Report On
COEUR D'ALENE RIVER SURVEY
May 12-17, 1970
-------
Report On
COEUR D'ALENE RIVER SURVEY
May 12-17, 1970
By
Gary O'Neal
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION X
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
January 1972
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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 1
t
Objectives 1
STUDY PLAN «. 2
Timing 2
Personnel 2
Station Locations and Sampling Frequency 3
River Sampling 3
Lake Sampling 5
SAMPLE HANDLING AND ANALYTICAL PROCEDURES 7
Sample Handling 7
Collection 7
Documentation 7
Preservation 8
Analytical Procedures 8
Field Analyses 8
Laboratory Analyses 9
RESULTS 11
River Stations 11
Lake Stations 11
Effluent Samples . . . ." 17
DATA FROM OTHER SURVEYS 20
Biological Data ' 20
Heavy Metals Data j 21
pH Levels • 21
DISCUSSION '• 25
Source and Distribution of Heavy Metals in the Coeur d'Alene
System 25
Significance of Metals Levels 29
Public Health 29
Biological Effects 30
CONCLUSIONS 32
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LIST OF FIGURES
1 RIVER SAMPLING STATIONS 4
2 LAKE SAMPLING STATIONS 6
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LIST OF TABLES
:l GENERAL WATER QUALITY DATA FOR RIVER SAMPLING STATIONS. ... 12
2 HEAVY METALS LEVELS AT RIVER SAMPLING STATIONS 5/12/70 -
5/17/70 13
«
3 FLOW DATA 14
4 METALS LEVELS AT FOUR SELECTED RIVER STATIONS "... 15
5 HEAVY METALS DATA FROM COEUR D'ALENE LAKE 16
6 GENERAL WATER QUALITY DATA FOR COEUR D'ALENE LAKE 18
7 WATER QUALITY OFFICE DATA ON MINING WASTE DISCHARGES 19
8 HEAVY METALS DATA FROM SURVEYS BY OTHER AGENCIES 22
9 WASTE CHARACTERISTIC DATA FROM IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
SURVEYS 23
10 ESTIMATES OF DISSOLVED ZINC LOAD CARRIED BY STREAMS 27
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INTRODUCTION
The intensive mining activities on the South Fork of the
Coeur d'Alene River have been, for over 80 years, a major source of
pollution in the Coeur d'Alene River-Spokane River system. In 1968,
the first phase of a clean-up program was completed with the install-
ation of tailings ponds at all active mining operations. This re-
sulted in a dramatic improvement in the aesthetic appearance of the
South Fork and mainstem Coeur d'Alene River. Surveillance data
taken since 1968, however, indicate that high levels of dissolved
metals are still present, both in the Coeur d'Alene River and in
the Spokane River below Lake Coeur d'Alene. Regulatory Programs re-
quested a study to further document these high levels. This report
presents a summary of the findings of this survey and recent work
done in the area by other investigators.
Objectives
The objectives of this survey were to:
1. Document levels of selected heavy metals and other
r
water quality parameters in the Coeur d'Alene River-Spokane
River system during high flow conditions.
2. To verify that the primary source of the heavy metals
is the mining activity on the South Fork of the Coeur d'Alene
River.
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STUDY PLAN
Timiryg
The study was planned to document conditions on the Coeur d'Alene-
* «
Spokane River system during high flow conditions. Metals concentra-
tions would be lowest during this period due to the large •amount of
dilution available. Concentrations would be higher during low-flow
summertime conditions. It was reasoned that if high levels of metals
were found during high flow it could be inferred that detrimental con-
ditions existed throughout the year.
Streamflow records of the U. S. Geological Survey indicated that
maximum flows occurred annually during the month of May. The survey
was therefore planned for the period May 12-17, 1970.
Personnel
A survey team of four people was set up to conduct the study.
All team members were, and still are, members of the Technical
Assistance and Investigations Branch, Technical Programs, Northwest
Region, Water Quality Office, Environmental Protection Agency.
Personnel on the team are listed below:
Gary O'Neal - Sanitary Engineer - Team Leader
William Schmidt - Sanitary Engineer
Richard Wagner - Aquatic Biologist
Robert Ralston - Survey Boat Operator
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Station Locations and Sampling Frequency
River Sampling
A total of fifteen river sampling stations were established for the
survey. Three stations were located on the Spokane Elver between Lake
Coeur d'Alene and the Washington-Idaho State line. Eleven stations
were located on the Coeur d'Alene River, seven of these on the South
Fork. One station was located on the St. Joe River. Figure 1 indi-
cates the station locations. These stations were selected to provide
a profile of metals concentrations from above all mining operations
to the Washington State line, and to determine the quality in the
North Fork Coeur d'Alene and the St. Joe Rivers. There are no active
mining operations in these two basins and the metals concentrations
in the North Fork and the St. Joe should be indicative of background
levels in the area.
