m
FLINT RIVER - MICHIGAN
WATER QUALITY DATA
1965 SURVEY
Clean Water Series DPO-13-C
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Federal Water Pollution Control Adminiftratien
Grant Lokos Region
-------
FLINT RIVER - MICHIGAN
WATER QUALITY DATA
1965 SURVEY
Clean Water Series DPO-13-C
JULY 1968
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration
Great Lakes Region
Detroit Program Office
U.S. Naval Air. Station
Grosse lie, Michigan
48138
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
Page No.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Area Description
Climate
Hydrology
WATER USE 20
Municipal Water Supply
Industrial Water Supply
Water-related Recreation
SOURCES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF WASTES . 27
Municipal
Industrial
POPULATION AND WASTE LOAD PROJECTIONS ...... 37
WATER QUALITY DATA ................ 42
Reconnaissance Survey
Regular Tributary Sampling
Flint Dissolved Oxygen Profile Study
Rural Runoff Studies
Biology
DISSOLVED OXYGEN PROJECTIONS 81
WATER QUALITY PROBLEMS ...... ... 91
-------
LIST OF TABLES
Table No. Page No.
1 Flint River Drought Flows 11, 12
2 Flint River Sampling Stations 19
3 Municipal Water Supplies 22, 23
Owner and Treatment Code (for Table 3) 24
4 Projected Water Use 25
5 Industrial Water Use 26
6 Municipal Waste Treatment Plants 32
7 Industrial Waste Inventory 33, 34
8 Industrial Waste Characteristics 35, 36
9 Waste Flow Projections 39
10 BOD5 Projections 39
Notes for Water Quality Tables 52
11 Water Quality Data - Reconnaissance Survey 53, 54
12 Water Quality 55-58
13 Flint River Basin Water Quality - 1965
Seasonal Variation 59, 60
14 Flint River Basin Water Quality - 1965
Seasonal Nutrient Variation 61
15 1965 Total and Fecal Coliform Densities -
Seasonal Variation 62
16 Flint River Basin Water Quality - 1965
Radioactivity 63, 64
17 Intensive Dissolved Oxygen Survey 65
18 Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Fluctuation 66, 67
11.
-------
LIST OF TABLES
(cont'd)
Table No. Page No.
19 1965 Rural Runoff 68, 69
20 Physical Observations - Flint River - 77
October 1964-November 1965
21 Benthic Macroinvertebrates - Flint River - 78
October 1964-September 1965
22 Phytoplankton - Flint River - Fall 1964- 79
Fall 1965
Explanation List for Predominant Phyto- 80
plankton Genera (Table 22)
23 Loadings for Match Run - 1965 Model 84
-------
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure No. Page No.
1 Drainage Basins of the Great Lakes 3
2 Lake Huron Basin 4
3 Saginaw River and Tributaries 5
4 Flint River Basin 13
5 Time of Passage - Flow at Flint Gage 14
6 Flow Duration Curve near Flint 15
7 Flow Duration Curve near Fosters 16
8 Drainage Area vs River Miles 17
9 Location of Sampling Stations 18
10 Municipal and Industrial Waste Outfalls 31
11 Population and Municipal Waste Flow
Projections 41
12 Dissolved Oxygen and 5-Day BOD -
August 11-12 70
13 Nitrate Concentration - August 11-12 71
14 Total Phosphate - August 11-12 72
15 Total Solids and Chlorides - August 11-12 73
16 Total Coliform Densities - August 11-12 74
17 Dissolved Oxygen Summer Survey 85
18 Kjeldahl Nitrogen and 5-Day BOD Summer
Survey . 86
19 Computed Dissolved Oxygen Profiles
Summer Survey 87
20 Computed Dissolved Oxygen Profiles -
7-Day Once-in-10-Years Flow 88
IV
-------
LIST OF FIGURES
(cont'd)
Figure No. Page No.
21 Computed Dissolved Oxygen Profiles -
1-Day Once-in-10-Years Flow 89
22 Computed Dissolved Oxygen Profiles -
Augmented Flow 90
-------
INTRODUCTION
The water quality data contained in this report are the results
of field investigations and other studies conducted in 1965 and 1966 to
provide information for a water pollution control plan for the Lake
Huron Basin. The Lake Huron Basin Study is a part of the Great Lakes-
Illinois River Basins Project, directed by the Great Lakes Region,
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration (FWPCA) and under
authority of Public Law 84-660 (33 U.S.C. 466 et seq.).
Sec. 3. (a) The Secretary shall, after careful investigation,
and in cooperation with other Federal agencies, with State
water pollution control agencies and interstate agencies, and
with the municipalities and industries involved, prepare or
develop comprehensive programs for eliminating or reducing the
pollution of interstate waters and tributaries thereof and
improving the sanitary condition of surface and underground
waters. In the development of such comprehensive programs due
regard shall be given to the improvements which are necessary
to conserve such waters for public water supplies, propagation
of fish and aquatic life and wildlife, recreational purposes,
and agricultural, industrial, and other legitimate uses. For
the purpose of this section, the Secretary is authorized to
make joint investigations with any such agencies of the con-
dition of any waters in any State or States, and of the
discharges of any sewage, industrial wastes, or substance
which may adversely affect such waters.
Total water quality planning begins in the headwaters of the
individual river basins and continues downstream through the major
tributaries to and including the Great Lakes. The extent and complex-
ity of the Great Lakes and tributaries are shown on Figures 1, 2,
and 3.
Water quality standards for interstate waters (Lake Huron) have
been adopted by the State of Michigan and approved by the Secretary
-------
of the Interior. Intrastate standards for Michigan are being implemented
by the Michigan Water Resources Commission. These standards will form
a basis for long-range plan for controlling pollution and maintaining
water quality for Lake Huron and its tributaries.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The principal agencies taking an active part in providing assistance
in the preparation of the report are as follows:
State Agencies - Michigan Water Resources Commission
Michigan Department of Public Health
Federal Agencies - U.S. Department of Commerce
Weather Bureau
Office of Business Economics
Bureau of Census
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Commercial Fisheries
Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
Geological Survey
For further information, contact the following:
Detroit Program Office
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration
U.S. Naval Air Station
Grosse lie, Michigan 48138
Michigan Water Resources Commission
Reniger Building
200 Mill Street
Lansing, Michigan 48913
Michigan Department of Public Health
3500 N. Logan
Lansing, Michigan 48914
-------
ONTARIO
DETROIT PROGRAM OFFICE
DRAINAGE BASINS OF THE
GREAT LAKES
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ADMINISTRATION
GREAT LAKES REGION GROSSE ILE. MICHIGAN
SCALE IN MILES
P^ II I-i
90
too
ISO 200
QUEBEC
PENNSYLVANIA
NEW
YORK
IOWA
r
I
ILLINOIS
Y
I IN DIANA \,
I T "^
o
c
x
m
OHIO
-------
FIGURE 2
I . SAOINAW RIVER
2. CAS3 RIVER
3. FLINT RIVER
4. SHIAWA88EE RIVER
5. TITTABAWA83EE RIVER
MICHIGAN TRIBUTARIES
TO SAOINAW BAY
MICHIGAN TRIBUTARIES
TO LOWER LAKE HURON
AU SABLE RIVER
THUNDER BAY RIVER
10. CHCBOYGAN RIVER
II. ST. MARYS RIVER AND
MICHIGAN UPPER PENINSULA
TRIBUTARIES TO LAKE HURON
12.
13.
14.
16.
16.
17.
IB.
19.
20.
21.
MIS8I8SAGI RIVER
SPANISH RIVER
WANAPITEI RIVER
FRENCH RIVER
MAGANATAWAN RIVER
MUSKOKA RIVER
SEVERN RIVER
SAUGEEN RIVER
MAITL AND RIVER
AUSABLE RIVER
7-^
SO
DETROIT PROGRAM OFFICE
LAKE HURON BASIN
U.S. DEPARTMENT. OF THE INTERIOR
FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ADMINISTRATION
GREAT LAKES REGION G ROSSE I L E , Ml CHIG AN
-------
'DETROIT PROGRAM OFFICE
DRAINAGE BASIN
SAGINAW RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES
U.«. BtrtHTIItNT 0' TMI IHTdHOM
PIDCKAL WATCH rOLLUTION CONTROL ADMINISTRATION.
IRIAT l»«H KltlOII
-------
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Area Description
The Flint River Basin occupies most of Genesee and Lapeer Counties
and portions of Shiawassee, Saginaw, Tuscola, and Oakland Counties. The
Flint River, which drains 1,454 square miles, is one of the four main
tributaries of the Saginaw River drainage system, which drains a total
area of 6,260 square miles.
The basin is irregular in shape, with the greatest length approxi-
mately 55 miles, and the greatest width approximately 35 miles, narrowing
to about 5 miles near the mouth. It is bounded on the north by the
Cass River Basin; on the east by the Black, Belle, and Pine Basins; on
the south by the Clinton and Shiawassee Basins; and on the west by the
Shiawassee River Basin. Major tributaries include the North Branch and
the South Branch along with Kearsley Creek, Thread River, and Misteguay
Creek.
/
The North and South Branches of the Flint River originate in Lapeer
County and join to form the main stem. The river then flows generally
southwesterly about 35 miles to the City of Flint, at which point it
flows northwesterly to the Saginaw River. The last five miles flow
through a cutoff canal in the Shiawassee Flats area.
The portion of the basin upstream from the City of Flint consists .(.
of rolling morainal features interspersed with ancient lake beds.
Numerous small lakes in this area drain into the Flint River system.
Downstream from Flint, the river flows through the bed of glacial Lake
Saginaw, which extends to Saginaw Bay.
-------
Flint, the largest city in the basin and third largest in Michigan,
is a large automobile manufacturing center. Lapeer, the second largest
city in the Flint River Basin, is an agricultural and dairy center, and
home of light industry.
Climate
The climate of the Flint River Basin conforms to the general
weather pattern that exists in the entire lower Great Lakes area. There
are wide seasonal variations in temperature, many storms, and the yearly
precipitation distribution remains fairly constant. In the winter this
precipitation is usually in the form of snow. The air masses moving
toward Michigan are heated in the winter and cooled in the summer by the
waters of the Great Lakes, which nearly surround the State. This results
in a more moderate climate than is experienced to the west and south-
west of Michigan.
The mean yearly temperature is about 45 F, while the mean summer{'_/-
and winter temperatures are about 68 F and 23 F, respectively. There is
an average yearly precipitation of 30 inches on the basin, of which 60
percent can be expected to fall during the six-month period of May
through October.
Hydrology ,
Above Columbiaville, the slope of the stream averages about six
feet per mile, and below that point, two feet per mile as far as Flint.
From Flint to Flushing, the slope is four feet per mile. Across the
Shiawassee Flats, the slope of the Flint River is less than one foot
-------
per mile. The tributaries to the Flint River follow the same pattern.
In the upper reaches, the slopes of the tributaries are steep and flatten
out as they approach the main stream.
Location of U.S. Geological Survey Gages
There are seven U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gaging stations in
the Flint River Basin. Of these seven, one records the contents of
Holloway Dam, and another, the stages in the Shiawassee Flats area.
Three of the remaining five gaging stations were utilized by the FWPCA
in this report.
The first of these is Flint River near Otisville. It has a drainage
area of 547 square miles, and is located 20 feet downstream from the
State Highway 15 bridge (1-1/2 miles downstream from the Holloway
Reservoir). It has been in operation from October 1952 to the present.
The second USGS gaging station is Flint River near Flint. It is
located on the grounds of the Flint sewage treatment plant, two milesf
downstream from Flint. It has been in continuous operation since
August 1932, and has a drainage area of 927 square miles.
