PROCEEDINGS
VOLUME2
Conference
In the matter of Pollution off
the navigable waters of the
Detroit River and Lake Erie
and their Tributaries in the
State of Michigan
SECOND SESSION JUN E 15 -18, 1965
US. DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
Public Health Service
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CONTENTS
OPENING STATEMENT
By Mr. Stein
STATEMENT OF;
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN D. DINGELL
REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAM D. FORD
RICHARD D. VAUGHAN
GEORGE L. HARLOW
ERNEST PREMETZ
GOVERNOR GEORGE ROMNEY
GOVERNOR JAMES RHODES
REPRESENTATIVE WESTON E. VIVIAN
COLONEL EDWARD C. BRUCE
LIEUTENANT MAURICE S. POWER
KENNETH MACKENTHUN
GERALD EDDY
RALPH PURDY
JOHN E. VOGT
C. C. CRUMLEY
AL BARBOUR
MERLIN DAMON
TODD Ac GAYER
JOHN CHASCSA
GERALD REMUS
PAGE;
3
16
30
44
703
852
858
871
880
912
927
1013
1015
1028
1092
1035
1062
1075
1110
1112
1118
1231
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1-A
CONTENTS.
PAGE:
STATEMENT OF:
GERARD H. COLEMAN 1435
GEORGE E. HUBBELL 1440
GEORGE J. HAZEY 1465
GENE LITTLE 1478
JAMES D. OGDEN 1490
OLGA M. MADAR 1493
FRED E. TUCKER 1505-A
HAYSE H. BLACK 1564
ROBERT c. MCLAUGHLIN 1570
FRANK KALLIN 1582
A. J. VON FRANK 1607
ROBERT P. LOGAN 1622
JACK T. GARRETT 1651
WILLIAM R. DAY 1655
J. W. TRACHT 1662
C. D. BARRETT, SR., M.D. 1716
STANLEY DIROFF 1749
WILLIS H. HALL 1771
CLOSING STATEMENT
Mr. Stein 1782
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Richard D. Vaughan
305
Figure 9-V shows the increase in geometric
mean densities of total coliform organisms from the head
of the Detroit River at the station nearest the United
States shore. These values, under wet conditions,
increased from 130 organisms per 100 ml at the
headwaters, to 3*500 per 100 ml Just above the Rouge River,
to 59,000 in the lower River and, finally, a decrease
to 15*000 per 100 ml at the mouth. Corresponding average
densities during dry conditions were 110,550, 4,300, and
4,000 per 100 ml respectively.
(Figure 9-V follows.)
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306
FIGURE 9 -
o
\
80,000
40,000
36,000
24,000
L A\K £
ni n
_Q
• n
DT3C6W OT206 OT I f 4 W DTI46W DT87W DT39
M I
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
GEOMETRIC MEAN COLIFORM CONCENTRATIONS
DURING WET a DRY CONDITIONS
STATION NEAREST U.S. SHORE
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, a WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
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Richard D. Vaughan 307
CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL
PHENOLS
High levels of phenols in waters cause
disagreeable tastes and odors in drinking water, taint
i
the flesh of game fish, and will kill fish when concentra-
tions are excessive. If phenols are present in raw water
supplies in sufficient concentration to cause tastes and
odors, expensive water treatment procedures may be required
to eliminate the problem. IJC objectives call for average
phenol concentrations not to exceed 2 micrograms/1 (ppb)
and maximum values not to exceed 5 micrograms/1 (ppb)
to prevent taste and odors in water supplies.
Phenol concentrations at all ranges in the
Detroit River exceeded these criteria during the study
period. Water quality at the head of the Detroit River
met these criteria in 1962 but not 1963.
Records of the International Joint Commission
reveal phenol concentrations frequently in excess of
10 micrograms/1 in the St. Clair River below known sources
of phenolic wastes. Tte flow in the St. Clair River accounts
for 95 per cent of the flow of the Detroit River. The
weighted average phenol concentration near the mouth of the
St. Clair River during the period of the survey was
9 micrograms/1, representing a loading of 8,700 pounds
of phenolic substances per day. Phenol concentrations
in the lower Detroit River near the United States shore exceed
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Richard D. Vaughan 3°8
IJC objectives over 80 per cent of the time. The maximum
values of phenol concentrations during the survey approached
levels toxic to fish.
Major sources of phenol concentrations in the
Detroit River are the Detroit Sewage Treatment Plant, Ford
Motor Company, Great Lakes Steel Blast Furnace, Mobil Oil
Company, Pennsalt Chemical Corporation West Plant, and Wyan-
dotte Chemical Corporation North Works.
Phenolic pollution in the lower Detroit River
could cause objectionable tastes and odors in both drinking
water and fish flesh. While average concentrations in the
upper river are above IJC objectives of 2 micrograms/1 (ppb)
they are usually not above the 5 micrograms/1 (ppb) level
at which most observers detect objectionable tastes and
odors in water supplies.
Average phenol concentrations in the upper
Detroit River ranged from 3 to 5 micrograms/1. Just below
the Rouge River at a station near the United States shore
the average value increased to 28 mlcrograms/1 with lower
values observed in mid-river. Further downstream but
above the Trenton channel these average values decreased
to 10 micrograms/1 near the western shore. In the Trenton
channel the average values rose to 30 micrograms/1 near
the shore and then decreased to 6 - 9 mlcrograms/1 at the
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Richard D. Vaughan 309
mouth. Figure 10-V shows average phenol concentrations
in the Detroit River.
Phenols did not exhibit any type of normal
statistical distribution; thus extreme values are shown
in Figure 10V and Table 2-V as the maximum observed value
at several key locations and the per cent of samples
exceeding 2 mlcrograms/1 and 5 mlcrograms/1. At the head
of the river 40 - 55 per cent of the samples exceeded
2 micrograms/1 while 17-35 per cent exceeded 5 micrograms/1.
Just above the Rouge River 38-59 per cent exceeded 2
micrograms/1 while 23 -54 per cent exceeded 5 mlcrograms/1.
Below the Rouge River 27-88 per cent exceeded 2 micrograms/1
and 6-69 per cent exceeded 5 micrograms/1. At the mouth
of the river 40-84 per cent of the samples exceeded 2 micro-
grams/1 and 19-68 per cent of the samples exceeded 5
micrograms/1. The maximum value observed in the Detroit
River during the survey was 650 mlcrograms/1 and the
next highest value was 180 micrograms/1, observed in the
Trenton Channel.
(Table 2-V, consitlng of 3 pages; and Figure 10-V follow)
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TABLE 2-V. AVERAGE AND EXTREME PHENOL CONCENTRATIONS -
DETROIT RIVER
Maximum
Concentration
310
Range
DT 30. 8W
DT 30. 7E
DT 28.1*W
DT 26. 8W
DT 25.7
DT 20.6
Feet
100
300
50O
1,000
2,500
500*
850»
980*
100
300
700
1,300
52
169
292
1*21
689
1,091*
1,1*78
1,903
50
'100
300
600
2,000
3,1*00*
5
50
200
1*00
60O
TOO
1,000
1,500*
1,800*
2,000*
2,300*
Observed
JUg/1
12
27
18
9
21
10
11
28
10
13
17
11
32
28
70
31
19
Ik
13
16
Ik
28
11
1*8
*9
1*9
2l*
650
26
50
3U
2l*
37
35
1*0
20
25
Average
JUg/1
3
k
U
3
1*
3
4
5
2
2
3
2
6
7
8
5
5
3
4
1*
3
5
3
5
5
6
U
5
5
6
7
l*
5
1*
li
2
3
Percent
>2jug/l
58
1*8
56
56
50
50
53
56
27
36
29
33
61
61
61
1*7
39
1*7
53
1*7
33
1*7
1*2
25
32
U2
36
50
38
1*1*
1*6
1*2
38
35
30
25
1*2
Percent
>5Jug/l
13
16
21*
21*
16
25
35
33
11*
9
19
19
33
39
39
35
33
21*
27
29
22
21
21
20
21
21
20
31
23
23
38
23
35
19
9
17
21
* = Canadian Stations.
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TABLE 2-V. AVERAGE AND EXTREME PHENOL CONCENTRATIONS
DETROIT RIVER - Continued
Maximum
Concentration
311
Range
DT 19.0
DT 17.1*W
DT 17. OE
DT ll*.6W
DT 12. OW
DT 9-6W
DT 9-3E
Feet
100
200
300
1*00
800
1,000
100
200
1*00
800
1,200
1,600
2,200*
1*00*
700*
900*
20
100
200
300
1*00
800
1,000
2,000
3,000
122
322
670
100
300
500
900
500
1,200
2,000
3,000
1*,000*
l*,500*
5,000*
5,600*
Observed
-Aig/1
79
1*9
36
28
9
27
1*7
1*3
23
50
8
7
9
21*
15
28
29
2l*
16
158
16
16
11
1*
6
35
121*
26
11
11
5
20
11
8
81*
6
1*
10
1*
31
Average
JUg/1
28
20
16
18
2
8
10
9
8
8
3
3
2
3
3
3
7
7
6
5
5
1*
3
2
2
10
8
7
5
5
3
8
2
2
6
1
1
2
1
2
100
80
100
80
1*0
50
89
81*
77
73
56
1*2
28
2l*
35
33
75
68
75
67
83
63
65
35
21
89
81
85
67
67
67
67
39
29
39
21
30
26
9
27
100
80
80
80
20
25
63
56
50
1*2
16
j 9
"8
19
15
10
1*6
1*8
1*6
1*6
1*6
29
17
0
8
66
52
1*8
33
33
0
33
13
13
9
1*
0
9
0
5
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312
TABLE 2-V. AVERAGE AND EXTREME PHENOL CONCENTRATIONS
DETROIT RIVER — Continued
Maximum
Concentration
Range
DT 8.7W
DT 3-9
Feet
80
28o
1*80
680
980
1,21*0
2,500
3,500
i*,50o
5,500
6,500
7,500
9,500
11,500*
13,500*
15,000*
16,500*
17,500*
18,500*
19,000*
19,300*
Observed
JQB/1
180
50
ll*0
23
31
19
36
1*2
1*2
19
19
12
32
10
29
20
21*
17
6
8
39
Average
JUg/1
30
12
13
8
8
6
9
7
6
It
5
it
U
It
3
It
3
3
2
2
3
Percent
>2jug/l
95
92
88
83
80
I*
8l
70
63
63
6l
56
Ul
U8
33
1»2
35
32
25
23
2l*
Percer
>5^ug/
95
78
69
62
66
1*9
70
1*3
33
33
25
30
19
20
17
13
9
8
It
5
5
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313
FIGURE 10-Z
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE PHENOL CONCENTRATIONS
AND
PERCENT OF PHENOLS EXCEEDING 285 tig/\
DETROIT RIVER
US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCAT ION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
1000 0 1000 3000 5000 7000
MILES
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Richard D. Vaughan
Table 3-V shows average and extreme phenol
concentrations in the tributaries of the Detroit River.
A maximum value of 10,980 mlcrograms/1 was observed in
Monguagon Creek and 290 micrograms/1 in the Rouge River.
Average phenol concentrations in the Rouge River, Conners
Creek, and Monguagon Creek were 12, 6, and 1500
micrograms/1 respectively.
TABLE 3-V
AVERAGE AND EXTREME PHENOL CONCENTRATION
TRIBUTARIES TO DETROIT RIVER
RANGE MAXIMUM
CONCENTRATION
OBSERVED - AVERAGE PERCENT - 2 PERCENT - 5
MIGROGRAMS/1 MICROGRAMS/1 MICROORAMS/1 MICROGRAMS/1
Conners Creek
Rouge River
Monguagon Creek
22
167
10,980
6
19
1,490
69
79
98
42
66
98
Suspended and Settleable Solids
Excessive amounts of suspended solids in water
can interfere with domestic and industrial water treatment
processes, cause harmful effects to fish and other aquatic
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315
Richard D. Vaughan
life by clogging their gills and respiratory passages, cause
turbidity which interferes with light transmission, and in-
terfere with boating and aesthetic enjoyment of water. When
a part of the suspended solids settles out on stream and
lake bottoms as sludge or bottom deposits, damage to aquatic
life can occur from the blanketing of the bottom, killing
eggs and essential fish-food organisms, and destroying spawning
beds. In addition, toxic materials, sometimes carried with
suspended solids, can leach out and destroy aquatic life.
Suspended solids cause especially serious problems in shallow,
slow-moving waters, where they settle easily.
Suspended solids in the upper River were uniform
with values of 5-10 mg/1 in midrlver and values of 15-20 mg/1
near the United States shore. In the lower River and at
the mouth, these values increased to a range of 14 - 65 mg/1
with the higher values near the United States shore. In the
upper Detroit River the range of settleable solids was
5-10 mg/1 while values in the lower River and the mouth
were in the range of 10 - 24 mg/1. In both cases the higher
values were near the United States shore.
Average suspended solids in the tributaries of
the Detroit River ranged from 22 mg/1 in the Rouge River to
76 mg/1 in Conners Creek and 162 mg/1 in the Ecorse River.
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Richard D. Vaughan 316
Chlorides
Chloride concentrations above certain levels
can interfere with domestic and industrial water supplies
by causing objectionable tastes in drinking water, and
corrosion in Industrial processes.
Figure 11-V shows average chloride concentrations
in the Detroit River, in the upper Detroit River the chloride
concentration was uniform at 7 - 10 mg/1. Just below the
Rouge River the mean chloride concentration increased to
9-35 mg/1 with the higher values observed near the United
States shore. In the lower river the mean values increased
to 26 - 69 mg/1 in the Trenton Channel and 28-58 mg/1 at the
mouth. Once again, the higher values were observed near
the United States shore. Maximum values as high as 180 mg/1
have occurred in the Detroit River.
(Figure ll-V follows.)
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FIGURE II-Z
317
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE CHLORIDE CONCENTRATIONS
DETROIT RIVER
US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
RE«ION V GHOSSE ILE. MICHIGAN
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Richard D. Vaughan 318
Figure 4-V shows average chloride concentrations
in five zones representing less than 10, 10-20, 20-35,
35-50, and greater than 50 mg/1. The upper Detroit River
is in the first zone representing less than 10 mg/1. Below
the Rouge River to Wyandotte, United States waters are
predominantly in the second and third zones representing
average values up to 35 mg/1. Below Wyandotte to the mouth,
especially along the United States shore, the two zones
representing average chloride concentration in excess of
35 mg/1 predominate.
In the tributaries of the Detroit River high chlor-
ide values are most noticeable in the Rouge River with a mean
value of 66 mg/1. Ecorse River with a mean value of 91mg/l,
and Monguagon Creek with a mean value of 360 rag/1.
Chlorides do not pollute the upper Detroit River.
Below the Rouge River adjacent to the United States shore there
is significant deterioration due to pollution from chloride
sources. Mean values in excess of 50 mg/1 could interfere
with industrial water supply intakes located near the
United States shore in the lower river.
(Figure 4-V follows.)
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319
FIGURE 4-1
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
ZONES OF
AVERAGE CHLORIDE CONCENTRATIONS
DETROIT RIVER
US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCAT ION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
100 0 1000 3000 5000 7OOO
MILES
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Richard D. Vaughan 320
Iron
Excessive concentrations of iron in water can
cause interference with domestic and industrial water
supplies by causing tastes and stains. Iron, in relatively
low concentrations, is toxic to certain species of fish and
other aquatic life. IJC objectives state that iron con-
centrations should not exceed 0.3 mg/1 (ppm). Average iron
concentrations in the upper Detroit River generally meet
this objective. The Rouge River and the lower Detroit River,
however, had concentrations in excess of this objective;
concentrations below the Rouge River average over two times
this value. The lower Detroit River, especially near the
United States shore, is degraded and polluted by iron
concentrations.
At the head of the Detroit River in United States
water, average iron concentrations were 0.10 to 0.13 mg/1.
Downstream Just above the Rouge River, these values increased
to 0.18 to 0.34 mg/1. Below the Rouge River the average
values near the United States shore increased to 0.39 to
0.52 mg/1. Downstream near Fighting Island, these values
increased to 0.4 to 4.42 mg/1, with the higher values along
the United States shore. Further downstream and in the Trenton
Channel, the range was 0.47 - 0.63 mg/1. The maximum
value observed during the survey of the Detroit River was
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Richard D. Vaughan 321
15.2 mg/1, approximately 5 miles downstream from the Rouge
River.
Maximum iron concentrations between 1.5 and
2.6 mg/1 were observed in the major tributaries of the
Detroit River. Mean values at these tributaries ranged
from 0.39 to 0.91 mg/1.
BOD and Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a measure of
the amount of organic matter oxidized through biochemical
processes. In general, a high BOD indicates the presence
of a large amount of organic material. It is normal to find
a BOD of 2 to 3 parts per million (or 2 or 3 mg/1) in river
waters receiving natural drainage; a higher BOD may represent
a drain on the dissolved oxygen present in the water.
The lack of dissolved oxygen (DO) in water
creates an unfavorable environment for fish and other aquatic
life. DO deficiencies can prevent propagation and, if
great enough, kill fish. Low levels of DO can cause objection-
able odors, thus interfering with recreational enjoyment of
the water, and Increase the corrosive properties of the water,
thus interfering with domestic and industrial water supply.
In no reaches of the Detroit River do levels of
dissolved oxygen cause interferences with water uses. How-
ever, a decrease in DO saturation, from 93 to 106$ in the
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Richard D. Vaughan 322
upper River to 6?-82# at the mouth, due to the discharge of
oxygen-consuming wastes in the vicinity of the Rouge River,
is significant. Future problems may result if oxygen-
consuming waste loads increase.
In the upper Detroit River, the BOD ranged from
2 to 4 mg/1. Below the Rouge River, the average value
increased to 8 mg/1, but returned to the 2-4 mg/1 range at
the mouth. BOD in the rouge river was less than 6 mg/1 during
the period sampled.
From the head of the Detroit River to the Rouge
River the average saturation for DO ranged from 93 to 106$.
All values observed were in excess of 5 mg/1. Figure 12-V
shows the average DO saturation at selected ranges on the
Detroit River at stations nearest the United States shore.
With the exception of the mouth of the Detroit River
(range DT 3* 9)> the average saturation percentages were
relatively constant across each range. Figure 12A-V presents
DO values differently, showing minimum concentrations in
mg/1 at selected ranges during the survey (including 1964
data).
(Figures 12-V and 12A-V follow.)
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323
FIGURE IZ-3L
4 6W DT 8 7W OT 3 9
M I
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE PERCENT SATURATION
DISSOLVED OXYGEN
STATION NEAREST U.S. SHORE
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, a WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
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324
FIGURE I2A-Z
7W DT 3 9
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
MINIMUM DISSOLVED OXYGEN CONCENTRATIONS
STATION NEAREST U.S. SHORE
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, 8 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
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Richard D. Vaughan 325
Nitrogen Compounds
Nitrates in drinking water in concentrations
greater than 10 mg/1 can cause serious illness (metnemo-
globlnemia) in infants. Nitrates also cause interference
with many industrial processes. Ammonia can Interfere with
domestic water treatment by combining with applied chlorine
to form chloramines instead of the more effective disinfecting
agent, free chlorine. Ammonia in water supplies is usually
regarded as evidence of recent pollution from human or animal
wastes, if concentrations exceed 0.10 mg/1.
Nitrogen compounds are not present in the Detroit
River in concentrations sufficient to cause illness in Infants
using this supply as drinking water, nor are the existing
levels sufficient to cause interference with industrial
processes. Average ammonia concentrations as high as 0.41
mg/1 could cause water treatment difficulties and necessitate
excessive dosages of chlorine to achieve adequate disinfection
in domestic water treatment processes.
Nitrogen compounds and phosphates are commonly
referred to as essential plant nutrients, or more simply,
nutrients. Although only the inorganic forms of nitrogen
(nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia) are readily available
for plant utilization, other less stable forms can be changed
to this available form in the presence of dissolved oxygen
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Richard D. Vaughan 326
and thus are considered in this discussion. All nitrogen
compounds are reported as nitrogen.
These compounds coupled with phosphorus can
stimulate the growth of alga in bodies of water where other
environmental factors are satisfactory. In small quantities
alga are desirable as a major source of food for fish.
When algal growth exceeds certain limits, nuisances result
from undesirable blooms. These are unsightly, can result
in obnoxious odors, and can be toxic to fish. A commonly
accepted level of inoranlc nitrogen compounds (nitrates,
nitrites and ammonia) above which undesirable blooms can be
expected to occur is 0.03 mg/1. In the lower section of the
Detroit River, especially as it enters Lake Erie, these values
are regularly exceeded and pollution from Industrial and
domestic sources could be expected to cause excessive blooms
in the lower river and Lake Erie.
In the upper and lower River mean nitrate values
range from 0.10 to 0.24 mg/1. At the mouth, the range
increases to 0.22 - 0.40 mg/1. Nitrites throughout the
River are fairly constant at 0.001 - 0.002 mg/1, except at
the mouth of the River where the range increases to 0.003
to 0.011 mg/1. At the head of the Detroit River, mean
ammonia nitrogen was 0.08 - 0.14 mg/1. Downstream Just above
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327
Richard D. Vaughan
the Rouge River, these values increased to 0.16 - 0.41
mg/1. Below the Rouge River, the mean concentration re-
mained in this range to the mouth. Organic nitrogen
throughout the River had mean values between 0.15 and
0.30 mg/1. In the Rouge River, the mean nitrate concentra-
tion was 0.39 mg/1 with nitrites, ammonia, and organic
nitrogen 0.007, 0.51, and 0.16 mg/1 respectively.
Phosphates
Soluble phosphates in relatively small concentra-
tions are readily available as an essential plant nutrient.
The insoluble portion of the total phosphate concentration
can be converted to the soluble form and thus become avail-
able for such plant utilization. Soluble phosphates in
concentrations greater than 0.015 mg/1 (reported as
phosphorus), in combination with inorganic nitrogen compounds
in excess of 0.03 mg/1 and accompanied by satisfactory
environmental conditions such as light and heat, may produce
over-abundant growths of algae with unpleasant odors and
detrimental to fish life.
At the head of the Detroit River total phosphate
concentrations averaged 0.03 to 0.30 mg/1. Downstream at
a point just above the Rouge River, these values increased
to 0.01 - 0.48 mg/1, with the higher values along the United
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Richard D. Vaughan 328
States Shore. Below the Rouge River, phosphate mean con-
centrations continue in this same range until the mouth,
where the 3*500 feet nearest the United States shore had mean
values of 0.89 - 1.20 mg/1. The remaining section to the
International boundary had values of 0.18 - .24 mg/1.
Phosphates in the Rouge River averaged 0.18 mg/1, with a
maximum value of 0.30 mg/1.
All but two soluble phosphate concentrations in
the upper Detroit River were less than 0.001 mg/1, with the
highest value located near the United States shore Just
below the combined sewer outfall at Conners Creek. Below the
Rouge River soluble phosphate levels Increased to levels
ranging from less than 0.001 mg/1 to 0.40 mg/1, with the
same dispersion pattern apparent. At the mouth soluble
phosphates of 0.176 to 0.204 mg/1 were found. Throughout the
lower River soluble phosphate concentrations exceeded the
level at which nuisance algal blooms occur.
El
Extreme pH values can cause interference with
domestic and industrial water supplies by affecting taste,
corrosiveness, and the efficiency of chlorination and
coagulation processes; interferences with Irrigation and fish
propagation can also be produced. A drop in pH is experienced
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Richard D. Vaughan 329
in the Detroit River from its head to a point 5 miles
below the Rouge River. Average values do not indicate inter-
ferences with water use in the Detroit River at this time,
but are indicative of significant quantities of acid wastes
entering the watercourse.
pH values in the upper Detroit River were uniform,
as shown by average values between 8.2 and 8.3 Just below
the Rouge River the average pH dropped tc 7.6 near the
United States shore and to 8.0 away from shore. Approximately
2 miles downstream the average pH dropped again to 7.2
near the United States shore. Prom this point to the mouth
there was a gradual rise in pH until a mean value of 8.0
was reached. The low individual value during the survey was
3.0 at a point approximately 2 miles below the Rouge River
at sampling range DT 17.^W.
AB3
Concentrations of ABS (Alkyl Benzne Sulfonate) in
excess of 500 mlcrograms/1 have caused foaming in receiving
streams, causing interference with recreational and aesthetic
enjoyment of the water and with domestic water treatment
processes. Existing levels in the Detroit River are well
below this value, but average concentrations in the Trenton
Channel have increased to 250 micrograms/1, indicating potentJd.
problems in the future if waste loads increase.
-------
Richard D. Vaughan 330
ABS in the upper section of the Detroit River
averaged 20- 40 micrograras/1. Below the Rouge River, it
increased from 30 to 60 micrograms/1. In the Trenton Channel,
these average values increased to 110 to 250 micrograms/1. At
the mouth of the River the average ABS values ranged from
40 to 70 micrograms/1.
In Conners Creek, ABS averaged 230 micrograms/1,
while the Rouge River averaged 180 micrograms/1, and
Monguagon Creek 500 micrograms/1. The ABS concentration in
the tributaries was roughly five times that found in the
Detroit River.
Alkalinity
At extreme pH values, alkalinities can cause
interference with domestic and industrial water uses,
and interference with fish and other aquatic life.
The ranges of alkalinity found in the Detroit River do not
indicate Interference with any water use.
Mean alkalinity concentrations in the entire
Detroit River were 68 - 86 mg/1, with no trend evident.
Alkalinity values in the tributaries were in this same range
with the exception of the Ecorse River, where the average
alkalinity was 136 mg/1.
Temperature
Extremely high temperatures can kill fish and cause
corrosion problems in water supplies. High temperatures will
-------
331
Richard D. Vaughan
also accelerate the rate of utilization of the biochemical
oxygen demand in the water.
Mean temperature values for the period of the
study are meaningless from a practical standpoint because of
their extreme dependence upon the season of the year. Study
of the year reveals an Increase of 2-3°C between the head of
the Detroit River and a point Just above the Trenton Channel.
The difference between the head and mouth of the River
on any given day was found to be l-2°c, with warmer waters
found near the United States shore at the mouth. The highest
temperature found in the Detroit River was 28°C, or 82°P,
Just below the Rouge River.
The Rouge River and Conners Creek were approxi-
mately 2-5°c warmer than the Detroit River on any given day,
while Monguagon Creek was as much as 10°C warmer. The
maximum value on any tributary during the survey was 35°C or
95°P, which was in Monguagon Creek.
The 1° - 3° rise throughout the length of the
entire River does not appear to cause any interferences with
water use that are not present in the natural state. The
temperatures in the River will support all water uses except
the propagation of certain cold-water game fish which probably
could not survive even the natural temperatures of the upper
River.
-------
332
Richard D. Vaughan
Chemical Oxygen Demand
Chemical oxygen demand indicates a possible demand
on the dissolved oxygen resources of the receiving stream from
wastes, usually of an industrial nature, not susceptible
to biochemical degradation. The oxygen-consuming strength
of these wastes cannot be measured in the BOD determination.
Chemical oxygen demand in the upper Detroit
River ranged from mean values of 0 - 9 mg/l. Below the Rouge
River this range increased to 28-37 mg/l and in the Trenton
Channel from 160-240 mg/l, with higher values along the west
shore. One station at the mouth had average COD values of 30
mg/l.
The significant observed increase in COD in the
Detroit River from its head to the lower reaches and particu-
larly the Trenton Channel is indicative of industrial waste
discharge. It is difficult to equate COD concentrations in
wastes to population equivalents, as is commonly done in BOD
wastes, because an unknown amount of the COD concentration
actually exerts a demand upon the oxygen resources of the river,
The increase does represent the effect of sources of pollu-
tion which place some demand upon these resources.
Conductivity
High values of specific conductance indicate
excessive mineralization, which can interfere with domestic
-------
333
Richard D. Vaughan J
and industrial water supplies as well as irrigation and
fish propagation.
The specific conductance of the Detroit River in
its upper section varied between 190 and 220 umhos/cm.
Below the Rouge River, the range increased to 220-390
umhos/cm, with higher values again along the United States
shore. In the Trenton Channel, specific conductance
increased to an average value of 500 umhos/cm near the west
shore. At the mouth of the River, the range decreased to
240-330 umhos/cm.
The values encountered in the Detroit River indi-
cate an approximate twofold increase between the head of
the River and a point in the Trenton Channel. These levels
do not indicate potential interference with water use in the
Detroit River.
Toxic Metals
These metals consist of cadmium, chromium, copper,
lead, nickel, and zinc. Toxic metals present a health hazard
in drinking water in which they are present In concentrations
greater than those listed in the Public Health Service drink-
ing water standards. They can also Interfere with industrial
processes and act as toxic agents for fish and other
aquatic life.
Copper values in all parts of the river except
-------
Richard D. Vaughan
334
the head averaged less than 0.01 mg/1. At the head of
the river, the average was 0.02 mg/1. In over 55 per cent of
all samples analyzed, copper was not detected at the 0.01
mg/1 level. The maximum value found was 0.11 mg/1.