The frequency of sampling was varied depending upon location.
Stations on the Coeur d'Alene River were sampled daily for five con-
secutive days. The three Spokane River stations were sampled on three
days, and the St. Joe River was sampled twice. The reduced frequency
for the Spokane and St. Joe stations was based on the assumption that
the metals levels in streams would be less subject to possible fluctu-
ations than those on the Coeur d'Alene. Sampling times for the
stations on the Coeur d'Alene were varied throughout the day to eval-
uate the possible effect of fluctuations in waste discharges.
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L RIVER SAMPLING STATIONS
Sampling
Hi
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Lake Sampling
Three sampling ranges were established in Lake Coeur d'Alene
to provide some indication of the heavy metals distribution throughout
the lake (see Figure-2). Łach range consisted of three stations which
were sampled at three depths. These sampling stations were visited
once during the survey. A body of water the size of Lake Coeur d'Alene
is not subject to short-term fluctuations in water quality, and one
sampling run was deemed sufficient.
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FIGURE 2. LAKE SAMPLING STATINS
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SAMPLE HANDLING AND ANALYTICAL PROCEDURES
Sfunnle Handling
Collection
• *
At each river sampling station,, three clean plastic containers
were filled (two one-liter samples and one 500 milliliter sample).
At all but two stations this was accomplished by hand from shore.
The containers were filled directly from the river and sampling
equipment was not used. At Stations 2 and 3 the samples were col-
lected with a Kemmerer water sampler and immediately transferred to
the three sample containers. The Kemmerer was also used for all
samples collected in the lake.
Documentation
All sample containers were tagged at the time of filling. The
• information recorded on the tags included project, date, time,
station, laboratory identification number, preservation, and depth
(where appropriate). The same information was recorded in a field
book, along with any observations and the results of the,field
analyses. The field notes are presently located in the project files
of the Technical Assistance and Investigations Branch, Office of
Technical Programs, Water Quality Office, Environmental Protection
Agency.
At the conclusion of the field survey, samples for laboratory
analyses were transported to the Pacific Northwest Water Laboratory
by survey personnel. At the laboratory the samples were logged in and
then held in a sample storage room until the analyses were performed.
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Preservation
Preservation methods depend upon the analyses to be performed.
The laboratory analyses required for these samples were total hard-
ness and total and dissolve'd concentrations of zinc, iron, lead, and
copper. The samples for total hardness did not require preservation.
Those for metals analyses were preserved by adding 25 milliliters of
concentrated nitric acid (KNOn) per liter of sample. In the case of
the samples for dissolved metals, the samples were filtered through
a 0.45 micron membrane filter prior to addition of the acid preserva-
tive. This filter size has been established as the dividing line
between dissolved and particulate metals. The preservation measures
used for these samples were specified by the Chief Chemist,
Consolidated Laboratory Services, Pacific Northwest Water Laboratory
(PNWL) located in Corvallis, Oregon.
Analytical Procedures
Field Analyses
Field determinations were made on all samples for the following
r
parameters: temperature, pH, alkalinity, and conductivity. In addi-
tion, dissolved oxygen analyses were made for all lake samples. The
analytical procedures used for these procedures are outlined below.
If a standard method was used, only the appropriate reference is
cited.
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1. "Temperature
2. pH
3. Alkalinity
4. Conductivity
5. Dissolved Oxygen
Either bucket or in situ tempera-
tures were taken with a standard
mercury laboratory thermometer.
The pH determinations were made
using either a Porto-matic pH
Meter Model 175 (Instrumentation
Laboratory, Inc.) or a Beckman
Model G pH Meter (Beckman
Instruments, Inc.). Frequent
.checks on the calibration were made
using standard buffer solutions.
The alkalinity analyses were conducted
according to the method specified in
the 12th Edition, Standard Methods
for the Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 1965. The endpoint for
the titration was determined with a
pH meter. Distilled water for dilution
was transported from the laboratory.
Conductivity determinations were made
using a Beckman Model RB-3-327
Conductivity Meter.
The azide modification of the iodo-
metric method as specific in the 12th
Edition of Standard Methods was used.
Standardized reagents were prepared in
advance in the laboratory. A 300
milliliter sample rather than a 200
milliliter sample was used for titra-
tion. Samples were carried through the
first two reagent additions in the boat
and then were brought to shore for
acidification and
Laboratory Analyses *'
The analyses conducted at the laboratory were total hardness, total
and dissolved metals. The methods used for these analyses are outlined
te """•
below:
1. Total hardness Hardness analyses were made using
the EDTA titration method specified
in the i2th Edition of Standard
Methods.
