HARBOR CANAL 23
at - 151st Street
- Dickey Road
VI-3 CHEMICAL QUALITY OF WATER - INDIANA HARBOR 23
at - Inshore Light
- Breakwater Light
VI-h CHEMICAL QUALITY OF WATER - GRAND CALUMET RIVER 23
at - Indiana Harbor R.R. Bridge
- B & 0 C.T. R.R. Bridge
VI-5 CHEMICAL QUALITY OF WATER - CALUMET RIVER AT MOUTH 23
Calumet Harbor at Mid-Channel
VI-6 CHEMICAL QUALITY OF WATER - LITTLE CALUMET RIVER 23
at - Wentworth Avenue
VII-1 CALUMET AREA BIOLOGICAL SURVEY - MARCH 17-19, 1965 29
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11^? OF FIGURES
Following
Page No.
III-l MAP OF CALUMET AREA 4
IV-1 LOCATION MAP - SAMPLING & FLOW MEASUREMENT STATIONS 6
IV-2 INDIANA WATER QUALITY MONITOR - LOCATION PLAN 7
IV-3 INDIANA WATER QUALITY MONITOR - ELEVATION SECTION 7
IV-^ INDIANA WATER QUALITY MONITOR - PHOTOS OF INDIANA
HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE AND ACCESS TO IT 7
IV-5 INDIANA WATER QUALITY MONITOR - PHOTOS OF INSTALLATION 7
V-l BEACH SAMPLING - TOTAL COLIFORM " 12
V-2 BEACH SAMPLING - FECAL STREPTOCOCCI 12
V-3 BEACH SAMPLING - FECAL COLIFORM 12
V-k BOAT SAMPLING STATIONS OFF BEACHES l1^
Total Conform, Fecal Coliform, and Fecal
Streptococci
V-5 POLLUTION SOURCES AND NORMAL SUMMER LAKE CURRENTS
IN BEACH AREA 16
V-6 STREAM AND HARBOR - TOTAL COLIFORM 17
V-7 STREAM AND HARBOR - TOTAL COLIFORM 17
V-8 STREAM AND HARBOR - FECAL STREPTOCOCCI 17
V-9 STREAM AND HARBOR - FECAL STREPTOCOCCI 17
V-10 STREAM AND HARBOR - FECAL COLIFORM 17
V-ll STREAM AND HARBOR - FECAL COLIFORM 17
VII-1 BIOLOGICAL SURVEYS - LOCATION OF SAMPLING POINTS 29
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I FOREWORD
This report presents an evaluation of the present water quality
in the Calumet Area based primarily on the sampling program of the
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare's Calumet Area Surveillance
Project. The exception to this is the evaluation of the bacteriological
quality of the water at the six Lake Michigan beaches within the study
area. Three of these beaches are in each of the two States involved and
tua Surveillance Project is the only one of the four cooperating
agencies that sampled all six beaches. Beach sampling data was freely
exchanged by all cooperating agencies. Results from each of the weekly
sampling runs by the Calumet Area Surveillance Project have been
forwarded to the responsible State and local agencies usually within
two weeks after the samples were obtained.
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II SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1. Based on the conferees criteria of bathing water having a
total coliform count of less than 1000 per 100 milliliters, the water
quality at the six Lake Michigan beaches in the Calumet Area was
unsuitable for bathing from 31 percent to 100 percent of the time.
2. The Lake Michigan beaches in the Calumet Area are subject to
varying degrees of pollution from external sources making the water at
times unsuitable for bathing. The Calumet Park, Whiting, and Hammond
beaches are subject to periods of extremely heavy pollution.
3- Indiana Harbor is grossly polluted with very high total
coliform and fecal streptococcus counts- Phenols, though reduced from
1963 levels, are still high enough to cause taste and odor problems at
times in near municipal water supplies- Total phosphates average almost
five times the value required for algae blooms, also there are still
many visual signs of pollution being dumped into this level system.
This polluted water is flowing into Lake Michigan at a dry weather
flow estimated to be 2,300 cubic feet per second.
^. Calumet Harbor sampling indicates a slight increase in the
dissolved oxygen content, a decrease in the phenols, and bacterial
contents that were slightly higher than obtained during the 19^3
sampling period. Iron, ammonia nitrogen, and total dissolved solids
are all above the background levels found in Lake Michigan. Average
total phosphates are five times the value required for algae blooms.
There is also visual evidence of large quantities of pollution being
dumped into lower portions of the Calumet River and Calumet Harbor.
The operation of the O'Brien Lock and Dam and the slightly higher
water levels of Lake Michigan in 19&5 have partly reduced the pollution
to Lake Michigan from this source.
5- The Grand Calumet River at the State, line is still grossly
polluted as is evidenced by very high bacterial counts. Ten percent
of the samples collected in 1965 had a zero dissolved oxygen content
and 25 percent had an oxygen content of less than one milligram, per
liter (mg/l) indicating that septic conditions still exist. Pollution
is also indicated by the high biological oxygen demand, chemical
oxygen demand, phenol, and dissolved solid values found during the
sampling period.
6. The Little Calumet River at the State line is still grossly
polluted, although there has been an improvement since the 1963 sampling
period. Bacterial counts are still above acceptable levels, 15 percent
of the samples had dissolved oxygen content of zero and 1|G percent
had an oxygen content of less than one milligram per liter (mg/l)
indicating that septic conditions still exist. Biological oxygen
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demand, chemical oxygen demand; total phosphates, sulfates, and
dissolved solids, although less than 1963 "allies, are still high.
The improvement in quality of water is probably due in part to the
treatment of a portion of the sanitary wastes from the communities
of Highland and Griffith by the Hammond Sanitary District. However,
the stream is still polluted, especially if the recreational "benefits
that this stream can provide to the area are considered.
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Ill INTRODUCTION
Authority and Organization
A conference on pollution of the interstate waters of the Grand
Calumet River, Little Calunet River, Calumet River., Wolf Lake, Lake
Michigan ana their triLutsrles (Indiana-Illinois), called by the
Secretary of Health, Ecaxatj.cn., ana Welfare under the provisions of
Section 8 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 USC 466 et.
seq,,), was hsld in Chicr.ro, Illinois Mjrch 2-S,
Paragraph i\fo. l'4 of the Conclusions and R'commendations of the
Conferees for this Conference provided that ''Surveillance will be the
primary lespensibility of the Indiana Stream Pollution Control Board,
the Illinois Sam'tar/ Water loaid and the Metropolitan Sanitary District
of Greater Chicago, The Department of Health, Education and Welfare
will mrAta available a resident technical group and visiting groups of
experts which will assist th? State agencies and the Metrrp^.itan
Sanitary District of Greater Chicago c;t such time as requested by them."
Thj State of Indiana, on April 6, 1965, and the State of Illinois,
on April lo^ 19^5 re^v^tsd an extensive sanpling program by the Federal
government to monitor the wtar quality in the Calumet Area. These
requests accompanied the sampling prugran. proposed by them within their
respective jurisdictions. Ilia Metropolitan Sanitary District has not
foi.Tre.lly requested a, sc'jipling jrogrcn, ',-t hava requested laboratory
resistance in th:> analysis of <•• sepias they have collected and in special
studies the"- >evo conducted on chic^inatiou of the effluent from their
sewoge trcatr.:eat ;;v rt. Th •• Cel^'^t Area Surveillance Project was
orga:'" -.Td in t":-: 3 -'-/L'-r paii of ,'iw.c, 19^? to iulfill the requirements
of parasraT.. T,ro. 1't rnc. \-ie i.^u.33L^ of the States.
The pu._-pc o 01 o1 e C!a't ".at .•--e-, Luiveillance Project is to assess
the progress in -;%e a'^a:^: ': of ^iJlv.tio'i in the conference area in
cooperation with L"II"OT..':'-.I/O^ .tat -j <:/nd loca.]. e.gencies. This is being
accomplished thro-^'i f.aropir'ug l-'"o;-rr:ms to monitor the water quality
at various loc.&tic"-"r, \rt.\,- .-'.•n tho conference area. Stream flow measure-
ments are b'lng made so tV.t laboi-c-tory analyses in milligrams per
liter can ha com'arted to lourds per dey. The information obtained
through Fedcrol,- State and local a^.nipling programs and the information
furnished by the industries to the State or other responsible agency on
the quality and qusntity o? tlieir ;nste f ] ows (in accordance with
paragraph No. 11 of tha Findings ar.3 Conclusions) are evaluated. Reports
a-'e prepared and presantad to the Conferees and reconvened Conferences
on the current wrvter quality and the progress in the abatement of the
pollution.
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GPO 823-084
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IV DESCRIPTION OF SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM
Present Staffing
The Calumet Area Surveillance Project began in the latter part
of June 1965 vith the assignment of six persons to the staff. The pro-
fessional staff consists of the Project Director, a sanitary engineer,
two aquatic samplers, a chemist, and a microbiologist. Technical
assistance has "been provided by the Great Lakes-Illinois River Basins
Project.
Beach, Stream, and Harbor Sampling
Sampling of si.: Lake Michigan beaches on a weekly basis was
initiated in the latter part of June. Rainbow and Calumet Park Inner
and Outer beaches were the three beaches sampled in Illinois. Hammond,
Whiting, and E. Chicago beaches were the Indiana beaches sampled.
This sampling program was coordinated with three other agencies who
were sampling certain of these beaches. Cooperating agencies are, the
Indiana State Board of Health, the Illinois Sanitary Water Board, and
the Chicago Park District. Beaches were sampled for total coliform and
fecal streptococci. The results of the Surveillance Project's beach
sampling wece transmitted to other interested and cooperating agencies
usually on the third day after the samples were taken. Results were
also received from the other cooperating agencies. By agreement with
the other agencies the Surveillance Project sampled on Tuesday. In
addition, one Sunday sampling run was made to determine conditions
under the increased weekend bathing load. In September additional
samples were obtained by boat approximately i mile off the beach opposite
the regular wade-in stations. Fecal coliform determinations were made
in addition to total colifora. and fecal streptococci. The location of
beaches sampled and the results of sampling are shown under Microbiological
Quality of Water,
Stream sampling was initiated the last week in June with five
stations that could ba sampled from bridges. The Grand Calumet was
sampled at Broadway Avenue in Gary, Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge and
the Baltimore and Ohio Chicago Terminal (B&O C.T.) Railroad Bridge.
