AU SABLE RIVER - MICHIGAN
WATER QUALITY DATA
1965 SURVEY
Clean Water Series LHBO-1.8-A
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
F*d«rol Wator Pollution Control Administration
Or«at Lake* Region
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AU SABLE RIVER - MICHIGAN
WATER QUALITY I&TA
1965 SURVEY
Clean Water Series LHBO-18-A
JANUARY 1969
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration
Great Lakes Region
Lake Huron Basin Office
U. S. Naval Air Station
Grosse lie, Michigan
U8138
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No.
WATER USE
INTRODUCTION ........... <, . » » „ . . . . . 1
GENERAL DESCRIPTION .. . . . . . . . . . . . „ „ . „ 0 6
Area Description
Climate
Hydrology
Municipal
Industrial
Water-Related Recreation
Commercial Shipping
SOURCES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF WASTES .0.00000 18
Municipal
Industrial
Federal
POPULATION AND WASTE LOAD PROJECTIONS . . . „ . . „ . 2k
WATER QUALITY DATA ._................ 29
Au Sable River
Oscoda Nearshore Area
Harrisville Nearshore Area
1966 MWRC Au Sable River Study
Biological Studies
Radiochemistry
WATER QUALITY PROBLEMS ............'... 66
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LIST OF TABLES
Table Ho. Page No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Flow Characteristics
Au Sable River Sampling Stations
Municipal Water Supplies
Projected Water Use
Municipal Waste Treatment Plants 1965
Effluent Characteristics Au Sable River
Basin
Inventory of Waste Water Disposal at
Federal Installations
Waste Flow Projections
BODc Projections
Water Quality Data - Au Sable River
Basin
Water Quality Data - Seasonal .Variation
Water Quality Data - Oscoda Harbor
Water Quality Data - Harrisville Harbor
Biological Data - Physical Observations
Biological Data - Benthic Macroinvertebrates
Biological Data - Phytoplankton
Biological Data - Attached Algae
Water Quality Data - Au Sable River
Radioactivity
Water Quality Data - Oscoda Harbor
Radioactivity
Water Quality Data - Harrisville Harbor
11
13
16
17
20
21,
23
26
28
39,
41,
43
44
10
53
54,
57,
60
6l
62,
64,
22,
4o
42
- 47
- 52
55
58
63
65
Radioactivity
ii
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Ho. Page Ho.
1 Drainage Basins of the Great Lakes 3
2 Lake Huron Basin k
3 Au Sable River Basin 5
k Plow Duration Curve - Au Sable River 12
at Mio
5 Population and Municipal Waste Flow 27
Projections
iii
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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 He, 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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DRAINAGE BASINS OF THE
GREAT LAKES
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ADMINISTRATION
GREAT LAKES REGION GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
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FIGURE 2
I. SAGINAW BAY
2. CASS RIVER
3. FLINT RIVER
4. SHIAWASSEE RIVER
5. TITTABAWASSEE RIVER
8
9
IO
I I
MICHIGAN TRIBUTARIES
TO SAGINAW 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. MISSISSAGI RIVER
13. SPANISH RIVER
14. WANAPITEI RIVER
IS. FRENCH RIVER
16. MAGANATAWAN RIVER
17. MUSKOKA RIVER
18. SEVERN RIVER
19. 8AUOGEN RIVER
£0. MAITLAND RIVER
21, AU SABLE RIVER
DETROIT PROGRAM. OFFICE
LAKE HURON BASIN'
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ADMINISTRATION
GREAT LAKES REGION GROSSE I L E , MICHIGAN
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GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Area Description
The Au Sab£e River Basin (Figure 3), with a drainage area of 2,035
square miles, lies in the northeastern part of the lower peninsula. It
is comprised of parts of Otsego, Crawford, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Oscoda,
Montmorency, Alcona, and losco Counties. Grayling, the major city, is
in the center of one; of the leading recreational areas of the State of
Michigan. With headwaters in southeastern Otsego County, the Au Sable
River flows southerly, then easterly, and finally southeasterly to its
mouth into Lake Huron.
The basin, irregular in shape, is 80 miles long and Uo miles wide,
measuring at the longest and widest parts. It is bounded on the north
by Thunder Bay Basin; on the east by Lake Huron; on the south by the
Tittabawassee Basin, Rifle River Basin, Au Ores River Basin, and by land
adjacent to Lake Huron; on the west by Manistee River Basin; and on the
southwest by the Muskegon River Basin. The major tributaries include the
North Branch Au Sable, Middle Branch Au Sable, South Branch Au Sable, and
Pine Rivers.
Much of the Au Sable River Basin is sparsely populated and is
occupied by Thunder Bay River, Pigeon River, and Au Sable River State
Forests and Huron National Forest; Hanson Military Reserve; and the
Artillery Range. ^Three major population centers in this part of the
basin are: Gaylord - near Otsego Lake, the headwaters of North Branch
Au Sable River; Grayling - at the confluence of the East Branch Au Sable
6
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with the Au Sable River; and Roscommon - on the South Branch Au Sable
River.
In addition to the permanent residents there is a large transient
population, the National Guard at Camp Grayling brings a temporary
population of 10,000 to the area. Campgrounds and other recreational
facilities attract a heavy tourist trade. There are no large industries
in the area. Population reached a peak in the 1920's and, after the
decline of lumbering, remained stable until the 1950's when small
industries moved into the area. The population has since increased,
principally from the prospering tourist and recreational developments.
The drainage basin below Grayling and Roscommon remains sparsly
settled, with Mio the only community along the Au Sable River. Mio
does not have community collection or disposal system. At Mio, a dam
forms an impoundment of 860 acres for hydroelectric power. Most of this
section of drainage area is in public ownership - Thunder Bay River
State Forest and Huron National Forest. Many campsites are located
along the river bank. The river flows southward through Bamfield
Pond, a 1,075-acre impoundment created for hydroelectric power. The
numerous gravel pits, abandoned railroads, and dirt roads in the
xurrounding area are indications of man's former activities in the basin.
Small settlements are present throughout this area.
The river then flow eastward through a series of impoundments
which change the character of the river to that of the lake, with only
short reaches of free-flowing streams. These impoundments and the surface
area in acres are: Loud Basin - 790, Five Channels Basin - 250, Cooke
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Bam Basin - 1850, and Poote Basin - l800» Alpena State Forest and
Huron National Forest comprise most of the land in this increment of
drainage.
The river character changes "below Foote Basin Dam to that of swift
stream coursing within steep banks to the outlet of the lake. There
are a number of small communities in this area, including Lincoln and
Mikado. Van Etten: Creek-Pine River is impounded near Wurtsmith Air
Force Base (AFB) to form Van Etten Lake, a recreational lake- The
outflow is known as Van Etten Creek. The character of the basin is
changed from the forested areas in the upper reaches. The major
activity in this area is the air base. From the confluence of Van
Etten Creek to the mouth of the Au Sable River at Lake Huron, the
area is rapidly developing, due in part to the presence of Wurtsmith
AFBo The communities of Oscoda and Au Sable are located at the mouth
of the Au Sable River. A navigation channel is maintained from the
US-23 bridge to the 12-foot contour of Lake Huron. A number of marinas
and boat-service facilities are located along this stretch of the
river.
Climate
The climate of the Au Sable River is greatly modified by the upper
Great Lakes, which warm the air in the winter and cool it in the
summer. The climate is typical of the entire upper Great Lakes area and
can be described as having a wide seasonal variation, many storms, and
a constant yearly precipitation distribution. In the winter, this
precipitation is in the form of snow. Mean yearly temperature is
8
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There is an average yearly precipitation of 32.^ inches, with a growing
season of 150 days.