The third USGS gaging station is Flint River near Fosters. It is
located on the downstream side of the bridge of Sheridan Road, oa&amile
west of Fosters. The drainage area for this gage is approximately 1,120 ,-
square miles, and it has been in service since October 1939.
The range of observed discharges of these gaging stations are as
follows:
Flint River near Otisville - Maximum - 6,150 cfs
Average - 255 cfs
Minimum - 4.3 cfs
-------
Flint River near Flint - Maximum - 14,900 cfs
Average - 536 cfs
Minimum - 9.0 cfs
Flint River near Fosters - Maximum - 19,000 cfs
Average - 684 cfs
Minimum - 27 cfs
Time of Passage
It is necessary to know the stream travel time of a river in order
to determine its waste decay rate. On the Flint River, this has been
determined for various flows between mile points 46.1 and 9.7.
Time of passage studies on the Flint River were made by the Detroit
Program Office .during 1965 and 1966, These studies used multiple
releases of Rhodamine B dye and measured the time of occurrence and
concentration of the dye at downstream points. In the reach between
Flint and Flushing, times of passage were also determined by use of a
computer program utilizing cross-sectional measurements made by Michigan
Water Resources Commission personnel. The stretch of river between mile
points 46.1 and 9.7 coincides with the intensive sampling areas below
Flint.
Drought Flow
The one-day and seven-day low flows (once in 10 years) have been
calculated for the Flint River at two of the U.S. Geological Survey
stations by use of Gumbel Extremal Probability Paper. The stations
used were Flint River near Flint and Flint River near Fosters. The
flow at the remaining points along the river was estimated by compari-
son of their drainage areas with that of the U.S. Geological Survey
stations.
9
-------
Because the Fosters gage has a shorter period of record than the
Flint gage, only those flows occurring in the period of 1940 to 1963
were used in this analysis. This results in a slightly higher flow at
Flint than would have been computed had the entire period of record
been used.
This analysis does not take into account the effect of the operation
of Holloway Dam on the Flint River drought flows. This dam should tend
to raise the flow in the river during periods of extended drought. The
Michigan Water Resources Commission stated in their "1956 Report on
Water Resource Conditions and Uses in the Flint River Basin" that the
reservoir would sustain a flow of 100 cfs in the river during drought
years. Use of that figure would add roughly 50 cfs to the flow at each
of the remaining points on the river below the dam.
Also, no consideration was made for the reduction in flow between
the intake for the Flint water treatment plant and the Flint sewage
treatment plant.
10
-------
TABLE 1. FLINT RIVER DROUGHT FLOWS
Location on
Flint River
X290
X288
X286
X284
X282
X280
X270
X260
Flint River
above
Kearsley Creek
Below
Kearsley Creek
X258
Flint River
above
Swartz Creek
Below
Swartz Creek
X256
X254
X250
X246
X242
X240
Drainage Area
(square miles)
453
467
495
544
547
554
599
605
608
721
737
738
915
926
940
949
961
968
982
1-Day Flow
(cfs)
18.6
19.1
20.3
22.3
22.4
22.7
24.6
24.8
24.9
29.6
30.2
30.3
37.5
38.0
38.5
38.9
39.4
39.7
40.2
7- Day Flow
(cfs)
23.0
23.7
25.1
27.6
27.8
28.1
30.4
30.7
30.9
36.6
37.4
37.5
46.5
47.0
47.5
47.9
48.4
48.7
49.2
11
-------
TABLE 1. FLINT RIVER DROUGHT FLOWS (cont'd)
Location on Drainage Area 1-Day Flow 7-Day Flow
Flint River (square miles) (cfs) (cfs)
Flint River
above
Brent Run 984 40.3 49.3
Below
Brent Run 1,035 41.9 50.9
X236 1,046 42.3 51.3
Flint River
above
Pine Run Creek 1,047 42.4 51.4
Below
Pine Run Creek
X234
X232
X230
X220
1,103
1,106
1,117
1,119
1,178
44.1
44.2
44.7
45.0
47.1
53.1
53.2
53.7
54.0
56.9
12
-------
-------
10
CO
UJ
o
CO
a.
UJ
\ ! 1 1
1 1 1 I
1 1 1 1
II:
X
1 i I L
n m
o -«0
*?-n
> -D
H2>
H C/)
2-0
H < m
m
o
m
I
m
50
45
40 35
30
25
20
15
10
o
c
30
m
w
RIVER MILES
-------
FIGURE 6
FLOW DURATION CURVE
FLINT RIVER NEAR FLINT
1933- 1964
927 Square Miles
10,000
1,000
M
«»
U
<**
a
z
o
U
llJ
V)
a:
iii
a.
bJ
U.
U
CD
U
z
LJ
O
01
X
u
tn
too
10
1.0
v
O.OI O.O8 O.I O.t 0.8
t 8 10 tO SO 4O SO «O TO SO . 8O »ft » 99
TIME IN PERCENT OF TOTAL PERIOD
-------
FIGURE 7
FLOW DURATION CURVE
FLINT RIVER NEAR FOSTERS
1940-1964
1120 Square Miles
100,000
10,000
a
z
o
o
1,000
100
10
\
\
\
o.oi o.oa o.i o.t 0.8 it e 10 to BO 40 so eo TO to 90 as » a*
TIME IN PERCENT OF TOTAL PERIOD
B».» 99.9 »».9»
-------
1200
1100
1000
cn
UJ
900
o
to
UJ 800
K
u
700
600
500
400
HI
la
DC
U
3
K
m
2 m
H >
7) <
m
m
0)
60 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 20
RIVER MILES
15
10
o
c
y>
m
00
-------
LCGEND
USQS Goflinfl SIC
LOCATION OF SAMPLING STATIONS
FLINT RIVER BASIN
o
c
X
n
-------
TABLE 2. FLINT RIVER SAMPLING STATIONS
Mainstream Stations
Station
X220
X230
X236
X237
X240
X246
X248
X250
X255
X256
X260
Tributary
Station
X239
X295
Mile Point
9.7
14.7
22.1
28.5
28.5
33.9
39.0
39.6
45.6
46.1
55.9
Stations
Mile Point
0.2
1.6
Location
Bridge on Tom Creswell Rd., 2 mi. W of M-13
Bridge on Sheridan Rd., 1 mi. W of Fosters
(USGS* Gage)
Bridge on E. Burt Rd. in Morseville
Montrose outfall, 50' N. of M-57 bridge
near Montrose
Bridge on M-57 near Montrose
End of Mt. Morris ,Rd., 3 mi. N. of Flushing
Flushing sewage treatment plant
Bridge on W. Main Street in Flushing
Flint sewage treatment plant (USGS Gage)
Bridge on Mill Rd., 1 mi. W. of Flint
Bridge on Carpenter Rd. in Flint
Confluence
On Tributary Mile Point Location
Brent Run 27.6 Bridge on McKin
Farmers Creek- 76.6/14.4 Lapeer State
X296
25.5
South Branch
Swartz Creek
Hospital (USGS
Gage)
50.5 Bridge on Elliott
Rd. 1-1/2 mi. N.
of Holly (USGS
Gage)
* U.S. Geological Survey
19
-------
WATER USE
Municipal Water Supply
The Flint River Basin has a population served by public water
supplies of approximately 280,000 people. This number is expected to
increase to 620,000 by 1990, and 1,300,000 by 2020. The City of Flint
is the largest user, serving about 235,000 people and numerous indus-
tries. Flint previously obtained water from the Flint River but began
receiving water from the Detroit Metropolitan Water Service in 1967.
By 1970, the Detroit Metropolitan Water Service will have an intake
located in Lake Huron, north of Port Huron. The Holloway Reservoir
controlled the flow of the Flint River for water supply, and the reach
between the dam and the city served as an aqueduct. All other public
water supplies in the basin come from local wells.
Table 3 lists the individual water users and gives the source of
the supply. Projected use for the basin in 1990 and 2020 is shown
on Table 4.
Industrial Water Supply
Most of the industries in the Flint River Basin obtain water from
municipal supplies. The only exception is the Vogt Packing Company
in Grand Blanc, which has a well system producing 0.06 million gallons
per day (MGD).
Table 5 lists the industrial users and the use. Projections
of 1990 and 2020 use are included in the municipal water in Table 4.
* This list includes only the major users or those which discharge
treated effluent to the Flint River Basin.
20
-------
Water-related Recreation
The Flint River Basin has an extensive recreation resource base.
The basin is no longer as esthetically appealing as the more remote
areas of the northern Lake Huron Basin. The people of Flint and other
nearby population centers - Bay City, Saginaw, Lansing, and Detroit -
use the convenience of basin recreation areas. Most of the recreation
facilities are operated by local governments and private groups,
although the State does operate a number of game and recreation areas
in the headwaters of the basin. At the mouth of the river near the
junction of the four Saginaw River tributaries, the Federal Government
maintains the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge in the swampy area
known as Shiawassee Flats. Due to the characteristics of much of the
Flint River, activities such as boating and swimming are not extensive.
Reservoirs such as Kearsley and Thread, and Flint Park Lake have,
in the past, supported recreational activity, although impaired water
quality has diminished these uses. In the headwaters of the basin,
cottage sites have been extensively developed around the small lakes.
Fishing, however, is an active use of the basin waters, with a fish
management program conducted on the smaller tributaries and lakes of
the basin. About 22,000 boats were registered by residents of the
basin in 1965, even though the Flint River and tributaries are generally
too small for boat traffic. A great potential for water-enhanced and
water dependent recreational activities is made even more valuable due
to the proximity of so many users. A more detailed discussion of
basin recreation is contained in the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation publi-
cation "Water-Oriented Outdoor Recreation, Lake Huron Basin (1967)."
21
-------
TABLE 3. MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLIES
Flint River Basin
Town
New Lothrop
Fenton Twp.
Burton Twp.
1960
Pop. Owner** Source Treatment
510 M Wells
to 69
280 T Wells
deep
29,700 T Wells
in drift 62'
1 deep
in rock 73'
in rock 257'
5
-
Clio 2,212 M
Davison 3,761 M
Flint 196,940 M
Flint Twp. 300 C
.(Genesee County
.Drain Commission)
Flushing 3,761 M
Beecher Metro-
politan District
Grand Blanc 1,565 M
Grand Blanc Twp. 640
deep, wells in
drift 168' to 196'
deep
Wells in rock 145'
to 317' deep; well
in drift 141" deep
Wells in rock 210' 5
to 260' deep
Flint River (see 2, 6
text)
Water from City of
Flint and wells in
rock 160' to 167' deep
Water from City of
Flint
Wells in rock 350' 5
to 431' deep; wells
in drift 98' to 124'
deep
Wells in rock 287'
to 306' deep
Wells in rock 267'
to 300' deep
* Taken from "Data on Public Water Supplied in Michigan," Engineering
Bulletin No. 4 by the Michigan Department of Public Health.
** See Owner and Treatment Code, page 24.
22
-------
TABLE 3. MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLIES (cont'd)
Flint River Basin
Town
Southhampton Sub-
division
Wildwood Sub-
division
Montrose
Mt. Morris
Otisville
Clifford
Columbiaville
Lapeer
Lapeer Home and
Training School
North Branch
1960
Pop.
120
320
1,466
3,484
701
330
789
8,020
5,100
832
Owner** Source
Wells 200' deep
Wells in rock 230'
deep
Wells in drift 67'
to 77' deep
Wells in drift 60'
to 82' deep
Well in rock 415'
deep
Well in rock 400'
deep
Wells in rock 280'
to 300' deep
Wells in rock 200'
deep
Wells in rock
M Wells in rock 250'
and 276' deep
Treatment
M
M
M
M
M
M
3, 4
* Taken from "Data on Public Water Supplies in Michigan," Engineering
Bulletin No..4 by the Michigan Department of Public Health.
