THUNDER BAY RIVER - MICHIGAN
WATER QUALITY DATA
1965 Survey
Clean Water Series LHBQ-19-A
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Wnt*r Pollution Control Adminiftrfition
Grant Lokos Region
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THUNDER BAY RIVER -MICHIGAN
WATER QUALITY DATA
1965 Survey
Clean Water Series LHBO~19~A
JANUARY 1969
UoSo DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR -
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration
Great Lakes Region
Lake Huron Basin Office
U.S. Naval Air Station
Grosse lie,, Michigan
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page Ho.
INTRODUCTION . . <> „ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
GENERAL DESCRIPTION . « . „ o , « . . . . . » . . . » 6
Area Description
Climate .
Hydrology
WATER USE
Municipal Water Supply-
Industrial Water Supply
Water -Related Recreation
Commercial Shipping
SOURCES ANB.CIARACTERISTICS OF WASTES o . . . . . . 18
Municipal
Industrial
Federal
POPUiATIOl AND WASTELOAD PROJECTIONS ........ 23
WATER QUALITY DATA ....'............. 28
Thunder Bay River
Alpena Harbor
Rogers City-Calcite Harbor
Biological Studies
Radiochemi s try
WATER QUALITY PROBLEMS ............... 63
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LIST OF TABLES
Table Mo. Page No.
1 Flov Characteristics 10
2 Thunder Bay River Basin Sampling Stations 13
3 Municipal Water Supplies 16
i
4 Industrial Water Use 17
5 Projected Water Use 17
6 Municipal Waste Treatment Plants 20
Effluent Characteristics
7 Industrial Waste Inventory 21
8 Industrial Waste Characteristics 21
9 Inventory of Wastewater Disposalj at
Federal Installations • 22
10 Waste Flow Projections 25
11 BOD^ Projections 26
12 Water Quality Data - Thunder Bay River 36-40
13 Water Quality Data - Alpena Harbor 41-43
Ik Water Quality Data - Thunder Bay kk-kj
15 Water Quality Data - Rogers City-Calcite Harbor 1|6-51
16 Biological Data - Physical Observations 52
17 Biological Data - Benthic Macroinvertebrates 53,5^
18 Biological Data - Phytoplankton 55>56
ii
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LIST OF TABLES
Table Ho. Pa'ge Mo°
19 Biological Data - Attached Algae and 57
Aquatic Vegetation
20 Water Quality Data - Radioactivity 58
Thunder Bay River
21 Water Quality Data - Radioactivity 59,60
Alpena Harbor
, 22 Water Quality Data. - Radioactivity 6l#62
Rogers City-Calcite Harbor
iii
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LIST OP FIGURES
Figure Ro» Page No.
1 Drainage Basins of the Great Lakes 3
2 Lake Huron Basin k
3 Thunder Bay River Basin Sampling Locations 5
k Flo-w Duration Curve - Thunder 'Bay River 11
near Boiton i
5 Flow Duration.Curve - Horth Branch Thunder , 12
Bay River near Boiton
6 Population and Municipal Waste Flow Projections 2J
iv
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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
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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:
Lake Huron Basin Office
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration
U.S. Naval Air Station
Grosse lie, Michigan 48138
Michigan Water Resources Commission
Stevens T. Mason Building
Lansing, Michigan 48926
Michigan Department of Public Health
3500 N. Logan
Lansing, Michigan 48914
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ONTARIO
DETROIT PROGRAM OFFICE
DRAINAGE BASINS OF THE
GREAT LAKES
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AOMINISTRAT ION
GREAT LAKES REGION GRCSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
SCALE IN MILES
90
100 ISO 200
QUEBEC
MINNESOTA
I WISCONSIN /
P E N N S Y L V A N I A .
NEW
YORK
c
3)
m
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MGURE 2
I. SAOINAW RIVER
2. CASS RIVER
3. FLINT RIVER
4. SHIAWASSEE RIVER
6. TITTABAWASSEE RIVER
8
9
10
I I
MICHIGAN TRIBUTARIES
TO SAOINAW BAY
MICHIGAN TRIBUTARIES
TO LOWER LAKE HURON
AU SABLE RIVER
THUNDER BAY RIVER
CHEBOYGAN RIVER
ST. MARYS RIVER AND
MICHIGAN UPPER PENINSULA
TRIBUTARIES TO LAKE HURON
12,
13.
14.
15,
16.
ir.
18.
10.
20.
21 .
MISSISSAGI RIVER
SPANISH RIVER
WANAPITEI RIVER
FRENCH RIVER
MAGANATAWAN RIVER
MUSKOKA RIVER
SEVERN RIVER
8AUGEEN RIVER
MAITLAND RIVER
AU SABLE RIVER
LAKE\HURON
.. DETROIT PROGRAM OFFICE
LAKE HURON BASIN
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ADMINISTRATION
GREAT LAKES REGION GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
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THUNDER BAY RIVER BASIN
LEGEND
• Y200 FWPCA Sampling Station*
•« Municipal 8 Industrial Wott« Outtalli
• 15-TB MWRC Sampling Station*
A USOS Gaging Station*"^'. -
OTSEGO CO. MONTMORe_NCJL_CO._-_
CRAWFORD CO. | OSCODA" CO.
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GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Area Description
.The Thunder Bay River Basin with a drainage .area of 1/120.square
miles, lies 'In the northeastern part of the Lower Peninsula and.is
' ! . • '
comprised of parts of-the counties of Presque Isle^, Montmorency, Otsego,
Oscoda, and Aipena. The City of Aipena, the largest community, in the
"basin, is the center for summer and winter recreational activities.' It
'...'' - • ' ' ' '
.is a major port on Lake Huron and the site of the,world8s largest-Portland
cement manufacturing center,,
The basin is usually described as being bounded on the northwest by
the Cheboygan River Basin, on the northeast and east by land adjacent to
Lake Huron and on the poiith by the Au Sable River Basin „ However, for the
y '..''. . • .' ' ' •. • i '
purpose of this report the land on 'thfe northeast and east.adjacent to Lake
Huron will be included as part of the basin inasmuch as it is tributary
to Lake Huron (Fig. 3).
i - \ ,
The main stem of Thunder Bay River is located.iri Mpntmorency and
Alpena Counties and flows in a southeasterly direction to the mouth into
• . \
Thunder Bay - an arm of .Lake Huron. The major tributaries, North. Branch,
:Upper South Branch, and the Lower South Branch drain the northern and
southern areas of the basin. .The area drained is 25 percent swamps and
lakes, thus giving this basin the highest percentage' of'swamps and lakes
of any river basin in the Lower Peninsula. '
The western half of the basin, much of which lies in Montmorency
County, is sparsely populated and much of the area is allotted to the
Thunder Bay State Forest. The community of Atlanta is the county seat
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and the chief population centero Part of Oscoda County that lies within the
the basin is also sparsely populated and contains portions of the Thunder
Bay State Forest. The portion of the "basin lying in Alpena County has much
.•''•' ' '• . ' '
of'the' land area occupied by the Alpena State Forest,,
The City of Alpena located near the mouth of the Thunder Bay River ii
the county seat and: had a population of lU,TOO according*to the I960 ceri-
1 '•' ' ,: -' '
sus. The southcentral and .lower southeastern parts of the basin occupy
a portion of Alcoria County that is sparsely populated., Part'of the Huron
''•'•' ' .. • ' • i •
National Forest extends'into this•part of the basin\from the,south as well
as the east. This portion of the basin contains Hubbard lake and Fletcher
Pond, two of the largest impoundments in the drainage basin. : The north-
eastern tip of the basin extends into the lower part of Presque Isle County
in a north to. northwestern direction. .Part 'of the Black Lake State Forest
is, in. .this, sparsely populated area.
In areas adjacent to Lake Huron, the shoreline drainage basin' is
sparsely populated with the exception of Rogers City. In recent years.?
'i . '
the number of summer residences has increased along the shores of Lake
Huron, and Grand and Long Lakes» . .The latter two lakesJhave surface areas
of 5/600 and 5>652 acres, respectively, which makes them the 19th and 20th
largest inland lakes in Michigan.