Indiana Harbor Canal was sampled at Dickey Road and the Little Calumet
River at Wentworth Avenue. When the project boat became operational in
July, four additional sampling stations were added. These were the
Calumet River at its mouth, Calumet Harbor opposite the mouth of the
river at the State line, Indiana Harbor at Harbor Light-Inshore (mouth
of Indiana Harbor Canal) and Indiana Harbor at Harbor Light (East
Breakwater).
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In August the Broadway Avenue sampling station was terminated
and the Indiana Harbor Canal was sampled at 151st Street instead. The
Calumet Harbor State-line station moved out to mid-channel, about
3,500 feet from the mouth of the river to obtain a more representative
sample of the water quality in the Harbor. Sampling was also initiated
at the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad Bridge across the Grand Calumet
River. This bridge is closer to the State line than the B&O C.T.
Railroad Bridge. After a period of duplicate sampling to coordinate
the results of the two stations sampling at the B&O C.T. station was
discontinued. Wolf Lake at the State line and Wolf Lake outlet were
added to the i&gular sampling stations in October. These stream and
harbor stations are sampled for microbiological and chemical analysis.
The location of these stream and harbor sampling stations are given in
the sections on Microbiological and Chemical Quality of the Water.
Hydraulic Surveys
No gaging stations are maintained by the U. S. Geological Survey
in the Grand Calumet-Indiana Harbor drainage system. Therefore, six
water level recording stations have been established in this basin.
Flow measurements are being conducted at each station at several different
volumes of flow so that rating curves can be developed. These gages
are located on the bridges that cross the Grand Calumet River at Hohman
Avenue, Kennedy Avenue, Indianapolis Blvd., Industrial Highway, and
Bridge Street, and at the bridge across the Indiana Harbor Canal at
Chicago Ave. Since the greater volume of water discharged to Lake
Michigan from the Indiana Harbor Canal is a result of industrial waste
discharged to the canal below Chicago Ave., the canal was gaged below
this point. Fluctuations in lake level distorts the information
provided by water level recording gages installed below this point to
such an extent that gages are not considered feasible.
Special flow area and velocity measurement studies are planned
for Indiana Harbor Channel to correlate the flows determined at the
upstream gaging stations with the waste flow information provided by
the industries through the State of Indiana.
Information obtained from the U. S. Geological Survey and the
Metropolitan Sanitary District will be used as the basis for stream
flow calculations in the Little Calumet and Calumet Rivers. However,
it is planned to conduct some flow measurement in Calumet River and
Calumet Harbor to determine the effects of flow reversals in the
Calumet River and wastes discharged directly to the harbor. The
location of these gaging stations is shown on the map of the Calumet
Surveillance Area, Figure IV-1.
Biological Surveys
The kinds and numbers of aquatic plants and animals, inhabiting
a particular body of water and the stream or lake bottom beneath it,
reflect the quality of water that has generally prevailed in the area
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8
U)
I I
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for an extended period of time. Some plants and animals are capable,
by virtue of physiological features or living habits, of withstanding
polluted conditions and will multiply rapidly when competition with
less tolerant forms is eliminated. Examples of pollution-tolerant
animals are the sludgeworms, bloodworms, leaches, and pulmonate snails,
that exist in the decaying organic sediment which builds up from the
settleable organic solids present in most waste discharges. A
benthic (bottom-dwelling) population consisting of many kinds of
organisms with low numbers of each species is typical of unpolluted
waters.
The continuous or sudden introduction of toxic wastes and
settleable solids, as well as oxygen-consuming materials could also
alter the composition of the community by destroying the sensitive forms
and giving more living room to the tolerant kinds. A balanced pop-
ulation would not be re-established automatically by the sudden return
to optimum xrater quality conditions, because the lengths of the life
cycles of the organisms vary from weeks to years.
Fifteen substrate samplers of the Bendy type have been made and
used in the waters of the Calumet Area. These substrates have three
types of surfaces for growth of aquatic life. One is made up of broken
clam shells, a second of course sand, and the other of hardwood sawdust.
The samplers are placed in the streams for two or more weeks at a time.
The organisms collected on these samplers will be compared with the
organisms found by bottom sampling in corresponding areas. The
organisms collected on the sampler are less affected by silt and oil
pollution than those actually on the bottom of the stream.
Surveys for bottom-dwelling animals, attached algae and rooted
vegetation are to be performed biennially. Studies will be seasonal
because of the wide differences in life cycles of bottom-dwelling
animals. The information gained by these studies will not only
indicate subtle changes in water quality over a two year period, but
may also reveal the presence of unseen pollutants, organic toxicants
and toxic metals. They will also provide evaluations as to the
effects on the biota of organic suspended matter and silt.
Automatic Monitoring
Many operations of the industries in the basin require discharge
of wastes on a batch basis, and wastes from these tanks may be dumped
at any time of the day, week or month, depending on the needs of the
industry. These discharges and accidental spills of oil or other
chemicals could pass into Lake Michigan or down the Illinois River
unobserved by a once-a-week sampling program.
An automatic water quality monitoring station has been installed
at the Indiana Harbor East Breakwall Inner Light. Details of this station
are provided in Figures IV-2, IV-3, IVA and IV-5- The monitor has been
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U'V/Vx-
fp' + nrs.
HEALTH, FDUCAT/ON. AND WELFARE
QUALITY MONITO&/MG FAC/L/TY
N A HARBOR
-------
£ VA T/O/V S£C T/OW
OF
, ££>UCAT/&M)A.VD
-------
One- half mile of catwalk is the access route to the
monitoring station.
Lighthouse in which the monitor is housed.
INDIANA WATER QUALITY MONITOR
-------
Monitoring instrument and control panel installed
in lighthouse bade
Monitoring instrument. Top section houses
chart recorder.
INDIANA WATER QQALITY MONITOR
12-5
-------
continuously recording the dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity and tempera-
ture of the water flowing past this point into Lake Michigan since
December 2. Weekly sampling for complete chemical and bacteriological
analysis at two locations in Indiana Harbor will continue. The results
obtained from the two types of sampling will be correlated for the
parameters that are duplicated. From this information and extra
samples that will be obtained when high and low limiting values are
exceeded on the monitor a more thorough evaluation of the quantities
of wastes entering Lake Michigan ,.'rom Indiana Harbor can be made.
A second automatic water quality monitor is being installed at
the Calumet River Worth Pier Light. This monitor will record dissolved
oxygen, pH, conductivity and temperature of the water at the mouth of
the Calumet River. Information obtained from this monitor will also
be correlated with the analysis for chemical and bacteriological data
obtained from the weekly sampling program.
The monitor that is now installed wilii be replaced in the spring
with a. monitor that will be equipped with an alarm system which will be
activated when a parameter varies beyond a specified limit. Upon activa-
tion of the alarm a sample will be collected so that it can be fully
analyzed in the Project's laboratory. Field crews will be dispatched
to obtain and preserve the sample as required, and investigate the source
of waste by tracing the spill back to its source. Additional samples
and photographs will be obtained if appropriate. Operators of municipal
and industrial water supplies will be notified of the approaching
pollution so that they might make adequate preparations.
Next year it is planned to install two other monitoring stations.
One trill be located at the mouth of Burns Ditch to provide a continuous
record of the quality of water flowing into Lake Michigan from this
rapidly growing area. The fourth monitoring station is to be located
on the Calumet River in the vicinity of the Blue Island locks. This
station will provide inforr&tion on the quality of water discharged
from the Calumet Area to the Illinois River Basin System.
Other Accomplishments to Date
Two Interim Reports were prepared for the Calumet Area Conferees.
These reports included an cTnrlynis of the sampling information available
to the date of the reports. The first report also included a description
of sampling programs in operation by each agency. Fifty-five frequency
analysis graphs that were prepared by the Surveillance Program staff
engineer were also included. These graphs show the percent of time that
specified levels were exceeded for the given parameters as indicated by
existing historical data. The graphs were made at the request of the
Calumet Area Technical Committee and have proved most valuable in aiding
them in establishing water cr:.~v.ity goals. The second report included a
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recommended minimum sampling program for surveillance of the water
quality in the area. This report also contained information on the
dredging of the Calumet River and the discharge of this material in
Lake Michigan.
A report on the methods of beach sampling and laboratory
analysis that were employed this summer was prepared at the request of
the Technical Committee.
9
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V. MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF WATER
Introduction
Microbiological information contained in the following text and
figures is based on sampling of Lake Michigan beaches, streams, and
harbors in the Calumet Area between June 9 and November 23, 1965.
Bowe'ver* "the study period for beaches was terminated on September 15
with the end of the bathing season. Samples by the Surveillance
Project were processed by means of the membrane filter (MF) method
to determine total coliform and fecal streptococci counts per 100
milliliter of sample. In the latter part of the summer, fecal
coliform determinations were also made to provide supplementary
information.
The laboratory methods followed by the Surveillance Project are
in accordance with the procedures established in "Standard Methods for
the Examination of Water and Wastewater, I960" except that KF
Streptococcus Agar was used instead of M-enterococcus agar. Fecal
coliform determinations were made by the MF method and confirmed.
using the E.G. medium.
Beach Sampling
Six Lake Michigan beaches in the Calumet Area were sampled during
the study period by one or more of the following four cooperating
agencies: The Chicago Park District, Illinois Sanitary Water Board,
Indiana State Board of Health, and the Department of Health,
Education and Welfare's Calumet Area Surveillance Project. These
agencies freely exchanged their data as rapidly as it became avail-
able. The beaches sampled were Rainbow and Calumet Park Inner and
Outer beaches in Illinois, and Hammond, Whiting, and E. Chicago in
Indiana. The Surveillance Project sampled all six beaches. The
Chicago Park District Sampled all six beaches except E. Chicago
while representatives of the States of Indiana and Illinois col-
lected samples only from the beaches within their respective states.
