Report on the Investigation of Pollution
in the
BEAR RIVER SYSTEM
Idaho - Utah
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
Public Health Service
Sanitary Engineering Services, Region EC
Water Supply and Water Pollution Control Program
February 1955
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Report on Investigation of Pollution in the
Bear River System - August and November
INTRODUCTION
In October 1952 the U.S. Public Health Service, under provisions
of Public Law 8Ui> (80th Congress), prepared a "Report on Interstate
Pollution in the Bear River Watershed," with the assistance of the Wyoming,
Idaho, and Utah state water pollution control authorities. Included in
this report was a description of the area and waters involved, data on
stream flows, water uses, pollution contributed, effects of pollution,
and a discussion of the existing authority of the States of Wyoming,
Idaho, and Utah for enforcement of pollution control.
The principal pollution of interstate waters occurs on the Cub
River and its tributary, Worm Creek. Worm Creek receives partially
treated sanitary wastes from Preston, Idaho, and untreated beet sugar
refinery wastes from Franklin Sugar Company at Whitney, Idaho, near
Preston. Cub River receives untreated vegetable cannery wastes from
the plant of the California Packing Corporation at Franklin, Idaho,
just a mile upstream from the Idaho-Utah state line. These streams
join after flowing a short distance separately in northern Utah, and
the Cub joins the Bear from the east ten river miles below the Idaho-
Utah state line.
The report of the Public Health Service also included some cursory
observations on effect of pollution by erosion silt and a brief discus-
sion of the fisheries. V/ith regard to the fisheries, it was indicated
that the lower Bear is used principally for "rough" fishing: channel
catfish and carp. Downstream from the Idaho-Utah state line a few rainbow
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and brown trout have been found in recent years, but the sharp decline
of the sport fishery over the past 20 years has been attributed largely
to the heavy burden of silt which is carried by the Bear and deposited
in pools and riffles.
In November of 1953 an extensive "fish-kill" in the lower Bear
River was attributed to the detrimental effect of beet sugar mill wastes
from the refinery at Garland, Utah. At that time a combination of cir-
cumstances brought about complete exhaustion of dissolved oxygen over a
large flowing segment of the lower Malad River and the Bear River and
virtually destroyed a valuable channel cat fishery as well as some
marketable carp. The Utah Department of Fish and Game investigated
the situation as it progressed and has prepared a report of its findings.
The department conservatively estimated the loss in the one "fish-kill"
at $10,000.
Since the enactment of comprehensive water pollution control legis-
lation by the State of Utah in 1953, steps have been taken by the Utah
Department of Public Health to determine the extent and effect of pol-
lution from industrial and sanitary waste sources. The State of Idaho,
Department of Public Health, has cooperated in a study of the interstate
problem of the Bear River System, and together the two states have under-
taken a series of surveys to determine volumes and strengths of the
various wastes discharged and their effect upon the receiving streams.
The biological investigations were undertaken in order to provide in-
formation on the effect of pollution upon the aquatic life including
algae, aquatic plants, fish and fish-food organisms. The findings are
utilized to detect and measure pollution during the vegetable canning
season in August and again during the season of beet sugar refining in
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November. The effects of heavy .siltation in the Bear River upon the
capacity of this stream for natural purification of wastes and upon fish
and fish-food organisms are also discussed.
The field surveys were conducted by Biologist John N. Wilson and
Sanitary Engineer William B. Schreeder. Dr. Arden R. Gaufin, Professor
of Zoology, University of Utah, provided valuable assistance on the earlier
survey, which is gratefully acknowledged. In conjunction with the second
survey of November 195^ "the Utah Department of Fish and Game conducted a
fish population study in the Utah portion of the Bear River. Mr. Marion
Madsen, Chief of Fisheries Division, State of Utah Department of Fish and
Game, detailed Mr. William McConnell, Field Projects leader, and his as-
sociates Messrs. Neuhold and Clark to participate in the investigation.
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SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1. The results of two investigations involving the interstate
waters of the lower Bear River Basin in Idaho and Utah are presented.
The sections of streams under study included the lower ninety-two miles
of the Bear River, the lower twenty to twanty-five miles of Malad and
Cub Rivers, and the lower nineteen miles pf Worm Creek,tributary to the Cubc
2. Both of the investigations were at times of low flow in the
streams. The earlier, from August 8-17, l°f?U, was at the time of bean
pack at the California Packing Company, Franklin, Idaho, on the Cub River
just upstream from Idaho-Utah state line; and the later study of
November 8-12 was made while the three sugar refineries, Franklin Sugar
Co., Whitney, Idaho; Amalgamated Sugar Co., Lewis ton, Utah; and Utah and
Idaho Sugar Co., Garland, Utah; were in operation.
3. A critical situation of erosion on tributaries west of Preston
has caused heavy siltation in the bed of the Bear River for many miles
downstream. Bottom scouring, filling of pools and smothering of riffles
have been responsible to a great extent for deterioration of the trout
fishery over the past thirty years. Steps have been taken to correct
the situation.
U. Sources of organic pollution are many and the aggregate BOD
loading in the form of industrial wastes discharged to the receiving
waters is thirty times that of the municipal sanitary wastes. Less than
half of the total sewered population in the basin of the Lower Bear has
adequate treatment for its wastes. Ninety-two percent of the industrial
wastes are from sugar refineries, 7.5 percent from two vegetable can-
neries, and the remainder from cheese factories, meat packing establish-
ments and the like.
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5. These streams drain areas with calcareous deposits and are
therefore high in alkalinity. The Bear River at B-92 and the Malad
River have extremely high alkalinity--more than 300 ppm—the Cub River
and Worm Creek have lower alkalinity. From the standpoint of turbidity
from inorganic causes, the Cub was the clearest, the lower Bear and
the Malad the most turbid. Turbidity in Cutler reservoir and in the
lower Bear in August was caused partially by phytoplankton.
6. In August, dissolved oxygen concentrations under 5 PPm were
found below the cannery at Franklin, Idaho, on the Cub River. In
November, depletion of dissolved oxygen was found in the lowermost ten
miles of Cub River and the lower five to six miles of Worm Creek.
Although low water temperatures delay decomposition of sugar mill wastes
along the main stem of the Bear, dilution was not sufficient to fore-
stall an oxygen sag in Cutler reservoir. The increment of untreated
sugar mill waste from the Malad River augments the organic loading in
the lower Bear River and creates a precarious situation for fish and
other aquatic life.
7. Phytoplankton in the Bear River below Preston, Idaho, is
limited by the screening effect of high turbidity. Plankton in the
upper Cub River and Worm Creek is largely composed of normally attached
forms which have been detached and carried downstream by the current.
In the lower reaches of the Cub plankton blooms develop each year. The
responsible organisms are tolerant to pollution and some of the same
species are to be found in tanks and filters of sewage treatment plants.
8. The Bear River from Preston, Idaho, to Cutler reservoir is
a virtual biological desert insofar as bottom life is concerned. This
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is attributed primarily to the excessive siltation with attendant effects.