** See Owner and Treatment Code, page 24.
23
-------
OWNER AND TREATMENT CODE
Owner Code
M = City or Village
T = Township
P = Private
D = District
C = County
S = State
U.S. = Federal
Treatment Code
1. Std. Filtration*
2, Lime softening**
3. Zeolite softening
4. Iron removal
5. Chlorination
6. Fluoridation
* Implies at least chlorination, chemical coagulation, and rapid
. sand filtration.
** Lime softening includes filtration.
24
-------
TABLE 4. PROJECTED WATER USE
(million gallons per day)
Flint River Basin
1965
Municipal 40
(includes industrial water use)
25
-------
TABLE 5. INDUSTRIAL WATER USE
Flint River Basin
Name of User
General Motors Corp.:
AC Spark Plug
Buick Division
Chevrolet-Flint Div.
Fisher Body Div.
Ternstedt
Parts Division
Chevrolet Assembly
Chevrolet Engine
and Stamping Plant
Vogt Packing Co.
Quantity
Used
(MGD)
Source
Use
1.5
2.2
2.0
0.26
1.5
0.36
1.4
0.72
0.06
City
City
City
City
City
City
City
City
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
Private
Flint
Flint
Flint
Flint
Flint
Flint
Flint
Flint
wells
Process
Process
General
General
Process
Process
Process
Process
Process
& cooling
& cooling
mfg.
mfg.
* Includes only those discharging treated waste effluent to river.
** Includes only the Amount used for actual process use.
26
-------
SOURCES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF WASTES
Municipal
The Flint River Basin population served by municipal waste treat-
ment systems is approximately 210,000 people. All but 5,000 live in
Genesee County.
The county has a metropolitan sewerage plan which will serve the
City of Flint, the suburbs, and the other communities in the county.
The county is divided into six sewer districts, and five treatment
plants are presently proposed. The major plant will be the existing
City of Flint waste treatment plant. A new plant in the county system
was placed into operation on October 31, 1967 near Linden to serve
Fenton, Linden and Fenton Township. These communities which form
District No. 3 are near the basin divide between the Flint and Shiawas-
see Basins. The treatment plant serving these communities discharges
\
into the Shiawassee River. Other communities to be served in the
various districts include Montrose, Swartz Creek, Birch Run, Clio,
Grand Blanc, and Davison. The existing facilities at Swartz Creek,
Clio, and Davison will be abandoned when the metro system is complete.
Flint and Flushing in Genesee County, and Lapeer and the State
Home and Training School at Lapeer are other existing systems. Part
of the average 26.5 MGD Flint sewage treatment plant flow is treated
by a trickling filter and the remainder by activated sludge. This
plant generally operates with a BOD removal efficiency in excess
of 90 percent. The Village of Columbianville in Lapeer County has a
small separate sewer system but has no treatment facilities. North
27
-------
Branch, also in Lapeer County, has a sewage collection system with
treatment in municipally-owned and operated-septic tanks.
Municipal waste treatment plants are described in Table 6. The
information is based on 1965 records of the Michigan Department of
Public Health. Prior to January 1967, all plants were required to
practice disinfection from May 15 to September 15; however, the Lapeer
State Home and Training School provided year-round disinfection. Since
that date, continuous year round disinfection is required by Department
i
of Public Health regulation. Effluent characteristics based on the 1965
plant operating records are also listed in Table 6 and outfall locations
are shown on Figure 10.
Industrial
Industries in the Flint River Basin are mainly located in and
around the City of Flint; the rest of the basin is primarily rural
farming land. The industries include eight General Motors plants and
one small rendering plant. Generally, water is purchased from the
Flint municipal system. Most of these plants discharge their process
waste to the Flint River after treatment. These industries are rated
annually by the Michigan Water Resources Commission on adequacy of
treatment.
Outfall locations for the above plants are shown on Figure 10.
Industrial waste inventory information is shown on Table 7 and effluent
waste survey data appears on Table 8.
The General Motors Corporation AC Spark Plug Division plant is
located on Dort Highway in the City of Flint and produces spark
28
-------
plugs, having a waste flow of 1.5 MGD. This flow is discharged to
Gilkey Creek, tributary to the flint River. Waste constituents include
cyanide, hexavalent chromium, nickel, oil, and suspended solids. Treat-
ment facilities consist of settling and chrome and cyanide separation.
The General Motors Corporation Buick Division plant, located on
Industrial Avenue in Flint, discharges 2.2 MGD of general manufacturing
to the Flint River. Treatment facilities consist of oil recovery and
other sophisticated devices.
The General Motors Corporation. Flint Division, located on Chevro-
let Avenue in Flint, discharges about 2 MGD directly to the Flint
River. Waste constituents include suspended solids and oil. Treatment
facilities consist of settling tanks and oil removal equipment.
The General Motors Corporation Fisher Body Division, located in
Grand Blanc, discharges a flow of 0.08 MGD to Thread Creek, which is a
tributary to Swartz Creek, which in turn empties into the Flint River.
Wastes include oil and suspended solids. Treatment is by a secondary
unit and a lagoon.
The General Motors Corporation Ternstedt Division plant, located
on Coldwater Road in Flint, discharges waste flow of 1.5 MGD to Brent
Run, a tributary of the Flint River. A secondary unit and lagoons
treat the wastes which contain oil, suspended solids, cyanide, hexava-
lent chromium, and copper.
. The General Motors Corporation Parts Division plant, located in
the town of Swartz Creek, discharges 0.4 MGD of treated wastes to Swartz
Creek, a tributary of the Flint River. Waste constituents include oil
29
-------
and' suspended solids, and are treated by settling tanks, oil removal
equipment, and lagoons.
The General Motors Corporation Chevrolet Assembly Plant is located
on Van Slyke Road in Flint and discharges a flow of 1.4 MGD to Swartz
Creek, a tributary of the Flint River. Waste constituents include oil
and suspended solids. The waste flow is treated by settling tanks and
oil removal equipment.
The General Motors Corporation Chevrolet Engine and Stamggatg'- Plant
is located on Van Slyke Road in Flint and discharges a flow of 0.72 MGD
to Carmen-. Creek, a tributary of Swartz Creek, which drains into the
Flint River. Wastes include oil and suspended solids, which are
treated by settling tanks and oil removal equipment.
The Vogt Packing Company is located in Grand Blanc and discharges
a flow of 0.06 MGD to Thread Creek, a tributary of Swartz Creek, which
drains into the Flint River. This rendering plant's wastes include
BOD, suspended solids, and suspended volatile solids. Treatment con-
sists of settling.
30
-------
_5 A_HH L A C__CO.
"UVPEER co.
MUNICIPAL 8 INDUSTRIAL WASTE OUTFALLS
FLINT RIVER BASIN
-------
Columbiaville
North Branch
TABLE 6. MUNICIPAL WASTE TREATMENT PLANTS
1965 ANNUAL EFFLUENT CHARACTERISTICS*
Flint River Basin
Community
Davison
Flint
Flushing
Lapeer
Lapeer State
Home
Swartz Creek
Type
secondary
secondary
secondary
secondary
secondary
secondary
Percent
Remova 1
71
93
73
89
92
Pop.
Served
3,000
200,000
2,500
6,000
5,100
3,000
Flow (MGD)
Avg. Max. Min.
0.40 0.69 0.29
26.50
0.48 0.67 0.35
0.73 0.87 0.57
0.37
0.31 ' 0.48 0.20
Temp.
OF
60
61
50
59
70
52
"RT
D\J
Avg.
62
14
33
22
21
18
>D5(mg/
Max.
-
21
45
40
39
25
1)
Min.
-
5
26
11
14
11
Susp.
Sol.
mg/1
57
30
30
32
16
31
Vol.
Susp.
Sol.
mg/1
53
19
20
22
13
27
£H_
7.7
7.4
-
7.6
8.4
-
* Based on monthly averages of daily plant operation records submitted by plants
to Michigan Department of Public Health
** Collection but no treatment.
-------
TABLE 7. INDUSTRIAL WASTE INVENTORY
Flint River Basin
Industry
General Motors
Corporation:
AC Spark Plug Div.
Buick Div.
Chevrolet-Flint
Div.
Fisher Body Div.
Ternstedt Div.
Parts Div.
Chevrolet Assembly
Location
Dort Hwy.
Flint
Industrial
Ave. , Flint
Chevrolet
Ave. , Flint
Grand Blanc
Coldwater
Rd. , Flint
M-78
Swart z Cr.
Van Slyke
Flint
Receiving
Stream
Gilkey Creek
Flint River
Flint River
Thread Creek
Swartz Creek
Brent Run
Hughes Drain
Swartz Creek
Swartz Creek
Waste Waste Flow
Constituents (MGD)
CN, Cr6, Ni, 1.5
Oil, Susp. Sol.
Gen. Mfg. and 2.2
oils
Susp. Sol., 2.0
Oil, Gen. Mfg.
Oil, Susp. 0.08
Sol. , Gen. Mfg.
Wastes
Oil, Susp. Sol., 1.5
CN, Cr6, Cu
Oil, Susp. Sol. 0.4
Oil, Susp. Sol. 1.4
Treatment
Provided
Cr6 and CN
separation
Settling
Oil Recovery
Oil Removal-
Settling
Lagoon and
Secondary
Secondary
and Lagoons
Settling,
Oil removal,
Lagoons
Settling,
Oil removal
-------
TABLE 7. INDUSTRIAL WASTE INVENTORY (cont'd)
Flint River Basin
Industry
Chevrolet Engine
and Stamping
Plant
Location
Van Slyke
Flint
Receiving
.Stream
Carmen Creek
Swartz Creek
Flint River
Vogt Packing Co.
Grand Blanc
Thread Creek
Swartz Creek
Flint River
Waste
Constituents
Oil, Susp. Sol.
BOD, Susp. Sol.,
Susp. Vol. Sol.
Waste Flow
(MGD)
0.72
0.06
Treatment
Provided
Settling,
Oil removal,
Lagoons
Settling
-------
TABLE 8. INDUSTRIAL WASTE CHARACTERISTICS
(mg/1)
Flint River Basin
Co
Oi
Industry
General Motors Corp. :
AC Spark Plug Div.
Buick Div.
Chevrolet-Flint Div.
Fisher Body Div.
Ternstedt Div.
Parts Div.
Chev. Assembly
Chev. Engine & Stamping
Plant
Vogt Packing Company
Date
5/9/62
1/15/64
1/19/65
No
1/7/60
12/27/62
6/15/65
1/27/62
1/8/64
4/21/65
6/15/65
1/18/61
12/27/62
4/21/65
12/27/62
4/21/65
12/27/62
6/21/65
6/22/65
Flow Temp.
(MGD) °C
1.44
1.44
1.44 12
Samples
2.88
1.29
-1.44
0.12
0.03
0.08
1.44
0.06
0.09
0.36
0.58
1.44
0.72
0.06
0.06
Sett. Susp.
Solids Solids
43
43
99
3
18
43
10
28
96
71
107
345
114 170
Vol.
Susp.
Solids Chlorides
16 0
15
25
14
15
11
22
29
37
312
160
^L
9.0
9.4
8.9
9.5
10.6
9.2
8.3
8.0
9.2
7.9
9.5
7.8
9.2
7.2
8.6
7.6
7.9
-------
TABLE 8. INDUSTRIAL WASTE CHARACTERISTICS (cont'd)
(mg/1)
Flint River Basin
Industry
Date
CN
Fe Cu
Zn
Cr-
Oil Ni Grease
General Motors Corp. :
AC Spark Plug Div.