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10
2.. ^Metals All metals analyses were conducted
, using the atomic absorption methods
outlined in 'F.-.~?A Methods for Chemical
Analysis of Water and Wastes—
November 1969. Where conductivity
•indicated low concentrations of dis-
solved constituents, the samples were
concentrated by evaporation prior to
analysis.
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11
RESULTS
• (
River Stations
The data from the river sampling is summarized in Tables 1 and
2. Table 1 covers temperature, pH, alkalinity, conductivity, and
hardness. Table 2 presents the heavy metals data. Flows during the
sampling period were high and considerable day-to-day variation was
noted. Daily flow values at pertinent USGS gaging sites are
presented in Table 3.
In addition to the metals data shown in Table 2, four of the
y:>
samples taken were analyzed for a total of 12 metals. The purpose of
the increased number of analyses for these samples was to gain some
insight into the relative proportions of all the common metals in
these waters. These data are shown in Table 4.
Lake Stations
A summary of the heavy metals data from the lake stations is
shown in Table 5. The locations of the sampling ranges are shown
in Figure- 2. In addition to showing the general trend of metals
*•
values through the lake, the data indicate a definite layering of
flow in the upper end of the lake. This'is particularly ..npticeable
when comparing the one-foot and the sixty-foot values at range R4.
The detailed data used to prepare Table 5 also showed significant
lateral variation in metals levels at a given depth and range. This
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TABLE 1. GENERAL WATER QUALITY DATA FOR RIVER SAMPLING STATIONS
Total Hardness
Number
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Station
Location
Spokane R. at Washington
State line.
Spokane R. near Post Falls.
Spokane R. at Lake Coeur
d'Alene.
Coeur d'Alene R. at Lake
Coeur d'Alene.
Coeur d'Alene River at Rose
Lake.
Coeur d'Alene River at
Cataldo.
S. Fork Coeur d'Alene R.
at Enaville.
N. Fork Coeur d'Alene R.
at Enaville.
S. Fork Coeur d'Alene R.
at Smelterville.
S. Fork Coeur d'Alene R.
one mile below Big Creek.
S. Fork Coeur d'Alene R.
at west edge of Wallace.
S. Fork Coeur d'Alene R.
at Golconda.
S. Fork Coeur d'Alene R.
above Lucky Friday Mine.
St. Joe River below St.
•No. of
Samples AVE. Temp. °C
3 9.0
3 9.0
3 10.0
5 9.0
. 5 8.0
.5 7.0
5 8.0
5 7.0
5 7.0
5 7.0
5 5.5
"*'• 5 * 5.0
5 5.5
2
AVR.
6.6
6.4
6.4
6.3
6.3
6.4
6.1
6.5
5.9
6.2
6.2
6.3
6.6
6.5
PH
Max.
6.8
6.6
6.6
6.8
7.0
6.7
6.4
6.7
6.4
6.7
6.7
6.8
6.9
6.7
Min.
6.4
6.3
6.2
5.4
5.6
5.9
5.7
6.0
5.3
5.3
5.4
5.8
6.0
6.3
Alkalinity,,
AVK. Max.
20
20
19
17
17
18
20
19
27
28
30
33
31
19
20
21
19
17
19
20
22
20
30
39
34
37
42
20
mg/l
Min.
18
18
18
16
14
13
17
17
18
21
17
23'
.18
18
mg/l as CaCO"} Conductivity, umhos
Avg.
32
26
27
25
27
23
41
21
48
41
39
36
28
21
Max.
42
29
28
32
33
28
49
30
57
49
48
47
32
25
Min.
29
24
26
21
21
A
18
26
14
29
30
31
25
17
17
AVR.
72
72
76
67
65
62
112
47
126
118
98
79
65
55
Max.
80
80
80
69
68
70
136
52
150
138
110
90
80
60
Min.
67
•*
66
68
62
59
57
81
45
86
90
75
68
50
50
Maries, Idaho,'
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TABLE 2. HEAVY METALS LEVELS AT RIVER SAMPLING STATIONS 5/12/70-5/17/70
DISSOLVED METALS CONCENTRATIONS, ug/1
Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
12
13
14
15
Station
Location
Spokane R. at Washington
State line.
Spokane R. near Post Falls
Spokane R. at Lake Coeur
d'Alene
Coeur d'Alene R. at Lake
Coeur d'Alene
Coeur d'Alene R. at Rose
Lake
Coeur d'Alene R. at Cataldo
S. Fork Coeur d'Alene R. at
Enaville
N. Fork Coeur d'Alene R. at
Enaville
S. Fork Coeur d'Alene R. at
Smelterville
S. Fork Coeur d'Alene R.
one mile below Big Creek
S. Fork Coeur d'Alene R. at
west edge of Wallace
S. Fork Coeur d'Alene R.
at Golconda ' ' *
S. Fork Coeur d'Alene R.
above Lucky Friday Mine
St. Joe River below St. Maries
No, of
Samples
3
3
3
5
5
5
5
5-
5
5
5
5
5
2
AVR.