From the Thunder Bay area to the Au Sable River basin, there are a"
number of small communities which lie either on or near the shore of Lake
Huron. It is an area of rolling topography. Devils Lake, a long, narrow
impoundment, and branches of the Black River parallel the shoreline. At '
present no municipal waste treatment systems or .significant industries' are
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located in this area,, The Alpena metropolitan area is expanding to the
northward'into the area.
There are numerdus lakes and impoundments throughout the basin,
created for water frontage by clubs and resorts, A trout research station
on Hunt Creek, public fishing sites, numerous campgrounds, picnic areas,
and gravel mining account for the development in most of the drainage "basin,•
Most of the basin is forested with spruce and firs. ' Jack, red, and
white pine predominate in the southern and southwestern portions while birch,
beech, maple, and hemlocks line the eastern fringes of the basin»
i
Climate • . .
The climate of the.Thunder Bay River Basin is greatly modified by the
upper Great lakes - warming the air in winter and cooling it in summer.
This climate is typical of the entire upper Great Lakes area, and can be
described as having a wide, seasonal variation, many storms, and constant
yearly precipitation distribution. In the winter, this precipitation is
in the form of snow- Alpena has a mean annual temperature of *f2°F. Average
summer temperature is 63°F, while average winter temperature is 21°Fo
Average yearly precipitation at Alpena is 30 inches. Average peak pre-
cipitation occurs from April to September.
Hydrology
There are three U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) stream gaging stations
in the Thunder Bay River Basin. - '
The first of these is Thunder Bay River near Hillmano' It has a
drainage area of 232 square miles and is located on the left bank 25 feet
i w
upstream from the bridge on State Highway M-32, A mile downstream from
8
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Miller Creek and 5«2 miles southwest of Hillman<, It has been in operation
since
1 The second gaging station maintained by the USGS is Thunder Bay River
. • • , ~ f ' " . ~ ,
.near Bolton. It is located on the left bank, i5 mile upstream from Orchard
Hill bridge, k miles upstream from North Branch Thunder Bay River, '5 miles
, ' ! t*
southwest of Bolton and 11 miles northwest of Alpena» It has been in
i
operation since 19^5° This drainage area is 588 square miles„'
The third USGS gaging station is North Branch Thunder Bay_JRiver near
.-'.'.' ! i
Bolton o It has a drainage area of iBk square miles and has been in oper-
i
ation since 19^5» It is located on the left bank 1<>5 miles upstream from '
the mouth, 2»5 miles south of Bolton, and 9 miles northwest of Alpena..
The range of observed daily discharges and yields for these gaging ''
stations is.shown in Table 1«
The low-flow1 average discharge for orie^:seven, and thirty consecutive,
days" duration with a recurrence interval of ten years have been calculat-
ed by use of Gumbel's logarithmic extremal probability paper„ 'The stations
used were Thunder Bay River near Bolton and Uorth Branch Thunder Bay River
(Table l).
Figures ^ and 5 are1 flow duration curves for the Thunder Bay River
near Bolton and Worth Branch Thunder;;Bay River near Bolton. The extreme
gradient of the Horth Branch curve indicated the variability in flow.
The very low drought yield also indicated low base flow in this river»
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Location
Thunder Bay River "near Bolton
.588 sq.. mi. 19^5-1960.
North Branch Thunder Bay River
" SCL.'ini. 19^5-1960
Thunder Bay River near Hillman
232 act*- mi. . 19U5-1360
TABLE"!., FLOW CHARACTERISTICS
Thunder Bay River Basin
USGS', Re cords.
Flow • YjLeld
(cfs) Cfrfsm)
h}070 6.$20
92 0.156
Maximum
Minimum
Average
Maximum
Minimum
Average
Maximum
Minimum
Average
2,920 15.88C
•O.V O'o002
102 0.555
1,710 T«360
98 0^22
207 ,0.890
Computed Drought(Lov) Flow*
DofaTpiii Flow Yield
(dayjp)' Cc'fs) (cfsm)
1
7
3'o .
i
7
30
•'",--—
165
188
209
2.1
. 2.5
3A
.280
.320
.356
'.001^
.00136
.0185
* Recurrence, interval of once.in 10 years for period of record plotted on
Gumbelps logarithmic extremal probability.
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i iGUR £ 4
FLOW DURAT ION. CURVE
THUNDER BAY RIVER NEAR BOLTON
1946-1964
100.0
UJ
o o:
)
00
00
10
to w
or
a: <
UJ
a. ^
o
H <
uj z
w <
"- cc
o
o
CD
O
10.0
1.0
O.I
0.01
\
\
O.Ol 0.05 O.I O.2 O.5 12 3 IO 2O 30 4O SO 6O 7O BO 9O 95 S3 99
TIME IN PERCENT OF TOTAL PERIOD
99.8 99.9 99.99
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r IGUR E 5.
E
in
UJ
gS
CC =J
UJ O
CL (/)
Q 'T
z oo
o —
o "
UJ <
00 UJ
o:
cc <
UJ
a. tu
o
K <
UJ Z
UJ II
.o
CD
or
o
FLOW DURATION CURVE
NORTH BRANCH THUNDER BAY RIVER
NEAR BOLTON
1946-1964
10.0
1.0
O.I
O.OI
O.OOI
\
\
\
\
O.OI O.O5 O.I O.2 O.9 12 9 10 2O 30 4O SO 6O 70 60 9O 95 98 99
TIME IN PERCENT OF TOTAL PERIOD
99.6 99.9 99.99
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TABLE 2. THUNDER BAY RIVER BASIN SAMPLING STATIONS
Mainstream Stations
Station Ho-
Y200
Y220
Y230
Y250
15 -TB
(MWRC)
Mile Point
Location
0»5 Second Avenue bridge in Alpena
2..0 US-23
bridge in Alpena
12 oO Herron Road bridge
40o8 M-32 bridge, 5°2 miles southwest of
(USGS 7^-1325)
At south breakwater
below Alpena. sewage treatment
Hillman
plant
Alpena Harbor
H36l
H362
H366
Thunder Bay
H363
H36V
H365
H370
Hearshore^tettipris^
Midway between breakwater and Alpena light
1.3 miles - 186° from Alpena light
1.5 miles - Qk° from Alpena light
1<>6 miles - 150° from south end of North.Point
2«7 miles - 231° from bell buoy
5«,3 miles - 231° from bell buoy
4.9 miles - 21ij.° from Thunder Bay light
Rogers City-Calcite
H400 3,000" - 0° from landing light at Rogers City
H^Ol 300' - 102° from landing light at- Rogers City
Hil-02 5,350' - 102° from landing light at Rogers City
At breakwater light in Calcite
3,000' southeast of Calcite Point breakwater ligtit
13
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WATER USE
Municipal Water Supply
Thunder Bay Elver Basin and adjacent shoreline areas had a population
served by public vater supplies of 20,500,, Sources include wells and
Lake Huron.
Total municipal -water use in the basin was .2.5 million gallons per
day (MGD) in 1965. Projected water use in 2020 is estimated to be
11.1* MGD.
Table 3 lists the present water supplies and sources., The projected
municipal water uses for 1990 and 2020 are shown in Table k,
Industrial Water Supply
Industrial water taken from surface sources in the basin totaled
8.3 MGD of which 5 MGD from Thunder Bay were used by :the Huron Portland
Cement Company. The other 3.3 MGD came from Thunder Bay River in Aliens
Table U shows a breakdown of the water use. Projections of future
use are shown in Table 5»
Water-Related Recreation
The Thunder Bay River Basin has a low population dens i,ty in an area
i .
of outstanding recreational resources. The watershed is- heavily forested
and the river.has a number of dams along the length which provide oppor-
tunity for swimming, fishing, and boating. In 19^5> there were an estima-
ted 3,500 boats registered by residents of the:basin<> Most of these boats
are located in and around Alpena.
A variety of game fish are found in the Thunder Bay River and tribu-
taries as well as Thunder Bay and Lake Huron. The waters.in the,area, have
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been adversely affected by activities of mario Wood chips, slabs, and
sawdust, which were disposed of in Thunder Bay .several decades ago during
. i ' .'
the peak of the lumber business, still show up from time to time as float-
•' / '• '
ing debris on :the beaches« More detailed discussions of basin recreation
: ' ' ', ' ~l ' . \ '
are contained in the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation publication "Water-
' ,'•'>(• i '•
Oriented Outdoor Recreation, Lake Huron Basin - 1967."•
Commercial Shipping
J0f the 28,3^,888 tons of commodities shipped into and out of the
Michigan ports on Lake Huron, 61=. 6 percent was recorded in the Thunder Bay
River Basino
The total tonnage of the basin was 17>^-65,280° Following is a break-
down of the 1966 commodities and tonnage for the two major harbors. Rogers
City, a small port, handled only 63 tons of fresh fish.