Buick Div.
Chev. -Flint Div.
Fisher Body Div.
Ternstedt Div.
Parts Div.
Chev. Assembly
2
5/9/62 13 9.2
1/15/64
1/19/65
No Samples.
1/7/60 31 68
12/27/62
6/15/65 15 7.0
1/27/62
1/8/64
4/21/65
6/15/65 15 7.0
1/18/61
12/27/62
4/21/65
12/27/62
4/21/65
trace
0
0
10 0
0
0
0
0
0
0 3.3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.2
1.4
1.2
0
1.2
0
0
0
0
0
0 0.36
0.5 0
0 0.8
0
0 trace
trace 0.4
0.07
.;.0
. : 0.02
0.02
0
0.03
0 0.3
1.6 0
.'
o
0
0.2
trace 14
0.02 6.4
19
0 4
8
1
0
0.15 4
6
15
0
0
0
2.6
0
2.6
0
0
0
0
0
Chev. Engine &
Stamping Plant
Vogt. Packing Co.
12/27/62
6/21/65 350
6/22/65 178
14
22
0
-------
POPULATION AND WASTE LOAD PROJECTIONS
Demographic studies were conducted by the Great Lakes-Illinois
River Basins Project, Chicago, for the Lake Huron Basin. Population
trends on a national, regional, and county basis were analyzed, and
population projections were developed for the various areas of the
Lake Huron Basin. In 1960, approximately 1.2 million persons lived in
the Lake Huron Watershed - about double the 1920 population. By the
year 2020, it is estimated that the population of the watershed will be
approximately 3.2 million.
The one major city on the Flint River is Flint (196,940) according
to the 1960 census figures. For this report, the Flint area and
surrounding communities were analyzed as a unit, assuming that by 2020
the entire area will be urbanized and served by water and sewer systems.
For this area, the 1965 population served by sewerage systems was
estimated to be 210,000, and projected to be 620,000 by 1990 and 1,300,000
by the year 2020 (Figure 11).
Table 9 and Figure 11 show the projected waste flow in MGD for the
Flint Basin.
BODr projections were based on present day inventory information
obtained from the Michigan Water Resources Commission, Michigan Depart-
ment of Public Health, and U.S. Public Health Service. Municipal and
industrial water use growth rates and BODc production in terms of
population equivalents were determined from studies on the Lake Michigan
Basin and applied to the inventory data obtained for the Flint area.
The results of these projections are shown on Table 10. For
37
-------
example, in 1965, a total of 42,930 pounds per day of BODj. was produced
in the area of which 90 percent was removed, leaving 4,300 pounds of
BOD,- being discharged to the river. By the year 2020, with the same
percentage of treatment, 27,850 pounds would reach the river. In
order to show an improvement over present water quality, 99 percent or
more removal will be necessary at that time.
38
-------
TABLE 9. WASTE FLOW PROJECTIONS
(MGD)
Flint iRiver Basin
Municipal
Residential
Industrial
Total
Industrial
(direct to river)
Total to River
1965
18.8
8.7
27.5
9.5
37.0
1990
75
20
95
22
117
2020
182
44
226
48
274
39
-------
TABLE 10. BOD PROJECTIONS
(#/diy)
Flint River Basin
1965 .,. 1990 2020
Municipal
Residential 35,600 111,500 260,000
Industrial 6,020 13,600 30,500
Total Municipal 41,620 125,100 290,500
Present 92% removal 3,380 10,000 23,200
With 907o removal 4,162 12,510 29,050
With 95% removal 2,080 6,255 14,525
With 99% removal 416 1,251 2,905
Industrial (direct to river) 1,310 2,960 6,640
Present 30% removal 917 2,070 4,650
With 90% removal 131 296 664
With 95% removal 65 148 332
With 99% removal 13 30 66
Total load before treatment 42,930 128,060 297,140
Present 90% removal 4,297 12,070 27,850
With 90% removal 4,293 12,806 29,714
With 95% removal 2,146 6,403 14,857
With 99% removal 829 1,281 2,971
40
-------
FIGURE II
POPULATION AND MUNICIPAL
WASTE FLOW PROJECTIONS FOR THE
FLINT RIVER BASIN
,000,0001
SERVED
O
o
0
o
o
0
o
POPULAT
-
o
p
o
0
o
X
X
X
<,-
1.960 1970 I960 1990 2000
YEARS
100
K
UJ
Q.
CO
<
O
2010
2020
10
203O
-------
WATER QUALITY DATA
The Detroit Program Office conducted surveys of the Flint River and
its tributaries during 1965 to determine the quality of these water-
courses. Sampling station locations are shown on Figure 9.
A reconnaissance survey was conducted February 2-4, 1965. Single
grab samples were collected at 21 locations along 59 miles of stream
from near Columbiaville to 10 miles below Fosters. These were analyzed
for alkalinity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and total coliform
concentrations.
On the basis of these surveys, two locations were selected for
routine sampling which was conducted approximately twice a month. A
third location was added in the latter part of 1965. Samples collected
were analyzed for physical, chemical, microbiological, and biological
parameters.
An intensive survey was conducted August 11 and 12, 1965 to , !
determine the effect of waste loading on the lower 50 miles of river
from Flint to the mouth. Seven locations at about 7-mile intervals
were sampled every 4 hours for 24 hours. Tributaries and major waste
sources were also sampled. Dissolved oxygen and temperature were
determined on each sample. Composites were prepared for other para-
meters and analyzed. Samples for bacteriological analysis were
collected on two (midday and midnight) of the six runs.
Special studies were also conducted on the upstream tributaries -
Swartz Creek near Holly, and Farmers Creek in Lapeer above the sewage
treatment plant outfall - to determine the characteristics of runoff
42
-------
in a rural area.
The results of these various surveys are described in the following
sections. Data tabulations and graphical presentations for the surveys
are included on Tables 11 to 19 and Figures 12 to 16.
Reconnaissance Survey
The survey (Table 11) indicated a moderate coliform level in the
river above Columbiaville. Dissolved oxygen was relatively low in this
area and the chloride concentration moderately high. Chloride levels
increased below Columbiaville. As the river enters Holloway Reservoir,
the bacterial level decreased to insignificance and the dissolved
oxygen levels increased to near saturation. Below the confluence of
Kearsley Creek in the City of Flint, the chloride level again increased,
as did the bacterial densities. Below the Flint sewage treatment plant
effluent, bacterial densities increased to gross pollution levels, the
chlorides increased, and dissolved oxygen level began to decline.
Bacterial densities decreased downstream from Flint but increased again
near the mouth of the river. The dissolved oxygen level continued to
decline, reaching a minimum level of 3.2 mg/1 (about 20 percent of
saturation).
At the last location sampled, which is in the Shiawassee Flats
area, the water quality changed dramatically. With the exception of
chloride levels, the previous indicators of pollution - coliform den-
sity and dissolved oxygen level - had recovered to nonpollution levels.
43
-------
Regular Tributary Sampling
Regular tributary sampling was conducted at two locations - X260
in the Flint River, ten miles above the Flint sewage treatment outfall,
and X240 in the Flint River at Montrose, seventeen miles below the
outfall. In the latter half of the year, an additional location, X250
in Flushing six miles below the outfall, was sampled. These locations
were sampled approximately twice a month. The stations are described
in Table 2 and located in Figure 9. Tables 12 to 16 list the water
quality data obtained during the 1965 survey. Data are listed for each
station. Also included are seasonal groupings for certain parameters
and yearly averages for all stations in the basin.
Dissolved oxygen levels at the two regular locations were high,
as indicated by the annual average concentration (Table 12). Minimum
level at the upstream location (6,4 mg/1) indicated a moderate depres-
sion during the warm weather months. Minimum levels below the sewage
treatment plant at X240 during regular sampling was 5.2 mg/1. Lower
levels at this location were recorded for diurnal samples during the
intensive survey. Levels at Flushing closer to the waste source were
significantly lower, even with the limitation of a less extensive
sampling period. Seasonal variation is apparent (Table 13). This is
seen in minimum levels, although at Montrose minimum levels are low
throughout the year. Maximum levels also occur during the summer period
at this location and indicate supersaturation. During this period, the
average level is 1 mg/1 higher below the waste source than above,
Organic matter, expressed in terms of five-day BOD (BOD,.), and
44
-------
ammonia and organic nitrogen (Table 12), was significant in the Flint
River below the waste source. Above Flint, the levels of BOD,. - 5 mg/1,
and ammonia-nitrogen - 0.6 mg/1, were indicative of low level pollution
although the maximum levels indicated there were periods of moderate
pollution. Levels of organic material below the waste sources indicated
a high concentration, especially in terms of the ammonia-nitrogen level
of 1.2 mg/1 average at Montrose and 4.7 mg/1 at Flushing. BOD- levels
were 6 mg/1 at Montrose and 10 mg/1 at Flushing. Both these parameters
indicated a significant decay or oxidation in stream travel from
Flushing to Montrose. There was no apparent seasonal variation in
BODc levels, but there appeared to be variation in the ammonia and
organic nitrogen levels (Table 13). Organic levels were higher during
the summer at the upstream station while decreasing during the summer
months at Montrose. This may be due to the significant effect of
temperature on the oxidizable nitrogen decay rate. The maximum levels
of ammonia observed are sufficient to result in an accelerated decay
rate.
Nutrient levels, expressed in terms of nitrate as nitrogen and
total and soluble phosphorous as phosphate, increased significantly
below the waste source (Table 12). Upstream of Flint, the average
nitrate level was 0.8 mg/1 and both the phosphates were at very low
levels, with many below the reportable level of the testing procedures.
Below the treatment plants, the nutrients increased significantly.
Nitrate increased to an average concentration of 1.9 mg/1 Phosphates
increased to 9.7 mg/1 total and 7.4 mg/1 soluble at Flushing and then
declined somewhat to 4.1 mg/1 total and 3.2 mg/1 soluble at Montrose.
45
-------
The latter location includes year-round samples, and the seasonal
variation (Table 14)indicated significant increases in phosphate
levels in the latter part of the year. Above the treatment plant, the
seasonal variation is opposite, i.e. the phosphate levels decrease as
the year progresses.
Chlorides and other dissolved solids indicated the municipal pol-
lution (Table 12). Above Flint, levels were moderate, with an average
of 28 mg/1 chlorides. Below the sewage treatment plant, the yearly
average level was 83 mg/1 at Montrose and 101 mg/1 upstream at Flushing
u __
for the latter part of the year. Seasonal variation above Flint was
not significant, but at Montrose the level was significantly higher in
the latter part of the year, as indicated by the raw data (Table 13).
Both sodium and potassium increased below the waste source. Calcium
and magnesium decreased slightly as did total hardness. Sulfate
decreased slightly. Seasonal variation was not significant in these
parameters, although those increasing between the two locations were
lowest during the summer (except for sulfate), and those that decreased
between the two points were highest during the warmer months.
Bacterial quality of the basin waters was, in general, severely
impaired as measured by total coliform, fecal coliform, and fecal strep
concentrations (Table 12). Even above Flint, the median total and
fecal coliform levels were 1,500 and 220 organisms/100 ml, with maximum
levels of 18,000 and 1,700 organisms/100 ml, respectively. At Montrose,
annual medians were 4,900 organisms/100 ml total coliform, and 5,300
organisms/100 ml fecal coliform, with maximums of 370,000 and 30,000
organisms/100 ml. Maximum levels at Flushing, based on the three
46
-------
samples, were 680,000 organisms/100 ml total coliform and 130,000
organisms/100 ml fecal coliform. The minimum levels were 17,000 org-
anisms/100 ml total coliform and 3,200 organisms/100 ml fecal coliform.