370
370
380
*540
540
520
2220
23
1920
1080
1320
120
10
10
Zinc
Max.
380
410
410
600
660
610
2800
36
2350
1250
1500
140
12
10
Min.
360
350
350
390
430
430
1200
20
940
640
900
90
10
10
AVE.
13
33
22
51
38
48
76
10
*86
*107
149
24
17
14
Lead
Max.
15
70
35
130
90
120
220
15
185
195
450
35
45
18
« »
Min.
10
15
15
25
20
23
20
5
25
38
48
15
5
10
AVR.
85
78
.83
*296
358
511
685
218
*925
570
449
460
*92
170
Iron
Max.
90
78
108
620
1000
1320
1620
540
1620
1260
1520
1680
160
220
Min.
78
78
58
64
128
*
136
124 '
56
440
106
84
74
59
120
AVE.
6
8
9
8
5
5
5
4
*6
6 .
9
5
6
3
Copper
Max.
10
a
15 .
19
17
7
7
9
5
7
7
11
7
8
3
Min.
3
.3
3
4
4
4
3
3
3
5
8
4
3
3
* 4 samples
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TABLE 3. FLOW DATA
Flow, cubic ft/second
Location 5/12/70 5/13/70 5/14/70 5/15/70 5/16/70 5/17/70
*Spokane River at
Post Falls
N. Fork Coeur d'Alene
River at Enaville
(Station 8) 5,920 5,100 - 4,470 5,420 8,610
S. Fork Coeur d'Alene
River at Smelter-
ville (Station 9) 825 760 - 645 970 2,190
S. Fork Coeur d'Alene
River at Silverton
(above Station 10) 472 393 336 387 596 1,130
* USGS data presently unavailable,
f >
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TABLE 4. METALS LEVELS AT FOUR SELECTED
RIVER STATIONS*
Total Metals Concentration, /ig/1
Parameter
Sodium
Potassium
Cadmium
Chromium
Cobalt
Copper
Iron '
Lead
Manganese
Molybdenum
Zinc *'. ••'
* Station 1
Station 4
Station 7
Station 8
Sta. 1
1.6
0.8
4.5
2
<2
4
360
28
122
17
440
= Spokane River
= Coeur d'Alene
= S. Fork Coeur
= N. Fork Coeur
.Sta. 4
1.5
0.6
6.5
3
<2
2.5
430
50
166
17
630
below Washington
River at Harrison
d'Alene River at
d'Alene River at
Sta. 7
2.5
0.8
58
2
<4
• 7
1000
180
800
<17
2900
State line.
Bridge.
Enaville.
Enaville.
Sta. 8
1.3
0.5
1.5
2*
<2
6
190
7.5
5
25
20
*
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'TABLE 5. HEAVY METALS DATA FROM COEUR D'ALENE LAKE
Metals Concentrations,
Zinc Lead Iron Copper
Sampling Range Depth, ft. Total Diss Total Diss Total Diss Total Diss
Rl 1 450 390* 43 15* 790 100* 12 12*
35 440 370 48 15 710 120 12.5 8.5
75 ' 510 410* 42 18 510 122 26 28
R4 1
30
60
R5 1
25
50
130
260
550
50
170
460
120
230
410
40*
140
500*
39
39
113
14
25
33
13
22
23
13*
16
20*
84 Q
550
1920
400
500
600
99
130
850
76*
390
200*
5
8
15
4
10
15
6
5
8
4*
7
6*
* Data represents one grab sample. All other data represents average
of three samples.
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17
was also more apparent at the upper end of the'lake. These depth
and lateral variations were also shown by conductivity data.
Alkalinity, pH, total hardness and dissolved oxygen also showed
•«
some variations, but 'generally the values fell within a narrow range.
The average, maximum, and minimum for these parameters are._shown in
Table 6.
Effluent Samples
In addition to the lake and river stations, samples have been
collected at several different points to characterize waste contri-
butions from some of the mining activities along the South Fork. The
data from these stations are presented in Table 7. Of particular
interest are the very high metals levels in the drainage from the
smelter areas and the wide variations in characteristics of the pond
discharges.
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'TABLE 6. GENERAL WATER QUALITY DATA FOR COEUR D'ALENE LAKE
Parameter No. of Samples Average Maximum Minimum
Alkalinity, mg/1 as CaC03 27 20 26 18
Total Hardness, mg/1 as CaC03 27 24 33 17
pH 27 6.8 7.2 6.5
Dissolved Oxygen, mg/1 12 10.8 11.9 10.4
Conductivity, /amhos 27 61 80 43
oo
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TABLE 7. WATER QUALITY OFFICE DATA ON MINING WASTE DISCHARGES
Metals concentrations,
Zinc
Station Location
Silver King Creek below old Smelterville*
Kellogg Road includes wastes from Bunker Hill
Corp-, lead and zinc smelter
Ditch draining slag pile area at Bunker Hill Corp.