Procedure
A meeting was held at one of the beaches early in July to aid in
standardizing methods for collecting and reporting information on
beach samples. This meeting was attended by representative of Indiana,
Chicago Park District and the Surveillance Project. The location of a
common sampling point for the three Indiana beaches was established.
Also, it was agreed that Indiana and the Surveillance Project would
obtain their samples in four feet of water at elbow depth, approximately
18", below the surface. The Chicago Park District and Illinois
collected their samples at mid-depth in three feet of water. Also,
they collected samples at two locations on Illinois beaches while the
Surveillance Program collected samples only off the center of each
beach. It was agreed to at the meeting that the samplers should
collect the sample by inverting the bottle,lowering it to elbox^ depth,
1C
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about 18", then collect the sample by sweeping the bottle away from
the body. The samples are immediately stored in an ice chest until
they can be processed at the laboratory. It was also agreed that the
sampler should record the following information at the time of
collecting the sample; number of bathers within a one hundred foot
radius; air and water temperature; wind speed and direction; cloud
cover or weather condition and surf condition.
Illinois, Indiana and the Surveillance Project used the membrane
filter technique in processing their beach samples. The Chicago Park
District data presented in this report is based on the MPN Method of
laboratory analysis. In August the Chicago Park District started co-
processing some samples by both methods. Indiana and the Chicago Park
District collected their samples on one day and preserved them on ice
until the following day, when they were processed. Illinois and the
Surveillance Project processed their samples on the same day they were
taken. Variations in results of 10 to 15% have been noted in results
of thoroughly mixed samples that have been split with a part processed
immediately and a part held on ice for 2k hours. Variations were
about equally dispersed both higher and lower than the control sample.
All agencies did not filter the same amounts of original sample.
The Surveillance Project filtered 100, 10 and one milliliter
samples for total coliform and 50 and 10 milliliters for fecal
streptococci. Plate counts were read only for the plates which came
within the preferred counting range. The following quantities of the
original sample are filtered after appropriate dilution, when
required by the cooperating agencies.
TABLE V-l
QiUANTrET OF BEACH SAMPLE FILTERED TO DETERMINE
BACTERIOLOGICAL COUNTS
AGENCY TOTAL COLIFORM FECAL STREPTOCOCCI
in ml in ml
Chicago Park District 10 50
Illinois 10, 1, 0.1 50, 10
CASP 100, 10, 1 50, 10
Indiana
E. Chicago 10, 1 100-10
Hammond 0.1, 0.01 100-10
Whiting 1, 0.1 100-10
11
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Data Analyses
A comparison of the maximum, minimum, arithmetic mean, and median
densities for total coliform and fecal streptococci as determined by
the four cooperating agencies are given in Figures V-l and V-2. The
counts obtained by the Calumet Area Surveillance Project (GASP) are
generally a little higher than counts by the Chicago Park District and
lower than those obtained by Illinois. Indiana had higher counts
than the GASP on Hammond Beach, but lower at Whiting and E. Chicago.
However, the results by all agencies bear reasonable relationships '
when compared with each other.
Mean values of fecal coliform as determined from three samples
are given in Figure V-3 • The extremely high '
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100,000-:-
10,000 - -
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LU
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CASP Calumet Area Surveilance Project
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ILL ILL. State Sanitary Board
IND. IND. State Sanitary Board
«^^^ Direction of Flow
Max.
Mean
Median
Min.
CALUMET AREA SURVEILLANCE PROJECT
BEACH SAMPLING -TOTAL COLIFORM
MAXIMUM, MINIMUM, MEAN a MEDIAN
JUNE - SEPT. 1965
U S DEPT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION 8 WELFARE
REGION v CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
(16)-No Times Sampled
GPO 823-084
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CPD Chicago Pork District
ILL. iLL. State Sanitary Board
IND. IND. State Sanitary Board
•^^f~ Direction of Flow
Man..
Mean
I Median
Win.
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ILL. ILL. State Sanitary Board
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Direction of Flow
CALUMET AREA SURVEILLANCE PROJECT
BEACH SAMPLING
MEAN FECAL COLIFORM
JUNE - SEPT. 1965
U S DEPT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION 8 WELFARE
REGION V CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Y-3
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TABLE V-2
Percent of Beach Samples o rer 1000 Coliform per 1< 0 Milliliter
and Total Number of Samples Collected - 1965 Season
COLLECTING
AGENCY
BEACH
Rainbow
Calumet Park
Outer
Total | Total
% No. % No.
CASP ; 50$ Ik
Chicago
Park Diet.1 6$% 23
Illinois 46* 13
Indiana ;
69* 16
5ty ^3
61% 13
Rsirmond
Total
% No.
63% 16
60* 1+3
11% 13
Hammond
Total
% No.
sM» 16
61% 18
10(4 16
Whiting
Total
* No.
81* 16
61* 18
62* 16
E.Chicago
Total
* No.
61* 18
31* 16
The above table shows that based on the criteria recommended by the
conferees the beaches in the Calumet Area were unsuitable for bathing '
from 31* to ICO* of the days when samples were taken. Since these samples
were taken according to an established schedule on various days of the
week without reference to weather or other conditions, it can be
assumed that the time the bacterial quality of the water at the beaches
exceeded the 1000 coliform per 100 ml level would be fairly close to the
above percentages.
The Calumet Area Technical Committee has recommended the following
criteria for determining satisfactory water quality for bathing at the
beaches in the Calumet Area:
Bacteria - Number per 100 ml by MF Techniques (Tentative)
a) The number of bacteria shall be the Arithmetic Average of the
last five consecutive sample results.
b) Satisfactory area if MF Coliform are less than 1C00 and MF Fecal
Streptococci are less than 100.
c) Satisfactory area if MF Coliforms are from 1000 to 5000 and MF
Fecal Streptococci are less than 20.
d) A single sample result' of over 100,OOC Coliforms shall require
immediate investigation as to the cause. Items to be considered
in the judgment of cause and action to be taken include the
sanitary survey, winds, currents and weather conditions.
13
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-------
These standards have been applied to information collected at the
six beaches in the Calumet Area for the 1965 swimming season. The
criteria was first applied to the individual data collected by the
Calumet Area Surveillance Project and the States of Illinois and
Indiana. The criteria specifies the membrane filter method of process-
ing the sample. In the first analysis the data received from the
Chicago Park District was not used since the MPN method x^as used as
their regular method of processing samplesr-.J£he -ata "rort> the tl-.ree
agencies represented weekly samples. Therefore, the five-sample
average co -ers a five-week period. At the beginning of the season the
data was averaged until five samples were available.
A second analysis was made on some of the beaches using data from
all four agencies assembled in chronological order so that at the most,
the five samples wculd represent the water quality over a five to eight
day period. Since this second analysis included MPN counts, the
criteria is somewhat modified. However, r'JPK, counts are usually slightly
higher than similar counts by the MF method.
Calumet Area Surveillance Project began their sampling on June 9>
the State of Indiana on May 2k, the State of Illinois on June 30, and
the Chicago Park District on June 1* September 15 was used as the end
of the swimming season for this review.
TABLE V-3
Number of Days and Percent of Time Water Quality at Beaches did Not Meet
Proposed Calumet Area Technical Committee Criteria for Beaches in 1965
Season (June 1 to September 15, 19^5 - 107 days).
COLLECTING
AGENCY T5EArtH
CASP
ILLINOIS
INDIANA
ALL DATA
COMBINED
REMARKS
Rainbow
Days %
79 74
57 53
38 35
Calumet Park
Outer
Days %
61 57
65 61
41 38
1 sample
over
1C 0,000
Inner
Days %
97 91
78 73
74 69
1 sample
over
100, OOC
Hammond
Days %
107 100
77 72
8k 79
2 samples
over
100,000
Whiting
Days %
6k 60
21 2t
73 68
E.Chicago
J^ays %
65 61
0 0
k2 39
-------
-------
o
o
V)
z
UJ
Q
10,000 -
i
1,000-
100-
10-
A
<
' <
)
TC FC FS
RAINBOW
/
1
>
<
>
•
TC FC FS
CAL R
(
>
4
»
<
»
TC FC FS.
CAL H8R.
MOUTH /
A
4
1
1
TC FC FS
CAL PARK
<
1
<
»
1
TC FC. FS
CAL PARK
(
p
(
1
<
>
TC. F.C. FS.
HAMMOND
OUTER INNER /
(
»
<
»
< i
TC.F.C FS
WHITING
/
CHICAGO
LEGEND
Boat Station
Beaches
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Streptococci
HAMMOND
CALUMET AREA SURVEILANCE PROJECT
BOAT STATIONS - OFF BEACHES
MEAN TOTAL COLIFORM, FECAL COLIFORM 8.
FECAL STREPTOCOCCI — AUG-SEPT. 1965
U S DEPT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION 8 WELFARE
REGION V CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
1ZT-4
-------
The total coliform densities at these beaches are shown graphically
in Figure V-l. Rainbow and E. Chicago beaches are the only beaches
where the median values for each agency are close to or below 1000 per
100 ml. It should be noted, however, that the average total coliform
values at Rainbow Beach are over twice the recommended 1000 per 100
ml level. This results from some of the high total coliform values
being many times the median value. The responsible state agency found
total coliform counts of lfC,000 or over, and 300,000 for two Calumet
beaches and the Hammond beach respectively for 100 ml of sample. The
maximum values as shown in Figure V-l indicates that the Calumet,
Hammond and Whiting beaches are subject to periods of extremely heavy
pollution.
Fecal streptococci are also an indication of possible contamination
of the water from domestic sewage. It is usually considered as an
indicator of recent pollution since the fecal streptococci wJrich are- -:;
p'reserrt'in-f^cal matter of warm blooded animals-.,, have a nJore..r-apid die-
off rate, than the total'coliform group: All beaches except E.' -Chicago.
had maximuTayxrourrtfs of 1CQO or over- per 100 ml. indicating that--these
beaches are' auJbtfeet to contamination from domestic wastes-. Fowever,
moat of the median values are within a reasonable level..