Radiochemistry data, based on the 1965 regular tributary sampling
program, are listed on Table 16 for the Flint River. The data are listed
in picocuries per liter (pc/1) of water sample. The sample is reported
in terms of suspended (nonfiltrable) and dissolved (filtrable) portions.
Alpha emitters and beta emitters were measured. Composites of regular
tributary samples were analyzed in most cases. . Many of the samples
-12
indicated levels of less than 0.05 pc/1 (10 c/1). Maximum levels of
alpha emitters were 2.0 pc/1 dissolved and 3.9 pc/1 suspended. Maximum
levels of beta emitters were 17 pc/1 dissolved and 7.2 pc/1 suspended.
The maximum generally occurred at Montrose. For most samples the stan-
dard counting error exceeded the level of the sample, indicating a very
low level of radioactivity in the sample.
Flint Dissolved Oxygen Profile Study
Data collected during the intensive survey on August 11 and 12,
1965 are listed on Table 17, and shown in Figures 12 to 16.
During this survey, water quality was similar to the annual
average water quality at those stations uoutinely sampled. Exceptions
were dissolved oxygen, bacteria, and ammonia nitrogen levels.
The dissolved oxygen profile (Figure 12) indicates that a major
dissolved oxygen depression occurs below the Flint sewage treatment
plant outfall. This depression begins above the outfall as indicated
by a comparison of dissolved oxygen levels immediately above the
47
-------
outfall (X256) with those above the City of Flint (X260). In this
distance of 10 miles, the average dissolved oxygen level dropped
from 8.4 mg/1 to 5.5 mg/1. The level continued to decline, reaching a
minimum average level of 2.7 mg/1 above the Flushing sewage treatment
plant, a distance of 6 miles from the Flint outfall. The minimum level
at this location was 0.7 mg/1. Below Flushing, the dissolved-oxygen
level increased to an average of 9.0 mg/1 near Montrose, 10 miles
downstream. The level continued to increase, reaching a maximum level
of 11.5 mg/1 near the Flint River Cutoff Canal, a distance of 35 miles
downstream. Minimum level at this location was 8.8 mg/1 above satura-
tion.
Diurnal variation in dissolved oxygen level caused by photosynthesis
is apparent from Figure 12. Above the City of Flint, the variation is
minimal, about 1.5 mg/1 or a range of 83 to 100 percent saturation.
Variation below the waste outfall at Flushing .was 4.9 mg/1, from 8
to 68 percent saturation. Maximum observed variation occurred at Mont-
rose, with a range of 9.9 mg/1, from 3.7 mg/1 to 13.6 mg/1. The
saturation level ranged from 41 percent prior to dawn to 170 percent in
late afternoon, with an average level of 105 percent. Downstream the
maximum saturation remained at the same level (160-170), but the
minimum rose to near saturation. Average dissolved oxygen levels
increased to 130 percent of saturation below Fergus. . Visual observa-
tion of the stream confirmed that significant amounts of attached and
free algae were present, accounting for the supersaturation observed.
Table 18 also lists the diurnal dissolved oxygen variation at a
48
-------
downstream location in the Flint River.
Organic matter, expressed as 5-day BOD (Figure 12) indicated a
moderate amount of pollution. The BOD continued to increase downstream.
A large percentage of this increase was due to the organic matter
created by a significant amount of photosynthetic activity. Nitrogenous
oxygen-demanding materials, expressed as ammonia and organic nitrogen,
increased below the sewage treatment plant outfall. Above Flint, the
level was about 0.5 mg/1, increasing to a maximum of 2.4 mg/1 below the
outfall. This level gradually declined below the City of Flushing.
The level below the treatment plant was sufficiently high to result in
a rapid decline of the dissolved oxygen profile. The levels of both
the BOD and nitrogen parameters were lower during this study than the
year-round averages at Flushing. At Montrose, the BOD level compared
favorably with the annual average, although the nitrogen level was
lower.
Nutrient levels, in terms of phosphates and nitrate nitrogen
(Figure 13 and 14), increased significantly below the Flint outfall.
This level continued throughout the remainder of the stream. Nitrates
as nitrogen increased from less than 1 mg/1 above the outfall to a
maximum of 3.2 mg/1, then decreased downstream.
Chloride levels quadrupled below Flint, increasing from 27 mg/1
to about 100 mg/1 (Figure 15). The level remained about the same from
here to themouth. Chlorides were about 20 percent of total dissolved
solids. These levels were consistent with the average yearly levels
which did not show significant seasonal variation.
49
-------
Total coliform densities were high even above the sewage treatment
plant outfall. Levels (Table 17) indicated moderate bacterial pollution
throughout the stream, even though this survey was during the disin-
fection season. The data from the two individual runs (Figure 16)
showed a highly variable bacterial quality in the stream.
In general, this intensive survey indicated that the major pollution
enters the river near Flint and there is only a minor increase thereafter.
The dissolved oxygen profile showed severe degradation below Flint, with
considerable recovery within about fifteen miles, in the vicinity of
Montrose. Diurnal fluctuation caused by photosynthesis persisted near
the confluence with the Saginaw River, although not as pronounced as in
the recovery area near Montrose.
Rural Runoff Studies
As part of the Lake Huron Basin comprehensive studies, locations
throughout the basin were sampled on about a monthly basis during the
summer and fall of 1965 to determine the characteristics of rural run-
off. Two of these locations were in the Flint River Basin. One was
on Farmers Creek upstream from the community of Lapeer at the U.S.
Geological Survey gaging station, which is on the grounds of the
Lapeer Home and Training School but upstream of the sewage treatment
plant outfall (X295). The second was on Swartz Creek above the com-
munity of Swartz Creek (X296). The drainage area of Farmers Creek
is 57 square miles and Swartz Creek is 11.9 square miles. Mean flows
during 1965 were 22.2 cfs and 5.46 cfs, respectively, and yields were
.389 cfsm and .459 cfsm. This flow was similar to the preceding
50
-------
. lOryear average at Swartz Creek but 25 percent less than the 30-year
average at Farmers Creek. Streamflows preceding the sampling dates
were relatively constant and considerably lower than the- yearly mean
flow.
As indicated on Table 19, data for these two locations are similar,
except for chlorides and associated parameters and nutrient levels.
51
-------
NOTES
FOR
WATER QUALITY TABLES
NS - Number of Samples
Chemical Parameters
Cl - Chloride Mg - Magnesium
Fe - Iron Na - Sodium
SO^ - Sulfate s K - Potassium
Si - Silica C02 - Carbonate
Ca - Calcium HCO^ Bicarbonate
Total hardness: reported as CaCOo
Nitrogens: ammonia (ML), organic, nitrates (NO-,),
and nitrites - (NC^) reported as nitrogen
equivalent (N)
Phosphates: reported as PO,
Total phosphates include: ortho, poly, biological, and
organic.
Total soluble phosphates include: soluble ortho,
soluble poly, and soluble organic.
pH: reported in standard units
All results recorded in milligrams per liter (mg/1) except:
phenols and iron - micrograms per liter (jjg/1)
conductivity - micromhos per centimeter (umhos/cm)
Microbiological Parameters
Total Coliform )
Fecal Coliform ) reported as organisms(MF)/100 ml
Fecal Streptococcus )
Total Plate Count: number of bacteria/ml
Median value is used for "average" statistic except as
noted.
Indeterminate values (less than ) not
used in calculating average.
52
-------
TABLE 11. WATER QUALITY DATA - RECONNAISSANCE; SURVEY
Flint River Basin
February 2-4, 1965
Ol
u>
Station
X290
X288
X286
X284
X282
X280
X270
X260
X258
X256
X254
X250 .
X246
River
Mile*
74.6
73.0
70.4
66.3
65.2
62.1
58.4
55.8
50.7
46.1
44.3
39.6 -
33.9
Alkalinity
240
236
247
238
240
236
238
235
220
228
212
214
224
Dissolved
Oxygen
5.4
5.9
7.9
12.4
12.8
14.1
12.3
11.6
12.8
11.4
10.1
8.6
6.5
.£H_
7.6
7.4
7.5
7.6
8.0
7.7
7.6
7.7
8.3
8.0
7.6
7.6
7.6
Total
. Coliform
6,000
5,800
4,500
10
20
10
150
600
3,200
20,000
450,000
160,000
150,000
Conductivity
660
670
700
650
630
620
620
610
710
820
900
920
900
Chloride
28
30
52
47
48
46
44
43
78
109
122
124
120
* miles above confluence with Saginaw River via natural channel.
-------
TABLE 11. WATER QUALITY DATA - RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY (Cont'd)
Flint River Basin
February 2-4, 1965
Station
X242
X240
-X236
X234
X232
X230
X220
X210
River
Mile*
30.9
28.5
22.1
19.7
17.2
14.7
9.7
3.9
Alkalinity
212
225
226
228
224
227
225
260
Dissolved
Oxygen
5.8
5.2
3.8
4.3
3.7
3.4
3.2
10.5
7.5
7.6
7.6
7.5
7.5
7.6
7.5
7.6
Total
Coliform
160,000
49,000
-
6,500
27,000
39,000
38,000
110
Conductivity
860
880
860
900
940
920
860
940
Chloride
116
125
107
124
131
125
109
106
* miles above confluence with Saginaw River via natural channel.
-------
TABLE 12. WATER QUALITY
Flint River Basin
1965
X295 Farmers Creek
X260 above Flint
X296 Swartz Creek
Ul
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
5- Day BOD
NH3-N
Org-N
N03-N
N02-N
Total PO,
Total Sol. PO,
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Susp. Solids
Cl
Phenol
PH
Temperature
% Saturation
NS Avg.
0
0
4 0.26
3 0.12
5 0.2
4 0.03
5 0.3
5 0.3
4 424
5 10
2 5
5 43
0
5 8.1
5 18.5
0
Low High
-
-
0.13 0.33
0.07 0.18
0.1 0.4
0.01 0.04
0.2 0.5
0.2 0.3
334 481
1 17
0 9
24 " 67
-
7.7 8.4
10.5 22.0
-
NS
12
7
14
14
14
10
14
14
14
14
13
16
15
16
17
12
Avg.
10.6
5
0.59
0.26
0.8
0.02
-
-
394
20
5
28
4
7.9
7.0
87
Low
6.4
3
0.23
0.10
0.2
0.01
<0.04
<0.04
314
4
1
13
0
7.6
<0.0.,:
68
High
13.2
8
2.65
0.70
1.6
0.03
0.60
0.40
508
44
12
63
9
8.5
23.5
111
NS Avg . Low
0 - -
0
3 0.25 0.17
3 0.12 0.08
5 0.1 0.1
4 0.02 <0.01
5 -<0.04
5 - <0.04
4 399 280
5 12 3
240
593
0
5 7.9 7.4
5 16.5 11.0
0 - -
High
-
-
0.35
0.16
0.2
0.03
0.30
0.10
675
29
7
11
...-_
8.4
19.5
-
-------
TABLE 12. WATER QUALITY (cont'd)
Flint River Basin
1965
X295 Farmers Creek
X260 above Flint
X296 Swartz Creek
Ui
Parameters
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Hardness
Conductivity
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Strep
NS
1
2
2
2
3
4
0
5
0
0
0
Avg . Low
100
32 19
9 6
72 70
28 20
50 40
-
650 560
-
-
-
High NS
14
44 12
11 12
73 14
33 14
70 14
15
740 17
15
13
13
Avg.
