REPORT ON POLLUTION -
NAVICABLE WATERS OF THE
PENOBSCOT RIVER AND
UPPER PENOBSCOT BAY
IN MAINE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ADMINISTRATION
Merrimack River Pro ject - Northeast Region
Boston, Massachusetts
February 1967
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REPORT ON POLLUTION -
NAVIGABLE WATERS OF THE
PENOBSCOT RIVER AND UPPER PENOBSCOT BAY
IN MAINE
(Revised)
Merrimack River Project
Northeast Region
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration
U. S. Department of the Interior
Boston, Massachusetts
February 1967
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No,
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS 1
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 1
RECOMMENDATIONS 9
Receiving Waters 9
Municipal Wastes 16
Industrial Wastes. 16
Time Schedule 18
INTRODUCTION 19
SOURCES OF POLLUTION 21
GENERAL 21
BACTERIA 23
SUSPENDED SOLIDS 23
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND 25
SULFITE WASTE LIQUOR 26
WATER CURRENTS IN UPPER PENOBSCOT BAY 27
WATER TEMPERATURE AND CONDUCTIVITY 2?
WIND 30
DROGUE OBSERVATIONS 30
SULFITE WASTE LIQUOR 33
WATER USES 35
CLAM RESOURCES 36
Methods 36
Town of Northport kO
Town of Belfast ^3
Town of Sear sport ^4-5
Town of Stockton Springs ^7
Town of Penobscot 50
Town of Castine 51
Town of Islesboro 5^
Resources of Upper Penobscot Bay 56
Marketing of Clams 57
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Page No.
EFFECTS OF POLLUTION ON WATER QUALITY 60
GENERAL 60
BACTERIA 6l
SUSPENDED SOLIDS 83
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND AND DISSOLVED OXYGEN 8U
SULFITE WASTE LIQUOR 86
FUTURE WATER QUALITY - 88
REFERENCES 93
APPENDIX 95
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure No. Follows Page No.
1 Study Area A-8
2 Relative Bacterial Loads from Various Sources . 2U
3 Relative Suspended Solids Loads from
Various Sources 26
k Relative Oxygen Demand Loads from Various
Sources 26
5 Temperature Sampling Locations-Penobscot
Bay Area 28
6 Temperature and Conductivity in Penobscot
Bay-Long Cove to Ram Island 28
7 Temperature and Conductivity in Penobscot
Bay-Bucksport to Castine 28
8 Temperature in Penobscot Bay-Perkins Point to
Stockton Harbor 28
9 Temperature in Penobscot Bay-Moose Point
to Turner Point 28
10 Temperature in Penobscot Bay-Sears Island
to Turtle Head • 28
11 Temperature in Penobscot Bay-Bayside to
Blockhouse Point 28
12 Temperature in Penobscot Bay-Moose Point to
Point North of Bayside 28
13 Temperature in Penobscot Bay-Moose Point
to Turner Point 30
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LIST OF FIGURES (Continued)
Figure No. Follows Page No,
lU Temperature in Penobscot Bay-Moose Point
to Bayside .................. 30
15 Temperature in Penobscot Bay-Bayside to
Blockhouse Point ............... 30
16 Temperature in Penobscot Bay-Sears Island
to Turtle Head ................ 30
17 Polar Coordinate Histogram Plot of Wind
.Direction ................... 30
18 Histogram of Wind Speed ............ 30
19 Plot of Wind Speed Versus Direction ...... 30
20 Current Studies in Penobscot Bay Area
During Ebb Tide ................ 30
21 Current Studies in Penobscot Bay Area
During Flood Tide ............... 30
22 Apparent Sulfite Waste Liquor at the Surface
in Penobscot Bay Area ............. 3^
23 Clam Resources Survey Area .......... 36
2k Shellfish Growing Area-Town of Northport ... ho
25 Shellfish Growing Area-Town of Belfast .... hk
26 Shellfish Growing Area-Town of Sear sport ... 1*6
27 Shellfish Growing Area -Town of Stockton
Springs ................... U8
28 Shellfish Growing Area-Town of Penobscot ... 50
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LIST OF FIGURES (Continued)
Figure No.
29
30
31
32
33
3^
35
36
Follows Page No.
Shellfish Growing Area-Town of Castine . . .
Shellfish Grov/ing Area-Town of Islesboro . .
Bacteriological Sampling Locations in
Penobscot Bay Area ...
Total Coliforms at High Tide in Penobscot
Bay Area
Total Coliforms at Ebb Tide in Penobscot
Bay Area
Total Coliforms at Low Tide in Penobscot
Bay Area
Location of Clam Samples Taken for
Bacteriological Analysis
Classification of Waters in Upper Penobscot
Bay Area
52
5^
62
70
70
70
80
88
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LIST OF TABLES
Table No. Page No.
1 Water Quality Requirements-I .......... 10
2 Water Quality Requirements -II .......... 12
3 Water Quality Requirements -III ......... lU
h Estimated Characteristics of Sewage and
Industrial Wastes Discharged to Penobscot
Bay and Tributaries within Study Area ...... 2k
5 Pertinent Data Used to Estimate Standing Crop
for Individual Areas .............. ^1
6 Present and Projected Standing Crops and Their
Values for Towns Surrounding Penobscot Bay,
Maine ...................... 58
7 Colif orm Bacteria in Penobscot Bay Area ..... 63
8 Coliform Bacteria in Penobscot Bay Area-
High Tide .................... 65
9 Coliform Bacteria in Penobscot Bay Area-
Ebb Tide ............... ..... 67
10 Coliform Bacteria in Penobscot Bay Area-
Low Tide .................... 69
11 Geometric Mean Total Coliform Value for
Stated Fecal Coliform Value .......... 75
12 Penobscot Bay Area Salmonella Results ..... 78
13 Coliform Bacteria in Clams in the Penobscot
Bay Area .................... 80
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SUMMAKY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
1. The Commissioner of Sea and Shore Fisheries for the State of Maine,
Mr. Ronald W. Green, ordered the closing of the remaining shellfish
beds in Searsport and Stockton Springs, Maine, on June 28, 1966,
because of the polluted condition of the water. The Federal Water
Pollution Control Administration, in conjunction with the United
States Public Health Service, conducted an investigation of the
Penobscot River below Bangor, Maine, and the upper Penobscot Bay
area to determine the sources of this pollution, the direction of
travel of this pollution, and the degree of economic injury involved.
2. Discharges from the following communities and industries result in
serious pollution in the Penobscot River and upper Penobscot Bay area:
Bangor
S. A. Maxfield Co., Bangor
Brewer
Standard Packaging Corp., Brewer
Hampdeh
Winterport
Frankfort
Bucksport
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St. Regis Paper Co., Bucksport
Maine Blueberry Growers, Penobscot
Castine
Maine Maritime Academy, Castine
Stockton Springs
Searsport
Northern Chemical Industries, Inc., Searsport
Bangor and Arroostook R.R. Co., Searsport
Freighters and tankers serving Shell Oil Co., C. H.
Sprague and Sons, Inc.; Jarka Corporation of New England;
and U. S. Air Force Petrol Depot, Searsport
Belfast
Belfast Canning Co., Belfast
Maplewood Packing Co., Belfast
Penobscot Poultry Co., Inc., Belfast
Sherman and Company, Belfast
Northport
These discharges caused the closure of the shellfish beds in North-
port, Belfast, Searsport, Stockton Springs, Penobscot, Castine, and
may cause the closure of some of the beds in Islesboro. There is
presently a harvestable standing crop of 96,600 bushels of soft shell
clams; these are worth from $1,900,000 to $5,200,000. An estimated
harvestable standing crop of U6,200 bushels of clams worth from
$900,000 to $2,500,000 would be available next year.
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3. Bacteria equivalent to those in raw sewage of approximately 70,300
persons are discharged at the present time in the study area. The
communities of Bangor and Brewer contribute 65 per cent of the total,
while the two poultry plants in Belfast discharge 11 per cent. The
remaining 2h per cent is contributed by the following sources: S. A.
Maxfield Co., Bangor; Standard Packaging Corp., Brewer; Hampden;
Winterport; Frankfort; Bucksport; St. Regis Paper Co., Bucksport;
Maine Blueberry Growers, Penobscot; Castine; Maine Maritime Academy,
Castine; Stockton Springs; Searsport; Northern Chemical Industries,
Inc., Searsport; Bangor and Arroostook R. R. Co., Searsport; Freight-
ers and tankers serving Shell Oil Co., C. H. Sprague and Sons, Inc.,
Jarka Corporation of New England, and U. S. Air Force Petrol Depot,
Searsport; Belfast; Belfast Canning Co., Belfast; Sherman and Company,
Belfast; Northport. Coliform bacteria exceeded the 70 MPN/100 ml
maximum value for harvesting shellfish at every sampling location
except two, and coliform bacteria analyses of the clam meat clearly
indicate that the waters were polluted. A median of 70 MPN/100 ml
is used by the State of Maine as the maximum for taking of shellfish.
Disease-causing Salmonella bacteria were identified in the waters
polluted by discharges from both community and industrial plant
sources.
k. Sewage and industrial wastes presently discharged have an estimated
population equivalent of 1,190,000, as measured by biochemical oxygen
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demand, of vhich the two pulp and paper industries contribute more
than 90 per cent of the total. Data from the State of Maine show
that the dissolved oxygen is reduced by these discharges and is at
times zero. This reduction of dissolved oxygen destroys fish and
fish food organisms and prevents the passage of anadromous fish,
such as salmon. If pollution were reduced, the Penobscot River
could support fish and aquatic life; and with the construction of
fish passageways, the river could also support runs of the anadro-
mous fish.
5. Discharges of suspended solids create a severe water pollution
problem in Belfast Bay, Stockton Harbor and the Penobscot River.
These materials cause sludge deposits which deplete the water's
oxygen supply; produce offensive odors, especially when tidal flats
are exposed; reduce or eliminate aquatic life which serves as food
for fishes; smother shellfish and/or prevent their propagation.
The suspended solids also make these once attractive waters appear
turbid. The amount of suspended solids discharged is equivalent
to the raw sewage of 633,000 persons; of these, about 83 per cent
come from two pulp and paper mills.
6. Discharges of sulfite waste liquor from pulp and paper mills, in
addition to adding suspended solids, organic matter causing bio-
chemical oxygen demand, and materials that discolor the receiving
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stream, do have a toxic effect on aquatic life. Standard Pack-
aging Corporation in Brewer and St. Regis Paper Company in
Bucksport both release wastes of this type.
7. Studies of the water currents, along with bacteriological and sulfite
waste liquor analyses, show that wastes discharged to the Penobscot
River caused pollution of Stockton Harbor, Long Cove, Searsport
Harbor, Belfast Bay, Penobscot Bay, Castine Harbor and the shores
of Islesboro Island. In addition, Belfast wastes pollute Belfast
Bay and, under recurrent tidal and wind conditions, contribute to
the bacterial densities of Searsport Harbor, Long Cove, Stockton
Harbor, Islesboro Island and waters south of Belfast Bay. Wastes
from Searsport are polluting the waters of Searsport Harbor, Long
Cove and Stockton Harbor. Wastes from Stockton Springs increase the
bacterial densities of Stockton Harbor and Fort Point Cove, while
Castine and the Maine Maritime Academy cause pollution of the waters
in Castine.
8. The waters of the study area have been classified by the State of
Maine. Part of Belfast Bay was classified as suitable only for
transportation of sewage and industrial wastes without a public
nuisance. According to the existing State classification, the
taking of shellfish will not be a legitimate water use in the future,
except in a small part of Searsport in Stockton Harbor and on the
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western side of Islesboro Island below Marshall Point, since it
will be legal to exceed 70 MPN/100 ml in the waters overlying a
shellfish bed. The Maine water quality standards should be upgraded
to reflect, more truly, legitimate water uses in the area.
9. Water quality requirements have been developed by the Merrimack
River Project for the pollutional discharges and for various sec-
tions of the upper Penobscot Bay area. These requirements are con-
tained in the recommendations section. The recommended quality can
be achieved if the sources of pollution listed above provide adequate
treatment. The water quality requirements would allow the waters
in the communities of Northport, Searsport, Stockton Springs,
Penobscot, Castine, Islesboro, Belfast east of Goose River, and
Belfast south of latitude UU°2VN to be used for:
•
Shellfish Production
Lobster Production
Commercial Fishing, including anadromous fish
Aesthetics
Industrial - Processing and Cooling
Recreation - Whole Body Contact
Sport Fishing
Pleasure Boating
Wildlife
Navigation
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The water quality requirements would allow the waters in Belfast
west of Goose River and in Belfast north of latitude M*°2VN to be
used for:
Lobster Production
Commercial Fishing
Aesthetics
Industrial Water - Processing and Cooling
Recreation - Whole Body Contact
Sport Fishing
Pleasure Boating
Wildlife
Navigation
The water quality requirements would allow the waters in the
Penobscot River from the Bangor dam to the southern tip of Verona
Island to be used for:
Commercial Fishing, including anadromous fish
Aesthetics
Industrial Water - Processing and Cooling
Recreation - Limited Body Contact
Sport Fishing
Pleasure Boating
Wildlife
Navigation
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10. Substantial economic injury results from the inability to market
shellfish or shellfish products in interstate commerce because
of pollution caused by sewage and industrial wastes discharged
to the Penobscot River and Upper Fenobscot Bay area, and action
of State authorities. Accordingly, the pollution of these
navigable waters is subject to abatement under procedures described
in Section 10 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as
amended.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
Receiving Waters
It is recommended that:
a. The tidal and marine waters in the communities of North-
port, Searsport, Stockton Springs, Penobscot, Castine,
Islesboro, Belfast east of Goose River, and Belfast
south of latitude Mf°2VN meet Water Quality Require-
ments I shown in Table 1.
b. The tidal and marine waters in Belfast west of Goose
River and in Belfast north of latitude W^'N meet
Water Quality Requirements II shown in Table 2.
c. The Penobscot River from the Bangor dam to the southern
tip of Verona Island meet Water Quality Requirements III
shown in Table 3.