Effluent from Sunshine Mine tailings pond
Effluent from Galena Mine tailing pond 3
Effluent from Galena Mine tailing pond 4
Lake Creek below Galena Mine tailings ponds
Effluent from Star Mine tailings ponds
Nine Mile Creek below Day Rock tailings ponds
Effluent from Lucky Friday Mine tailings ponds
Date
5/15-16/70
11/19/70
1/12/71
5/16/71
5/15/70
11/18/70
11/18/70
11/18/70
11/18/70
11/18/70
11/18/70
11/18/70
pH Total
2.9 50
2.0 165
106
5.4 13.3
10.5 .07
.13
.03
.22
.12
7.0 .78
10.8
.31
Diss.
46
165
98
12.1
.02
.04
.07
.21
.11
.67
10.6
.06
Lend Cadmium
Total
8.2
10.0
15.0
2.6
.18
•
.28
.25
.50
Diss. Total Diss.
* *
4.2
3.9 2.5 2.4
6.8 5.0 4.8
0.4
.05
.06
.15 .04 .04
<.10
Copper Mercury
Total
.14
.22
.10
.07
.06
.63
.03
.07
2.07
.04
Diss. Total Diss.
.14
.15 .165
.320 <.0001
.03
.01
<.01 .016
.56
.03
.06
1.95
.04 .0005
.0005
*Average of 2 samples
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20
DATA FROM OTHER SURVEYS
i i
Due to the known water quality problems, there have been numerous
i
studies on the Coeur d'Alene River system in recent years. The re-
sults of these studies are summarized below and compared with the data
from the EPA survey conducted in May, 1970.
Biological Data
The State Health Department in Idaho has conducted a number of
studies in the Coeur d'Alene area. Most recent of these were surveys
conducted in September of 1969 and May and August of 1970. These
surveys involved an assessment of the stream biology and water quality
for the Coeur d'Alene River and the Spokane River to the Washington
State line.
The biological data indicates a considerable improvement over
conditions prior to completion of the tailings ponds at the active
mining operations. Some organisms were found at all stations. The
diversity and number of organisms at stations on the North Fork of
the Coeur d'Alene River and on the South Fork above all mining activity
consistently indicated a low .degree of pollution. Other .stations on
»-
the South Fork and the mainstem Coeur d'Alene below Enaville had the
low diversity and numbers indicative of a highly polluted stream.
Data on the Spokane River at the Washington State line also indicated
a relatively low diversity.
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21
Heavy Metals Data
r t
Extensive sampling for heavy metals analyses has been carried on
by both the Idaho Department of Health and the University of Idaho
College of Mines. Data from State surveys in May and August of 1970
and a university survey in September are available. The results for
the main river stations are presented in Table 8. The values are not
strictly comparable in that there are differences in both analytical
methods and sampling points. The May survey represents high flow
conditions, while those in August and September represent low flow.
Comparison of the data for May 26 with the EPA data in Table 2 for the
same general period shows a very good comparison.
Some samples have also been collected by the Idaho Department of
Health on the effluents from several of the tailings ponds in the area
and/or in nearby receiving streams. These sables were taken during
surveys of May and August, 1970. The results of the analyses of dis-
solved metals for these samples are presented in Table 9. As with the
EPA data shown in Table 7, these results indicate wide seasonal fluctu-
ations in metals levels in the pond effluents.
pH Levels
Data on pH is also available from both the Idaho Department of
h,
Health survey and the Idaho Bureau of Mines survey. The Health
Department data shows pH values between 6.9 and 8.3 for all stations
sampled during both the May high flow period and August low flows.