Hydrology
There are three U.S« Geological Survey (USGS) stream gaging stations
located in the Au Sable River Basin..
The first of these gaging stations is the Au Sable River at Grayling
located on the right bank, 65 feet upstream from the bridge on US-27
at Grayling and three-quarters of a mile upstream from East Branch.
Prior to October 195^ it was referred to as Middle Branch Au Sable
River. It has a drainage area of 110 square miles„ The station has
been in operation since October 19^2.
The second USGS gaging station is the East Branch of the Au Sable
River at Graylings 0,^- miles upstream from the mouth and has a drainage
area of J6 square miles- The station has been in operation since
April 1958.
The third gaging station is the Au Sable River at Mio located on
the right bank, 150 feet upstream from the bridge on M-33- The station
has a drainage area of 1,100 square miles and has been in operation
since 1952.
The ranges of observed discharges and yields for these gaging stations
are shown on Table 1.
The low-flow average discharge for one, seven, and thirty consec-
utive days duration, with a recurrence interval of ten years, has been
calculated by use of Gumbel's logarithmic extremal probability paper.
The stations used were the Au Sable River at Grayling and Au Sable River
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at Mio (Table l)0
Figure h is the flow duration, curve for the Au Sable River at
Mio. The shape of the curve, with a shallow gradient^ indicated the
stable nature of streamflow in the Au Sable River and a relatively
constant yield. This is also indicated by the high drought flow
yieldo
USGS gages and sampling station locations are shown on Figure 3
and sampling stations are described on Table 2.
10
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TABLE 1. FLOW CHARACTERISTICS
Au Sable River Basin
USGS Records Computed Drought (low) Flows*
Flow Yield Duration Flows Yield
Location (cfs) (cfsm) (days) (cfs) (cfsm)
Au Sable River at Grayling Maximum 274 2.1+91 1 42 .382
110 square miles - 1942 Minimum 28 .255 30 48 .436
to I960 Average 73 -663 7 46 .4l8
East Branch of the Au Maximum 135 1-776 -
Sable River at Grayling Minimum l6 .211 -
76 square miles - 1958 Average 39 -517 -
to I960
Au Sable River at Mio Maximum 3,450 3.136 1 500 .455
1100 square miles Minimum 456 .415 30 640 . .582
1952 - I960 Average 906 .824 7 580 .527
Recurrence interval of once in 10 years for period of record plotted on Gumbel's logarithmic
extremal -probability.
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r IGURE 4
FLOW DURATION CURVE
AU SABLE RIVER AT MIO
1953-1964
100.0
UJ
o o:
in
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Station
TABLE 2. AU SABLE RIVER SAMPLING STATIONS
Mainstream Stations
Mile Point
Location
Y010
Y014
Y020
Y190
0.3
0.9
11.0
113 o ^
US -23 br.
Mill Str<
Bissonet"!
East Braa
MWRC
Oscoda
H301
H302
H303
H304
Harrisville
H350
H351
H352
H353
Bissonette Road bridge below Foote Dam
Au Sable River - foot bridge
behind Mercy Hospital in Grayling (USGS
gage # 4-1356)
0.3 Same location as K>10
Hearshore Stations
5,000' north of breakwater light
At breakwater light
3,000' east of breakwater light
5,000' south of breakwater light
North entrance to harbor, center of channel
5,000' north of north end of breakwater
5,000' east of north end of breakwater
5,000' south of north end of breakwater
10' from southwest end of main breakwater
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WA.TER USE
Municipal
The Au Sable River Basin and adjacent shoreline area has a population
of 7>500 served "by public water supplies „ Camp Grayling, the National
Guard Camp, serves a population of 10,000 during the summer training
sessions o The estimated population served, excluding Camp Grayling,
by 1990 and 2020 is 14,300 and 23,800, respectively.
Present water supplies are listed in Table 3 and projections of
water use are shown on Table 4.
Industrial
There is little manufacturing in the Au Sable River Basino The
water used for other than domestic purposes is purchased from the local
municipal source. Projections of the quantity used are included in
the municipal projections on Table 4.
Water-Related Recreation
The Au Sable River is probably the most famous recreational stream
in Michigan. Its popularity began in the l800's, when fishing for
grayling (trout) became popular. This popularity has continued even as the
predominant species of fish changed from grayling to the more hardy
and adaptable species of trout.
The use of the river by canoeists is also popular with annual
rentals at the liveries exceeding 18,000. The stream is a recognized
canoe trail by the Michigan Tourist Council and Michigan Department of
Conservation. Campsites have been developed along the stream for the
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use of canoeists. Thousands of visitors annually take the popular tour
along M-72 down the beautiful Au Sable River Valley from Grayling to the
Lake Huron shore. A more detailed discussion of basin recreation is
contained in the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation publication "Water-Oriented
Outdoor Recreation Lake Huron Basin (1967)0"
9
Commercial Shipping
Harrisville with 97,215 tons of Jet fuel and the Au Sable Harbor
with 118 tons of fresh fish represent the commercial navigation recorded
for the Au Sable,River Basin. This is only .3$ of the Michigan total
for the Lake Huron Basin.
15
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TABLE 3. MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLIES*
Au Sable River Basin and Adjacent Shoreline Areas
Community 1960 Pop,.
Oscoda Township 700
Wurt smith AEB
Gaylord
2568
Northern Michigan
TB Sanatorium 225
Grayling 2015
Camp Grayling 10 ,000**
Roscommon
Harrisville
Hawes Township
867
Resort
Owner Source
T Wells in drift 30' to
51' deep
US Wells in drift 53' to
65' deep
M Wells in drift 110' to
198' deep
S Wells in drift 234' deep
M Wells in drift 50' deep
US Wells in drift 50' to
1768 deep
M Wells in drift te! to
103' deep
M Wells in drift 40' to
57" deep
P Well in drift 160'
* Taken from "Data on Public Water Supplies in Michigan," Engineering
- Bulletin No. k "by the Michigan Department of Public Health.
*# Intermittent Use.
T - township
US - Federal
M - city or village
S - State
P - private
The well water supplies did not receive any treatment.
16
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TABLE 4. PROJECTED mTER USE
(MOD)
Au Sable River Basin and Adjacent Shoreline Areas
1220 2020
Municipal* 0»8 1.7 3,5
Industrial 0 _2oO_ JL£
Total 0«8 3«T 8»5
* Includes water for small industries.
IT
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SOUECES AND CHABiCTERISTICS OF WASTES
Municipal
In 1965 > there were three municipal systems which were sources
of waste in the upper reaches of the Au Sable Eiver Basin - Gaylord,
Grayling, and Roscommon. The treatment system at Gaylord was a lagoon
with no provision for overflow to surface waters. Grayling and Roscommon
had primary sewage treatment plants with separate sewer systems.,
Wort smith Air Force Base was the major community in the basin. Secondary
treatment was provided for domestic wastes, and aircraft washings were
treated "by oil and grease separation, then discharged to a separate
stormwater system (Table 5)« Effluent was discharged to Van Etten
Creek. The townships of Au Sable and Oseoda, near the mouth of the
Au Sable River, and the township of Mikado in the upper reaches of
Van Etten Creek were cited by the MWRC in December 1966 for the discharge
of undetermined quantities of raw and semi treated sewage from various
residences and commercial establishments.
Municipal waste treatment plants are described in Table 5- The
information is based on 19&5 records of the Michigan Department of
Public Health. Prior to January 1967* aH plants were required to
practice disinfection from May 15 to September 15„ Since that date,
continuous year-round disinfection is required by the Department of
Public Health regulation. Effluent characteristics based on the 1965
plant operating records are also listed on Table 5* and outfall
locations are shown on Figure 3-
18
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Industrial
There were no significant sources of industrial waste in the
basin at the time of this survey.