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TABLE 1
WATER QUALITY REQUIREMENTS-I
Total Coliform Bacteria - MPN per 100 ml
Weekly median not more than 70 and no more than 10 per cent
of the values greater than 230.
Dissolved Oxygen - mg/1
Average over a 2k hour period shall not be less than 6.0.
At no time shall the dissolved oxygen be less than 5.0.
True Color - Units
Not more than 30 at any time.
Turbidity
No turbidity of other than natural origin that will cause
substantial visible contrast with the natural appearance of
the water.
Sulfite Waste Liquor (lO# solids basis) - ppm
Not more than 10 at any time.
pH Units
Within range 6.9 - 8.5 at all times.
Odor
No obnoxious odors other than those of natural origin.
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TABLE 1 (Continued)
Temperature -°C
Daily average not more than 20.
At no time shall temperature exceed 25.
Oil or Grease
Substantially free of oil or grease.
Floating Solids and Debris
Substantially free of floating solids and debris from other
than natural sources.
Bottom Deposits
Substantially free of pollutants that will: (l) unduly affect
the composition of the bottom fauna; (2) unduly affect the
physical or chemical nature of the bottom; (3) unduly inter-
fere with the spawning of fish or their eggs.
Substances Potentially Toxic
Kot in toxic concentrations or combinations.
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.TABLE 2
WATER QUALITY REQUIREMENTS -II
Total Coliform Bacteria - MPN per 100 ml
Weekly arithmetic average not more than 1,000.
Dissolved Oxygen - mg/1
Average over a 2k hour period shall not be less than 6.0.
At no time shall the dissolved oxygen be less than 5.0.
True Color - Units
Not more than 30 at any time.
Turbidity
No turbidity of other than natural origin that will cause
substantial visible contrast with the natural appearance of
the water.
Sulfite Waste Liquor (lO^ solids basis) - ppm
Not more than 10 at any time.
pH - Units
Within range 6.9 - 8«5 at all times.
Odor
No obnoxious odors other than those of natural origin.
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TABLE 2 (Continued)
Temperature - °C
Daily average not more than 20.
At no time shall temperature exceed 25.
Oil or Grease
Substantially free of oil or grease.
Floating Solids and Debris
Substantially free of floating solids and debris from other
than natural sources.
Bottom Deposits
Substantially free of pollutants that will: (l) unduly affect
the composition of the bottom fauna; (2) unduly affect the
physical or chemical nature of the bottom; (3) unduly inter-
fere with the spawning of fish or their eggs.
Substances Potentially Toxic
Not in toxic concentrations or combinations.
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TABLE 3
WATER QUALITY REQUIREMENTS-III
Total Coliform Bacteria - MPN per 100 ml
Weekly arithmetic average not more than 5,000.
Dissolved Oxygen - mg/1
Average over a 2k hour period shall not be less than 5-0.
At no time shall the dissolved oxygen be less than ^.0.
True Color - Units
Not more than 30 at any time.
Turbidity
No turbidity of other than natural origin that will cause
substantial visible contrast with the natural appearance of
the water.
Sulfite Waste Liquor (10$ solids basis) - ppm
Not more than 50 at any time.
pH - Units
Within range 6.0 - 8.5 at all times.
Odor
No obnoxious odors other than those of natural origin.
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.TABLE 3 (Continued)
Temperature - C
Daily average not more than 25.
At no time shall temperature exceed 30.
Oil or Grease
Substantially free of oil or grease.
Floating Solids and Debris
Substantially free of floating solids and debris from other
than natural sources.
Bottom Deposits
Substantially free of pollutants that will: (l) unduly affect
the composition of the bottom fauna; (2) unduly affect the
physical or chemical nature of the bottom; (3) unduly inter-
fere with the spawning of fish or their eggs.
Substances Potentially Toxic
Not in toxic concentrations or combinations.
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Municipal Wastes
The communities of Northport, Belfast, Searsport, Stockton
Springs, Frankfort, Winterport, Hampden, Bangor, Brewer, Bucksport and
Castine and the Maine Maritime Academy are to provide secondary treat-
ment of all dry-weather wastes. Secondary treatment means at least
90 per cent removal of BOD and suspended solids. Facilities are to be
efficiently operated, are to have a deep bay or river outfall at the
point of discharge, where necessary, and are to disperse the effluent
adequately. All wastes are to be disinfected and, in all cases, there
is to be a density of coliform bacteria not greater than 5,000 MPN per
100 ml before dilution. In any case, the requirements of the receiving
waters are to be met. Separation of sanitary wastes from combined
sewers or adequate treatment, including disinfection of storm-water
overflows from combined sewers, is to be provided. No new combined
sewers are to be constructed.
Industrial Wastes
It is recommended that the industries that discharge their
industrial and domestic wastes provide secondary treatment or the equiva-
lent for all their wastes. Facilities are to be efficiently operated
and have a deep bay or river outfall at the point of discharge, where
needed, and are to disperse the wastes adequately. All wastes are to
be disinfected, where necessary, and all domestic sewage is to be dis-
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infected. In all cases, there is to be a density of coliform bacteria
not greater than 5,000 MPN/100 ml before dilution. In any case, the
requirements of the receiving waters are to be met. It is recommended
that the following industries provide additional treatment which will
result in an effluent limit for the following pollutional constituents:
Standard Packaging Corporation, Brewer, Maine
Sulfite waste liquor - Maximum discharge of 12,000
pounds of concentrated liquor
per day.
St. Regis Paper Company, Bucksport, Maine
Sulfite waste liquor - Maximum discharge of 12,000
pounds of concentrated liquor
per day.
Northern Chemical Industries, Incorporated, Searsport,
Maine
Total coliform bacteria - Maximum value of 70 MPN/100
ml at any time.
Bangor and Arroostook Railroad Company, Searsport, Maine
Total coliform bacteria - Maximum value of 70 MPN/100
ml at any time.
Freighters and Tankers serving Searsport, Maine
All wastes shall be pumped to a land based sewage treat-
ment plant or town sewer line if a non-overflowing
holding tank is not used when anchored or docked in the
Upper Penobscot Bay area. If a land based sewage treat-
ment plant is used, the density of total coliform bac-
teria shall not exceed 70 MPN/100 ml at any time.
Maine Blueberry Growers, Penobscot. Maine
Total coliform bacteria - Maximum value of 70 MPN/100
ml at any time.
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Belfast Canning Company, Belfast, Maine
No visible grease at any time.
Maplewood Packing Company, Belfast, Maine
No visible feathers or grease at any time.
Penobscot Poultry Company, Inc., Belfast, Maine
No visible feathers or grease at any time.
Time Schedule
1. Preliminary plans for abatement of all dry-weather sources of pollu-
tion are to be completed by January 1, 1968.
2. Preliminary plans for storm water overflows from combined sewers are
to be completed by May 1, 1969.
3* All dry-weather sources of pollution are to have final plans and
specifications approved by the Maine Water Improvement Commission
by December 1, 1968, and are to have arranged, voted and authorized
financing by May 1, 1969.
h. Construction of facilities for dry-weather wastes is to be started
by all sources of pollution by July 1, 1969.
5. All remedial action necessary for the abatement of dry-weather
pollution is to be completed by November 1, 1970.
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INTRODUCTION
On June 28, 1966, Mr. Ronald W. Green, Commissioner of Sea
and Shore Fisheries for the State of Maine signed an order which
closed the remaining shellfish beds in Searsport and Stockton Springs,
Maine due to pollution of waters flowing over those beds. The Public
Notice is shown in the Appendix.
Pollution by water-borne sewage and industrial wastes has
caused almost all of the shellfish beds in the upper part of the
Penobscot Bay area to be closed for the harvesting of shellfish. The
only remaining open beds are located on Islesboro Island. This area
is under observation by the Maine Department of Sea and Shore Fisheries
to determine if the beds should be closed.
As a result of the pollution of navigable waters which are
used for harvesting shellfish, the Federal Water Pollution Control Admin-
istration conducted an investigation to determine the sources of pollu-
tion, direction of travel of the pollutants, and degree of economic in-
jury involved.
The study area, located entirely within the State of Maine,
is shown in Figure 1 (Fold-out at back of report), and includes the
Penobscot River below Bangor, Maine and the upper Penobscot Bay area.
The Penobscot River is the major source of fresh water that flows into
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Penobscot Bay. This river has a watershed of over 7j700 square miles
at Bangor. The effects of the tides reach to the dam in Bangor some
2k miles from Penobscot Bay.
Numerous personnel and agencies assisted in the study. The
Maine Department of Sea and Shore Fisheries provided data, participated
in the investigation of the value of the shellfish resources, and
furnished laboratory assistance. The Maine Water Improvement Commission
provided previous reports, information on waste discharges, and other
helpful material. The United States Public Health Service, through its
Regional Office and the Northeast Shellfish Sanitation Research Center,
furnished personnel, data, and equipment and provided material for.the
section of the report on the value of the shellfish resources. Assist-
ance was also provided by the Hudson-Champlain and Metropolitan Coastal
»
Project and the R. A. Taft Sanitary Engineering Center, FWPCA. Mr.
Frederick Young of Belfast, Maine provided utilities and furnished a
site for the mobile laboratory. Towns, industries and citizens of
the upper Penobscot Bay area provided information useful to the overall
study. The cooperation of all is gratefully acknowledged.
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SOURCES OF POLLUTION
GENERAL
Both sewage and industrial wastes contain a variety of
obnoxious constituents which can damage water quality and restrict
its use. Sewage contains astronomical numbers of intestinal bacteria
which were released in man's excretions. Certain industrial wastes,
such as those from poultry processing plants, also contain these same
organisms. Some of these bacteria may be pathogens which can infect
man with a variety of diseases either by direct ingestion of polluted
water or indirectly, as when eating raw or partially cooked shellfish.
Oxygen-demanding materials found in sewage and industrial
wastes can limit or destroy fish, clams, fish food organisms, and other
desirable aquatic life by removing dissolved oxygen from the water.
Greasy substances can form objectionable surface scums; feathers make
the waters and banks unsightly; suspended solids make attractive waters
turbid; settleable solids can create sludge deposits; and materials
causing water to be colored make it aesthetically unpleasant and
can also possibly limit or destroy shellfish and other aquatic life.
The oxygen demand of sewage and industrial wastes, as meas-
ured by the 5-day Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) test, indicates their
potential for reducing the dissolved oxygen content of the waters. The
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coliform bacteria content of raw and treated sewage and industrial waste
discharged to a watercourse indicates the density of sewage-associated
bacteria, which may include disease-producing organisms. The oxygen-
demanding loads can be expressed as population equivalents (PE) of 5
day BOD, suspended solids loads as suspended solids population equiva-
lents (SSPE), and the bacterial loads as bacterial population equivalents
(BPE) of total coliform bacteria. Each PE, SSPE, or BFE unit represents
the average amount of oxygen demand, suspended solids, or total coliform
bacteria normally contained in sewage contributed by one person in one
day.
Primary treatment plants, which consist essentially of settling
tanks and sludge digesters, can remove most scums and grease, feathers,
wood fibers and other settleable solids, about one-third of the BOD, and
approximately 50 per cent of the bacteria. Secondary plants include
secondary biological treatment units, such as oxidation lagoons, trick-
ling filters, or activated sludge systems. Such plants can remove 90
to 95 per cent of the BOD, suspended solids, and coliform bacteria.
Chlorination facilities for disinfection of properly treated sewage and
industrial waste effluents can destroy more than 99 per cent of the
sewage bacteria. To accomplish these reductions, however, treatment
facilities must be properly designed, have adequate operating funds,
and be «xmfully operated.
Estimates have been made of the characteristics of the wastes
discharged to the study area. These estimates are based primarily on
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information from the Maine Water Improvement Commission, engineering
reports for various towns, and personal interviews with industrial
officials. The estimates are summarized in Table h.
BACTERIA
Sewage is the principal source of bacterial pollution in the
upper Penobscot Bay area although poultry plants in Belfast contribute
more than 11 per cent of the 70,305 bacterial population equivalents
discharged in the study area.
Individual septic tanks are usually considered primary treat-
ment when the effluent is discharged to a watercourse. This is the only
type of treatment that any of the sewage entering the waters in the
study area receive. Over 99 Per cent of the sewage receives no treatment,
Figure 2 shows the relative bacterial loads from sources in
the study area. Bangor and Brewer account for about 65 per cent of the
total bacterial loads.
In addition to sewage being discharged from land areas, there
is sewage discharged directly to the Penobscot Bay from freighters and
tankers that dock at Searsport.
SUSPENDED SOLIDS
The overall suspended solids discharged to the study area are
equivalent to those in the raw sewage of about 633,000 persons. Over
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TABLE U
ESTIMATED CHARACTERISTICS OF SEWAGE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTES
DISCHARGED TO PENOBSCOT BAY AND TRIBUTARIES WITHIN STUDY AREA1.
PISCKASuo
B:\ngor
S. A. Maxfield Co., Bangor
Brewer
:"tandard Packaging Corp.,
Brewer
llompden
Winterport
Frankfort
Bucksport
St. Regis Fnper Co.,
Bucksport
Maine Blueberry Growers,
Penobscot
Castine
Maine Maritime Academy,
Castine
Stockton Springs
Searaport
Northern Chemical Industries,
Inc . , Searspo-t
TYPE OF
ivou.