1,400
26
8
65
26
80
253
520
1,500
220
^100
Low
100
4
2
58
15
50
190
330
360
60
12
High
3,600
100
16
77
40
120
326
730
18,000
1,700
>1 , 500
NS
1
2
2
2
3
4
0
5
0
0
0
Avg. Low
200
9 8
4 3
54 46
21 15
37 ^10
-
420 350
-
-
-
High
-
9
4
62
26
66
-
480
-
-
-
-------
TABLE 12. WATER QUALITY (cont'd)
Flint River Basin
1965
X250 at Flushing
X240 at Montrose
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
5- Day BOD
NH3-N
Org-N
N03-N
N02-N
Total PO^
Total Sol. P04
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Susp. Solids
Cl
Phenol
PH
Temperature
% Saturation
NS
6
6
5
5
6
1
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
7
7
Avg.
4.2
10
4.70
0.55
1.9
0.29
9.7
7.4
530
11
7
101
6
7.4
9.5
40
Low
1.8
7
3.50
0.35
0.8
-
5.9
4.8
470
0
0
92
1
7.0
0.0
17
High
9.2
15
6.20
0.96
3.4
-
15.2
12.8
582
19
12
- 112
9
7.6
20.0
70
NS
12
7
14
14
14
10
14
14
14
14
13
16
15
16
17
12
Avg.
9.7
6
1.15
0.26
1.9
0.06
4.1
3.2
505
27
8
83
6
7.8
8.0
85
Low
5.2
3
0.17
0.10
0.7
0.02
0.5
0.1
358
2
1
28
0
7.4
0.0
35
High NS Avg. Low High
12.9
11
3.38
0.50
4.6
0.29
12.8
8.8
771
122
32
252
15
8.4
25.0
124
-------
TABLE 12. WATER QUALITY (cont'd)
Flint River Basin
1965
X250 at Flushing
X240 at Montrose
Ui
00
Parameters
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Hardness
Conductivity
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Strep
NS
3
5
5
6
6
6
6
6
3
3
3
Avg.
-
-
16
58
17
89
226
810
310,000
88,000
4,200
Low
<100
6
2
51
12
60
210
740
17,000
3,200
490
High
200
>100
""flf
66
25
110
268
900
680,000
130,000
8,300
NS
14
13
13
14
14
14
14
17
15
13
13
Avg.
-
62
15
62
23
89
239
700
49,000
5,300
450
Low
<100
.-'. 12
3
45
14
49
176
430
400
10
10
High NS Avg. Low High
8,300
248
39
74
45
132
320
1,160
370,000
30,000
3,500
-------
TABLE 13. FLINT RIVER BASIN WATER QUALITY
1965 SEASONAL VARIATION
Ui
VO
Season/
Location
Jan.-April
X246
X260
May-Sept,
X240
X260
Oct.-Dec.
X240
X260
Annua1
X240
X260
Dissolved Oxygen
Avg. Max. Min. BOD,;
10.2 12.9
11.7 12.3
9.1 13.6
8.3 10.1
9.1 10.9
11.6 13.2
9.4 13.6
9.8 13.2
5.2
10.9 ; -
3.7
6.4
5.6
10.5
3.7
6.4
6
4
5
4
6
4
NH3-N
1.56
0.51
0.50
0.81
0.97
0.28
1.09
0.56
Org-N
0.22
0.16
0.35
0.38
0.23
0.27
0.27
0.25
N03-N
1.41
1.18
1.96
0.44
3.10
0.70
1.93
0.83
Tot.
P04
2.20
0.31
4.46
0.16
9.23
0.06
4.36
0.21
Tot.
Sol.
PO
A c
1.77
0.19
3.26
0.11
6.90
0.04
3.29
0.13
Tot.
Sol.
464
369
533
422
554
414
505
395
Susp.
Sol.
37
22
18
18
9'
14
25
19
Vol.
Susp.
Sol.
11
4
4
3
6
8
7
4
Cl" Phenols
77
29
83
23
100
33
83
28
5
4
4
5
8
2
5
4
-------
TABLE 13. FLINT RIVER BASIN WATER QUALITY (cont'd)
1965 SEASONAL VARIATION
cr>
o
Season/
Location
Jan. -April
X240
X260
May- Sept .
X240
X260
Oct. -Dec.
X240
X260
Annua 1
X240
X260
Total
Iron
2,640
2,080
540
1,000
.100
',-. 230
1,430
1,350
Sodium
68
31
58
15
77
24
68
26
Potassium
14
9
13
5
17
7
15
8
Calcium
62
64
66
69
59
63
62
65
Magnesium
23
23
27
30
19
27
23
26
Sulfate
84
80
105
86
76
70
89
80
Hardness
233
241
254
267
231
256
238
253
-------
TABLE 14. FLINT RIVER BASIN WATER QUALITY
1965 SEASONAL NUTRIENT VARIATION
(mg/1)
Season/
Location
Nitrate-Nitrogen
Avg. Max. Min.
Total Phosphate
Avg. Max. Min.
Soluble Phosphate
Avg. Max. Min.
Jan.-April
X240
X260
1.4
1.2
1.6
1.6
0.9
0.9
2.20
0.31
4.70
0.60
0.50
0.10
1.77
0.19
4.60
0.40
0.10
0.00
May-Sept.
X240
X260
2.0
0.4
2.8
0.9
0.7
0.2
4.46
0.16
8.70
0.30
0.60
0.08
3.26
0.11
5.10
0.20
0.10
0.06
Oct.-Dec.
X240
X260
3.1
0.7
4.6
1.2
1.9
0.3
9.23
0.06
12.80
0.10
5.40
0.04
6.90
0.04
8.80
0.04
4.00
0.04
Annua1
X240
X260
1.9
0.8
4.6
1.6
0.7
0.2
4.36
0.21
12.80
0.60
0.50
0.04
3.29
0.13
8.80
.0.40
0.10
0.00
-------
TABLE 15. 1965 TOTAL AND FECAL COLIFORM DENSITIES
SEASONAL VARIATION
Flint River Basin
Season/
Location
Jan.-April /
X240 ;:
X260
Total Coliform
Organisms/100 ml
Median Low High
150,000 7,000 370,000
1,700 360 18,000
Fecal Coliform
Organisms/100 ml
Median Low High
11,000 3,700 30,000
520 60 1,700
May-Sept.
X240
X260
4,000 200 21,000
1,100 600 9,900
100 20 1,700
250 140 900
Oct.-Dec.
X240
X260
3,400 1,000 5,800
1,200 800 1,500
360
190
10
180
700
200
Annua1
X240
X260
24,000 200 370,000
1,400 360 18,000
5,300
220
10 30,000
60 1,.700
62
-------
TABLE 16. FLINT RIVER BASIN WATER QUALITY
1965 RADIOACTIVITY
Parameters
Dissolved
ALPHA
Error
BETA
Error
Suspended
ALPHA
Error
BETA
Error
NS
4 (2)
4 (2)
4 (2)
4 (2)
4 (2)
4 (2)
4 (2)
4 (2)
X240
Avg . Low
^0.05 <0.
2.6 2.
10.6 4.
5.1 4.
1.98 <0.
1.7 0.
3.63 <0.
3.7 2.
05
3
2
2
05
7
05
0
High
^0.05
2.9
17.0
5.9
3.90
2.7
7.20
5.4
NS
5 (1)
5 (1)
5 (1)
5 (1)
5 (1)
5 (1)
5 (1)
5 (1)
X250
Avg . Low
<0
2
6
5
-------
TABLE 16. FLINT RIVER BASIN WATER QUALITY (cont'd)
1965 RADIOACTIVITY
X295
Parameters
Dissolved
ALPHA
Error
BETA
Error
Suspended
ALPHA
Error
BETA
Error
NS
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Avg. Low High
0.05
1.1
8.1
1.9
0.5
0.5
1.1
1.1
-------
TABLE 17. INTENSIVE DISSOLVED OXYGEN SURVEY
FLINT RIVER BASIN
August. 11 -. 12, 1965
Station
X260
X256
X250
X240
X236
X230
X220
Avg.
Temp.
°C
21
22
22
23
22
22
21
Dissolved
Oxygen
Avg.
8.4
5.5
2.7
9.0
10.2
11.6
11.5
Max.
9.1
9.0
5.6
13.6
13.3
14.3
14.0
Min.
7.6
2.3
0.7
3.7
6.5
8.4
8.8
Percent
Saturation
Avg.
94
63
31
105
118
134
132
Max.
100
109
68
170
162
170
161
Min.
83
25
8
41
73
94
97
BOD5
5
5
3
6
9
9
11
Nitrogen
.24
.30
1.37
.27
1.12
.70
_
Org.
.27
.58
1.00
.50
.50
- .
_
N03
0.9
0.4
2.8
2.8
3.2
2.5
2.3
Phosphates
Total
0.08
1.70
11.80
8.70
11.50
12.00
12.80
Soluble
0.06
1.50
10.80
4.60
9.70
10.30
11.20
Phenols
8
8
6
5
9
10
8
Ui
Solids
Station 'Total Suspended Volatile Chlorides Conductivity
580
700
800
740
880
900
860
Total Coliform
X260
X256
X250
X240
X236
X230
X220
420
410
560
510
530
570
580
9
14
2
13
20
35 .
24
1
0
2
3
6
5
4
27
72
100
84
97
102
104
Alkalinity
196
146
130
110
164
160
152
£H_
8.2
7.9
7.4
7.7
7.6
7.4
7.6
Iron
0.4
0.9^.
0.9
0.6
0.4
3.5
0.5
Max.
800
29;ooo
18,000
4,000
8,000
5,000
12,000
Min/
700
15,000
3,000
200
1,100
500
500
-------
TABLE 18. DIURNAL DISSOLVED OXYGEN FLUCTUATION
FLINT RIVER BASIN
Station/
Date-1965
7/21
7/21
7/22
10/26
10/27
10/27
10/28
Time
0800
1205
1600
2000
0135
0515
1000
1402
1800
2200
0330
0730
0910
1310
1715
2115
0110
0505
1200
1615
2000
2325
0315
0720
19
20
23
23
21
20
21
24
25
23
22
22
7
9
9
8
7
6
7
9
8
8
7
5
DO
(mg/1)
7.8
10.0
13.2
12,4
8.9
7.9
9.9
9.7
12.7
10.7
7.7
7.9
9.0
9.7
10.4
9.7
9.4
9.4
10.7
11.. 3
11.. 2
10.7
10.0
9.8
Percent
Saturation
85
111
156
146
100
88
112
116
155
126
88
91
74
84
90
81
77
75
88
97
93
89
81
76
8/12
1055
1525
1815
2155
0245
0645
19
22
24
23
20
20
11.0
14.0
13.4
11.8
10.1
8.8
120
160
161
139
112
97
66
-------
TABLE 18. DIURNAL DISSOLVED OXYGEN FLUCTUATION (cont'd)
FLINT RIVER BASIN
Station/
Date-1965
X240
8/11
8/12
Time
0930
1325
1710
2100
0125
0535
18
22
26
24
22
21
DO
(mg/1)
7.0
13.1
13.6
10.3
6.2
3.7
Percent
Saturation
74
151
170
124
71
41
67
-------
TABLE 19. 1965 RURAL RUNOFF
FLINT RIVER BASIN
00
Station/
Date
X295
5/27
7/6
8/24
9/22
11/8
Average
X296
5/27
7/6
8/24
9/23
11/8
Average
Flow
cf s
-
11.0
2.8
1.4
3.6
4.6
4.7
3.7
0.3
1.1
2.2
1.2
1.7
Temp.