Nickel averaged 0.01 to 0.02 mg/1 throughout the
river with a tendency toward higher values near the Junction
with the Rouge River. The maximum value found was 0.30 in
the Trenton Channel with other high values located through-
out the length of the river. Over 70 per cent of the samples
analyzed showed concentrations greater than 0.01 mg/1.
Zinc was fairly constant, with average values in
the range 0.02 to 0.05 mg/1. The maximum value found
was 0.60 mg/1 in the Trenton Channel. Over 90 per cent
of the samples showed concentrations greater than 0.01 mg/1.
Lead was found in average concentrations varying
from 0,01 to 0.04 mg/1, with higher values found below the
Rouge River and in the Trenton Channel.
Chromium was found in average concentrations
at 0.01 mg/1 and less, with higher values in the lower
Detroit River and especially in the Trenton Channel. The
maximum value found during the survey was 0.04 mg/1 below
the Rouge River. Chromium was detected at 0.01 mg/1 level
in only 15 per cent of the samples analyzed.
Cadmium was also found in average concentrations
-------
Richard D. Vaughan 335
less than 0.01 mg/1, with higher values in the Trenton
Channel. The maximum value found during the survey was
0.08 mg/1 in the channel, with cadmium being detected at the
0.01 mg/1 level in only 10 per cent of the samples analyzed.
Toxic metals in Conners Creek were in the same
range as the Detroit River and many times in lesser concen-
trations. Copper was frequently found in significant cone -
trations in the Rouge River, with one value 0.40 mg/1
and a mean value of 0.09 mg/1. Other toxic metals in the
Rouge River averaged between 0.01 and 0.02 mg/1. Toxic
metals in Monguagon Creek were generally high, with a maximum
zinc concentration of 0.56 mg/1.
Other metals showing high values at Monguagon
Creek were lead, nickel, and copper, with maximum values of
0.09, 0.05, and 0.04 mg/1 respectively.
Average concentrations of copper were less than
those expected to interfere with water use but one extreme value
at the head of the River Indicates a possible toxic hazard
to fish and other aquatic life. No other value of similar
magnitude was found.
Average and maximum concentrations of nickel, zinc,
and chromium found in the Detroit River do not Indicate
interference with water use.
Average values of lead approached levels of 0.05
-------
Richard r>. Vaughan 336
mg/1, which represent a threat to the health and welfare
of consumers of domestic water supplies. The maximum
value encountered approaches the limit of 0.10 mg/1, which
represents a potential threat to fish and other aquatic life.
Further increases in any magnitude of waste loadings to the
Detroit River containing lead may represent a threat to the
health and welfare of the users of the lower Detroit River
and to fish life in that reach of the River.
Average cadmium values indicated no interference
with domestic water use or propagation of fish and other
aquatic life. A maximum value of O.OS mg/1 did exceed
recommended limits for these uses, and careful surveillance
should be made of future levels of this substance.
Higher levels of copper and lead were found
in the Rouge River and Monguagon Creek.
Oil and Grease
Analysis for oil and grease was not made on
river or lake samples due to difficulty in obtaining a
representative sample. Observations were made of visible
floating oil, which for the most part was noticed in marinas
and other areas of shallow or slow-moving water. Remedial
measures to abate oil and grease pollution should be made
with the objective of keeping effluents from all wastes as low
as practicable. IJC effluent recommendations of not more
than 15 ppm oil and grease in the effluent appear to be
applicable in this instance.
-------
Richard D. Vaughan 337
Cyanide
Cyanides are toxic to man as well as fish and
other aquatic life. PHS drinking water standards recommend
limiting cyanide concentrations to 0.01 mg/1. Cyanide
concentrations above 0.025 mg/1 are considered detrimental
to fish and other aquatic life. A mandatory limit of
0.20 mg/1 has been set for cyanide concentrations in drinking
water by the PHS standards.
In the upper Detroit River, cyanides were present
in 15 per cent of the samples analyzed, with a maximum
concentration of 0.01 rag/1. In the lower River above the
Trenton Channel, cyanides were found in 21 per cent of the
samples analyzed equal to or in excess of 0.01 mg/1,
with one value 0.05 mg/1. In the Trenton Channel cyanides
were found in 18 per cent of the samples equal to or in
excess of 0.01 mg/1, with a maximum value of 0.03 mg/1.
At the mouth of the Detroit River, 35 per cent of all
samples analyzed contained cyanides equal to or in excess of
0.01 rag/1, with a maximum value of 0.09
mg/1, 7,500 feet from the United States shore.
Cyanide concentrations found In the lower Detroit
River pose a potential interference with domestic water
supply and fish and wildlife propagation.
-------
Richard D. Vaughan
Hardness
Hardness In the Detroit River increased from
approximately 100 mg/1 at the head of the river to 130 mg/1
near the mouth. Hardness in the raw water supply at the
City of Monroe intake in Lake Erie has averaged 128 mg/1 over
the past few years. This increase is due to the discharge
of Industrial and municipal wastes containing calcium and
magnesium. Hardness Interferes with municipal water
supplies by increasing the amount of soap and detergent
required for household use.
BIOLOGICAL
Microscopic Plants and Animals
Phytoplankton, free-floating microscopic plants,
are of basic importance in aquatic environments, since they
provide the first step in the food chain of fishes. By the
process of photosynthesis, phytoplankton are able to
synthesize protoplasm from the nutrients available in the
waters, utllzing sunlight for energy. Zooplankton, the animal
plankton, form the food of many young fishes at the critical
post-hatching period. The mlcrocrustacean plankters are Impor-
tant animals in the transformation of algal cell material
into fish flesh. As primary consumers, they feed upon the
phytoplankton. In order to support game fish at the top of
the food chain pyramid, the waters must produce large
-------
339
Richard D. Vaughan
quantities of zooplankton.
Plankton in excessive numbers can create
nuisances. Some species may become toxic. Many cause water
treatment problems by clogging filter beds and producing
tastes and odors. Through the uptake of nutrients released
to the waters by domestic wastes, industrial waters, and land
drainage, algae can occur in such abundance as to accelerate
significantly the aging of lakes.
Low oxygen-producing potentials in the lower water
strata and the mud-water interface of lakes create acid con-
ditions that liberate nutrients bound in the mud-water inter-
face region to overlying waters. These phosphates further
contribute to nuisance blooms and augment algae problems.
In addition to studies of free-floating plants
and animals, attached slimes and other microscopic organisms
were collected from numerous points in the Detroit River
and Lake Erie and examined (see Figure 11-VI). Many of these
organisms form massive colonies in organically enriched and
highly polluted waters. One such species is Sphaerbtllus, a
filamentous slime bacterium, commonly referred to as
"sewage fungus," one of the most unsightly products of
pollution. These bacteria form ragged white, yellow, pink,
or brown masses on all solid objects in rivers and lakes, and
may even form a carpet over mud surfaces. At times, drifting
-------
Richard D. Vaughan 340
masses of sewage fungus may continue to grow In open
waters of large rivers and cause trouble to fishermen by
fouling lines and nets. Another growth, the filamentous
green algae Cladophora, may also be associated with
polluted and nutrient-enriched waters. When dead and
windrowed upon beaches, it decays and produces obnoxious
odors and may become a fly -breeding habitat. Abundant
growths of this algae may become a nuisance on beaches, prohi-
bit swimming, and interfere with recreation.
The Detroit River, from head to mouth, was
found to contain low numbers of planktonic algae, counts
ranging from 50/ml to 4,675/ml and averaging 500/ml. Low
concentrations of animal plankton were also found.
Plankton entering the River from Lake St.
Clair were carried as a "standing crop" down the River
to its mouth with little change in density or species
composition either vertically (in depth) or horizontally
(across the River). The rate of travel of the population
down the 27-mile stretch of the waterway is too rapid
for the domestic and Industrial wastes to appreciably
alter the numbers of plankton. Diatoms, silica-walled
alga (brown or greenish in color), usually made up 70 per
cent or more of the phytoplankton populations.
The early spring diatom pulae in Lake St. Clair
-------
Richard D. Vaughan
raises the counts in the Detroit River to levels
averaging 2,000/ml. At that time, diatoms have reported
to cause trouble at the Detroit filter plant by reducing
filter runs and increasing coagulation costs.
The observed turbid condition of the Detroit
River was not associated with the concentration of living
organisms in the waters since plankton populations were not
dense enough to contribute appreciably to turbidity. Rather
the cause of the turbid water is attributable to a com-
bination of the fine clay particles carried in suspension
from the water masses from Lake St. Clalr, and inorganic
and organic partlculate matter from industrial and
domestic wastes of the Detroit area.
The sewage fungus, Sphaerotilus, was found
growing attached to bridge abutments, pilings, piers,
buoys, and slide racks suspended in the waters to capture
these organisms. It was abundant In the Detroit River
below the Rouge River and Detroit Sewage Treatment Plant
outfall (Figure 13-V). The growth of these slime bacteria
was caused by the discharge of inadequate treated municipal
and industrial wastes of organic origin in the Detroit area.
(Figure 13-V follows.)
-------
342
FIGURE 13-Z
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
DISTRIBUTION OF
FILAMENTOUS SEWAGE BACTERIA
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
US DEPARTMENT OF H E ALT H, E DUCAT ION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
-------
Richard D. Vaughan 344
The elimination of sensitive organisms and the seemingly
unlimited food supply from organic solids permit the
surviving tolerant forms to Increase inordinately in
numbers.
Under conditions of drastic pollution even
the tolerant forms may be destroyed and no signs of life
will be apparent in the bottom muds. Consequently, the
presence or absence of certain bottom organisms in a
sample becomes meaningful and enables a trained observer
to assess the quality of the water passing over the
organisms.
Bottom samples in the Detroit River were
collected at various locations during the spring, summer,
and fall seasons of 1963.
Bottom samples collected at the headwaters down
to the northern tip of Belle Isle contained a pollution-
sensitive association of organisms (Figure 14-V and Table
4-V). Environmental conditions and character of the sub-
strata were ideal for the presence of a variety of clean-
water associated species. The water in this reach of the
River was not degraded.
(Figure 14-V; and also Table 4-V of two pages, follow.)
-------
345
FIGURE 14-1
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AREAS OF POLLUTION AS INDICATED BY
BOTTOM ORGANISM ASSOCIATIONS
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
RESIGN V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
1000 0 1000 iOOO 5000 7000
WILES
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348
Richard D. Vaughan
A short distance downstream from Belle Isle
(Figure 14-V), bottom samples collected near the Michigan
shore did not contain sensitive or even intermediate forms j
only a preponderance of pollution-tolerant sludgeworms and
leeches thrived. Below the combined sewer outlets at
Conners Creek, along the Michigan shoreline downstream to
Zug Island, clusters of sludgeworms inhabited the entire
stretch of the bottom sludges. This reflects the addition
and settling of organic material of sewage origin from the
combined sewer overflows of the City of Detroit. In
contrast, the midstream floor of the River contained many
sensitive clean-water associated animals and was similar
to the character of the area upstream from Belle Isle.
The reach of the River from Zug Island down-
stream to the mouth was polluted as indicated by the
disappearance of sensitive organisms and the predominance
of intermediate and tolerant forms. Habitats suitable to
support a variety of bottom organisms have been destroyed
by the deposition of organic solids and oils, especially
in areas nearest the Michigan shore.
Three distinct areas of severely polluted
waters were evident (Figure 14-V). One area was located
along the Michigan shoreline, opposite the communities of
Ecorse and River Rouge, downstream from the effluent of
the Detroit Sewage Treatment Plant and the confluence of
-------
3^9
Richard D. Vaughan
the severely polluted Rouge River. Only tolerant leeches
and sludgewords were found. Sludgeworms occurred in numbers
as great as 24,000 per square foot. Field personnel found
the bottom composed of ooze, sludge, many sludgeworms,
with the appearance and odor of crankcase oil and sewage
odor. Another area was confined to the reach downstream
from the Wayne County Sewage Treatment Plant along the
Rlverview shorefront, where sludgeworms were found in
numbers of 15,000 per square foot. Field personnel found
muck, sludge, nauseating heavy oil odor, sludgeworms, dead
snail shells and clam shells anchored in gray clay. The
third area occurred where the Detroit River enters Lake
Erie east of Pointe Mouillee. As the velocity of flow
is reduced, suspended organic solids settle to the bottom,
forming thick sludges that support sludgework populations
of 5*800 per square foot.
Clinging mayfly nymphs, pollution-sensitive
organisms normally occurring with clean-water bottom
organisms associations on stony bottom, inhabited the upper
ranges of the river. Burrowing mayfly nymphs, another
sensitive form which lives in mud, were collected opposite
the western side of Belle Isle. Below the Rouge River
and the Detroit Sewage Treatment Plant outfall, dredge hauls
from soft bottoms in habitats once thriving with burrowing
-------
Richard D. Vaughan 350
mayfly nymphs did not yield even a single specimen
either in the river or lake. Habitats suitable for the
support of this once abundant organism have been totally
destroyed by pollution.
Evaluation of the bottom fauna in the Detroit
River from its headwaters to its mouth shows a change
from a community of clean-water associated organisms above
significant sources of pollution to a community of pre-
dominantly pollution-tolerant organisms below known
sources of pollution. Pollution from industrial and
domestic sources causes this significant change in
population composition, and damages habitats for desirable
bottom-dwelling organisms.
TRENDS IN WATER QUALITY
One approach to evaluating trends in water qual-
ity and pollution abatement is to compare existing water
quality levels and waste discharges with those found during
past surveys. Figures 15-V, 16-V, and 17-V compare levels
of total conform organisms, phenols, and chlorides found
during this Project with those found during the 1946-48
IJC survey.
(Figure 15-V follows)
-------
DT JO.8W
or JO.TE
FIGURE 15-X 351
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indicatid
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
MEDIAN COLIFORM CONCENTRATIONS
DETROIT RIVER
U.I. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, • WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
RE6ION V 6ROSSE ILC. MICHIGAN
-------
Richard D. Vaughan 352
In United States waters, particularly near
the shore, there has been an Improvement In water quality
as measured by total collform organisms, except at the
head of the River, where satisfactory water quality was
found during both surveys.
Figure 16-V depleting phenols, shows little
change at the head of the Detroit River. At downstream
ranges the values adjacent to the United States shore were
considerably lower during the 1963 period, while phenol
concentrations away from this shore were higher during
this period. At the mouth there was a slight improvement
in water quality as determined by average phenol concentra-
tions in United States waters.
(Figure 16-V follows.)
-------
353
19
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— — — I946-I94S IJC Oala (MPN) Vertical- Av« Phaao 1 — M 1 c rojro ml par Litar at Iii4icata4
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE PHENOL CONCENTRATIONS
DETROIT RIVER
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. EDUCATION. B WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
RECION V SROSSE ILE. MICHIGAN
-------
Richard D. Vaughan
Figure 17-V shows mean chloride concentrations
during the two surveys. Little change in chloride con-
centrations in the upper Detroit River was noted. In the
lower River, chloride concentrations during the 1946-48
IJC survey were higher near the United States shore,
while offshore values were higher during the 1962-63
survey. The reverse situation occurred at the mouth.
Generally speaking, very little change in chloride con-
centrations occurred between the two surveys.
(Figure 17-V follows)
-------
TO
to
10
40
10
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OT JO. 8*
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' l»62-1963 Detroit Proi*ct Oolo (MF> HorilCHlol
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DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ER
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FIGURE 17-S
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900 IOOROJECT
355
AVERAGE CHLORIDE CONCENTRATIONS
DETROIT RIVER
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. EDUCATION. • WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
• E«ION V CRO3SE ILC. MICHICAN
-------
356
Richard D. Vaughan
Table 5-V compares waste loadings found during
the IJC and PHS surveys for selected measures of water
quality. The 1946-48 loadings represent industrial sources
only, while 1962-63 results are given for Industrial
and domestic sources. Comparison of industrial waste
loadings reveals a substantial reduction during the inter-
vening 15 years in all five measures of water quality
considered. A 22# reduction in ammonia and 51$ reduction
in suspended solids industrial wastes loadings are shown
while reduction of phenols, oil and grease, and cyanides
exceeded 70 per cent.
Domestic waste loadings for these waste con-
stituents were not available in the 1946-48 IJC report.
Table 5-V Indicates large amounts of all constituents
(except cyanides) in the domestic waste sources studied
in the 1962-63 survey. Even though real progress has been
made in reducing industrial waste loadings in the area,
concentrations of these constituents in the River will not
be substantially lowered until both industrial and domestic
waste sources are reduced.
(Table 5-V follows.)
-------
357
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-------
358
Richard D. Vaughan
Another approach to evaluation of trends In
water quality Is the study of changes In levels of certain
measures of water quality during this survey. Figures
18-V, 19-V, and 20-V compare 1962 average values for
total collform organisms, phenols, and chlorides with
1963 values.
Figure 18-V, depicting geometric mean total
collform values for the two years, show significantly lower
coliform values in the Detroit River during 1963 than 1962
in United States waters (especially near the United States
shore). Phenol concentrations in the Detroit River (shown
in Figure 19-V) were consistently higher in 1963 than 1962.
Chloride concentrations in the lower Detroit River were higher
in 1963 except at the mouth, where they were lower near the
United States shore and higher on the Canadian. There was
very little change in chloride concentrations in the upper
Detroit River in the two years.
Comparison of the Rouge River findings during
these two years shows a decrease in average total collform
densities and phenols in 1963 and no change in chloride
concentrations during this period.
(Figures 18-V, 19-V, and 20-V follow)
-------
359
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H»rit«*tal-0iitane« tram W«»1 Short o« Indicalid
Varticol- Lag Sell* Total Calilarm (MF) par 100ml at Intficattd
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
GEOMETRIC MEAN COLIFORM CONCENTRATIONS
1962-1963
DETROIT RIVER
U.t. DEPARTMENT OF H£ ALT H . E OUC AT ION, 8 W € LFA R t
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REttlON V QROSSE !L£, MICHIGAN
-------
360
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Vorticol- »vj Pktnol — Mifrogromt ptr Lit«r o> Iftdicattd
P1TROIT RIVIP-LAKI ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE PHENOL CONCENTRATIONS
1963-1963
DETROIT RIVER
U.S. DCPARTMCNT 0' HCALTH. IOUCATION, • WILFARI
PUBUIC HfALTH JIflVICi
NC*ION V •MOSS! III. MICHIGAN
-------
361
nouRE ao-x
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Vorf icol - A vg. Ckloritfo — Milligrams por Littr at Intficatt
DETROlf RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE CHLORIDE CONCENTRATIONS
1962-1963
DETROIT RIVER
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. EDUCATION.* WELFARE
PUSLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REtlON V SROSSf ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
362
Richard D. Vaia&han
SOURCES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF WASTES
Municipal
In addition to study of operating records of
sewage treatment plants (see Figures 11-1 through 15-1),
4-day surveys were made in cooperation with the Michigan
Department of Health during which waste flows were measured
a nd hourly bacteriological samples and 12-hour composite
chemical, biochemical, and physical samples were collected
and analyzed. Summer and fall surveys were made at the
Detroit and Wyandotte Treatment plants and a single survey
conducted at the remaining Installations.
The location of the sewage treatment plant
outfalls in the Detroit River is shown in Figure 7-II.
Table 6-V summarizes the results of the surveys while
Table 7-V lists the waste loadings in some quantitative
unit, such as pounds or gallons. Table 8-V summarizes
treatment efficiency in removing certain waste constituents.
(Tables 6-V, 7-V, and 8-V follow.)
-------
363
TACL3 f?-V. EtJNMAi?: OF RESULTS OF DOMESTIC MASKS SUHVHfS
DETJ»rp
Lform Organisms
sr 100 ml
minimum
li, 000, 000
L 10
5,600,000
t 10
9,800,000
L 10
2,000,000
I, 10
6,000,000
5,000,000
9,000,000
0,000,000
I 10
3,600,000
!, 10
1,000,000
L 10,000
g6 on, mean
36,200,000
79
27,000,000
till
31,600,000
21*5
57,500,000
31
101,000,000
1*1,000,000
81*, 200, 000
31*, 100, 000
11*
5,81*0,000
21
11,600,000
7,890,000
Fecal Coliform Organisms
per 100 ml
maximum
Ij2, 000,000
1,8,500,000
68,000
15,200,000
68,000
100,000,000
152,000,000
65,500,000
126,000,000
21»,500,000
7,600,000
81,700,000
1.2,000,000
niininiujn
5,600,000
L 10
2,000,000
L 10
3,300,000
L 10
2,000,000
L 10
6,900,000
7,500,000
>!*,i*oo,ooo
6,600,000
L 10
1,200,000
L 10
l*,l*00,000
L 5,000
f?eo*Ti meari
16,100,000
10,500,000
13,300,000
65,000,000
1.3,800,000
23,100,000
51,1*00,000
12,500,000
3,1*00,000
11*, 600,000
1*, 800, 000
Fecal Streptococci Organisms
per 100 ml
maximum
580,000
6,31*0
2,200,000
12,000
1,390,000
9,1*20
16,000,000
11*0
2,000,000
22,000,000
9,000,000
1,660,000
30
500,000
L 10
21*, 000,000
1,800,000
pii T\ ylTUn
175,000
L 10
600,000
L 10
387,000
L 10
1»,300
10
660,000
1*90,000
331,000
1*20,000
L 10
21*0,000
L 10
37,200
2,800
geom- mean
391,000
122
1,170,000
175
780,000
11*8
690,000
1*5
1,030,000
1,310,000
860,000
815,000
12
300,000
L 10
1,030,000
297,000
-------
364
TABLE 7-V. SUMMARY OF WASTE LOADINGS - DOMESTIC WASTE SURVEYS
DETROIT RIVER
ie
b^y
00
=00
00
=°°
JK)
=78
=P1
00
ABS
Ibs/day
20,800
20,800
1,160
1,160
1*6
6.7
-
22,100
Iron
Ibs/day
25,200
25,200
202
202
38
1.5
-
25,*00
Copper
Ibs/day
870
870
13-1
13-1
3.0
-
-
886
Cadmium
Ibs/day
-
5-6
5.6
*.7
-
-
-
Nickel
Ibs/day
1,600
1,600
5-6
L_ 5.6
1.9
0.01
-
1,610
Zinc
Ibs/day
-
58.1
58.1
7.6
0.1
-
1
Lead
Ibs/day
502
502
9-*
9.*
1.5
w
-
512
Cyanide
Ibs/day
L *5
5-6
5.6
3-9
0
-
I. 55
1
I
-------
TABLE 8-V. SUMMARY OF TREATMENT EFFICIENCY - DOMESTIC WASTE-SURVEYS
DETROIT RIVER
.uble
)sphates
removal
18
-
18
0
-
0
0
0
-
Total
Phosphates
% removal
-
0
0
-
15
15
-
-
-
Chlorides
$ removal
33
-
33
0
-
0
0
10
0
ABS
% removal
0
_
0
0
-
0
7
0
..
Iron
$ removal
31
• _
31
kk
-
kk
21
31
_
Copper
% removal
^7
_
47
0
-
0
22
0
_
Cadmium
% removal
-
-
-
0
-
0
0
0
_
-------
366
Richard D. Vaughan
Detroit (Belle Isle Sewage Treatment Plant)
Results from the survey revealed a plant influent
of low density and treatment removal efficiencies within
accepted limits for this type of facility. While BOD
removal was low (25#), the low density in the influent
(60 mg/l) makes it difficult to achieve a higher degree
of removal. Total coliform and fecal streptococcus densities
in the effluent were high (7,890,000 and 297,000), but must
be expected in a plant not chlorinating its effluent.
Detroit (Main Sewage Treatment Plant)
The plant effluent contained waste constituents
at levels normally not associated with domestic wastes.
Among these constituents are oil and grease, phenols, copper,
iron, chromium, nickel, zinc, and lead. Average phenol
effluent concentration during the two surveys was 303 micro-
grams/1, far in excess of the 20 micrograms/1 value
recommended by the International Joint Commission. Effluent
oil concentration averaged 30 mg/l, which is double the
International Joint Commission recommended effluent concen-
trations of 15 mg/l. Oil and phenol waste loadings to the
Detroit River during this survey were high (15*500 gallons/
day and 1,260'Ibs/day respectively).
Ammonia-nitrogen concentration in the effluent
was high (7.7 mg/l), as were ammonia loadings (31,500 Ibs/day)
All forms of nitrogen averaged 12 mg/l, representing
-------
367
Richard D. Vaughan
a loading to the River of over 51*000 Ibs/day.. Phosphate
effluent concentration averaged 36 mg/1 in the total form
a nd 14 mg/1 in the soluble form, representing a discharge
to the Detroit River of 145,000 and 65,000 Ibs/day.
Susperided solids, settleable solids, and BOD
values in the plant effluent are high at 140, 60, and
109 mg/1. Treatment efficiency for these substances
1 s low, although long term records show that higher ef -
ficlency has been achieved at other times. Settleable
solids removal during the survey was poor at 54$. The
average suspended solids loading of 607,000 Ibs/ day is
high. BOD loadings to the Detroit River of 500,000 Ibs/day
represent a population equivalent of approximately 3 million.
Bacteria removal during the survey was excel-
lent and density in the effluent very low with geometric
means for total and fecal collform and fecal streptococcus
under 125 organisms per 100 ml during the first survey
and all under 500 organisms per 100 ml during the second.
While averages during the survey do not correspond with
mean monthly averages during the study period (see Figure
11-1, they Indicate that effective bacterial control can
be accomplished. During the eight days of the survey period
14 per cent of the samples collected exceeded 2400 organisms
per 100 ml and 4.5$ exceeded 20,000 organisms per 100 ml.
-------
368
Richard D. Vaughan
During this same period 15$ of the fecal streptococcus
samples exceeded 2,400 organisms per 100 ml and \% exceeded
10,000, indicating that fecal streptococci were not as
effectively reduced by chlorlnation as were conforms.
Wayne County Sewage Treatment Plant (Wfrandotte)
Results of the surveys indicate waste consti-
tuents at levels normally not associated with domestic
sewage. These Include phenols, oil and grease, Iron,
chromium, copper, cadmium, nickel, zinc, and lead.
Average concentrations of suspended solids
and settleable solds were high (95 and 32 mg/1) during the
two surveys and loadings to the River significant (17*000
and 5,600 Ib/s day). Average BOD in the effluent during the
first survey was high (120 mg/1) and the loadings signi-
ficant (22,100 Ibs/day). This discharge represents a
population equivalent of 132,000. Treatment efficiency
1 n this type of plant for BOD and suspended solids removal
was In the expected range of 35$ and 6l$ respectively.
Average phenol concentration In the effluent
was 71 micrograms/1, far above the International Joint
Commission recommended effluent level of 20 micrograms/1,
and oil and grease average effluent values of 20 micrograms/1
slightly above the International Joint Commission recommended
limit of 15 mg/1.
-------
369
Richard D. Vaughan
Average ammonia nitrogen effluent concentration
during the two surveys was high (16 mg/1) and loading to
the River also great (2,900 Ibs/day). Total nitrogen
compounds, as nitrogen, averaged 19 mg/1 in the effluent,
representing loadings of over 3*400 Ibs/day. Phosphates
were in the effluent in average concentrations of 40 mg/1
in the total form, and 28 mg/1 in the soluble form. This
represents waste discharges of phosphates to the River of
over 7,200 and 5,000/day respectively.
Bacteriological control was excellent during
the first survey when chlorination of the effluent was
practiced. Geometric mean densities for total collforms,
fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci during the first
survey was less than 100 organisms per 100 ml. Study of
plant operation records (Figure ll-l) reveals these results
are not typical, but it is encouraging to note that
results of this magnitude can be obtained. During the
survey 35 of the total colifortn results exceed 2,400
organisms per 100 ml and none exceed 10,000 organisms per
100 ml. During the second survey effluent chlorination
was not practiced and geometric means for total coliforms,
fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci exceeded one million.
The cyanide concentration from the Wyandotte
plant reached maximum values during the first survey of
-------
370
Richard D. Vaughan
0.11 mg/1, and the average loading to the River was
3 Ibs/day.
Wayne County Sewage Treatment Plant (Trenton)
Results of the Trenton survey revealed high
concentrations of oil and grease, and phenols in the plant
effluent (4l mg/1 and 24 micrograms/l). Values of both
constituents exceeded International Joint Commission
recommended effluent levels of 15 mg/1 and 20 micrograms,
respectively.
Average suspended and settleable solids in the
effluent were high, at 80 and 14 mg/1, but treatment
efficiency was within the range expected for this type of
installation. Average suspended solids discharged to the
Detroit River were 1,600 pounds per day. BOD in the
effluent averaged 83 mg/1, representing a loading of 1,780
pounds per day or a population equivalent of over 10,000.
Treatment efficiency in BOD removal was 33 percent.