Samples were collected by boat on August 31 and September 7 "to
determine whether bacteriological concentrations varied with the
distance from shore. The boat samples were taken about a quarter mile
off shore opposite the regular beach wade-in sampling points - just a
few hours after collecting the corresponding beach sample. E. Chicago
beach was not sampled by boat because of weather conditions and its
great distance from the other beaches.
A comparison of the average coliform, fecal coliform, and fecal
Streptococci counts obtained from these two boat runs are given in
Figure V-U.
The results of the beach sampling were compared with correspond-
ing boat samples and information obtained from the municipal water
intakes at Hammond, Whiting, and Chicago's South Filtration Plant.
This latter information was obtained through the Chicago Department
of Water and Sewers. In most cases the total coliform was higher at
the beach wade-in station than at the corresponding boat station.
The two samples that were higher at the boat station were o *er four
times as high as the beach station, but the corresponding fecal
Streptococci counts were much higher at the beach stations in these
two instances. Fecal Streptococci counts were also generally the
same or higher at the beach wade-in stations than at the boat stations.
The two exceptions had values less than ten and were not significantly
greater than the wade-in values. The average coliform and fecal
Streptococci values reported at the municipal intakes are significantly
less than the values obtained at the beaches.
15
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-------
The results of the beach sampling program were studied to deter-
mine sources of pollution and under what conditions the wastes from
these sources jeopardize the "bacteriological quality of the water at
the beaches. The location of the beaches in relation to waste sources
and the geography of the area greatly affect the quality of water
found at the beaches.
The Calumet Park Inner and Outer, Hammond, and Whiting beaches
are located within an artificial bay. This bay is formed by Calumet
Harbor breakwall on the north and the Indiana Harbor land fills and
breakwall on the south. Within this artificial bay there are five
major sources of bacteriological pollution. Two of these are combined
sewer overflows. One of these serves a portion of the Whiting area
and discharges to Lake Michigan just south of the Whiting Beach. The
second serves the Robertsdale section of Hammond and discharges south
of Hammond's beach. The outfall cf the American Maize Products
Company is also located in the vicinity of the Robertsdale outfall.
The Indiana Harbor Canal discharges its grossly polluted waters through
Indiana Harbor into this bay area. Also the Calumet River under flood
conditions or extremely low lake levels, reverses its flow and
partially discharges to Calumet Harbor.
Rainbow beach by its location north of the bay and its orien-
tation in a northeasterly direction appears to be protected from most
of the pollution emanating within the artificial bay area. However,
under certain conditions pollution can make this beach unsafe for
swimming based on the criteria recommended by the conferees.
E. Chicago's beach is located just south of the landf-ill at Indiana
Harbor. This location tends to protect the beach from pollution from
Indiana Harbor. However, this beach is subject to pollution dis-
charged to Lake Michigan along the shore south and southeast of this
beach.
Lake current studies by the GLIRB Project indicate that the
prevailing currents in this sector of Lake Michigan, under normal
summer conditions, are parallel to shore and in a northwesterly direc-
tion. These currents are shown in Figure V-5-
There appears to be a correlation between the higher total coli-
form and fecal Streptococci counts found at the beaches with rainfall
in the area and the velocity and direction of the wind. Bacterial
counts appeared to increase with rainfall, although when the rain
lasted o er one day the counts started to drop again. This may have
been due to a flushing action in the streams and sewers. Winds of
over ten miles per hour from the north and east appeared to alter the
normal summer lake current patterns as shown in Figure V-5- This
appears to cause pollution, which wculd normally bypass the beaches, to
be pushed shoreward. Under these conditions of turbulence more debris,
16
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-------
-N-
LEGEND
DIRECTION OF FLOW
A POLLUTION SOURCES
DUD BEACH AREAS
CALUMET AREA SURVEILLANCE PROJECT
WATER MOVEMENT IN THE
CALUMET HARBOR AREA
U.S. DEPT. OF HEALTH, EDUCATION 8 WELFARE
REGION V CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Z-5
-------
algae and fish are also carried shoreward and "bottom deposits are
stirred up. This would cause some of the increase in bacterial counts
at the "beaches. As further evidence of this change in currents,
popcorn slag was found floating at the beaches when northerly winds
of over ten ir.iles an hour were experienced. As a corrolary to this,
bacterial counts were lower with the normal summer breeze from the
southwest.
Stream and Harbor Sampling
Fourteen stream or harbor stations were sampled for total coli-
form and fecal Streptococci during the study period. The maximum,
minimum, arithmetic mean, and median values per 100 milliliters for
these two parameters are given in Figures V-6 through V-9- Samples
were collected on a once a week basis, but not all fourteen stations
were sampled for the full study period. The number of samples rep-
resented in the data presented in Figures V-6 through V-ll is given
in parenthesis. Fecal coliform counts made at thirteen of the
stations are shown in Figures V-10 and V-ll. The samples were taken
in the middle of the stream at mid-depth.
Calumet Harbor
Three stations were sampled in Calumet Harbor during the study
period. The location of stations are l) at the center of the Calumet
River at its mouth. 2) opposite the center of the river at the
Illinois-Indiana State Lice, 3) the Mid-Channel Harbor Station is
3500 feet east from the mouth of the river. This last station replace*
the state-line station since it is more representative of the quality
_qf water in the harbor. All three are boat stations and therefore
sampling is subject to weather conditions.
One of the thirteen swmples taken at the mouth of the ©altmiet-
River was extremely high for both total coliform and fecal Streptococci•
At the time of this sample on August 18, a boat had passed the
sampling point which may possibly be the cause of these extremely high
values. The corresponding samples at the state line taken within a
few minutes of the sample at the mouth gave average counts' for both
total coliform and fecal Streptococci. Therefore,, the extremely high
value.has not been included in determining the average or median
values as shown- on Figures V-6 and V-8. Instead, they are shown as-
individual crosses in their appropriate-place on the scale. The
fecal Streptococci count of over one tenth the total coliform.count
indicates that the pollution was of rseent origin and probably a
result of the passing vessel. This points up the need for control of •
wastes from this source.
The O'Brien locks are now-in operation and th» lake levels are '
slightly higher this year over the 1964 season. Therefore, the
17
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10,000,000^
1,000,000
100,000 -3
-• io,ooo
8
5 1,000
100-
10-
1,070,000
8/18/65
(22)
(13)
Calumet R Calumet Hbr Calumet Hbr. Wentworth Ave. B.SO CT RR INDIANA Hbr.
Mouth State Line / / / Belt RR.
I
(16) No. of Time* Sampled
CALUMET AREA SURVEILLANCE PROJECT
TOTAL COLIFORM
STREAM SAMPLING STATIONS
MAXIMUM, MINIMUM, MEAN & MEDIAN
U.S DEPT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION a WELFARE
REGION V CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
3T-6
-------
1,000,000 H
100,000-4
10,000-4
I I
(5) 2,700,000 A
(5) + W 4,300,000
o
en
(8)
(13)
1,000 -^
10 H
Wolf Lokejwolf Lake | Indiana Hbr| Indiana Hbr. | Dickey Rd.I 151st St. | Penn. R.R
Channel State Line Outer Lt Inner Lt.
Broadway
Median
Mm.
NO. of Times
Sampled
CALUMET AREA SURVEILLANCE PROJECT
TOTAL COL I FORM
STREAM SAMPLING STATIONS
MAXIMUM, MINIMUM, MEAN 8 MEDIAN
U.S. DEPT. OF HEALTH, EDUCATION & WELFARE
REGION V CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Y-7
-------
10,000,000-
1,000,000-
100,000-
- 10,000-
o
o
1,000-
100-
10-
I
140,000
8/18/65
(13)
I
(22)
(13)
••
»
Calumet R Calumet Hbr Calumet Hbr Wentworth Ave B.SO CT RK INDIANA Hbr.
Mouth State Line / / X Belt RR
(16) No. of Times Sampled
CALUMET AREA SURVEILLANCE PROJECT
FECAL STREPTOCOCCI
STREAM SAMPLING STATIONS
MAXIMUM, MINIMUM, MEAN & MEDIAN
US DEPT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION 8 WELFARE
REGION V CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
2-8
-------
1,000,000-
100,000-
(20)
(5)
10,000 -
E
o
I,OOO -
CO
lOOr
IO-
Wolf Lake I WolM_ake | Indiana Hbr| Indiana Hbr| Dickey Rd.I 151st SJ. | Penn. R.R. | Broadway
Channel State Line Outer Lt Inner Lt.
LEGEND
Max.
Mean
Median
Min.
(16) NO. of Times
Sampled
CALUMET AREA SURVEILLANCE PROJECT
FECAL STREPTOCOCCI
STREAM SAMPLING STATIONS
MAXIMUM, MINIMUM, MEAN 8 MEDIAN
U.S. DEPT. OF HEALTH, EDUCATION 8 WELFARE
REGION V CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Y-9
-------
10,000,000-
1,000,000-
100,000-
_• 10,000-
E
o
o
g 1,000
o
100-
10-
Calumet R Calumet Hbr Calumet Hbr Wentworth Ave B.80 CT R.R INDIANA Hbr.
Mouth State Line / / / Belt RR
(16) No of Times Sampled
CALUMET AREA SURVEILLANCE PROJECT
FECAL COLIFORM
STREAM SAMPLING STATIONS
MAXIMUM, MINIMUM, MEAN & MEDIAN
US DEPT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION ft WE-FARE
REGION V CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
3T-IO
-------
1,000,000-
100,000-
10,000 -
o
o
1,000 -.
V)
UJ
Q
100 -
(10) (12)
f f
(8)
(6)
(6)
Wolf Lake | Wolf Lake | Indiana Hbrj Indiana Hbr.| Dickey Rd.I 151st' St. | Penn. R.R | Broadway
Channel State Line Outer Lt. Inner Lt.
(16) NO. of Times
Sampled
CALUMET AREA SURVEILLANCE PROJECT
FECAL COLIFORM
STREAM SAMPLING STATIONS
MAXIMUM, MINIMUM, MEAN 8 MEDIAN
U.S. DEPT. OF HEALTH, EDUCATION 8 WELFARE
REGION V CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
¥-1
-------
majority of the pollution found in the Calumet Harbor and at the mouth
of the river could "be expected to originate in the immediate area.