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TABLE 8. HEAVY METALS DATA FROM SURVEYS BY OTHER AGENCIES
Metals Concentrations.mg/l
Station
Spokane R. at Washington State Line
Coeur d'Alene River at Lake Coeur d'Alena
Coeur d'Alene River at Rose Lake
North Pork Coeur d'Alene River at Enaville
South Fork Coeur d'Alene River at Enaville
Y •
South Fork Coeur d'Alene River at Smelterville
(below Bunker Hill discharges)
South Fork Coeur d'Alene River above Kellogg
(above Bunker Hill discharges)
South Fork Coeur- d'Alene near Osborn
South Fork Coeur d'Alene below Wallace
South Fork Coeur d'Alene between Wallace
and Mullan
South Fork Coeur d'Alepp Rl^/er above Lucky
Friday Mine
Date!/
5/26/70
8/19/70
9/14/70?/
5/26/70
8/19/70
9/14/70
5/26/70
8/19/70
9/14/70
5/26/70
8/19/70
9/14/70
5/26/70
8/19/70
9/14/70
5/26/70
8/19/70
9/14/70
5/26/70
8/19/70
9/14/70
9/14/70
5/26/70
8/19/70
9/14/70
5/26/70
8/19/70
9/14/70
Zinc
0.230
0.014
2.7
0.600
3.21
3.6
<0.010
<0.001
<0.2
1.650
22.720
14.8
2.550
16.125
21.0
0.880
1.685
2.0
0.950
1.733
1.6
2.9
0.040
0.158
0.4
<0.010
CO. 001
<0.2
Copper
<0.010
<0.00\
0.010
<0.001
<0.010
<0.001
0.020
0.011
0.010
<0.001
<0.010
<0.001
o.oio
<0.001
0.010
<0.001
0.010
<0.001
Lead
<0.01
0.06
0.06
0.18
<0.01
<0.01
0.70
0.92
0.87
0.13
0.68
0.08
0.79
<0.01
0.07
<0.0l
<0.01
<0.01
Cadmium
<0.010
<0.001
i
0.060
0.021
<0.010
0.006
0.010
0.301
0;020
0.212
0.010
<0.001
<0.010
0.017
<0.010
<0.001
<0.010
0.016
_!/ May and August dates represent Idaho State Department of Health data; September date represent
University of Idaho data.
2/ All values for 9/14/70 were taken from a graphical data presentation in Ref. No. ( ).
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TABLE 9. WASTE CHARACTERISTIC DATA FROM IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SURVEYS
Dissolved Metals Concentrations, mg/1
Station
Silver King Creek
below Bunker Hill
smelters
Effluent from Sunshine
Mine tailings pond
Lake Creek below
Galena Mine tailings
ponds
Effluent from Star
Mine tailings ponds
*
Canyon Creek below
Star Mine ponds
Nine Mile Creek below
Day Rock and Rex Mines
Nine Mile Creek below
Rex Mine and above
Date
5/26/70
8/19/70
5/26/70
5/26/70
6/19/70
5/26/70
8/19/70
5/26/70
8/19/70
5/26/70
8/19/70
5/26/70
8/19/70
Zinc
169
309
.26
<.01
.02
1.98
0.60
1.19
3.13
2.41
6.94
2.58
7.80
Lead
2.31
8.78
.28
<.01
<.01
.28
.13
2.24
0.09
0.98
<.01
1.23
0.14
Copper
.04*
.33
.02
<.01
.014
.84
.35
<.oio
<.001
.01
C.001
0.01
<.001
Cadmium
1.05
2.96
<.01
<.01
<.eoi
.01
.04
.01
.008
.030
.089
<.01
.057
Day Rock Mine
OJ
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24
The data represents stations between the headwaters of the South Fork
Coeur d'Alene to the Spokane River at the Washington State line. In
contrast, the EPA cata for May showed average pH levels between 5.9
and 6.6 for the same area. ,t
The Bureau of Mines' data for the September, 1970 low-flow survey
presents a different picture. Stations on the North Fork Coeur d'Alene
all showed a pH of 7.2. On the South Fork above the mouth of Big Creek,
the pH values varied between 6.9 and 7.1. Below this point the pH
drops off to about 6.2 at Smelterville and decreases gradually to
5.8 at the mouth of the Coeur d'Alene River. No explanation was given
for the continuing decrease in pH along the lower reaches of the Coeur
d'Alene. The values along the South Fork show general good agreement
-with KQO data.
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25
DISCUSSION
, •
Source and Distribution of
Heavy-Metals in the.Coeur d'Alene System
The data from this survey verifies again the fact that the min-
ing operations along the South Fork are a major source of heavy metal
contamination in the Coeur df Alene-Spokane River system, The data
in Table 2 shows that metals levels in the uncontaminated St. Joe
River and North Fork Coeur d'Alene.River are insignificant when com-
pared with concentrations in the South Fork. Within the South Fork
drainage, metals levels show sharp significant increases at Wallace
and again at Smelterville. The increase at Wallace is probably due
to tributary inflow from Canyon Creek and Nine Mile Creek. Active
mining operations, including tailings ponds, are located on each of
these tributaries. The dramatic increase at Smelterville is a direct
result of waste discharges from the Bunker Hill Corporation mining
and smelting operations.
Another way of assessing the contribution of the various mining
activities is to compute, or estimate, the pounds of a given pollut-
V
ant discharged per day. This has been done with zinc as the pollut-
+
ant. The pounds per day of zinc either carried in the streams or dis-
charged from the mining operations were estimated based on all the
data previously presented. Firm flow figures for the discharges"are
not available, and the values presented below should be considered
as estimates only-.