Bacteriological control during the survey was
excellent, with all samples examined averaging less
than 15 organisms per 100 ml Examination of plant records
(Figure 11-1 reveals that these values were not typical,
however.
Wayne County Sewage Treatment Plant (Grosse lie)
This survey revealed phenols and oil and grease
-------
371
Richard D. Vaughan
effluent concentration In excess of International Joint
Commission recommended effluent limits.
Suspended and ssttleable solids for the effluent
averaged 63 and 9 mb/1 respectively, and the removal
efficiency for suspended solids, 59$ was within expected
limits for this type of installation. BOD averaged 80
mg/1 in the effluent, which represents a population
equivalent of 650.
Bacterial control during the survey was
excellent, with effluent geometric means for all organisms
examined under 25 per 100 ml.
The following table lists present loadings of
iron, oil, phenols, and (Suspended solids, and the reductions
which would be effected if IJC recommended effluent limita-
tions and a suspended solids limitation of 35 mg/1 were
met at all the domestic sewage treatment plants in the Detroit
area:
Loading after Per Cent
Pollutant Present Loading Reduction Reduction
Oil and Grease 16,000 gallons/day 8,420 gal/day 4?
Phenols 1,270 pounds/day 90 pounds/day 93
Iron 25,400 pounds/day 25,400 Ibs/day 0
Suspended Solids 626,000 pounds/day 159*000 Ibs/day 74.6
-------
372
Richard D. Vaughan
Approximately 99 per cent of the iron from
domestic sources being discharged to the Detroit River
originates from the Detroit Sewage Treatment Plant. The
average iron concentration of 5.5 mg/1 meets IJC recommended
effluent limitations, but is still a substantial loading to
the River.
The main treatment plant of the City of Detroit
is the major domestic source of almost all waste constituents.
For example, Detroit discharges 99 per cent of the iron from
domestic sources, 99 per cent of the phenols, 97 per cent of
the oil, 95 per cent of the BOD, 97 per cent of the suspended
solids, 98 per cent of the settleable solids, and 99 per cent
of the toxic metals. It also constitutes 95 per cent of the
total volume of wastes discharged and serves 91 per cent of
the people served by sewage treatment plants discharging wastes
to the Detroit River.,
INDUSTRIAL
Industry in the Detroit area differs from that in
many other metropolitan areas in that manufacturing is
primarily centered around a single industry—motor vehicle
production—and the production of raw materials, parts, and
accessories that go into the manufacture of transportation
equipment. Production of synthetic organics and heavy
chemicals from the extensive underground salt deposits of the
-------
373
Richard D. Vaughan
region is another large segment of the Industry of the area.
One paper plant on the Rouge River manufactures paper
tissues by the sulflte process. There are also pharmaceutical,
rendering, petroleum refining and metal-finishing industries
in the Detroit area. Figures 5-II and 6-II show the location
of all the industries investigated in the study.
Investigation of these sources of Industrial
wastes was accomplished Jointly by the Michigan Water
Resources Commission and the U. S. Public Health Service,
Individual surveys were made of each industry, discharging
wastes directly to the Detroit River and certain of its
tributaries. In addition, outfall grab samples were
collected throughout the duration of the Project. Results
from both were considered in formulating conclusions and
recommendations for improvement of waste treatment.
Tables 9-V and 10-V summarize survey results for
35 industries on the Detroit River. Table 9-V contains average
concentrations of selected waste constituents, while
Table 10-V summarizes waste loadings in some quantitative
unit, such as pounds or gallons per day. In the computa-
tion of waste loadings contributed by each industry, only
the increase over values found in the plants' raw water
supply was used. In most cases, values found during the
intensive surveys were used as reported, while some were
modified by additional grab samples collected from plant
effluents.
(Tables 9-V and 10-V follow)
-------
TABLE 9-V. SUMMARY OF RANGES OF AVERAGE RESULTS OF INTUSTRIAL
WASTE EFFLUENT CONCENTRATIONS - DETROIT RIVER
inides Copper Cadmium Nickel Zinc Lead Chromium
og/l mg/1 ag/1 mg/1 ng/1 mg/1 mg/1
0 0.31 0.08-0.17.01-.02 .02-.63 .03-.09 .01-.02
0-2 0.15 .01-.06 <.01-.01 .01-.11 .02-.Ok .01-.07
.-.Ok .03-.09 <.01 <.01-.01 .06 .03-.06 .01
)-.08 .Ol»-.13 <.01-.03 <.01-.03<.01-.22. .02-.27 <.01-.ll*
0 .03-3.05 <.01 <.01-.02 .16-.39 .06-.27 <.01-.01
- .11-.1*1 .09-.13 <-01
'-.7^ .02-2.2 <.01 <.01-.15 .02-.12<01-.l4 <.01-.7U
0 <.01-.02 <.01 <.01-.OK.01-.C& .06-.90 <.01-.0l»
0 .26-.37 <.01 <.01 .02-.75 .03-.06 <.01-.19
- .07-.08 <.01 .01-.02<01-.07 .03-.21 <.01-.26
»
- 6.3-9.15 <.oi <.oi i. 2-7.05 <. 01-. 08 .93-1.5
L.lU .03-.07<01-.05 <.01-.09.06-2.33 .12-1.59 <-01
-.06 <.01-.09<.01-.03 .01-.03<.01-.05 .02-.03 <.01-.01
-.01 .CA-6.K01-0.1 <.01-.32 -31*-1*.! .C&-.35 <.01-2.3
0 .01-.(A <.01 <.01 .05-5.9<.01-.05 <.01
23 <.ol-.oi <.oi .02-.03 .o4-.05-coi-.o6 <.
- .03-.0l» <.01 .01-.02 .06-.2lK.01-.01 <.01-.
- .03-.05 <.01 .01 .06-.07 .16-.25 <.01-.
01
01
01
- <.01-.50 <.01 <.01-.02<.01-lj.7<.01-.13 <.01-.80
0 <.01-.08<.01-.02 <.01-.03 1.10 .01-.07 .0**-.06
-------
375
TABLE 9-V. (CONT.) SUMMARY OF RANGES OF AVERAGE RESULTS OF
INDUSTRIAL WASTE EFFLUENT CONCENTRATIONS - DETROIT RIVER
>ranides Copper Cadmium Nickel Zinc Lead Chromium
mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1 mg/1
- .10-1.25 <.01 <.01-.01 .07-. 86 <.01-.o6<.01-.8o
.06 <.01 <.01 .06 .09 <.01
0-.01 .04-1.48 <.01 .01-. Oil .04-. 32 .02-. 68 .01-. 14
0-.01 <.01-.04<..01-.02 .01-. 02 .05-. 20 .09-1.6 <.01
,01-. 1 .04-2.75 <«01 <. 01-8. 09-1. 36 .05-.96<.oi-.o4
1-.0l <.01-.21 .01-3
.02-. 04 <.01 .01 .04-. 42 .01-. 02
0 <.01-.l4<.01-.01 <.01-.02<.01-.l8 .08-.64<.01-.l8
.01 .04-. 08 <.ci .01-. 03 .04 <.oi <.oi
<. OK. 01-. 01 <.01-.05<.01-.08 <.01-.17<-01-.03
<. OK. 01-. 02 <. 01-. OK. 01-. 03 <.01-.02<.01-.05
- <.01-.05 <.01 .02-. 08 .01-. 29 <.01-.05 <.01
2-.96 <.01-.24<.01-.01 <.01-.02<.01-.36 <.01-.
0-.07 <.oi-.4i <.oi <.oi-.02<.oi-.38 <.oi-.o8<.oi-.09
- .16-.23 <.01 <.01-.01 .08-.44 .10-.13<.01-.01
-------
376
TABLE 10-V. SUMMARY OF AVERAGE DAILY LOADING OF INDUSTRIAL WASTES
ADDED BY EACH INDUSTRY TO DETROIT RIVER
dmium
Ibs.
U.I
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
Nickel
Ibs.
0
0
0
0
0
0
36
0
0
36
0
0
0
0
O.U
0
o.k
0
0
0.1
0
Zinc
Ibs.
11
0
0
2.8
2.0
0
275
0
230
520.8
0
32
750
0
66
650
1^32
0
0
0.7
u-
Lead
Ibs.
1
0
0
1-5
0.9
1.0
50
0
0
5k. k
0
0.25
123
0
0.9
0
12^.15
0
0
2
0.5
Chro-
mium
Ibs.
0
0
0
o.U
-
0
260
0
0
260.U
0
10
0
0
29
0
39
0
0
0
1.3
Phos-
phates
Ibs.
-
-
5-5
-
-
-
5-5
-
-
-
-
-
22.5
22.5
-
-------
377
TABLE 10-V. (CONT.) SUMMARY OF AVERAGE DAILY LOADING OF INDUSTRIAL
WASTES ADDED BY EACH INDUSTRY TO DETROIT RIVER
Nickel
Ibs.
0
0
0
U
0
9
0
0.8
0
0
0
0
0
1 -
0
15.0
51
Zinc
Ibs.
6
9
42
12
2.8
300
0.5
0.4
0
0
0
0
7
10
1.8
403-2
2,360
Lead
Ibs.
0.4
0
280
34
1.2
325
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
o.4
653.5
832
Chro-
mium
Ibs.
0
0
0
8
0
3
0.8
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
0
19.1
318
Phos-
phates
Ibs.
-
-
-
-
-
-
10,000
-
-
-
14
14
10,028
10,100
-------
378
Richard D. Vaughan
Tables 11-V through 13-V list the Industries
by name and location which discharge wastes directly
to the study waters of the Detroit River and Rouge River.
The tables include information on production (where
available), waste water volume, significant waste consti-
tuents, and treatment and control employed for the process
wastes. The tables do not Include data on sewage from plant
employees, as in all but a few minor cases the sewage is
discharged to municipal sewers and Is considered in the
discussion of domestic wastes. Industries which discharge
process wastes to municipal sewerage systems are also not
Included, since satisfactory disposal of these wastes is
the responsibility of the municipality involved and is
considered in the section on domestic wastes. The total
quantity of waste water released by the Detroit and Rouge
River industries in 1.1 billion gallons per day.
Undoubtedly, significant additional waste discharges are
caused by accidental spills of Industrial wastes not
reflected in effluent measurements.
Tables 11-V, 12-V, and 13-V follow.)
-------
379
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384
Richard D. Vaughan
Rouge River Industries
Nine plants on the Rouge River use this water-
course as the receiving stream for their wastes. Their
principal products are steel,fabricated metals, heavy chem-
icals, pulp and paper, cement, and meat-rendering products.
(See Table 11-V.) These plants produce a total waste volume
of 484 million gallons per day. 83$ of this volume orig-
inates from the Ford Motor Company. Principal wastes are
iron, oxygen-demanding materials, bacteria, suspended solids,
oil, pickling liquor, phenols, chlorides, cyanides, toxic
metals, and ammonia. With the exception of the American
Agricultural Chemical Company and Peerless Cement, the
industries provide some form of treatment to restrict
discharge of wastes to the Rouge River.
Upper Detroit River Industries
Six industries (shown in Table 12-V) discharge
wastes directly to the Detroit River above the Rouge River
outlet. The Allied Chemical Corporation, Solvay Process
Division, discharges a portion of its wastes through the
Schroeder Avenue storm sewer and one outfall located on
Zug Island immediately below the outfalls of the Great
Lakes Steel Corporation, Blast Furnace Division. These
six plants manufacture copper and brass products,
Pharmaceuticals, rubber tires, soda ash, coke, and iron.
-------
385
Richard D. Vaughan
Significant waste constituents originating from these
industries consist of chlorides, iron, suspended solids,
phenols, ammonia, and oil. All, with the exception of
Parke Davis, provide some form of treatment.
Lower Detroit River Industries
Twenty-one industries (shown in Table 13-V)
release wastes directly to the Detroit River below the Rouge
River. Four are large steel manufacturing complexes,
four produce automobile machinery, nine manufacture syn-
thetic organic and heavy chemicals, others make Industrial
adhesives and petroleum products, and one is engaged in the
vessel-washing business. Waste constituents Include acids,
oxidizing agents, suspended solids, phosphates, oil,
ammonia, phenols, oxygen-demanding materials, iron, and
chlorides. Common waste treatment methods are oil separa-
tion, oxidation for phenol control, and ponding for sedi-
mentation and controlled waste discharge. Industries that
do not provide any means of treatment are Chrysler Corpora-
tion (Amplex and Chemical Products Divisions), Dana Corpora-
tion, duPont, Koppers Company, and the Pennsalt Chemical
Corporation East Plant.
In the Detroit area the principal waste con-
stituents discharged directly to adjacent waters are
suspended solids, BOD, oil, pherdLs, acid, ammonia, chlorides,
-------
386
Richard D. Vaughan
iron, and toxic ions in plating and metal finishing wastes
such as cyanide, chromium, copper, cadmium, nickel, zinc,
and lead.
Size of Loadings
Table 14-V summarizes waste loading by area of
contribution for several waste constituents. Waste load-
ings represent amounts added by each industry in excess of
those in the raw water supply used by the industry.
Table 15-V shows those concentrations of waste
materials released to the Rouge River which either exceed
the IJC recommendations for control of boundary water.
quality or exceed reasonable limits for effective waste
control. In the case of suspended solids, the Judgment
was based on the fact that effective sedimentation of
wastes should remove essentially all of the readily settle-
able material and reduce the remaining suspended solids
to a level not to exceed 35 mg/1.
(Tables 14-V and 15-Vibllow)
-------
387
TABLE 1U-V. INDUSTRIAL WASTE LOADINGS BY AREA - DETROIT RIVER
Area
Rouge River
Upper Detroit
Lower Detroit
River
River
BOD
(Ibs)
H5,ooo
5,260
19,700
BOD
(PS)
871,000
31,1400
118,000
OIL
(gallons)
933
735
1,680
IRON
(Ibs)
19,000
5,150
58,200
Susp. Solids
(Ibs)
108,000
222,000
53^,000
Total
169,960 1,020,UOO 3,3U8 82,350
86^,000
Toxic
Area
Rouge River
Upper Detroit
Lower Detroit
River
River
Cyanides
(Ibs)
900
10
119
Phenol
(Ibs)
810
373
225
Chlorides
(Ibs)
307,000
1*70,000
1,9UO,000
Ammonia
(Ibs)
5,280
2,910
336
Metals Acid
(Ibs) (Ibs)
2,OUO 50,000
1,950 0
1,200 185,900
Total
1,029
1,U08 2,717,000
8,526 5,190 235,900
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-------
389
Richard D. Vaughan
The principal wastes from the Allied Chemical
Corporation plants are chlorides, phenols, and suspended
solids from the two Solvay Process plants which typify
wastes produced in making soda ash. These plants produce
their own coke for firing the ovens which accounts for the
phenolic compounds. The Plastic Division plant produces
phenolic waste from the distillation of crude tar in
making carbolic oils and pitch. Darling and Company, a
meat-rendering plant, produces wastes similar to those from
a slaughterhouse with ineffective control measures. The
effluent is high in organic content - 7,000 pounds per
day BOD.
The Ford Motor Company Rouge Plant is one of
the largest of its kind in the world and has in the past
been able to manufacture an automobile from the basic raw
materials of iron ore, sand, and crude rubber. Their waste
products exhibit the vastness of the operation. Ford Motor
Company, by far the largest water user in the Rouge River,
releases large quantities of wastes, as seen in Table 10-V.
The following listing gives the percent of industrial waste
constituents discharged to the Rouge River which originates
from the Ford Motor Company:
-------
390
Richard D. Vaughan
Industrial Waste Constituent ft from Ford
Iron 100
Cyanides 100
Ammonia 95
Toxic Metals 98
Suspended Solids 58
Oil 97-5
Phenols 92.5
Acid 100
It is easily seen that the wastes from the Ford
Motor Company contribute significantly to the polluted
condition of the Rouge River. The iron, at times as
high as 60,000 pounds per day, accounts for the reddish
hue of the River, which continues even after dilution with
the Detroit River; and excessive quantities of untreated
pickle liquor waste, 50,000 pounds per day acid, discolor
and corrode the hulls of boats moored in the waters. Iron
sludge that settles to the bottom impairs the aquatic life
of the area by smothering habitats for reproduction, and
in order to maintain the ship channels, the Corps of
Engineers must remove large quantities of iron deposits
annually in their maintenance dredging program. Ford's
phenol discharge of 750 pounds per day exceeds the limits
set by the Michigan Water Resources Commission by 150 pounds
-------
391
Richard D. Vaughan
per day. Cyanides and toxic metals in amounts of 900 and
2,000 pounds are released to the Rouge River daily. Roulo
Creek and Tailrace outlets discharge 95$ of the toxic ions.
Copper, at 1,500 pounds per day, is the principal toxic
metal in the effluent. Ford Motor Company discharges
900 gallons of oil per day which can often be observed
as a thin film on the water surface of the Rouge River.
Evidence indicates that the oil skimmer stretched across
Roulo Creek is not functioning properly as an oil removal
device. Probably the oil released to Roulo Creek is
largely in the soluble form and does not rise to the surface,
High concentrations of iron and oil were found in the sludge
deposits of the Ford Motor Company slip. The oil, as
well as other pdlutants, seriously interferes with the use
of the Rouge River for anything but waste disposal.
Scott Paper Company also releases large
quantities of waste products, which include oxygen-demanding
materials in the amount of 135,000 pounds per day BOD
(equivalent to a population of over 800,000). These
wastes impose a large burden on the oxygen resources
of the Rouge River. Paper- pulp passing the traps also
contributes to a share of the sediment problem in the Rouge
River.
(Table 16-V follows)
-------
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Richard D. Vaughan
Table 16-V summarizes effluent waste concen-
trations in the upper Detroit River considered high.
Average concentrations and loadings for this area are
found in Tables 9-V or 10-V.
The Great Lakes Steel Corporation, Blast Furnace
Division, releases a large percentage of the waste materials
that enter the upper Detroit River, as shown by the following
listing:
Industrial Waste Constituent % from Great Lakes Steel
Iron
Oil
Phenols
Suspended Solids
Toxic Metals
Ammonia
99
50
99
45
51
100
Almost all of the eight outfalls contained
phenols above the recommended limit of 0.020 mg/1, and
suspended solids were concentrated enough to discolor the
River in a trail close to the shoreline. The suspended
solids were primarily made up of readily settleable material.
Approximately 1,000 pounds per day of toxic metals are
lost to the Detroit River with 700 pounds of this being
zinc.
The Allied Chemical-SoUVay Process outfall,
-------
394
Richard D. Vaughan
located below the Blast Furnace complex, discharged
54$ of the suspended solids and 96% of the chlorides
to this reach of the River. This one outfall, although
small in flow, contained the largest concentration of
wastes observed during the study even though the flow
passed through a sedimentation pond.
The Revere Copper and Brass Company waste
effluent discharged 360 gallons of oil per day, which
represents over half the amount of oil released in the upper
River.
The waste effluents from Parke Davis, Anaconda-
American Brass Company, and U. S. Rubber Company have
only limited effect on water quality. However, the U.S.
Rubber Company discharges 650 pounds per day of zinc
to the Detroit River.
Table 17-V lists those industries in the lower
Detroit River whose effluent discharge is considered to
contain certain waste constituents in high concentrations.
(Table 17-V follows, constituting 3 pages)
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398
Richard D. Vaughan
During stream sampling activities in the lower
Detroit River many visual observations and laboratory
determinations were made by Project personnel which Indi-
cate the effect of specific industries upon water quality
in the River. These include:
1. The Great Lakes Steel Hot Strip Mill
effluent contains oil which leaves a film on the water
surface. Significant quantities of suspended iron can
be seen discoloring and hugging the shoreline below the
outfalls.
2. Thick mats of oil have been observed on
the water surface near the Great Lakes Steel Rolling Mill
and traced to their oil separator outfalls. Pickle liquor
wastes containing 158,000 pounds per day sulfurlc acid
and 40,000 pounds per day dissolved iron are released
at the downstream edge of the steel works, and the effects
of this can be observed in the vicinity of Mud Island
and Ecorse Channel where the oxidized iron exhibits a
noticeable red color to the water.
3. Detroit River water is discolored by cal-
cium chloride and calcium carbonate wastes of the Wyandotte
Chemical Company North Works.
4. Increased chloride concentrations were found
at shoreward sampling stations in reaches below both
-------
Richard D. Vaughan 399
Wyandotte factories and the Pennsalt East Plant. In fact,
these three factories contribute approximately 27 per
cent of the chloride flow in the Trenton Channel.
5. Lower densities of coliform bacteria and
attached aquatic alga at shoreward stations in the vicinity
of the two Grosse lie bridges were presumably caused by
the loss of strong oxidizing agents from the Wyandotte
and Pennsalt Chemical Plants.
6. Patches of oil and floating solids in
Monguagon Creek originated from the Pennsalt West Plant.
7. Nearly one-half of the Trenton Channel was
discolored by the suspended iron passing over the effluent
weirs of the McLouth Steel Trenton Plant clarifiers.
In fact, results of samples collected three times a day,
tested for suspended solids and iron by the McLouth Steel
personnel, and furnished to the Michigan Water Resources
Commission at their request, demonstrate ineffective waste
control in that both constituents exceed the Michigan Water
Resources Commission prescribed limits approximately one-
half the time. The most recent records do reveal better
and more consistent operation of existing waste facilities.
From the standpoint of removal of suspended solids, this
is evidenced by the fact that during the last two months
available operating records, the limitations imposed by the
-------
400
Richard D. Vaughan
Michigan Water Resources Commission were exceeded only
2 per cent of the time. Iron concentration in the effluent
exceeded Commission requirements less than 1 per cent
of the time during this period.
8. There were profuse growths of aquatic
weeds in the lower Trenton Channel near the phosphate-
enriched outfall of the Monsanto Chemical Plant.
9. Sludge deposits and layers of accumulated
sediments were in boat slips and other areas where the
velocity of flow is retarded sufficiently to permit
settling.
10. Globules of oil and iron deposits in the
Prank and Poet Drain near the town of Gibraltar were
presumably caused by the wastes of the McLouth Steel
Gibraltar Plant.
11. Concentrated Iron deposits were found
in the vicinity of the waste pickle liquor outlet of the
Firestone Tire and Rubber Company.
12. Foaming problems in the lower Trenton
Channel were traced to accidental spills of detergent
from Monsanto Chemical Company.
13. These industries and also the Mobil Oil
Corporation release phenols which exceed the IJC effluent
recommendations.
-------
401
Richard D. Vaughan
14. Toxic metals In amounts of 325 and 700
pounds per day are emptied into the River by the Great
Lakes Steel Hot Strip Mill and McLouth Steel Trenton Plant.
Lead is the principal metal from the Strip Mill, while
zinc and lead comprise most of metal lost from McLouth.
15. Shawinlgan Resins discharges 7,000 pounds
of BOD daily to the lower Detroit River, which places a
demanding load on the oxygen resources of the River.
However, a settling lagoon was installed by this company
after the survey which may change the amount of BOD
discharged from this plant.
16. There was an increase In hardness of
approximately 25 rag/1 between the upper and lower Detroit
River, with the principal contributors being the soda
ash plants at Pennsalt Chemical Corporation, Wyandotte
Chemical, and Allied Chemical Corporation.
These factors and many others which go undetected
severely limit the use of the water resources in the down-
river area.
The following table lists reductions in
industrial waste loadings in the Detroit River that
could be achieved If excessive concentrations of certain
constituents were reduced by effective treatment or
management to meet International Joint Commission effluent
-------
402
Richard D. Vaughan
recommendations and a suspended solids effluent limit of
35 mg/1.
Present Loadings after Per cent
Waste Constituent Loading/day Reduction/day Reduction
Iron 82,300 Ibs. 24,800 Ibs 70
Oil 3,340 gals. 1,900 gals 43
Phenols 1,400 Ibs. 80 Ibs. 94
Suspended Solids 864,000 Ibs. 150,000 Ibs. 83
In the Rouge River a reduction of the load
reaching the Rouge River, of 50 per cent of the suspended
solids, 37 per cent of the iron, 94 per cent of the phenols,
and 2 per cent of the oil would result. In order to effect
an additional reduction in oil loadings to the Rouge,
an internal plant program would have to be Inaugurated
to prevent oil from reaching plant drains.
In the upper Detroit River suspended solids
could be reduced 98 per cent, phenols 96 per cent, and
oil 64 per cent.
In the lower Detroit River suspended solids
would be reduced 8l$ to 97,000 pounds per day; iron 87$
to 7,600 pounds per day; oil 51% to 723 gallons per day;
and phenols 91$ to 20 pounds per day.
Industries which are under restrictions by the
Michigan Water Resources Commission because of excessive
-------
Richard D. Vaughan 403
discharges of wastes are McLouth Steel - Gibraltar
(pH), McLouth Steel - Trenton (iron and suspended solids),
Mobil Oil Corporation (phenols and oil), Ford Motor
Company - Rouge Plant (phenols), Pennsalt Chemical
Corporation - West Plant (phenols), Fuel Oil Corporation
(oil), Darling and Company (coliform bacteria, BOD), Scott
Paper Company (phenols, BOD, suspended solids), E. I.
duPont deNemours and Company (pH), Firestone Tire and Rubber
Company (iron, pHO, and Great Lakes Steel Corporation - Hot
Strip Mill (suspended solids, oil).
OTHER WASTE SOURCES
Stormwater Overflow
The majority of the sewered areas in the study
area utilize combined sewers in which storm and sanitary
wastes are carried. During periods of significant rainfall,
these sewers discharge, without treatment, a combination
of stormwater and domestic sewage directly to the receiving
stream. As indicated by the water use inventory in this
report, over 100 such points of overflow are located along
the Detroit River and represent a significant source of
waste during wet conditions.
Due to the magnitude of the effect of this waste
an extensive evaluation was undertaken by the Project and
is discussed under "Special Studies" in this section of
the report.
-------
404
Richard D. Vaughan
Pollution from Boats
In the Public Health Service report for the
1962 conference It was stated that over 125,000 pleasure
boats were registered In the Detroit area, and the water
use Inventory of this report lists numerous marina
facilities and describes the magnitude of the commercial
shipping Industry In this area. All boats, when used In
the waters under study, represent potential sources of
pollution from human wastes.
Estimates of the magnitude of these sources
have not been made because the following information was
unavailable or inadequate:
1. Number of boats In the water at any one
time or at any one location.
2. Length of average cruise, to ascertain
probability of use of waste disposal facilities.
3. Number or percentage of vessels having
adequate waste treatment facilities.
The State of Michigan recently adopted
legislation amending the Public Acts of 1931 to prevent
the discharge of garbage to a river or Inland lake of
Michigan or within 3 miles of the shoreline of any part
of the Great Lakes or connecting waters thereof in Michigan
unless it has passed through a disposal unit approved by
-------
405
Richard D. Vaughan
the U. S. Public Health Service. The legislation authorizes
a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more
than one year, or both.
The U. S. Corps of Engineers has certain responsibi-
lities relating to discharge of deleterious material into
navigable waters from boats, and these are described in the
section IV of this report.
Shorefront Homes
Estimates of the number of unsewered shorefront
homes that discharge sewage directly or from improperly
functioning septic tanks to the Detroit River were made in
the 1962 conference report. The majority of these homes are
located on Grosse lie, and a special study was performed to
determine the effect of this source of pollution on water
quality and use. A report of this survey is made under
"Special Studies" in this section of the report.
SPECIAL STUDIES
During this Project a number of special studies or
investigations were made to collect additional information
which might furnish insight into the relationship of sources
of wastes to water quality in the receiving streams.
Descriptions of the nine studies follow.
-------
406
Richard D. Vaughan
Stormwater Overflow
Combined sewers carrying both domestic waste
and surface runoff are used in the Detroit metropolitan
area as well as most of the large metropolitan areas of
this nation. During periods of significant rainfall these
sewers discharge a combination of raw sewage and storm
runoff directly to the receiving stream (in this case
the Detroit River) without treatment of any kind. The effect
of this operation upon water quality in the Detroit River
and possible interference with water use downstream was
of great concern to Project personnel, and special studies
to provide appropriate facts were undertaken.
The problem was attacked in two ways: First,
a cooperative study with State of Michigan regulatory
agencies was set up to measure the frequency, duration,
volume, and strength of the overflows at the point of over-
flow. Secondly, a special stream sampling program on
the Detroit River was •atablished to collect bacteriological
samples during and after heavy rainfall. These were com-
pared with dry weather values found at each sampling
location.
Characteristics of Overflows from Combined Sewers
Special samplers were designated and fabricated
and placed at the point of overflow in the Conners Creek
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407
Richard D. Vaughan
sewer system, which serves approximately 25 per cent of
the City of Detroit. The samplers were completely automatic,
activating and deactivating at the beginning and end
of an overflow. The samples were collected by Project
personnel and analyzed at Public Health Service laboratory
facilities. Determinations made Include total coliform,
fecal coliform, and fecal streptococcus on Individual
samples; and a limited number of phosphates, nitrogen
compounds, suspended solids, and BOD and phenol determina-
tions on composite samples representing an entire storm.