The total coliform are lowest at the state line station while the
fecal Streptococci counts are lowest at the Harbor station. In August
and September of 19^3 the results of twenty samples in Calumet Harbor
gave maximum total coliform and fecal Streptococci counts of 350 and
250 respectively,, and median values of 67 and 2. It should be noted
that these are much lower than the 1965 values.
Little Calumet River at Wentworth Avenue
The Wentworth Avenue station was established to monitor the
wastes in the Little Calumet River flowing from Indiana to Illinois.
The nearest station available for historical data is across the
state line at Hohman Avenue. The maximum values obtained for 22
samples for both total coliform and fecal Streptococci are comparable
to the maximum value obtained from twenty samples by the GLIRB Project
in August and September of 1963. However, the average values for
total coliform have been rdduced from 1,600.000 to 800,000 and the
minimum value from 130,. 000 to 20,. 000. The average value for fecal
Streptococci dropped from 80,000 to 6,300 while the minimum fecal
count dropped from 19,000 to less than 100. These values are still
above the 5,COO for total coliform and 500 for fecal Streptococci
recommended by the Calumet Area Technical Committee except for periods
of storm over-flow. The reduction in bacteriological densities is
probably due to the treatment of a part of the domestic wastes of
the communities of Highland and Griffith by the Hammond sewage
treatment plant.
Grand Calumet River at Indiana Harbor
Belt Railroad
The Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad bridge crosses the Grand Calumet
River downstream from the Illinois-Indiana Su,ate Line. This sampling
station records the level of pollution crossing the state line.
Hohman Avenue, about one-half mile further upstream 'in Indiana is the
closest station for historic data. Thirteen samples collected by the
Surveillance Project at this station yeilded a maximum total coliform
value of 8,900.000. an average value of 2,000,000, a mean value of
6^0,000 and a minimum value of 100,000. Fecal Coliform ^alues as
obtained from 13 samples were also extremely high ranging from
410,000 to 2,000 with an average value of 78,000 and a mean of
28,000. Fecal Streptococci values are slightly lower. These range
from 250,000 down to kO with an average of 21,000 and a mean of 560.
The above data shows that gross pollution is still crossing the
state line in the Grand Calumet River. The total coliform and fecal
Streptococci counts show no improvement over conditions found by the
GLIRB Project in 1963 when 19 samples vere processed.
18
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Grand Calumet River at Baltimore and Ohio Chicago
Terminal Railroad Bridge
Twenty-one samples were collected at this railroad bridge,, which
is about 3,000 feet further downstream on the Grand Calumet from the
Indiana Harbor Belt RR bridge. This railroad bridge was sampled in
place of the Harbor Belt Railroad bridge when the sampling program
was initiated. Sampling at this station x*as discontinued in November
in favor of the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad bridge which is closer
to the State line. Total coliform values at this station ranged from
5,600,000 to 5,000. The average value was 1,^00,000 and the median
value was 5^0,000. These values are a little less than the correspon-
ding values found 3>GOO feet upstream. Fecal Streptococci values
ranged from 26o,000 to • <:1 • with an average ^alue of 35,000 and a
mean of 8,000. It should be noted that although the maximum values
are about the same at both stations, the average and median values are
a little greater than found just upstream. However, of •fcTEJUe' fecefl-
coliform samples, the maximum, minimum, average and median values at
this station were about double those found at the Indiana Harbor
Railroad bridge. The area adjacent to the stream between these two
bridges is an industrial area.
Grand Calumet River at Broadway Avenue
The Grand Calumet river at Broadway Avenue in Gary was one of the
initial stations sampled by the Project. This station is near the
head' C:OC . These values are not much lower than the
19
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GLIRB Project found with 19 samples in 1963 at Industrial Highway,
which is below the outfall of the Gary Sewage Treatment Plant. The
Grand Calumet River is grossly polluted by sanitary wastes even
before it receives the wastes from any municipal sewage treatment
plant.
Indiana Harbor Canal at 151st Street
This sampling station was added the latter part of August, to
obtain information on the quality of water after the two sections of
the Grand Calumet have joined together to form the Indiana Harbor
Canal. This station is below the outfalls of the Gary, Hammond and
E. Chicago Sewage Treatment Plants. E. Chicago is the only one of
these three municipal sewage treatment plants which, at present,
chlorinates its effluent. The total coliform counts at this station
ranged from 33,000 to k,30C,OCO with an average value of 1,, 500,000
and a median value of 1,000,000. Fecal Streptococci counts varied
from UOO to 28,000 with an average of 5,GOO and a median of 1000.
Fecal coliform counts averaged 80,000 but varied from 1000 to
190,000. The median value was 68,000. Twenty total coliform samples
by the GLIRB Project at this location in 1963 varied between 19,000
and 2,500,000 with an average value of 380,000. Eighteen Fecal
Streptoccxjel samples averaged 5,^00 but varied from 100 to Uo,000.
Comparable total coliform values are now double the values found in
the summer of 1963> although Fecal Streptococci counts are about the
same.
Indiana Harbor Canal at Dickey Road
Dickey Road is th3 last highway crossing the Indiana Harbor
Canal before it discharges to Lake Michigan. The dry weather flow
at this station is estimated to be about 800 cubic feet per second
(cfs). Twenty samples at this station gave total coliform counts
ranging from 57,000 to 2,700,000 with an average value of 680,000
and a median value of 330^000. Fecal Streptococci counts for these
samples varied from 7,800 to lU,000 with an average of 3,300 and a
median of 2100. Ten fecal coliform samples had counts that varied
from ^200 to 190,000 with an average count of 8U,000. The median
value was 69,000. Indiana Water Quality Data for this station for
the period from January, 1963 to April, 1965 show total coliform
counts as high as 25,000,000 and a minimum value of 2^,000. The
average value was 3>500,000 and the median value was 200,000. The
bacterial quality of the water in the canal at this station shows
gross pollution. Although few pleasure boats use this canal, this
is a busy channel for commercial shipping and tugs. Handling of lines
that have fallen in this water or spray from the tugs' bow wave can
form a health hazard to the men involved.
20
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-------
Indiana Harbor Canal - Inner Light
(Mouth of Canal)
This sampling station is located at the mouth of the Indiana
Harbor Canal just prior to the turning basins. This is a boat
station and weather conditions have at times prevented sampling at
the two stations in Indiana Harbor. Total conform counts for five
samples varied from 830,000 to 57,000 with an average value of
2^0,000 and a median value of 110,000. Fecal Streptococci values
varied from 30 to 1000 with an average value of 4^C and a median
value of 250. Three total coliform samples had values of 3^0, ^50;
and IT,000.
Indiana Harbor - Outer Light
This station is located just downstream of ths turning basins
and about C51 0 feet upstream from where the canal discharges into
Lake Michigan at the end of the breakwall. The average dry weather
flow at this station is estimated to be about 2300 cfs which is about
three times the dry weather flow at Dickey Road. Five total coliform
samples at this station varied from 2,000 to 270,000 with an average
value of 9^,000 and a median value of 87,000. Fecal Streptococci
counts varied from kO to 11,000 for an average of 2^00 and a median
value of lUo. Three fecal coliform samples had counts of 290, 760,
and 8,600. Since these samples were taken when Lake Michigan was
fairly calm the reduction in bacteriological counts from those found
at Dickey Road are probably due mainly to the dilution resulting
from the increased flow and possible toxic effect of the industrial
waste flows originating between the two points. Even so, this
represents a gross amount of bacterial pollution which is'being.- •
discharged into Lake Michigan in the vicinity of municipal water
intakes and bathing beaches. The water in the turning basins is
usually yellow from pickle liquor wastes^ which has a high sulfuric
acid content.
Wolf Lake at Indiana-Illinois State Line
Sampling at this station was initiated in the middle of
October. There is a causeway dividing Wolf Lake at the state line
with several culverts to allow drainage from the Indiana side to flow
through to the Illinois side then out to the Calumet River and down
the Illinois waterway. Six samples collected at the outlet of the
culvert, representing the quality of the water that has flowed across
the state line, had a total coliform count ranging from 60 to 5^00
with an average value of 1700 and a median value of 930. Fecal
Streptococci counts for these samples varied from less than one to
120 with an average of 33 and a median value of less than one. Fecal
coliform counts varied from less than one to 100 with an average of
36 and a median value of 6. This lake is used extensively for
21
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-------
recreation in the form of swimming, boating, water skiing and fishing.
Although these samples were taken after the normal recreation season,
the water appears to be of satisfactory bacteriological quality.
Wolf Lake Channel
This sampling station is located on Wolf Lake outlet about 3000
feet downstream from Wolf Lake. The six samples obtained at this
station since mid-October had total coliform counts that varied from
60 to 1600 with an average value of TOO and a median value of 250.
Fecal Streptococci counts varied .from 15 to 220 with an average of 90
and a median value of 30. Fecal coliform counts varied from less than
one to 190 with an average of kj and a median value of 5- These
counts are a little higher than the counts at the state line. This
could be partly due to surface runoff entering the ditch below the
outlet of Wolf Lake.
22
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VI. CHEMICAL WATER QUALITY
Introduction
Stream and harbor stations were sampled for chemical analysis
in addition to bacteriological data. Samples were collected on a
once a week basis at the midpoint of the stream and at mid-depth or
ten feet in the case of navigable waters. Samples were immediately
preserved and/or iced where required in accordance with procedures
established in "Standard Methods for Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 1960". Laboratory analysis on samples subject to
deterioration was initiated on the same day they were collected.
The location of the sampling station and results of the
chemical analysis is presented in Tables VI-1 to VI-6. This data
covers the -cer oi from June 2k to October 26, 1965. The river
mileage from ':..e mouth of the Illinois River is given for each sta-
tion so that the distance in miles between stations can be deter-
mined. Also the number of samples analysed is given in parenthesis
after the name of the station. Variations from this number for
specified parameters are noted at the bottom of the table.