Harbor Commodity. Tonnage
Alpena Miscellaneous nonmetallic 2,335,071"
mineral products '
Coal and lignite 771,152
Gasoline 10,8l6
Distillate fuel oil 6,353
Slag 2,ii-20
Calcite Limestone 1^,189,^07
Coal and lignite ;69,3^3
• ... • / .
Asphalt, tar and pitches 7>32
15
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TABLE 3. MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLIES*
Community
and
Population( I960)
Alpena
Hillman
14,682
Freaque Isle
Township •
325
Rogers City 4,722 municipal
Owngr^ Source
municipal 2,, 000s cf 40-inch line
in Thunder Bay
municipal wells in drift to 90°
private wells
wells in drift 37" to .
43 °c deep and in rock
152° deep
Treatment
standard ;
filtration,
fluoridation
chlorination
chlorination,
fluoridation
.* Taken from "Data on Public Water Supplies in Michigan,". Engineering
. Bulletin Ho. 4 by the Michigan Department of Public Healtho, , ,
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TABLE 4. IKDUSTRIAL WATER USE
User
Abitibi Corporation
Besser Company
Fletcher Paper Company
Quantity
(MSD)
2,40
0.06
Huron Portland Cement Co, 5<,00
Source
Thunder Bay River
Thunder Bay River
Thunder Bay River
Thunder Bay
Use_
Process
Cooling
Process and
Cooling
Cooling
TABLE 5<> PROJECTED WATER USE (M3D)
iggo 2020
Municipal*'
Industrial
Total
ig.6
606 I7o4
Includes water for some industrial use>
IT
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SOURCES AM) CHARACTERISTICS OF WASTES
Municipal
The City of Alpena is the major source of municipal waste in the
Thunder Bay River Basin and is served by a combined sever system, having
an estimated population of l4,600o The municipal waste treatment plant
at Alpena is a primary plant, averaging 2.25 MGD with average efficiency
of kk percent BOD5 removal. Data showed that the highest monthly flows
occurred during April when the effluent quality was the best with low
temperature and low BODc. The lowest monthly flows occurred during
July when the temperature and BODtj were highest. The village of Hillman
was cited by MWRC in 1966 for discharging raw and semi-treated sewage to
the Thunder Bay River.
On the adjacent shoreline area, the community of Rogers City con-
tributed additional municipal waste to the Thunder Bay River Basin areao
The population of ks5QO. was served by a primary sewage treatment plant
that had an average flow of Q.,^8 MGD. The BOD5 removal was estimated
to be 50 percent.
Municipal waste treatment plants are described in Table 6. The in-
formation is based on 1965 records of the Michigan Department of Public
Health (MDPH).' Prior to January 1967, all plants were required to practice
disinfection from May 15 to September 15. Since that date, continuous •
year-round disinfection is required by the MDPH regulation„ Effluent
characteristics based on the 1965 plant operating records are also listed
in Table 6 arid outfall locations are shown in Figure 3°
18
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Industrial
There are four major industries in the Thunder Bay River Basin;
• • . i '
Abitibi Corporation, Besser Company., Fletcher Paper Company, and Huron
Portland Cement Company,. All of these industries are located in Alpena
and discharge wastes to the Thunder Bay River except Huron Portland Cement
Company which discharges waste to Thunder Bay,. The industries are rated
annually by the MWRC on adequacy of treatment.
Outfall locations for the industrial plants are shown in Figure 3.
Industrial waste inventory information is shown in Table 7- The Indus-
• • • • . ,1 , i
trial waste data of the MWRC are listed in Table 8.
The Abitibi Corporation operates a pressed-wood plant with an average
flow of 2.U MGD which is treated by primary clarification with chemical
coagulation. Waste constituents include BOD^ and solids«
The Besser CompAny has an average flow of 0.06 MGD,, Waste con-
stituents containing cyanide and plating wastes are treated chemically
before being discharged upstream from the intake.
The Fletcher Paper Company, discharges 0.85 MGD of process and cooling
water to the river. This waste, containing BOD^, suspended solids, and
suspended volatile solids, is treated by a pressufe-flotatlon^sys'^S^f;! •
The Huron-Portland Cement Company discharges about 5.0 MGD of cooling
water' to. Thunder Bay. The cement plant, one of the largest in the world,
has switched to a dry process so the only waste constituent is heat.
Federal Installation's
The status of wastewater disposal at Federal installations in the
Thunder Bay River Basin i's shown in Table 9°
19
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ro
o
Community
and
Population Type of
Se^Ved. Treatment
Alpena
Ik,600
primary
Rogers City primary
: 4,500
Hillman
450
lagoon
TABLE 6. MUNICIPAL WASTE TREATMENT PLANTS
1965 Effluent 'Characteri&tics*
Thunder; Bay River.' Basin
Percent Flov.(MGD); ..... Temp. BOD;j (mg/l)
Removal Avg. ,Min. • MaXo.
Li . L. 11: ma uii| ring i?tii.iia . ' *L*—^mm±-f ' ' rmciiii ' I: •
' -;r--r;^=5si
2.25 1-55
5.0
.48
Avgo Min... Max,.
i gKni " " r- -i j _ .: 1 1 uln. i « ....... •!
'
20 62
Susp«
Solids
(mg/l)
. 68
V61.
Susp.
Solids
(mg/l)
46
26
7-1
7-5
*Based on monthly averages of daily plant .operation records>submitted by plants
..'to Michigan Department! of Public Health. . '. ./ •
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ro
H
Industry Location
Abitibi Corp. Alpena
Bdsser Company Alpena
Fletcher Paper Alpena
Company
Huron Portland Alpena
Cement Company
TABLE 7° INDUSTRIAL WASTE IEVEHTORY
Thunder Bay River Basin
Industry
Abitibi Corp*
Besser Company
Receiving
Stream
Thunder Bay River
Thunder Bay River
Waste
Constituents
solids
cyanide, plating
Average
Waste Flow .Treatment
(MSP) Provided
2o4o primary clarification,
chemical coagulation
0..06 chemical
Thunder Bay River BQDs, susp. solids, 0,85 pressore-floatation
volo susp. solids
Thunder Bay
heat
TABLE 80 INDUSTRIAL WASTE CHARACTERISTICS
Thunder Bay River Basin L
Solids
Flow
•Date* (MSP) DO BOD5
3/1964 2.4 7=6 1,750
1/1962 o.oi -
1/1964 Oo03
Suspo
(K«IGBdKa»
250
OB
Vol.
§US£o_
230
a
Total
16,700
a
Total
_Vol^
3.025
e=
Phenols
0.10
0
Fletcher Paper Co. 1/1964 1.44
42
76 63
0
7»4
* Survey and analysis" by MWRC
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TABLE 9- "INVENTORY OF WASTEWATER DISPOSAL
AT FEDERAL INSTALLATIONS
Thunder Bay River Basin
ro
Installation
Municipality and County
Phelps Collins Airport
(Air National Guard)
Alpena, Alpena County
Thunder Bay Island
Light Station.
Alpena, Alpena County
Presque Isle Light Station
Presque Isle County
Type/"
Volume
sanitary
20,000 GPD
Receiving Waters
Thunder Bay River
sanitary
560 GPD ground
sanitary ground
350 GPD
Treatment '
Provided
secondary,
chlorination
septic tank,
drain field
septic tank,
drain field
Remarks
drain field installed
in 1956, condition
satisfactory
drain field installed
in 19^, .condition
satisfactory
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POPULATION AND WASTELOAD PROJECTIONS
Demographic studies were conducted "by the Great Lakes-Illinois River
Basins Project, Chicago, Illinois for the Lake Huron Basin. Population
trends on a national, regional, and county basis were analyzed and popula-
tion projections were developed for the various areas of the Lake Huron
Basin. In 1960, approximately 1.2 million persons lived in the Lake Hurori
watershed - double the 1920 population» By the year 2020, it is estimated
that the population of the watershed will be approximately 3° 2 million .