Water level recorders were Installed at each
location and extra rainfall gages installed to provide
adequate precipitation data. A control study was also
made in similar manner at the Allen Creek drainage system
in the City of Ann Arbor to determine similar characteris-
tics of discharge from separate storm sewers.
A special factual summary of the results of
this investigation was prepared by the Michigan Department
of Health. This report lists average and extreme
bacteriological results and the duration of each overflow.
The report estimates the volume of overflow discharged into
the Detroit River following each storm. Generally speaking,
accumulated precipitation of 0.3 inch will cause an overflow
at the Conners Creek installation and 0.2 inch will cause
-------
408
Richard D, Vaughan
an overflow at the Conant-Mt. Eliot relief sewer.
Additional summaries of the results of this
investigation were made to emphasize certain findings.
Table 43-V lists pertinent facts concerning the number
of overflows at Detroit during the first year's operation
of the sampler (excluding the 10-day period of raw sewage
by-pass at the Conners Creek pumping station) and the
duration of overflows. Figure 47-V summarizes 20-year
rainfall records for the Detroit area by showing the
number of days per year rain of specific Intensity and
accumulation could be expected.
Table 44-V summarizes bacteriological results
at the separate storm overflow at Ann Arbor.
Table 45-V shows the average composite results
of BOD, solids, nutrients, and phenols at the three
installations, while Table 46-V suuimarlzes bacteriological
results at the three stations by two-month intervals.
(Table 43-V; Figure 4?-V; Table 44-V constituting two
pages; Table 45-V; and Table 46-V follow.)
-------
TABLE U3-V.
OVERFLOWS FROM COMBINED SEWERS
CONNER GRAVITY SYSTEM
CITY OF DETROIT
409
Location of
Installation
Conners Creek
Jefferson & Leib
Number of Overflows
1st Year of
Operation*
23
31
2nd Year of
Operation-x-x-
10
16
Total
33
1*7
Location of
Installation
Conners Creek
Jefferson & Leib
Mean Overflow
Duration
9.85 hours
6.70 hours
Total Accumulated
Overflow Time**-x-
325 hours
3lU hours
*At the Conners Creek installation, the first year is considered to extend
from the installation date of May 10, 1963, straight through to May 10,
196Uj the first year of operation of the Leib installation is considered
to extend from the installation date of June 15, 1963 to June 15, 196k,
with the exception of the period from December 10, 1963 to March 17, 196U,
when it was not in service.
**May 10, 196U through August 31, 196U for Conners Creek; June 15, 196U
through August 31, 196li for Leib.
***Through August 31, 196U.
-------
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FIGURE 47-3C
410
TRACE 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.5O 0.60
TOTAL RAINFALL (INCHES)
0.7O
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TRACE 0.05 O.IO 0.15 O.2O 0.25 0.3O
RAINFALL INTENSITY (INCHES/HOUR)
0.35
O.40
BASED ON 20 YEAR RECORDS AT DETROIT CITY AIRPORT
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
EXPECTED FREQUENCY OF RAINFALL
CITY OF DETROIT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, 8 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V 6ROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
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Richard D. Vaughan
Careful study of the data and individual re-
sults provided the basis for the following conclusions:
1. Total coliform, fecal coliform, and fecal
streptococcus densities in the overflow from combined
sewers many times approached values found in raw sewage.
Coliform counts of over 100,000,000 per 100 ml were found
during summer months.
2. Bacterial densities in the combined over-
flows varied greatly with the season or time of the year.
The highest densities were found during warmer weather
and lowest results in the winter.
3. Total coliform densities in the separate
system at Ann Arbor regularly exceeded 1,000,000 per 100 ml.
Average total coliform densities in the overflows from the
Detroit combined system were approximately 10 times higher
than those in Ann Arbor's separate system. Fecal coliform
densities in the combined sewer effluent were found to be
approximately 30 times greater than similar values in the
separate system, while comparable fecal streptococcus
levels were at least twice as high.
4. In the Detroit area rainfall sufficient
to cause overflows from all combined sewers (0.3 inch)
can be expected to occur approximately 33 days each year.
Rainfall sufficient to cause overflows from certain parts
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416
Richard D. Vaughan
of the system (0.2 inch) can be expected to occur about 45
days each year.
5. Although the average duration of overflow
from combined sewers was found to .be 8.2 hours, discharges
have occurred for continuous periods In excess of 24 hours.
Two such overflows occurred during the month of August
1964.
6. Suspended solids concentration in the dis-
charge from the separate storm installation at Ann Arbor
was higher than in the combined overflows at Detroit.
7. Phenol, BOD, phosphate, ammonia and organic
nitrogen concentrations were two to five times higher in
the combined overflow than in separate storm discharge.
8. Bacteriological results from the combined
installations showed a slight tendency for higher values
during the first sample but thereafter were relatively
constant throughout the duration of the overflow.
9. Bacteriological results at the Ann Arbor
separate system were also comparatively constant during a
storm, always remaining within one order of magnitude.
Small changes in quality and flow were more noticeable
at this installation, however.
10. Calendar year 1963 was the driest on record
for the City of Detroit according to rainfall records of
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417
Richard D. Vaughan
the U. S. Weather Bureau. Even during this year, the
Conners Creek pumping station was observed to overflow
12 times during a 6-month period in 1963. During the first
year of operation of the automatic sampler, the Conners
Creek Installation overflowed and collected samples 23
separate times. Both figures exclude the period of raw
sewage bypass from this station by the City of Detroit.
11. The volume of overflow at the Detroit
installation during the survey varied from 40 million
gallons to 509 million gallons. The greatest volume was
observed during the overflow of longest duration. This
volume, which originates from only 25 per cent of the
City of Detroit, is approximately the same as the dally
discharge of partially treated sewage from all sewage treat-
ment plants into the Detroit River.
12. Volume figures in the joint report indicate
a discharge into the Detroit River of 4-1/4 billion gallons
from the combined sewers serving the Connor system during
the first year of operation of the sampling stations.
13. Overflow from the Combined sewers occurred
3-4$ of the time during the survey period. Rate of dis-
charge per hour from the combined sewers varies with the
Intensity of the storm, making an exact ratio of sewage
from the Conners gravity system to the discharge to the
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Richard D. Vaughan
Detroit River impossible. Within the limits observed during
the study, 50-80$ of the raw sewage collected is spilled
over into the River during the overflow. Thus approximate-
ly 2$ of the total raw sewage contributed to the Detroit
area plants reaches the Detroit River each year. This is
over 5 billion gallons of raw sewage flowing into the
River each year. Furthermore, this is a conservative
estimate, since the Connor system is designed for more
storage capacity than many other combined sewers in the
Detroit and downriver collection systems.
Effect of Overflows from Combined Sewers on Detroit River
Several times special field investigations were
made to determine the effect of overflows from combined
sewers upon the Detroit River during or following rainfall.
This was accomplished by collecting bacteriological
samples above and below combined sewer outfalls during and
following rainfall and comparing results from these
analyses with dry weather data. Nine storms during which
overflows occurred, in the period April 23, 1963* through
August 15, 1964, were studied. Total collform, fecal
coliform, and fecal streptococcus determinations were made
on samples collected during this period. Five ranges
from the head to the mouth of the Detroit River were
selected for this special sampling program to minimize the
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419
Richard D. Vaughan
Impact on the laboratory and get the most significant
results with minimum effort.
Figure 48-V depicts the change in bacteriolo-
gical densities during July, 1963* following
three storms of sufficient magnitude to cause overflow
from combined sewers.
Figure 49-V shows the increase in total
collform densities from the headwaters to the mouth during
a typical overflow. The value at the station nearest the
United States shore is shown in Figures 48-V and
49-V.
(Figures 48-V and 49-V follow.)
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420
FIGURE 48-X
OT 30.8W-IOO FEET
DT 28.4 W-IOO FEET
RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS (0«lroit City Airport)
July 14 0.67 Inch*! |O<
July 17 O.I6 Inch**
Jail 22 I.3S lnch«s
July 26.29- O.S2 Incroi
il
OVERFLOW DURATIONS
July 14 L»ib-J«M«r«on-6 Houri. Conntrs Crtsk-12 Hours
July 17 Ls-ib- J«f t«ff on -4 Hour*; Conntrl Crt«k-Non«
J«>y 22 Ltib- J«l* tfton -4 Hours, Conn«rt Crtah-7 Hours
Jmlj 28.29—L*ib-Jttl«rson-3 Hours. Conntrs Cr«««-l3 Hours
SOLE
Horiionlal-Dol«i During July, 1963 as Indicatsd
Vertical— Log Seal* Total Conform (MF) psr lOOml at indicatstf
LEGEND
• 0«»rflow at Both Conntrs Crtth and L*i b-Jltttrson
• 0»«rflo» at Lslb - J«t(«'«on Only
OT 3.9-250O FEET
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
SUMMARY OF STORM EFFECTS DURING JULY 1963
STATION NEAREST U.S. SHORE
DETROIT RIVER
U *. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, a WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
RESIGN V BROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
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• i.ooo.ooo
OT 50.tW DT 2*4W DT 20 6 OT 14 «*
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
TOTAL COLIFORM CONCENTRATIONS
BEFORE 8 AFTER STORM OF JULY 22, 1963
STATION NEAREST U.S. SHORE
DETROIT RIVER
US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION. 8 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE. MICHIGAN
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Richard D. Vaughan
These Figures, together with Project and
municipal data, support the following conclusions:
1. Coliforra, fecal coliforra, and fecal
streptococcus densities increased in the Detroit River,
following an overflow from combined sewers, 10 to 50
times over the values found during dry weather conditions.
2. Coliform densities in the Detroit River
following an overflow often exceeded 300,000 per 100 ml
and at times exceeded 700,000 per 100 ml.
3. All high bacteriological values in the
Detroit River during or following an overflow were found
below Conners Creek. Bacteriological densities above this
point stayed fairly constant during wet and dry conditions
Conners Creek represents the most upstream location of
many combined sewer outfalls which extend to the mouth of
the River.
4. Analysis of the City of Detroit sampling
records reveals individual analyses exceeding 800,000
conforms per 100 ml in the Detroit River on the day
following significant rainfall.
5. High bacteriological densities following
overflows were found at both the City of Wyandotte water
intake and the new City of Detroit Intake near Fighting
Island. The Wyandotte values exceeded 100,000 per ml and
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423
Richard D. Vaughan
the Fighting Island values 10,000 per 100 ml.
6. The effect of overflows on water quality
in the Detroit River has been observed as long as 4 days
after the rain subsided.
7. Each of the nine storms individually
investigated produced a severe effect on water quality
in the Detroit River as evidenced by Increased bacterial
contamination. This effect was also noticed in statistical
evaluation of regular data by wet or dry conditions.
8. The length of the effect of overflows of
combined sewers upon water quality in the Detroit River
varies from 1 to 4 days after the beginning of the actual
discharge.
9. The greater the rain the longer the period
of overflow and more severe the effect on the Detroit
River.
10. While bacteriological analysis was used to
compare normal conditions with those found during or fol-
lowing an overflow, other observations were made by field
personnel in the area during heavy rains which indicated
the deleterious effect of the overflows upon water quality
in the River. Field notes on these occasions described
debris and garbage as well as excrement floating down the
Detroit River.
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424
Richard D. Vaughan
11. Analysis of rainfall, overflow, and stream
quality records reveals that during a 9-month period
in 1963 (March-November) overflows from combined sewers
affected water quality in the Detroit River during part
or all of 88 days. This represents 32 per cent of the
days in the 9-month period. This phenomenon occurred
during the year of lowest accumulated rainfall and could
represent an even greater effect on Detroit River water
quality during a year of normal rainfall.
GROSSE ILE POLLUTION SURVEY
Several studies were made in waters adjacent
to Grease lie to determine the effect of local waste
sources on the quality of water of beach and residential
areas at the southerly end of Grosse lie. In addition to
chemical and bacteriological analyses, limited tracer
studies were made to determine the flow patterns for the
given conditions of test. Information collected during
this study is presented in Figure 21-V and Table 18-V.
(Figure 21-V and Table 18-V follow.)
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425
FIGURE 21-2:
12
•ST3\ ISLAND
G R 0 S S E
GROSSE ILE
NAVAL AIR
STATION
SI9
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HICKORY ~"'"T/SUG|A R
s|625 /ISLAND
CELERON
ISLAND
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
SAMPLING STATIONS
GROSSE ILE POLLUTION STUDY
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, 8 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
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Richard D. Vaughan
A study was made on the east side of Grosse
lie In the area between Stony Island and Grosse He,
extending to Hickory Island and Sugar Island. On 3 days,
samples were collected at the points indicated on Figure
21-V and on the western half of Range 9, 3E.
A tracer study was made by placing dye at the midpoint
between Stoney Island and Grosse He in line with the
abandoned bridge connecting the Island and at a location
adjacent to the shore at the extension of Bellevue Road.
The results of the 3-day study are summarized in Table 18-V.
At the time the tracer study was made, the
rising water level likely had an influence on the flow
pattern noted. As observed by the dye tracings, the current
was retarded in part as a result of the rising water level.
This is indicated by the shifting of the dye to a position
below Stoney Island rather than proceeding directly down
the thread of the stream; however, one would expect some
movement in this direction as a result of the changing flow
and cross-sectional area. The dye placed near the septic
tank outfall at the end of Bellevue Road moved along the
shoreline in the shallow waters, and its apparent movement
was retarded by the heavy weed growth in those areas.
Other tests of the flow pattern in this area
have indicated that some of the flow from the Livingstone
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428
Richard D. Vaughan
Channel passes below Power House Island and proceeds to
discharge Into Lake Erie between Hickory and Sugar
Islands. Dye introduced above Power House Island indicated
that the flow proceeded in the direction between Hickory
and Sfrgar Island.
During the limited period of study, the coliform
count on the beach adjacent to Sugar Island indicated
that water quality was unsafe for swimming. In two of the
three instances, the coliform count was higher at the mid-
point between sugar and Hickory Islands than on the beach.
Coliform counts below Elba Island were generally higher
than coliform counts found in the thread of the stream,
indicating that the residential areas adjacent to and above
Elba Island contribute to Impairing water quality. The
water of the samples taken in the thread of the stream bed
did not meet acceptable standards for swimming. Major
improvement in waste water treatment for residential areas
on Qrosse lie would improve the water along some of the
residential shoreline, but may not improve the quality of
water adjacent to beach areas to an acceptable level.
The water quality on Sugar Island can be improved if the
water upstream in the Detroit River is improved, as well
as various local sources of pollution.
The continuing effort of the State of Michigan
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429
Richard D. Vaughan
regulatory agencies to bring about pollution abatement
and reduce the threat to the public health caused by this
condition is recognized. This project is also aware of the
plan to install sewers and a primary sewage treatment plant
on the island.
INVESTIGATION OP BACTERIOLOGICAL REGROWTH
Review of the literature regarding coliform
bacteria results in streams brought attention to the
matter of bacterial regrowth and die-off. Some rivers
seemed to exhibit a marked increase in total coliform
bacteria within a few hours after discharge occurred to
the stream, while other rivers did not have this character-
istic. In order to evaluate adequately the coliform
bacteria results of the Detroit River-Lake Erie Project,
it was therefore necessary to determine the pattern of
bacterial regrowth and die-off in the Detroit River.
The purpose of this survey was threefold:
First, to pinpoint and define sources of bacterial
contamination going into the Detroit River; second; to
determine channeling of wastes in the River; and, third,
to calculate the pattern of regrowth and die-off of
coliform bacteria in the Detroit Rivey, In view of the
fact that the City of Detroit chlorinates its waste effluent
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430
Richard D. Vaughan
to protect downstream sources of water supply, It became
especially important to evaluate this third factor, since
experiences elsewhere have shown that there is a significant
increase in coliform organisms when chlorinated sewage is
diluted with river water.
The survey was conducted August 12 through
August 15, 1963, from a point 300 feet above the Detroit
Sewage Treatment Plant outfall to Point Hennepin at the
north end of Grosse lie. The results were as follows:
1. No significant regrowth or die-off of
coliform bacteria occurs in the Detroit River from the
Rouge River to Point Hennepin.
2. The first day's sampling Indicated a regrowth
immediately below the Rouge River; however, during the
remainder of the study a slight die-off occurred.
3. Bacterial pollution discharged at the
Rouge River and the Detroit Sewage Treatment Plant
remained in American waters as far downstream as Point
Hennepin.
4. Approximately 62 per cent of the bacterial
pollution discharged at the Rouge River and the Detroit
Sewage Treatment Plant followed the channels closest to
the American shore. The remaining 39 per cent was distributed
In other channels east of Grosse lie.
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431
Richard D. Vaughan
CITY OP DETROIT RAW SEWAGE BYPASS
In May, 1963* the City of Detroit submitted
a request to the Michigan Water Resources Commission for
a temporary increase in use of the waters of the Detroit
River. This temporary use arose from the need to replace
badly worn 40-year-old sluice gates at Pairview Pumping
Station, requiring the bypassing of raw sewage to the
Detroit River for approximately 10 days in December. The
commission ruled that the City of Detroit could proceed
with planning for the proposed bypass and that, upon the
recommendation of the Michigan Department of Conservation's
waterfowl specialist, the bypass be restricted to a 10-day
consecutive period between the dates November 10 to
November 30. The Commission also decided that all affected
parties should be notified by the City of Detroit Just
before the operation would begin. Accordingly, the Michigan
Department of Health issued a permit to the City for the
temporary bypassing of untreated sewage.
Consequently, the City of Detroit began
operations to replace the sluice gates by turning off the
pumps at the pumping station at 0800 , Tuesday, November 12
The field crews of the Project began to measure the effect
of the untreated sewage on the water quality of the Detroit
River by sampling night and day beginning 0100 Tuesday
-------
432
Richard D. Vaughan
morning. Sampling activities continued through the
weekend and into the next week until the sluice gates had
been replaced and operations returned to normal. The City
completed the construction work and the station was placed
back in service at 0810, Friday, November 22. Operations
went according to regulations specified by the Michigan
Department of Health in their permit to the City. Project
sampling activities to measure the effect of the bypass
continued until the effect had diminished.
During the operation the precise amount of
sewage being bypassed to the River was not known since
the City was apparently able to route an estimated 50 mgd
around the Pairvlew Pumping Station. It is probable that
75 mgd was discharged directly to the River. Although it
was assumed that the bypassing operation would occur
constantly throughout the day and night, this was not the
case. Erratic discharge of this material especially at
night and during the early morning hours required a re-
vision of the Project sampling schedule to take this into
account.
Project files contain detailed accounts of the
results of the sampling during this 10-day period. The
first effects of the bypassing on water quality in the
receiving stream were detected at 3 a. m. on the second day,
-------
433
Richard D. Vaughan
approximately nine hours after the initial discharge of
bypassed sewage.
In summary, bacteriological results at the head
of the Detroit River indicated very low densities (less
than 100 organisms per 100 ml) throughout the entire
operation, indicating that this range was not affected by
the operation. In the upper part of the River significant
rises in collform and fecal streptococcus organisms were
noted, especially near the United States shore. The effects
of pollution were noted in a band along the shore, which
increased in width from 300 feet just below Conners Creek
at Range DT 28.4 to about 500 feet 8 miles downstream at
a point just above the Rouge River. Coliform counts in this
area increased from 10 to 100 times normal dry weather values
with counts observed in the range of 10,000 to 100,000
organisms per 100 ml.
Below the Rouge a similar increase in coliform
density over normal dry weather condition was noted, with
the width of the polluted water Increasing to approxi-
mately 1,000 feet. On the Canadian side of Fighting
Island no increase in bacterial densities was observed,
and the data indicate the bypassing had no effect on water
quality in this area.
Further downstream at Range DT 14.6 an increase
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434
Richard D. Vaughan
was noted in conform and fecal streptococcus densities
on the second day of the bypass in a band about 3,000 feet
in width. Results in the Trenton Channel indicated
dispersal of Increased coliform densities throughout the
entire channel, while results at the mouth of the Detroit
River showed a 7,000 foot band of Increased coliform
density (10,000-30,000 organisms per 100 ml) near the
United States shore.
The Rouge River and Conners Creek were also
monitored and geometric mean values of 10,500,000 per
100 ml observed at Conners Creek and 52,000 per 100 ml
at the Rouge.
An effort was made to determine the effect of
the bypassing on the beaches of Lake Erie. Beaches from
the mouth of the Detroit River to below the Raisin River
were sampled. Although high coliform denlsifles were
observed at several of the beaches, the only beach which
definitely showed the effect of the bypass was Maple Beach,
located near the mouth of the Detroit River, while Dewey
Beach possibly showed a slight effect of the operation.
Figure 22-V depicts the area in the Detroit
River affected by this bypassing operation. Table 19-V
summarizes pertinent results of the sampling conducted
during this survey.
(Figure 22-V; and Table 19-V constituting 2 pages follow.)
-------
435
FIGURE 22-2
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AREA AFFECTED BY CONNERS CREEK
RAW SEWAGE BYPASS
DETROIT RIVER
US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
436
TABLE 19-V. SU11MARY OF AVERAGE RESULTS OF
CITY OF DETROIT RAW SE'.JAGS BYPASS
NOVEMBER 12-22, 1963
Range
DT 30. 8w
DT 28. to
DT 26. 8W
DT 20.6
DT 17- 4W
Total
Coliforn
Feet Avg./lOO ml
100'
300'
500'
1,000'
2,500'
100'
300'
TOO1
1,300'
52'
169'
5'
50'
200'
4oo'
600 '
700'
1,000'
1,500'*
1,800'*
2,000'*
2,300'*
100'
200'
too1
800'
1,200'
1,600'
2,200'^
10
11
15
19
10
25,000
2,800
59
61
380,000
3k), 000
79,000
17,000
57,000
10,000
1,100
Wo
80
200
470
3,100
8,1*00
12,000
13,000
17,000
9,400
1,000
130
100
% Fecal
Coliform
20
18
7
52
29
41
48
20
28
36
38
to
48
33
35
35
38
37
57
to
45
60
35
63
37
to
37
to
28
Typical
Coliform
Fecal Value
Streptococci Before
Avg./lOO ml Bypass
2
5
5
5
5
200
27
3
2
5to
460
360
71
330
39
58
11
6
4
8
86
21
30
23
310
56
13
2
3
20
30
20
30
6
10
20
70
30
270
2to
110
90
50
50
28
44
12
360
2,900
10,000
34,000
1,200
100
100
100
20
20
80
Typical
Coliform
Value
After
Bypass
20
6
14
30
15
410,000
59,ooo
100
330
510,000
390,000
180,000
250,000
ito,ooo
710,000
5,100
2,400
370
300
310
2,000
6,200
80,000
41,000
150,000
36,000
1,300
200
100
* Canadian Stations
-------
437
TABLE 19-V - Continued.
Range Feet
DT ll*.6W 20'
100'
200'
300'
UOO'
800'
1,000'
2,000'
3,000'
DT 8.7W 80'
280'
1*80'
680'
980'
1,21*0'
DT 3.9 2,500'
3,500'
l*,5oo»
5,500-
6,500-
7,500'
9,500-
11,500'*
13,500'*
15,000'*
16,500'*
17,500'*
18,500'*
19,000'*
19,300'*
Total
Coliform
Avg./lOO ml
15,000
22,000
18,000
17,000
31,000
15,000
28,000
1,800
2,700
6,1*00
9,100
21,000
18,000
23,000
17,000
27,000
2l*,000
19,000
12,000
22,000
8,1*00
1*,700
2,600
1,700
1,000
850
2,500
5,700
8,200
9,700
% Fecal
Coliform
11
ho
50
73
39
U3
10
80
1*1*
21*
3U
37
52
U2
36
35
33
27
37
35
55
Ul
1*2
51
1*6
53
56
50
1*0
1*9
Fecal
Strepcococci
Avg./lOO ml
66
120
79
120
180
11*0
190
22
5
5
9
60
93
66
120
10
6
230
53
190
55
39
22
51
2h
31*
30
160
160
160
Typical
Coliform
Value
Before
Bypass
700
900
300
500
700
2,500
900
600
1,300
2,700
3,500
1,900
5,loo
5,500
i*,300
23,000
7,700
2,500
600
2,200
i,5oo
1*00
1,100
600
1*60
2,300
8,UOO
9,900
7,700
9,900
Typical
Coliform
Value
After
Bypass
27,000
17,000
180,000
63,000
220,000
31*, 000
33,000
11,000
7,000
21,000
22,000
270,000
320,000
290,000
310,000
57,000
89,000
210,000
170,000
99,000
67,000
35,000
8,700
7,600
2,300
1,800
1,100
12,000
23,000
21*, 000
* Canadian Stations
-------
438
Richard D. Vaughan
The City of Detroit requested permission to
shut down the Detroit River outfall and bypass treated
effluent into the Rouge River in order to allow inspection
and renovation of the regular outfall. Permission was
granted by State agencies with the provision that an
experimental testing period be undertaken to determine any
deleterious effect this action might have upon the re-'
ceiving waters and the users thereof. The scheduled
commencement date of this experimental period was July 27,
1964.
After learning of this proposed action through
minutes of meetings of the Michigan Water Resources
Commission, a brief surveillance of the action was planned
by personnel of this Project. On July 23 regular sampling
operations revealed extremely high total and fecal coliform
densities in the Rouge River and in the lower part of the
Detroit River during dry weather. This was especially
pronounced at station DT 14.6, where poliform densities
of over 200,000 organisms were found at all stations and
a count of 620,000 organisms per 100 ml was found near the
Wyandotte water Intake. A total coliform density of
3,700 organisms per 100 ml was found at the new City of
Detroit water intake near Fighting Island. Results in the
Rouge River near its mouth exceeded 2 million total
-------
439
Richard D. Vaughan
coliforra organisms per 100 ml. Fecal coliform densities
were similarly high, exceeding 200,000 organisms in the
Rouge and over 50,000 in the Detroit River, at station
DT 14.6 near Wyandotte. Fecal streptococcus densities in
;he Rouge and Detroit Rivers were low on this date with
all but one result below 1,000 organisms per 100 ml.
(The exception was 1,950 on the Rouge.)
The Michigan Water Resources Commission and
the Michigan Department of Health were notified on July 24
when the results were read in the Project laboratory. The
City of Wyandotte, a downstream user of water, was also
notified on this date. Investigation of the alternate
bypass on the Rouge River revealed on July 23 and 26 that
the discharge through this outfall had already begun.
Project sampling continued over the weekend
and similar results obtained. Telephone calls were
received from the Michigan Department of Health and the
Michigan Water Resources Commission with information that
the City of Detroit was notified of the Project's concern
and had instigated sampling over the weekend. The results
of their sampling caused them to suspend bypassing operations
Monday morning.
On Thursday, July 30, the waters were sampled,
and coliform densities dropped to normal dry weather levels.
-------
440
Richard D. Vaughan
During the period of actual partial bypass (July 19-2?)
two rains occurred—July 20 and July 25. The first was
very light, and any effect should have been dissipated
within 24 hours. The second could have affected water
quality on July 25 and possibly July 26 but certainly not
on July 23 and 24, when the City of Detroit sampled.
Checking with the City of Wyandotte revealed
consistently high coliform densities during the period
July 19-27, 1964, with results exceeding 110,000 organisms
per 100 ml. The results at the intake during the 3 days
following the cancellation of the bypass indicated a
sharp reduction to less than 1,000 organisms per 100 ml.
It is Interesting to note that the highest in-
dividual coliform value at station DT 14.6 near Wyandotte
(620,000 per 100 ml) was recorded during this bypass In
a period of dry weather. Values at the station in the
Detroit River immediately above the Rouge River
remained low during and after this period except for samples
collected on August 3* following a heavy rain.
Evaluation of this experience emphasizes the
necessity for careful study of the effects of bypassing on
water quality and the desirability for designing sewage
treatment facilities in order to properly cope with this
situation.
-------
441
Richard D. Vaughan
BOTTOM DEPOSITS
Analysis of bottom materials to determine the
effects or extent of water pollution is a field in
which there is little basis for quantitative interpreta-
tion. "Standard Methods" gives only passing mention of
recommended procedures for field and laboratory, and
considerable difficulty is involved in working with a
solid-liquid mixture rather than a liquid. For these
reasons, bottom deposits were treated only in a general
way, to show differences in bottom composition in various
areas of the Lake.
Time is also a factor with bottom materials.
They may remain undistrubed under water year after year,
long after the original waste source has ceased to exist.
Therefore, the current bottom condition cannot be con-
clusively identified with existing effluents. It can be
definitely stated, however, that the condition of the
bottom is caused by the settling of waste materials, and
if suspended solids continue to enter the river they will
settle in the same areas as before and cause the same
problems.