52.61*
0.06
12.21*
1.00
3.98
1.1*2
0.07
2.81*
1.07
O.lU
2.8U
0.85
0.07
1.1*2
0.07
SUSPENDED SOLIDS
NUMBER % TOTAL
37,000 5.81*
10,000
8,600
195,000
2,800
1,000
50
2,000
330,000
1,000
2,000
600
50
1,000
20,000
1.58
1.36
30.80
0.1*1*
0.16
0.01
0.32
52.13
0.16
0.32
0.09
0.01
0.16
3.16
OXYGEN
NUMBER
37,000
6,000
8,600
710,000
2,800
1,000
50
2,000
370,000
1,000
2,000
600
50
1,000
100
DEMAND
% TOTAL
3.10
0.50
0.72
59-60
0.2U
0.08
0.01
0.17
31.05
0.08
0.17
0.05
0.01
0.08
0.01
Bungor and Arroostook R. R.
Co., Searsport
Freighters and tankers serving
Shell Oil Co.; C. H. Sprague
and Sons, Inc.; Jarka Corpor-
ation of New England; and U.S.
Air Force Petrol Depot,
Searsport
Belfast
Belfast Cunning Co., Belfast
Maplewood Pecking Co.,
Belfast
Penobscot Poultry Co., Inc.,
Belfast
Sherman and Company, Belfast
Northport
Septic tank2
10
0.01
10
0.01
10
0.01
None
None
None
Screening
Screening
None
None
20
>*,500
25
1*,000
1*,000
10
1,000
0.03
6.1*0
o.ou
5.69
5.69
0.01
1.1*2
20
%,500
u.ioo
5, bow
5,600
1,000
1,000
0.01
0.71
0.65
0.88
0.88
0.16
0.16
20
!»,500
" 15,600
13,500
13,500
1,000
1,000
0.01
0.38
1.31
1.13
1.13
0.08
0.08
TOTAL
70,305
100.00 632,930 100.00 1,191,330
100.00
1 All population equivalents ore for suwner.
2 Some septic tanks overflow to watercourse.
-------
AREA = 10,000 BACTERIAL POPULATION
EQUIVALENTS
BANGOR
> STANDARD PACKAGING CORPORATION
a:
,_ ST. REGIS PAPER
S.A. MAXFIELD CO.
HAMPDEN
WINTERPORT
O-
FRANKFORT
STOCKTON SPRINGS
NORTHERN
CHEM.
FREIGHTERS
8 TANKERS
BUCKSPORT
SEARSPORT
POULTRY
BELFAST
CANNING
NORTHPORT
MAINE BLUEBERRY GROWERS
O
MAINE MARITIME ACADEMY
BELFAST
PENOBSCOT
POULTRY
RELATIVE BA'CTERIAL LOADS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES
FIGURE 2
-------
90 per cent of the suspended solids discharged emanate from industrial
plants. One of the two largest sources of suspended solids is the St.
Regis Paper Company at Bucksport where 330,000 suspended solids popula-
tion equivalents, approximately 52 per cent of the total, originate.
The other large source of suspended solids is the Standard Packaging
Corporation in Brewer which discharges approximately 31 per cent of the
total suspended solids. Figure 3 indicates the relative amount of
suspended solids discharged to the study area from each source.
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND
Sewage and industrial wastes presently discharged to the
study area have an estimated biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of
1,191,000 population equivalents. Industrial discharges contribute
approximately 95 per cent of the total. The wastes from Standard
Packaging Corporation contain a population equivalent of 710,000 as
measured by BOD, or 59.6 per cent of the 1,191,000. St.Regis Paper
Company in Bucksport discharges wastes containing a BOD equivalent to
raw sewage from approximately 370,000 persons. This is 31 per cent of
the total BOD load. Other individual sources ranged from 0.01 to 3.1
per cent with Belfast Canning Company, Maplewood Packing Company, and
Penobscot Poultry Company, Incorporated, all of Belfast, Maine, together
accounting for 3.6 per cent of the total. Figure k indicates the relative
amount of biochemical oxygen demand loads discharged to the waters of
the study area.
- 25 -
-------
SULFITE WASTE LIQUOR
Sulfite waste liquor arises from the process of manufacturing
sulfite pulp. A standardized method, called the Pearl-Benson method,
is used to estimate sulfite waste liquor concentrations in waters.
It is estimated that over 99 per cent of the sulfite waste
liquor, as measured by the Pearl-Benson test, found in the upper
Penobscot Bay area originated in the Penobscot River. The Standard
Packaging Corporation in Brewer and the St. Regis Paper Company in
Bucksport both discharge sulfite waste liquors. Sources upstream
of Bangor, Maine, also contribute to the total.
- 26 -
-------
BAN60R
STANDARD PACKAGING
S.A. MAXFIELD
ST. REGIS PAPER
STOCKTON SPRINGS
o
NORTHERN CHEMICAL^.—^ \
FREIGHTERS 8 TANKERS
SEARSPORT
O
SHERMAN CO
MAPLEWOO
POUl
BELFAST
CANNING
CO.
PENOBSCOT
POULTRY
MAINE BLUEBERRY
O GROWERS
MAINE MARITIME ACADEMY
CASTINE
BELFAST
AREA = 40,0000 / \
SUSPENDED I )
SOLIDS POPULATION /
EQUIVALENTS \ /
RELATIVE SUSPENDED SOLIDS LOADS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES
FIGURE 3
-------
STANDARD PACKAGING CORPORATION
BREWER
S.A.MAXFIELD
ST. REGIS PAPER
HAMPDEN
WINTERPORT
FRANKFORT
o
STOCKTON SPRING
NORTHERN CHEMICAL
B8A R.R.
FREIGHTERS8 TANKERS
SEARSPORT
BUCKSPORT
SHERMAN8CX)
MAPLEWOOD
POULTRY
Penobscol Bay
MAINE BLUEBERRY GROWERS
O
MAINE MARITIME ACADEMY
BELFAST
CANNING
CO.
BELFAST
PENOBSCOT
POULTRY
CASTINE
NORTHPORT
AREA =100,000 / \
- OXYGEN / \
DEMAND I
POPULATION V I
EQUIVALENTS V /
RELATIVE OXYGEN DEMAND LOADS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES
FIGURE 4
-------
WATER CURRENT IN UPPER PENOBSCOT BAY
The upper portion of Penobscot Bay, between M4°20'N and
!|li 30'N, has a maximum width of some eight miles. Islesboro Island
divides the south portion into two parts of which the eastern part
is somewhat larger. See Figure 1. Bathymetry, or bottom topography,
is rather regular. Maximum depths of 270 feet occur in the south ends
of both the east and west parts of the bay while most of the upper
Penobscot Bay has a depth of 30 to 60 feet.
The Penobscot River, with an average summer flow greater
than 5S000 cfs, flows southward into the northeast portion of the bay.
The Passagassawakeag River, with an average summer flow of about 5-10
cfs, enters from the northwest through Belfast Bay. In a clockwise
direction from Northport, the other named streams entering Penobscot
Bay are Little River, Goose River, Mill Brook, and Cove Brook. Each
usually has a summer flow into the bay area of less than 10 cfs.
The maximum spring tidal range of 11.8 feet occurs at Fort
Point. The range at Belfast is 11.5 and at Castine 11.1 feet. The tide
is semi-diurnal; successive highs (and lows) may differ in height by as
much as 1.5 feet.
WATER TEMPERATURES AND CONDUCTIVITY
The temperature sampling locations are shown in Figure 5.
- 27 -
-------
Figures 6 and 7 show that temperature and conductivity generally
follow the same pattern.
At the time of the field study, Penobscot River water had
temperatures above 12°C (Figure ?) and sea water had a temperature of
about 7°C. Water above 12°C was found to depths of 25 feet at the
U. S. 1 highway bridge below Bucksport, to 8 feet at Fort Point, and
on the surface below Castine in the eastern part of the bay in July
during flood tide. Water of 12°C or above is found to depths of 7.5
feet from Perkins Point in Castine to the entrance of Stockton Harbor,
and to depths of 15 feet within Stockton Harbor in July during early
flood tide (Figure 8).
Figures 9, 10, and 11 show that much of the warmer Penobscot
River water was flowing out in a channel between sears Island and
Islesboro Island and that the Penobscot River water was flowing primarily
in the top 20 feet of water. Penobscot River water did not extend into
Belfast Bay on ebb tide since there was not an increase in temperature.
This is shown best on Figures 10, 11, and 12. Belfast Bay water appears
to have a fairly uniform temperature across the Bay, as is shown in Figure
12. Near high tide, Searsport Harbor and Long Cove have a higher tempera-
ture (Figure 6) than the open area of Penobscot Bay, indicating that
the v/ater has not mixed as much with the cooler sea water. The water
temperature is warmer on the west side of Searsport Harbor than on the
- 28 -
-------
PENOBSCOT
RIVER
FORT POINT
COVE
STOCKTON
HARBOR
FORT
POINT
SEARSPORT
HARBOR
Sampling
Location
ISLESBORO
ISLAND
MARSHALL PT.
TEMPERATURE SAMPLING LOCATIONS - PENOBSCOT BAY AREA
-------
O
LONG COVE
10
20
30
40'
h-
UJ 50'
UJ
U.
. 60
H
Q. H
UJ 70
O
80'
90'
100'
no-
120
14
-h
15
16
RAM ISLAND
6.2
I5°C
AREA LOCATION MAP
N
Belfast!
TINE
NOTES
15.7- TEMPERATURE, °C
(39.0)' CONDUCTIVITY, mill, mhos/
crn
MEASUREMENTS TAKEN ON
JULY 24,1966 BETWEEN
3 1/2 HOURS TO 4 1/2 HOURS
AFTER LOW TIDE
2.0 STATION NUMBER
NAUTICAL MILES
TEMPERATURE AND CONDUCTIVITY IN PENOBSCOT BAY'LONG COVE TO RAM ISLAND
-------
O
c
UJ
u.
a.
UJ
o
or
UJ
o-
10
20
30'
50'
60-
70
80
US. I BRIDGE
BUCKSPORT
SOUTHWEST OF TIP
OF VERONA ISLAND
NT
rFORT POINT
CASTINE
'Ir
AREA LOCATION MAP
N
AST1NE
MEASUREMENTS TAKEN ON
JULY 23,1966 BETWEEN
4 AND 6 HOURS AFTER LOW TIDE
13.8 - TEMPERATUR,°C
(39.0)' CONDUCTIVITY, mill, mho/cm
STATION NUMBER
13
NAUTICAL MILES
TEMPERATURE AND CONDUCTIVITY IN PENOBSCOT BAY - BUCKSPORT TO CASTINE
-------
TJ
O
3J
m
oo
10
20
30
40
UJ
UJ
u.
I
I-
Q.
LU
O
£ 50
I
60
70
STOCKTON HARBOR
PERKINS POINT
12
AREA LOCATION MAP
N
3«lfoi
CASTINE
NOTES
TEMPERATURE, °C
MEASUREMENTS TAKEN
ON JULY 24, 1966 BETWEEN
I.5AND2.5 HOURS AFTER
LOW TIDE
STATION NUMBER
2 3
NAUTICAL MILES
TEMPERATURE IN PENOBSCOT BAY- PERKINS POINT TO STOCKTON HARBOR
-------
Moose Point
Sears Island (C "5" )
Turner Point
UJ
UJ
a.
UJ
0
10'
20-
30-
40'
50'
60-
70'
75'
9°C
36
AREA LOCATION MAP
N
Bttfos
NOTES
TEMPERATURE,°C MEASUREMENTS
TAKEN ON AUGUST 16,1966 BETWEEN
1/2 AND I 1/2 HOURS AFTER
LOW TIDE
STATION NUMBER
456
NAUTICAL MILES
TEMPERATURE IN PENOBSCOT BAY -MOOSE POINT-TURNER POINT
-------
Sears Island
H
U
oe
Id
0-
10-
20'
30'
40-
50-
60-
70-
34
Turtle Head
AREA LOCATION MAP
N
t
.CASTINE
NOTES
TEMPERATURE,°C MEASUREMENTS
TAKEN ON AUGUST 16,1966
BETWEEN 1/2 AND 2 HOURS
AFTER LOW TIDE
3.
-r
2.5
STATION NUMBER
NAUTICAL MILES
TEMPERATURE IN PENOBSCOT BAY-SEARS ISLAND TO TURTLE HEAD
-------
o-
10-
20-
H
UJ
UJ
u.
I 30
t
UJ
a
at
uj 40
50-
60'
70'
BAYSIOE
9°C
MARSHALL PT.
TURTLE HEAD
BLOCKHOUSE PT.
•I
13° C
9°C
AREA LOCATION MAP
N
Bclf«
NOTES
TEMPERATURE,°C MEASUREMENTS
TAKEN ON AUGUST 16,1966
BETWEEN 1/2 AND 0 HOURS
BEFORE LOW TIDE
STATION NUMBER
O
4 5
NAUTICAL MILES
6.5
TEMPERATURE IN PENOBSCOT BAY - BAYSIDE TO BLOCKHOUSE POINT
-------
0-
X
Q.
LU
Q
£ 20'
I-
30-
IO°C'
31
NEAR LITTLE RIVER
MOOSE POINT
AREA LOCATION MAP
N
Betf«
NOTES
TEMPERATURE, °C MEASUREMENTS
TAKEN ON AUGUST 16, 1966
BETWEEN 1/2 AND 2 HOURS
AFTER LOW TIDE
STATION NUMBER
o
C
2.5
NAUTICAL MILES
TEMPERATURE IN PENOBSCOT BAY-MOOSE POINT TO POINT NORTH OF BAYSIDE
-------
east side (Figure 13), indicating that cooler water is entering Sear sport
Harbor on the east side during flood tide.
Wanner water remaining in Stockton Harbor is pushed back
into the northeast end as the cooler waters of the mixed Penobscot
River are forced into the harbor, as depicted in Figure 8.