Federal Installations
There are 17 Federal installations located in the Au Sable
River Basin, 10 of which are campground areas« The ma^or installation
in the basin is the Wurtsmith Air Force Base which has secondary
treatment and chlorination. A pumping station and primary settling
tank are to be constructed, followed by diverting the effluent to
another drainage basin. As listed in Table 6$ there are some septic
tanks and a few drain fields at the Department of Agriculture, Forest
Service Installations.
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TABLE 5. MUNICIPAL WAiSTE TREATMENT PLANTS
1965 Effluent Characteristics
Au Sable River Basin
ro
Community and Type of
Population Served Treatment
Total
How Temp BODs COD 01. POk NHo-N Org-N
(MGD) OF (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l)
Gaylord
2800
Grayling
2000
Roscommon
900
Wurtsmith AFB
Lagoon
Primary
Primary
Secondary
- No discharge -
= 31'
.15
.55
47
45
-
145
83
>,
No records =
-
324 100
266 no
=
_
t.
49 17 12 8.0
42 16 13 7»7
=
71(00.
Oscoda Township
600
Septic, tanks
and dry well
Au Sable Township Septic tanks
60 and dry well
Mikado Township
4000
Septic tanks
and dry well
NOTEi Data for Grayling and Roscommon "based on 1966 MWRG Survey.
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TABLE 6. INVENTORY OF WASTE WATER DISPOSAL
AT FEDERAL INSTALLATIONS
Au Sable River Basin
Installation
(Municipality and County)
Wurt smith Air Force Base
(Oscoda, losco Co.)
Type
of Wastes
Receiving Waters Treatment Provided Remarks
Sanitary Van Etten Creek
660,000 GPD Tributary of
Lake Huron
Secondary treatment
and Chlorination
13'
Contract has been let
to construct new pump-
ing station laboratory
and primary settling
tank. The construc-
tion phase of this
work will begin at the
end of August 1968 /"
and completion is ex-
pected by Spring of
1969. These improve-
ments will not be
sufficient to accom-
plish the goals set by
the State of Michigan-
for quality of efflu-
ent discharged to Van
Etten Creek, a spawn-
ing ground for salmon.
The above improvements
are interim measures
pending construction
of facilities to di-
vert the effluent
from Van Etten Creek
to the ground in an-
other drainage basin.
The diversion design
phase has already been
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TABLE 6. INVENTORf OF WASTE WATER DISPOSAL
AT FEDERAL INSTALLATIOWS (Cont'd)
Au Sable River Basin
Installation
(Municipality and County)
Wurtsmith Air Force Base
(Oscoda, losco Co.)
(Cont'd)
Type
of Wastes Receiving Waters
Treatment Provided Remarks
Glennie Warehouse
(Aicona Co.)
Pine River Compound
(Alcona Co.)
Horseshoe Lake Campground
(Alcona Co.)
Monument Campground
(losco Co.)
Rollway Campground
(losco Co.)
Rollway Picnic Area
(losco Co.)
Lumberman's Monument
(losco Co.)
Sanitary Ground
75 GPD
Sanitary Ground
Sanitary Ground
Sanitary Ground
Sanitary Ground
Sanitary Ground
300 GPD
Sanitary Ground
1,200 GPD
Septic Tanks,
Drain Field
Pit Toilet
Pit Toilet
Septic Tanks*
Drain Field
Pit Toilet
Septic Tanks,
Drain Field
Pit Toilet
been completed and fund-
have been requested for
this construction.
Pending early approva?.
of funds, the expected
completion date is
FY 1971.
Compound capacity
25 people
Campground capacity
10 people
Campground capacity
65 people
Campground capacity
95 people
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[CABLE 6. INVENTOR! OF WkSTE WATER DISPOSAL
AT FEDERAL INSTALLATIONS (Cont'd)
Au Sable River Basin
Installation
(Municipality and County)
District Ranger Office
(Mio, Oscoda Co.)
Rangers Dwelling
(Mio, Oscoda Co)
Asst. Ranger Dwelling
(Mio, Oscoda Co.)
Warehouse
(Mio, Oscoda Co.)
Loon Lake Campground
TO (Oscoda Co.)
Island Lake Campground
(Oscoda Co.)
Mack Lake Campground
(Oscoda Co.)
Wagner Lake Campground
(Oscoda Co.)
Boy Seoul; Organization
Type
of Wastes
Sanitary
T5 GPD
Sanitary
225 GPD
Sanitary
14-50 GPD
Sanitary
1*5 GPD
Sanitary
Sanitary
Sanitary
Sanitary
Sanitary
Receiving Waters
Ground
Ground
Ground
• •' i : '' '
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Ground
Septic Tanks,
Drain Field
Septic Tanks,
Drain Field
Septic Tanks,
Drain Field
None
Septic Tanks,
Drain Field
Pit Toilet
Pit Toilet
Pit Toilet
Pit -Toilet
Campground capacity
215 people. New
septic tank and drain
field installed in
1967=
Campground capacity
people
Camp (Oscoda Co.)
Campground capacity
30 people
Campground capacity
50 people -
Camp capacity
50 people
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POPULATION AND WkSTELOAD 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 population projections were developed for the various
areas of the Lake Huron Basin» In I960, 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 population centers in the Au Sable River Basin and adjacent
shoreline areas are Grayling (2015), Roscommon (867)^, Gaylord (2568),
and Harrisville (h8j) according to the I960 census figures. For this
report, each area was analyzed assuming that by 2020 the area will be
^
urbanized and served by water and sewer systems,, The individual areas
were added to yield the total population served in the basin o The
1965 population served by sewer systems was estimated to be 6,500 and
projected to be 14,300 by the year 1990 and 23,800 by the year 2020.
Population served should not be construed as being total population
of the basin.
Table 7 shows the estimated waste flow in million gallons per
day (MOD) for the Au Sable River Basin and adjacent shoreline areas,
and on Hgure 5 appears the projections for population and wasteflow
excluding adjacent shoreline areas.
BODr projections were based on present day inventory information
obtained from the Michigan Water Resources Commission, Michigan Department
2k
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of Public Health, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration.
Municipal and industrial water use growth rates and BOD,- production in
terms of population were determined from studies on the Lake Michigan
i
Basin and applied to the inventory data obtained for the Au Sable River
Basin. The results of these projections are shown on Table 8. The
municipal BOD,- load for 19&5 vs-s calculated on the basis of .17 pounds
per day of BODc per person served, and the 1990 and 2020 load factors,
.18 and .20 pounds per day of BOD per person. For example, in 1965 a
total of 1100 pounds per day of BODc is produced in the area of which
59 percent is removed by treatment, leaving 470 pounds of BOD- being
discharged to the river. By the year 2020, with the same percentage of
treatment, 2000 pounds would reach the river. In order to show an
improvement over present water quality, 90 percent or more removal will
be necessary at that time.
Although at present there are no significant industrial waste sources
in the basin, an assumption that industries would develop in the basin
.and -adjacent shoreline areas was made for projection purposes.
-------
TABLE T« mSTE H.OW PROJECTIONS (MED)
Au Sable River Basin and Adjacent Shoreline Areas
Municipal
1990
2020
Residential
Commercial
Total Municipal
industrial
Total Industrial and Municipal
Oo7
0.7
0.7
1-7
0.1
1.8
2.0
3.8
3-3
0.2
3*5
5.0
8.5
-------
FIGURE 5
POPULATION AND MUNICIPAL
WASTE FLOW PROJECTIONS FOR THE
AU SABLE RIVER BASIN
100,000
(T
IU
CO
z
o
0.
o
a.