A sampling technique was developed to enable a
boat crew to collect the samples while drifting over the
area. A special drag-type sampler was used to scoop up
-------
442
Richard D. Vaughan
the top 0.2 to 0.3 feet of material. The results are
qualitative for each site, and no attempt was made to
determine thickness of settled deposits.
Only one sample was taken at each location, and
the locations were widely spaced to cover a variety of
conditions in each area. By grouping the results by area,
certain trends were noted. These areas were selected
according to the bottom material quality shown by observa-
tions and chemical analysis. Each area was then rated
as good, fair, or poor, according to the overall Indications
for that area.
Good condition: Natural bottom conditions
of sand, gravel, mud or silt without oil, grease or odor,
aid without abnormally large amounts of waste-associated
materials.
pair condition: Natural bottom condition with
some evidence of deposited material, slight oil or odor,
and moderate amounts of waste-assoelated materials.
Poor condition; Bottom deposits or organic
or other material having oily appearance and odor of
oil or sewage; large amounts of waste-associated materials,
such as greases, phenols, total nitrogen, phosphates, and
iron; high percentages of volatile materials and a pH
higher or lower than surrounding areas.
-------
443
Richard D. Vaughan
Solids settled over the natural bottom disrupt
or eliminate fish and other aquatic life. In shallow
water, they are offensive to swimmers and boaters, and
when fluctuating water levels expose beds of these materials,
the resulting appearance and odors destroy the aesthetic
value of the waterways.
Since most of the bottom material in the poor
condition areas is light and easily disturbed, there is a
constant problem when this material is resuspended in the
water during stormy weather or from the passage of large
boats. Resuspended bottom materials in the poor condition
areas increase turbidity, oxygen demand, algae growth,
and taste and odor problems, which decrease the quality
of the water for riverside or lakeside recreation, fishing,
swimming; water skiing, and industrial and municipal
water supply. This increased turbidity is frequently
observed in the Detroit River and Lake Erie during stormy
weather. Figure 23-V shows the Detroit River classified
according to the type of material deposited on its bottom.
Tables 20-V through 25-V summarize the results of the
bottom deposit studies of the Rouge River and separate areas
of the Detroit River.
(Figure 23-V; and Tables 20-V through 25-V follow.)
-------
444
FIGURE 23-2
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
CLASSIFICATION OF BOTTOM CONDITION
AS INDICATED BY BOTTOM DEPOSITS
DETROIT RIVER
US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCAT ION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
445
TABLE 20-V. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - DETROIT RIVER
MILE 30.8 TO MILE 25
pH
AM
CAN
% IRON
AM
CAN
% OIL AND GREASE
AM
CAN
% TOTAL VOLATILE
SOLIDS
AM
CAN
No. of
Samples
13
5
13
5
13
5
11
3
Max.
7.7
8.0
6.89
U.13
2.10
o.lk
12.2
12.6
Min.
7.1
7.2
0.01
0.007
0.003
0.01
1.6
4.6
Med.
7.4
7.3
1.26
1.02
0.02
0.09
7.1
9.0
Mean
7.4
7.4
1.52
1.32
0.28
0.15
6.6
8.7
Remarks
Low values.
Generally
good except
one high val-
ue from
Southern tip
of Belle Isle
High values
found at
Peach Island
Light and
below Conns rs:
all others
low.
CONCLUSION: Bottom conditions generally good except for areas downstream
from Conners and the sewage treatment plant on Belle Isle.
-------
TABLE 21-V. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - DETROIT RIVER
MILE 25 TO MILE 19.5
446
pH
AM
CAN
% IRON
AM
CAN
% OIL AND GREASE
AM
CAN
% TOTAL VOLATILE
SOLIDS
AM
CAN
No. of
Samples
10
U
7
U
10
U
8
U
Max.
10.1
7.8
11.01
U.13
0.60
0.50
17.0
20.2
Min.
7.U
7.U
0.01
0.02
0.00
0.02
8.2
8.U
Med.
7.7
7.6
0.56
0.28
O.lU
0.18
8.2
10.3
Mean
8.0
7.6
2.35
1.17
0.17
0.22
10.2
12.8
Remarks
10.1 just
downstream
from Allied
Chemical at
Zug Island.
Low values
except for one
ll£ value at
Zug Island.
Low to medium
values .
Both high and
low values
found on both
sides of river
CONCLUSION: Bottom conditions generally good except for the Zug Island area
particularly below Allied Chemical outfall.
-------
TABLE 22-V. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - ROUGE RIVER
447
No. of
Samples
PH
Max.
Min. Med.
Mean
7.3
6.8
7.0
7.0
Remarks
% IRON
8.60 1.72 2.7U 3.95 Fairly high
% OIL AND GREASE 6
U.20 1.00 1.75 2.18 Very high
% TOTAL VOLATILE
SOLIDS 6
25.6 11.1 20.9 19.9
Very high
CONCLUSION: Bottom condition in the Rouge River is very poor.
-------
448
TABLE 23-V. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - DETROIT RIVER
MILE 19.5 TO MILE 15
pH
AM
CAN
% IRON
AM
CAN
No. of
Samples
13
5
9
3
Max.
8.1
7.8
11.U5
2.06
Min.
7.2
7.1
0.05
0.01
Med.
8.0
7.5
1.13
O.OU
Mean
7.8
7.5
3.62
0.70
Remarks
Variable, bu
generally high
on American
side and low
er on Canadi-
an side.
% OIL AND GREASE
AM 13
CAN 5
3.20
0.32
.02
0.006
0.37
0.07
0.77
0.11
High down-
stream from
Rouge on
American sid~.
% TOTAL VOLATILE
SOLIDS
AM
CAN
11
h
17.3
m.o
9.9
8.0
13.0
9.5
13.5
10.3
CONCLUSION: Bottom condition is poor on the American side and fair on
Canadian side.
-------
TABLE 2U-V. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - DETROIT RIVER
MILE 15 TO MILE 8.7
449
No. of
Samples
PH
Trenton Channel 25
East of Grosse lie 11
Max.
Min.
Med.
Mean
Remarks
9.0 down-
stream from
11.2 7.0 7.7 7.8 Wyandotte
8.0 7.2 7.6 7.6 Chemical and
11.2 down-
stream from
Firestone
SteeiL Products.
% IRON
Trenton Channel 22
East of Grosse lie 11
High in
Trenton Chan-
30.96 0.01 3.13 5.68 nel; low on
8.9U 0.01 1.38 2.96 east side of
Orosse lie.
% OIL AND GREASR
Trenton Channel 25
East of Grosse lie 11
High in Tren-
ton Channel
2.11 O.OU 0.15 O.Ul and below
0.38 0.03 0.09 0.11 Firestoreand
Wye Street
sewer; low on
Canadian side.
% TOTAL VOLATILE
SOLIDS
Trenton Channel 25
East of Grosse lie 11
38.0
12.9
3.1
1.1
6.U
U.O
8.2
U.9
High values
in Trenton
Channel; low
on East side
of Grosse lie.
CONCLUSION: Poor bottom conditions prevail in Trenton Channel.
in waters east of Grosse lie.
Fair to good
-------
TABLE 25-V. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - DETROIT RIVER
MILE 8.7 TO LAKE ERIE
450
PH
Trenton Channel
East of Grosse lie
% IRON
Trenton Channel
East of Grosse lie
OIL AND GREASE
Trenton Channel
East of Grosse lie
% TOTAL VOLATILE
SOLIDS
Trenton Channel
East of Grosse lie
No. of
Samples
13
11
12
10
13
10
12
11
Max.
7.9
9.8
9.63
U.82
2.U5
0.6U
17.3
12.9
Min.
7.3
7.2
O.OOU
0.005
0.06
0.02
2.1
l.U
Med.
7.6
7.U
2.83
1.72
0.39
0.21
7.8
5.U
Mean
7.6
7.8
3.26
1.75
0.53
0.26
8.0
5.8
Remarks
High values on
Canadian side.
High Trenton Chanm .;
low on east side oi
Grosse lie.
Higher values in
Trenton Channel.
High in Trenton Chan-
nel; low on east side
of Grosse lie.
CONCLUSIONS: Bottom condition is poor in the Trenton Channel as far south as
Pointe Mouillee. Bottom conditions east of Grosse lie vary from
fair to good.
-------
451
Richard D. Vaughan
In addition to the indices shown on these
tables, analyses of the bottom deposit supernatant were
made for phenol, phosphate, nitrate, and ammonia concen-
trations. All of these factors, including field observa-
tions, were taken into consideration in characterizing
bottom conditions.
Prom the head of the Detroit River to mile point
25 at the south end of Belle Isle, the bottom was in good
condition on the Canadian side and fair to good on the
American. One sampling point rated poor was just below
Conners Creek.
Prom Belle Isle to the Rouge River conditions
on both sides of the Detroit River were fair with better
bottom in midrlver. An area rated poor began just above
Zug Island and extended southward along the United States
shore.
All stations sampled on the Rouge River Indi-
cated poor condition.
Below the Rouge River to mile point 15 at the
head of Orosse lie, all points along the United States
shore were poor. Those in faster moving water were somewhat
better.
From mile point 15 to the Grosse lie County
Bridge, the bottom condition of the Trenton Channel
-------
452
Richard D. Vaughan
(west of Grosse lie) was poor. East of Grosse lie, the bottom
condition in United States waters was fair, and generally
fair to good in Canadian waters.
Prom the County Bridge to the mouth of the
Detroit River, the bottom condition was poor in the
Trenton Channel and below Grosse lie poor along the United
States shore. The waters were generally fair on the east
side of Grosse lie.
Organic material in a state of decomposition,
having a dark color, oil or sewage odor, and oily appearance,
was found in isolated places in the Detroit River above
Zug Island. These occurrences could be attributed to storm
water overflows or other organic deposits.
Around Zug Island and the Rouge River, bottom
material was in very poor condition, and this situation
prevailed along the United States shore to Ecorse and
throughout the Trenton Channel to Lake Erie. Bottom materials
on the Canadian side of the river and east side of Grosse
lie were in fair to good condition.
Samples taken of the mud-water interface in the
turning basin at the Ford Motor Company plant and in
the Ford slip revealed high concentrations (500 mg/l)
of both oil and iron.
-------
HYDROLOGIC STUDIES 453
Richard D. Vaughan
Several investigations of hydraulic and hydro-
logic characteristics were made on the Detroit River to
provide insight into the relationship between sources
of wastes and areas affected by pollution. Flow distribu-
tion in the Detroit River was determined at several
locations and routes of wastes traced from their source
to downstream areas of water use. Dispersion patterns
of domestic and industrial waste effluents were de-
termined and plotted.
Flow Distribution; In Figures 24-V and 25-V flow distribu-
tion across the upper and lower Detroit River is shown.
These figures depict streamlines or distribution of per cent
of flow across the Detroit River at varying ranges. The
numbers shown adjacent to the streamlines represent the
per cent flow west of the particular line. The per cent
flow in United States waters varied from approximately 70
per cent at the head and opposite Fighting Island to less
than 40 per cent at several locations, including the mouth.
Velocities varied in the main part of the River between one
and four feet per second, causing turbulent flow, resulting
in the creation of a homogeneous mass of water in a vertical
plane due to mixing. Horizontal mixing was much less pro-
nounced due to large masses of water moving downstream at
high velocities.
(Figures 24-V and 25-V follow.)
-------
454
FIGURE 24-Z
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
DISTRIBUTION OF FLOW
UPPER DETROIT RIVER
US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
455
FIGURE 25-1
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
DISTRIBUTION OF FLOW
LOWER DETROIT RIVER
US DEPARTMENT OF HE ALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
RESION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
Richard D. Vaughan 456
Dry Tracer Studies
Rhodamine-B fluorescent dye was placed in the
effluent of four domestic sewage treatment plants and
traced downstream. Floats were placed in the River to
assist in tracing the dye, which soon became Invisible
and had to be located with a fluorometer. Figures 26-V
and 27-V depict the results of these surveys in the upper
and lower Detroit River by plotting the extent of dye as
a shaded area and the major concentration of the dye was
a solid heavy line with direction arrows. No attempt
was made to draw any conclusions regarding the expected
concentration of wastes from the observed concentration
of dye at any point. In addition to placing dye in
sewage plant effluents several tracer runs were made after
release of dye in several areas of the Detroit River from
its head to its mouth.
(Figures 26-V and 27-V follow.)
-------
457
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
DYE TRACER STUDIES
UPPER DETROIT RIVER
US DEPARTMENT Of HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
453
FIGURE 27-1
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
DYE TRACER STUDIES
LOWER DETROIT RIVER
US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
SCALE
FEET
_l
1000 eooo 3000
MILES
Uj
Uj
kj
V:
-------
459
Richard D. Vaughan
One tracer study was made at the Belle Isle
Sewage Treatment Plant, and the results (Figure 26-V)
showed that the dye stayed in the main channel of the
River, dispersing gradually to a 1,000-foot width at the
Ambassador Bridge. The main path of this dye passed
through one of the regular sampling points at Range
Dt 20.6, 700 feet from the United States shore. This
is a logical explanation for the sudden peak in coliform
densities noted at this location in earlier discussions.
(See Figure 1-V and Figure 15-V.) This same bacterial
load was missed at the sampling station immediately below
the outfall due to the narrow band of pollution traveling
between two regular sampling stations.
Three tracer studies were made at the main
sewage treatment plant of the City of Detroit, and the path
shown in Figure 26-V is the concensus of the three studies.
The three studies did show approximately the same results
under different conditions of wind, but during dry weather.
The dye shifted gradually to midchannel and traveled to
the west edge of the Fighting Island Channel but was most
concentrated near the United States shore. The dye appeared
to miss the new southwest water intake of the City of
Detroit, but a heavy concentration of the dye passed over
the City of Wyandotte water intake. Further downstream,
-------
460
Richard D. Vaughan
the dye was traced to the east as well as the west side
of Grosse lie at Point Hennepin, although the main
concentration of the dye was observed in the Trenton
Channel. In general the dye was found almost exclusively
in American waters and was most concentrated approximately
700 feet from the United States shore.
Tracer studies were made at the Wayne County
Sewage Treatment Plants at Wyandotte and Trenton. The
dye was traced down the Trenton Channel and between Horse
Island and Celeron Island at the lower end of the channel.
The dye was most intense near the mainland shore. In both
studies dye was found in Marinas along the shore.
Using the results of the flow distribution,
tracer studies from domestic waste plants, and special
dye studies at various locations in the Detroit River.
Figure 28-V was constructed to show the expected routing
or dispersion of industrial or domestic waste discharged
into the river at different geographic zones. Use of this
figure can be illustrated by the following example:
The wastes from the industries in zone 1
are expected to be dispersed in the River to
the west of the zone line beginning at the
upper end of zone 1. Opposite the Ecorse River,
wastes from zone 1 are dispersed throughout the
-------
461
Richard D. Vaughan
entire United States section of the River, while wastes
from zone 4 hug a narrow band near the United States shore,
Using Figures 28-V, 24-V, and 25-V, it is
possible to predict the downstream areas where wastes from
specific sources are felt and also possible to predict
areas where water quality improvement would result after
improved waste treatment at specific sources.
Table 26-V shows the percentage of the Detroit
River affected by the discharge of industrial and domestic
wastes from the Michigan mainland. The zone numbers
correspond to those shown In Figure 26-V.
(Figure 28-V follows. )
-------
462
.FIGURE 28-3
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
ZONES OF WASTE DISPERSION
AFTER DISCHARGE
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROS5E ILE, MICHIGAN
1000 0 1000 3000 5000 7000
MILES
-------
463
Richard D. Vaughan
The outflow of the Rouge River was traced into
the Detroit River and downstream a short distance. The
Rouge River and effluent from the submerged outfall of the
Detroit Sewage Treatment Plant are clearly identifiable
by color as two distinct water masses at their Junction
near the mouth of the Rouge River. However, these two
water masses become intermixed due to turbulence and
diffusion and for all practical purposes act as a single
water mass passing downstream. Dye releases from the
Detroit Sewage Treatment Plant outfall were therefore used
to trace the downstream movement of this combined flow.
These flow measurements were performed during dry weather
and represent normal or even below normal discharge from
the Rouge River.
It is conceivable and even probable that
following a heavy rainfall with subsequent overflows from
combined sewers on the Rouge River that its increased
discharge would have a more pronounced effect on the
dispersion of the combined water masses towards Canadian
waters and have a more deleterious effect on water
quality at the southwest intake of the City of Detroit.
STREAM LOADINGS
When concentrations of waste constituents in
the Detroit River are compared with corresponding discharge
values for each section of the River sampled, quantitative
-------
464
Richard D. Vaughan
loadings may be computed. These are usually reported in
units such as pounds, gallons, or numbers. An average
concentration of a waste constituent weighted to discharge
may also be computed. This procedure allows the presentation
of one value at each range or cross=section representative
of existing concentrations and amounts of waste present.
Stream loadings are useful in presenting a concise picture
of what is happening in the river from the headwaters to
the mouth. They may also be used in comparison with loadings
from domestic and industrial waste effluents.
A special problem is involved when numbers of
coliform organisms are presented. Their values are so
high that they are awkward to work with and comprehend.
To allow a better understanding of these values, the
bacterial population equivalent (BPE) has been employed.
This is a value equivalent to the daily
bacterial contribution from one human being in raw sewage.
The value used for one BPE is 200 billion coliform bacteria
per day per capita. Use of the BPE should give the reader
of this report a better understanding of the magnitude of
increases and decreases in numbers of coliform organisms
in the Detroit River and assist in the evaluation of the
effect of waste sources upon these numbers.
-------
Richard D. Vaughan 465
Tables 27-V through 38-V show stream loadings
for phenols, chlorides, and total coliform organisms at
several ranges in the Detroit River during 1962 and 1963
sampling seasons. The total loadings for the United States
and entire River are shown as well as per cent flow of each
section sampled.
Table 39-V shows the increase in stream
loadings for these same waste constituents by listing the
values in the upper and lower section of the Detroit River.
In this particular table the loadings in the upper River
were adjusted to the same volume of the River found in
United States waters at the mouth. This gives a more
valid Indication of increase in loadings due to waste
discharge, since almost all wastes discharged into the
Detroit and Rouge Rivers remain in United States waters.
Table 40-V compares the increase in waste
loadings in waste loadings in the Detroit River with
loadings found in the domestic and industrial waste
surveys.
Table 4l-V is included to show bacterial loadings
and weighted average total coliform concentrations during
wet and dry conditions.
(Tables 26-V through |U -V, inclusive follow.)
-------
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466
-------
467
Feet*^
20
100
200
300
1*00
500
700
1,000
2,000
2,500
U.S. Water
Entire Range
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire Range
TABLE 27-V. STREAM LOADING FOR DETROIT RIVER
DT 30.8W
1962
# Flow
• 33
• 57
• 39
• 58
.92
.1*1
12.86
31*.76
21*.96
3-16
9k.9k
100
Phenols
Ib . /day
7
32
52
1*2
90
150
1*00
570
290
67
1,700
1,800
Chloride
Ib./day
20,000
90,000
202,000
206,000
202,000
330,000
690,000
1,73^,000
1,1*1*6,000
180,000
5,100,000
5,1*00,000
2.1* Mg/1
7 mg/1
7 rag/1
Coliform
BPE
12
50
120
110
71*
110
180
380
2l*0
21*
1,300
1,300
80 org/100ml
79 org/lOOml
1963
100
300
500
1,000
2,500
U.S. Water
Entire Range
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Sntire Range
3-59
6.2l*
14.80
51.19
21*. 18
9!*.91*
100
55
370
1*10
1,690
1,325
3,850
1*,050
6.0;ug/l
6.0/ug/l
110,000
38U,000
551*, ooo
2,990,000
2,222,000
6,260,000
6,660,000
10 mg/1
10 mg/1
30
85
50
65
i*o
270
271
18 org/100ml
15 org/lOOml
* Location of sampling station in feet from vest shore
-------
468
TABLE 20-V. STREAM LOADING FOR DETROIT RIVER
DT 28.1* w
1962
Feet*
100
200
300
1*00
700
1,000
1,300
1,500
U.S. Water
Entiro Range
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire Range
Phenols
Ib . /day
1*0
15
25
70
1*5
55
30
70
350
350
Chloride
Ib./day
200,000
136,000
132*, 000
281*, 000
500,000
370,000
290,000
1*26,000-
2,3^0,000
2,3^0,000
1.2jag/l
1.2/ig/l
8 mg/1
8 mg/1
Coliform
BPE
650
131
133
210
300
82
220
1,900
1,900
320 org/lOOml
320 org/lOOml
1963
100
300
700
1,300
U.S. V/ater
Entire Range
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire
10.17
11.92
31*.60
1*3.31
100
100
50
210
350
1,350
1,350
l*.6/Jg/l
i*.6
15i*,ooo
1*98,000
1*08,000
980,000
2,01*0,000
2,01*0,000
7 mg/1
7 mg/1
127
133
1*2
78
380
380
70 org/lOOml
70 org/lOOml
* Location of sampling station in feet from west shore
-------
TABLE 29-V. STREAM LOADING FOR DETROIT RIVER
469
DT 25-7
1962
Feet*
50
100
300
600
1,000
2,000
U.S. Water
Entire River
Weighted Average -
U.S. Water
Weighted Average -
Entire River
% Plov
.56
2-37
5-19
9.06
17.32
18.01*
52.5k
100
Phenols
Ib./day
15
50
120
155
220
700
1,300
l.lf/Jg/1
Chloride
lb./day
1*6,000
19^,000
372,000
660,000
1,29^,000
1,29^,000
3,860,000
7,51*0,000
7 ng/1
8 ing/1
Coliform
BPE
31*0
7^0
570
1*1*0
1*70
31*0
2,900
9,200
170 org/lOOml
390 org/lOOml
1963
50
100
300
600
2,000
U.S. Water
Entire River
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire River
.56
2.37
5.19
9.06
37-36
51*. 5^
100
112
21*7
791
2,282
3,^50
6,250
7.2/jg/l
6.7/ig/l
38,000
152,000
352,000
561i,000
2,57^,000
3,680,000
7,660,000
250
530
560
190
170
1,700
36,700
8 mg/l 150 org/lOOml
8 mg/l 1,7^0 org/lOOml
* Location of sampling station in feet from west shore
-------
Feet*
5
20
50
100
200
300
1*00
500
600
700
1,000
U.S. Water
Entire River
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire River
TABLE 30-V. STREAM LOADING FOR DETROIT RIVER
DT 20.6
1962
% Flow
470
.08
.21
• 71
1.94
3-57
4.47
5-
5.
5-
.08
.28
.62
11.24
11.88
50.08
100
Phenols
Ib . /day
1
4
15
55
85
85
120
155
140
220
270
1,150
1,850
Chloride
Ib./day
8,000
13,000
60,000
146,000
284,000
360,000
440,000
450,000
480,000
894,000
1,000,000
4,i4o,ooc
8,480,000
2.7 JlS/1
1.8
Coliform
BFE
40
220
530
1,870
3,210
1,750
1,610
520
550
910
790
12,000
82,000
8 rog/1 1,000 org/lOOml
8 mg/1 3,600 org/lOOml
1963
5
50
200
4oo
600
700
1,000
U.S. Water
Entire River
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire River
.18
1.79
6.77
10.00
8.31
11.29
11.7k
50.08
100
6
783
1,629
750
793
1,070
5,450
10,100
11.6
10.8|ug/l
6,000
58,000
330,000
948,ooo
350,000
78G,000
820,000
3,300,000
6,440,000
13
130
l,o4o
3,8oo
707
l,44o
1,370
8,500
30,900
7 mg/1 730 org/lOOml
8 mg/1 1,460 org/lOOml
* Location of sanpling station in feet from west shore
-------
TABLE 31-V. STREAM LOADING FOR DETROIT RIVER
471
Feet*
100
200
300
1*00
800
1,000
U.S. Water
Entire River
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire River
% Flow
1.71*
2.72
4.03
12.33
15.1*3
15.06
51.31
100
DT 19.0
1963
Phenols
Ib . /day
1*52
501*
600
2,030
3^0
1,121*
5,050
6,380
10.5 pg/1
7-2 pg/1
Chloride
Ib./day
56i*,ooo
771*, ooo
1,186,000
3,076,000
2,150,000
1,190,000
8,91*0,000
12,780,000
19mg/l
ll* njg/1
Col i form
BPE
3,100
9,600
12,800
35,600
3,570
2,330
67,000
81,500
5,700 org/lOOml
3,870 org/lOOml
* Location of sampling station in feet from west shore
-------
Feet»
100
200
1*00
600
800
1,000
1,200
1,1*00
1,600
U.S. Water
Entire flange
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire Range
TABLE 32-V. STREAM LOADING FOR DETROIT RIVER
DT 17.U W
1962
Flow
1.21
1*.1*1
10. Jk
11.87
10.85
10.86
98
98
ll*.38
36.28
10
10
100
Phenols
It. /day
67
2l*3
590
555
750
390
250
265
390
3,500
3,3oo
Chloride
lb . /day
212,000
710,000
1,1*50,000
1,320,000
1,270,000
1,202,000
1, OCA, 000
950,000
1,222,000
9,31*0,000
10,31*0,000
Coliform
BPE
2,200
10,600
18,700
19,000
16,1*00
13,900
8,000
6,800
it, I* 00
100,000
110,000
5-2
1*.8 ug/1
ll* rog/1 6,600 org/lOOml
13 ng/1 5,900 org/lOOml
1963
100
200
1*00
.800
1,200
1,600
U.S. Water
Entire Range
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire Range
1.21
1*.1*1
16.67
28.22
22.1*0
13-37
86.28
100
11*8
1*1*2
895
1,5^5
520
200
3,750
3,920
5-9
5-3/ug/1
226,000
792,000
1,670,000
i*, 190, ooo
1,656,000
886,000
9,1*20,000
10,260,000
650
3,660
7,6oo
ll*,200
3,500
1,390
31,000
32,100
15 ng/1 2,100 org/100ml
Ik ng/1* 1,920 org/lOOml
* Location of sampling station in feet from west shore
-------
Feet*
20
100
200
300
400
600
800
900
1,000
1,100
2,000
2,300
3,000
U.S. Water
Entire Range
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire Range
TABLE 33-V. STREAM LOADING FOR DETROIT RIVER
DT 14.6W
1962
% Flov
473
• 35
• 55
.66
• 93
• 74
•93
•58
.62
.62
12.18
2.20
3^.98
13.76
95-10
100
1.
2.
2.
4.
6.
5-
3.
3-
Phenols
Ib./day
15
So
103
340
201
283
148
121
79
231
11
20
518
2,150
2,300
Chloride
Ib . /day
190,000
450,000
1*70,000
546,000
530,000
690,000
550,000
326,000
328,000
1,350,000
120,000
110,000
4,600,000
10,260,000
11,560,000
Coliform
BPE
80
4,850
7,150
3,950
9,750
14,100
9,520
5,300
5,800
17,300
1,900
1,450
36,700
117,850
130,000
2.8
2-8
14 cig/1 6,881 org/lOOml
15 rng/1 7,000 org/lOOral
1963
20
LOO
200
300
400
800
1,000
2,000
3,000
U.S. Water
Entire Range
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Ave-T'-n
Entire Range
• 35
1-55
2.66
2.93
8.70
11.16
11.52
28.28
27-95
95.10
100
22
98
155
138
24l
470
613
40
673
2,450
2,510
150,000
432,000
668,000
694,000
734,000
1,350,000
2,464,ooo
252,000
4,126,000
10,940,000
11,360,000
3-5
3-1*
770
5,^00
3,8oo
4,ioo
5,880
10,000
7,200
350
8,000
^5,500
45,600
16 ug/l 2,800 org/lOOml
15 ng/1 2,720 org/lOOml
* Location of sampling station in feet from west shore
-------
TABLE 3l*-V. STREAM LOADING FOR DETROIT RIVER
DT 12. OW
Feet*
122
322
490
670
880
U.S. Water
Entire Range
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire Range
Flow
15-36
2l*.2l*
19.76
20.77
19.87
100
100
1962
Phenols
Ib./day
200
255
2l*0
205
200
1,100
1,100
It.8 Mg/1
It.8 Mg/1
Chloride
Ib./day
2,252,000
2,01*8,000
1,086,000
926,000
868,000
7,180,000
7,180,000
Coliform
BPE
3,000
lit, 500
3,200
26,600
25,700
73,000
73,000
31 mg/1 ll*,000 org/lOOml
31 mg/1 ll*,000 org/100 ml
1963
122
322
670
U.S. Water
Entire Range
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire Range
15-36
2l*.2l*
60.1*0
100
100
1*83
875
2,600
2,600
12-9
12.9 Mg/1
1,730,000
1,870,000
2,840,000
6,1*1*0,000
6,1*1*0,000
2,200
3,300
10,500
16,000
16,000
31 rag/1 3,500 org/lOOral
31 mg/1 3,500 org/lOOral
* Location of sampling station in feet from vest shore
-------
TABLE 35-V. STREAM LOADING FOR DETROIT RIVER
DT 9.6W
1963
475
Feet*
100
300
500
900
U.S. Water
Entire Range
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire Range
j Flow
5-32
11*. 18
17.72
62.78
100
100
Phenols
Ib . /day
63
168
105
1,06^
1,1*00
1,1*00
Chloride
Ib./day
7Uo,ooo
1,500,000
1,278,000
3,o8?,ooo
6,600,000
6,600,000
Coliform
BPE
8Uo
3,700
5,100
11,360
21,000
21,000
6.6 we/1
6.6 ug/i
30 ng/1 1*,300 org/100na
30 mg/1 1*,300 org/100na
* Location of sampling station in feet fron west shore
-------
TABLE 36-V. STREAM LOADING FOR DETROIT RIVER
476
Feet*
100
200
500
800
1,200
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,300
3,600
U.S. Water
Entire BSnge
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire Hinge
Plow
.01
.01
.01
• 32
.85
.Ik
• 90
• 79
.87
• 52
5-39
22.81
100
1.