Belfast Bay area waters are warmer than the open Penobscot
Bay waters near high tide (Figures 13, I1*, and 15), indicating that
there is not a great transfer of water during each tidal cycle because
it takes some time for the water to warm up. One of the characteristics
of water is that it does not change its temperature either up or down
very easily.
The temperature of the waters between Turtle Head and Sears
Island at high tide is nearly uniform (Figure 16), indicating a uniform
flow across the area from a similar source.
Temperature and conductivity measurements indicate that the
estuary falls in Pritchard's "partially mixed" class. The dominant
salt balance equation terms are longitudinal advection, vertical advec-
tion, and vertical diffusion. This class of estuary is noted for flow
volumes in both the upper and lower layers up to ten times that of the
river entering the head of the estuary.
-------
WIND
During the study period in July and August 1966 the wind
generally blew from either a northwest or a southeast direction.
Figure 1? shows on polar coordinates the number of occasions that the
wind blew from a certain direction during the period. The direction
and speed of wind for each occasion is an average over a 50 second
period of time. Recordings occurred once every 20 minutes. The wind
blew primarily from a direction of about 320 or 150 degrees. The
number of occasions that the wind was a certain speed is shown on Figure
18 which illustrates that about 80 per cent of the time the wind was
less than 10 miles per hour. A combination of wind speed and direction
for each occasion is shown in Figure 19* These data indicate that the
wind speed was about the same for both general directions--northwest
or southeast.
DROGUE OBSERVATIONS
A device called a drogue was used to determine the direction
of flow of the surface waters. The drogue, which is k feet in depth,
was submerged about one-half foot, making the bottom of the drogue U.5
feet beneath the water surface. The wind direction during the time
the drogue was followed in a boat, as well as the direction the drogue
was traveling, is shown in Figure 20 for ebb tide and Figure 21
- 30 -
-------
o-
10-
20-
30-
Id
JE 40
Q.
ui
o
50'
6O
70
80
• MOOSE POINT
TURNER POINT
8°C
AREA LOCATION MAP
NOTES
TEMPERATURE,°C MEASUREMENTS
TAKEN JULY 29,1966 BETWEEN
I TO 1/2 HOUR BEFORE HIGH TIDE
34 9
6
23
STATION NUMBER
o
c
456
NAUTICAL MILES
6.5
TEMPERATURE IN PENOBSCOT BAY-MOOSE POINT TO TURNER POINT
-------
5
10
15
201
*-o«
111 25
1U
It.
£30
I-
o 35
I40
45
50
55
MOOSE PT.
33
i
POINT NORTH OF BAYSIDE
21
AREA LOCATION MAP
N
Belfast
NOTES 0
TEMPERATURE C
MEASUREMENTS TAKEN
JULY 29, 1966 BETWEEN
0 AND I HOUR AFTER
HIGH TIDE
31
STATION NUMBER
31
o
c
rn
*
NAUTICAL MILES
2.5
TEMPERATURE IN PENOBSCOT BAY- MOOSE POINT TO BAYSIDE
-------
BAYSIDE
4-
30
MARSHALL POINT
4-
TURTLE HEAD
BLOCKHOUSE POINT
35
19
29
3.
24
AREA LOCATION MAP
Belfast
NOTES
TEMPERATURE, °C MEASUREMENTS
TAKEN JULY 29, 1966
BETWEEN 1/4 HOUR BEFORE
AND 1/2 HOUR AFTER HIGH TIDE
STATION NUMBER
o
c
79
m
Ml
I
3
5 6
NAUTICAL MILES
TEMPERATURE IN PENOBSCOT BAY'BAYSIDE TO BLOCKHOUSE POINT
-------
UJ
Id
X
h-
O_
UJ
Q
or
10-
20-
30^
40-
60-
70-
SEARS ISLAND
^
15° C
14° C
13° C
9°C
22
TURTLE HEAD,
AREA LOCATION MAP
N
t
CAST1NE
NOTES
Ttmp«roture, °C Measurements
Taken on July 29,1966 Between 0
and I hour, afttr High Tide.
STATION NUMBER
NAUTICAL MILES
O
c
TEMPERATURE IN PENOBSCOT BAY- SEARS ISLAND TO TURTLE HEAD
-------
0.0
315.0
45.0
•0.0
.90.0
l"= 10.6 OCCURRENCES
fOLAR COORDINATE HISTOGRAM PLOT OF WIND DIRECTION
FIGURE 17
-------
1ZO
110
100
•iU
CO
QJ ao
U
UJ
QC
o: 'u
u
u
O «
LL
O
o: so
LU
m
i-
10
1 _.
utmiiiiii
Illlllttlttll
IIIIIIIIIHIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIV
90.0
1OO.O
WIND SPEED, M.PH.
HISTOGRAM OF WIND SPEED
FIGURE 18
-------
100.
eo.
6O.
CL
O
HI
LJ
Q. 40-
V)
O
z
20.
*.**
L'-i.,
•0 195 1«0 CCS
DIRECTION IN DEGREES
cn>
315
PLOT OF WIND SPEED VERSUS DIRECTION
FIGURE |9
-------
PENOBSCOT
RIVER
FORT POINT
COVE
STOCKTON
HARBOR
SEARS PORT:
XiuSW
SEARSPORTo,
H ARBO
HARBO
\
SEARS
ISLAND
TURNER PT.
PERKINS PT.
LEGEND
OF WIND AT TIME
OF STUDY
CASTINE
+I.+2... NUMBER
OF HOURS AFTER
NORTHPORT
SCALE
0 1/2
*• . , ~, MARSHALL PT
4-3 i/z •/•/ee
Nautical Mitts
CURRENT STUDIES IN PENOBSCOT BAY AREA DURING EBBTIDE
-------
PENOBSCOT
RIVER
FORT POINT
COVE
FORT
POINT
SEARSPORT
SEARSPORT
HARBOR
/IO/6«-3 f.
URNER PT.
PERKINS PT.
> DIRECTION
OF CURRENT
DIRECTION AT TIME
OF STUDY
+ 2«...*X HOURS
AFTER LOW TIDE
CASTINE
ISLESBORO
ISLAND NAUTICAL MILES
•
1/2
NORTHPORT
MARSHALL PT.
K)
CURRENT STUDIES IN PENOBSCOT BAY AREA DURING FLOOD TIDE
-------
for flood tide. The hours at various locations along the arrows in-
dicate the time after high or low tide.
Drogue observations demonstrate that Penobscot River water
enters Stockton Harbor regularly in relatively large quantities with
each tide and penetrates well up toward the head.
At high water, the bar connecting Sears Island to Kidder Point
on the mainland is submerged to depths of several feet; thus it may be
possible for Penobscot River water to enter Long Cove through Stockton
Harbor. However, on two occasions, drogues put in near the bar indi-
cated weak and variable currents. Probably the only time a large quan-
tity of Penobscot River water could enter Long Cove through Stockton
Harbor would be at a time of strong easterly winds. Since moderate
southeast winds occurred frequently during the period of the field
study, one may conclude that it is not common for large amounts of
Penobscot River water to enter Long Cove through Stockton Harbor.
Both drogue and temperature data demonstrate that Long Cove
has a long flushing time and that Searsport Harbor receives more
Penobscot River water on the east side and has less transfer of water
on the west side during the tidal cycle.
Most Belfast Bay surface waters near Goose River at ebb tide
during the time of study were generally confined to the area inside
- 31 -
-------
a line from Moose Point to Little River, as is shown by drogue releases
on Figure 20. Some water could possibly reach a line from Mack Point
to Bayside in 1/2 tidal cycle if tidal and wind effects are in the
same direction.
Although water flowed in both directions on a flood tide
between Sears Island and Turtle Head on Islesboro Island, the greatest
movement of water in this area was to the west of Sears Island-Turtle
Head area, as is shown by the seven drogue studies on Figure 21. Waters
from the Bay east of the Sears Island-Turtle Head area always entered
Stockton Harbor on a flood tide. On ebb tide the Penobscot River
water generally flows out on both sides of Islesboro Island, although
there are exceptions such as August 7, 19^6, when the drogue release
indicated that water at the surface flowed to the southeast (Figure 20).
Drogue speeds varied from zero to one nautical mile per hour,
the highest being recorded in Stockton Harbor and the Fort Point narrows.
Speeds of 0.^ knots predominated during the course of the study. These
are the average speeds over the depth range of 0.5 to U.5 feet of the
water column. Surface speeds may be higher.
Drift bottles were released in Belfast Bay near the mouth of
the Passagassawakeag River. Of those found all but one were washed ashore
in Belfast and Northport. The one exception was washed ashore at
Blockhouse Point in Castine. The drift bottle found in Castine was
released on July 29, 1966, and recovered eight days later on August 6, 1966,
- 32 -
-------
Strong southwesterly winds, beginning at high water slack,
would make it possible for Belfast Bay waters to clear Moose Point on
the first ebb and enter Searsport Harbor and Long Cove on the succeed-
ing flood. Under these conditions, Belfast Bay water would probably
also pass over the Sears Island-Kidder Point bar into Stockton Harbor.
However, there was no period of strong southwesterly winds during the
field study.
SULFITE WASTE LIQJJCR
Sulfite waste liquor is considered a conservative material
since it is difficult to decompose. The concentrations found at the
surface in the upper Penobscot Bay area are shown graphically in Figure
22. The values are either from one sample or the average of two sam-
ples. The concentrations of sulfite waste liquor in bottom samples were
about 1 to 8 parts per million, indicating that the major portion of
water at the greater depths was primarily sea water, while the upper
waters of the bay originated from the Penobscot River. The Passagas-
sawakeag River above the effects of the tide had a concentration of
3 parts per million, whereas the Penobscot River at the dam in Bangor
had a concentration of 260 parts per million sulfite waste liquor.
It is estimated that over 99 P6* cent of the sulfite waste
liquor in Penobscot Bay comes from wastes discharged to the
- 33 -
-------
Penobscot River. Figure 22 shows that Penobscot River water eventually
found its way to every sampling location in the upper Penobscot Bay
area.
-------
PENOBSCOT
RIVER
SEARSPORT
HARBOR
FORT POINT
COVE
FORT
POINT 95
SEARS
ISLAND
"^'TURNER PT.
PERKINS PT.
LE GEN D
HI OH TIDE VALUE
LOW TIDE VALUE
STATION
NUMBC*
CASTINE
© 48
TURTLE
HEAD
i
A ISLE
MARSHALL PT.
ISLESBORO H^c^LMiLES
ISLAND o i^^MHH i
APPARENT SULFITE WASTE LIQUOR AT THE SURFACE IN PENOBSCOT BAY AREA
-------
WATER USES
The predominant water uses of the lower Penobscot River and
Penobscot Bay in the study area at the present time are for shellfish
harvesting and industrial use. Cooling water is a major use by the
Northern Chemical Company in Searsport. Belfast Canning Co. uses Bay
water in its flume to transport fish, while Penobscot Poultry uses
it in its process to obtain a vacuum. The Penobscot River and
Penobscot Bay are still used to a small extent for ocean shipping.
Salmon fishing was a major industry until the mid-thirties
when pollution and dams depleted the salmon population. Lobstering
is still conducted in Penobscot Bay.
Bangor, until recently, used the Penobscot River as a water
supply but increasing pollution of the river forced the city to switch
to an unpolluted lake supply.
Although the area attracts a large number of tourists, there
are very little water oriented recreational activities available to
the public. Belfast Bay at one time had a fairly large boat concentra-
tion but this has been severely reduced in numbers over the years
because of odor conditions. As one local resident has said, "People do
not like the smell being released from the water and tidal flats." There
was swinming to some extent near Bayside in Northport but recently grease
- 35 -
-------
and feathers in the water have made people reluctant to swim.
CLAM RESOURCES
In past years the Penobscot Bay area has been noted for
being one of the most productive areas in Maine for harvesting soft-
shell clams. Today, almost all the growing areas in the upper Penobscot
Bay are closed due to pollution. In order to determine the amount and
value of the clam resources being affected by the pollution, a study
was carried out by the Shellfish Sanitation Branch, U. S. Public Health
Service, during the sxonmer of 1966. The area affected by the pollutional
discharges includes the towns of Northport, Belfast, Searsport, Stockton
Springs, Penobscot, Castine and Islesboro (Figure 23).
Methods
Since soft-shell clams were discovered as a food source, the
type of equipment used in Maine to harvest them has varied little. The
area available for harvesting this resource has also remained the same.
The mud flats, or intertidal zone, provides the entire area of harvest.
Soft-shell clams, however, do inhabit some of the bottom below the extreme
low water mark, but because of equipment restrictions, imposed by law,
they are unavailable to the commercial market. Resource assays within
- 36 -
-------
SPRINGS .
CLAM RESOURCE SURVEY AREA
Penobscot
River
Town of SEARSPORT
Town of BELFAST
CAPE
JELLISON
Town of
ISLESBORO
Town of NORTH PORT
-------
this study area are, therefore, confined to tidal areas available to both
the commercial and sports digger and were conducted using a similar
type of "hoe" or clam rake used by them.
Although all sizes of clams were collected, only those above
1 1/4 inches were considered in calculating results. The survey was
conducted during the period July 17 through August 11, 1966. Estimates
of this soft-shell clam resource were acquired by sampling 2,035 sta-
tions in 1000 acres.
Results of the resource survey are reported on a town-by-town
basis and contain an estimate of the standing crop of soft-shell clams
found within the boundaries of each town. In addition, calculations
were made on the potential harvest of this 1966 crop, if the presently
restricted areas were opened to commercial digging.
Yield during a second year of harvest (1967) was calculated
from an estimated growth rate of 1/2 inch in the size range of 1 1/V
to 1 3A" size group. Accordingly, there would be no recruitment into
the 1 3/V group from the previous season l" class. Sizes within the
2" and 3" group were assumed to grow a minimum of 1/4 inches during a
growing season which is somewhat less than usual. Projected estimates
of recruitment from these sizes, consequently, are low or minimum estimates.