Below Cutler reservoir, siltation is still serious and pollution is severe
in late fall, but some forms of bottom life with short life cycles are
able to survive.
9. Cub River and Worm Creek support good populations of aquatic
invertebrates in their upper and middle reaches, but gross pollution in
the lower 10-l£ miles of each stream limits productivity and eliminates
all but the most hardy species.
10. The trout fishery in the lower 92 miles of the Bear and the
lower stretches of the tributaries has been virtually eliminated by
organic and inorganic pollution. The successful re-establishment of a
channel cat fishery in the Bear River below Cutler dam is contingent upon
control of stream flow and of the seasonal pollution.
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SOURCES OF POLLUTION
Siltation
The 1952 report of the Public Health Service includes a brief
statement on the serious problem of erosion on "Five-Mile** and "Deep"
Creeks west of Preston. These streams enter the Bear from the west at
miles 88 and 90, respectively. The erosion has been caused by irriga-
tion practices which have raised the water table and caused seepage from
embankments of the light, sandy deposits overlying Impervious clay strata.
According to H. A. Einstein, consulting engineer retained by the
Utah Power and Light Company for a study* on siltation of the Bear River,
in the years 1910-1950, 10,000,000 tons of sandy sediment have been
eroded from the tributary banks and washed into the Bear River. Bear
River channel is silted almost uniformly to a depth of 5-6 feet from the
profile of 37 years ago. Most of the material has come from "Five-Mile"
Creek and the major damage is downstream from this point 30 miles into
Utah to the Cub River pumping plant. Some of the silt has also settled
in Cutler reservoir, but only the finest material has been carried beyond
the reservoir. As to particle-size, 80 percent has been found to be
between 0.1 and 0.3 millimeters, which is fine sand, readily settleable.
Organic Pollution
The report of 1952 contains a detailed table of pollution sources
which includes BOD population equivalents, treatment needs and current
status of municipal action. The following table (1) is an abridgement
of the original with only the more significant sources listed. Moreover,
changes in status of treatment over the last two years are included.
# Report on file in the office of the Soil Conservation Service, Portland,
Oregon.
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The tables indicate that the combined waste from all the
industries listed has an aggregate BOD loading as discharged to the
receiving waters of almost thirty times that of the municipal sanitary
waste. Of the nearly 13.,000 people served by severs in the towns of
the lower Bear watershed, less than half—Preston, It, 000—have adequate
treatment for their wastes. The remainder need new plants, replacements
or enlargements to existing plants.
With regard to the industrial wastes, 92 percent originate from
the three sugar refineries, 7.5 percent from two vegetable canneries,
and the remainder from small cheese factories, meat packing establish-
ments, etc. These major industries are of a seasonal nature. The
only treatment provided is fine screens in the case of the Franklin
cannery of California Packing Company. Otherwise, all the major in-
dustrial wastes are discharged without treatment. The sources and
magnitude of municipal and industrial pollution are illustrated by
figure 1 (Appendix).
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TABLE 1
BASIC DATA OK SOURCES OF INDUSTRIAL rOLLUTIOK
(Bear River Watershed - Preston to Great Salt Lake)
Treatment or Other Pollution
Name Type Control Measure P.S.(BOD) Pollution
and Type Waste ^ Discharged Abatement Current Receiving
Location Industry Produced Degree i/ap ~J °Pr- to Streams Needs Action iJt-reajr.
Bear River
Cache Valley Dairy Pood
Assn, Amalga, Utah
Calif. Packing Co., Food
Smithfield, Utah
Cub River
Calif. Packing Co., Food
Franklin, Idaho
Amalgamated Sugar Co., Food
Lewiston, Utah
Sego Milk Co., Food
Richmond, Utah
Worm Creek
Franklin Sugar Co., Food
Whitney, Idaho
Malad River
Utah By-Products Co., Food
Garland, Utah
Utah & Idaho Sugar Food
Co., Garland, Utah
Allen Meat Co., Food
Tremonton, Utah
Organic None
Organic Minor
Organic None
Organic Minor
Organic None
Organic None
Undet.
Undet.
2,^00 Hew plant Hone Bear Riv.
35,200 Undet. None Bear Riv.
17,800 New plant None Cub Riv.
Undet. Undet. 208,000 Undet. None Cub Riv.
2,260 New plant Hone Cub Riv.
Undet. Undet.
Organic Minor Undet. Undet.
Organic Minor
Organic None
212,000 Enlarge- None Worm Creek
ment
130 Undet. None Malad Riv.
200,000 Undet. None Malad Riv.
2SO New plant None Malad Riv.
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TABLE 1 (cont'd)
BASIC DATA ON SOURCES OF MUNICIPAL POLiOTXQI
(Bear River Watershed - Preston to Great Salt lake}
Name
and
Location
Bear River City,
Utah
Corinne, Utah
Lewis ton, Utah
Preston, Idaho
i Garland, Utah
o
' Bear River High
School, Utah
Tremonton, Utah
Malad, Idaho
Population
Served by
Sewers
100 ,
500
500
lj-,000
900
1,200
1,600
1,900
P.E.CBOD)
Untreated
.-.'astes
100
500
500
Moo
900
600
18, 000
1,900
Waste
Treatment
Provided
None
None
None
Primary
None
Septic tank
Septic tank
Primary
P.E.(BOD)
Discharged
to Watercourse*
100
500
500
2,600
900
550
17,850
1,^5
Tresdtimeimll Beceivi ng
tfljfgtffljjjff S"trcois.
Wesr plaumtb Bear River
EOT plaumfe Bear fiiver
Mew jpllgamrJL, Cub Hiver
Borne Mann Creel-
Mew jUsBirrrfr. l^lajj Biver
Beplace Malad 3Iver
Jtepl^ 1Kb* River
ftiilar^ Deep Creek to
ffiklad Elver
*Includes industrial waste discharged into municipal sewers.
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Methods
Physical and chemical analyses at the various stream sampling
points were made in accordance vith "Standard Methods for the Examina-
tion of iYater and Sewage/' 9th edition. A limited number of "dwarf"
plankton or nannoplankton samples were collected, preserved by the
addition of concentrated formalin,and concentrated by means of a
Foerst type continuous centrifuge. The other plankton samples were
qualitative. They were collected by means of a y/-20 mesh silk bolting
cloth tow net. Duration of towing periods was three minutes in each
instance, but variations in velocity of flow precluded quantitative
determinations.
Quantitative samples of bottom fauna were collected in pools
and slow runs by using Ekrnan or Peterson dredges, depending upon
firmness of the bottom. Riffle samples were collected by means of the
square foot bottom sampler with $38-mesh trailing net. Qualitative
collections were made with a 40x30 inch, 38-mesh reconnaissance screen.
Fish collections were by 10-foot seine with one-quarter inch mesh.
Wherever feasible, adult winged insects were collected from bushes and
other vegetation near the water's edge by means of a beating net. The
designation of sampling stations is based upon river mileages measured
from the mouth of each stream in question. Table 2 shows the stations
from which collections were made for the biological investigations.