1.
3-
3-
5-
DT 9.3E
1962
Phenols
Ib. /day
1
1
2
10
15
10
130
^5
21
25
1*0
300
800
Chloride
Ib . /day
0
0
30,000
28,000
81*, 000
96,000
161*, 000
330,000
318,000
270,000
51*0,000
1,860,000
8,l80,000
Coliform
BPE
17
13
200
600
1,550
2,300
3,650
6,970
5,l6o
5,1*1*0
7,100
33,000
150,000
1.7
1.3
11 rng/1 8,000 org/lOOml
11 mg/1 8,200 org/lOOml
1963
100
500
1,200
2,000
3,000
U.S. Water
Entire Range
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire Range
.01
.18
1.58
3.36
17-68
22.81
100
1
12
1*3
86
258
1*00
1,270
2.5 Wg/1
2.6
1*0,000
184,000
1*66,000
1,210,000
1,900,000
9,000,000
120
1,270
3,070
5,000
34,000
11 mg/1 1,1*00 org/lOOml
13 rag/1 2,100 org/lOOml
* Location of sampling station in feet from west shore
-------
477
TABLE 37-V. STREAM LOADING FOR DETROIT RIVER
DT 8.?W
Feet*
80
280
1*80
680
980
1,21*0
U.S. Water
Entire Range
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire
Flow
5-35
12.71
15.69
21.91
32.89
11.1*5
100
100
1962
Phenols
Ib./day
225
220
1*80
250
500
125
1,800
1,800
7.9JUS/1
Chloride
Ib./day
+, ooo
1,208,000
1,086,000
1,01*8,000
1,0k 0,000
l*ll*,000
5,51*0,000
5,51*0,000
Coliform
BPE
1,1*00
5,700
12,300
19,200
21*, 100
5,300
68,000
68,000
2k mg/l 13,000 org/lOCfal
21* mg/l 13,000 org/lOOml
1963
80
280
1*80
680
980
l,2l*0
U.S. Water
Entire
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire Range
1*.1*9
n.75
15-93
23.01*
28.5U
16.25
100
100
382
1*77
500
573
253
2,600
2,600
12.7jug/l
716,000
1,320,000
1,336,000
2,280,000
1,1*56,000
752,000
7,860,000
7,860,000
750
500
1,300
7,300
8,300
850
19,000
19,000
38 mg/l 1*,100 org/lOOml
38 mg/l 1*,100 org/lOOml
* Location of sampling station in feet from west shore
-------
TABLE 33-V. STREAM LOADING FOR DETROIT RIVER
KP 3.9
1962
478
Feet*
1,500
2,500
3,500
if, 500
5,500
6,500
T,500
8,500
9,500
10,500
11,500
U,S. Water
Entire River
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire River
Flow
2.40
3.38
3-13
3.76
4.33
3-33
4.70
• 71
.08
•53
4.62
44.02
100
5-
5.
3-
Phenols
Ib . /day
155
300
210
2ifO
155
180
203
207
130
60
155
2,000
3,300
Chloride
Ib . /day
1,710,000
2,290,000
l,ltMt,000
1,180,000
920,000
522,000
660,000
700,000
6oit,ooo
390,000
it8o,ooo
10,900,000
18,560,000
Coliforra
BPE
5,26o
9,200
10,700
30,300
32,700
18,400
28,600
16,200
1,550
3,200
3,890
160,000
250,000
3-7W1
24 mg/1 lit,000 org/lOOol
18 OG/1 11,000 org/lOOml
1963
2,500
3,500
it, 500
5,500
6,500
7,500
9,500
11,500
U.S. Water
Entire River
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire River
5.78
3.13
3.76
4.33
38
55
8.70
7-39
UU.02
100
526
210
202
200
135
134
503
320
2,230
3,550
2,it6S,000
l,iit8,ooo
850,000
796,000
710,000
730,000
1,266,000
972,000
8,9i*o,ooo
16,600,000
8,250
3,110
3,^50
2,370
1,720
2,200
I,it20
26,000
50,000
22 fflG/1 2,700 org/lOOnl
18 me/1 2,320 org/lOOnl
* Location of sampling station in feet from vest shore
-------
TABLE-39-V. SUMMARY OF CHANGE IN WASTE LOADINGS
BETWEEN UPPER AND LOV/ER DETROIT RIVER
U.S. WATERS ONLY
479
Upper
Detroit River
Upper *
Detroit River
Adjusted
Lower
Detroit River
Difference**
Total Colifonn.
Organisms
BPE/day
Chlorides
Ibs/day
Phenols
Its/day
Suspended Solids
Ibs/day
Settleable Solids
Its/day
Iron
Ibs/day
Total Phosphate
Ibs/day
Ammonia Nitrogen
Ibs/day
Nitrate Nitrogen
iWday
Organic Nitrogen
700
5,560,000
2,500
3,900,000
3,200,000
106,000
llU,000
73,700
112,000
91,200
kko
3,520,000
1,600
2,500,000
2,100,000
67,000
72,000
1^6,700
70,900
57,800
77,000
10,080,000
2,100
8,600,000
7,200,000
260,000
217,600
133,200
109,000
72,600
76,560
6,560,000
500
6,100,000
5,100,000
193,000
1^5,600
86,500
38,100
lit, 800
Ibs/day
* Upper Detroit River loadings have been adjusted for
equal discharge to Lower Detroit River at mouth.
** Difference is from Lower Detroit River and
adjusted Upper Detroit River.
-------
480
TABLE lO-V. COMPARISON OF INCREASE IN STREAM
LOADING WITH KNOWN WASTE SOURCE LOADINGS
Increase in Sum of Loadings
Detroit River» from Waste Surveys*
Chlorides - Ibs/day
Phenols - Ibs/day
Suspended Solids - Ibs/day
Settleable Solids - Ibs/day
Iron - Ibs, " -y
Total Phosphates - Ibs/day
Ammonia Nitrogen - Ibs/day
Nitrate Nitrogen - Ibs/day
Total Nitrogen - Ibs/day
6,560,000
500
6,100,000
5,100,000
193,000
Hi5,600
86,500
38,100
11*3,200
3,320,000
2,680
1,190,000
966,000
107,000
162,000
U2,800
697
60,700
*U.S. Waters
-------
481
TABLE 1*1-V. BACTERIAL LOADINGS AND WEIGHTED AVERAGE CONCENTRATIONS
DURING WET AND DRY CONDITIONS - DETROIT RIVER
UNITED STATES WATERS
Range
Dt 30. 8w
Dt 25.7
Dt 20.6
Dt 19.0*
Dt 17. ^W
Dt ii*.6w
Dt 12. OW
Dt 9.6w*
Dt 9.3E
Dt 8.7W
I>t 3-9
DRY
Xw**
55
1*82
537
2,8oo
3,li*o
3,36o
6,990
2,1*30
3,690
5,3^0
5,150
B.P.E.
876
1,690
6,1*00
31*, ooo
1*6,200
56,100
3i*,i*oo
11,700
11,100
26,500
57,ioo
TV**
31
1*0
27,500
702,000
12,700
16,800
8,530
10,100
3,300
18,1*00
ll*,l*00
WET
B.P.E.
l*8o
6,710
311,000
7,670,000
210,000
275,000
1*1,1*00
50,1*00
17,200
90,800
11*1,000
* Results from 1963 data
** Mean adjusted to flow at cross-section
-------
482
Richard D. Vaughan
Figures 29-V through 37-V depict stream
loadings at several key locations in the Detroit River
for total coliform organisms, phenols, chlorides, phos-
phates, total nitrogen, ammonia, suspended solids, iron,
and nitrates respectively.
Figures 38-V through 46-V depict average
concentrations for these same constituents weighted to
flow for the entire range.
(Figures 29-V through 46-V, inclusive, follow)
-------
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
483
FIGURE 29-Y
I
DT30.8W DT20.6 DT174W DTI46W DT87W DT 3.9
RANGE
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE DAILY STREAM LOADINGS
COLIFORM ORGANISMS
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, 8 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
484
FIGURE 30-TC
S.OOO
0 3,000
K
DT308W DT206 OTIT.4W OTI46W DT87W OT39
RANGE
I
g
LOADING IN
TRENTON CHANNEL ONLY
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE DAILY STREAM LOADINGS
PHENOLS
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, a WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
485
FIGURE 31-Z
10,000,000
8,000,000
6,000,000
3 4,000,000
O
2,000,000
DT308W DT206 DTI74W DTH6W OT87W DT39
MICHIGAN
I
B
LOADING IN
TRENTON CHANNEL ONLY '
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE DAILY STREAM LOADINGS
CHLORIDES
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, 8 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
290,000
O 150,000
100,000
486
FIGURE 32-1
DT 30 8W DT 20 6 DT 17 4W DT 14 6W
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAG.E DAILY STREAM LOADINGS
PHOSPHATES (P04)
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U.S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, 9 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
487
FIGURE 33-1
200,000
160,000
8O.OOO
40,000
OT 30 8W DT 20 6 DT I7.4W OT 14 6W
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE DAILY STREAM LOADINGS
NITRATES (N)
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, 9 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
488
FI6URE 34-1
200,000
160,000
BO.OOO
40,000
I
L A\K f
OT 87W OT 3.9
OT 30 8W OT 20 6 DT 17.4W OT 14 6W
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE DAILY STREAM LOADINGS
AMMONIA (N)
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, S WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH 3ERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
489
FIGURE 35-1
100,000
0 60,000
20,000
DT308W DT206 DTI74W DTI46W
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE DAILY STREAM LOADINGS
ORGANIC NITROGEN
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, a WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
490
FIGURE 36-2
10,000,000
8,000,000
6,000,000
4,000,000
2,000,000
I
DTI74W DTI46W DT87W DT39
RANGE
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE DAILY STREAM LOADINGS
SUSPENDED SOLIDS
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, a WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
491
FIGURE 37-1
80,000
i
M I
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE DAILY STREAM LOADINGS
IRON
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, 8 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
492
FIGURE 38-1
E 10,000
O
o
o
0 4,000
O
O 2,000
t-
o
I-
I
DT 30 8W OT 20.6
DT IT 4W DT 14 6W
RANGE
OT S.7W OT 3.9
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
GEOMETRIC MEAN COLIFORM CONCENTRATIONS
ADJUSTED TO FLOW AT CROSS-SECTION
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION,ft WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGIO.N V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
493
FIGURE 39-Z
I
2 12
O
1
i
•
7W DT 3 9
M I
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE PHENOL CONCENTRATIONS
ADJUSTED TO FLOW AT CROSS-SECTION
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, 9 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
494
FIGURE 4O-X
ac
i-
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE CHLORIDE CONCENTRATIONS
ADJUSTED TO FLOW AT CROSS - SECTION
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, 9 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V SROSSE ILE. MICHIGAN
-------
495
FIGURE 4I-3E
u
o
til
DT 30.6W DT 20.6 OT I7.4W OT |4 6W
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE PHOSPHATE CONCENTRATIONS
ADJUSTED TO FLOW AT C R OS S-SE CTION
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION. 8 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
496
FIGURE 42-X
E
I
r
g«
o
K 010
I-
I.8W DT 20.6 DT ir.4W DTI46W
MI
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PRXIJECT
AVERAGE NITRATE-N CONCENTRATIONS
ADJUSTED TO FLOW AT CRO SS - S ECTION
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, 8 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
497
FIGURE 43-X
OT30.BW OT206 OTI74W DT 14 6W DT87W OT 3.9
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE AMMONIA-N CONCENTRATIONS
ADJUSTED TO FLOW AT CROSS-SEC T 1 0N
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, 9 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
498
FIGURE 44-3
2 0.30
I-
DT S0.8W DT 20 6 DTI74W OT 14 6W
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE OR6ANIC-N CONCENTRATIONS
ADJUSTED TO FLOW AT CROSS-SE C TION
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, 8 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
499
FIGURE 45-S
o> 32
e
9 "
m 16
a a
z
1
DTI74W OT 14 6 W
RANGE
DT 8 7W OT 3 9
•r, ._-
^-'^•-i. .<£-''..,!•.„
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE SUSPENDED SOLIDS CONCENTRATIONS
ADJUSTED TO FLOW AT CROSS-SECTION
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, 8 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE. MICHIGAN
-------
499-A
FIGURE 46-1
i
OT 30 8W DT 20.6 DT I7.4W OT 14 6W DT 87W DT 3 9
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE IRON CONCENTRATIONS
ADJUSTED TO FLOW AT CROSS-SECTION
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, a WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
500
Richard D. Vaughan
As shown by the graphs, there was a noticeable
Increase in weighted average concentration in the Detroit
River coliform densities, from 46 to 7,250 organisms per
100 ml. Chlorides increased from 8 to 23 mg/1 and phenols
showed great variability from 3.8 micrograms/1 to
10.5 micrograms/1 Just below the Rouge to 4.9 micrograms/1
at the mouth. The increase in essential plant nutrients
was noticeable as the loadings of total nitrogen or
phosphate double between the headwaters and the mouth.
Iron showed a significant increase in both weighted
average concentrations and loadings.
A reasonable portion of the increase in stream
loadings is accounted for in the loadings computed from
domestic and industrial waste surveys.
Summaries of Detroit River tributary stream
loadings and weighted average concentrations for nitrogen
compounds, phosphates, total coliform organisms, phenols,
and chlorides are shown in Table 42-V. The tributaries
covered in this summary are the Rouge River, Ecorse River,
and Monguagon Creek.
(Table 42-V follows.)
-------
501
s
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-------
502
Richard D. Vaughan
Study of the tributaries revealed the Rouge
River to be a major contributor of coliform organisms,
phenols, and chlorides. Further study of the records
revealed a dramatic bacterial improvement in the Rouge in
1963 with a 42 per cent reduction in coliform loadings.
Phenol loadings, on the other hand, increased 54 per cent,
and chlorides stayed constant. The Ecorse River is a
small contributor of highly concentrated bacterial waste,
while Monguagon Creek is a major contributor of phenolic
wastes with 102 pounds per day. The Rouge River is a
significant source of phosphates, ammonia, nitrates, and
organic nitrogen.
The variable phenol values found at the head
of the Detroit River posed an investigative problem.
Records of the Detroit Field Unit of the International
Joint Commission were studied, and it was found that the
weighted average concentration in the St. Glair River was
9 mlcrograms/1, and loading was 8,700 pounds per day.
Known sources of phenolic waste are located in the upper
part of the St. Clair River at Sarnia, Ontario and are
believed to be the major source of this waste constituent.
-------
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-------
507
TABLE U8-V. SUMMARY OF RESULTS OF
INTENSIVE ROUGE RIVER SURVEY NUMBER TWO*
June 16-19, 1963
Unit
Organisms/100 ml
Organisms/100 ml
Organisms/100 ml
mg/1
mg/1
>ug/l
-
°C
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
mg/1
BC/1
mg/1
' ' — • — -»_^__Stat ion
Const ituent ' — • »_
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Strep.
BOD
COD
Phenols
pH
Temperature
Chloride
Ammonia
Org N
Suspended Solids
Settleable Solids
Iron
Cyanides
ABS
Copper-
Nickel
Zinc
Lead
Chromium
Cadmium
Til
1*0,000
13,000
900
5-1
28
3-7
7.2
20.1
65
1.07
.26
13
12
2.06
0
.111
*
.01
.01
.02
.01
*
T13
590
230
1*6
2.5
7
8.7
8.0
17-8
22
.1*2
-111
0
_
_
0
-
-
-
_
_
-
-
T15
20,000
5,500
1*50
3-3
18
2.7
7.2
20.5
U2
.53
.29
ll*
10
2.21
0
.11
*
.02
*
*
*
*
Tl6
6,800
2,500
170
13.2
15
2-5
7-2
22.0
33
.63
.36
16
12
-
0
-
-
-
_
_
-
-
* Not detected at the sensitivity of the test, .01 mg/1
- No determination made
a Average values found during survey for all constituents except bacteria
for which geometric means are shotm.
-------
508
TABLE 1*9-V. SUMMARY OF RESULTS OF
INTENSIVE ROUGE RIVER SURVEY NUMBER THREE
September 2k - October 1, 1963
T10
Til
T12
T13
Tll»
T15
Tl6
T17
TlS
T19
T20
T21
T22
T23
T2k
T25
T26
T27
Geometric Mean
Coliforra
Densities
Org/100 ml
55,000
60,000
5li,000
810
770
21,000
3,200
1,300
1,100
1,600
90,000
3,300
k, 100
8,500
3,900
8,000
6,100
3,300
Maximum
Coliform
Densities
Org/100 LI!
M»0, 000
U50,000
1*50,000
5,000
k ,800
1,300,000
17,000
19,000
8,000
51,000
2,100,000
61,000
53,000
i»8,ooo
2lf,000
Itl, 000
360,000
13,000
Minimum
Coliform
Densities
Org/100 ml
5,000
10,000
10,000
200
120
1,200
800
lltO
20
ho
5,000
koo
300
1,000
1,000
2,000
2,000
900
-------
509
Richard D. Vaughan
Phenol concentrations averaged 98
mlcrograms/1 during the first survey at a point 1.8
miles upstream from the mouth and decreased noticeably
to a range of 2 - 22 mlcrograms/1, due primarily to
dilution with Detroit River water from the old channel of
the Rouge River. During the summer survey (No. 2) phenol
values were much lower than the winter, ranging from
2.5 to 8.7 micrograms/1.
Coliform densities at the mouth averaged 490
organisms per 100 ml during survey number 1 but increased
to exceptionally high values in the upper reaches of this
tributary, with geometric mean values exceeding 35 million
per 100 ml. No doubt the occasional bypass of raw sewage
by the City of Dearborn described by the Michigan Department
of Health accounted for a great deal of these high values.
During the second survey conducted during the summer of
1963j the geometric mean coliform density at the mouth
was 40,000 per 100 ml and decreased at upstream stations.
During survey number 3* coliform densities were typified
by sudden Increases at two locations in the River.
During this survey a significant Increase was
found in the Rouge River coliform densities between Greenfield
and Schaefer Roads (3,300 to 90,000 per 100 ml). Investi-
gation showed this increase was due to discharge of highly
-------
510
Richard D. Vaughan
concentrated bacterial wastes from a rendering
plant operated by Darling and Company. The sudden increase
(3,200 to 56,000 per 100 ml) in bacterial densities at the
mouth of the Rouge was attributable to the sporadic
discharge of raw sewage into the River from an overloaded
pumping station operated by the City of River Rouge.
This information was turned over to appropriate State of
Michigan agencies, and in both cases corrective action was
taken to eliminate these sources of pollution.
BOD and dissolved oxygen values during survey
number 1 indicated that the oxygen-consuming wastes were
also attributable to the bypass during construction repairs
by the City of Dearborn.
Iron concentrations were high, averaging over
1 mg/1 at the mouth during surveys number 1 and number 2.
Iron concentrations in the Rouge below points of discharge
of industrial waste containing iron averaged over
2 mg/1 during survey number 2.
Average values of suspended solids ranged from
4- to 55 mg/1, with higher values upstream and higher
values at the mouth during the summer survey. Settleable
solids observed during the second survey varied from 60
to 90$ of the suspended solids found in the River, with
the largest values at the mouth.
-------
511
Richard D. Vaughan
Of the toxic metals, nickel, zinc, lead, and
chromium were consistently found throughout the length
of the Rouge River in concentrations ranging from 0.01
to 0.11 mg/1. ABS was found at the mouth at a concentration
of 500 micrograms/1, which was somewhat higher than found
in the Detroit River.
The Rouge River is Itself polluted to the
extent of interference with water uses—including
recreation and navigation. It is also a major source of
pollution in the lower Detroit River. Most significant
of the measures of Detroit River water quality affected
by the Rouge are coliform, iron, suspended and settleable
solids, and phenol concentrations.
Ecorse River
An intensive survey was conducted on the Ecorse
River July 15-18, 1963. The regular sampling station at
the mouth indicated high coliform densities, expecially
during or following rainfall. Several combined sewer out-
falls are located along the North Branch of the Ecorse
River, and discharge from these sewers was suspected of
contributing to the high bacterial densities found at the
mouth. No rain occurred during the survey, and the
flow of the Ecorse was negligible (less than 1 cfs).
-------
512
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RSE RITOR NORTH BRANCH SOUTH BRANCH
,000 18,000-65,000 1,700-31,000
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-------
513
Richard D. Vaughan
These results indicate pollution from domestic
waste sources, probably through overflows from combined
sewers, although this could not be verified due to lack
of rainfall during the survey period. The densities found
probably represent a residual effect from the overflows
in this small river plus small undetectable amounts of
domestic waste flowing into the River in dry weather.
Monguagon Creek
An intensive survey was conducted on Monguagon
Creek July 14-18, 1963. Plow in the Creek is greatly
influenced by approximately 11 cfs of industrial waste
from the Pennsalt Chemical Company's West Plant. Up-
stream from this outfall the flow In Monguagon Creek was
0.5 cfs, and downstream it was 12 cfs.
The sampling showed phenol, suspended or
settleable solids, nitrogen compounds, and chlorides in
the water. Shown below is a summary of average values at
the mouth as well as above and below the Pennsalt outfall.
-------
§
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514
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-------
515
Richard D. Vaughan
The decrease in coliform density below the
outfall was due to dilution with low coliform water as
well as the bactericidal effect of the industrial waste.
Study of waste loadings shown on the following
page revealed the Pennsalt Chemical Company as the major
contributor of all constituents mentioned (except
bacteria). In fact, the Increase in stream loadings
below this one source varied from 96 to 99$. All
values shown are in pounds per day.
Constituent Mouth Below Pennsalt Above Pennsalt
Phenols 65 80 0.02
Suspended Solids 8,470 6,470 270
Chlorides 22,200 21,900 566
This survey reveals that Monguagon
Creek is a major source of phenolic contribution to
the Detroit River, and generally speaking, water quality
conditions at the mouth of this Creek are representative
of the effluent of the Pennsalt-West Chemical Plant.
-------
516
Richard D. Vaughan
INTERFERENCES WITH WATER USE
Municipal Water Supply
Three municipal water intakes are located in
the Detroit River. Two are located in the lower section
of the River below the Rouge and are seriously affected
by pollution. The other intake is located near the head
of the Detroit River and is relatively free from damaging
effects of pollution; it is not discussed here.
Southwest Water Intake - City of Detroit
This intake, located near Fighting Island,
usually receives high quality water during dry weather
conditions, but following overflows from combined sewers
upstream the water contains more than 10,000 coliform
organisms per 100 ml. Project data Indicate
geometric mean coliform densities of approximately 800
organisms per 100 ml during dry conditions and 4,000
organisms per 100 ml during wet conditions. Maximum
values exceeding 50,000 coliform organisms per 100 ml
have been observed In waters adjacent to this Intake
following heavy rainfall. The geometric mean coliform
density of 9 samples collected at the intake during the
-------
517
Richard D. Vaughan
summer and early fall of 1964 was 2,240 organisms
per 100 ml, with a maximum value of 6,400 organisms per
100 ml and 67$ of the samples by the Public Health Service
for raw water, but do not compare favorably with water
quality in the upper Detroit River.
Analysis of data collected by Wayne County
Road Commission personnel during summer months reveals
a geometric mean of 1,930 organisms per 100 ml at the
intake before its use. Samples collected during fall
and winter months indicated water of better bacteriological
quality.
Breakdown of these results reveals 64 per
cent of the samples collected during summer months with
values greater than 1,000 per 100 ml, 39 per cent greater
than 2,400 per 100 ml and 17 per cent greater than 5,000
per 100 ml. The maximum observed value during this period
was 240,000 per 100 ml. No records of raw water results
were available after the plant opened in May, 1964.
This plant serves an estimated population of 200,000.
The effects of pollution upon this water use
vary greatly because of its location outside the main-
stream of the normal flow of grossly polluted water down
the Detroit River, This is fortunate, but changes in
weather conditions such as wind and rain can pose a
-------
518
Richard D. Vaughan
threat to the health and welfare of the users of this
supply, particularly when rainfall causes overflows
from combined sewers.
City of Wyandotte Water Intake
Raw water records at this intake have been
described elsewhere in this report. (See Figure 15-1.)
Monthly geometric mean coliform densities during the last
four years frequently exceeded 10,000 per 100 ml. During
the past two years monthly geometric mean coliform
densities were lower but still exceeded 5,000 per 100 ml
quite often during the summer months.
The maximum monthly coliform density exceeded
110,000 during 35 of 48 months during the period 1960-63.
Both maximum and geometric mean values are minimized due
to the maximum dilution at the plant, which allows speci-
fic reporting only for coliform densities equal to or
less than 110,000 per 100 ml. If the true values were
known (rather; than merely greater than 110,000 per 100
ml) the monthly geometric means and maximum values
would undoubtedly be higher.
Project data showed water quality at this point
to have a geometric mean coliform density of approximately
3,000 per 100 ml during dry conditions and 40,000 per
-------
519
Richard D. Vaughan
100 ml during wet conditions. The maximum coliform value
observed by Project personnel during the survey at this
location exceeded 600,000 per 100 ml.
Such bacteriological levels exceed require-
ments for a safe and dependable raw water supply.
Improvement in operation at the City of Detroit Sewage
Treatment Plant has lowered the values during record
years to those reported above, but more remains to be
done. Pollution in the raw water used as a municipal
source by 44,000 persons constitutes an interference
k
with this water supply and a threat to the health and
welfare of the consumer.
To add to this already difficult problem,
ammonia concentrations in the intake interfere with
chlorination so essential to the production of drinking
water from this supply. Furthermore, phenol concentrations
at the intake have produced unpleasant tastes and odors
in the drinking water.
These statements should not be interpreted
as criticms of the operation of the Wyandotte water
treatment facilities. It merely means that because of
pollution, the raw water supply available at this location
does not meet accepted levels of bacterial quality and is
lower in quality than that which would be expected at a
-------
520
Richard D. Vaughan
municipal water intake
INDUSTRIAL WATER SUPPLY
Attempts to acquire information from
Industries in the study area relative to interference
to their water supply due to pollution were generally
fruitless.
The Detroit Edison Company, an industry
using cooling water only, with several plants located
from the head of the Detroit River to its lower reaches,
answered inquiries to the effect that no serious problem
existed. The Company did report minor troubles at an
Installation in the Rouge River due to organic matter,
and at an installation below Conners Creek following
overflow from the nearby combined sewer. In both cases,
a Company representative stated that the problem was
easily solved by increase in chlorine dosage. This in-
dustry was asked for Information relative to water treat-
ment costs at their plants, but declined to provide it.
RECREATION
Because of pollution, all bathing areas
below Belle Isle on the Detroit River have been
described as unsafe for swimming and other water-contact
-------
521
Richard D. Vaughan
sports by State and local health authorities. This
restriction affects the lower 26 (out of 31) miles
of the Detroit River.
Numerous complaints concerning the effects
of pollution were received from boat owners and operators
of marina facilities along the lower Detroit River. These
were verified by visits to the installations where
observation revealed docking facilities fouled with
oil and filled in with sludge. Many owners reported
significant expense incurred in periodic cleaning or
dredging of their docking area to remove accumulated
material.
Ownership and operation of sports watercraft
is big business on the Detroit River, with over 125,000
vessels registered during a recent year. Pollution
affecting boating is due to the discharge of oil and
settleable suspended solids from municipal and Indus-
trial outfalls on the Detroit River.
Swimming and water skiing still occur in the
restricted area, and such practice represents a threat
to the health and welfare of the user. The restriction,
on the other hand, represents an interference with a
legitimate water use for those who heed the warning.
-------
522
Richard D. Vaughan
FISH AND WILDLIFE PROPAGATION
Although there is no evidence of reduction
in total numbers of pounds of fish caught by sports
fishermen in the Detroit River, the creel census records
of various agencies indicate a change in the predominant
types of fish present in the waters from game or sport
fish to those of the rough variety, such as carp, often
Inedible.