The reduction in the second years standing crop in some cases is half
or less than the previous year. This should not, as it appears, give
- 37 -
-------
a false impression that a stock is approaching a state of depletion—
the decrease would be caused by the potential cropping off of about
70^ of the marketable soft-clams accompanied by an estimated 50^
mortality of the remaining clams, which would result from digging and
natural causes. The individual flats should then, with normal digging
pressure, reach an equilibrium between recruitment and natural mortality.
Percentages of natural and digging mortality were applied from reports
(2) (3)
from Glube and Dow, Wallace, and Taxiarchis and, when combined,
averaged 50% per harvest season. Using these factors of recruitment
and mortality, estimates were made on the second season's standing
crop and the potential value to the fishermen and the community.
Mr. D. E. Wallace of the Maine Department of Sea and Shore
Fisheries had determined that a bushel of soft-shell clams has a value
of $7.77 to the fisherman, and has calculated that the community value
* , M
is worth 2.5 times this amount, or $19.^3. Mr. Wallace explained
how these figures were determined—
"It is difficult to get a precise accounting of the pro-
duction of clams in the area because of the many ways in
which they are sold locally and the numerous outlets.
They are sold to intrastate dealers who operate small
shucking houses, to direct customers from roadside
"clam stands," peddled house to house as well as to the
one local interstate shellfish dealer. Because of these
local markets in an active tourist area and family income
- 38 -
-------
from processing, the "value added" to the incomes of the
producers is considerable. For example, a bushel of clams
dug and shucked locally and sold to a restaurant or fried
clam stand, and then sold to the consumer, has a consumer
value of approximately $50.
"In 1965 there were 32 full-time diggers in the two towns
(Stockton Springs-Searsport), digging year-round, and
producing 19,200 bushels of clams with an average value
of $7*77 per bushel, or a total income to the diggers
of $1^9,18U.
"From our data, it appears that it is reasonable to
consider that the resource value to the coomunity is
worth two and one-half times the amounts paid to the
digger, or $327,960, plus the value of clams taken in
the sports fishery."
Economic studies by the Merrimack River Project on the resource
value of clams, in addition to considering factors that Wallace used,
also included the effect of shipping the clams in interstate coonerce.
The data show that the overall market factor can be as high as
7 times the value paid to the digger. The potential value of the
clam resources, considering the overall market, would thus be $5U per
bushel. The 2.5 to 7 market factors would represent the low and
high range used for calculating the value of the clams.
- 39 -
-------
The results of the soft-shell clam resources study are
summarized on a town basis. Included are descriptions of the area
sampled, estimates of standing crop and value of this resource to
the community.
Town of Northport
Saturday Cove (A - B)
This cove is relatively small and at mean low water,
planimeter readings indicate an area of 7 acres. Soft-shell clam
producing areas total approximately 5 acres. Twenty-two samples were
obtained from this cove and the commercial standing crop is 1,100
bushels with a community value from $21,500 to $59,1*00. See Figure 2k
and Table 5.
Temple Heights - Bayeide (B - C)
The surveyed shoreline between Saturday Cove (B) and Browns
Head (C) is composed of a rather narrow intertidal zone strewn with
cobbles and rock outcrops. Occasional mussel beds are found throughout
the area. Planimeter readings show a potential clam area of 50 acres.
Available clam producing areas are calculated to be in the vicinity of
kk acres. Eighty stations were sampled along this stretch and estimates
of commercial sized clams totaled 6,too bushels with a community value
from $12^,800 to $3^5,600. See Figure 2k and Table 5.
- 1+0 -
-------
TOWN
OF
BELFAST
LITTLE^
RIVER
D-TOWN LINE
BROWNS HEAD
TOWN
OF
NORTHPORT
MEAN LOW WATER
NAUTICAL MILES
0 " 1/2
SATURDAY COVE
SHELLFISH GROWING AREA
TOWN OF NORTHPORT
\
FIGURE 24
-------
TABLE 5
PERTINENT DATA USED TO ESTIMATE STANDING CROP FOR INDIVIDUAL AREAS
AREA
Saturday Cove
Temple Heights
Little River
Little River
West Shore
North Shore
South Shore
Searsport Hb.
Long Cove
Stockton Hb.
Stockton Hb.
Cape Jellison
Fort Pt. Cove
W. Penbbscot
Morse Cove
Morse Cove
East Shore
East Shore
Wadsworth Cove
Turtle Cove
Coombs Pt.
Parker Cove
Coombs Cove
TOWN
Northport
Northport
Northport
Belfast
Belfast
Belfast
Searsport
Searsport
Searsport
Searsport
Stockton Sp.
Stockton Sp.
Stockton Sp.
Penobscot
Fenobscot
Castine
Castine
Castine
Castine
Islesboro
Islesboro
Islesboro
Islesboro
SYMBOLS
A -
B -
C -
D -
E -
G -
H -
I -
K -
M -
N -
P -
R -
1 -
36 -
44 -
51 -
75 -
127-
AT-
Cl~
El~
G,-
B
C
D
E
F
H
I
J
L
N
0
Q
s
35
43
50
74
126
177
Bl
Dl
J.
Hi
DATE
8-8-66
8-8-66
8-5-66
8-5-66
8-5-66
8-4-66
7-26-66
7-25-66
7-22-66
7-19,22-66
7-29-66
7-27-66
8-17-66
7-29-66
8-2,3-66
8-10-66
8-10-66
8-10-66
8-10-66
8-11-66
8-11-66
8-9-66
8-9-66
8-9-66
8-9-66
NO. OF
STATIONS ACRES
22
80
58
11
33
74
94
75
147
242
327
68
534
23
9
8
35
60
62
22
3
16
32
5
44
45
19
41
52
14
58
124
57
111
30
123
27
7
7
24
30
50
15
5
73
36
ESTIMATED
BU./ACRE
221
146
220
105
101
190
60
62
71
131
177
135
23
30
89
89
27
73
85
76
314
46
18
STANDING CROP
BUSHELS
1,100
6,400
9,900
2,000
4,100
10,000
900
3,600
8,800
7,500
19,600
4,000
2,800
800
600
600
700
2,200
4,200
1,100
1,600
,3,400
700
-------
Little River (C - D)
The total area of Little River may be classified as a typical
soft-she 11 clam producing area. The portion surveyed within the Town
of Northport lies between Brown's Head (C) and the Belfast-Northport
town line (D) originating at the entrance to Little River. The
boundary line continues across the flat in an east southeast direction.
There are about 5** acres found within this clam producing area. During
the survey, quantities of mussels and eel grass were encountered as
well as rock outcrops which necessitated lowering the available acreage
to 1*5. A total of 58 samples were collected on this flat and estimates
indicated a harvestable standing population of 9,900 bushels with a
community value from $192,1*00 to $53^,600.
Conclusion
Results of this recent soft-shell clam resource survey in the
Town of Northport show a total standing crop of 17,1*00 bushels of com-
mercially sized clams. This harvest would provide a value to the com-
munity from $338,700 to $939,600.
Harvest during the following season, however, would be less
because of natural and digging mortalities and overall poor recruitment
of small clams into the fishery. The estimated harvestable standing
crop would be 8,1*00 bushels with a community value from $l61*,000 to
$453,600.
- 1*2 -
-------
Town of Belfast
Little River (D - E)
This portion of Little River is quite similar in condition
to that encountered in the Town of Northport. There are considerably
less clam producing areas available (19 acres) and fewer patches of
mussels and eel grass. A total of 11 samples were collected from this
flat and estimates indicate a commercial standing crop of 2,000 bushels
with a community value from $38,800 to $108,000. See Figure 25 and
Table 5.
Belfast. West Shore (E - F)
The area between Little River Cove (E) and the beginning of
the industrial center in the city of Belfast (F) consists of a rela-
tively narrow band of intertidal zone composed of 1*5 acres of clam
producing flats. This total area was reduced to ^1 acres to account
for the numerous rock outcrops and general array of cobble size stones
within the area. Thirty-three (33) samples were collected along this
expanse and estimates indicate a commercial standing crop of ^,100
bushels with a community value from $80,500 to $221,hOO.
Belfast, North Shore (G - H)
The available soft-shell clam producing areas found along
-------
the north shore of Belfast are very similar in character to those of
the west shore except for a few distinct areas of larger exposed flats—
one of which was found in the western extremes near the abandoned bridge
(G), and the other close to the Belfast-Searsport town line (H). See
Figure 25.
Planimeter readings showed 7^ acres of intertidal zone
between the location points G - H. Of these only 52 acres can be
considered available for clajn production. This reduction in available
acreage may be accounted for by the abundance of scattered rocks and
rock outcrops found along this stretch of beach. Between these acres
there are usually spotty clam flats containing fair populations of
clams. Estimates from 7^ samples indicate a standing crop of 10,000
bushels of commercial clams valued from a community standpoint at
$192,000 to $5^0,000. See Table 5.
Conclusion
Results of this soft-shell clam resource survey in the Town
of Belfast show a total standing crop of 16,100 bushels of commercial
clams with a value to the community from $311,300 to $869,400.
The second year of harvest on these same flats would be
relatively less, due to mortality and recruitment into the fishery.
Estimates of standing crop would be in the vicinity of 9>*+00 bushels
of commercial sized clams valued from a community standpoint at
$183,000 to $507,600.
-------
PASSAGASSAWAKEAG
RIVER
TOWN
OF
BELFAST
MEAN LOW WATER
NAUTICAL MILES
0 1/2
LITTLE
RIVER
TOWN
OF
NORTHPORT
TOWN LINE
D -TOWN LINE
SHELLFISH GROWING AREA
TOWN OF BELFAST
FIGURE 25
-------
Town of Searsport
Searsport. South Shore (H - I)
This stretch of shoreline is characterized by a narrow band
of intertidal flats extending for about a mile and a half in an
easterly direction from the Belfast-Searsport line (Figure 26).
The total expanse of flats has been reduced because of terrain
features from 22 to Ik acres. Calculations made from 9^ samples
indicated a commercial standing crop of 900 bushels with a
community value from $l6,U(X> to $U6,600.
Searsport Harbor (I - J)
This harbor is relatively large and, at mean low water,
planimeter readings indicate that it has an intertidal zone of
85 acres. From this total, soft-clam producing areas were reduced
to approximately 58 acres. Seventy-five samples were collected from
this harbor and calculations indicate a commercial standing crop of
3,600 bushels having a value from $70,000 to $19^,UOO to the
community.
-------
Long Cove (K - L)
The intcrtidal zone of Long Cove beginning at the eastern
edge of the industrial complex (K) expands in its northern section
into a typical clam flat (Figure 26). Proceeding in a southerly
direction, the flat narrows at the northern tip of Sears Island and
continues in a similar manner to point (L) on the western shore.
Readings made from nautical charts show the intertidal zone within
this area to be 158 acres. The survey indicated a potential clam
producing area of 12k acres. One hundred and forty-seven (l4?)
stations were sampled along this stretch of beach and cove. Esti-
mates of commercial sized clams totaled 8,800 bushels with a
community value from $171,000 to $1*75,200.
Stockton Harbor (M - N)
The intertidal zone between control points (M) on Sears
Island and (N) at the Searsport-Stockton Springs town line is distin-
guished by narrow bands interrupted by occasional coves. At the
extreme northeast end (N), the tidal zone has a tendency to widen
into a characteristic clam flat. Mechanical measurements on
nautical charts give a total of 72 acres of intertidal zone. After
deducting nonproducing areas from the total, the area of clam
producing flats was found to be about 57 acres.
-------
c
;o
ni
ro
TOWN \LINE
H
.... MEAN LOW WATER
NAUTICAL MILE?
TOWN
OF
SEARSPORT
TOWN' LINE
N V
STOCKTON
HARBOR
TOWN
OF
STOCKTON
SPRINGS
LONG
COVE
5 CAPE
rJELLISON
SEARSPORT
HARBORx,
SEARS
ISLAND
SHELLFISH GROWING AREA
TOWN OF SEARSPORT
-------
Rocky outcrops, mussel beds, and a chemical dumping area in the south-
west section accounted for this reduction. A harvestable standing
crop of 7,500 bushels of soft-shell clams having a community value
from $1^5,000 to $1*05,000 was estimated for this section from 2k2
stations in 57 acres.
Conclusion
Resource estimates show that the Town of Searsport is endowed
with a fair amount of clam producing areas stocked with abundant quan-
tities of shellfish.
An immediate opening of this bed would greatly enhance the
economy of the town as there are 20,800 bushels of harvestable clams
available. Estimates of the present value of this resource to the
community are high and in the vicinity of $U02,lfOO to $1,123,200.
Estimates of the standing crop in the second year are 6,200 bushels of
commercial sized clams having a value of $120,000 to $33U,800.
Town of Stockton Springs
Stockton Harbor (N - 0)
The portion of Stockton Harbor in the Town of Stockton Springs
may be classified a typical clam flat in all respects. The intertidal
-------
zone is extensive and not unduly cluttered with rock outcrops or mussel
beds. The total available intertidal area between the control points
(N - 0) has been mechanically estimated at 115 acres. Of this acreage,
only four acres were deducted from the total because of rocky outcrops.
Mussel beds are in evidence in some places but most are located below
the low tide mark. Shellfish samples at 32? stations place the standing
crop of conmercial clams at 19,600 bushels. The resulting community
value is estimated at $381,700 to $1,058,UOO. It appears that this cove
is the most highly productive of all areas surveyed during the study.
See Figure 27.
Cape Jellison (P - Q)
The intertidal zone between control points (P - Q) provides
a very limited area for clam production except the small extension at
the southern tip of Cape Jellison. A sheer rock outcrop along the
shore in one section of this coast is completely void of suitable
clam producing bottom. Mechanical estimates of available intertidal
zone within this area is placed at 33 acres. Rock outcrops and
scattered boulders reduce the total clam producing areas to 30 acres.