10,000
I.OOO I I I I I I i i i i 11 i i i
1 I I I I I I
I960 1970 1980 1990 200O
YEARS
IO.O
I.O
EC
Ul
a
VI
z
o
<
o
coto
802O
O.I
203O
-------
TABLE 8. BQD5 PROJECTIONS
(Pounds per Day)
Au Sable River Basin and Adjacent Shoreline Areas
Untreated
Municipal
Residential
Commercial
Total
Industrial
Total Untreated BODC
Treated BODg
Municipal
Industrial
Total Treated
1965
1990
2020
Percent
Removal
59 (present)
90
95
99
35
90
95
99
present
90
95
99
1,110
1,133
1,133
1*68
113
57
11
_
-
-
-
k6Q
113
57
11
2,565
2,628
10,500
13,128
1,085
263
131
26
6,825
1,050
525
.105
7,910
1,313
656
131
4,750,
150
4,900.
25,000
29,900
2,024
490
245
49
16,250
2,500
1,250
250
18,274
2,990
1,495
299
28
-------
WATER QUALITY DATA
The Federal Water Pollution Control Administration conducted
surveys of the Au Sable River and adjacent waters of Lake Huron
during 1965 to determine the quality of these waters. 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 (Station Y010)P a quarter-of-a-mile above the
mouth of the Au Sable River, was sampled on a monthly basis from
January through November. A second location (Station Y190), on the
East Branch Au Sable River at Grayling near the confluence with the
main stream, was sampled periodically from May through November<,
A third location. (Station Y020), on the Au Sable River just below
Foote Dam eleven miles upstream from the mouth, was sampled once.
An additional station, Y0l4, was sampled for biological parameters.
Sampling was also carried out in nearshore Lake Huron at four
locations near Oscoda and five locations near Harrisville, and collected
on a monthly basis from May through October.
In addition to the FWPCA 19^5 sampling program, the MWRC maintains
a water quality monitoring station at the mouth of the Au Sable River
(MWRC-AuS-l4). ' This location coincided with the FWPCA station.
Data was collected on a monthly basis. In 1966, the MWRC made
extensive studies of the Au Sable River below Grayling and the South
Branch of the Au Sable below Roscommon to study the effects
29
-------
of pollution from the primary plants at these two cities.
Data from the various surveys during 19&5 are listed on
Tables 9 through 12.
Au Sable River
The dissolved oxygen level in the Au Sable River was high,
with an average of 90 percent saturation at the sites studied
during the 19&5 survey. There was no indication that photosynthesis
was a factor in the oxygen level as no samples indicated super-
saturation. Dissolved oxygen levels ranged from 7° 2 mg/1 to
13.0 mg/1, with an average of 10.8 mg/1 at the MWRC location near
the mouth of the river. At the FWPCA station, the range was from
7.3 to 11o4 mg/1, with an average of 9.3 mg/1. The FWPCA samples
were collected during the warmer months of the year, accounting
for the lower maximum level, (Table 9)<> These levels indicated
adequate dissolved oxygen in the river.
Organic matter, expressed in terms of BOD,- and oxidizatle
nitrogen (organic, ammonia and nitrite), indicated excellent water
quality. BOD levels averaged from 1 to 2 mg/1, with a maximum of
3 mg/1. The oxldizable nitrogen levels were similarly low, averaging
less than .5 mg/1 (Table 9)» There were no major sources of organic
pollution upstream of the sampling site on the East Branch of the
Au Sable River. The site near the mouth of the Au Sable River is
100 miles downstream from the primary treatment plants at Grayling
and Roscozmnon and 10 miles downstream from the secondary plant at
30
-------
Wurtsmith AEB. Organic matter from this source would have the
opportunity for assimilation before reaching the sampling site.
Nutrient levels in terms of nitrate-nitrogen and total and
soluble phosphorus as phosphate were indicative of minor pollution,
with average levels less than .1 mg/1. The site in the upper
basin was, however, upstream of main sources of nutrients - the
Grayling and Roscommon primary treatment plants. Near the mouth
of the river, which would include any residual nutrients from
these plants as well as that from the air force base, the levels
were low due in part to the dilution provided by additional stream-
flow at this point. Nitrate levels were similary low, averaging
.2 mg/1.
Chlorides and other dissolved solids indicated excellent water
quality at all sites measured- Average chloride level was 3 mg/1
near the mouth of the Au Sable River and 3 mg/1 in the East Branch
Au Sable River. Dissolved solids averaged 180 mg/1 in the basin,
with conductivity of 290jumhos/cmo High dilution is available in
the stream for effluents from the treatment plants.
Bacterial quality of the river was impaired near the mouth.
Median total coliform density was 6,000 org/100 ml, with a fecal
coliform level of 200 org/100 ml on a yearly basis. As the sampling
station was a considerable distance downstream from the Grayling and
Roscommon municipal plants, bacteria most probably were caused by
discharge from the Wurtsmith AEB treatment plant and miscellaneous
sources in the Oscoda area such as individual disposal systems, and
-------
runoff. Separation of the microbiological data 'into two groups -
that collected during the ehlorination of Wurtsmith treatment plant
effluent, and that collected -when no ehlorination was practiced -
indicated a considerable reduction in bacteria during the ehlorination
season. The median coliform level was 18,000 org/100 ml during
nondisinfection and was reduced to 1,100 org/100 ml during disinfection.
Similar reductions occurred in the fecal coliform and fecal strep
levels (Table 10).
Suspended and volatile suspended solids and phenols indicated
minor amounts of pollution.,
Oscoda Nearshore Area
Data (Table 11) collected during a study of the nearshore waters
of Lake Huron near the mouth of the Au Sable River indicated that
the Au Sable River imposed a minor pollution load on Lake Huron
that could not be distinguished in the waters of Lake Huron within
a mile of the river mouth. In comparing the data from the breakwater
station (H302) with that of the other three stations (H301, H303,
H304) which are located on an arc less than a mile from the breakwater,
the higher level of pollutants near the mouth was readily apparent.
Dissolved oxygen was less at the breakwater, 8»7 mg/1 (88 percent
saturation), than offshore, 10.8 mg/1 (102 percent saturation).
Total solids, suspended solids, hardness, conductivity,' bacterial
levels, and temperature were higher at the breakwater than offshore.
Levels of nutrients (nitrogens'and phosphates) were uniformly low at
all locations.
32
-------
Harrisville Hearshore Area
Data collected during the study of the nearshore waters of
Lake Huron near Harrisville, IT miles north of the mouth of the
Au Sable River, (Table 12) indicated that only a minor amount of
pollution was generated in the shoreline area adjacent to the Au
Sable River Basin. Any decrease in water quality in the immediate
vicinity of Harrisville harbor was quickly masked by the waters of
Lake Huron. Samples collected near the breakwater (H350 and H35*0 and
on an arc about a mile from the breakwater (H351, H352, H353), showed
a minor water quality problem in the harbor. BODc and oxidizable
nitrogen levels were slightly higher, as were total solids and sus-
pended solids. Bacterial levels were higher in the harbor. For
other parameters, there was no difference in levels. Along the beach
at Harrisville State Park, MWRC sampling indicated a maximum coliform
density of 70,000 org/100 ml, with a median of 100 org/100 ml for
12 samples.
1966 MWRC Au Sable River Study
In 1966, the Michigan Water Resources Commission studied the
Au Sable River. Samples were collected on an around-the-clock basis
for ^Q hours from 23 stations on the main stream and tribtutaries.