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26
Table 10 presents estimates of the load of dissolved zinc carried
. *
by the streams in the study area during high and low flow conditions.
The estimates indicate that during high flows 60-70 percent of the
dissolved zinc in the mains^tem Coeur d'Alene originates in the
South Fork. In the low-flow period, the South Fork discharges an
amount of zinc equivalent to 100 percent of that observed 'at Cataldo.
Moving up the South Fork, the values indicate that 70-75 percent of
the high-flow zinc load and over 95 percent of the low-flow load
at Smelterville originates between Sinelterville and Silverton.
Estimates of the discharge of zinc from the Bunker Hill
Corporation mining and smelting activities indicate a direct dis-
charge of 4,000-5,000 pounds/day. Of this, 80-90 percent is attrib-
utable to the smelters. Thus, the .direct discharges at Bunker Hill
account for 30-50 percent of the zinc load in the South Fork at
Enaville.
The zinc flow in Table 10 for Silverton includes the amounts
discharged from the tailings -ponds for the Lucky Friday, Galena,
Star, Day Rock, and Rex mines. Estimates for the Star and Lucky
Friday ponds indicate a direct discharge of 3-5 pounds of zinc per
day. The other ponds probably have discharges of the same general
magnitude. The amount of metal added fo the streams through seep-
age from the tailings ponds is unknown, but could be significant.
In addition to the active mining operations, the old tailings
piles are undoubtedly a major source of heavy metal contamination.
Over 80 years of mining has resulted in extensive tailings deposits
-------
TABLE 10
ESTIMATES OF DISSOLVED ZINC LOAD CARRIED BY STREAMS
Station High
Coeur d'Alene River
at Cataldo, Idaho
North Fork Coeur d'Alene
River at Enaville
South Fork Ceour d'Alene
River at Enaville
South Fork Coeur d'Alene
River at Smelterville
South Fork Coeur d'Alene
River at Silverton
Mdss flow rate — Ibs
flow conditions
22,400
730
15, 10^
11,200
3,200
dissolved Zn/Day'
Low flow conditions^/
v »
11,600
<100
9,300
12,000
400
I/ Flow based on flow at Smelterville gaging station,
plus two times flow on West Fork of Pine Creek.
21 Low flow discharges based on 1967 flows and metals
data from the University of Idaho survey in
September 1970.
to
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28
, *.
from the Cataldo area to the upper reaches of the South Fork and along
many of the tributaries. At present, the amount of metals introduced
into the streams by leaching or erosion from these sources is not well
known, but indications aret,the contribution is sizeable. Much of the
difference between high and low-flow zinc loads in the South Fork, as
shown in Table 10, is probably due primarily to the discharges from
the old tailings. The effects of these deposits on the water quality
of the Coeur d'Alene system should be clarified considerably in the
spring of 1971. During this period, the University of Idaho-Idaho
Bureau of Mines plans to publish the results of extensive studies
conducted during 1970. One of the specific goals of these studies
was to evaluate the effects of the tailings on water quality.
The impact of the metals contributed by the South Fork is
measurable downstream all the way to the Washington State line.
Dissolved zinc levels, for example, show essentially no reduction
from the station at Cataldo all the way to Lake Coeur d'Alene.
There is a 30-35 percent reduction in zinc level, between Harrison
and the Spokane River station at the State line. Much of the re-
r
duction, however, is probably due to dilution of the Coeur d'Alene
»•
River water with low zinc content water from the St. Joe River. The
concentrations of dissolved lead and iron show a greater decrease
across Lake Coeur d'Alene, with reductions of approximately 70-75
•percent. Concentrations of dissolved copper, which are low, show no
decrease from Cataldo to the State line and actually increase slightly.
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29
Significance of 'totals Levels
Public Health
The pollutants discharged from the mining activities along the
South Fork do not constitute a direct hazard to public health once
they are dispersed in the streams. None of the communities along
the South Fork or mainstem Coeur d'Alene use the river as a water
supply. Metals levels, with the exception of iron, do not exceed
the values recommended in the U. S. Public Service Drinking Water
Standards. The high bacterial levels in the South Fork resulting
from the discharge of raw sewage by most of the communities along
the river are the major direct public health problem associated with
wastes.
The discharges of mercury,primarily from the Bunker Hill smelters,
may represent an indirect hazard to health. The smelters discharge
approximately 10 pounds of mercury/day. Recent studies have shown
that mercury discharged into water is not inert and may be converted
to toxic organo-mercury compounds through bacterial action. These
compounds are susceptable to incorporation and concentration in the
r
biological food chain. Data is not available to indicate that mer-
»•
cury concentrations in the fish from Lake Coeur d'Alene have reached
significant levels, but the presence of an upstream discharge indi-
cates a potential for this to happen.