Bottom conditions along the lower section
of the Detroit River, caused by pollution, represent
unfavorable environmental conditions for the propagation
of a great variety of game fish and interfere with this
water use by limiting the variety to those species
capable of survival and propagation in polluted waters.
During the past four years no major duck
kill due to pollution has been experienced in the
Detroit River. This admirable accomplishment is the re-
sult of effective oil pollution control by the Michigan
Water Resources Commission with the cooperation of the
Michigan Conservation Commission. Major kills have
occurred as recently as I960, however, when over 10,000
birds succumbed. Constant vigilance during critical
seasons is required to prevent a recurrence of such a
-------
523
Richard D. Vaughan
tragedy.
NAVIGATION
Interference with navigation occurs at the
junction of the Rouge and Detroit Rivers, where sludge
deposits require extensive annual dredging operations
by the Corps of Engineers to keep navigable waters in
use. The deposits of suspended solids originate partly
in the discharge from several industries along the Rouge,
This fact is recognized by both the industries and the
Corps who make a charge for this service to the polluter,
involved. Deposition of suspended solids also occurs at
harbor facilities and at the mouth of the Detroit River
in the navigation channels.
-------
Richard D. Vaughan 524
SECTION VI
PRESENTATION OP RESULTS:
LAKE ERIE
DESCRIPTION OP WATER QUALITY
The Michigan waters of Lake Erie constitute
approximately 1 per cent of its total surface area, and
all the determinations in this report are limited to
those waters. A series of maps on which the contours
of various measures of water quality are described
will be presented, along with tables giving the results
of sampling. Both will be accompanied by interpretation.
The sampling stations in Lake Erie, along its bathing
beaches and on its tributaries, are shown in Figure 2-1.
Bacteriological
Bacteriological densities in Lake Erie from
the mouth of the Detroit River to a distance from 2 to
3 miles below this point indicate that the water is
polluted to the extent that it cannot safely be used for
recreational purposes. Following heavy rainfall in the
Detroit area, bypassing of excess waste from the Detroit
treatment plant extends the zone of polluted water south -
-------
Richard D. Vaughan 525
ward to Just north of Stony Point. Both the International
Joint Commission objective (2,400 coliform organisms
per 100 ml) and the standard commonly used for recreational
use of water (1,000 per 100 ml) are exceeded in the zone
of Lake Erie influenced by the Detroit River. A similar,
less extensive zone radiates from the mouth of the Raisin
River. This zone of polluted water also extends farther
out into the Lake following heavy rainfall.
Figure 1-VU depicts geometric mean coliform
values in the Lake as contours. Most of the Michigan
area of the Lake had average coliform densities under
500 organisms per 100 ml. Two areas of high density are
evident from Figure l^VI. The first extends below the mouth
of the Detroit River south to Just above Stony Point, while
the other radiates out into the Lake a short distance
from the Raisin River; each is apparently caused by
separate waste contributions from the two tributaries,
and they do not appear to be associated with each other.
Geometric mean coliform densities greater than 5*000
organisms per 100 ml were observed at the mouth of the
Detroit River as it entered Lake Erie.
(Figure 1-VI follows.;
-------
526
FIGURE 1-1
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
GEOMETRIC MEAN COLIFORM CONCENTRATIONS
MICHIGAN WATERS OF
LAKE ERIE
U.S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
527
Richard D. Vaughan
An area of geometric meanocolifora density
exceeding the International Joint Commission objective
(2,400 organisms per 100 ml) extended down into Lake
Erie for a distance of 2 to 3 miles.
Maximum coliform densities at several locations
showed a similar pattern (Figure 2-VI). Again two zones
of high values were found, in the same locations des-
cribed above. The maximum observed outside the two zones
of especially polluted water was 42,000 organisms per 100
ml, while maximum values exceeding 100,000 organisms per
100 ml were observed near the mouths of the Detroit and
Raisin Rivers.
Average fecal coliform densities in Lake
Erie ranged from 5 to 30 per cent of the total coliform
density; geometric mean fecal streptococcus densities
in Lake Erie were under 80 organisms per 100 ml at all
locations.
(Figure 2-VI follows.)
-------
528
FIGURE 2--JCL
DETROIT RIVER-UAKE ERIE PROJECT
MAXIMUM COLIFORM CONCENTRATIONS
MICHIGAN WATERS OF
LAKE ERIE
U.S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
529
Richard D. Vaughan
All bathing beaches along Lake Erie showed
geometric mean collform densities less than 1,000
organisms per 100 ml, except Maple Beach (Bl) which is
located in the influence of the polluted Detroit River.
The relatively low means at the Sterling State Park
beaches are misleading due to high maximums which appear
under certain relatively frequent conditions of wind and
weather. Since these values are masked in median or
geometric mean values, a special survey was made on this
beach, described later in this section of the report.
Average fecal coliform densities at the beaches ranged,
without a noticeable pattern, from 23 to 72 per cent of
the total coliform values. Fecal streptococcus geometric
means at the beaches ranged from 13 to 430 organisms per
100 ml. Bathing beaches from Otter Creek to the Ohio
State line had geometric mean coliform densities less
than 350 organisms per 100 ml; maximum coliform densities
at these locations did not exceed 3*000 organisms during
t he survey.
Coliform densities were highest at the
mouths of the tributaries. Table 3-VI shows geometric
mean coliform densities In excess of 1,500 organisms
per 100 ml at the mouths of all Lake Erie tributaries.
(Tables 1-VI, 2-VI, and 3-VI fellow.)
-------
530
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-------
531
TABLE 2-VI. SUMMARY OF AVERAGE RESULTS
MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE BATHHIG BEACHES
Geometric Geometric Geometric
Mean Mean Mean
Phenols Chloride Alkalinity Colifom Fecal Strep Fecal Coli
Station pH jgg/1 rag/1 ng/1 org./lOO ml org./lOO ml org./lOO ml
Bl
B3
Eh
B5
B7
B3
BIO
Bl4
BIT
Bl8
B21
B22
B23
B2?
B27
B29
B31
8.42
8.51
8.50
8.51
8.63
8.66
8.61
8.60
8.59
8.51
8.50
8.^3
8.68
8.74
8.68
8.81
8.73
2
2
2
3
3
4
4
3
3
2
3
4
3
2
1
1
2
65
44
41
33
28
27
28
25
25
25
27
26
24
25
32
24
27
93
85
86
79
78
79
76
87
76
83
83
85
82
8l
83
87
93
2,000
960
480
490
340
480
480
360
430
500
990
460
860
300
210
170
350
79
13
60
53
130
77
69
50
90
51
3T
430
200
190
190
53
170
680
320
180
152
180
200
254
83
206
190
178
207
490
111
67
123
170
-------
532
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-------
533
Richard D. Vaughan
Highest counts were at Plum Creek, averaging
49,000 coliform organisms per 100 ml, and at the Raisin
River, averaging 30,000. Fecal coliform densities were
also high here, ranging from 32 to 68 per cent of the
total values. Fecal streptococcus densities in Plum Creek
averaged 2,500 organisms per 100 ml, while those at all
other tributaries averaged under 1,000. Maximum coliform
densities exceeding 25*000 organisms per 100 ml were
found in all tributaries. The maximum value found in
Plum Creek exceeded 1 million organisms per 100 ml.
CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL
Phenols
With few exceptions, IJC objectives for average
phenol concentrations (2 micrograms/1) were met during
the survey. There is no evidence that phenols in the
Michigan waters of Lake Erie constitute interference
with water use at this time.
Average phenol concentrations in the Lake
and along shore ranged from 1 to 16 micrograms/1 with
5 out of 23 stations exceeding the IJC limit (2 micrograms/1)
The few locations with high phenol concentrations showed
no apparent pattern, and were not located in the vicinity
of either the mouth of the Detroit or Raisin Rivers.
-------
534
Richard D. Vaughan
Maximum phenol values appeared, generally, at the same
stations, with one maximum value as high as 88 micro-
grams/1 at station L 11.
All beaches had average phenol concentrations
less than 5 micrograms/1 with most equal to or less than
2 micrograms/1. Plum Creek, averaging 16 micrograms/1,
and the Raisin River, at 7 micrograms/1, were the only
tributaries with phenols exceeding 4 micrograms/1. Phenol
concentrations near the City of Monroe intake averaged
2 micrograms/1.
Chlorides
Average diloride concentrations in the Michigan
water of Lake Erie ranged from 18 to 44 micrograms/1,
with the higher values alongshore and near the mouth of
the Detroit River. Average chloride concentrations in
Lake Erie are shown as contours in Figure 3~VI. The
influence of the Trenton Channel of the Detroit River on
chloride concentrations in Lake Erie is clearly shown
in this figure, and is felt as far south as Stony Point.
A maximum value of 82 mlcrograms/1 was observed near the
mouth of the Detroit River. A maximum value of 7^
micrograms/ 1 was noted near the mouth of the Raisin
River.
(Figure 3-VI follows)
-------
534-A
FIGURE 3-m
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE CHLORIDE CONCENTRATIONS
MICHIGAN WATERS OF
LAKE ERIE
US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION. AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROS5E ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
536
Richard D. Vaughan
Harbor Beaches, just north and south, respectively,
of the mouth of the Raisin River. Suspended and settle-
Ale solids in the Raisin River, Itself, averaged 20 and
9 mg/1 respectively.
Suspended solids in Lake Erie, in the vicinity
of the mouths of the Raisin and Detroit Rivers and near
the shores, having reached levels which constitute
damaging pollution. The solids settle on the Lake bottom,
as sludge or bottom deposits, causing damage to aquatic
life. By blanketing the bottom, sludge deposits are kill-
ing eggs and essential fish-food organisms, and destroying
spawning beds.
Cyanides
No cyanide was found in Lake Erie or at its
beaches, except one concentration of 0.03 mg/1 at
Sterling State Park. Cyanides in the Raisin River averaged
0.03 mg/1 at its mouth.
Cyanide concentrations found in the Raisin
River and in Lake Erie near the mouth of the Raisin
indicate a potential interference with water use from the
standpoint of fish and wildlife propagation. This
condition appears to be limited to a small area of the
Lake immediately adjacent to the mouth of the Raisin River.
-------
537
Richard D. Vaughan
Iron
An area adjacent to and south of the mouth of
the Raisin River has iron concentrations ranging between
0.21 and 0.64 mg/1. Iron concentrations in the northern
part of the Michigan waters of Lake Erie were low (0.01
mg/1).
Iron concentrations in Lake Erie exceed the
IJC objective (.03 mg/1) in the waters adjacent to and
south of the mouth of the Raisin River. They represent
potential interference with water supply and aquatic
life.
Toxic Metals
These metals consist of cadmium, chromium,
copper, lead, nickel, and zinc.
All except cadmium were detected in the
Michigan waters of Lake Erie above the 0.01 mg/1 level.
The occurrence of metals seemed to be greater in the
waters south of Stony Point.
Copper, chromium, and zinc ranged from
0.01 to 0.07 mg/1* with the higher values adjacent to
the mouth of the Raisin River. Lead ranged from 0.01
to 0.12 mg/1, with the higher values again in the vicinity
-------
538
Richard D. Vaughan
of the mouth of the Raisin. All nickel concentrations
were 0.02 mg/1 or less, and, as mentioned before, cadmium
was not detected at the sensitivity of the test (0.01
mg/l). Toxic metals were found above minimum detectable
concentrations in the area extending outward 2 to 4 miles
from the mouth of the Raisin River.
At this time toxic metals in Lake Erie do
not cause interference with water use. However, maximum
values of chromium and lead found near the mouth of the
Raisin River indicate potential future problems.
ABS
All concentrations of alkyl benzene sulfonate
found in the Michigan waters of Lake Erie were less than
25 micrograms/1, far less than the amount which Is
expected to cause foaming (500 micrograms/1). There is
no interference with water use from this constituent.
Dissolved Oxygen
Levels of DO in most of the Michigan waters
of Lake Erie are sufficient at this time to prevent inter-
ference with water use. At the mouth of the Raisin
River, however, and to some extent in the influence of the
Detroit River, significant decrease in oxygen content has
-------
539
Richard D. Vaughan
occurred. If oxygen-consuming materials continue to
be added to the Lake from the Detroit and Raisin Rivers,
DO deficits will occur and cause serious problems.
Figure 4-VI depicts oxygen saturation contours
for Lake Erie. These are average values calculated on
the basis of both surface and depth samples. The
difference between surface and depth samples ranged between
5 and 20 per cent during fall surveys, and as much as 90
per cent during spring and early summer surveys, in the
deeper sections of the Lake. The lowest actual dissolved
oxygen concentrations were found, as expected, during
summer months, in areas adjacent to the mouths of the
Raisin and Detroit Rivers.
(Figure4-VI; and Tables 4,-VI, 5-VI, and 6-VI follow.)
-------
540
FIGURE 4-H
/
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE V. SATURATION
DISSOLVED OXYGEN
MICHIGAN WATERS OF
LAKE ERIE
US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
5*1
TABLE 4-VI. SUMMATtf OF HAXEIUl-! VALUE? POUND IN
MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE
Phenols Chloride Alkalinity Coliform Fecal Strep Fecal Coli
Station pH yg/1 _ mg/1 mg/1 org./lOO ml org./lOO ml $ of Total
L2
L3
L4
L5
L6
L7
L8
L9
L10
Lll
L12
L14
L15
LIT
L20
L21
L22
L23
L24
L25
L26
L2?
L28
3.4
C.T
3.7
8.6
3.8
9.1
9.2
3.7
8.9
9.0
8.8
9.0
8.8
8.8
9.0
8.0
8.7
8.8
8.3
8.3
8.6
8.8
9.0
6
8
9
15
5
4
•7
1
7
6
58
6
28
8
9
5
0
3
2
17
30
2
4
44
58
82
44
48
43
37
55
37
47
l»6
in
30
35
23
58
74
39
36
34
31
34
27
82
SO
89
80
80
81
87
157
35
32
31
84
82
78
82
84
84
86
84
87
85
84
86
56,000
110,000
75,000
97,000
30,000
42,000
100,000
23,000
3,000
2,500
36,000
6,4oo
7,400
1,200
1,000
57,000
81,000
1,700
2,400
4,700
140
2,700
2,000
45
88
50
58
85
-
--
-
-
-
_
L 10
-
-
10
310
55
75
L 10
L 5
-
20
20
42
45
45
55
20
-
-
-
-
_
-
25
-
_
40
5
25
30
-
5
10
-------
542
TABLE 5 -VI. SUMMARY OF MAXIMUM VALUES FOUND AT
MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE MTHHICi BSACHE3
Phenols Chloride Alkalinity Coliform Fecal Strep Fecal Ooli
Station pH JU£/1_ mg/1 mg/1 org./lOO ml org./lOO ml c'-> of Total
Bl
B3
B4
B5
B7
B8
BIO
B14
B17
Bl8
B21
B22
B23
B25
B27
B29
B31
9.0
9.2
9.0
9.0
9.1
9.1
9.2
9.2
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.3
9.3
9.4
9.3
9.5
9.4
14
5
8
8
10
13
15
8
7
8
9
14
10
8
4
3
13
82
80
80
75
71
79
78
37
31
30
49
42
36
31
149
30
37
93
88
89
82
81
81
78
99
80
88
87
90
86
86
87
90
103
25,000
240,000
190,000
42,000
62,000
37,000
33,000
86,000
96,000
230,000
72,000
3,100
51,000
8,000
2,200
2,000
3,000
2,000
850
200
380
2,000
1,400
2,500
420
500
250
160
3,700
1,800
3,500
2,100
740
1,500
100
70
100
58
95
100
100
40
80
80
4o
85
90
100
60
100
90
-------
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-------
544
Richard D. Vaughan
A band of low DO, less than 50 per cent
saturation, extended out from the Raisin River for a
distance of 1/2 to 3/4 mile. In this small area there
was occasional complete depletion of DO. The zero DO
values were concentrated in the mouth of the Raisin
River hydrologlcally speaking, especially since within
one mile of the average values recovered to 100 per
cent saturation.
A second area of relatively low DO was found
immediately below the mouth of the Detroit River in a
finger extending southward for a distance of 4 to 6
miles. Average values here were under 85 per cent
saturation; the minimum value was 5.8 rng/1, Just off
Pointe Mouillee.
Excluding these two areas, the lowest value in
Lake Erie was at Station LIT: 5.6 mg/1 at 24 feet. The
corresponding surface sample was 11.9 mg/1. An area of
exceptionally high DO was found in the Brest Bay area
where averages exceeded 120 per cent saturation. Such
high values in natural waters are normally associated
with algal growth and subsequent production of oxygen.
-------
Richard D. Vaughan
Temperature
Temperature values In the Michigan waters of
Lake Erie reached a high of 24.5°C, or 76 degrees P.
On some days during fall and winter months temperatures
varied only 1 degree throughout the Lake; during spring
and early summer surveys, however, differences throughout
the Lake as great as 6 degrees were observed. Average
temperatures In the Lake during the spring and summer
tended to be slightly higher than those in the Detroit
River; during the fall no difference between the two
bodies of water was observed. Differences at specific
stations between surface and depth samples were less than
1 degree C during fall and winter months, but increased
to 3 and ^ degrees during the spring and early summer
at the deeper stations on Lake Erie.
Temperature levels in the Michigan waters of
Lake Erie do not at present Interfere with water use.
Nitrogen Compounds
Over 85 per cent of the Michigan waters of
Lake Erie contain Inorganic nitrogen in concentrations
above the level which produces undesirable algal blooms.
These growths represent serious interference with water use,
-------
546
Richard D. Vaughan
and contribute to the premature nutritive enrichment, or
aging, of the Lake.
Figure 5-VT shows average nitrate concentrations
as contours in the Michigan waters of Lake Erie. The
flumlng effect from the mouth of the Detroit River
noticeable in the dispersion of other pollutants was not
present in the distribution of nitrates. These did radiate
out from the mouth of the Raisin River, however.
Immediately surrounding the mouth of the River
average values were greater than 0.50 mg/lj around
Sterling State Park average concentrations ranged to
0.35 to 0.50 mg/1. Another area of high nitrate con-
centration ves observed off Pointe Moulllee, with values
above 0.35 mg/1 average.
(Figure 5-VT follows.)
-------
548
Richard D. Vaughan
Dally values in the Brest Bay area reached
maximums early In May (0.91 rag/1), minimums In September
(0.11 mg/1), and then rose again in October and
December (to 0.24 mg/1).
Nitrate values In the Lake averaged between
less than 0.0001 mg/1 to 0.0009 mg/1, with no noticeable
pattern in the distribution of these values.
Nitrates and nitrites in the Lake study area
do not, at this time, interfere with water uses.
Ammonia nitrogen average concentrations are
shown in Figure 6-VI. Pluming effects from the mouths
of both the Detroit and Raisin Rivers were noticeable.
A mass of water with concentrations exceeding 0.30 mg/1
extended about ten miles into the Lake from the Detroit
River. Average concentrations exceeding 0.30 mg/1
radiated about 1/2 mile into the Lake from the mouth of
the Raisin River, and values exceeding 0.20 mg/1 were
found for one to two miles farther.
(Figure 6-VI follows.)
-------
550
Richard D. Vaughan
Average ammonia concentrations of 0.20 mg/1
and above near the City of Monroe water intake indicate
water treatment difficulties and the need for excessive
dosage of chlorine to achieve adequate disinfection.
Average concentrations of all organic nitrogen
in the Michigan waters of Lake Erie are shown in
Figure 7-VI. The northern part of the Michigan waters
had values of less than 0.20 mg/1 for the most part.
The portion of the Lake extending along the
shore from the Raisin River to the Michigan-Ohio State
line along the Michigan shore had average organic nitrogen
values between 0.20 and 0.30 mg/1. A small area Just off
the mouth of the Raisin River had values exceeding 0.30
mg/1.
(Figure 7-VI follows.)
-------
FIGURE 7-SI
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE OR6ANIC-N CONCENTRATIONS
MICHIGAN WATERS OF
LAKE ERIE
US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
55^
Richard D. Vaughan
Phosphates
Concentrations of soluble phosphates in
almost the entire Michigan portion of Lake Erie exceeded
0.015 mg/1 as phosphorus. (To convert soluble phosphates
reported as phosphates to those reported as phosphorus,
divide by three.) Combined with the high concentrations
of nitrogen compounds, the phosphates contribute an
excess of nutritive matter to the Lake, accelerating its
aging, or eutrophication. Over 85 per cent of the
Michigan waters of Lake Erie contain soluble phosphorus
in concentrations sufficient to creat nuisance algal
blooms and concomitant damages.
Areas of high total phosphate concentration
(0.20 - 0.50 mg/1), reported as phosphate, extended
from the mouth of the Detroit River into Lake Erie as
far south as Stony Point (Figure 9-VI).
(Figure 9-VI follows.)
-------
555
FIGURE 9-21
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE TOTAL PHOSPHATE CONCENTRATIONS
MICHIGAN WATERS OF
LAKE ERIE
US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
556
Richard D. Baughan
Daily average total phosphate concentrations
for the entire Lake varied from 0.18 mg/1 in the spring
to over .30 mg/1 in late fall and early winter. Another
small zone of Mgh total phosphate concentrations
(.30 - .40 mg/1) extended outward from the mouth of the
Raisin River about one mile.
Soluble phosphate values (shown in Figure
10-VI) indicated three areas of high concentrations of
this constituent. One extended down 6 to 8 miles from
the mouth of the Detroit River, with concentrations varying
from 0.10 to greater than 0.20 mg/1 as phosphate
(0,033 to 0.65 mg/1 as phosphorus). The second area
of high concentration radiated outward 1 to 2 miles
from the mouth of the Raisin River. The third area
extended upward 3 to 4 miles from the Michigan-Ohio
State line near Toledo. Most of the remainder of the
Michigan waters of Lake Erie had concentrations of
soluble phosphate ranging from 0.05 to 0.10 mg/1 as
phosphate (0.016 to .033 mg/1 as phosphorus).
(Table 10-VI follows.)
-------
558
Richard D. Vaughan
Alkalinity
Average alkalinity was very constant through-
out the Michigan waters of Lake Erie, ranging from 78 to
86 mg/1. One exception was the concentration of Station
L9 of 119 mg/1, with no apparent explanation other than
one very high count distorting the average. Alkalinity
concentrations at Lake Erie bathing beaches were also
consistent and in the same range (76-93 mg/1). Tributary
alkalinity concentrations were generally much higher,
ranging from 106 mg/1 in Swan Creek to 221 mg/1 in
Plum Creek.
Alkalinity in Michigan Lake Erie was well
within a range suitable for all water uses.
BIOLOGICAL
Microscopic Plants and Animals
Waters of the Lake in the study area in
contrast to River waters, were found to be rich in plankton,
with counts as high as 22,425/ml. The Lake area nearest
ttie shore supported especially dense populations of plant
and animal plankters. Plankton was primarily responsible
for the observable turbidity of much of the Michigan waters
of the Lake.
-------
559
Richard D. Vaughan
Collections near the mouth of the Detroit
River had phytoplankton counts throughout the season
4 to 7 times lower than those of the Lake, reflecting
the plankton-ooor water masses passing from the Detroit
River and heading eastward into other waters of Lake
Erie* Density levels in general increased with distance
from the Detroit River mouth. Average values for the
whole season were 2,500 organisms/ml for the outshore
locations and 4,200 organisms/ml for the inshore stations
(see Table 7-VI).
(Table 7-VI follows.)
-------
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-------
561
Richard D. Vaughan
The abundance of phytoplankton observed in
the Michigan waters of Lake Erie indicates that its
capacity to produce plankton is among the highest in
the Great Lakes. The heavy crops of algae observed
at the inshore stations near Stony Point and Brest Bay
could not be maintained throughout the summer season
without an adequate supply of Inorganic nitrogen and
soluble phosphates. Measurements showed inorganic
nitrogen and soluble phosphates reported as phosphorus
at 0.55 mg/1 and 0.036 mg/1, respectively, levels
characteristic of organically enriched waters. The nutrient
levels at the beginning of the spring growing season re-
quired to produce nuisance blooms are only 0.30 mg/1
for Inorganic nitrogen and 0.015 rag/1 for soluble
phosphates reported as phosphorus.
The shallowness of the western basin of Lake
Erie, coupled with wind and current action, bring about
almost uniform vertical distribution of temperature
and nutrients, which creates an optimal environment for
growth and reproduction of plankters. Atmospheric and
photosynthetic oxygen is thoroughly mixed throughout
t he water mass, so that there is no anaerobic organic
decomposition near the bottom. High raid-summer tempera-
tures of 24 degrees C increase the rate of decomposition
-------
562
Richard D. Vaughan
of protein materials and convert nitrogen into the form
needed for growth of algae. Phosphorus, bound in the cell
material of dead and decaying algae and other organic
material, is released in the form of soluble phosphates
and a portion recycled as a plant nutrient.
In the Brest Bay area, where the nutrient
supply is rich and the algae count highest, the phosphates
and nitrates are recirculated in the water mass by the
clockwise currents. The addition of more nutrients
gradually increases the concentration. At times of
bloom low levels of nitrates were observed, but this
can be explained by the known tendency of phytoplankton
to take up nutrients in excess of actual needs.
A considerable portion of the nutrient supply
for maintaining the observed phytoplankton abudance in
Brest Bay originates from the discharge of inadequately
treated domestic wastes and the paper mill wastes to the
Raisin River at Monroe. Nutrient measurements sub-
stantiate this assumption, as the phosphate and nitrate
levels observed in the Raisin River were 0.4 mg/1 and
0.6 mg/1, respectively.
Other symptoms of heavy organic enrichment
at the inshore stations were the sewage-tolerant species
of blue and green algae, and the diatoms characteristic
-------
563
Richard D. Vaughan
of highly eutrophic bodies of standing water. These
blooms were concentrated In Brest Bay and at the station
above Stony Point close to the City of Monroe's water
intake. (Taste and odor-producing algae have caused
trouble at the City of Monroe's water treatment plant in
the past. The intake was moved to its present location
in 1950 to obtain waters less prone to tastes and odors.)
The filamentous green algae, Cladophora, and the
filamentous slime bacterium, sphaerotilus, mentioned earlier
as usually associated with nutrient-enriched waters, were
also found at most stations in Lake Erie. Heavy growths
of algae were found along the beaches near Bolles Harbor,
and in the Brest Bay area, further indicating the
polluted condition of these waters and pointing to
sources of waste in the Monroe-Raisin River area.
Bottom Organisms
In Lake Erie, a study of the bottom animals
revealed particularly polluted areas adjacent to the
Raisin River and Sterling State Park (Figure 12-VI, Table
8-VI), and also at the mouth of the Detroit River, extending
in the shape of a fan out into the Lake.
(Figures 11-VI and 12-VI and Table 8-VI follow.)
-------
564
FIGURE II-SI
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
DISTRIBUTION OF
FILAMENTOUS SEWAGE BACTERIA
MICHIGAN WATERS OF
LAKE ERIE
US DEPARTMENT OF HE ALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE. MICHIGAN
-------
56?
Richard D. Vaughan
The clustering of these zones close to the
mouths of the Detroit and Raisin Rivers points to the
greatest sources of pollution. In between the two polluted
areas, associations of bottom forms containing sensitive,
intermediate, and tolerant specimens indicate that the
two general areas of pollution are independent of each
other.
Samples from the Detroit River below sources
of pollution and from the Lake did not contain a single
burrowing mayfly. Among the causative factors involved
in the disappearance of this important fish food organism
are changes in the Lake floor sediments themselves.
Oooze or flocculent sludge and oil laid down by pollu-
tion from Detroit and the Monroe area have replaced the
more desirable habitats that once supported mayflies and
other fish food organisms.
SOURCES AND CHARACTERISTICS OP WASTES
Municipal
In addition to studying the operating records
of sewage treatment plants (see Figures 11-1 and 14-1) in
the area studied by the Projsct, two 4-day surveys were
made of the Monroe Sewage Treatment Plant in cooperation
with the Michigan Department of Health. Waste flows
-------
568
Richard D. Vaughan
were measured, hourly bacteriological samples and 12-hour
composite chemical, biochemical, and physical samples
collected, and the results analyzed in the Project
laboratory.
Table 9~VI summarizes the results of the two
surveys, and Table 10-VI lists waste loadings and observed
treatment efficiency of the plant.
The two surveys revealed an influent fairly
typical of a weak domestic waste. Exceptions to this
general observation included high concentrations of
soluble and total phosphates (20 and *K) mg/1 respectively),
and high concentrations of certain toxic metals including
copper, zinc, and lead.
(Tables 9-VT and 10-VI follow.)
-------
569
TABLE 9-VI. SUMMARY OF RESULTS OF MONROE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT SURVEY
Avg.
Pb
rog/1
0.13
0.09
-
0.13
0.09
Avg.
CN
rog/1
_
-
-
-
-
Avg.
Clo
Res id.
ragA
«
1.2?