The survey included ^5 miles of the main river from above Grayling
to the dam at Mio, 20 miles of the South Branch Au Sable River from
Roscommon to the confluence with the main branch, and various stretches
of other tributaries. Chemical quality in the stream was excellent, with
the exception of phosphate levels in the Main Branch and South Branch.
33
-------
The phosphate levels increased immediately below the primary plants
at Grayling and Roscoramon and then declined gradually. Within
fifteen miles of the waste sources, phosphates were no longer
detectable. Bacterial quality was excellent, except in the vicinity
of Grayling where statistical mean levels exceeded 1,000 total
coliforms/100 ml.
Dissolved oxygen levels were high throughout the stream. On
the "basis of average dissolved oxygen level, there was a characteristic
dissolved oxygen depression below Grayling., The depression was
minor, amounting to less than 1 mg/1. The minimum average level
was 7-6 mg/1 below Grayling, with a minimum single value of h.k mg/1.
The dissolved oxygen level was deceptive as photosynthetic production
of dissolved oxygen occurred- At one location, the dissolved oxygen
varied from k.k to 12.0 mg/1, with an average of 8 mg/1. Minimum levels
of less than 5 rog/1 occurred at a number of sites during nighttime,
although during daylight supersaturation occurred. An extended period
of minumum light conditions, such as overcast days, could conceivably
reduce photosynthesis to the point that respiration of algae would
reduce the dissolved oxygen to critical levels for trout.
BODc and oxidizable nitrogen levels were low, indicating that
the prime pollution problem from the treatment plants would be a
secondary effect of the nutrients in creating algae growth, which
would result in an oxygen demand,. The nutrients also caused the
growth of aquatic weeds and grasses which interfered with boating,
swimming, and fishing in the river.
-------
Biological Studies
Three station on the Au Sable River and seven nearshore Lake
Huron stations were sampled periodically between October 1964 and
September 19^5• Four of these nearshore stations were at Harrisville
and three at Oscoda. Benthic maeroinvertebrates, plankton algae,, and
attached algae were collected and preserved for later identification
and enumeration (Tables 13 through l6)»
The average depth of the Au Sable River was six feet at the
sampling stations below Foote Dam. The bottom was composed of sand,
gravel and rock. Secchi disc transparencies extended to the bottom
at more than half the stations sampled. Nearshore stations at
I ' <
Oscoda had a secchi disc visibility limit of three feet. Lake Huron
waters near Harrisville, in contrast9 had transparencies of over
13 feet. The reason for this apparent reduction in water clarity
near the Au Sable River mouth was probably increased algal populations.
Table 13 lists the physical observations noted during this study„
Benthic macroinvertebrate populations were not abundant in this
study area. Standing crops ranged from only 3 per square foot (/sf)
i
to 186 per square foot. Sludgeworm populations were small, averaging
less than 10 per square foot of bottom sampled. Pollution-sensitive
organisms such as certain mayflies and caddijsflies were widespread.
A variety of aquatic organisms was recovered in the bottom dredgings
from this study area. Fish-food organisms such as bloodworms were
present at every station sampled, both in the river and nearshore
(Table 14).
35
-------
Phytoplankton populations were relatively low throughout the
study area except for a spring influx of green flagellates and some
filamentous blue-greens. Sudden increases in standing algal crops
are sometimes due to natural causes such as the flushing of stagnant
areas by heavy rains. Excluding the spring samples, the phytoplankton
standing crop averaged 1,090 organisms per milliliter (/ml)o Including
four spring counts, the average phytoplankton population counts were
over 2,000 org/ml (Table 15)<>
Attached algae were not observed in great quantity in the lower
Au Sable River. The only station where some growths were found was
below Poote Dam (Table l6)0
Although biological studies by the MWRC in 1966 on the Au Sable
c
River near Grayling and Roscommon found locally degraded areas, much
of the lower Au Sable River was free from biological degradation.
t
Samples of the adjacent Lake Huron waters near Oscoda and Harrisville
revealed no evidence of biological damage to the benthic invertebrate
populations.
Radiochemistry
Radiochemistry results for the Au Sable River Basin and adjacent
shoreline area from data based on the 1965 sampling program are listed
in Tables 17 through 19• The samples were analyzed for suspended
(non-filtrable) and dissolved (filtrable) portions when filtered with
a 1.2 micromembrane filter and reported for alpha and beta activity
levels in picocuries per liter (pc/l). Most samples were composites
rather than individual samples. Maximum activity levels of alpha
36
-------
emitters on water samples were <=05 pc/1 dissolved and .6 pc/1
suspended. Maximum beta emitters were 5-9 pc/1 dissolved and
1.8 pc/1 suspended.
The counting error was as high or higher or in the magnitude
of the activity and indicated the activity was 0 or below the
sensitivity of the test. The data indicated no apparent problem
of radioactivity.
3T
-------
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 ^ug/1).
pH - measure of hydrogen ion activity - acidic (0), alkaline
neutral (7). ..
7o Saturation - reported as percent.
Total Iron - reported as micrograms per liter (pg/1)
Total Hardness - reported as Calcium Carbonate (CaCCs)
Conductivity - micromhos per centimeter (umhos/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)
-------
TABLE 9. WATER QUALITY DATA
Au Sable River Basin - 1965
Y010 near Oscoda
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Sol. Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Suspo Solids
Chlorides
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS Avgo
5 9»3
k I
2
2
2
1 .01
2
2
2 -
2
2 -
2
2
2
0
Low
7-3
1
.Ik
.10
.1
-
.08
,08
180
7
k
k
3
7.8
-
High
11. k
2
.17
.16
•3
-
.1
..1
190
11
6
6
k
8.0
-
Parameters
Temperature (°C)
$ Saturation
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Hardness
Conductivity
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Strep
Total Plate Count
Total Plate Count
NS
11
5
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
11
11
11
0
0
Avgo Low "
9.0 o.o
87 76
- <100
*
1
k6
10
1
- ito
260
6,000 1*60
200 12
k6 10
-
-
High
22.0
96
500
5
2
1*8
13
11
160
290
k$t 000
7,200
400
-
-
35°C
-------
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
. i '
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Sol. Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Susp. Solids
Chlorides
Phenol
'pH1 .
Chemical Oxygen Demand
TABLE 9- WA.TEK QUALITY DATA
Au Sable River Basin - 1965
Y190 East Branch
NS Avgo Low High
0
0
2 - .08
2 - .10
6 .2 .1
5 - <.01
6 -
-------
TABLE 9- WATER QUALITY DATA
Au Sable River Basin - 1965
AuS #Lh at Oscoda (MWRC)
Parameter '
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Sol. Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Suspo Solids
Chloride
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS
10
7
9
0
9
0
9
0
0
7
1
9
0
10
0
Avg^
10.8
2
.00
-
.1
-
.03
-
-
8
2
1
-
8.1 ,
Low High
7-2 13.0
1 3
.00 o 00
_
.0 .2
-
.00 .10
-
-
3 15
-
0 3
_
7»9 8.3
Parameter
Temperature (°C)
% Saturation
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Hardness
Conductivity
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Hecal Strep
Total Plate Count
20°C
Total Plate Count
NS
10
10
0
1
1
1
1
i
1
9
7
0
0
0
0
Avgo Low
7.5 o.o
88 71
-
16
2
kk
12
8
160
290 220
15,000 4,300
-
-
-
High
23.0
103
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
350
39,ooo
-
-
-
35°C
-------
TABLE 9- WATER QUALITY DATA
Au Sable River Basin - 1965
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Sol. Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Susp. Solids
Chloride
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS Avg.