Clam population appeared to be somewhat spotty throughout this area.
Sixty-eight (68) samples were collected within this study area, and
calculations showed the conmercial standing crop of clams to
- 1*8 -
-------
TOWN
OF
STOCKTON SPRINGS
TOWN LIN
FORT POINT
COVE
CAPE
J ELLISON
MEAN LOW WATER
NAUTICAL VIILES
1/2
SHELLFISH GROWING AREA
TOWN OF STOCKTON SPRINGS
FIGURE 27
-------
be U,000 bushels with a value to the community from $78,700 to
$216,000.
Fort Point Cove (R - S)
The intertidal zone within this study area is rather ex-
tensive and results from a reasonably broad band along the northeast
shore of Cape Jellison which expands into coves as it approaches
Sandy Point (S). See Figure 27. Mechanical estimates on the available
tidal zone made from nautical charts gives a figure of 167 acres. The
rocky outcrops between the several secondary coves reduces this total
clam producing area to 123 acres. A standing crop estimate derived
from 53^ shellfish samples indicated that there are approximately 2,800
bushels of commercial sized clams populating the area with a community
value from $55,000 to $151,200. See Table 5.
Conclusion
Results of this survey show that a population of 26,^00 bushels
of commercial size soft-shell clams inhabit the growing areas along the
shoreline of Stockton Springs. This standing crop of shellfish would,
on an overall basis, benefit the community by a sum of $515*1*00 to
$1,U25,600.
Projected figures for standing crop and value, providing the
harvest was continued into a seqond year, show that the estimated
-------
potential clam population would be 11,100 bushels of marketable shell-
fish with a value to the community of $215,000 to $599>i*00.
Town of Penobscot
West Penobscot (Stations 1 - 33)
The intertidal zone between stations 1 - 35 is a narrow band
which was estimated at 30 acres. See Figure 28. Allowances made due
to the rocky features of the shoreline reduced this potential clam
growing area to 2? acres. Twenty-three (23) shellfish samples were
collected here and the total commercial population was estimated to
be 800 bushels with a community value from $15,700 to $1+3,200.
Morse Cove (Stations 36 - 43)
This portion of Morse Cove within the boundaries of Penobscot
contains a very small intertidal zone totaling 8 acres. Of these 8
acres, one was deducted from the total because of the evenly distributed
cobbles and stones along the upper intertidal zone leaving 7 acres of
prospective clam growing flats. It was only necessary to collect 9
shellfish samples within this area because the clam populations were
confined to the lower intertidal zone. Available commercial populations
were estimated to be 600 bushels. Community value of this crop was
- 50 -
-------
SANDY
N
TOWN
OF
PENOBSCOT
PT.
MORSE
COVE
--35
\43
TOWN LINE
....MEAN LOW WATER
TOWN
OF
CASTINE
NA JTICAL MILES
0 1/2
SHELLFISH GROWING AREA
TOWN OF PENOBSCOT
FIGURE 28
-------
estimated to be $12,100 to $32,toO.
Conclusion
Results of the soft-shell clam survey indicate that this
portion of Penobscot is relatively poor in both clam producing areas
and existing clam populations. From a total estimated standing crop
of 1,1*00 bushels of harvestable soft-shell clams, the estimated value
to the community was $27,800 to $75,600.
Projected yields during the second year of harvest were also
estimated to be poor. Benefits applied to the Town of Penobscot from
this estimated standing crop of clams would be from $18,000 to $lf8,600.
Town of Castine
Morse Cove (Stations Ml - 50)
This portion of Morse Cove was considered a mirror image of
the half located in the Town of Penobscot. Consequently, the same
estimates for standing crop and value are used.
Castine, West Shore (Stations 51 - 7*0
This shoreline of Castine is typified by a narrow band of
intertidal zone containing rock outcrops and scattered "cobble sized"
- 51 -
-------
stones. See Figure 29. Mechanically made estimates of the existing
intertidal zone derived from nautical charts totaled 28 acres.
This figure was reduced to 2.k acres of possible clam producing flats
after deductions were made to account for rocky areas. Thirty-five
(35) shellfish samples from these growing areas were collected, which
indicated a possible commercial population of 700 bushels with a value
to the community of $12,600 to $37,800.
Castine. West Shore (Stations 73 - 126)
This section of shoreline in the Town of Castine is a contin-
uation of the type encountered in the area covered by stations 51 - 7^«
The intertidal zone, again, is a narrow band paralleling the shoreline.
There were no apparent modifications noticed along this stretch of
beach to distinguish it from any other covered in the immediate area.
Calculations made from nautical charts by planimeter showed the inter-
tidal zone to contain 35 acres. Deductions made for the rocky condi-
tion of the beach reduced the potential clam growing area to 30 acres.
Sixty samples were collected in the area on the llth of August, which
indicated a commercial population of 2,200 bushels with a community
value from $U2,600 to $118,800. See Table 5.
Wadsworth Core (Stations 127 - 177)
This cove was the last to be surveyed on the mainland. The
- 52 -
-------
MEAN LOW WATER
NAUTICAL MILES
O 1/2
<
m
o
o
^
m
o
z
UJ
0.
WADSWORTH
COVE I
TOWN
OF
PENOBSCOT
44
TOWN LINE
TOWN
OF
CASTINE
CASTINE
HARBOR
SHELLFISH GROWING AREA
TOWN OF CASTINE
FIGURE 29
-------
resource survey was restricted to the cove proper since conditions of
the outer fringes, evidenced by high densities of cobble-sized stonef,
appeared unsuitable for clam production. Carpets of smaller stones
also covered the upper portion of the intertidal zone throughout many
sections of the beach.
Planimeter readings made from nautical charts showed an
intertidal zone of 56 acres. This total acreage was reduced to 50
when adjustments were made to account for the rocky patches throughout
the clam growing areas. This study was conducted on the llth of August,
and the results obtained from soft-shell clam samples of 62 stations
indicated a potential commercial population of 4,200 bushels with a
community value from $82,600 to $226,800.
Conclusion
Of all the areas surveyed in the Town of Castine, it is
apparent that Wadsworth Cove is the most productive and would aid
more in boosting the economy of the community than all the other
surveyed areas of the town combined.
Estimated results on a town basis show that the present
standing crop of marketable soft-shell clams is 7,700 bushels with
a community value of from $1^9,900 to $415,800.
- 53 -
-------
Projection of these estimates into a second year indicate
a standing crop of commercial size clams to be U,700 bushels with a
potential community value from $90,800 to $253,800.
Town of Islesboro
Turtle Head Cove (A-^ - B^
Only the inner portion of this cove was subjected to a shell-
fish resource survey. The area covered was rather limited in scope and
uniform in condition, making it unnecessary for an adjustment of acreage,
The clam producing intertidal zone totaled 15 acres. The collection of
22 clam samples showed the potential standing crop of commercial sized
clams to be 1,100 bushels with a value to the community from $22,100
to $59,*4OO. See Figure 30 and Table 5.
Coombs Point (C^ - DI)
The area of Coombs Point surveyed for clam resources was very
small. The amount of growing area available in this plot was 5 acres,
and, since the flat was uniform in nature and lacked any rocky feature,
it was unnecessary to make any adjustment. The total area surveyed
remained at 5 acres. Because this flat was of such a uniform condition
and the shellfish were dispersed in an equally uniform manner, it was
-------
TURTLE HEAD
COVE
ISLESBORO
ISLAND
TOWN
OF
ISLESBORO
COOMBS PT.
PARKER
COVE
COOMBS COVE
.... MEAN LOW WATER
NAUTICAL MILES
0 1/2
SHELLFISH GROWING AREA
TOWN OF ISLESBORO
RGURE 30
-------
only necessary to collect 3 shellfish samples to arrive at a commer
cial standing crop of 1,600 bushels. The potential community value
from this area is $30,500 to $86,^00.
Parker Cove
This cove is located on the east side of Islesboro Island
and is separated from an adjoining cove by a small island connected
to the main island by a narrow bar. The entire cove was not surveyed
for shellfish due to time limitations and the general lack of shellfish
on the flats northeast of the small island.
The intertidal zone of Parker Cove investigated during this
survey consisted of 85 acres. Adjustments were necessary to this
total because of the presence of large patches of eel grass and mussels
The actual number of- acres available for clam production amounted to 73
Sixteen shellfish samples were collected over rather large intervals.
The resulting estimated standing crop was 3,^00 bushels of commercial
size clams with a value to the community from $65,300 to $183, 600.
Coombs Cove
^ - H )
This cove is located just south of Parker Cove on the east
side of Islesboro Island and contains a great deal less available clam
flats than its northern neighbor. Estimates of land area by planimeter
show an intertidal zone of approximately 36 acres. No adjustments were
- 55 -
-------
deemed necessary in this area to account for the small amounts of mus-
sels and eel grass. Thirty-two (32) shellfish samples were collected
from this cove on the 9th of August, and the resulting estimate indi-
cated the potential standing crop of commercial size soft-shell clams
to be a poor 700 bushels with a community value of $12,600 to $37,800.
Conclusion
The only cove in the surveyed portion of Islesboro Island
showing reasonable clam production is Parker Cove. The remaining
areas seem to possess a fluctuating type of production which appeared
to be at a low point during this particular period.
The present standing crop of commercial sized clams for the
town is 6,800 bushels with a community value of from $130,500 to
$367,200. The estimated marketable crop of clams for the following
year would be 5,500 bushels with a community value of from $106,000
to $297,000.
Resources of Upper Penobscot Bay
About 90 per cent of the shore surrounding Penobscot Bay was
surveyed for soft-shell clam resources. The areas not surveyed were
either industrial complexes or estimated very low producing areas.
The coves proved to be the most productive areas for clam growth.
- 56 -
-------
The remaining shoreline contained clam populations interspersed with
scattered boulders and rock outcrops.
The most productive clam areas were Stockton Springs and
Sear sport, followed by Northport and Belfast. The remaining Towns
of Penobscot, Castine, and Islesboro were not completely surveyed,
which accounts partially for their low total figures. A summary of
the standing crop and community value is shown in Table 6.
For the total area of Penobscot Bay affected by the recent
shellfish area closures, the estimated population was placed at
96,600 bushels of marketable soft clams, valued from a community
standpoint at $1,876,000 to $5,216,1*00. Potential harvest during a
second season was estimated to be U6,200 bushels. These would have
a value to the community of from $896,800 to $2,^9^,800.
Marketing of Clams
On July 1, 1966, the effective date of the total closure of
Searsport and Stockton Springs for harvesting clams and other marine
mollusks, there were 53 licensed diggers in the two towns. About 32
were full-time diggers; the rest dug clams occasionally.
The town of Searsport allows non-residents to take up to a
peck a day from their flats. A varied number of people from nearby
- 57 -
-------
TABLE 6
PRESENT AND PROJECTED STANDING CROPS AND THEIR VALUES FOR
TOWNS SURROUNDING PENOBSCOT BAY, MAINE
1966
1967
Standing Crop
Town
Northport
Belfast
Sear sport
Stockton
Springs
Penobscot
Castine
Islesboro
Bushels
17,1*00
16,100
20,800
26,1*00
1,1*00
7,700
6,800
Community
Value Range
$338,700-$ 939,600
$311,300-$ 869,1*00
$1+02, 1*00-$1,123 ,200
ISlS.taHl.teS.fiOO
$ 27,800-$ 75,600
$11+9,900-$ 1*15,800
$130,500-$ 367,200
Standing Crop
Bushels
8,1*00
9,1*00
6,200
11,100
900
1*,700
5,500
Community
Value Range
$161*,000-$1+53,600
$183,000-$507,600
$120,000-$331+,800
$215, ooo-$599, 1*00
$ 18,000-$ 1*8,600
$ 90,800-$253,800
$106,000-$297,000
Total
Penobscot Bay 96,600 $l,876,000-$5,2l6,l*00
Area
1*6,200 $896,800-$2,i*9l*,800
-------
towns and cities dig for fun on weekends and holidays. This past year
(1966), during the Memorial Day weekend, the local Sea and Shore
Fisheries warden counted 500 sport diggers in Long Cove and along
the western shore of Sears Island. Each digger could legally take
a peck of clams. Better than 100 diggers are usually found on these
flats on weekends and holidays from May through October.
Many of the clams harvested in the Stockton Springs area have
been purchased by Mr. Ralph Hall, a local interstate dealer. In 1965
Mr. Hall shipped about half of his clams to the Maine Shellfish Com-
pany, which, in turn, was engaged in both interstate and intrastateI
shipments.
-.59 -
-------
EFFECTS OF POLLUTION ON WATER QUALITY
GENERAL
Water quality of the Penobscot River has been studied by
the Maine Water Improvement Conmission, and the waters over shellfish
beds have been studied by the Maine Department of Sea and Shore Fish-
eries for many years.
In an excellent staff report published in 1963, the Maine
(5)
Water Improvement Conmission found in the tidal area from Bangor
to Bucksport that the river was either in Class D or in nuisance
condition. Table A-l in the Appendix presents the classification
system existing at the time. Table A-2 lists similar information for
tidal waters.
Based on samples showing high coliform values taken by the
Maine Department of Sea and Shore Fisheries, Mr. Ronald W. Green,
Commissioner of Sea and Shore Fisheries, closed the remaining shellfish
beds open to digging in Searsport and Stockton Springs. That closure,
along with the beds already closed due to pollution, meant that all the
shellfish beds were closed from Great Spruce Head in Northport, to
Belfast, Sear sport, Stockton Springs, the entire Penobscot River area,
and nearly all of Castine. The only shellfish beds open in the study
area are located at Islesboro Island.