-
-
1.25
-------
•TABLE 10-VI. SUMMARY OF WASTE LOADINGS
MONROE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT SURVEY
570
*y
Copper
Ibs/day
-
_
Cadmiun
Ibs/day
-
— ,
Nickel
Ibs/day
0.33
0.33
Zinc
Ibs/day
1.65
1.65
Lead
Ibs/day
2.96
2.96
Cyanide
Ibs/day
-
—
SUMMARY OF TREATMENT EFFICIENCY
MONROE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT SURVEY
rides
moval
0
0
ABS
% removal
0
0
Iron
% removal
37
37
Copper
% removal
-
_1
Cadmium
% removal
-
^
-------
572
Richard D. Vaughan
over 600 pounds of phosphates, I,l8o pounds of suspended
solids, and an oxygen demand equivalent to the raw sewage
of a population of 8,100 to the Raisin River.
The table below lists the loadings of iron,
oil, phenols, and suspended solids, which would result
if International Joint Commission effluent limitations,
including a suspended solids limitation of 35 nig/1, were
met at the Monroe Plant.
POLLUTANT
Oil and Grease
Phenols
Iron
LOADING AFTER REDUCTION
PRESENT LOADING REDUCTION PER CENT
52 gallons/day 31 gals./day
0.97 Ibs./day 0.^7 Ibs/day 51
31 Ibs./day
31 Ibs./day 0
Suspended Solids 1,180 Ibs./day 856 Ibs./day 27
INDUSTRIAL
The sources of industrial wastes studied in
the lower Raisin River are six plants near Monroe, Mich-
igan. These plants consist of four paper mills, a manu-
facturer of automobile bumpers and accessories, and a
manufacturer of automobiles.
-------
573
TABLE 11-VI.
SUMMARY OF RANGES OF AVERAGE RESULTS OF
INDUSTRIAL WASTE EFFLUENT CONCENTRATIONS
RAISIN RIVER AT MONROE
B-
des
€/l
5.03
0
..02
0
0
0
Copper
rag/1
0-0.09
<0. 01-0. TO
0.03-0.76
<0.01-
.01-0.06
.07-O.llj
Cadmium
mg/1
0-<0.01
-------
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-------
TABLE 14-VI. INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS CONTAINING EXCESSIVE
CONCENTRATIONS OF WASTE MATERIALS
Suspended
575
Industry
Raisin River
Consolidated Paper Company
North Side
West Clarifier
East Clarifier
Bypass
South Side
Ford Motor Conpany
Sewage Treatment Plant
Main Plant
Monroe Paper Products Company
Union Bag-Camp Paper Company
BOD Cyanides
(rag/1) (mg/1)
310
327
120
1.02
126
305
Solids
(mg/1)
163
190
277
189
99
93
Coliform Bacteria
MP/100 ml
29,000
1>6,000
62,000
2,000,000
1*60,000
60,800
-------
576
Richard D. Vaughan
The total waste volume from these six plants
is 151 million gallons per day. Another plant, the
Consolidated Paper Company, West Side Works, although
not operating during the Project, has since resumed oper-
ation on a part-time basis. Waste constituents from
these sources Include large quantities of oxygen-demanding
material which deplete the oxygen resources of the Raisin
River beyond recovery. The wastes also contain significant
quantities of coliform bacteria, oil, toxic metals,
cyanides, and suspended and settleable solids.
The industrial wastes which most seriously
degrade the water of the Raisin River originate from the
four paper mills, where the treatment is in all cases
inadequate. The paper plants all provide partial treat-
ment for removal of settleable solids and one provides
chemical coagulation in addition. The Ford Motor Company
plant maintains extensive treatment facilities for control
of the toxic metallic ions and cyanide-bearing wastes.
In addition, a small primary sewage treatment plant
treats the domestic wastes from the Ford Works.
With the exception of the Monroe Auto Equip-
ment Company, all treatment facilities are inadequate
to prevent interference with water uses in the Raisin
River and subsequently in Lake Erie. The Raisin
-------
577
Richard D. Vaughan
River, itself, primarily due to the paper mill wastes,
i s in a continuous state of putrefaction and is literally
offensive in appearance.
Wastes in the Raisin River eventually reach
the waters of western Lake Erie. The paper mill wastes
combined far exceed the assimilative capacity of the
Raisin River, discharging wastes equal to the oxygen
demand of sewage from a population of 225,000. They also
contain excessive densities of coliforms, at times
exceeding 1 million organisms per 100 ml. These densities
are of particular concern because of the Lake Erie bathing
beaches at the mouth of the Raisin. The Ford Motor
Company discharges 1,075 pounds of cyanides and 4,080
pounds of toxic metals each day, and, under summer
flow conditions, the large discharge from Ford comprises
nearly the entire flow in the lower Raisin River. The
oil from Ford, although low in concentration due to
dilution in the waste canal, is large in quantity—870
gallons/day. These wastes may severely hinder the
propagation of aquatic life in the Raisin River and the
nearby lake waters.
Below is a tabulation of the industrial waste
loadings in the Raisin River which would result if
excessive concentrations of certain constituents were
-------
578
Richard D. Vaughan
reduced to meet International Joint Commission effluent
recommendations and a suspended solids effluent limit
of 35 mg/1.
POLLUTANT
Iron
Oil
Phenols
LOADINGS AFTER PER CENT
PRESENT LOADING REDUCTION REDUCTION
35 pounds/day 35 pounds/day
870 gals/day 870 gals./day
22 pounds/day 7,^00 Ibs./day
Suspended Solids 23,500 Ibs./day7,400 Ibs/day
70
68
STORMWATER OVERFLOW
All along the Lake Erie shorefront are
pumping stations designed to receive surface drainage and
automatically discharge it, untreated, into Lake Erie
during or following rainfall and heavy surface runoff.
Sampling of the discharge of these stations revealed
that sewage from direct discharge or from improperly
operating septic tank installations reaches the stations
along with surface storm runoff.
The City of Monroe has separated its sewers,
but a portion of the sanitary sewers still receives roof
-------
579
Richard D. Vaughan
runoff from residences and commercial establishments.
This places a burden on the sewage treatment plant and
any waste load above 10 MOD is bypassed to the Raisin
River, receiving chlorination only. In addition, a
flood relief pumping station on the Raisin River inter-
ceptor functions when unusually high rainfall or flood
stage of the river inundates the sanitary sewer to the
plant. Both of these operations contribute untreated
wastes to the River.
Coliform data from the mouth of the Raisin
River were evaluated with respect to rainfall in the
Monroe area. In the lower part of the River steady
industrial and municipal waste contributions over-
diadowed any noticeable effect of rain on bacterial
water quality. The effect of rainfall on the River above
known sources of pollution, however, was strongly
adverse, as in late August, 1963* when heavy rains caused
the flood pumping station to operate for one hour, and
coliform densities Jumped to 10 and 20 times the normal
levels. In times of moderate rainfall slight rises in
coliform densities were noticed in the upper Raisin River,
for relatively short periods of time.
-------
580
Richard D. Vaughan
SHOREPRONT HOMES
Estimates of the number of unsewered shore-
front homes that discharge sewage directly, or from
improperly functioning septic tanks, to Lake Erie or its
tributaries were made in 1962 conference transcript. Consul-
tation with personnel of the Monroe County Health De-
partment revealed several tributaries, including Plum
Creek and Sandy Creek, which receive such wastes directly
and via county surface drains. Much of the Lake Erie
shoreline from Maple Beach to below the Raisin River,
outside of the sewered area of the City of Monroe, is
so affected. Surface drainage polluted with sewage
reaches the Raisin River above the City of Monroe through
county drains which permit discharge into the river
during wet and, In some reported cases dry conditions.
Individual reports will be made on the ef-
fects of this type of pollution in the Maple-
Mllleville Beach and Sterling State Park Beach areas
(see Special Studies). In general it can be stated that
these sources of wastes adversely affect water quality
at Lake Erie bathing beaches, especially in times of
rainfall and specific wind conditions favoring retention
of the polluted wake along the shorefront.
-------
581
Richard D. Vaughan
POLLUTION FROM BOATS
Commercial and pleasure boats make heavy use
of the Michigan waters of Lake Erie. All such craft
represent potential sources of pollution from oil and
human wastes. The files of this Project contain reports
of oil spills which appeared to originate in the middle
of the Lake waters under study, undoubtedly from boats.
ENRICO FERMI ATOMIC REACTOR
The Enrico Fermi Atomic Reactor, designed to
generate electric energy for domestic and Industrial use,
Is not now In active operation but is expected to produce
power sometime in 1965. Both radioactive and domestic
wastes are adequately treated, and create no interference
with water use.
Domestic wastes from the 150 employees of
this installation are treated by a secondary treatment
plant. Over 90 per cent of the BOD is removed by this
plant, which now operates under its design capacity of
75*000 gallons per day. Operating records are sent to
the Michigan Department of Health for review.
The only radioactive wastes originating in
the plant are from biweekly steam cleaning of the
-------
582
Richard D. Vaughan
reactor sub-assembly, and over 00 per cent consists of
sodium 24 with a half-life of 15 hours. Treatment is
provided by storage for 9 days in a surge tank. . The
effluent is then bled off at a rate determined by the
radioactivity remaining in the tank and discharged
to Lake Erie through a dilution canal off a lagoon in
Swan Creek. Automatic monitoring devices operate
continually and prevent discharge of highly concentrated
radioactive material to the receiving waters. In the
event radioactivity is too high after 9 days storage
for discharge into the receiving waters, additional
storage equal to three months' capacity is available.
TRIBUTARIES TO LAKE ERIE
Tributaries to Lake Erie are large sources
of its pollution. The major source, the Detroit River,
has been described in detail in Section V of this report.
U. S. waters of the Detroit contribute over 95# of the
pollution of the Michigan waters of Lake Erie. Other
tributaries considered in this study include the Raisin
River, Huron River, Swan Creek, Stony Creek, Sandy Creek,
Plum Creek, and LaPlaisance Creek. Table 15-VI
summarizes average quantitative loadings for each of these
tributaries for total coliform organisms.
(Tables 15-VI and 16-VI follow.)
-------
583
TABLE 15 -VI. AVERAGE COLIFORM LOADINGS
TRIBUTARIES TO MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE
Average Coliform Loading
Tributary BPE*
Detroit River** 77,000
Huron River 317
Swan Creek 10
Stony Creek 51
Sandy Creek Uj
Raisin River ^,500
Plum Creek ^7
* One BPE = 200 billion coliform organisms
** United States testers
-------
TABLE 16-VI. AVERAGE STREAM LOADINGS
TRIBUTARIES TO MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE
584
Detroit River
Huron River
Raisin River
Concen-
tration*
Chlorides
Phosphate
Nitrates
Ammonia
Organic
Nitrogen
Suspended
Solids
Settleable
Solids
Phenols
Iron
23
0.53
0.27
0.33
0.18
21
18
4.9
0.62
Loading*
10,100,000
218,000
109,000
133,000
72,600
8,600,000
7,200,000
2,100
260,000
Concen-
tration*
36
1.71
0.28
0.26
0.13
k
-
3.1
.09
Loading*
89,200
h,2ko
69k
61*5
322
9,920
-
8
223
Concen-
tration*
28.6
.36
• 13
.39
.27
9.7
2.9
7.1
0.78
Loading*
141,000
1,770
6UO
1,920
1,330
47,800
14,300
35
3,840
* Concentration in mg/1, except phenols, vhich are in ug/1. Detroit
River average concentrations are adjusted to flow for the entire
United States section at the mouth.
* Loadings in pounds per day.
-------
585
Richard D. Vaughan
Table 16-VI summarizes average values and
loadings for the Detroit, Huron, and Raisin Rivers, the
largest tributaries, £or phosphates, nitrogen compounds,
phenols, chlorides, suspended solids, cyanides, and iron,
Three Intensive studies, or surveys, done of the Raisin
River are discussed under "Special Studies."
The Huron River is a contributor of wastes
high in coliform densities, phosphates, and nitrogen
compounds. However, the Project was unable to demon-
strate specific adverse effects on the Michigan waters
of Lake Brie directly attributable to the HUron. The
Huron River discharges into a large marsh at Pointe
Mouillee which is subject to backwater from the already
polluted waters of the Detroit River. Retention in the
Pointe Mouillee marsh prevents the identification of
Huron's share of nutrient and coliform loadings. Any
change in water quality in Lake Erie due to the Huron is
masked by other sources of pollution. After sources
of pollution in the Detroit River have been eliminated
or substantially controlled, the real contribution of
the Huron River may be ascertained.
-------
586
Richard D. Vaughan
SPECIAL STUDIES
Several special studies were made In areas
where pollution problems were not clearly defined
by routine Investigation of water quality and waste
sources. Included In these activities were three
intensive surveys of the Raisin River, a pollution study
of the Maple-Milleville Beach area, collection and analy-
sis of bottom deposits in the Lake, determination of
distribution of currents in Michigan Lake Erie, a study
of rooted aquatic plants, and a special pollution in-
vestigation of the Sterling State Park bathing beaches.
RAISIN RIVER INTENSIVE SURVEYS
Three intensive surveys of the Raisin River
were conducted by Project personnel during winter and
summer months. Figure 13-VT shows the sampling stations
on a map of the Raisin River; and Tables 17-VI through
19-VI summarize the results.
(Tables 17-VI through 19-VI follow.)
-------
587
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588
TABLE 18-VI. SUMMARY OF RESULTS
RAISIN RIVER SURVEY NUMBER 2
JUNE 9 THROUGH JUNE 12, 1963
Station
T80 (mouth)
T8l
T82
T83
T84
Station
T80 (mouth)
T8l
T82
T83
T8U
Station
T80 (mouth)
T81
T82
T83
T81t
Average
Plow
(cfs)
868
868
JOk
682
668
Average
Flow
(cfs)
868
868
7<&
682
668
Average
Flow
(cfs)
868
868
70lt
682
668
Geometric Mean
Coliform
Densities-
org./100 ml
120,000
150,000
170,000
57,000
7,800
Average
Cyanides
mg/1
•03
• 30
0
<.01
.01
Average
Zinc
mg/1
.02
.Ok
.10
.06
.01
Average
Phenols
W/l
8.6
5-0
23-8
3-6
lt.lt
Average
BOD
mg/1
7.6
lit.lt
24.8
10.0
8. It
Average
Lead
mg/1
<.01
.01
.oh
.01
<.oi
Average
Chlorides
mg/1
32.6
26.8
1*5.2
29.2
ia.8
Average
Copper
mg/1
.16
.22
.06
.02
• 03
Average
Chromium
mg/1
.01
.02
<.01
<.01
<.01
Average
Suspended
Solids
mg/1
8
12
59
37
&
Average
Nickel
mg/1
.02
.01
.03
.02
.03
Average
Cadmium
mg/1
_
<.01
<.01
<.01
-------
589
TABLE 19-VI. SUMMARY OF RESULTS
RAISIN RIVER SURVEY NUMBER 3
AUGUST 26 THROUGH AUGUST 29, 1963
Station
T80
T82
T83
T84
T86
T88
T89
Average
Flow
(cfs)
2^5
72
60
46
^
^
^
Geometric Mean
Coliform
Densities
org./100 ml
30,000
200,000
it 20, 000
^30,000
17,000
16,000
720
Average
Phenols
AJg/1
6.8
26.0
19-8
12.0
99-8
15-0
2-5
Average
Suspended
Solids
mg/1
16
30
55
31
9
8
3
Mason Run (Consolidated North
and Union-Bag Camp Company)
Consolidated Paper Company -
North Plant
Consolidated Paper Company -
South Plant
Monroe Paper Products
Monroe Sewage Treatment
Plant
Coliform
Densities
org./lOO ml
26,000-50,000
6,200-190,000
100-5,000,000
2,000-80,000
20,000-^20,000
Suspended
Solids
mg/1
108-203
192-670
21-637
1*3-372
23-31
Settleable
Solids
mg/1
11-115
0-180
0-567
15-359
0-2
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590
Richard D. Vaughan
Major waste sources are introduced to the
river between station T83 and T84 (Monroe Sewage
Treatment Plant and Consolidated Paper Company, South
Plant) and between stations T82 and T83 (Consolidated
Paper Company, North Plant, Union-Bag Company and Ford
Motor Company). Wastes from the Monroe Paper Products
enter the river between T88 and T89.
Prom the upstream stations to station T84
(above most waste sources) coliform densities in the river
averaged under 20,000 organisms per 100 ml during all
surveys and under 5,000 organisms per 100 ml during two.
Below station T84 average values were over 100,000
organisms per 100 ml during all surveys. The backwater
effect of the Lake Increased volume of low bacterial
industrial wafcte from the Ford Motor Company reduced
coliform densities at the mouth to values of 1,350
organisms per 100 ml during winter months and to 30,000
and 120,000 organisms per 100 ml during summer months.
In June, 1963> effluent of the Monroe Sewage
Treatment Plant was monitored and had a geometric mean
of only 105 coliform organisms per 100 ml during the
survey. Nevertheless, an increase between station T84
and T83 of 7,800 to 57,000 organisms per 100 ml was
observed. This testifies to the extreme influence of the
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591
Richard D. Vaughan
effluents from the paper mills along the Raisin River
upon its collform density and bacterial water quality.
High concentrations of suspended and settle-
able solids were noted in the effluents of all paper
mills, but not in that of the Ford Motor Company or
Monroe Sewage Treatment Plant. Cyanides from one Ford
effluent were excessive, at 1.3 mg/1. Iron concentrations
in all effluents were low but the average value at the
mouth was high, at 0.78 mg/1. Analysis of toxic metals
during survey number two indicated substantial quantities
of copper, nickel, and zinc. The following table is a
summary of amounts of wastes discharged into the Raisin
River between station T89 and the mouth, compared to the
increase in stream loadings between those two points.
WASTE SOURCES INCREASE IN LOAD-
CONSTITUENT POUNDS/day INQS,POUNDS/DAY
Phenols
Chlorides
Cyanides
BOD
Iron
Suspended Solids
24
19,600
1,050
49,000
40
23,300
15
60,000
135
35,600
1,300
20,600
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592
Richard D. Vaughan
The two-mile stretch of the Raisin River
immediately above its mouth receives large quantities
of Industrial and domestic wastes, and is not only
grossly polluted, but also seriously degrades an area
of Lake Erie near its mouth. Waste constituents dis-
charged to the River are high in coliform, suspended
solids, and cyanide concentrations, and include large
quantities of oxygen-consuming substances, as evidenced
by the discharge of 49,000 pounds per day of BOD
(equivalent in oxygen-consuming capacity to the
untreated wastes of a population of about 225,000).
The lower Raisin River is frequently completely devoid
of dissolved oxygen, resulting in a continuous state of
putrefaction during the summer months. All uses of
the Raisin River except waste disposal and navigation have
been eliminated by pollution, and deposits of settleable
solids at the mouth interfere with these uses to the
extent that annual dredging is required to remove bottom
material and keep the channels open for ship movement.
Bacterial counts in the lower River are
excessively high and represent prohibition of any possible
recreational use of the water. The effect of the Raisin
River upon Lake Erie is seen in the enrichment of the
waters or the western basin and in high coliform levels
-------
593
Richard D. Vaughan
at bathing beaches near its mouth (including Sterling
State Park).
BOTTOM DEPOSITS
Prom the mouth of the Detroit River to
Pointe Mouillee, extending as far eastward as the Detroit
River Light, the bottom is in poor condition. Prom
Pointe Mouillee to Stony Point, in the center of
Swan Creek Bay and in the deep water east of Stony Point,
the bottom is in fair to poor condition. Prom Stony
Point to the Raisin River, there are poor areas of
bottom condition in the center of Brest Bay and in the
deeper water directly east of the mouth of the Raisin
River. The condition of the bottom Is very poor at
the mouth of the Raisin River. Below the Raisin River
south to Otter Creek the bottom is In fair condition
near the shore and poor offshore. Prom Otter Creek to the
south end of the Michigan waters the bottom Is fair to
good condition.
Along the United States shore near the mouth
of the Detroit River there is a large area whose bottom
condition is poor. This area, extending from the Trenton
Channel past Pointe Mouillee as far east as the Detroit
River Light and southerly to the center of Swan Creek,
-------
Richard D. Vaughan
indicates the contribution of the effluent of the
Trenton Channel.
Figure 14-VI shows bottom conditions as
contours.
Tables 20-VI through 25-VI summarize
bottom deposits in the Raisin River and various segments
of Michigan Lake Erie.
In addition to the results shown in these
tables, analysis of the bottom deposit supernatant was
made for phenol, phosphate, nitrate, and ammonia con-
centrations and all these factors, Including field
observations, were considered in evaluating bottom
conditions.
(Figure 13-VI, Figure 14-VI; Tables 20-VI through 25-VI
follow.)
-------
595
FIGURE 12-St
Stony Pt
BREST BAY
LAKE
ERIE
LE6ENO
A tai s
SOLE
FEET
IOOO 0 IOOO 200O 3OOO
MtLCS
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
LOCATION OF SAMPLING STATIONS
RAISIN RIVER
U.S DEPARTMENT Of HEALTH. EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
PEGION V 6HOSSE PLE. MICHIGAN
-------
596
FIGURE 14-SI
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
CLASSIFICATION OF BOTTOM CONDITION
AS INDICATED BY BOTTOM DEPOSITS
MICHIGAN WATERS OF
LAKE ERIE
US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
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597
TABLE 20-VI. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE
MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER TO POINTE MOUILLEE
Number of
Samples
PH
Inshore
Offshore
% IRON
Inshore
Offshore
I OIL AND GREASE
Inshore
Offshore
1 TOTAL VOLATILE
SOLIDS
Inshore
Offshore
12
13
10
9
12
12
12
13
Maximum
7.6
9.2
9.98
6.11
1.12
1.05
10.7
8.1
Minimum
7.2
6.6
<.01
.28
.03
.01
1.1
2.0
Mean
7.4
7.5
3.86
2.77
.65
.45
6.07
5.29
Remarks
Small area of 7.2 near
navigation channel.
High (97.) Pointe
Mouillee area.
Very high near Detroit
River Light off Pointe
Mouillee.
Fair condition.
CONCLUSION: Bottom is in poor condition on the American side extending as far
eastward as the Detroit River Light. River is widening and losing
velocity throughout this area allowing solids to settle out.
TABLE 21-VI.
SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE
POINTE MOUILLEE TO STONY POINT
Number of
Samples Maximum
PH
Inshore
Offshore
X IRON
Inshore
Offshore
I OIL AND GREASE
Inshore
Offshore
1 TOTAL VOLATILE
SOLIDS
Inshore
Offshore
10
25
10
24
10
24
10
25
7.7
7.8
3.20
4.82
.60
.99
12.0
13.2
Minimum
7.2
7.4
.02
.01
.01
.02
5.8
2.0
Mean
7.49
7.53
1.22
2.13
.26
.38
8.8
7.3
Remarks
Low nearshore; higher
values in center of Swan
Creek Bay and east of
Stony Point.
Fair as far south as
Stony Point and poor
(10%) east of Stony
Point.
CONCLUSIONS:
Bottom is in fair to poor condition with poor areas in center of
Swan Creek Bay, and in deep water east of Stony Point. Both areas
favor the settling of solids because of reduction in current
velocity.
-------
TABLE 22-VI.
SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE
STONY POINT TO RAISIN RIVER
598
Number of
Samples
pH
Inshore
Offshore
* IRON
Inshore
Offshore
7LOIL AND GREASE
Inshore
Offshore
* TOTAL VOLATILE
SOLIDS
Inshore
Offshore
7
27
8
24
8
25
7
26
Maximum
7.8
7.6
6.30
9.50
1.2
1.0
13.4
18.3
Minimum
7.2
6.9
.002
.02
.03
.02
1.0
2.8
Mean
7.41
7.3
2.48
2.84
.23
.36
6.86
9.12
Remarks
6.7 center Brest Bay.
High west of Stony
Point and center of
Brest Bay.
Low nearshore; high in
center of Brest Boy.
High in* deep water
south of Stony Point
and in center of
Brest Bay.
CONCLUSION: A poor area exists in the center of Brest Bay and in deeper water
directly east of the Raisin River mouth. Shoreline areas are
fair to good.
TABLE 23-VI. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE
RAISIN RIVER
Number of
Samples Maximum Minimum Mean
Remarks
* IRON
Z OIL AND GREASE
4
4
6.30
2.74
2.30
2.0
4.33
1.06
High 47. in Raisin and
around mouth.
High in Raisin River.
CONCLUSIONS: Condition of bottom is very poor in the Raisin River.
-------
TABLE 2^-VI. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE
RAISIN RIVER TO OTTER CREEK
599
Number of
Samples Maximum Minimum Mean Remarks
pH
Inshore
Offshore
% IRON
Inshore
Offshore
J6 OIL AMD GREASE
Inshore
Offshore
% TOTAL VOLATILE
SOLIDS
Inshore
Offshore
U
19
3
17
1*
19
3
19
8.0
7.7
1.2k
3.1
.13
.86
13.0
18.3
7.4
7-1
.003
.006
.01
.02
U.8
1.3
7.6
7-3
.47
1.22
.07
.15
8.3
6.5
7.8 to 8.0 nearshore.
Low values.
Low values throughout
Poor condition
CONCLUSION: Bottom is in fair condition nearshore and poor offshore.
-------
6oo
TABLE 25-VI. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE
OTTER CREEK TO SOUTH END OF MICHIGAN AREA
Number of
Samples Maximum Minimum Mean
Remarks
PH
Inshore
Offshore
% IRON
Inshore
Offshore
% OIL AND GREASE
Inshore
Offshore
% TOTAL VOLATILE
SOLIDS
Inshore
Offshore
8
19
5
15
6
16
8
17
7.8
7.4
4.82
5-50
.56
.34
7.2
30.0
6.9
6.8
.004
.008
.007
.02
3-3
3-1
7.3
7.2
1.50
2.28
.14
.15
4.94
7.56
7.2 to 7.4; 6.8 to 6.9
nearshore south of
Otter Creek.
Low except nearshore
south of Otter Creek.
Low values except
south of Otter Creek.
Good condition - 4 to
6$.
CONCLUSION: Bottom is good to fair except for a poor area nearshore south
of Otter Creek.
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601
Richard D. Vaughan
HH)ROLOGIC STUDIES
Special hydro-logic investigations were made
of the Michigan waters of Lake Erie to show the relationship
between sources of wastes and areas affected by pollution.
Of special interest was the path of dispersion of the
waters of the Detroit River into Lake Erie under varying
weather conditions. Rhodamine B fluorescent dye and
a fluorometer were used in conjunction with surface and
subsurface floats or drogues to assist in this determina-
tion.
Wind is the primary factor influencing water
movement in the open water sections of Lake Erie. The
response of surface waters to wind changes is very rapid.
Pew instances of carryover effect due to differing wind
conditions preceding a survey were noted.
The Detroit River outlet into the Lake is
a strong factor influencing currents in the immediate
area of its debouchment, diminishing rapidly beyond the
Detroit River Light. Wind effects are noted as far north
as Project sampling range DT 3.9* although the River
current is by far the greater influencing force at this
point. South of Pointe Mouillee wind forces predominate
over Detroit River current.
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602
Richard D. Vaughan
Seiches and wind affect the shallow areas
and mouths of tributaries, causing inward and outward
water movement independent of the prevailing current
patterns in open-water sections of the Lake.
These estuarine-like movements are local in effect, from
a current pattern standpoint, but may be much more exten-
sive in terms of water quality, as is the case with the
Raisin River.
Vertical temperature profiles, taken regularly
during dye vector work, showed nothing suggesting strati-
fication, so that surface current pattern results were
assumed to apply to the water mass as a whble. Horizontal
surface temperature profiles calculated in the northern
section of the study area support fluorometric and dye
vector study results closely.
The prevailing wind direction on the Michigan
waters of Lake Erie is southwest, occurring 24 per cent
of the time on a ten-month basis (March through
December). Winds with a southerly component, namely those
from the southeast, south, and southwest, account for 50
per cent of the total. During the months of June, July,
and August, when recreational water uses are at a peak,
southwest winds and winds with a southerly component occur
-------
603
Richard D. Vaughan
19 per cent and 49 per cent of the time, respectively.
These values are somewhat lower than the ten-month
average, possibly because calm and near-calm conditions
are more frequent during the summer than during the
year as a whole.
Figures 15-VI through 18-VI depict current
patterns in the Michigan waters of Lake Erie determined
under varying wind conditions. The description of the
wind direction (i.3. south wind) indicates the direction
from which the wind blows; a south wind comes out of the
south and blows toward the north. The large arrows denote
1he dispersion of Detroit River currents, while the small
arrows indicate lake currents considered to be outside
of the influence of the Detroit River.
A narrative description of the observed
currents under each set of wind conditions follows with
an estimate of the frequency of occurrence of the specific
wind conditions.
(Figures 15-VI through 18-VI follow.)
ir V. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE . 1965 O - 792-121 (Vol. 2)
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