Y020
Low High
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
9.6
l
.09
.09
.09
180
7
3
5
8.1
Parameters
Temperature
% Saturation
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Hardness
Conductivity
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Strep
Total Plate Count
20°C
Total Plate Count
NS
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
Avg. Low
12.0
89 -
-
k
1.0
-
-
_
— •-
270
-
-
-
-
_
High'
35°C
-------
TABLE 10. WA.TER QUALITY BA.TA,
Au Sable River Basin >
1965 Seasonal Coliform Variation
Season/ Total Coliform Fecal Coliform Fecal Streptococci
Location Median Lov High Median Lov High Median Low High
Jan. -April
YOIO 18,000 . 7,600 1*5,000 2,900 970 7,200 160 130 1*00
May - Sept.
yoio 820 1*60 6,000 7^ ^o 200 30 ii* 146
Oct. - Dec.
YOIO 3,1*00 800 42,000 1*0 12 3,700 32 10 190
Annual
YOIO 6,000 1*60 1*5,000 200 12 7*200 1*6 10 1*00
-------
TABLE 11. WATER QUALITY DATA
Au Sable River Basin - 1965
Oscoda Harbor
H301
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Sol. Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Suspended Solids
Chloride
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS
5
5
5
5
5
3
5
5
5
5
5
5
3
5
0
Avg.
11.0
2
.12
•17
-
-
-
-
140
5
2
7
5
8.0
Low
9.0
1
<-05
.10
< .1
<.01
<.04
<.04
120
3
0
5
<2
7-6
High
12.4
2
.21
• 3*
.2
<.01
.2
.1
150
10
5
18
10
8.3
Parameters
Temperature (°C)
$ Saturation
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Hardness
Conductivity
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Strep
Total Plate Count
20°C
Total Plate Count
NS
5
5
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
2
2
h
]^
Avg.
12.5
102
-
4
1.8
28
10
15
100
200
69
-
-
160
77
Low
8.0
100
< 100
*
1.2
27
9
12
92
170
<1
<1
1
110
38
High
20.0
104
300
*
2.3
30
12
20
110
230
290
< 2
2
200
170
35°C
-------
TABLE 11. WATER QUALITY DATA
Au Sable River Basin -1965
Oscoda Harbor
H302
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Sol<, Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Susp. Solids
Chloride
Phenol
pH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS
5
5
5
5
5
3
5
5
5
5
5
5
2
5
0
Ayg.
8.7
1
.20
.13
-
-
-
-
180
8
3
1*
-
8.1
Low
6.9
1
.14
.06
<.l
<.01
<.o4
<.o4
170
2
1
3
2
7.9
High
10.1
2
.32
.19
.1
<.01
.1
.1
200
19
8
5
3
Q.k
Parameters
.0
Temperature ( CJ
$ Saturation
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Hardness
Conductivity
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Pecal Strep
Total Plate Count
20°C
Total Plate Count
<«»
NS
5
5
5
k
k
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
4
Avg.
16.5
88
-
4
1.6
4o
14
10
l4o
260
460
26
36
2,000
950
Low
12.0
72
<100
4
1.2
35
13
2
120
200
190
4
10.
1,500
620
High
22.5
98
1,000
5
2.0
46
17
18
150
290
3,500
130
51
2,700
1,400
-------
TABLE 11. WATER QUALITY DATA
Au Satle River Basin - 1965
Oscoda Harbor
H303
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Solo Phosphate
I
Total1 Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Suspo Solids
Chloride
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS
5
5
5
5
5
3
5
5
5
5
5
5
2
5
0
Avg.
10,8
1
.19
.20
.1
-
-
_
150
4
1
6
-
8»0
-
Low
9.2
1
.06
.05
.1
<.OL
^ OH-
< 0 nil.
130
0
0
4
<2
7o8
-
High
11.9
2
= 43
.51
.2
<.01
.6
.6
170
9
3
10
4
8.1
_
Parameters
Temperature ( C)
$ Saturation
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Hardness
Conductivity
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Strep
Total Plate Count
20°C
Total Plate Count
35°C
NS
5
5
5'
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
2
2
4
4
Avg^
13-0
102
-
4
1.7
28
10
17
110
220
18
-
-
510
210
Low
10.0
96
<100
4
1.2
24
8
7
96
180
<1
<1
1
l4o
4
High
20.0
106
800
5
2.0
35
12
36
140
260
130
2
2
2,800
600
-------
TABLE 11. WA.TER QUALITY DATA
Au Sable River Basin - 1965
Oscoda Harbor
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Solo Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Suspo Solids
Chloride
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS
5
5
5
5
5
3
5
5
5
5
5
5
.3
5
0
Avg.
10,9
1
• 19
• 15
-
-
-
-
130
5
2
7
-
8.0
Low
9-1
1
.10
<.05
<.i
-------
TABLE 12. WA.TER QUALITY DATA
Au Sable River Basin - 1965
1 "i '
Harrisvi.lle Harbor
H350
Parameter
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Sol. Phosphate
Total Solids'
Suspended Solids
Vol. Susp. Solids
Chloride
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS
4
4
4
4
4
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
1
4
0
Avg.
10.3
2
.17
.21
.2
-
-
-
130
10
2
5
<2
8.0
-
Low
8.8
1
.14
.11
.1
<.OL
<.o4
<.o4
130
6
2
5
-
7.8
-
High
11.7
2
.19a
.30
«3
<.OL
.08
.08
140
16
2
6
-
8.1
-
Parameter
NS
Temperature (°C) 4
$ Saturation 4
Total Iron 4
Sodium 3
Potassium 3
Calcium 4
Magnesium 4
Sulfate 4
Total Hardness 4
Conductivity 4
Total Coliform 4
Pecal Coliform 4
Fecal Strep 4
Total Plate Count 3
20°C
Total Plate Count 3
Avg. Low
13*0 10.5
98 92
200
4
1.9
28
9
18
100
200
90
12
7
4
1.4
26
9
13
92
180
<2
<2
4
3,800 1,600
380 89
High
19.0
109
300
5
2.4
30
9
21
110
210
29P
150
100
4,300
550
a - One value of 2.20 not used in computing the data.
-------
TABLE 12. WATER QUALITI DATA
Au Sable River Basin - 1965
Parameter
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Sol. Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspendbd Solids
Vol. Susp. Solids
Chloride
Phenol
pH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS
4
4
4
4
4
2
4
4
4
4
4
*
1
*
0
Harr
Avg.
11.0
2
.12
.19
.2
-
-
-
120
6
2
5
<2
7-9
-
Isville
H351
Low
9.8
1
• 05
.08
.1
<.01
<.04
<.o4
120
1
0
5
-
7«7
-
Harbor
High
11.9
2
.18
.28
• 3
<.01
»3
.06'
.20
10
4
5
-
8.1
-
Parameter _ NS
Temperature (°C) h
% Saturation h
Total Iron k
Sodium 2
Potassium 2
Calcium k
Magnesium 4
Sulfate 4
Total Hardness k
Conductivity 4
Total Coliform k
Fecal Coliform 4
Fecal Strep 3
Total Plate Count 3
200C
Total Plate Count 3
35°C
Avg. Low
12.5 10.0
104 97
200 <100
- k
30
2.0
27
98
15 8
98 9^
190 170
3 <2
<2 <1
100 52
57 7
High
18.0
108
2.1
36
9
19
100
200
7
<2
<2
220
90
NS = Number of Samples
-------
TABLE 12. WA.TER QUALITY DATA
Au Sable River Basin - 1965
Harrisville Harbor
H352
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Sol. Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Susp. Solids
Chloride
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS
4
4
4
4
4
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
2
4
0
Avg»
10.9
1
.12
.15
.2
-
-
-
120
5
4
5
-
7-9
Low
9.7
1
.05
.06
.1
<.01
<,04
<.o4
110
2
0
5
<2
7.8
High
11.8
2
.17
.30
• 3
<.01
.06
o06
130
8
7
6
4
8.0
Parameters
Temperature (°C)
% Saturation A
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Hardness
Conductivity
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Strep
Total Plate Count
20°C
Total Plate Count
35°C
NS
4
4
4
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
2
2
3
3
Avg.