°c
22
20
18
22
11
19
19
20
14
18
11
17
Dissolved
420
320
460
440
410
330
-
650
270
310
390
Solids
Suspended
8
1
12
. 17
10
10
6
11
29
9
. 3
12
Volatile
-
-
0
9
-
4
-
-
0
7
-
4
Conductivity Chlorides pH Iron
600
620
560
740
740
650
480
350
410
420
460
420
25
46
24
67
51
43
10
3
11
11
10
9
8.4
8.4
7.9
7.7
8.0
8.1
8.2
8.4
7.9
7.4
7.8
7.9
100
100
200
200
-------
TABLE 19. 1965 RURAL RUNOFF (cont'd)
FLINT RIVER BASIN
VO
Station/
Date
X295
5/27
7/6
8/24
9/22
11/8
Average
X296
5/27
7/6
8/24
9/23
11/8
Average
Nitrogen
N03
.3
.1
.1
.4
.2
.2
.2
.1
.1
.1
.1
.1
N02
.02
.03
.01
.04
-
.02
.02
.00
.03
.01
-
.02
NH3
.13
.33
-
..24
.33
.26
.35
.23
-
-
.17
.25
Phosphate
Org. Total Soluble
.07 .2 .2
.11 .3 .3
.4 .2
.5 .3
.18 .3 .3
.12 .3 .3
.08 .2 <.l
.12 <.l <,.!
<.04 <£.04
.2 <.04
.16 .3 .08
.12 .2 <.r
Minerals
Na K Ca Mg
19 6 - 33
_ _ _
-
44 11. 70 20
73 30
32 8 . 72 28
8 3 - 26
_
_ .
9 4 46 15
62 22
8 4 54 21
so4
70
50
-
40
40
50
66
-------
FLINT RIVER
DISSOLVED OXYGEN AND 5-DAY BOD
AUGUST 11-12, 1965 SURVEY
12
9
6
S
0
7
1 1 | | l | l J j
LEGEND
A
MAXIMUM y
AVERAGE 0
MINIMUM A
» __ _
l
1 1 1 L 1 1 1 1 1
BOD COMPOSITE
DISSOLVED OXYGEN
'
V
\
N
t-
w
t-
z
k.
1 1 1 J° 1 1 1 1 1
S
tfi
o
z
. ? 1 1 1 1 L 1 1 1
/
1
.
'
»
J
J
«
i K
^> ki
0 . C
z u
u ^
o" =>
tut- . K
2 U £
. OK -
So t
1 °l° 1 1 1 1 1 J P
V
'
V
m
/
1 1 I 1 L 1 1 1 I
1
L
l
u
I \
« ' «
2 «
« *?
. 1 1 °1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0 60 50 "TO ' SO 20 l6 0
n
o
c
3}
E
l
o
o
CD
19
>-
X
O
o
UJ
o
OT
STATION
NOB.
ID
t
N
(M
X
K)
RIVER M ILES
-------
FLINT RIVER
NITRATE CONCENTRATION
AUGUST 11-12, 1965 SURVEY
100.0
10.0
1.0
O.I
7
"ION
S.
1 1 ' 1 1 1 1 1 1
LEGEND
3
MAXIMUM -|>
AVERAGE 1
MINIMUM JL
<
»
x.
v^
v^
"^
1 1 1 L 1 1 1 1 I
COMPOSITE SAMPLE
AUG. 11-12, 1965 SUR
AVERAGE A RANGE
OF 1965 SAMPLES
/
/
/
/
/
/
v /
^\/
(L
*-
W
h-
z
J
Ik
i i i J° I 1 I i r
VEY
^T" ^ ^
a
*-
«
o '
z
r
(A
=>
J
U-
-? t 1 1 1 L I 1 1
'
^N
_ 0*^
J
^
< ' .
k. ^
t- . U
2 ui
0 K
-5=--
m K - Z
0 3
K t- K
* z u
Z U "
oa . ;
Z B . a.
1 ?l» 1 1 1 1 1 J P
""' - ~~*-^^
1 1 1 1 L I 1 1 1
'
1
3
*
u
u
«
0 . ' - IT
U
> . . . >
< a:
2 *
. 1 ' -i
« .:
' <
X a
. 1 1 <>l 1 1 1 1 1 1
0 60 50 40 . 30 20 10 0
O 1C o J CVJ CM N.INJ.^
01
E
z
i
Ul
H
<
oe
o
c
m
RIVER MILES
-------
FLINT RIVER
TOTAL PHOSPHATE
AUGUST 11-12, 1965 SURVEY
100.0
10.0
1.0
O.I
0.01
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
-
1
/
/
/
/
/
f
1 1 1 L 1 1 1 1 1
/
/
*
/
/
/
/
/
-j4
*
/
/
O.
k,
>
k.
Z
J
ft. .
1 1 1 f 1° 1 1 1 1 1
p_
(L
k.
w .
o
2
X
*>
3
J
Ik
f 1 1 I 1 L 1 1 1
*m*
\
r ^^o
LEGEND
o
MAXIMUM J
AVERAGE A
MINIMUM J-
.j
b. Ul
5 g
O Z **
D
s" - 1
Kt- «
l-Z u
ZU 2
OK -
am a.
1 5 1° 1 1 1 1 1 J p
0^
COMPOSITE SAMPLE
AU3. 11-12, 1965 SUR
AVERAGE a RANGE
OF 1965 SAMPLES
i i 1 1 1. 1 1 1 1
O
VEY
X
u
E Z
U u
5 .-
3 . *
O . <
U 2
cn o
i :
1 1 »l 1 1 1 1 1 1
o
a.
N
30
o
10
10
O
RIVER MILES
-------
FLINT RIVER
TOTAL SOLIDS AND CHLORIDES
AUGUST 11-12, 1965 SURVEY
1000.0
tn
111 100.0
o
X
o
CO
o
jr~
LEGEND
10.0
COMPOSITE SAMPLE
AUG. 11-12, 1965 SURVEY
COMPOSITE SAMPLE
AUG. 11-12, 1965 SURVEY
TOTAL SOLIDS
EY
CHLORIDES
CO
MAXIMUM
i
-AVGERAGE
AVGERAGE AND RANIGE
OF 1965 SAMPLES
MINIMUM
t-
2
0
<
3
_2_
1.0
1 1 1 J° 1
1 1 I L 1
O
-------
1,000.000
o 100,000
o
V)
z
<
or
o
, 10,000
-
z
J
h.
1 1 I -1° t 1 1 1 1
G. It, 1965
6. 12, 1965
V
\
\
\
' \
: \
\
\
a. \
i- \
\
o
z
I
)
3
J
h.
. f 1 1 1 1 L 1 1 1
'"I
_/
-T
^^
^^
^
>3<
/ ~^~
-i /
i /
U. f U
s / s
L I'/'
\ S* §
->b§- S
*>- 2 w
Z U z
0« -
zo a.
1 ° 1° 1 1 1 1 1 -1 P
-
s
s
jf
"*"^» ^ ^
'^ ~ t\f^
**
w^
^^^
^"^^^
^V^
1 1 1 ' 1 L 1 1 1 1
&
- - ;
w
_ E E
0 «
5 -
§ $
W Z
t- .
' n . o
i :
. i i °i i i i i i i
0 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
O O w> OO
100
STAT ION
NOS.
O
c
20
R
0>
r>
N
x
RIVER MILES
-------
Biology
The data used for the biological study of the Flint River in
this report were obtained from analyses of 21 phytoplankton samples
and 5 benthos samples collected between October 1964 and November 1965,
The samples were collected at station X260, located just above Flint,
and station X240, located near Montrose some distance downstream from
Flint and Flushing. A collection also was made at the Highway 13
bridge over the Flint River, between stations X220 and X230
(Figure 9).
Physical observations in the Flint River are listed in Table 20.
Transparencies as measured by the secchi disc were quite low. .An
observer noted a considerable amount of pondweed (Potomogeton)
growth and algal growth at station X240. Sewage odors were also
noted in the water and in the bottom sample material collected at
this station.
Table 21 presents the average number of bottom dwelling animals
found at the stations in the Flint River from October 1964 to
September 1965. Pollution-tolerant organisms comprised 99 percent of
the benthic collections. These included sludgeworms, bloodworms, and
leeches. Only at the upper station (X260) above Flint were a few
pollution-sensitive organisms collected. These were may flies.
Phytoplankton populations for the stations on the Flint River
are presented in Table 22. The predominant genera are listed on
page 80. Cyclotella-Stephanodiscus and some green - f la-gel la ted forms
dominated the phytoplankton populations in the Flint River. These
75
-------
organisms are common forms found in many nutrient-enriched midwestern
streams.
The average number of phytoplankton in samples collected in
summer at the downstream station (X240) near Montrose was 12,300/ml.
This was over three times greater than the average number (3,780)
recorded in the samples collected at the upper station, X26CL Chemi-
cal data indicated that the water at the lower station was more
nutrient-enriched than that at the upper station during the May-
September sampling period in 1.965. The average nitrate concentration
at station X260 was 0,44 mg/1 and at station X240 was 1.9 mg/1. The
average total phosphate concentration was 0.16 mg/1 at station X260
and 4.46 mg/1 at station X.240.
Benthic fauna and phytoplankton analyses indicated that the
Flint River was somewhat degraded. Ninety-nine percent of all benthic
animals collected were of the pollution-tolerant variety. Greater
phytoplankton numbers and weed growths were noted at the downstream
station below Flint and Flushing. These growths probably resulted
from the higher nutrient concentrations in the water at this location,
Sewage odors in the water and bottom material at this station also
suggested degraded conditions in the stream at the lower station.
76
-------
TABLE 20. PHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS
FLINT RIVER
OCTOBER 1964-NOVEMBER 1965
Station Date
X260
X240
)ate
4/65
7/65
9/65
4/65
7/65
Bottom Type
Sand
Ooze, silt,
sand
Silt, sand
Rock
Sand, gravel,
Bottom
Odor
-
Sewage
-
-
Sewage
Water
Odor
-
-
-
Sewage
Sewage
Secchi
Disc
(ft.)
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
Remarks
-
Water muddy
abundant.
Heavy algal
-
Water muddy
; filamentous algae
bloom.
, much duckweed on
9/65
rock
Sand, gravel,
rock
Sewage
1.5
surface; Potomogeton and fila-
mentous algae on bottom.
Much Potomogeton and attached
slimy algae on rocks.
HW13
10/65
Silt, sand
3.0 Water yellow-brown; rocks under
bridge had pulm, snails and may
flies.
-------
TABLE 21. BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATES
FLINT RIVER
OCTOBER 1964-SEPTEMBER 1965
Number of Benthic Organisms per Square Foot
Station
X260
X240
Tubificidae
Date (Sludgeworms)
7/7/65
9/18/65
7/7/65
9/17/65
21
37
4
56
Tendipedidae Glossiphoniidae
(Bloodworms) (Leeches)
21
11
9
2 2
Ephemeridae
(May Flies) Total
1 43
48
13
60
^ HW13 10/20/64 14 - - -14
oo
-------
TABLE 22. PHYTOPIANKTON
FLINT RIVER
FALL 1964-FALL 1965
vo
Station/
Season*
X260
Spring
Summer
Fall
X240
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Number
of
Samples
2
2
4
1
4
3
4
Centric Pennate
Diatoms Diatoms
110
1,440
1,200
190
440
3,970
950
120
620
420
100
270
910
590
Average Number
Blue-
Green Green
Coccoids Coccoids
50
750 20
440
20
90 10
3,660 50
380
per Milliliter
Blue- Green
Fila-
mentous
30
80
1,040
,x
20
300
Green
Flagel-
lates
240
870
580
760
640
3,690
450
Brown
Flagel-
lates Total
20 470
3,780
3,680
1,070
1,450
12,300
2,670
Predominant
Genera**
(10% or
more)
a,
a,
a,
a,
a,
a,
a,
j
b,
g>
c,
f,
f,
f,
j
h, j
j
e, i,
j
h, d,
j
j
HW13
220
1,010
150
70
1,060
2,510 j
*Seasons: Winter = Dec., Jan., Feb.