-------
JO
Biological Effects
There is no question as to the adverse effect of past and
present mining activities on biological life in the South Fork and
the mains ten Coeur d.'Alene* River. Due to direct heavy metal toxicity,
these waters contain few, if any, fish.Levels of zinc are sufficient
"to ~pToduce this toxic effect without consideration of synergistic
effects froa other metal contaminants present. Static bioassays
on cutthroat trout conducted by Sappington at the University of Idaho
using North Fork water with additions of zinc showed a 24-hour TL^
of 620 jug/1, and a 96-hour TL of 90 /ig/1. Chronic toxicity levels
m
are usually much lower. Zinc concentrations 3-5 times higher than
even the 90 jug/1 value were found at the Washington State line during
high flow.
The cadmium levels present are another consideration regarding
toxicity. Cadmium is commonly associated with lead and zinc ores
such as are found in the South Fork mining district. The data indi-
cates, for example, that the Bunker Hill smelters discharge 150-200
pounds of cadmium per day. At present cadmium data is available for
f
only four selected stream stations (see Table 4).. These data re-
flect the discharge of cadmium along the South Fork and show that
significant amounts are present in the Spokane River. The data for
the State line station shows a total cadmium level of 4.5jug/l-.
Dissolved cadmium was not determined, but a significant portion of
the total is probably in the dissolved state. Static bioassays on
young coho salmon conducted at the Pacific Northwest Water Laboratory
-------
31
have shown, in water with hardness levels similar to those in the
Coeur d'Alene and Spokane Myers, chronic toxicity at cadmium levels
.less than ljug/1. In addition, cadmium and zinc are known to be
highly synergistic,
Adverse effects on the biological community in Lake Coeur d'Alene
and the Spokane River are not as easy to evaluate. Lake Coeur d^Alene
jdoes support a sizeable kokanee fishery "maintained by heavy planting.
There is also a limited fishery in the Spokane River. Both the
Washington State Department of Ecology and Department of Game have
indicated that this fishery is affected by both widely fluctuating
flow releases from Jos t Falls Dam -and the possible effects of heavy
metal contamination from -upstream sources.
The .levels of zinc found in the Lake and the Spokane River are
considerably higher than those shown to be toxic by numerous studies.
As "pointed out above, Sappington's study showed a 96-hour TL of
90 >ug/l zinc for cutthroat trout, Dr^ Donald Mount, Director of the
EPA Water Quality Laboratory at Duluth, Minnesota, and a recognized
expert on fish toxicity, has recommended that 50 jug/1 of
.zinc be adopted by Idaho as the standard for these waters. This
»
^figure is based on extensive experience in evaluating zinc toxicity
for a variety of fish species and water 'types. Thus, even though a
quantitative assessment is difficult to obtain, there is a sub-
stantial amount of evidence to indicate that a definite potential for
.chronic toxicity exists in both Lake Coeur d'Alene and the Spokane
River.
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32
CONCLUSIONS
11
JPast and present mining activities in the Coeur d'Alene mining
Jistrict have .had, and are continuing to have, a significant adverse
<•
effect on water quality. Based on.recent surveys by the EEA and
.other agencies, the following specific conclusions can be drawn.
1, 3Che South Fork Coeur d'Alene Kiver and the mains tern Coeur
_^dlAlene below Enaville support .little or no fish ^life due ±o .acute
.heavy metal toxicity. This condition includes over 50 miles of river.
2, -Zinc levels .in Lake Coeur d'Alene and the Spokane River are
3-5 iimes higher than those recommended to avoid chronic toxicity prob-
lems- .Significant amounts of synergistic .elements -are .also present.
3- Active mining operations on the South Tork .account for 20-50
percent &f the total amount of zinc earxied ±n ±he mains±em Coeur
d'Alene TJiver. The ^variation is due ±o runoff conditions.
4- The mining and smelting operations of the JJunker Hill
Corporation accotmt "fox"well over 90 percent of the zinc discharged by
the active mining operations in the Coeur d'Alene -mining district,
Tan ssiimateQ 4.,"DOO-5,t}00 pounds of zinc/day are discharged by Bunker
JIiJ_L,^approximately 90 percent of which originates in thjfe lead and
zinc smelters.
5. Tailings pond discharges from the other active mines pro-
duce significant increases in the metals levels in both the South
Fork and .some .tributaries.
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33
6. ^The mining vastes discharged do not constitute a direct
• -t
hazard to public health. The -mercury being discharged, primarily from
-the JBunker Hill smelters, does represent a possible secondary health
hazard due to its potential for accumulation in the biological lood
« «
chain..
7. Did deposits of tailings make a significant contribution to
the levels of metals in the Coeur d'Alene Biver system. A quantitative
-evaluation of this contribution is not available at this time.
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