12.0
102
100
4
1.6
27
9
21
97
190
<2
-
-
80
7
Low
10.0
96
<100
3
1.0
26
8
10
94
170
<1
-------
TABLE 12. WATER QUALITY DATA
Au Sable River Basin - 1965
Harrisville Harbor
H353
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Sol. Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Susp. Solids
Chloride
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS
4
4
4
4
4
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
2
4
0
Avg.
11.0
1
.20
.16
.1
-
-
-
120
7
3
5
-
7.9
-
Low
9-7
1
.06
.06
.1
<.01
<.o4
<.o4
110
5
i
5
<2
7.8
-
High
11-9
2
•38
•34
.1
<.01
1.6
1-3
130
10
*
5
3
8.1
-
Parameters
Temperature (°C)
% Saturation
Total Iron
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Hardness
Conductivity
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Strep
Total Plate Count
20°C
Total Plate Count
r\
NS
4
4
4
3
3
4
4
*
*
4
4
2
2
3
3
Avg'.
12-5
103
200
4
2-3
27
9
14
94
190
<2
-
-
140
12
Low
10.0
97
<100
4
1.3
24
8
11
90
170
-------
TABLE 12. WATER QUALITY DATA
Au Sable River Basin - 1965
Harrisville Harbor
H351*
\J\
ro
Parameter
Dissolved Oxygen
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Ammonia Nitrogen
Organic Nitrogen
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrite Nitrogen
Total Phosphate
Total Sol. Phosphate
Total Solids
Suspended Solids
Vol. Susp. Solids
Chloride
Phenol
PH
Chemical Oxygen Demand
NS
k
k
k
k
k
2
k
k
k
k
k
k
2
k
0
Avg.
10,5
3
.25
.25
.2
-
-
-
170
35
6
5
-
8.0
Low
9.3
2
.18
.15
.1
<.01
.oV
<.<*
llK)
10
0
5
<2
7.7
High
11.8
6
.38
.38
• 3
'.01
,6
.k
220
9*
15
5
k
8.3
Parameter
Temperature (°c)
$ Saturation
Total Iron
Sodium •
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfate
Total Hardness
Conductivity
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Strep
Total Plate Count
20°C
Total Plate Count
35°C
NS
k
]i
K
3
3-
k
k
k
k
k
k
3
3
3
3
Avg.
13-5
101
300
k
1.8
28
9
16
100
210
19
16
18
2,000
270
Low
10oO
92
<100
k
i.U
2k
9
12
100
180
<1
<2
2
1,500
190
High
20.0
112
900
5
2.1
32
10
19
110
220
350
131
6k
2,600
580
-------
TABLE 13. BIOLOGICAL DATA - PIHSICAL OBSERVATIONS
Au Sable River Basin - 196^-1965
Average Depth
Station ( feet ) _
Au Sable River
Y010 8
' Y014 7
Y020 7
Nearshore Oscoda
H301
H303
20
15
Nearshore Earrisville
H351 20
H352 31
H353 21
Average
Secehi.Disc
(feet)
6
6
3
3
13
15
15
Bottom Types
Sandj, detritus
Sand
Sand, gravel, rock
Sand
Sand
Sand
Sand
Sand, silt
Rock
53
-------
TABLE l^o BIOLOGICAL DATA - BMTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATE3
Au Sable River Basin
196k - 1965
(Organisms per Square Foot)
vn
Station/
Date
Sludge -
worms
Hearshore Oscoda
H301
V21/65
H303
V21/65
11
3
Finger -
Blood- Sow Snails nail May- Caddis
worms bugs Pulau ProsOo Clams Scuds flies flies Others*
4 - (s)X
3 - (e)X
Total
15
6
Au Sable River
Y010
7/13/65
9/16/65
10/22/&
4/21/65
7/13/65
9/16/65
_
-
1
-
3
•H*
36 - 9 6 9 X 11 (J)15
.&£££. cK»!E- &*$&, 4gja.
iK X — •• •• (ft ^V TVtV oo *5 iV OB
3 3 (a)l
3
10--- x«---
123-.- -_«•-_
86
—
8
3
13
15
* See explanation, page 56
** Present only in qualitative samples
X- Less tHan one per square foot
-------
TABLE 14. BIOLOGICAL BA.TA - BMTHIC MCR032TVERTEBMTES
Au Sable River Basin
1964 - 1965
(brgariisms per Square Foot)
VJl
1
Station/ Sludge -
Date. worms
Au Sable River (Cont'c
Y020
10/22/64 1
4/21/65 1
7/13/65 **
9/16/65 **
Near shore Harris ville
' H351
7/13/65 4
H353
7/13/65 96
-
Blood- Sow Snails
worms bugs Pulnu Proso<,
il
24 1
29
35 9 • -
24 - ** -
16
36 - - x
Finger-
nail May- Caddis
Clams Scuds flies flies
6 6 3
1 - 11 <
•(
Other* Total
r l,(k)4 43
5 1 (b)l 44
I'X
6 9 1 11 (3)15 (n)** 86
3 14 97 (,
J)li8 .- 186
X 1 (e)X 21
73-- (e)37 179
* See explanation^ page 56
** Present only in qualitative samples
X- Less than one per square foot
-------
EXPLANATION LIST FOR
BMTffiCC MA.CE033TVERTIBRA.TES (Table
a° Ceratopogonidae
"b c Tipulldae
c. Hirudinea
do Turbellaria
eo Nematoda
f. ^rdracarina
g. Anisoptera
h» Corlxidae
1. KLmidae
j. Diptera
k. Coleoptera
1. Zygoptera
mo Plecoptera
n» Decapoda
o. Hemiptera
p. Porlfera
q. Isopoda
TO Lumbriculidae
So Cladocera
-------
TABLE 15. BIOLOGICAL DATA - PHYTOPLANKTQN
Au Sable River Basin
October 1964~Wovember 1965
Numbers per Milliliter
Blue- Blue- Green Brown Predominant
Station/ Centric Pennate Green Green Green Fila- Flag- Flag- Genera
Date Diatoms Diatoms Coccoids Goccoids mentous elletes elletes Total (10$ or more)*
Hearshore Oscoda
H301
T/13/65 1,260 1,340 800 20
H302
T/13/65 250 500 130 hO
H303
4/21/65 340 500 40
T/13/65 to 34o 4o 20
H304
7/13/65 80 340 100
40 4o 3,500 a,f,z
60 80 20 1,080 a,h,f
10,900 - 11,780 z
20 - kO 500 f,l,e'
20 20 hO 600 a,e,s
Au Sable River
Y010
2/24/65 300 60
4/12/65 150 380
4/16/65 130 130 ho
5/13/65 hho hoo 60
6/10/65 150 100 ho
7/7/65 80 270 ho
7/13/65 360 230 230
10/20/65 270 130 20
11/30/65 130 190 20
ho
170
7,060
100
80 - hho a,z
250 - 780 la,a,f,g,h
7,360 w
250 20 1,170 a,z
210 230 730 la,a,y
400 60 890 z,i
1,090 s,g
340 - 760 y
80 - 420 a,c,z
-------
vn
CD
TABLE 15. BIOLOGICAL DATA ,- PHYTOPLANKTQN
Au Sable River Basin
October 1964-November 1965
Numbers per Milliliter
Blue- Blue-
Station/ Centric Pennate Green Green Green Fila-
Date Diatoms Diatoms Coceoids Coccoids mentous .