The population center in the Thunder Bay River Basin is Alpena
( 1^,682) according to the 1960 census figures. For this report,, the
Alpena area was analyzed assuming that by 2020 it would be urbanized and
served by water and sewer systems,. The population served by sewers in
1965 was estimated to be 19,780 and projected to be 39,000 by 1990 and
69,000 by the year 2020.
Table 10 shows the estimated waste flow in MGD for the Thunder Bay
River Basin and Figure 6 gives a graphic illustration of the population
and municipal waste flow projections for the basin including adjacent
shoreline areas.
BOD^ projections are based on present-day inventory information
obtained from the Michigan Water Resources Commission (MWRC), Michigan
Department of Public Health (MDPH), and the U.S. Public Health Service
(PHS). Municipal and industrial water use growth rates and BODj pro-
duction in terms of population were determined from studies on the
Lake Michigan basin and applied to the inventory data obtained for the
Thunder Bay River Basin,,
23
-------
The results of these projections are shown in liable 11. The munici-
j i
pal BODc load for 1965 was calculated on the basis of 01J Ibs/day of BODc;
per person served and the 1990 and 2020 load factors-ol8 and .20 Ibs/day
• • . ' ,' ' , '
of BOD5 per person. For example, in 1965 a total of 60^00 Ibs/day of
' • ' ' ' :.' "i
BOI>5 was produced in the basin of which 39 percent was removed by treatment
leaving 36,630 Ibs. of BODc being discharged to the river, By the year
2020 with the same percentage of treatment, 238,600 IbSo -would reach the
rivero In order to show an improvement'over present'water quality, 90 per-
cent or more removal will be necessary at that time»
-------
TABLE.. 10. WASTE FLOW PROJECTIONS
(MGD)
Municipal
Residential 1»9 3,9 6«9
Commercial o_=^9_
Total 2o8 '"6.2 12.3
Industrial 3«3 10.6
(direct to river)
Total to river 6,1 1608 37.3
-------
TABLE 11= BOD5 PROJECTIONS
Thunder Bay River Basin
(including adjacent shoreline areas)
^Xbs/day)
Untreated
Municipal
Residential
Commercial
1990
2020
Industrial
Treated BOD5
Municipal
Subtotal
Total Untreated BOD5
Percent ReBioyal
^7 (present)
90
95
99
39 (present)
90h
95
99
Total Treated BOD5 39 (present)
90
95
99
Industrial
1,845
2,l4o
58^200
60,440
214
107
21
35,500
5,830
2,915
' 583
36,625
3*022
6,720
7,492
162 , ooo
169 , 492
3,990
749
375
75
97,825
16,200
8,100
1,620
101,815
16,949
8,475
1,695
13,800
Is 820
15,620
281^000
396,620
8,350
1,562'
781
156
230,250
38,100
' 19,050
3,810
238,600
39,662
19,831
• 3,966
26
-------
IGURE 6
POPULATION AND MUNICIPAL
WASTE FLOW PROJECTIONS FOR THE
THUNDER BAY RIVER BASIN
1,000,000
Q
UJ
cc
UJ
o
I-
<
Q.
O
0.
100,000
10,000
X
I I I I I I I
I I I I I I I
I I
I I
I 100
10
cc
UJ
a
to
z
o
<
e>
I960
1970
I960 1990 2000
YEARS
2010
2020
I
2030
-------
WATER QUALITY DATA
The FWPCA sampled the Thunder Bay River Basin during 1965 to determine
the water quality of the river and the adjacent shoreline areas of Lake
Huron,, Station locations are shown on Figure 3 and described in Table 2°
Samples collected were analyzed for physical, chemical, microbiological,
and biological parameters.
One location (Y200) one-half mile from the mouth of the river at
the Second Avenue bridge in Alpena was sampled periodically from January
through November for temperature and bacteriological parameters. Another
location (Y250) 5 miles southwest of Hillman was sampled 6 times during
May through November» MWRC maintained a water quality monitoring station
(15-TB) downstream from the Alpena sewage treatment plant,, Two stations
(Y220 and Y230) located 2 and 12 miles from the mouth were used to
determine biological parameters and were sampled only once for chemical
parameters.
Sampling was carried out five times at three locations (H36l, H362,
H366) in the immediate vicinity of Alpena harbor, and four times at k-
locations (H363, E36k', H365, H370) at the mouth of Thunder Bay. Samples
were collected only once at adjacent nearshore Lake Huron stations at
, ' i
\
k locations (H^OO, H*K)1, H^02, H403) near Rogers City in May 1965.
• i • ' •
Thunder Bay River
Dissolved oxygen (DO) level in the Thunder Bay River was high with an
average of 80 percent saturation at the sites studied during the 1965
;survey. There was no indication that photosynthesis was a factor in the
oxygen level as no samples indicated supersaturation. Hear the mouth 'Of
-------
the river, DO levels ranged from 7o4 to 12„4 mg/1 with an average of
10.3 mg/1., At the FWPCA station^ the range was 1 oh to 1308 mg/1 -with
an average of 9"^ rog/l° A single low percent saturation value of
58 percent was found.
Organic matter expressed in terms of BODjj and oxidizable nitrogen
(organic^ ammonia, and nitrite) also indicated little degradation
levels averaged 2 to k mg/1 with a maximum of 5 mg/1, and this was at the
mouth of the river* The phosphate and nitrogen levels were not found
in levels that would promote algal growth "but did indicate minor
pollution (Table 12)«
Chlorides and total solids levels indicated, an erratic variation,
being lower during the latter half of the year.,. This may be due in
part to the influence of the lake water flowing upstream past the
sampling station.
Bacteriological data indicated'pollution near the mouth of the
river averaging U,300 org/100 ml, which exceeds the body contact
minimumo
Alpena .Harbor
During the 19&5 sampling season the FWPCA sampled five times at the
three stations (H36l, H362, H366) in the inner Alpena Harbor and fetor
times in the outer area (H363, H364, H365, H370)o Tables 13 and 1^ con-
tain the datao Average DO concentrations were near saturation for all
seven stations with averages ranging from 88 to 101 percent„ The BODc
did not indicate pollution problems as it averaged 2 mg/1 or less for
all the stations..
The nutrient concentrations indicated some degradation. The
phosphate and nitrogens occasionally ranged to levels that could promote
29
-------
algal growths. The total solids and chlorides did not exceed the maximum
concentrations of 200 mg/1 and' 50 mg/1. The remaining chemical parameters
were at levels that were not considered problems as they did not exceed
the. body contact minimums.
Coliform data indicated some minor pollution from the river but the
levels were within the limits for partial body contact" The coliform
concentrations were diluted in the bay and the water quality was found
to be excellent in the outer area.
The data indicated the bay water to show evidence of pollution but
this was diluted in the bay waters and did not show an effect on water
quality in Lake Huron.
For comparison of areas and data evaluation^, the stations were com-
bined into three groups % stations in the river^ in the immediate vicin-
ity of Alpena Harbor^ and those at the mouth of Thunder Bay. Included
is the quality of the Thunder Bay River from the mouth. There was no
apparent seasonal variation in the data nor significant variation among
the stations in a group., There was some difference between the groups,
with the groups farthest from the mouth showing lesser concentrations
for the parameters. At one station hear the mouth of the bay, samples
were also collected at a depth of sixty feet. There was no significant
difference in the surface and depth samples. The water quality appeared
to improve from the river to the outer bay. Average DO concentrations
were near saturation. Suspended solids concentrations averaged 16 mg/1
at the mouth of the river to 5 mg/1 in the inner portion of the bay.
Bacterial densities ranged from moderately high in the river and inner
30
-------
hart) or > to miniinal in the outer harbor.
This area contained four stations (l&OO,, HUOl, Ek02s H403) and •(•fas
sampled only once in May during the 1965 sampling season „ All parameters
appeared to be within the minimum acceptable water quality concentrations,
There appeared to be slight bacteriological increase possibly from the
marina, but the concentrations were below body contact minimums.
With the exception of an apparent moderate increase in coliform
concentration south of the marina area, no pollution problems were evident
from the analyses of the four samples collected during the survey.