The Wolf Lake and Wolf Lake Outlet were not included in these
tables since only two weeks of chemical data was available at the
cutoff date. The chemical analysis for Calumet Harbor at the
State Line and Mid-Channel stations have been combined in this
report.
The chemical analysis on these samples were performed in accord-
ance with methods agreed upon at the Calumet Area Enforcement-
Laboratory Director's Meeting. At this meeting, held on April 29,
1965, the six laboratory conferees discussed the methods to be used
by all laboratories concerned with the Calumet Area Surveillance
Activities.
Stream and Harbor Sampling
Grand Calumet River at Broadway Avenue GC 339'6
This station was sampled for chemical analysis for ten weeks
before it was abandoned in favor of a station of Indiana Harbor
Canal at 151st St. The closest station that the GLIRB Project
sampled in 19^3 was at Virginia Str.-eet about four tenths of a mile
further u-.^trnar.u Comparing the results of twenty samples obtained
in Augur:, c,;.:' September of 1963 with the results obtained in 1965,
values fo:: _:3, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
and Nitrate nitrogen remained about the same.
Grand Calumet River at Pennsylvania R.R. Bridge GC336.it-
The closest station for historical data is four tenths of a
mile downstream from the Pennsylvania Railroad bridge at Industrial
Highway, but in this four tenths of a mile the Gary Municipal Sewage
Treatment Plant discharges its effluent after secondary treatment.
Therefore, this municipal waste discharge has to be taken into
23
-------
-------
CHICAGO
TABLE VI -I
CHEMICAL QUALITY OF WATER
GRAND CALUMET RIVER
At Broadway
At Penn. R.R.
2. Grand Calumet R.
at Penn. R.R. Bridge -GC 336.4(19)*
1. Grand Calumet R.
at Broadway -GC 339.6(10)*
Parameter
Max
Min Mean Medlar
Max
Min Mean Median
pH
DO
BOD
COD
Sulfates
NH3- N
N03- N
Org.- N
Tot. POij
Tot. Sol.
Total Iron
Phenol
Cyanide
Sus. Solids
Dis. Solids
moles/L
mgs./L
7-2
6.0
17
59
186
3-7
7-5
7.3
0-93
0.32
23
100
* 0.19
70
6.5
l.l
5-7
7-9
29
0.87
0.32
0.06
0.10
0.00
2-7
0
0.00
26
6.7
3-6
9-8
32
56
1-5
1.4
1-3
0.28
0.08
7-9
28
0-.03
44
365 170 245
6.9
3-7
8.5
39
49
1.6
0.69
1.6
0.2
0.06
6.6
22
0.01
39
235
7-6
4.3
8.1
4o
2.5
0.88
3.0
0.34
0.11
38
7.0
1.6
3-7
25
24
1.4
0.20
0.47
0.12
0.04
3.8
7-3
3-3
5.8
62
30
2.1
0.53
2.3
0.21
0.06
15
7.3
3-4
4.9
46
30
2.2
0.48
2.6
0.20
0.05
7-1
331 146 207
195
0.30 0.09 0.19 0.17
* Number denotes river milage point from river mouth. Number in parenthesis
denotes the number of samples for each parameter with these exceptions:
17 Cyanide samples 9 dis. Solids 7 Cyanide samples
10 Suspended Solids
-------
CHICAGO
TABLE VI-2
CHEMICAL QUALITY OF WATER
INDIANA HARBOR CANAL
At I5IS1 St.
At Dickey Rd.
\
4. Indiana Harbor
at Dickey Road
Parameter
PH
DO
BOD
COD
Sulfates
KHo ™ J"
j
N03- N
Org.- N
Tot . PO^
Tot. Sol. F
Total Iron
Phenol
Cyanide
Sus. Solids
Dis. Solids
Canal
IHC 3
3*.
Max
moles/L
mgs./L
II
It
It
tt
II
II
II
°4
it
Ug/L
»
"
M
7-
2.
11
48
77
3.
3-
3-
0.
0.
3-
42
0.
23
340
3
9
1
5
8
91
57
8
00
6 (19)*
Mln
6.3
0.0
3.5
0.0
46
l.l
0.31
0.08
0.24
0.01
0.88
1
0.00
6
240
Mean
7-
0.
6.
23
65
2.
1.
1.
0.
0.
2.
20
0.
14
260
0
3
3
3
1
9
57
26
4
00
Mediae
7.0
0.0
5.5
20
66
2.4
1.1
2.1
0.53
0.29
2.2
20
0.00
12
300
5. Indiana Harbor Canal At
151st St. IH 331-9 (9)*
Max
7-3
5.0
12
65
71
4.0
2.2
4.3
4.6
0.64
5.7
4l
0.17
59
64o
Min
6.7
2.1
4.4
7-7
50
0.77
0.23
0.30
0.52
0.19
0.78
9
0.00
16
240
Mean
7.0
3-6
7.9
29
56
1.8
1.2
1.5
1.3
0.49
2. -4
19
0.03
30
315
Median
7-1
3.8
7-3
14
56
2.3
1.1
1.3
o.8l
0.48
1.6
15
0.00
27
280
* Number denotes river milage point from river mouth. Number in parenthesis
denotes the number of times parameters were sampled vith these exceptions:
18 Cyanide 10 Sus. Solids
9 Dis. Solids
-------
CHICAGO
TABLE VI-3
CHEMICAL QUALITY OF WATER
INDIANA HARBOR
At Inshore Light
At Breakwater Light
6. Indiana Harbor at Harbor
Light (Breakwater) IHC 336.
Parameter
pH
DO
BOD
COD
Sulfates
NH3- N
N03- N
Org.- N
Tot. PO^
Tot. Sol. PO^
Total Iron
Phenol
Cyanide
Sus. Solids
Dis. Solids
Max
moles/L 7-3
mgs./L 6.1
13
67
" 54
1.4
0.59
1.4
0.21
0.12
3-0
ig/L 7
0.01
13
255
2(6)
*
Min Mean
6.
l.
2.
8.
32
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
1.
0
0.
3
230
9
9
3
4
38
26
10
06
03
3
00
1
7.
4.
4.
20
45
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
1.
4
0.
5
75
1
2
5
89
42
73
14
07
9
00
Median
7.
4.
3-
8.
50
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
1.
3
0.
5.
235
1
2
0
6
73
44
71
15
07
7
00
0
5- Indiana Harbor at
Light (inshore) IHC
Max
7.3
5-9
9-1
67
62
1.4
0.74
1-7
0.23
0.10
5.0
21
0.01
105
255
Min
6.9
2.4
2.8
0.0
34
0.75
0.29
0.30
0.08
0.03
2.1
6
0.00
10
215
Mean
7-1
3-4
4.8
20
51
1.1
0.42
1.1
0.16
0.06
3-1
12
0.00
36
240
Hrbr.
335,7(6)*
Median
7-1
2.4
3-7
9-3
54
1.1
—
1.3
0.15
0.06
2.6
9
0.00
13
250
* Number denotes river milage point from river mouth. Number in parenthesis
denotes the number of times parameters were sampled with these exceptions:
4 Sus. Solids 3 Dis. Solids 4 Sus. Solids 3 Dis. Solids
-------
CHICAGO
TABLE VI-4
CHEMICAL QUALITY OF WATER
GRAND CALUMET RIVER
At INDIANA HARBOR Belt R.R.
At B. 8 0. C.T. R.R. Br.
8. Grand Calumet R.
at B & OCT RR Bridge GC 328.0(19)*
[.Grand Calumet R.at Indiana
Hrbr.Belt RR Br. GC 328.5(9)*
Parameter
Max
Min Mean Median
Max
Min Mean Median
pH
DO
BOD
COD
Sulfates
NH3- N
N03- N
Org.- N
Tot. POl^
Tot. Sol.
Total Iron
Phenol
Cyanide
Sus. Solids
Dis. Solids
moles/L
mgs./L
ug/L
7.2
8.9
25
113
233
ifc
17
16
bo
31
6.6
38
0.12
83
3-7
0.0
3.9
18
80 165
0.93 6.7
0.19
2.7
1.7
0.76
0
0.00
8
6.6 6.9
3-2 2.3
13 12
56 53
168
5-7
5.U b.2
6.0 5.2
13 11
9-5 6.9
3.2 2.1
Ib 10
0.01 0.00
760 325
29
600
22
695
7.
5.
20
108
282
7.
13
3.
12
9-
17
b6
0.
155
705
8
12
6.5
0.0
b.6
16
52
1.2
1.2
0.05
1.3
0.27
b
0.00
7
58
7-0
2.7
11
179
2.9
5-3
0.90
7-7
5.3
2.8
18
0.02
38
U8o
7-0
2.7
7-3
26
179
2.b
b.6
1.8
6.9
5-5
0.82
16
0.00
20
* Number denotes river milage point from river mouth.
denotes number of times parameters were sampled with
10 Sus. Solids 9 Dis. Solids
Number in parenthesis
these exceptions:
GPO 823-O84
-------
CHICAGO
TABLE VI-5
CHEMICAL QUALITY OF WATER
Calumet River at Mouth
Calumet Harbor at Mid-Channel
9. Calumet River
at Mouth -CH 333
Parameter
PH
DO
BOD
COD
Sulfates
NH3- N
N03- N
Org.- N
Tot. PO^
Tot. Sol. PO^
Total Iron
Phenol
Cyanide
Sus. Solids
Dis. Solids
moles/L
mgs./L
11
it
M
it
it
tt
it
it
"
11
.k (11)*
Max
8.0
9.k
3-7
26
0.39
O.kl
0.60
0.25
0.23
2.3
8
0.01
76
280
Min
7.
7.
1.
0.
19
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0
0.
2
160
8
1
0
9
16
17
ok
02
02
23
00
Mean
7.9
8.1
1.8
17
2k
0.2k
0.28
0.2?
0.12
0.08
0.98
2
0.00
22
195
Median
7-9
8.1
1-5
8.9
2k
0.22
0.28
0.29
0.80
0.05
0.72
1
0.00
18
185
10. calumet Harbor, State
& Mid-Channel CR 33^.