Green Brown Predominant
Flag- Flag- Genera
elletes elletes Total ( 10$ or more)*
Au Sable River ( Cont'd)
Y014
10/22/64
4/21/65
9/16/65
Y020
4/21/65
7/13/65
9/16/65
110
270
230
80
190
190
150 - 20
270
150 20 20 20
210 - - 7,850
170 20 -
20 20 -
1,140 - 1,420 z
540 a,g,h
440 g,a
40 8,180 v
380 a,h,e
230 a
Nearshore Harrisville ....,:
H350
7/13/65
H352
7/13/65
360 3,
_
46o 270 20
60 4o -
440 4,550 g,h,la
20 120 -
H353
7/13/65 130 270 360 - 20-60 840 a
*See explanation list, page 59
-------
EKPLAHA.HOT LIST FOR . "
PEEDCMIHANT PHXTOPLAUKTCH GENERA. (Table 15)
Centric Diatoms Brown Flagellates
a. Cyclotella - Stephanodiscus la. Dinobryon
b „ Rhi zo solenia
Pennate Diatoms
Co
do
Co
f.
g«
h.
1." '
J °
k.
Asterionella
Diatoma
Fragilaria
Gomphonema
Navicula
Nitzschia
Synedra
Tabellaria
Unidentified
Green Coccoids
1= ". Actinastrum
m. Ankistrodesmus
n. Closteritm
o . Coelsphaeritm
p . Golerikinia
q_» Gomphosphaeria
TO Oocystis
So Scenedesmus
t o Tetraedon
Blue -Green Coeeoids
..u. Anacystis
Blue -Green Filamentous
v. Oscillatoria
w. Phormidium
Green Flagellates
x« Euglena
y. Trachelomonas
z. Unidentified
-------
TABLE 16. BIOLOGICAL DATA. - ATTACHED ALGAE
Au Sable River Basin
1964 _ 1965
Station Date Vegetation Type
Y010 9/16/65 No vegetation observed
Y014 10/22/64 No visible algae or slime
9/16/65 No vegetation observed, small
amount of green algae on rocks
Y020 10/7/64 No emergent vegetation
10/22/64 No vegetation or algae
4/21/65 Mougeotia sp_<.
7/13/65 No vegetation
9/16/65 No emergent vegetation
60
-------
TABLE 17. WITER QUALITY DATA. - RADIOACTIVITY - 1965
Au Sable River Basin
Au Sable River
Y010 Y190
Parameters
Dissolved
ALPHA.
Error
BETA
Error
Suspended
ALPHA
Error
BETA
Error
NS*
3
3
3
,3
,3
3
3
3
Avg. Low
0.05 0«05
1.3 0.7
^5 3»2
2.9 1.5
0.05 0.05
0.5 0.2
0.27 0-.05
2.1 0.8
High
0.05
2.2
5«9
5o5
0.05
1.1
0.70
U.5
US*3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
* Avg. Low High NS Avg. Low High
0.05 -
0.8
0.05
1.5
0.05
0.2
0.05
0.8
* Y010 - Results from 5 samples composited into 3=
** Y190 - Results from 2 samples composited into 1.
-------
ON
ro
Parameters
Dissolved
ALPHA
Error
BETA
Error
Suspended
ALPHA
Error
BETA
Error
IABLE I8o WAITER QUALITY DATA - RADIOACTIVITY
Au Sable River Basin
Oscoda Nearshore
-1965
H301
NS* Avg. Low
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
High
0.7
3*6
1.4
0.7
-------
TABLE l8o WVTER QUALITY DATA -RADIOACTIVITY
Au Sable River Basin
Oscoda Nearshore
- 1965
H304
ON
Parameters
Dissolved
ALPHA
Error
BETA
Error
Suspended
ALPHA
Error
BETA
Error
US* Avg. Low High WS Avg. Low High HS Avg, Low High
2 - <0.05 <0.05
2 - 0,6 0.7
2 - 3=6 5°2
2 -'l.l* 1.5
2 - <0.05 Oo30
2 - Oo3 Ook
2 - 0.2 0»2
2 - 0<,8 0=8
* H304 - Results from 5 samples composited into 2=
-------
ON
.TABLE 19. WATER QUALITY DATA - RADIQACHVITy - 1965
Au Sable River Basin
Harrisville Nearshore
H350
Parameters
Dissolved
ALPHA
Error
BETA
Error ,
Suspended
ALPHA
Error
BETA
Error
NS* Avgo
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Low High
<0o05 <0.05
0.5 0.7
2,2 3°9
1.4 1.4 -
-------
TABLE 19'. WATER QUALITY DA.TA - RADIOACTIVITY
Au Sable River Basin
Harrisville Kearshore
o\
vn
Parameters
Dissolved
ALPHA.
Error
BETA
Error
Suspended
ALPHA.
Error
BETA.
Error
NS*
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
H353
Avg. Low
<0»05
0.5
3=3
l.fc
-------
WA.TER QtlALITT PROBEM3
Areas of degraded water quality were found below cities in the
interior of the "basin and immediate harbor areas at Oscoda. There were
no significant sources of pollution to Lake Huron in the Au Sable -
Oscoda area.except those discharging to the Au Sable River., Those
sources in the immediate area included the discharge from individual
septic systems and plane washings effluent from Wurtsmith Air Force
Base sewage treatment plant, storm runoff j, and urban drainage.,
Wastes from municipalities and other sources in the upper parts
of the basin had a deleterious effect on water quality. These included
the conservative pollutants such as chlorides^ and the semiconservative
pollutants such as nutrients which persist in the stream through many
cycles. These contaminants have not resulted in gross pollution but have
created problems in local areas., The fact that the Au Sable River
( i
demands the highest water quality, because of its prime recreational
use for trout fishing and canoeing^ makes the addition of even the
slightest pollution a problem. The mitrients from the waste effluents
of Grayling and Roscommon have been cited as the principal cause of the
increased algal levels in the stream. To these point sources must be
added the many incremental sources which are increasing rapidly along
the banks of the mainstream and tributaries from recreational
development. Septic tank systems add a considerable nutrient load to
the stream. The attractiveness of the stream is now threatened by
those who come to the area to en^oy the waters. It may be expected
66
-------
that present quantities of wastes generated in the basin will increase
significantly in the future. Projections indicate that waste from
municipal systems will double by 1990 and more than quadruple by 2020.
In the adjacent Lake Huron shoreline area, a significant potential
source of pollution exists less than a mile north of Harrisville. This
is the submerged pipeline •which extended li miles from shore. Fuel
tankers anchor in the 3° to 35-feet deep water, engage and raise the
flexible end of the pipeline, and pump the cargo to a fuel farm located
onshore. On November 13, 1966 > a tanker carrying jet fuel, to supply
Wurtsmith Air Force Base, accidently cut the pipeline with its anchor
pumping 162,000 gallons of jet fuel into the water. Fortunately, this
fuel was volatile and no lasting effects occurred. However, a heavier
fuelf such as bunker or crude oil, would have caused considerable
damage to the -aquatic environment and the shoreline.
There were no significant sources of pollution nor were there any
major water quality problems in the shoreline tributaries to Lake Huron.
67
------- |