Spring = March, April, May
Summer = June, July, Aug.
Fall = Sept., Oct., Nov.
x = less than 10
** see explanation list, page 80.
-------
EXPLANATION LIST FOR
PREDOMINANT PHYTOPLANKTON GENERA (Table 22)
Centric Diatoms
a. Cyclotella-Stephanodiscus
b. Melosira
Pennate Diatoms
c. Navicula
d. Nitzschia
Greens
e0 Coelastrum
£ Scenedesmus
Blue-Greens
g. Anabaena
h. Aphanizomenon
Green Flagellates
i, Euglena
j Unidentified
80
-------
DISSOLVED OXYGEN PROJECTIONS
/
The water quality data described in previous sections of this report
Were submitted to analyses in a mathematical model depicting oxygen
balance in streams. This particular; model is a modification of the
classical Streeter-Phelps formulation for oxygen balance in a stream.
This equation modification includes an additional nonconservative oxygen
demand (Kjeldahl nitrogen), which acts in a similar fashion to the BOD
factor in the original formulation.
Long-term oxygen demand and nitrogen balance determinations were
made on stream and waste source samples to determine a laboratory K-rate
in order to calculate the ultimate carbonaceous oxygen demand. The
ultimate carbonaceous oxygen demand stream profile was constructed,
and the stream BOD decay rate determined. A similar profile of the
Kjeldahl nitrogen yielded the nitrogenous demand decay rate. These
profiles were checked by a wastes loadings profile. All rates were
converted from tihe stream temperature to 20°C.
Reaeration rates were initially calculated based on the O'Connor-
Dobbins formulation for natural streams using computed reach velocities
and depths. These values were used for initial matching, but were then
modified somewhat in the final match for simplicity in the projections.
The photosynthetic production of algae is not a factor in the model.
No attempt was made to match the dissolved oxygen profile to observed
data above or near the saturation value.
Survey data indicated an apparent high decay rate for the Kjeldahl
nitrogen portion of the total oxygen demand in the stream reach below
81
-------
the main municipal waste source. This high demand rate was indicated
also by the observed dissolved oxygen profile. (Previous work by
others indicated an intensified rate of oxygen demand in this reach).
With the exception of this reach, a uniform nitrogenous decay rate was
used throughout the stream. A uniform decay rate was used for the
carbonaceous portion of the total oxygen demand. The presence of signif-
icant algal concentrations, as evidenced by diurnal dissolved oxygen
fluctuations and visual observations of the stream, is believed respon-
sible for the anomalous BOD data found during the 1965 survey. Resurveys
during 1966 indicated a somewhat different decay rate which more closely
"resembled the nitrogen decay rate. This rate was used for the final
match. The computed match profiles are shown superimposed on the
survey data (Figures 17 and 18). Loadings for the final match are
included in Table 20.
The parameters determined for the match were used to project the
expected dissolved oxygen profiles for a number of flow and loading
conditions. Minor modifications were made for ease in projection
changes. All additional augmentation was assumed to have the same
yield for all low flow conditions due to the minor increase in flow
belowrthe initial reach. All waste sources were combined on a flow
basis with the major municipal source. The concentrations used were
those determined during the 1965 survey. For all projections, the
initial stream parameters, with the exception of flow, remained constant.
Figures 19 through 22 show computed dissolved oxygen profiles for
the following situations:
82
-------
Figure 19 - 1965 Summer Survey Flow (75 cfs)
Temperature, ranges: 15°C to 30°C at 5°C increments
Waste loadin'gs: 1965 - 100%; 1990 - 3167,;
2020 - 7417.
Figure 20 - 7-Day Once-in-10-year Flow (47 cfs)
Temperature ranges: 15°C to 30 C at 5°C increments
Waste loadings:: 1965 - 100%; 1990 - 316%;
2020 - 741%
Figure 21 - 1-Day Once-in-10-Year Flow (38 cfs)
Temperature ranges: 15°C to 30°C at 5°C increments
Waste loadings: 1965 - 100%; 1990 - 316%;
2020 - 741%
Figure 22 - Augmented Flow (100 cfs)
Temperature ranges: 15°C to 30°C at 5°C increments
Waste loadings: 1965 - 100%; 1990 - 316%;
2020 - 741%
The anomalous curves, especially between 1990 and 2020 at drought
flow conditions (7-day and 1-day), are due principally to the fact that
the nitrogen demand is exerted at a high rate in the stream reach
between Flint and Flushing. At the increased loadings, 316 percent
and 741 percent of the 1965 waste flow (47 cfs), total stream flow is
actually 4.2 and 8.4 times the hypothetical 7-day drought flow resulting
in high stream velocities and resultant short time of passage. There-
fore, the minimum model depression on low point does not occur in the
bounds of the reach. Under actual waste loadings conditions, as
indicated by plots of predicted nitrogenous demand levels (not
included), the high reaction rate found under actual survey conditions
in the reach below Flint and Flushing would probably be extended far
below Flushing, creating septic conditions. It is obvious from the
data presented that the 1965 loadings at even 100 cfs (augmented
conditions) result in critical dissolved oxygen levels.
83
-------
OC
Municipal Wastes
Flint
Flushing
Montrose
Industrial Wastes
Brent Run
TABLE 23. LOADINGS FOR MATCH RUN
1965 MODEL
Flint River Basin
Flow
25.9 40.1
.4 0.6
1.3 2.0
2.6 4.0
5-Day BOD Ultimate BOD K^eldahl N
12 2,590
41 137
101 1,090
88
3.5
102
15 3,240 12.7 2,690
53 177 11.2 37
147 1,590 11.8 128
2.3
Dissolved
Oxygen
me/1 #/da;
4.0
2.0
0.0
50 5.0
847
7
0
108
Tributary Flow
Flint
(Initial)
48.5 75.0
5 2,040
5.. 6 2,270 -9 364 4.9 1,980
-------
FLINT RIVER
DISSOLVED OXYGEN
SUMMER 1965 SURVEY
IS
Temp. = 22°C
Flow = 75cfs of Flint Goge (Flint STP)
LEGEND
o
MEAN
RANGE
-COMPUTED PROFILE 'OISSOL
VED OXYGEN
E
i
z
u
o
>
X
o
o
UJ
o
en
CO
P.O. SATURATION
8.7 mg/l a* 22°C
2
n E
O
-------
100.0
Temp. = 22°C
FLINT RIVER
KJELDAHL NITROGEN as N AND 5-DAY BOD
SUMMER 1965 SURVEY
Flow = 75cfsat Flint Gage (FlintSTP)
LEGEND
u
o
o
A
BOD
10.0
COMPOSITE S-DAY
COMPOSITE KJELDAHL
COMPUTED PROFILE
COMPUTED PROFILE
NITROGEN
ULTIMATE BOD
KJELDAHL NITR06E
01 _
e \
I 0>
Z e
UJ '
O 0
0
1.0
O
_I
UJ
l-
x
O.I
I f I 1 1 1 1 I 1
till
1 I I I I I
X U
o e
I 0|0 I
II L I I I
2
I 0| I I
O
C
00
70
60
50
S TATION
NOS.
1C
in
40
O
to
30
20
<0
t
CM
X
CM
X
IB
n
CM
X
o
n
CM
X
10
O
CM
CM
X
RIVER MILES
-------
F I G U.R E 19
FLINT RIVER
COMPUTED DISSOLVED OXYGEN PROFILES
EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND LOADINGS
1965 SUMMER SURVEY FLOW
(o) 1965 LOADINGS
DO
40
30 20
RIVER MILES
10
(b) 1990 LOADINGS
40
(c) 2020 LOADINGS
so zo
R IVER MILES
10
30 20
RIVER MILES
-------
FIGURE 2Q
FLINT RIVER
COMPUTED DISSOLVED OXYGEN PROFILES
EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND LOADINGS
7 DAY ONCE IN 10 YEAR FLOW
(a) 1965 LOADINGS
DO
40
30 20
RIVER MILES
(b) 1990 LOADINGS
40
(c) 2020 LOADINGS
3O . 20
RIVER MILES
10
90
30 2O
RIVER MILES
10
-------
FIGURE 21
FLINT RIVER
COMPUTED DISSOLVED OXYGEN PROFILES
EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND LOADINGS
I DAY ONCE IN 10 YEAR FLOW
(a) 1965 LOADINGS
90
40
30 20
RIVER MILES
(b) 1990 LOADINGS
40
30 20
RIVER MILES
10
(c) 2020 LOADINGS
_..
' ' ' ' ' I ' ' -J--I-M 1 I -l»^ I
30 20
RIVER MILES
-------
FIGURE 22
10
FLINT RIVER
COMPUTED DISSOLVED OXYGEN PROFILES
EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND LOADINGS
AUGMENTED FLOW
(o) 1965 LOADINGS
so
40
30 2O
RIVER MILES
(b) 1990 LOADINGS
30 20
RIVER MILES
10
(c) 2020 LOADINGS
E
i
O 4
O
\\
I I I I U l«
BO
40
30 20
RIVER MILES
10
-------
WATER QUALITY PROBLEMS
The Flint River above Flint is in a polluted condition because
of wastes from the secondary treatment plants of Lapeer and the
Lapeer State Home and Training School, and periodic discharges of
untreated wastes from the communities of North Branch and
Columbiaville. Bacterial levels caused by untreated wastes were
moderately high in this area. Increases in pollution were observed
even above the Flint sewage treatment plant because of discharges
from the secondary plants at the communities of Davison and Swartz
Creek, and the numerous industrial effluents which enter the Flint
River or its tributaries - Kearsley Creek, Thread River, and Swartz
Creek. Nutrients, salts, and bacteria levels all increased below
these tributaries and direct waste sources.
Gross contamination was recorded below the discharge of the
secondary treatment plant of the City of Flint. A severe oxygen
depletion downstream from Flint was caused by the organic load to
the river, even though the secondary plant is operating at a high
degree of efficiency. Nutrient levels, especially phosphorous,
reached extremely high levels. Bacteria levels were high, even during
the disinfection season. The pollution level continued to rise below
the Flint outfall due to the secondary treatment plant at Flushing,
the then raw discharge from the community of Montrose, and from the
residual effects of industrial wastes in tributaries. The effects of
the Flint effluent far overshadowed that of the other sources.
The City of Flint waste treatment plant in 1965 accounted for
91
-------
over 90 percent of waste flows in the basin. During drought flow
periods, the waste flow would equal to 90 percent of the river flow.
Under these conditions, even efficient secondary treatment results in
high concentrations of pollutants in the stream, especially in con-
servative and semiconservative wastes such as dissolved salts and
nutrients which are little affected by present secondary treatment
methods. As a result, the Flint River, with 24 percent of the total
Saginaw River flow, contributed 50 percent of the total phosphate
loadings to the Saginaw River.
The pollution load to the Flint River from ttyisi .highly developed
area is in excess of the assimilative capacity of the stream with the
present degree of treatment.
92
------- |