Max
8.0
10
2.1
26
37
0.27
0.53
0.51
0.78
0.29
1.8
3
0.01
17
195
Min
7-7
7-0
1.0
0.0
19
0.10
0.17
0.03
0.02
0.02
0.09
0
0.00
1
155
Mean
7-9
8.5
1-5
9-0
25
0.19
0.27
0.26
0.15
0.08
0.52
1
0.00
8
175
Line
0(10>
Median
7
8
1
5
2k
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
170
•9
• 3
.6
• 9
.20
.23
.26
.06
.01*
.18
.00
Number shows river milage point from river mouth. Number in parenthesis
denotes number of times parameters were sampled with these exceptions:
8 Sus. Solids 7 Dis. Solids 7 Sus. Solids 6 Dis. Solids
-------
CHICAGO
TABLE VI -6
CHEMICAL QUALITY OF WATER
LITTLE CALUMET RIVER
At Wentworth Ave.
11. Little Calumet R.
at Wentworth Av. LC
Parameter
pH moles/L
DO mgs . /L
BOD
COD
Sulfates
NH3- N
N03- N
Org.-N
Tot. PO^
Tot. Sol. PO^ "
Total Iron
Phenol ug/L
Cyanide "
Sus. Solids "
Dis. Solids
Max
8.8
5.0
35
79
310
3-7
k.k
8.6
ll*
9-7
3-8
38
332.2(19)*
Min Mean
7-1 7.^
0.0 1.8
3-9 13
5.9 ^5
57 172
oA2 2.1
o.oi* 1.3
0.13 3.2
1.5 5-3
0.51 3.^
oA5 1-5
o 8
0.12 0.00 0.01
705
6ko
17 175
110 1*70
Median
7.3
1.5
10
51
170
2.1
0.72
2.8
^.5
3.6
1.2
6
0.00
1+1
505
Number denotes river milage point from river mouth. Number in parenthesis
denotes number of times parameters were sampled with these exceptions:
17 Cyanide 10 Sus. Solids
10 Dis. Solids
-------
account in comparing chemical analysis. The nineteen samples taken
in 1965 have about the same range of values as the 20 samples taken
a little further downstream by the GLIRB Project in 1963 for DO and
phosphates; BOD, COD, pH and Ammonia Nitrogen values are a little
lower at the upstream station while Nitrate nitrogen and dissolved
solids were much higher in 1965 than corresponding 19&3 values.
Indiana Harbor at 151st" Street TH.331-9
This sampling station was added in the latter part of August,
so there are only nine weeks of sampling information available for
1965- The GLIRB Project obtained twenty samples at this station
during August and September, 1963• Comparing the two sets of data
it is noted that the phosphates have nearly doubled. In 19^3 the
average value of twenty samples was 0.6l mg/1. 19&5 sampling shows
the average value has increased to 1.3 mg/1. The new maximum phos-
phate value also doubled at this station since the 1963 sampling.
Dissolved solids have also increased substantially since the GLIRBP
sampling. However, the BOD and COD have been reduced with a corres-
ponding : iiex-ease in the DO since 1963. Also phenols show a sub-
stantial reduction, particularly with respect to the maximum value which
is now only one tenth the 19^3 value. Ammonia nitrogen and the pH
have declined slightly and the nitrate nitrogen has increased
slightly with the increased availability of oxygen in the stream.
The suspended solids remained about the same.
Indiana Harbor Canal at Dickey Road IHC 33^.6
Indiana Harbor Canal at Dickey Road was not included in the 1963
sampling program for the GLIRB Project. Therefore the data is com-
pared with the data at 152st -St-Ee.e.t,two and a half miles upstream.
At Dickey Road the dry veather flow has increased an estimated 50 cfs
over the flow at 150st -Stre'et. This additional flow consists of indus-
trial wastes. It should be noted that the DO has dropped to zero
for over fifty percent of the time. The BOD has remained about the
same, but the COD is lower than obtained by the previous sampling
at 153st Stre'et. Phosphates and iron show a reduction as do suspended
and dissolved solids but phenols remain unchanged between the two sta-
tions.
Indus';a Harbor at Harbor Light (inshore) IHC 335.7
This seruolin^ station is located at th-5 rr -, ith of the Indiana
Harbor Canal j^F,t upstream of the turning basinr* at Inland and
Youn&stovjn Steel Conpanies. This is a boat, station and could only
be ssmplea iincez -favorable weather conditions. Our 20-foot boat
was moored at i;he Calusiet Coast Guard Station and rough water in
Lake Mi~lr.r/;. cfben prevented sampling at this station. Therefore,
the results of only six sampling periods in 19^5 are available. In
July and £e,j.;jiiuer of 1963, the GLIRB Project conducted two exten-
sive sampling cruises in this area of Lake Michigan. Comparing ten
DO samples taken on these two cruises with 19&5 sampling indicates
2k
-------
that the dissolved oxygen present in the stream has increased.
The average DO increased from 2.5 mg/1 in 1963 to 3-4 mg/1 in
The average value for phenols showed a reduction from 26 ng/1 in
1963 for IT samples to 12 ,txg/l for the 6 samples in 1965- However,
the average sulfates increased slightly from k2 mg/1 in 19&3 *°
51 mg/1 in 1965. Tne .ammonia nitrogen and pH values have remained
about constant with a slight drop in the dissolved solids value.
Indiana Harbor at Harbor Light (Breakwater) IHC 336.2
This station is located in the center of the channel opposite
the East breakwall inner light where the water quality monitor is
located. As noted in the bacteriological section of this report,
the average dry weather flow at this station is about 2300 cfs, and
except when st.rong north winds persist and push lake water back up
the channel, -the quality of water measured at this station rep-
resents the level of pollution being discharged to Lake Michigan.
The collection of samples for full chemical analysis at this
sation will be continued for comparison with the output of the
monitoring station.
Weather conditions prevented sampling of this station,, par-
ticularly during the fall months, so that only six samples were
collected in 1965- The results of the sampling in July and
September of 1963 by the GLIRB Project would indicate that there
has been a slight increase in the dissolved oxygen content of the
water in the harbor. The ten samples in 1963 varied from 0.4 to
2.6 mg/1 with an average of 1.6 mg/1, while the average for six
samples in 1§65 was 4.2 mg/1 with no values as low as the 1963
average value. Phenols also show an improvement. Seventeen values
for samples collected in 1963 ranged from 2 to 127 ,*ig/l with an
average value of 43 Jig/1. In 1965 the highest value recorded was
7 ug/l with an average value of U ug/1. The dissolved solids and
ammonia nitrogen also show some reduction in value over the past two
years. The pH has shown just a slight increase and the sulfates re-
mained about the same. In general the changes in water quality at
the two Indiana Harbor stations, based on the results of the 1963 and
1965 sampling periods, tend to agree with each other and to show an
improvement for phenols and dissolved oxygen. However, the six samples
obtained in 1965 are not a sufficient base on which to form rigid
conclusions.
Grand Calumet River at Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad Bridge
GC 328.5
In 1963 the GLIRB Project sampled the Grand Calumet River at
Hohman Avenue during August and September. This station is two
tenths of a mile upstream and across the state line in Indiana from
the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad Bridge. During the early sampling
period in 1965 the Grand Calumet River was sampled at the B & 0 C.T.
Railroad Bridge. Therefore, data from only nine samples are avail-
able for present water quality. However, the B & 0 C.T. Railroad
25
-------
-------
Bridge is only five tenths of a mile further downstream and 19
samples were collected at that station. Although the dissolved
oxygen values show a general increase since the 19&3 sampling the
DO still went down to aero for at least one sample and the average
value is still low. The average BOD and COD for the 20 samples in
1963 and the nine samples in 1965 are about the same, "but the
maximum value for COD in 1965 was substantially higher than in 19&3-
Suspended solids have decreased somewhat "but the average for
dissol ed so.lids has increased. Ammonia nitrogen and nitrate - •"
-.nitrogen have increased substantially since-the .previous "sampling .
period. The'average phosphate value increased-'from 6.2 mg/1 in''1963
to 7.7 rag/1 in 1965.
Grand Calumet River at B & 0 C.T. Railroad Bridge - GC 328.0
Nineteen weekly samples were collected at this station before it
was discontinued in favor of the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad Bridge
station just upstream and closer to the state line. The Hohman Avenue
station is the closest point on which historical data is available.
This section of the Grand Calumet River is quite industrialized. The
median value of dissolved oxygen for the nineteen samples collected
in 1965 was 2.3 mg/1, which, although still quite low, is above the
maximum value obtained from 20 samples in 19&3- It should be noted,
however, that three of the twenty samples showed a zero DO and two
others had a BO of less than 1.0 mg/1. The average BOD was about
the same, but the COD was a little higher in 1965; &s compared to
1963* Ammonia nitrogen and the nitrate nitrogen content of the
water have both increased since the 1963 sampling period. The
averages value of ammonia nitrogen increased from 3-^ mg/1 in 1963 to
6.7 mg/1 in 1965 and the nitrate nitrogen from 1.2 mg/1 to 5-4 mg/1
during the same period. Phosphates increased from an average value
of 6.2 mg/1 in 1963 to 13 mg/1 in 1965. Suspended and dissolved
solids values remained about the same for both sampling periods.
Calumet River at Mouth CR 333 A
This station, located at the mouth of the Calumet River, is a
boat statior. Therefore, sampling is subject to wheather conditions
and only eleven samples were obtained during the 1965 study period.
Since the O'Brien locks have been put into operation and the lake
levels have increased slightly over their 1961j- low, the flow in the
Calumet River is generally away from Lake Michigan. However, the
U. S. Steel Company, South Works, has industrial waste discharges
into Calumet Harbor, the slip at the north end of the harbor, and
into the Calumet River itself. Dr. Kaplovsky, of the Metropolitan
Sanitary District of Greater Chicago, stated at one of the meetings
of the Calumet Area Technical Committee that the Sanitary District
planned on passing about 200 to 250 cfs through the O'Brien locks.