- 60 -
-------
BACTERIA
Water polluted by wastes from warm blooded animals, such as
humans and chickens, frequently contain pathogenic bacteria. These
pathogens, directly, or indirectly by eating raw or partially cooked
shellfish, can cause gastrointestinal diseases such as typhoid fever,
dysentery, and diarrhea. The infectious hepatitis virus, and other
viruses, may also be present. Body contact with water polluted by
bacteria can also cause eye, ear, nose, throat, or skin infections.
Therefore, bacterial pollution of waters presents a health hazard
not only to those who come in contact with it, but also to those who
may eat shellfish taken from the waters.
Sewage and some industrial wastes also contain bacteria of
the coliform group, which typically occur in excreta or feces of warm
blooded animals and are readily detectable. Although most are harmless
in themselves, coliform bacteria are always present in waters polluted
by warm blooded animals wastes and are considered indicators of the
probable presence of pathogenic bacteria. The State of Maine evaluates
water quality on the basis of sanitary survey findings and total coli-
form content. Recently, refined methods for isolation and detection of
Salmonella organisms have made it practical to test for these specific
infectious disease bacteria.
-•61 -
-------
The coliform group usually is designated as total coliforms
and most bacterial standards are set using coliform limits. Included
in the total coliform bacteria test are fecal coliforms. A separate
test can be performed on a water sample to determine the number of
fecal coliforms present. Since fecal coliforms can only come from
warm blooded animals, they are considered proof of fecal pollution.
The results of coliform determinations are expressed in terms of most
probable numbers per 100 milliliters (MPN/100 ml). One hundred milli-
liters is approximately one-half cup.
For harvesting shellfish, the Maine Department of Sea and
Shore Fisheries requires that the median coliform value for the water
may not exceed 70 MPN/100 ml and not more than 10 per cent of the
values may exceed 230 MPN/100 ml.
A bacteriological study was made by the Merrimack River
Project in the upper Penobscot Bay area during the period from July 27,
1966, to August 16, 1966. The sampling locations are shown on Figure
31, and the latitude and longitude of these stations can be found in
Table A-3 in the Appendix. A statistical summary of all samples col-
lected is shown in Table 7. Conditions are also summarized for the
different stages of the tidal cycle in Tables 8, 9 and 10 and these
data are shown on a map of the area in Figures 32, 33 and 3^.
-.62 -
-------
PENOBSCOT
RIVER
FORT POINT
COVE
STOCKTON
HARBOR
SEARSPOR
SEARSPORT
HARBOR
SEARS
ISLAND
TURNER PT.
BELFAST
PERKINS PT.
LEGEND
SAMPLING
LOCATION
TURTLE HEAD NAUTICAL MILES
CASTINE
ISLESBORO
ISLAND
NORTHPORT
MARSHALL PT.
BACTERIALOGICAL SAMPLING LOCATIONS IN PENOBSCOT BAY AREA
-------
TABLE 7
COLIFORM BACTERIA IN PENOBSCOT BAY AREA
7/27/1966 - 8/16/1966
TOTAL COLIFORM BACTERIA
MPN/100 ML
I
ON
SAMPLE
STATION
1
2
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
MAXIMUM
1,500
930
2,400
2,400
930
2,400
2,400
4,600
2,400
4,600
24,000
> 24,000
11,000
524,000
11,000
4,600
4,600
2,400
150
4,600
AVERAGE*
387
317
453
448
371
280
390
675
615
975
4,969
5,960
2,149
5,030
2,252
766
708
326
74
2,012
MEDIAN
230
91
230
230
230
91
91
230
430
930
2,400
2,250
930
3,500
930
430
330.
91
36
1,950
MINIMUM
36
<36
36
36
36
<36
36
91
<36
<36
430
290
73
150
230
30
<36
<36
<36
430
FECAL COLIFORM BACTERIA
MPN/100 ML
MAXIMUM AVERAGE *
750
430
230
230
91
930
73
230
230
91
430
430
U30
750
230
150
150
91
36
150
128
85
56
56
42
103
36
56
66
45
174
168
81
181
76
45
52
39
36
54
MEDIAN MINIMUM
36
<36
36
<36
<36
36
<36
<36
36
<36
100
91
36
145
36
<36
<36
36
<36
36
36
30
<36
<36
<36
<36
<36
<36
<36
30
<36
36
<36
<36
30
<36
<36
<36
<36
30
NO. OF
SAMPLES
18
18
18
18
18
15
15
15
15
15
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
6
18
-------
TABLE 7 (Continued)
TOTAL COLIFOBM BACTERIA
MPN/100 ML
FECAL COLIFORM BACTERIA
MPN/100 ML
SAMPLE
STATION
21
22
23
21*
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
31*
35
36
37
38
39
MAXIMUM
1*,600
? 21*, 000
i*,6oo,ooo
930
2,1*00
1*,600
930
1*30
MOO
--
110,000
--
-._
1*6,000,000 «
21*0,000
15,000
? 21*0,000
—
AVERAGE* MEDIAN
',1,190 1*30
3,209 930
521,000 21*0,000
153 73
1*07 230
1,1*72 1,125
202 91
118 73
1*83 36
376 160
21*, 000
65,250 68,000
2l*,000,000
2l*,000,000
? 2l*,870,000*2l*,OOOpOO
73,81*0 27,600
7,825 6,950
5 77,538 9132,000
150
MINIMUM
<36
36
15,000
36
<36
230
<36
30
30
<36
--
15,000
—
--
i*,6oo,ooo
91
2,1*00
150
—
MAXIMUM
150
i*,6oo
i*,6oo,ooo
36
91
1*30
91
36
91
91
--
21*, 000
--
—
2l*,000,000
11,000
1*,300
9,300
—
AVERAGE
55
737
.1*68,500
. 36
1*1
99
39
36
36
1*1
360
9,357
15,000,000
2,300,000
10,300,000
5,171*
1,9^0
I*,0l8
91
* MEDIAN
36
330
190,000
<36
<36
36
<36
<36
<36
<36
—
6,350
—
—
1*, 600, 000
2,800
1,650
5,850
'_-
MINIMUM
<36
<36
l*,300
<36
<36
<36
<36
30
<36
<36
—
730
—
—
2,1*00,000
<36
150
73
—
NO. OF
SAMPLES
15
19
18
18
17
18
18
18
18
10
1
l*
1
1
3
1*
1*
1*
1
A value of 36 was used to calculate averages for <36 values.
-------
TABLE 8
COLIFORM BACTERIA IN PENOBSCOT BAY AREA
HIGH TIDE
7/27/66 - 8/16/66
TOTAL COLIFORM BACTERIA-MPN/100 ml FECAL COLIFORM BACTERIA-MPN 'lOOml
STATION
1
2
3
4
f 5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
MAXIMUM
1,500
930
2,400
2,400
930
2,400
2,400
4,600
930
1,500
24,000
4,600
11,000
11,000
AVERAGE*
383
255
575
536
517
570
562
1,256
353
788
5,032
1,832
3,103
3,543
MEDIAN
120
120
190
230
540
91
91
430
230
930
1,215
1,215
930
2,400
MINIMUM
36
36
91
36
73
36
36
91
36
150
430
930
230
430
MAXIMUM
750
230
36
230
36
930
36
230
36
91
390
430
91
230
AVERAGE *
187
67
36
68
36
215
36
86
36
54
137
139
54
68
MKL1AN
36
<36
<36
<36
36
<36
36
36
<36
36
64
91
36
36
MINIMUM
<36
30
<36
<36
<36
<36
<36
<36
<36
<36
<36
36
<36
<36
-------
TABLE 8 (Continued)
TOTAL COLIFORM BACTKElIA-MPN/100 nl FECAL COLIFORM BACTERIA-MPN/100 ml
CATI01
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
f MAXIMUM
930
1,500
2,1*00
2,1*00
150
2,1*00
2,1*00
11,000
430,000
930
930
4,600
430
230
930
2,1+00
AVERAGE*
730
518
659
709
74
1,582
805
2,208
217,670
230
364
1,682
166
86
236
953
MEDIAN
930
430
430
330
36
1,665
430
430
240,000
73
390
1,315
142
73
91
1,315
MINIMUM
230
91
36
36
<36
430
36
230
46,000
36
36
230
<36
30
<36
230
MAXIMUM
36
150
150
36
36
36
150
930
? 240,000
36
91
430
36
36
91
36
AVERAGE*
36
64
55
36
36
36
59
325
1*3,050
36
1*7
111
36
36
36
36
MEDIAN
36
36
<36
36
<36
<36
36
230
161,500
<36
36
36
<36
36
<36
<36
MINIMUM
<36
<36
<36
<36
<36
30
<36
<36
9,300
<36
06
<36
<36
30
<36
<36
* A value of 36 was used to calculate averages for {36 values.
-------
TABLE 9
COLIFQRM BACTERIA IN PEMOBSCOT BAY AREA
EBB TIDE
7/27/66 - 8/16/66
TOTAL COLIFQRM BACTBHA-MPH/lOO ml FECAL COLIFORM BACTHUA-MPN/100 ml
STATION
1
2
3
i*
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
11*
MAXIMUM
930
930
1,500
930
930
91
1,500
230
2,1+00
2,1*00
11,000
> 2l*,000
2,1*00
5 24,000
AVERAGE*
377
278
1*06
382
371
69
433
150
788
916
4,688
11,100
1,110
6,982
MEDIAN
330
91
190
1*30
31*0
91
150
110
**30
930
1*,600
7,800
680
2,765
MINIMUM
91
36
36
36
36
<36
36
91
91
91
930
1,500
73
1*30
MAXIMUM
230
430
230
91
91
36
73
91
230
91
1*30
1*30
91
750
AVJutAGE *
78
102
68
1*5
5U
36
1*3
1*7
75
1*7
168
919
5U
272
MKDIAft
36
36
36
36
<36
<36
<36
<36
36
<36
120
190
36
190
MINIMUM
<36
<36
<36
<36
<36
<36
<36
<36
<36
<36
36
36
<36
<36
-------
TABU 9 (Continued)
ON
00
TOII
STATION MAX3MOM
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
2k
25
26
27
28
29
30
* A
4,600
4,600
930
110
—
4,600
2,400
524,000
930,000
230
430
2,400
930
430
2,400
430
value of 36
iL COLDTOM BACZERIA-MF
AVBUUa* MPIAH
2,398 1,665
1,075
567
67
•1W
1,715
891
4,848
284,000
87
260
1,140
232
177
448
250
was used to
330
680
64
--
1,215
430
1,665
240,000
64
230
590
91
64
36
230
calculate
N/100 ml
MHHMQM
930
30
91
<36
-
430
<36
430
15,000
36
210
430
<36
<36
<36
91
averages for <3&
flCAL
5J5ii55r~~
230
36
91
36
—
36
91
4,600
930,000
<36
36
430
36
36
<36
91
values .
COUFOBM BACTBRIA-MPH/K
AVffiAGB * MEDIAN
107
36
54
36
«
36
58
1,238
256,700
36
36
53
36
36
36
54
64
36
36
<36
—
36
<36
680
157,500
<36
<36
64
<36
<36
<36
36
X) Ml
MINIMUM
<36
<36
<36
<36
—
<36
<36
110
9,300
<36
<36
<36
<36
<36
<36
<36
-------
ON
VO
TABLE 10
COUFORM BACTERIA IN FENOBSCOT BAY AREA
LOW TIDE
7/27/66 - 8/17/66
FECAL COLTFORM BACTKRIAJ4PN/1OO ml
STATION
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
MAXIMUM
930
930
930
930
430
430
430
2,400
2,400
4,600
11,000
11,000
4,600
11,000
^^^^•MMk ^r*t^rm •^••^v
AVERAGE*
400
418
377
427
226
199
176
6l£
705
1,217
5,188
*,953
2,232
4,558
• •^•••^»* «r^B ••*«
MEDIAN
330
260
330
230
230
150
91
210
430
430
3,350
3,500
1,665
4,600
MINIMUM
150
<36
91
91
36
36
36
91
<36
<36
930
290
430
150
MAXIMUM
430
230
150
150
36
91
36
36
230
36
430
430
430
430
AVERAGE*
120
87
64
55
36
58
36
36
86
36
217
152
13*
203
MEDIAN
64
36
36
<36
<36
36
<36
<36
36
<36
130
91
36
190
MINIMUM
<36
<36
<36
<36
<36
36
^36
-------
c§
TABLE 10 (Continued)
TOTAL COLIFOBM BACTERIA -MPN/100 ml FECAL COLIFORM BACTERIA -MPN/100 ml
STATION
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
2k
25
26
27
28
29
30
MAXIMUM
11,000
2,1*00
U,600
750
--
1*,600
1*,600
k, 600
1*,600,000
1*30
2,400
2,1*00
1*30
230
U,300
36
AVERAGE*
3,627
705
896
203
--
2,738
1,872
2,375
1,055,170
ll*3
588
1,593
209
93
766
36
MEDIAN
2,1*00
330
210
82
—
2,1*00
1,500
930
335,000
61*
61*
2,1*00
160
82
36
36
MINIMUM
1*30
91
<36
36
—
930
1*30
36
21,000
36
<36
1*30
<36
<36
<36
<36
MAXIMUM
230
36
91
91
—
150
91
2,1*00
i*,6oo,ooo
36
73
210
91
36
36
<36
AVERAGE*
87
36
k5
1*5
—
92
1*7
662
1,005,700
36
1*2
65
1*5
36
36
36
MEDIAN
61*
<36
<36
36
—
91
36
230
195,000
36
<36
36
36
<36
<36
<36
MINIMUM
36
<36
<36
<36
—
36
<36
<36
1*,300
<36
<36
<36
<36
<36
<36
<36
* A value of 36 was used to calculate averages for <36 values.
-------
PENOBSCOT
RIVER
FORT POINT
COVE
1215
moose
FORT
POINT
SEARSPORT
SEARSPORT
HARBOR
SEARS
ISLAND
TURNER PT,
PERKINS PT.