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TABLE 2
RIVER MILEAGES AND STATION LOCATIONS
Previous
Sta. No.*
3ta. No. Based
on River Mileage
above Stream Mo.
Location
Bear River
B-31
B-33
B-32
Malad River
B-30
Cub River
B-27
16
11
B-28
B-26
Worm Creek
10
B-12
17
50
B-55
62
72
80.8
88
90
B-92
M-ll
1U
M-22
c-1.5
c-io
C-12
13.5
C-19-5
20
C-21
C-25
Bridge on U.S. Hwy. 30S at Corinne, Utah
Malad River enters
Cutler Dam--sampling point immediately below
dam.
Little Bear River enters
Bridge west of Smithfleld, Utah
Cub River enters
Idaho-Utah State Line
Weston Creek enters from west
Five Mile Creek enters from west
Deep Creek enters from northwest
Bridge on U.S. Hwy. 9! north of Preston—
Upstream control station.
Tremonton, Utah
Garland, Utah
Upper control stationj 2 miles north of
Riverside, Utah.
Hodges Road
Bridge southwest of Merrills, Utah
Above Lewiston Sugar Mill
Worm Creek enters
Bridge west of Franklin, .Idaho
California Packing Co.
First upstream control station; above
Franklin
Second upstream control station; Mapleton,
Idaho
W-2 Fairview crossing
7 Franklin Co. Sugar Mill
5 W-8 Preston sewage treatment plant
15 Lower end of Worm Creek Reservoir
3 W-17 First bridge above Worm Creek Reservoir
W-19 Upstream control station; lower end of
canyon
*Used to designate stations on tables 3 and k which originally appeared in
trip reports. All subsequent tables employ station numbers based on stream
mileages.
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Physico-Chemical Features (See Tables 3 and h)
Bear River in November was roughly 5° F warmer in its lower
reaches than above Preston because of higher turbidity and discharge
of warm wastes. The highest (720 F) temperatures recorded in August
were at B-92 and M-22. The lowest (59°F) temperature was at W-19.
Turbidity in November was less than 7 PPm at the upstream
control stations on Bear', and Cub Rivers, W-17 on Worm Creek, and
above and below Franklin on Cub River. The latter represents con-
ditions with the California Packing Co. shut down for Ifcae season.
The highest turbidity found was 2000 ppm immediately below
the sugar refineries at W-10 and M-ll, Worm Creek and Malad Rivers,
respectively. Turbidity in the Malad above Garland at M-22 was higher
than the Cub below Franklin Sugar Co. or the Bear at Corinne. This
is attributed to erosion and other pollution from the upper Malad basin.
In August, the uppermost stations on the Worm and Cub were the
only stations with turbidity so low as to be immeasurable on the tape.
The effect of the cannery at Franklin, which was processing green
beans at that time, was shown by turbidities of 68 ppm at C-19.5 and
80 ppm at C-10. Both of the stations on the Malad River had high
turbidities in August despite the inactivity of the sugar mill at
Garland-- 170 and 180 ppm-- but the Bear River at Corinne was higher
still with 200 ppm.
The high methyl orange alkalinity at B-92 on the Bear and W-19,
Worm Creek, in November indicates high soluble salt content of the
soil formations and water strata draining to these streams. A comparison
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of W-19 to W-17 in November shows a discrepancy in the analytical
results from these two closely spaced stations that cannot be interpreted
without further investigation. The marked increases in alkalinity at
W-2 and C-12 are attributed to wastes from the sugar refineries on Worm
Creek and Cub River. However, 1he lower Bear River at B-12 indicates
only a U ppn increase in alkalinity in November over August.
Dissolved oxygen values in August approached the critical range
(under 5 ppm) only at C-19.5 where a test at 7:10 a.re. showed 3«7 ppm.
In contrast, there were several sections of critical oxygen values or
actual depletion recorded in November, largely as a result of the beet
sugar wastes. Most seriously affected in this regard are the lower
reaches of Worm Creek and the Cub River. Almost the entire lower ten
miles of the Cub lacked dissolved oxygen in November.
The Bear River below the entrance of the Cub undergoes a marked
sag in dissolved oxygen which, presumably, reaches a low point in Cutler
reservoir and then increases as the stream flows toward Corinne and the
marshes. Below the Cutler dam in the backwater stream, the dissolved
oxygen was 3*7 ppm on November 11 and 6.U ppm at B-12 on that same date.
Upon conversion to percent saturation, these are 31 and 55 percent,
respectively.
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TABLE 3
Physico-Chemical Results Determined on Reconnaissance of
Bear River System - Idaho-Utah - August 11-14, 1954
Station
B-25
3
5
10
B-26
i
Y1 B-27
B-28
11
B-29
B-30
B-31
Stream
Bear R.
Worm Cr.
Worm Cr.
Worm Cr.
Cub R.
Cub R.
Cub R.
Cub R.
Malad R.
Malad.R.
Bear R.
Date
8-11
8.-11
8-12
8-12
8-12
8-12
8-13
8-13
8-14
8-14
8-14
Water
Temp.
Of
72
65
59
67
61
66
70
62
72
70
70
Air
Temp.
OF
86
70
79
84
85
84
81
63
84
86
84
Turb.
ppm
13
50
0
55
0
80
16.5
68
170
180
200
pH
8,6
8.2
8.4
8.4
8.6
8.6
8.5
8.2
8.6
8.4
8.4
D.O.
10.1
7.1
10.6
9.4
8.5
4:45 pm 9.25
7:30 am 7.5
1:00 pm 10.6
7:10 am 3.7
9:00 am 4.15
6.7
8.0
9.4
C02
ppm
0
1.5
14.0
2.0
0
5
0
4.0
14.0
15.0
4.0
M.O.
Alk.
ppm
304
132
— *
__*
— *
— *
*
__*
330
385
330
Phen..
Alk/
ppm
0
0
, 0
.7
• 0
#
_„*
*
*
0
0
0
*Not determined - ran out of 0.02K sulfuric acid for titration.
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TABLE 4
Physico-Chemical Results Determined on Reconnaissance of
Bear River System - Idaho-Utah - November 9-12, 1954
Station No.
B-25
3*
5*
10*
B-26
B-27
B-28
11* .
16*
B-32
B-33
B-31
B-29
B-30
Stream
Bear R.
Worm Cr.
Worm Cr.
Worm Cr.
Cub R.
Cub R.
Cub R.
Cub R.
Cub R.
Bear R.
Bear R.
Bear R.
Malad R.
Malad 3.
Date
117,9
11-9
11-10
11-10
11-9
11-10
11-9
11-9
11-10
ll-li
11-11
11-11
11-12
11-12
Time
8:00 am
10:15 am
11:00 am
9:15 am
1:00 am
2:35 pm
2:50 pm
4:45 pm
10:15 am
10:45 am
p. -3^ -run
£~ • J j k^'*
5:25 pm
10:30 am
9:25 am
Temp.