The data from these samples are listed in Table 15= The increase
in bacterial levels below the marina area was reduced in passage to the
Port of Calciteo Most other parameters were within the body contact
acceptable levels .
Biological Studies
Biological investigations of the Thunder Bay River and adjacent near-
shore areas in Thunder Bay and Rogers City were conducted between November
1964 and November 1965 (Fig, 3). Three river stations (Y200, Y220, Y230)
and eight nearshore stations (H36l, H362, H366, tfKX), H^Ol, H402, Hk03,
!&(&•) were sampled for benthic and plank tonic organisms. In September
1965, MWRC also conducted a detailed investigation of the benthic organ-
isms in Thunder Bay and the Thunder Bay River.,
Thunder Bay River varied in depth and bottom type (Table l6)0 Sand
and gravel substrates were observed above the several impoundments that
dominate the middle section of the river „ Near the mouth of the river,
31
-------
a great variety of material was deposited on the bottom. The river
environment is thus characterized "by large variations in physical
features.. The limit of visibility in the Thunder Bay River increased
from three feet above the impoundments to six feet near the mouth. The
upstream -water was no tea to be tea-colored. Tannin and lignin from swamp
drainage often imparts a tea color to water.
The near shore Thunder Bay stations had a predominantly sand and
silt bottom type, except nearest the mouth of the river where wood parti-
cles and paper fibers were observed. The Rogers City-Caleite area had a
mixed bottom type. A fine grey silt was found overlaying the natural clay
and gravel bottom near the. loading facilities at Calcite (Table 16).
MWRC found a significant reduction in secchi disc transparency
readings around the Abitibi Corporation outfall due to the discharge of
suspended solids into Thunder Bay. FWPCA found reduced transparencies in
.Calcite Bay compared with similar measurements at nearby Rogers City.
Analyses of the benthic fauna collections revealed a variety of
aquatic invertebrates at the stations above the reservoirs, including
many pollution-sensitive species (Table IT)- The Second Avenue station
(Y200) nearest the mouth, however, was inhabited by many pollution-
tolerant organisms. Sludgeworms predominated comprising 82 percent of
the total number of organisms. The bottom sine lied of paper mill wastes
and macroscopic life was practically eliminated in the central portion
of the river.
MWRC also found a definite decline in the quality of aquatic life
in Thunder Bay River downstream from the Fletcher Paper Company.
32
-------
In Thunder Bay, the benthic macroinvertebrate populations also show-
ed some signs of pollution damage„ The nearshore station H36l and
Abitibi Corporation outfall had a benthic population composed of 97 per-
cent sludge-worms and bloodworms . A more detailed sampling of this area by
the MWRC detected a biologically demeaned area of about kOO acres near the
moutho Changes in the turbidity and bottom substrate due to the Abitibi
Corporation discharge was thought to be primarily responsible for the
changes in aquatic life in the bay.,
Benthic organisms collected in the Calcite area seemed encouraged
by the new bottom sediments.. Higher standing crops^ especially burro-wing
organisms, were collected in this area«
Evaluation of phytoplanktcn populations collected from Thunder Bay,
Rogers City, and the Thunder Bay River revealed no evidence of biological
degradation in these areas (Table 18). The populations were moderate in
numbers, ranging from 80 to 5>T^O and averaging l,110/ml<, Obnoxious and
nuisance species of planktonic algae were not common in the water sampled.
Nuisance growths of higher aquatic plants have been reported along the
beaches of Thunder Bay near Alpena; however, an attached algal population
characteristic of hard and organically-enriched waters was growing in
the Thunder Bay River at Second Avenue in Alpena (Table 19)°
Biological studies conducted by both MWRC and FWPCA have found
deteriorative effects on the benthic fauna of the Thunder Bay River
near the mouth and in the bay near Alpena„ V7ood chips and detritus from
past lumbering operations are only partly to blame for the undesireable
biotic changeso MHRC has demonstrated through the comparison of 1957
33
-------
and 1965 studies that recent contributions of suspended solids have
spread the biological degraded area much farther into the bay,,
Radiochemis try
Tables 20 through 22 contain the radiochemistry data compiled from
' «
the 1965 sampling program for the Thunder Bay River Basin and adjacent
shoreline areas . The water samples., in some cases composites, were
analyzed for alpha and beta emitters in the suspended (non-filtrable)
and dissolved (filtrable) portions when filtered through a 1.2 micro-
membrane filter. The results for water samples were measured in
picocuries per liter (pc/l) of -water sample. Maximum activity level
of alpha emitter on water samples were <<£>5 pc/l dissolved and < .05
pc/l suspended. Maximum beta emitters measured 10.0 pc/l dissolved
and 1.7 pc/l suspended.
The counting error was in the magnitude of the activity and in-
dicated that the activity was 0 or below the sensitivity of the test-
The data indicated no apparent problems with radioactivity.
-------
KEY
FOR
WATER QUALITY TABLES
Station- Location shown on Figure 3.
Chemical Parameters - all results milligrams per liter (mg/1)
(exceptions noted)
Phosphate - reported as phosphate (PO,)
Total Phosphate - includes ortho, poly, biological, and
organic.
Total Soluble Phosphate - includes soluble ortho, soluble
poly, and soluble organic.
Vol. Susp. Solids - Volatile Suspended Solids,
Phenol - reported as micrograms per liter
pH - measure of hydrogen ion activity - acidic (0), alkaline (14),
neutral (7). . . .
7o Saturation - reported as percent.
Total Iron - reported as micrograms per liter (jig/1)
Total Hardness - reported as Calcium Carbonate (CaCOo)
Conductivity - micromhos per centimeter (jamhos/cm)
Microbiological Parameters - values obtained by membrane filter
technique, unless otherwise noted.
Median values shown in Average column
Total Coliform )
Fecal Coliform ) reported as organisms/100 ml
Fecal Streptococcus )
Total Plate Count - number of bacteria/ml
Michigan Water Resources Commission reported values in terms of
MPN/100 ml (most probable number/100 ml)
35
-------
TABLE 12." WATER QUALITY DATA
Thunder Bay River - 1965
Y200 at Alpena
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Soluble Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Susp. Solids
Chloride
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS = number of samples
NS
5
3
2
2
3
2
2
2
-3
2
2
2
2
2
2
Avg. Low
• 9.0 T.U
2 2
.05
.21
.1 ' .1
- < .01
- < .6k
- <.ok
240 210
3
3
6
A
- 7.6
."21
High
13.8
3
.15
.83
.2
.01
.Ok
_.Qk
260
*
*
7
1*
8.2
33
Parameters
Temperature (°C)
Percent Saturation
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sujfate
-Total Hardness
Conductivity
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Streptococcus
Total Plate Count
20°C
Total Plate Count
35°C
NS
10
5
2
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
10
10
10
0
0
Avg.
7.0
82
-
5 .
2.0
-
-
-
-
-
510
- 100
32
:
Low
0.0
58
<100
*
.8
57
15
- 5 .
200
290
90
10
12
-
High
22.0
'"<*
300
7
2.9
59
17
. 19
200
350
2,700
>500
170
-
-------
TABLE 12. WATER QUALITY DATA
Thunder Bay River - 1965 (cont.)
Y220
(JO
-j
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Soluble Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Susp. Solids
Chloride
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS Avg. . Lov High
1 2
1 .18
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
.10
.1
-
.06
.(*
250
9
-
5
5
7-9
_
Parameters NS
Temperature (°C) 1
Percent Saturation 1
Total Iron 0
Sodium 1
Potassium 1
Calcium 0
Magnesium 0
Sulfate 0
Total Hardness 0
Conductivity 1
Total Coliform 0
Fecal Coliform 0
Fecal Streptococcus 0
Total Plate Count 0
20°C ' •
Total Plate Count 0
35°C
Avg.
8-5
6
2,0
Lov High
NS = number of samples
-------
TABLE 12. WATER QUALITY DATA
Thunder Bay River - 1965 (cont.)
Y230
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Soluble Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Susp. Solids
Chloride
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS = number of samples
NS
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
Avg.
10.7
2
.Ik
:o8
• .1
-
.06
,06
230
5
-
2
k
7»9
on
Low High
Parameters
Temperature(°C)
Percent Saturation
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Hardness
Conductivity
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Streptococcus
Total Plate Count
20°C
Total Plate Count
35°C
MS Avg. Lov High
7.0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
_
k
1.3
-
-
_
-
330
-
-
_
_
-------
TABLE 12. WATER QUALITY DATA"
Thunder Bay River - 1965 (cont.)