These "loc^b are located about six and one-half niies downstream from
the sampling- station. Therefore the drainage fioin the area, including
Wolf Lake, and other industrial waste flows are included in this
200 c£s. Therefore^ at times there would be little, if any, current
away from the lake at the sampling station.
26
-------
-------
There-is "no historical data at this station with which to...c£»&pare the
1965..values. Even if there were, the present operation of the
0'Brien locks would void most of the comparability of the two sets of
data. However, comparing the present data to sampling by the GLIRB
Project in the center of the harbor during July and September of 1963*
the values for pH, DO, sulfate, ammonia nitrogen, and phenols all
appear to have the same average values and cover about the same
range of values for each of the parameters.
Calumet Harbor, at State Line and Mid-Channel CR 33^.0
The data from the sampling stations in Calumet harbor have been
combined for this analysis giving a total of ten samples. During
July and most of August the harbor was sampled at the State Line
opposite the entrance to the Calumet River. Beginning with the last
week in August the sampling point was moved to a point about 3*500
feet from the entrance to the river. The station was moved because
it is believed that the new location will give a more representative
sample of the water quality in this harbor. The normal summer
current pattern as shown in Figure V-5 indicates that the original
sampling station would not adequately monitor the wastes discharged
into the Calur.et harbor by U. S. Steel Company north of the Calumet
River.
Comparing the 1965 data with the results of the GLIRB Project's
sampling in July and September, 19^3 shows that there has been
little change in the pH or sulfates content of the water. The
dissolved oxygen content of the water in the harbor has increased
slightly, and a small decrease in the ammonia nitrogen content is
noted. Eighteen phenol samples in 19&3 ranged in value from zero
to 5-3 ,)cig/l with an average of 1.4 jug/1. In 19&5 the aiaximum value
of ten samples was 3 /ug/1,. the minimum and median value was zero,
and the average value was only 1 /ig/1.
Little Calumet River at Wentworth Ave. LC 332.2
This sampling station is located about a half mile doxmstream
from the Illinois-Indiana State line on the Little Calumet River.
The closest sampling point for historic data is just over a mile up-
stream at Hohman Avenue, where from eleven to £0 analyses on samples
were obtajned oy the GLIRB Project in August ard September 1963- All
twenty samples jn 19&3 had a DO of zero while nineteen samples in
1965 had a ESvlifr. DO value of 1.5, although 3 of the samples had a
value of zero r-nl ."ive others had a value of less than 1 mg/1.
However, a maximum value of almost 5 rag/1 was attained by two samples.
The BOD and COD values show a notable reduction since the 19&3
se.rnolinp; period. The average value for BOD dropped from 20 mg/1 in
19'- - — '-•'., ~"-::'-' jr. J9fc5- The average value of r JD for eleven samples
in .:/,'-•'• .". .• . ".:/-<; vhile the average value :"o^ 19 s&r/vles in 1965
was <- , . '..-- average values for ammonia nitrogen &l"~>ws a similar
redr.j;,-,. .v:.: 6.7 mg/1 to 2.1 mg/1. As expected with the increase
in dissol r&d o;:ygen, the average nitrate nitrogen sample showed an
27
-------
-------
increase from 0.3 mg/1 to 1.3 mg/1. Phosphates also show a re-
duction in their average values dropping from 10 mg/1 in 1963 to
5-3 mg/1 :'.n 1965- A large reduction was also noted in suspended
and dissolves solids. The average value for suspended solids
dropped from 175 mg/1 in 1963 to 35 mg/1 in 1965, while the
dissolve'-! solids dropped from 6lO mg/1 to k-JC mg/1 during the
same period. As noted in the bacteriology section of this report,
the increase in the quality of water at this station, as noted by
comparing the 1965 results with those obtained in 1963 is
probably due, in part at least to the treatment of a part of the
domestic wastes of the communities of Highland and Griffith by
the Hammond Municipal Sewage Treatment Plant.
28
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VII BIOLOGICAL SURVEYS
In March, 1965 a project biologists made a three-day biological
survey of the Calumet Area. Observations from this survey are given in
Table VII-1. The stations are located on a map of the area in Figure
VII-1. Comparing the biological data obtained in March 1965 with
surveys in 1961 indicates that there had been no substantial change in
the biological conditions either for the better or vorse in the Calumet
Area in the past five years.
The Calumet Area Surveillance Project also installed Dendy type
biological samplers in the streams in the Calumet Area. These Samplers
were made of a series of k" square plates made of 1/8" masonite with
1" square pieces of masonite as spacers. The larger squares painted
with fiber glass resin and sprinkled with either crushed clam shells,
coarse sand or hardwood sawdust and shavings. Eleven of these plates
with spacers between are placed on a £" threaded rod to form one sampler.
Each sampler has ten slots, five of the slots covered on each face with
one substrate material and five with a second type of surface.
Seven of these samplers were placed in the Little Calumet and
Grand Calumet Rivers and the Indiana Harbor Canal during the week of
October 4-8, and were retrieved in early November. Bottom samples
were also obtained at each location so that a comparison of the
organisms found on the Dendy Sampler to an equal area of stream bottom
could be made.
Bloodworms and sludgeworms were present at most of the locations.
In addition, pulmonate snails were found on the sample removed from
the Grand Calumet River at the Indianapolis Boulevard station. These
are all pollution tolerant organisms.
Six Dendy type samplers were also placed on the Calumet River and
one in Wolf Lake. The location of the Dendy Samplers is shown in
Figure VII-1. Bottom samples were also obtained at these locations .•
when the samplers were removed.
The information gained from these biological surveys will
provide valuable reference data on which to evaluate any future changes
in biological conditions and water quality.
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TABLE VII-1
CALUMET AREA BIOLOGICAL SURVEY, MARCH 17-19, 1965
Station
Secchi D.O. Temp.
Disc (m) mg/1 pH °C
Depth
On) Bottom Type
Grand Calumet River
GC 344.8
GC 336.0
GC 332.2
GC 331-1
GC 325.8
Indiana Harbor
IH 331-9
IH 335-2
IH 335-5
Indiana Harbor
1
2
3
Thorn Creek
TC 330-3
Little Calumet
LC 351-1
LC 337.2
LC 334-9
LC 328.0
Thornton Road
LC 319-7
LC 320.1
LC 322.4
Calumet River
CR 327.0
CR 328.1
CR 333-0
Calumet Harbor
1
2
3
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.50
Canal
0.25
0.30
0.30
C.lO
c.75
1.00
To bottom
River
0-5
0.2
0.2
0' 3
0.4
0.5
0.5
0.5
1.0
0.5
0.2
0.4
1.5
2.5
4.4
5/4
4.0
5-7
2-9
3-0
3.0
*
3-7
5-4
5-5
6.9
4.6
0.0
8.8
9-7
3-3
2.9
2.0
2.9
3.6
1.7
7-2
7-7
8.2
8.9
7.4o
7.3C'
7.25
7.45
7.80
7.05
8.65
_
8.50
8.00
8.00
8.50
8.15
7.80
3.20
8.30
7.90
8.25
8.15
8.30
8.30
7-90
8.30
8.30
8.20
8.20
23.00
2U25
22.00
19.00
21.00
22.00
21.50
21.00
21.50
17.00
19.00
18.00
17-50
21.00
19.00
18.00
17.50
17.50
19-50
20.00
22.0
23.5
17-0
18.0
15-0
16.0
1.0
1.5
1.5
0.5
1.0
1.0
6.5
6.5
5-5
10.0
7.5
0.5
0.7
0.3
0.3
0.5
0.5
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.5
5.5
7.0
9.0
9-0
10.5
Iron particles
Ooze
Ooze, Detri.
Ooze
Ooze , sand
Ooze, silt
Ooze
Ooze
Ooze
Ooze
Ooze
Ooze, silt, sand
Black ooze
Ooze, silt
Sand, Detritus
Gravel
Silt, sand
Silt, sand
Ooze, silt
Ooze
Clay
Clay, ooze , sand
Rust color ooze
Ooze, silt
Clay, silt
Silt
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TABLE VII-1
(Continued)
Station
Bottom Odor
Water 'Odor
Notes
Predominate
Organisms
Grand Calumet R.
GC 3^-8 Petro
GC 336.0
GC 332-2
GC 331-1
GC 325.8
Sewage
Sewage,Petro
Sewage Heavy oil slicks, jj, ua observed
rusty water color
Sewage Oil slicks, oily banks " "
Sewage,Petro Murky,Oil slicks, " "
slimy banks
" " Slime & algae on bottom " "
" Murky,black oily patches " *'
Indiana Hrbr. Canal
IH 331.9 Sewage, Fe-'.ro
IH 335.2
IF 335-5
Sewage
Petro
Sewage /Petro
Turbid, murky
Murky,oil slicks,
dk. brown color
None observed
II Illl
Indiana Harbor
1 Sewage,Petro
p ii rt
Murky,oil slicks
Lt.brown,murky,oil
slicks
Sewage,Petro
None observed
Sludgeworms
Leeches,saails
Thorn Creek
TC 330.3 Sewage
Sewage
Debris,algae
rocks
None observed
Little Calumet R.
LC 351.1 Sewage, Petro
LC 337Y2 Raw Sewage
LC 33^-9
LC 328.0 Sewage
Thronton Rd. "
LC 319-7
LC 320.1
LC 233A
Calumet River
CR 32T-0 Normal
CR 328.1 Sewage
CR 333-0 Dead fish
Calumet Harbor
1 Petro
Sewage
ti
M
n
Normal
Sewage
n
it
Normal
-
Normal
Normal
Water Greenish, marshy Sludgeworms,
bloodworms
Abundant blue -greens None observed
" " " Sludgeworms,
bloodworms,
mayfly
Green water color Oligochaeta
" " " Sludgeworms
Water greenish, oil slicks "
Water brownish, "
Oil along shores "
Oil slicks Ncne observed
" ".brownish water "
Purple wtr, popcorn slag " "
Water red-brown, dead Leeches, sludge-
2 Metallic
3 Normal
Normal
alewive s worms,
sphaeriid clams
Dead alewives Sphaeriid clams,
Sludgeworms
Water clearer Sphaeriid clams,
Sludgeworms
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