H20
40
38
40
50
42
52
45
40
48
48
47
48
52
54
Air
40
46
5^
44
62
56
60
37
50
58
58
60
52
50
Turb.
ppm
0
0
55
2000
0
110
0
0
90
32
_##
75
2000
PH
8.4
8.2
8.4
7.4-
7-6
8.8
1A
8.6
8.6
7.4
8.6
8.4
8.4
8.4
8.6
D.O.
ppm
9.3
11.8
11.3
0
12.3
0.8
17.7
13.7
0
8.8
3.7
6.4
8.3
4.1
co?
ppm
0
2.5
6.
30.
0
14.
0
0
20
0
8
_**
0
0
M.O.
Alk.
ppm
350
157
369
750/
172
364
248
250
500/
364
312
33^
***
396
* Stations established on former investigation by Utah and Idaho Health Departments.
** Too dark to make satisfactory determinations.
*** Excessively high-color interference.
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BIOLOGICAL FEATURES
Plankton
A limited number of plankton samples were collected in August
from the Bear and Cub Rivers; a larger number of samples were collected
in November. Table 7 (Appendix) shows the results of the four tow net
hauls of August from widely separated stations on the Bear River and
from above and below major sources of pollution on the Cub River.
The microscopic examination of water for the determination of
plankton was undertaken for two principal reasons: (1) To detect and
measure pollution through the use of indicator organisms among the
plankton, and (2) recognizing the importance of plankton in the aquatic
food chain which culminates in fish, a study of the plankton leads to
a better understanding of the deleterious effects of high turbidity
and pollution by organic wastes on aquatic life.
Plant planktons were predominant in the Bear at the upstream
control station, B-92, but animal plankton supersedes the plants in
the lower reaches of the Bear as shown by the results at B-12. This is
attributed to adverse effects of turbidity which screens out the sunlight.
The minute animal plankters at B-12 were largely rotifers which are a
little larger than most single-celled protozoans. Most abundant were the
members of the genus Brachionus, a group which tolerates organic pollution.
There were nine genera and species of rotifers found at this station—the
most varied group of animals found anywhere on the river system.
The clearer waters of the Cub River in August supported a more
nearly balanced fauna and flora. The short time of flow from the head-
waters to station C-21 above Franklin prevents development of many animal
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plankters which have longer life histories than the plant plankters. Thus it
is seen that the predominant organisms at C-21 are diatoms (plants), but at
C-10 near Merrills, Utah, twelve kinds of zooplankters (animal) have entered
the population in this eleven-mile distance of stream. There has also been
an increase in numbers and species of green and blue-green algae. Additions of
treated and untreated sanitary and industrial wastes from Franklin and via Worm
Creek to the lower Cub are also responsible for the marked change in the plankton
seen at C-10 and C-1.5. Most noteworthy of pollution tolerant organisms are
Pediastrum Boryanum, a green alga, Oscillatorla spp., blue-greens, Brachionus
calyciflorus, a rotifer, and Trachelomonas volvocina, a minute "whip-bearer" or
flagellate protozoan. Oscillatoria and the latter flagellate are commonly found
residing in the upper part of sewage plant trickling filters.
The results of the tow net samples for August and November are summarized
in Tables 8 and 9. The former represents the main stem of the Bear, the latter,
the tributaries. Out of the total of 56 genera and species found in all samples,
11 or 12 of the more common and consistently occurring organisms are presented
in the tables.
The normal increase in numbers of diatoms expected in autumn is shown at
B-92 on the Bear. This is in response to the lowered temperature which favors
diatom growth. The effect of pollution on the Cub and Worm with particular
reference to wastes from the sugar refineries is clearly indicated by the oc-
currence of sewage fungi and zoogloeal colonies in all samples which were col-
lected below the major sources of these refinery wastes. Attention is directed
particularly to stations W-8, C-1.5 and M-22 on Table 9 and B-55, B-40.5 and
B-12 on Table 8.
Although the heavy concentration of beet pulp fragments at C-10 on the
Cub River and at W-2 on Worm Creek prevented successful collection of tow net
samples, observations and the collections of bottom fauna indicated extensive
growths of sewage fungi and zoogloeal at these stations. The tow samples at the
other stations farther downfetream represent masses of these bacteria and
fungi that were drifting downstream.
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The fungi, normally, grow attached to some object or to the bottom and
slough off into the current as their rapid growth proliferates the
colony mass to the point -where it can no longer -withstand the pull of
the current.
Experience has also shown that Sphaerotilus spp., sewage fungi,
can grow in very low concentrations of certain wastes, particularly when
there is a suitable ratio between carbohydrates and protein-areino acids.
The occurrence of these fungi and zoogloea in plankton samples from the
Bear River at B-££, at B-U0.5 below Cutler dam,and at Corinne, Utah (B-12)
in November (Table 10), bears out the field observations made at that time.
It was noted that samples of river water from these stations foamed actively
when agitated and emitted the sweetish, acrid odor of sugar wastes.
Pollutional animals and plants such as Paramecium sp., other ciliate
protozoa, and Euglena viridis followed a pattern of occurrence similar to
the sewage fungi and zoogloea. Although the rotifers of the genus
Brachionus were also tolerant to pollution, the colder water temperature
had caused many of them to become dormant as "winter eggs." This is a
normal occurence and is not attributable to the seasonal pollution of the
streams.
Bottom Fauna
All living things are sensitive to changes in their environment.
Changes in food supply, light, dissolved gases, and chemical substances
in the aquatic environment affect plants end animals living free in the
water, attached to, or living on or in the bottom deposits. Characteristics
-19-
-------
of, and changes in, an aquatic environment may be evaluated by making
chemical and physical tests of the waters. Knowing this, it is possible
to predict the type of organisms that may occur. Conversely, a know-
ledge of the living organisms which occur vd.ll permit a classification
of the environment.
By the process of sedimentation, silt and debris are constantly
being deposited on the bottom. In the case of organic matter in polluted
streams, this sedimentation process shifts the scene of natural purifica-
tion from the water to the stream bottom, where decomposition is continued
and scavengers begin their work. The organisms Tihich find the environment
favorable will serve as an index to the condition of the stream. Other
organisms, less tolerant to resulting lowered oxygen content and possible
presence of toxic substances over the deposits, will either migrate or die.
The ecological system of Kolkwitz and Marsson as presented by Fair and
VJhipple in their "Microscopy of Drinking 'water" (1927) was used as a
basis for the interpretations i.?hich follow.
The results of analyses of bottom fauna are presented in
Figures 2 and 3 and Tables 11 through lii in the appendix. Tables 11 and
1h present the results of tests in riffles; 12 and 13 are results from
pools and runs. Differentiation of these types of samples is also made
on the maps by means of appropriate labels on the pie diagrams. Owing to
high flows in the Bear River in August, quantitative collections from
Sta. B-92 were impractical. Results from this upstream control station
are therefore based on collections made in November. The pie diagrams on
florin Creek in August are based upon qualitative data provided by Gaufin,
-20-
-------
hence the proportions of pollutional to facultative to clean organisms
are approximations.