Y250 near Hilman
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Soluble Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Susp. Solids
Chloride
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS = number of samples
2§.
0
0
3
3
6
! 5
6
6
6
6
3
6
0
6
Avg. Low _High
-
-
.13 .07
.15 .06.
- <.l
< .01
- <.o^
- <.ok
230 170
'8 3
3 .0
3 1
-
8.1 7-9
-
-
.23
.26
.1
.01
.1
.1
350
'12
7
9
-
8.2
Parameters
Temperature (°C)
Percent Saturation
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Hardness
Conductivity
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Streptococcus
Total Plate Count
_ _ **. _.
NS
6
0
2
U
h
3
h
k
2
6
0
0
0
0
Avg: Low
-.12.0 2,0
_
100
k h
1.8 1.1
52 50
18 15
17 2
190
320 2^0
-
_
_
High
j
•19/5
-
100
5
2.6
5^
22
60
200
VfO
-
-
-
-
0
20°C
Total Plate Count o
35°c
-------
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Totax Phosphate
Total Soluble Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Susp. Solids
Chloride
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
TABLE 12. WATER QUALITY DATA"
Thunder Bay River - 1965 (cont.)
15-TB at Mouth (MWRC)
Parameters
NS
10
7
9
0
9
0
9
0
0 ..
7
3
9
o'
10
0
Avg.
10.3
k
.06
-
.1
-
.01
-
-
16
9
3
-
7.S
«.
Low
TA
2
.0
-
.0
-
.00
-
-
6
h
0
-
7.5
_
High
12.it
5
• 33
-
' -3
-
,30
-
-
29
12
6
-
8.3
—
Temperature (°C) 10
Percent Saturation 10
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Hardness
Conductivity
Total' Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Streptococcus 0
Total Plate Count 0
0
E
.0
.0
0
1
1
1
1
1
i"
9
7
0
Avg. Low High
7.5 o.o 23.0
84 65 97
_
5
"I — —
48
15
14
180 - -
370 270 500
4,300 360 43,000
M _ —
20°C
Total Plate Count
35°C
NS = number of samples
-------
TABLE 13. WATER QUALITY DATA
Alpena Harbor - 1965
H361
H
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Uitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Soluble Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Susp. Solids
Chloride
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS = number of samples
NS
5
k
5
5
5
3
5
5
5
5
5
5
3
5
2
Avg.
9-5
2
.18
.16
-
_
-
00
160
6
2
6
=
7*7
-
Low
9.0
i
< °05
.11
<.l
< .01
< ,0k
< .Ok
120
0
0
5
<2
7-3
10
High
10.8
2
.27
c20
.2
< .01
.2
.2
200
11
I*
7
6
8.0
20
Parameters
Temperature ( °C )
Percent Saturation
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Hardness
Conductivity
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Streptococcus
Total Plate Count
20°C
Total Plate Count
35°C
NS
5
5
5
k
k
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
k
k
AYJL,
1A.5
9^
-
h
2.2
33
11
17
120
220
500
150
Ik
1,300
330
Low
11.0
88
W
<100
k'
1.7
23
8
11*
100
200
30
5
U
lUo
32
High
20.0
100
800
5
2,8
U2
14
22
. lUO
270
3>00
270
51
5,300
3,^00
-------
TABLE 13. WATER QUALITY, DATA
Alpena Harbor - 1965 (cont.)
H362
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Soluble Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Susp. Solids
Chloride
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS = number of samples
NB
5
1*
5
5
5
3
5
5
5
5
5
5
2
5
2
Avg. Lov
9.8 8.9
2 1
.15 ^.05
.17 .11
- < .1
- <.01
- < .04
- <.0i*
ii*o no
k 2
2 0
5 4
- < 2
7-9 7«7
10
High
10.8
2
.22
,21*
.2
A 01
,08
.08
180
6
3
6
3
8,0
' 21
Parameters
Temperature ( °C )
Percent Saturation
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Eardness
Conductivity
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Streptococcus
Total Plate Count
20°C
Total Plate Count
35°C
NS
5
5
5
3
3
5
. 5
5
5
5
5
5
5
|i
Ji
ll*,0
96
_
5
2.3
30
10
18
110
220
81*
10
<2
1,900
190
Lov
11. 0
92
< 100
4
1.7
22
8
16
<*
190
*5
-------
TABLE 13o WATER QUALITY DATA
Alpena Harbor - 1965 (cont.)
H366 "
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Soluble Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Susp. Solids
Chloride
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS = number of samples
NS_ Avg.
5 9-4
4 2
5
5 • .18
5
3
5
"5 ™
5 l4o
5 5
5 3
5 5
2 -
5 7.8
P <=>
Low
8.2
\
<&.
.10
<-l
<.01
<,04
<,o4
.120
2
0
5
2
7.5
20
High
11.0
. 3
.38
,36
.2
<.01
.1
.1
180
10
6
6
3
8.1
23
Parame ters
Temperature ( °C )
Peraent Saturation
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Hardness
Conductivity-
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Streptococcus
Total Plate Count
20°C
Total Plate Count
35°c
NS
5
5
5
3
3
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
3
5
Avg.
14.0
92
-
5
2,7
30
10
24
110
220
60
7
2
310
100
Low
10.5
89
<100
4
lA
23
9
19
88
190
15
< 1
< 1
200
23
High
20.0
100
1,400
5
4.7
38
11
35
120
260
340
19
4
10,000
2,800
-------
TABLE llf. WATER QUALITY DATA
Thunder Bay - 1965
H363
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Soluble Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Yol. Susp. Solids
Chloride
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS «= number of samples
NS
1
If
3
If
3
k
2
U
If
U
If
^
5
3
*
1
Avg.
llol
1
-
. .13
• 3
-
=09
,08
120
5
3
5
-
7.8
6
Low-
10.1
1
< .05
.08
.2
<.01
.08
.(A
100
i
i
. i*
<2
7A
=•
_High
11.8
1
.23
.19
.5
<.oi
.1
.1
1*0
8
5
6
3
8.1
-
Parame ters
Temperature^)
Percent Saturation
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassiuro
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Hardness
Conductivity
Total Coliform
Feeal Coliform
Fecal Streptococcus
Total Plate Count
20°C
Total Plate Count
35°C
NS
If
If
4
if
u
If
If
If
If
If
If
2
2
3
If
Avg.
9-5
98
-
If
1.8
27
9
16
96
190
2
-
-
IfO
, 15
Low
8.0
9^
<100
If
1.2
26
8
15
90
180
<1
<1
<1
10
10
2-ijih,
12.0
101
600
h
2.h
28
9
17
100
210
3
<2
<2
69
lf6o
-------
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Deuiand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
f
^ Total Phosphate
Total Soluble Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Susp, Solids
Chloride
Phenol
pH
Che/nical Oxygen Demand
NS » muriber of samples
ws
4
3
4
*'
4
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
2
4
l
ASL
11.4.
1
,18
.14
o2
-
«09
-
120
3
1
5
«
7»9
4
Lovr
10.3
1
.08
< .05
.1
< a 01
<.04
<.
-------
TABLE 14. WATER QUALITY"DATA
Thunder Bay - 1965 (cent.)
. H365 . .
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Bemud
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Soluble Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Susp. Solids
Chloride
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
MS = number of samples
NS
4
3
4
4
4
2
4
4
4
4
3
4
2
4
1
Avg.
11.1
1
-
.09
,2
-
.05
^i.o4
120
4
2
5
-
7.9
6
LOyT
10.3
1
< .05
.06
.1
< ..01
< .04
< .04
no
i
0
5
<2
7.8
-
™s*=-S™=
11.7
2
.39
•1U
o2
< .01
.1
.1
130
7
3
5
3
8.1
«
Parameters
Temperature ( °C )
Percent Saturation
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Hardness
Conductivity
Total Colifom
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Streptococcus
Total Pl-ite Count
20°C
Total Plate Count
S3 .
4
4
4
4.