Bear River, Main Stem: (Tables 11 and 12 and Figure 3) - The
composite of the riffle samples from B-92 in November indicates productivity
in Grade 1 class (rich) with 2.13 grains of organisms per square~l'oot.
There were only 2 percent pollutional organisms and 13 species, genera or
families of organisms. This indicates a healthy, clean environment. In
contrast, the downstream sampling points on the Bear demonstrate the
adverse effect of inorganic and organic pollution. Productivity drops to
a trace at Smithfield (B-55)and at Corinne (B-12)j speciation or numbers
of kinds of organisms drops to 2 - U. Effect of organic pollution from
the sugar refineries is shown at B-55 and B-12 in November with 80 and 63
percent pollutional indicator organisms respectively.
Mai ad River; (Table 12 and Figure 3) - In November the Malad
Hiver at M-22, the upstream control point, indicated low productivity,
little diversification of organisms and less than one-half of the organisms
pollutional-tolerant. This is attributed to the rigorous environmental
conditions of high turbidity, unstable mud and silt bottom, and very high
dissolved salt concentration of the water. Addition of beet sugar refin-
ing wastes at Garland with attendant sludge deposits downstream creates
conditions which are satisfactory for growth of large numbers of sludge
worms and a few midges. Total productivity is average with 1,6 grams per
square footj speciation is of low order with only two kinds of organisms
and 98.5 percent of these in the polluticnal category.
•TOavis, H. S. "Instructions for Conducting Stream and Lake Surveys",
Fishery Circular No. 26, U. S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of
Fisheries, 1938.
-21-
-------
Worm Creek; (Figures 2 and 3, Table 11) - Because of water
storage in Glendale Reservoir immediately below W-17 and irrigation
diversions, flow In Worm Creek during the late summer and fall is
practically nil above the Preston sewage treatment plant. Flow at
lf-2 in August therefore is composed largely of the partially treated
sewage from Preston plus some irrigation return flows.
Reference is made to the field observations (Table 6) in relation
to the upstream control station W-17 and W-19 on the Worm. In November
large numbers of stonefly nymphs were found at W-17. These are good
examples of clean water organisms. The large component of pollutional
organisms in the August sample from W-8 (above treatment plant) is
attributed to the heavy deposits of decaying organic matter washed from
the land.
The so-called riffle at W-2 is a stretch of uneven hardpan clay
over which the water moves rapidly. Attachment surfaces in this reach
for most bottom fauna is presumed to be unsatisfactory. The results which
are reported for August and November indicate gross pollution in Worm
Creek within one and a half miles of the Idaho-Utah line. In August the
conditions found.at W-2 are attributed to low flows, irrigation returns
and primary effluent from the Preston sewage treatment plant. In November
the increase in volume of flow and pollution load from the sugar beet
refinery at Whitney, a short distance south of Preston, causes such severe
scouring of the bottom that samples of bottom fauna are not entirely
satisfactory. Aside from a few specimens of damsel fly nymphs which had
probably been washed down from some upstream point, the only bottom organisms
found were a few pollution-tolerant sludge worms, Limnodrilus sp.
-22-
-------
Cub River: (Figures 2 and 3, Tables 13 and ll*) - Results of
bottom faunal collections indicate clean stream conditions above
Franklin, Idaho, -with some modification of natural stream conditions
from irrigation diversion. Stations C-25 and C-21, the tiro upstream
control stations, had rich growth in the riffles with up to 8.0 grams
per square foot at C-21 from 2.0 grains m-inimum at C-25«
Speciation was high with largest number of kinds (15) found at
C-25. There were insignificant numbers of pollutional organisms. The
73 percent of pollutional organisms from the pool at C-21 represents
scavengers that were feeding on the decaying algae, fertile soil wash>
and other organic matter settled in the pool at this station.
The results of bottom faunal tests at C-19.5 in August reflect
the serious condition of pollution in the Cub River below Franklin.
Percent of pollutional indicator organisms increases in the riffles from
a maximum of 3.25 above Franklin to TOO percent below Franklin.
Speciation decreases from 15 to 2, maximum, range, while total numbers of
organisms increase by nearly a thousand, 27U* - 31*88. Most of the in-
crease at C-19.5 is made up by red midges and sludge worms. A similar
situation exists in the pools at these two stations in August, but with
lower productivity in the pools. Total numbers of red midges and sludge
worms in November at C-19.5 was nearly doubled over numbers in August -
8550 per square foot.
The continued indication of severe pollution in November at this
station was caused by lingering sludge deposits from the operation of
the California Packing, P}.ant in the late summer and early fall.
-23-
-------
Stream conditions at C-10 in August indicated partial recovery
from pollution by cannery -wastes, particularly in the riffles. The
pools at C-10 in August contained principally red midges and sludge
worms, indicating decaying organic matter from upstream sources. Re-
covery in the riffles is shown by moderate speciation (10 kinds) and
only 6 percent pollution-tolerant organisms, Tojtal productivity was
low - 0,85 gm. per square foot - owing to the "pollutional blanket"
of blue-green algae.
In November the combined wastes from beet sugar mills at Wiitney,
Idaho, and Lewiston, Utah, in addition to Preston's treatment plant
effluent and other minor sources, produce severe and rigorous conditions
of existence for bottom fauna at C-10. As indicated in Table 6, the
flow was so high and fast that this reach resembled the tail race of a
power plant. Violent agitation and short-time of flow from major
pollution sources allow for a trace of dissolved oxygen to be present
in the water. Consequently a few scuds (2 species) were found to survive.
Sludge worms were also found in small numbers. There were only 3 kinds
of organisms in trace weight concentration per square foot at this station.
Fish
Despite the wide fluctuation in flow of the Bear River above
Preston, trout fishing is reported to be excellent from above Preston
to the dam at Oneida. Below Preston the extremely heavy siltation of the
river bed, the high turbidity of the water over the past 20-30 years, and
pollution have eliminated the trout. A few trash fish, such as carp and
-2U-
-------
catfish, have been reported from Preston to Cutler reservoir, but a
fish population study in the fall-of 195U by the Utah Department of
Fish and Game has indicated an absence of fish of any kind at Station
B-55> Smithfield, Utah, and only a few carp below Cutler Dam. The
results of these investigations in November 195U, on the Bear and Malad
Rivers are presented in the following table:
TABLE 5
River
Beer
Bear
Malad
Malad
Station
B-55
3-U0.5
M-22
14-11
Stream
Seining Shocking
0 0
h-$ carp
0
0
Hotenone
Poisoning
0
-
0
0
The stream shocker was of the direct current type with an aluminum
boat utilized as one of the two electrodes. The shocker failed to function
in the Malad because of the high concentration of dissolved saltsj therefore,
roteuone poison was used as a means of determining the population.
The Malad at M-22 had a fair-sized population of mosquito fish,
Ganbusia, in August, but for some reason these little fish had migrated
from the area by late fall.
VTith regard to the other tributaries, Cub River and Worm Creek, the
Cub above Mapleton, Idaho, is reported to have mediocre trout fishing des-
pite the high fertility of the water and abundant production of fish food
organisms. The pools in the Cub above Franklin support large populations
-25-
-------
of minnows, but no sport species were found in August or November. A
few species of minnows and some small carp were collected below Franklin
in November and in August. No fish were found in the lower Worm at W-2
in August, though this was at a time when effluent from the sewage plant
at Preston was the only major source of waste in the creek.
Discussion
f
Cold weather and low water temperatures alleviate the severe condi-
tions of pollution downstream from the sugar refineries. Water temperatures
in November were in the range at which refrigerators are held; consequently,
the septic water from the Cub River was carried a long distance down the
Bear River and diluted to such an extent that less than a mile downstream
from the mouth of the Cub, or mile 61, the Bear River showed a drop of only
0.2 ppm of dissolved oxygen under that at the Trenton Station, mile 66, At
some undetermined point downstream, either above or in Cutler reservoir,
the dissolved oxygsn drops below the U0# saturation point and the zone of
degradation begins, as downstream from the Cutler dam the oxygen was only
31$ saturation. At another undetermined point downstream between mile
U0.5 and mile 12, the sag curve rises past the iiO/6 mark and partial recovery
is presumed to take place.
A significant gap in our knowledge exists in that reach of the Bear
from the confluence of the Malad River to the Bear River marshes during and
immediately following the season of beet sugar refinery. The long delay in
natural purification of untreated wastes from the Cub River, combined with
the increment of untreated wastes from the Malad, create a situation of
instability in the aquatic environment. This is borne out by results of
-26-
-------
the biological investigations in this section. Should the Utah Depart-
ment of Fish and Game plan to rehabilitate the fishery in this reach, it
is recommended that a program of 2^-hour sampling for dissolved oxygen
and biochemical oxygen demand be undertaken at prescribed points along the
lower hO miles of the Bear River during and immediately following the
processing of sugar beets.
-27-
-------
APPENDIX
-------
TABLE 6
Field Observations and Descriptions of Aquatic Habitats
at the Principal Sampling Stations
Station
Bear River
B-92
Upstream control station - Moderate stream bed gradient
with riffles, pools and runs. Water quite clear and
patches of submerged vegetation occur to provide cover
for bottom organisms and small fish. Instability of
environment created by wide fluctuation in discharge
owing to power dam upstream. This results in limita-
tion of productive areas in riffles.
B-55
Represents stream conditions under combined impact of ex-
cessive siltation from Deep and Five-Mile Creeks and
organic pollution from Worm and Cub drainage. Riffles
smothered under several feet of silt and sand, hence no
longer effective in the natural purification processes of
the stream. Shifting sand smothers many forms of bottom
life and molar action grinds organisms.
B-U0.5 Old stream channel receiving seepage from Cutler dam. In
November distinctive odor of sugar wastes and pollution
blanket on rocks composed of zoogloea and sphaerotilus
intermingled with copious growths of green alga, Cladophora
S£.
B-12
Below confluence of Malad River - High sedimentation rate
and molar action has restricted the environment to a few
hardy organisms with short life cycles such as the green
midge, Calospectra sp. In November large amounts of mixed
sludge and silt were found on bottom. Material easily
roiled up and when this occurred, gas bubbles were evolved.
Malad River
M-22
Highly turbid water, muddy banks, muddy, clay bottom. Sixty
percent/ clean water organisms found in August, sparser total
population in November
-31-
-------
(Table 6 - Continued)
Malad River (Cont'd)
M-ll Below sugar refinery at Garland, Utah - Heavy growth of
sludge worms up to 2 grams per square foot of bottom.
No facultative or clean organisms found in November.
Worm Creek
W-19 Steep gradient, rocky riffles, few pools, heavy brush
along stream banks, almost impenetrable many places.
There was much natural cover and although flow in
November was estimated at less than 10 c.f.s. conditions
of natural food and cover appeared ideal for trout.
W-17 Above Glendale Reservoir - Farming of the hilly land has
caused erosion and resultant silting of pools and riffles.
Therefore, only fair productivity and low organic enrich-
ment in Worm Creek this station.
W-8 Above Preston treatment plant - Typical, slow-aoving
valley stream with less flow in August and November than
at W-17 because of irrigation diversions. Water clear but
decaying organic matter lay in pockets on bottom. Margins
were grassy and weedy.
W-2 Stream bed clay and hardpan, no rocky riffles. The stream
flowed in a narrow trough with steep banks 30-J;0 feet in
height. There was much overhanging vegetation. Aquatic
weed beds, Potamogeton sp,, occurred in shallow areas.
During sugar refining season this reach is a swift sluice-
way of concentrated waste scoured clean of aquatic plants
and bottom organisms.
Cub River
C-25 Mapleton, near lower end of Cub Canyon - Stream about 50
feet wide and of variable depth, from a few inches over
rocky ledges to several feet in the pools. Gradient is
steep over rubble bed. Willows line the banks.
-32-
-------
(Table 6 - Continued)
Cub River (Cont'd)
C-21 Low flow most of year owing to irrigation diversions above.
Stream gradient much more nearly flat than C-25. Shallow
riffles nearly choked with trailing masses of green algae.
Very heavy growth of bottom fauna - caddis-flies, particularly.
C-19.5 Below Franklin - Stream gradient quite flat between this
point and C-21, but steepens slightly to provide appreciable
riffles at this station. Gross pollution observed during
bean pack in August. Heavy sludge deposits lined the pools.
A few scattered mayfly and dragon fly. nymphs were collected
along the stream margins where pollution effects may have
been less severe than at midstream. By November, 19.5
indicated progress in recovery, but pools still had deposits
of sludge with sludge worms in abundance. Ihese with large
number of 2-3 inch crane fly larvae, Holorusia rubiginosa,
and some snails grossed a total weight of Ul.ii grams per
square foot - a record for all collections on the Bear River
System.
C-10 In August some recovery from bean cannery wastes accomplished
in the 9.5 miles of flow. Heavy "pollution blanket" of blue-
green algae and fungi coated rocks in riffles. Only organisms
with short life histories found here. In November this station
represents condition on Cub below both sugar refineries -
Whitney, Idaho, and Lewiston, Utah, flow was very fast - 5 feet
per second - and sewage fungus streamed from bottom and sub-
merged objects. Riffles observed in August were submerged in
November. Stream resembled a tail race from a power plant.
-33-
-------
TA5TE 7
Bear R:ver
Plankton
A - Abundant R - Hare
- Results of
August I95h
Tow Hauls
C - Conmcn Pred. - PrHd.ominaat
0 - Occasional
: Location
: Eear River : Cub
Organisms :
*.
Blue-green algae
Oscillator j a (large sp.)
Oscillatoria (small gp.)
Green Algae
Actinastrum Aantzschi
AnkistrodesEius falcatus
Ccsrisriuai sp.
Crucigenia sp.
Pediajrtruin Boryanum
Pediastruin duplex
Scenedesmus quadricauda
£phaerocj-stis Schroeteri
Spirogyrasp
Diatoms
Amphora ovalis
Cccconeis pediculvus
Cocconeis placentula
Cocconeis sp.
Cyclotella sp.