}f
K
4
4
4
4
2
2
3
4
10.5
99
400
4
1.7
27
9
18
95
190
^2
_
-
11
Lov
8.5
96
100
4
1.2
24
8
15
90
180
< 1
< 1
< 1
34
2
High.
12.0
104
800
5
2.3
30
9
22
100
210
3
< 2
< 2
62
26
35°G
-------
TABLE Ik. WATER 'QUALITY DATA
Thunder Bay - 1965 (cent.)
H370
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Soluble Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspended Solld3
Vol. Susp. Solids
Chloride
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS = nuiriber of samples
NS
6
5
k
k
6
2
k
6
6
k
k
6
2
6
l
ll.l
1
10
.18
= 2
»
-
^
120
3
2
5
~
7.9
q
Low
9 = 3
1
^.05
ell
,1
< .01
< ,0k
< ,0k
100
1
0
k
<:2
7-6
_
High
12.6
2
.23
<29
.3
' ,01
.1
.1
130
5
k
5
2
8,2
-•
Parame ters
Temperature ( °C )
Percent Saturation
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Hardness
Conductivity-
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Streptococcus
Total Plate Count
20°C
Total Plate Count
35°C
NS
6
6
k
5
5
5
5
5
k
5
6
2
2
6
5
11.2
101
_
k
1.5
26
8
20
95
180
1
-
'•
12
2
Lov
6.0
95
< 100
3
.8
2k
1
12
88
180
<1
< 1
< 1
7
1
High
17.0
106
300
k
2.k
30
9
25
100
200
6
<2
^2
ito
UU
-------
TABLE 15. WATER QUALITY DATA
Rogers City - 1965
H400
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand 0
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Soluble Phosphate
Total,Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Susp. Solids
Chloride
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
Avg.
13.0
-
.28
,16
.2
<.01.
.2
.1
120
3
2
5
<2
7-9
—
Low High
Parameters
Temperature (°C)
Percent Saturation
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Hardness
Conductivity
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Streptococcus 1
Total Plate Count 0
0
NS_
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Avg.
5.0
101
300
k
2.1
25
9
18
96
190
< 2
<2
<2
Low High
20°C
Total Plate Count
35°C
NS = number of samples
-------
TABLE 15. WATER QUALITY DATA
Rogers City - 1965 (cont.)
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Soluble Phosphate
Total, Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Susp. Solids
Chloride
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS Avg^ Low High
1 12.1
0 - -
1 .22 -
1 .19
1 .1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
,1
.1
130
7
*
5
<2
8.0
—
Parameters
Temperature (°C)
Percent Saturation
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Hardness •
Conductivity
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Streptococcus 1
Total Plate Count 0
20°C
Total Plate Count 0
35°C
[S
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Avg.
6.5
98
too
k
2.1
26
9
17
100
200
260
7^
30
Low High
NS = number of samples
-------
TABLE 15. WATER QUALITY DATA
Rogers City - 1965 (cont.)
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Kitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Soluble Phosphate
Total, Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Susp. Solids
Chloride
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS Avg;
1 13'.1
0
.26
.18
.2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
.08
.06
140
6
5
k
2
8.0
Lov High
Parameters NS
Temperature (°C) 1
Percent Saturation
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Hardness
Conductivity
Total Coliforin
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Streptococcus 1
Total Plate Count 0
20°C ,
Total Plate Count 0
35°C
Avg. Low High
1
'l
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
101
500
*
2.1
30
9
18
96
200
68
16
NS = number of samples
-------
TABLE 15. WATER QUALITY DATA
Rogers City - 1965 (cont.)
H403
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Soluble Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Susp. Solids
!
Chloride
Phenol
pH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS Avg. Lov High
1 13-0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
i
i
0
-
.23
.12
.1
<.QL
.1
.1
120
-
-
5
<2
8.0
—
Parameters
Temperature (°C)
Percent Saturation
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Hardness
.Conductivity
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Streptococcus 1
Total Plate Count 0
0
EL
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
i
Avg.
6.0
1(A
300
k
2.1
27
9
18
100
200
34
20
< 2
Lov High
20°C
Total Plate Count
35°C
NS = number of samples
-------
vn
TABLE 17„ BIOLOGICAL DATA - BEKTHIC MACROIHVERTEBRATES
Thunder Bay River Basin 1964-1965
(org/sq.oft.)
Finger-
Sludge- Blood- Sow Snails nail May- Caddis-
Station
Date
Nearshore Thunder
H366
H36l
H362
Thunder
Y200
Y220
Y230
4/21/65
7/H/65
9/16/65
4/21/65
7/11/65
9/16/65
4/21/65
9/16/65
Bay River
11/10/64
V20/65
T^5
9/16/65
4/20/65
7/11/65
11/10/64
4/20/65
7/11/65.
9/15/65
worm
Bay
17
318
189
202
222
73
, 18
10
489
5
64
.#
?°
OB
• 26
*
worm
32
22
.
65
8
3
65
33
65
8
39
*
*
7
9
#
bug/ Puluic Proso, clams Scuds flies flies
1 - 11 22 10 1
- - X 19 12 X
30 -
2 - • X - 44 X
„ «
X_= _ 7 <. - -
j
1
_ _, =.
2 . 2
1 ' 1. X
; : : - : ..; :
* * * * * *
- . * . - * *
« JT i « i
J.JU JU
!).__.» * * *
# # * * * : #
Other**
2(e)x(a)X(i)
4l(e)
^7(e)
X(c)X(a)
_
Me)
X(c)2(e)2(a)
13(e)5(k)
ea
-
:
_
(d)*(f.)»
6(kj
(b)*(h)*(k>*
(Saws)*
Total
96
403
266
277
230
83
88
61
558
15
89
68
«.,
---
25
39
-
, (b)*(c)*
See footnotes on next page
-------
vn
TABLE 17. BIOLOGICAL DATA - BEHTHIC- MACROINVERTEBRATES
Thunder Bay River Basin 1964-1965 (conto)
: •' (org/eq.ft.)
Station Date
Rogers
H401
H402
H403
H4o4
City-Calcite
4/20/65
7/11/65
4/20/65
7/H/65
7/H/65
4/20/65
7/H/65
Sludge -
•worm
24
16
181
5
3T9
18
248
Finger-
Blood- Soy Snails nail
worm bug Pulm. Proso, clams
o =, _ „ _
8 -
164 - 5 • -
Q^J ™ « on ae
96 4 4 258
If - • 5
26 . 2 32
May-
Scuds flies
1 —
2
41 5
14
„
y —
Ij. „
Caddis -
flies Other**
X(a)
3 2(a)5(c)
2(n)2(f)
H(e)
X(a)
2(a)lO(e)
Total
27
26
410
25
752
27
324
* Present in qualitative sample
X':" Less than one per square foot
Other** -
a - Ceratopogonidae g,~ Anisoptera
b - -Decapoda ho ° Corixidae
•c - Hirudinea i. ~ Elmidae
d - Plecoptera j." Diptefa
e - Wematoda ko= Coleoptera
f - Hydracarina 1.~ Zygoptera
-------
TABLE 18. BIOLOGICAL DATA -PHYTOPLAWKTON
Thunder Bay River Basin 19614-1965
(no/ml)
Station Date
Nearshore Thunder
H366 7/13/65
H361 4/20/65
7/13/65
H362 7/13/65
Thunder Bay River
Y200 11/10/64
2/24/65
3/16/65
4/12/65
4/20/65
5/12/65
7/7/65
7/H/65
9/16/65
Centric
Diatoms
Bay
360
190
210
150
20
40
20
60
4oo
-
34o
80
20
Pennate
Diatoms
1A30
190
1,110
380
200
20
20
480
80
250
40
190
46
Green
Coccoids
170
20
130
150
90
20
-
_
-
4o
130
60
Blue- Blue-
Green Green Fila
Coccoids mentous
20
40
40
-
20
=
_ =,
20
60
„
20
100
-
Green Brown
.- Flag" Flag-
elletes elleteS
20 60
500
190
40 60
290
20
60 20
60
_
60
20
290
60 20
Predominant
Genera*
Total (16$ or more
1,760 d,a,g,i
940 p-,a' '
1,680 d,f,i,a
780 a,f
620 f,p
80 a,h,p
°s ), C\ *^«4T»V*«
14U pjELfi. fRfQ
620 'b^d^f^a^p
540 a^h,m
310 f,e,p
460 a
790 p,l>a,f
200 _o,a,f,h,j,
11/30/65
80
270
100
20
;20'
80
570
*Key on next page
-------
TABLE 18. BIOLOGICAL DATA - PHYTOPLANKTON
Thunder Bay River Basin 19614—1965
(no./ml)
o\
Centric Pehnate Green Green
Station Date Diatoms Diatoms Coccoids Coccoids
Green Fila- Flag- Flag- .
mentous elletes elletes
Thunder Bay_ River ( cont . )
Y200 11/10/64
4/20/65
11/7/65
Y230 11/20/64
4/20/65
7/11/65
9/15/65
Rogers City-Calcite
H402 4/20/65
* Centric
- Diatoms
a Cyclotella -
Stephanodiscus
90 240
100 210
1,830 310
200 570
40 310
400 1,030
100 290
Harbor .