Cyir.atcpleura solea
Diatoito vulgare
Gorcphoneisa scuminstvnn
Gyrosigaa sp.
Melosira sppc
Navicula
Nitsschia spp.
Synedra spp.
Cyi:;bclla sp.
Proposes
Ceratius, hirundinella
Eudorina elegans
Luglena sp.
Above :
Preston : !'
0
0
0
0
G
0
C
C
0
C
C
0
r*
O
C
0
0
o
o
R
0
Below : Above C-21
alnd R. Jet : Franklin
0
0
0
C
0
C
R
R
C
C
0
A
0
0
A
r»
o
C
0
R
0
River
: Below C-10
: iierril Is
0
0
R
0
A
C
C
C
0
C
C
0
(Continued)
-31*-
-------
(Table 7 - Continued)
Location
: Bear River : Cub River
Organisms : Above : Below : Above C-21 : Belo?; C-10
t Preston ; Malad R. Jet : Franklin : Merrills
Protozoa (Cont'd)
Gymnodinium sp. R 0
Pandorina morum R R
Stentor sp. R
Trachelonionas volvocina C
Vorticella sp. 0 0
Rotifers
Asplanchna sp. 0 0
Brachionus angularis C
B. calyciflorus C C
B. capsuliflorus 0
B. caudatus 0
B. patulus R
B. quadridentata 0
Bdelloid rotifers 0
Euchlanis sp. 0
Filinia longiseta R
Keratella cochlearis 0
Pedalia sp. R
Polyarthra trigla 0 0
Other organisms
Cladocera 0 0
Bosmina sp. R
Daphnia sp. R
Nauplii 0
Cyclops sp.
Nematodes R
-35-
-------
TABLE 8
Summarized Results of Tov Net Plankton from Beax River
August and November
Organism
: B-92 : B-55 : B-lfO.5 : B-12
* • • •
j 8-11 11-9.• 11-11I 11-11 i 8-lfr 11-11
Green Algae
Spirogyra
Cladophora
Diatoms
Diatoma vulgare C* A A C C
Melosira 0 A A 0 C-A
Surirella
Protozoa
Ciliates C C
Euglena viridis C
Paramecium
Rotifers
Brachionus spp. C** C
Other
Sphaerotilus C A A
Zoogloea C A A
*C - Common; A - Abundant; 0 - Occasional; R - Rare
**Encystinent or winter egg stage starting.
-36-
-------
TABLE 9
Summarized Results of Tov Net Samples from Bear River
Tributaries - August and November
Organism : W-8 ; C-21 : C-10 : C-1.J5 ; M-22
jll-10 . 8-13 . 11-9 : 8-12. 11-10 . 11-12
Green Algae
Pediastrum Boryanum A
Spirogyro sp. A
Diatoms A
Diatoma vulgare C A 0
Navicula spp. A R
Surirella spp. A
Melosira spp. C C
Protozoa R
Euglena viridis C
Paramecium sp. C
Trachelomonas volvocina C
Rotifers R
Brachionus spp. C
Others
Sphaerotilus o AC
Zoogloea 0 A
-37-
-------
TABLE 10
Biological Data - Tov Net Hauls
Bear River System
November 9-12, 195k
A - Abundant
C - Common R - Rare
0 - Occasional Pred. - Predominant
Station
Organism
JJ-J.2 W-O U-21 U-1.5 VL-'d'd
Blue-green algae
Oscillatoria sp. 0
Green Algae
Cladophora sp. A
Closterium moniliferum R
Cosmarium sp. R
Oocystis sp. R
Pediastrum Boryanum 0 OR R
Pediastrum duplex R
Scenedesmus quadricauda R 0 OR R
Spirogyra sp. A
Staurastrum sp. OR
Diatoms
AchTiantb.es sp. R
Amphiprora sp. 0 0
Amphora ovalis R
Cocconeis pediculus R C C
Cocconeis placentula 0
Cyclotella sp. 0 0
Cymatopleura solea R R R
Cymbella sp. 0 R 0
Diatoma vulgare A-Pred. A-Pred. C A R-0 A-Pred. 0
Diatoma sp. Q
Epithemia sp. o R 0 0
Gomphonema acuminatum OR 0 R C 0
Gyrosigma 0 Q
Melosira sp. A-Pred. A-Pred. 0 R C-A
Navicula 0 0 C C C R A
Nitzschia spp. 0 0 0 C C C
Surirella sp. R 0 R A-Pred
Synedra spp. 0 0 C C 0 C r
Tabellaria sp. R °
Protozoa
Amoeba sp. R
Chlamydomonas sp. 0
Ciliates c c
Codonella cratera 00 R R
Colpidium sp. R ^
Difflugia sp.
n
-38-
-------
TABLE 10 (cont'd)
Station
Organism ~^g2 iu55 B-40.5 B-lfO.5 B-12 W-8 C-21 C-1.5 M-22
Dinobryon sertularia R
Euglena viridis C C C
Euglena spp. C
Euplotes sp. 0
Gymnodinium sp. R
Pandorina morum 0
Paramecium sp. C
Phacus R
Pleuronema sp. 0 R
Synura uvella R
Vorticella sp. R R
Rotifers 0 R
Asplanchna sp. 0
Brachionus angular is 0 C
Euchlanis sp. 0
Keratella cochlearis 0 0 R
Lecane Ivma R
Polyarthra trigla R
Miscellaneous
Cyclops sp. R
Nauplii R
Sphaerotilus C A-Pred. A A-Pred. 0 AC
Zoogloea C A-Pred. C A-Pred. 0 A
-39-
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TABLE 11
Biological Data
Bottom Fauna - Riffle Samples
Bear River System - August and November 195U
Numbers per square foot of bottom surface
Organisms
Bear B-92
11-9-5^
Worm W-17
11-9- &
Worm W-2
11-10-5^
Diptera - True Flies
Tendipedidae
Green
Simuliidae 775
Eriocera sp. 10
Ephemeroptera - Mayflies 50
Coleoptera - Beetles
Elmidae 8
£_ Lepidoptera - Water Moths
o Elophila Sp. 2
Odonata - Dragon and Damsel Flies
Enallagtna sp. M
Plecoptera - Stoneflies 2 275
Trichoptera - Caddis Flies
Brachycentridae 1
Hydropsychidae 168
Crustacea
Gammarus sp. 2
Hyalella azteca 3
Oligochaetes - Aquatic Worms
Limmodrilus sp. 6 20 8
Peloscolex multisetosus 5
Tubifex tubifex 2
Washed down from point upstream - eliminated.
-------
TABLE 11 (cont'd)
Organisms
Hirudinea - Leeches
Glossiphonia sp.
Glossiphonia stagnalis
Total
Weight Grams/sq. ft.
Percent Pollutional
No. species, families, etc.