250 290
Pennate
Diatoms
b Diatoma
c Gomphonema
d Wavicula
e Nitzschia
f Synedra
g Tabellaria
40
20
210 100
40 70
210 170
210 710
_
Green
Coccoids
i Closterium
j Oocystis
k Seenedesmus
Blue -Green
Coccoids
330
420
130
- - 330 20
100
20 130 20
190 . - .
5,120 80
Blue -Green Green
Filamentous Fla^elletes
m Os cilia tor ia n Euglena
o Trachelmo:
p Unidentif
Brown
Flagelletes
Green Brown Predominant
Genera*
700 p,f,a
750 p,a,c
2,580 a,f
1,230 p,a,e,f
450 p,b
1,980 a,f,h
1,500 l,p,k
5,7^0
h Unidentified
1 Anacystis
Dinobryon
-------
TABLE 19. BIOLOGICAL DATA - ATTACHED ALGAE' AND AQUATIC VEGETATION
Thunder Bay River Basin .-> 1964-1965 !
Station
Date
Nearshore Thunder Bay
H362 9/16/65
H366 4/21/65
7/11/65
9/16/65
Vegetation Type
Fotamogeton. spo
Chara sp.
Pi chtomos iphon s£»
Dichtomosiphon sp_0, Microcoleus
Thunder Bay River
Y200
Y220
Y230
10/6/64
9/16/65
4/20/65
9/15/65 .
Abundant algae on pilings
Spirogyra s£» f Cladophora sp_
Os cilia tor ia s£o , Mougeotia
4/20/65 . Vallisneria sp.,' tfyriophyllum sp_o
Batrachosperum ££
Pbtamogeton s_£0
57
-------
TABLE 20o WATER QUALITY DATA - RADIOACTIVITY
Thunder Bay River - 1965
00
Parameters
Dissolved
ALPHA
Error
BETA
Error
Suspended
ALPHA
Error
BETA
Error
NS
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Y200
Avg. Low
- < 0.05<
O.k
1.6
1.8
0.3
0.3
0,8
1.0
High
0.05
0.8
9.3
1-9
0.3
0.3
1.7
1.6
NS
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1 '
Y250
Avg.
< 0.05
0.6
3.3
l.U
< 0.05
o»3
0.3-
0,2
Low High
'
_
-
_
.
_
-
_ _
Note: Y200 - results from 3 samples composited into 2.
Y250- - results from 2 samples composted into 1.
-------
TABLE 21. WATER QUALITY DATA - RADIOACTIVITY
Alpena Harbor - 1965
VJl
VQ
Parameters
Dissolved
ALPHA
Error
BETA'
Error
Suspended
ALPHA
Error
BETA
Error
, 11361
IS
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Avgo
<0.05
1.2
6.2
1.7
<0.05
0.3
1.1
1.0
Low High WS
1
1
1
1
— — 1
1
1
1
H362
Avg.
<0.05
0.9
5-0
1.6
<0.05
0.3
0.6
0.9
Low High HS
2
2
2
2
— — p
~ ~ 2
2 .
2
H363
.Avg. iiow
- <0.05
0.5
2.0
1.3
- <0.05
0.3
<0.05
0.8
High
<0.05
0.6
3A
1.5
<0.05
0.3
<0.05
0.9'
Kote: H36l, H362- results from 2 samples composited into 1.
-------
TABLE 21. WATER QUALITY DATA - RADIOACTIVITY
Alpena Harbor - 1965 (cont.)
H364
H365
H366
NS
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Avg. .
< 0.05
0.5
2.8
1.4
< 0.05 .
0.2
< 0.05
0.8
Low High WS Avg. .
2
— — 2 —
_ _ o _
_ _ 2 —
_ _ 2 -
_ _ 2 -
2
am mm P «.
Lov
<0.05
0..6
3.9
1.5
cp.05
0.3
0.3
0.9
High
< 0.05
0.7
5.6
Io6
0.20
0.4
1.4
1..0
NS.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Avg. Low
< 0.05 -
0.6 -
10.0 -
1.9 -
0.3 -
0.4 -
3.4 -
1.1 -
High
-
-
-
-
_
-
-
-
Parameters
Dissolved
ALPHA
Error
BETA
Error
o Suspended
ALPHA
Error .
BETA
Error
Note: H364, H366 - results from 2 samples composited into 1.
H365 - results from 4 samples composited into 2.
-------
TABLE 22. WATER QUALITY DATA"- RADIOACTIVITY
Rogers City-Calcite Harbor
Dissolved
ALPHA
Error
BETA
Error
Suspended
ALPHA
Error
BETA
Error
£
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
tfKX)
Avg. Low
< .05
OA
2.8
1A
< 0.05
0.2
< 0.05
0.9
High NS
••^•vSav av^K
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
HUOl
Avg. Low
< 0.05
0,6
2.9
1A
< 0.05
0.3
< 0.05
0.9
High NS
1
1
1
1
— 1
1
1
1
.$+02 ..
Avg. Low
< 0.05 -
0,6 -
IL ^ —
1 it —
< 0.05 -
0.3 -
< 0.05 -
0.7 -
High
-
-
-
—
-
-
«
-
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ON
ro
Suspended
TABLE 22. WATER QUALITY DATA - RADIOACTIVITY
: Rogers City-Calcite Harbor 1965 (eont.)
1®L Avg, Low High
Dissolved
ALPHA 1 <0.05
Error 1 0.7
BETA 1 0.7 -
Error 1 1.2
ALPHA 1 <0.05
' Error 1 0»3
BETA 1 < 0.05
Error 1 0.8
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WATER QUALITY PROBLEMS
Water quality in the Thunder Bay River Basin was found to be in a
degraded condition near the City of Alpena. Pollution-tolerant bottom
organisms were in abundance. The water was often mucky and wood waste
products and bottom materials with a sewage odor were found. Dissolved
oxygen levels during May and June 19&5 vere generally 8-12 percent lower
in the nearshore area of Thunder Bay and total solids 50-100 mg/1 higher.
Bacteriological results on several, occasions reached or exceeded the
desired levels for water contact uses near the nearshore waters.
During the summer months, the river flow is lowest and lake level
the highest,resulting in lower velocities and longer flushing times in
the lower reach of the river and immediate harbor area of Thunder Bay*
Operation of the dam forming Besser Lake for peak power production also
results in considerable velocity fluctuations in the lower reach of the
river«
Directly below the Fletcher Paper Company, total solids values
averaging 2kO mg/1 exceeded the maximum recommended limit of 200 mg/1.
Sludgeworms comprised 82 percent of the organisms found at this location
and macroscopic life was practically eliminated at this station (Y200).
The mouth of the river - H36l - had a benthic population of 97 per-
cent sludgeworms and bloodworms. The discharge from the Abitibi Cor-
poration was thought to be primarily responsible for changes in aquatic
life in the bay. Nutrient values were at levels that could produce
algal problems.
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Biological studies have found deteriorated effects on the benthic
fauna near the mouth of the Thunder Bay River and in the bay near Alpena.
Wood chips and detritus from past lumbering operations are only partly
to blame for the undesireable biotic changes. Comparison of 1957 and
1965 data by MWRC indicated that suspended solids have spread the
biologically degraded area much farther into the bay.
Because of the wild and natural beauty of the Thunder Bay River
Basin, people will be drawn to the area. Development of cottage sites,
destruction of wild habitats^ and installation of septic tanks are
potential water problems.
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