Bear B-92
11-9-5^
6
3
123l«
2.13
2
13
Worm W-17
11-9-5^
2
310
1
7.1
6
Worm W-2
11-10-51*
12
Trace
100
1
-------
TABLE 12
Biological Data
Bottom Fauna - Pool and Run Samples
Bear and Malad Rivers
Numbers per square foot
Organisms Bear B-55 Bear B-12 Bear B-12 Malad M-22 Malad M-ll
ll-ll-5li 8-14-54 11-11-54 11-12-54 11-12-34
Diptera - True Flies
Tendipedidae 3
Small Green Tend. 13 6
Calospectra sp. 224 7
Spaniotoma sp. 1
Tendipes decorus 16 9
Oligochaetes 4 215
Limnodrilus spp. 2 A
Nais sp. 4 0
ro
Leeches
Total 5 226 35 22 218
Wt-Gm/sq ft Trace Trace Trace Trace 1.6
Percent Pollutional 80 1 63 4l 98.5
No. species,
genera-families 224 32
-------
TABLE 13
Biological Data
Bottom Fauna - Pool and Run Samples
Cub River - August and November 195^
Numbers per square foot bottom area
Organisms
C-21
8-13-5^
C-21
11-9-5^
C-21
11-9-5^
c-19.5
C-19.5
11-9-5^
C-10
8-12-51*
C-10
11-10-51*
C-12
11-10-51*
Diptera - True flies
Tendipedidue - Red
Small green
Calospectra spp. 26
Clinotanypus sp.
Cryptochironomus sp. 16
Endochironomus sp. 36
Microtendipes sp.
Pentapedilum sp. 8
Tendipes decorus 2
Holorusia rubiginosa
Tabanidae
Coleoptera - Beetles
Haltplidae 6
Phanocerus sp. 2
Ephemeroptera - Mayflies
Baetidae
Plecoptera - Stonefiles
Trichoptera - Caddis Flies
Hydropsychidae
Oligochaetes
Naididae 1?6
Nais sp.
Limnodrilus spp.
Peloscolex multisetosus
Tubificidae J.08
Tubifex tubifex
Leeches 2
Glossiphonia stagnalis
272
336
56
32
72
16
8
8
k
k
16
160
8
8
208
8
620
8k
8332
0*
A
0
2
270
2
28
20
k
18
-------
1
r— -
E-
Organisms
Mollusca - Snails &
Ferrissidae
Physa spp.
Sphaerium sp.
Pisidium sp.
Gyraulus sp.
Crustacea
Qyalella azteca
Total
C-21
8-13-54
Clams
76
4
18
480
Wt -Grams/sqf t 1 . 4
Percent Pollutional 76
No. species-
C-21
11-9-54
8
337
Trace
7
C-21
11-9-54
8
48
152
8
2380
10
73
C-19.5 C-19.5
8-13-54 11-9-54
10
1336 8550
2 41
85 99.5
C-10
8-12-54
356
0.2
82
C-10
11-10-54
24
32
Trace
100
C-12
11-10-5
26
Trace
85
genera-families 13
16
10
0* - Occasional
A - Abundant
-------
TABLE 14
Biological Data
Bottom Fauna - Riffle Samples
Cub River - August and November 1954
Numbers per square foot bottom surface
Organisms
C-25 C-25 C-21 C-21
8-12-54 11-9-54 8-13-51* B-13-5^
C-21 C-19.5
11.9.54 8-13-5^
C-19.5 C-10 C-10
11-9-54 8-12-54 11-10-54
Diptera - True flies 9
Tendipedidae-Red
Small green 20
Calospectra sp.
Clinotanypus sp.
Cryptochironomus sp.
Diamesinae
Spaniotoma sp. 31
Tendipes decorus
Tipulidae 3 10
Eriocera sp. 1
Holorusia rubiginosa
Limnobiinae 80
Simuliidae 21
Ceratopogonidae 1
Coleoptera - Beetles
Elmidae 4l 15
Phanocerus sp.
Haliplidae
Brychius sp.
Ephemeroptera - Mayflies 300 186
Baetidae A
Heptagenidae R
Lepidoptera
Elophila sp.
Neuroptera 1 4
248
94
14?
98
262
30
732
R
13
330
0
0
A
6
6
216
26
8
357
119
16
15
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TABLE 14 (cont'd)
Organisms
Plecoptera - Stoneflies
Trichoptera - Caddis Flies
Brachycentridae
Hydropsychidae
Leptoceridae
Micro caddis
Rhyacophilidae
Oligochoetes -Sludge Worms
Nais sp.
Limnodrulus spp.
Tubifex tubifex
Leeches
Glossiphonia sp.
Snails
Gyraulus sp.
Physa spp.
Stagnicola sp.
Crustacea
Gammarus sp.
Hyalella azteca
Nematodes
Total
Wt in grams/sq- f t
Percent pollutional
No. species, families, etc.
C-25
8-12-51*
18
139
11
2
1
1
569
3.28
0
15
C-25
11-9-5*
18
35
2
1
382
2.0
1
10
C-21
8-13-5*
20
11*86
A
k
3
2102
7.0
0.5
10
C-21 C-21 C-19.5
8-13-5* H-9-5* 8-13-5*
2
335
191*2 A
2756
1
1
2
13
271* *05 31*88
8.0 5.6 i*»
0 3.25 loo
7 11 2
C-19.5
11-9-5*
*87
0
c
c
1
26
1
556
6.75
9*
13
C-10
8-12-51*
3
38
A
R
1
1
593
0.85
6
10
C-10
11-10-5
6
8
1
15
Trace
100
3
"Estimate
A - Abundant
0 - Occasional C - Common
R - Rare
-------
kOCATION MAP
SCALC IN MILES
SOURCES OF MUNICIPAL POLLUTION
POPULATION EQUIVALENT (c.O.C.) OF VASTES
DISCHARGED TO STREAM
d SpOO AND 1/NiEP
(23 5,000-ISpOO
L_J ISpOO-30,000
SOURCES OF INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION
POPULATION EQUIVALENT (B.0.0.) OF WASTES
DISCHARGED TO STREAM
1000 AND LNOER
000-50,000
150,001 4ND OVEH
TREATMENT FACILITIES
CD IN EXISTENCE
• NOT IN EXISTENCE
FIGURE I
SOURCES OF
MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION
LOWER BEAR RIVER SYSTEM
1954
SCA^C IN WI^ES
-------
BEAR RIVER WATERSHED
LOCATION HAP
SCALE IN MILCS
o
CLEAN WATER
fct;'..-..') FACULTATIVE
POLLUTIONAL
C-IO STATION NUMBER
(P) POOL
(Ft) RUN
(R) RIFFLE
FIGURE 2
BIOLOGICAL DATA - BOTTOM FAUNA
LOWER BEAR RIVER SYSTEM
AUGUST 1954
SOLE IN MILES
0 5
-------
BEAR RIVER WATERSHED
o
CLEAN WATER
FACULTATIVE
POLLUTIONAL
C-IO STATION NUMBER
(P) POOL
(tf) RUN
(R) RIFFLE
FIGURE 3
BIOLOGICAL DATA - BOTTOM FAUNA
LOWER BEAR RIVER SYSTEM
NOVEMBER 1954
SCALE IN HILC8
0 5
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