Tota: conforms
MPN/IOOml
MEDIAN
MEAN
CD STATION
NUMBER
•CASTINE
ISLESBORO
NORTHPORT
MARSHALL PT
TOTAL COUFORMS AT HIGH TIDE IN PENOBSCOT BAY AREA
-------
PENOBSCOT
RIVER
46SS
FORT
POINT
SEARSPORT
HARBOR
91
232
LEGEND
TOTAL COLIFORM
MEDIAN
MIAN
KttUIP
TURTLf ~$o
HEAD
NAUTICAL MILES
ISLESBORO
ISLAND
MARSHALL PT,
TOTAL COLIFORMS AT EBB TIDE IN PENOBSCOT BAY AREA
-------
PENOBSCOT
RIVER
O
c
w
»
FORT POINT
COVE
82
203
STOCKTON
HARBOR
SEARSPORT
SEARSPORT
HARBOR
SEARS
ISLAND
TURNER PT
PERKINS PT,
TOTAL COLI:r.'RV
MPN/i(X' in I
MEDIAN
A ISLE
CASTINE
ISLESBOROo
ISLAND
MARSHALL PT
NORTHPORT
BAYSIDE
TOTAL COLIFORMS AT LOW TIDE IN PENOBSCOT BAY AREA
-------
Tables A-U, A-5 and A-6 in the Appendix summarize the chloride
and salinity data for high, ebb, and low tide, respectively. Salinity
was calculated from the chloride value. An average sea water salinity
is about 35 parks per thousand or about 19 parts per thousand chloride.
These data show that over 75 per cent of the water at every sampling
station except near the poultry plant effluent was sea water. The
average chloride value was approximately the same at high, ebb, or
low tide.
Table A-7 in the Appendix summarizes all the surface temper-
atures associated with the bacteriological sampling.
The highest densities of coliform organisms in Penobscot Bay
were found near Fort Point and east of Sears Island. At low tide the
total coliforms averaged approximately 5,000 MPN/100 ml near Fort Point.
Values decreased toward the western part of the Bay and then increased
again at the Passagassawakeag River. It is apparent that untreated dis-
charges to the Penobscot River from Bangor; S. A. Maxfield Co., Bangor;
Brewer; Standard Packaging Corp., Brewer; Hampden; Winterport; Frankfort;
Bucksport; and St. Regis Paper Co., Bucksport are the primary sources
of high bacterial densities in the northeast section of Penobscot Bay.
The station near Turtle Head, an area still open for har-
vesting shellfish, had a median coliform level of 1,500/100 ml at low
tide. At high tide the median coliform level decreased to 1*31/100
at this sampling location.
- 71 -
-------
Near the entrance to Stockton Harbor (Stations 16 and 1?)
the bacteriological levels were substantially in excess of the maximum
permitted for harvesting clams. Median values of 430 and 330/100 ml
were found at these two stations, with maximum values being as high as
4,600/100 ml. In the inner harbor coliform densities decreased but
the levels obtained at Station 18 still exceeded the standards. High
tide values at Station 18 were over three times greater than found at
low tide, indicating that water from. Penobscot Bay containing high
coliform densities was being pushed into the harbor on a flood tide.
The two unnamed brooks flowing into the northeast end of Stockton
Harbor (Station 37 and Station 38) showed evidence of sewage reaching
the harbor from the Town of Stockton Springs.
In general, the water within Long Cove had a coliform density
much lower than in the remainder of the study area. However, a maximum
of 4,300 MPN/100 ml was obtained at low tide on one occasion. This
high value could have resulted from local pollution. Cove Brook
receives local sewage as the samples obtained from this point averaged
nearly 20,000 MPN/100 ml.
Stations 27 and 28 in Searsport Harbor had relatively constant
coliform levels at various tidal heights, and at both locations the
levels exceeded the standards. There are several public and private
sewers serving the Searsport area. Mill Brook (Station 32) receives
- 72 -
-------
wastes from about 30 homes and the average total coliform value was
65,250 MPN/100 ml. Stations 33, 3U and 35 are located in Searsport
at sewer outfalls discharging into Searsport Harbor. Values of
2^,000,000 MPN/100 ml total cbliforms or greater were found at these
sewer outfalls. Even fecal coliforms exceeded 2,000,000/100 ml in
each sample obtained.
Belfast Bay stations 1 through 3 had median coliform values
greater at low tide than at high tide indicating that the polluted
waters from the Belfast area were reaching these stations during the
outgoing tides. Station k had the same relative value at high tide
as at low tide while Station 5 near Moose Point had values greater at
high tide than at low tide. Stations 6 and 7 had coliform values less
than stations 1, 2, 3» or 8 indicating that there is not as much transfer
of water in this area as at the other locations. The warmer temperatures
in this area may be responsible for these lower values since the warmer
water would tend to stay on top and not mix with other water.
The generally higher coliform values at stations 5, 8, 9, and
10 indicate that these stations are probably influenced more by Penobscot
River water since the values are usually higher than those more toward
Northport. The major flow of the Penobscot River that comes to the
west of Islesboro Island appears to be to the east of sampling stations
6 through 10 near low tide. As the tide changes part of the Penobscot
River water that is in the bay between Northport and Islesboro Island
is pushed toward Searsport Harbor.
- 73 -
-------
In the Castine area at high tide, the total coliforms were
very high, as is shown by the median of 1,315 MPN/100 ml at Station 30.
As the tide receded, the coliform values decreased. The high tide value
was caused by the combination of bacteria from the Penobscot River and
bacteria being discharged by the Town of Castine and the State of Maine's
Maritime Academy. The station was upstream of most of the sewage being
discharged directly to the bay waters in Castine Harbor.
The ratio of total coliforms to fecal coliforms is an indi-
cation of recent fecal pollution. The higher the ratio, the greater
the time period since the wastes were discharged; and, conversely, the
lower the ratio, the more recent the pollution. An analysis of Table 11
illustrates that local pollution has much greater effect than is indi-
cated by the magnitude of the values at the various stations and shows
a need for treatment of all sources of fecal pollution. Belfast Bay
(Stations 1-10) and Searsport Harbor (Stations 27-28) have the smallest
ratio of total coliforms to fecal coliforms, indicating that recent
fecal pollution has taken place.
The two poultry processing plants, Maplewood Packing Company
and Penobscot Poultry Company, in Belfast, discharge an estimated
bacterial load equivalent to a population of ^,000 persons each. The
wastes have been reduced to some extent with better screening operations.
-------
TABLE 11
GEOMETRIC MEAN TOTAL COLIFORM VALUE FOR
STATED FECAL COLIFORM VALUE
FECAL COLIFORM
PER 100 ML
< 36
36
91
GROl
27-28
6k
100
--
JPS OF COLIFORM SAMPLING SIAI
1-10
100
180
^50
16-18
ikQ
300
—
20,25,26
380
700
1200
noNS
11-15
520
750
2300
- 75 -
-------
Bottom bacteria samples were collected at various stations
and were found to be substantially lower in number most of the time,
indicating that the warmer sewage wastes were nearer the surface.
On June 28, 1966, the Maine Sea and Shore Fisheries reported
finding floating chicken entrails in Stockton Harbor at the northeast
side of Sears Island. They reported that these entrails had a total
coliform value greater than 170-,000 MPN/100 ml. Again on July 8, 1966,
floating chicken entrails were found by Fisheries personnel in Stockton
Harbor at the same location. They also reported that on June 28, 1966, an
animal fat film was found on the waters from the south tip of Sears Island
to the north tip of Sears Island in Stockton Harbor. Large amounts of
feathers have been reported found on Sears Island and Islesboro Island.
A ferry running from Islesboro Island to Lincolnville, which is south
of Northport, reported that their water intake screen had to be cleaned
at least once a week in the past, due to chicken feathers clogging the
screen. In the past, chicken entrails have been found all along the
banks of Belfast Bay. During the period samples were being collected
by the Merrimack River Project, there were no significant discharges
of either feathers or entrails, indicating that either the new screen-
ing devices were working properly or that closer attention was given
to maintenance of these screens.
- 76 -
-------
Salmonellosis, the disease caused by various species of
Salmonella bacteria, includes typhoid fever, gastroenteritis and diarrhea.
There are more than 900 known serological types of Salmonella. During
196U there were over 21,000 Salmonella isolations from humans in the
United States, and 57 known deaths resulted from Salmonellosis.* '
Sterile gauze swabs were placed at stations 1 through 5, 11
through 21, 23 through 25, 28, and 29, at the surface of the water for
about five days. Tests were then carried out to determine if any Salmon-
ella bacteria were present. Salmonellae were found at stations 11, 12, 16
and 23 (poultry plant effluent). The United States Public Health Ser-
vice 's Communicable Disease Center determined the serotype. The results,
listed in Table 12, clearly point out that poultry plant wastes are
pathogenic to man since all Salmonella bacteria are pathogenic. Salmon-
ellae were isolated from both swabs placed in the Penobscot River.
When the swabs were in place at station 16, the median fecal
coliform value was less than 36 MPN/100 ml and the median total coliforms
^30/100 ml. This indicates that Salmonella may be present even when
coliform densities are not very high.
- 77 -
-------
TABLE 12
PENOBSCOT BAY AREA SALMONELLA RESULTS
AUGUST, 1966
STATION
1
2
3
k
5
11
12
13
lU
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
23
2k
25
28
29
DATE
SWAB
REMOVED
8/2/66
8/2/66
8/2/66
8/2/66
8/2/66
8/12/66
8/9/66
8/12/66
8/9/66
8/9/66
8/12/66
8/9/66
8/12/66
8/9/66
8/12/66
8/9/66
8/15/66
8/15/66
8/15/66
8/15/66
8/15/66
TOTAL COLIFORMS
MPN/100
AVERAGE
387
317
^53
Ul*8
371
1*,969
5,960
2,11*9
5,030
2,252
766
708
326
71*
2,012
1,190
521,000
153
U07
118
U83
ml
MEDIAN
230
91
230
230
230
2,UOO
2,250
930
3,500
930
U30
330
91
36
1,950
1*30
21*0,000
73
230
73
36
FECAL COLIFORMS
MPN/100 ml
AVERAGE* MEDIAN
128
85
56
56
1*2
171*
168
81
181
76
1*5
52
39
36
51*
55
U68,500 190
36
1*1
36
36
36
06
36
<36
<36
100
91
36
11*5
36
<36
<36
36
<36
36
36
,000
436
<36
<36
<36
SALMONELLAE
Not detected
Not detected
Not detected
Not detected
Not detected
S. thompson
S. heidelberg
Not detected
Not detected
Not detected
S . thompson
Not detected
Not detected
Not detected
Not detected
Not detected
S. montevideo
S. blockley
S. California
S. typhi-murium
Var . Copenhagen
Not detected
Not detected
Not detected
Not detected
A value of 36 was used to calculate average for < 36 values.
- 78 -
-------
Clam samples were dug in Northport, Belfast, Searsport and
Stockton Springs; the locations are shown on Figure 35. The bacterio-
logical analyses of the clam meat were carried out by the Maine Depart-
ment of Sea and Shore Fisheries and are presented in Table 13.
Some states use a maximum fecal coliform value of 230/MPN/100
grams clam meat as a standard to determine whether the meat is safe for
human consumption. Stockton Harbor clam samples showed a wide variation
in fecal coliform counts. Belfast Bay clam samples were generally very
high as would be expected since the total coliform counts were high.
Moose Point samples show that there can be a wide range of values at the
same sampling point at the same time. Limited samples in Searsport
Harbor indicate that the clam meat was below the maximum value recom-
mended. Long Cove area samples show that the clams themselves are still
fairly clean bacteriologically except for the area in the north end.
Cove Brook (station 36) was found to be polluted, which probably accounts
for the high fecal coliform value found in the clams in this area.
Finally, Fort Point had the highest values reported; all samples showed
that the clams were grossly polluted. The standards for harvesting
shellfish are based on the water and not on the clam itself.
- 79 -
-------
TABLE 13
COLIFORM BACTERIA IN CLAMS IN THE PENOBSCOT BAY AREA
STATION
Stockton Harbor-east side
Stockton Harbor-north side
Stockton Harbor-northeast
Stockton Harbor-north side
Stockton Harbor-east side
Stockton Harbor-west side
Belfast Bay-north side
Belfast Bay-north side
Little River at Rt.l-Belfast
Belfast City Park
Belfast Bay-mouth of Goose River
Belfast Bay-south of park
Belfast Bay-north side
COLIFORMS,
MEN/100 GRAMS MEAT
LATITUDE
1+1+°
1+1+°
1+1+°
1+1+°
1+1+°
1+1+°
1+1+°
1+1+°
1+1+°
1+1+°
W*°
1+1+°
1+1+°
28'
28 '
29 •
28'
28'
27'
25'
25.
23'
25'
25«
2V
25.
i+3"
in"
01"
13"
37"
1*5"
1+7"
i»6"
33"
07"
1+6"
1+5"
32"
LONGITUDE
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
50'
51'
50'
51'
51'
52'
59'
59'
58'
59'
59'
59'
58'
1+8"
18"
1+1+"
Ol+"
00"
58"
5!+"
5V
16"
35"
38"
21"
26"
DATE
8/3/66
8/8/66
8/9/66
8/10/66
8/10/66
8/10/66
8/2/66
8/3/66
8/3/66
8/8/66
8/8/66
8/9/66
8/9/66
TIME
0900
0910
1000
101+5
09^5
1130
0930
1015
0730
1110
101+5
1200
121+0
TOTAL
3
3
16
2
9
3
92
9
16
160
5
,500
,500
,000
790
,1+00
,200
,1+00
,000
,200
,000
,000
,1+00
1+90
FECAL
68
3,500
—
110
170
790
120
3,500
1,300
2,800
1,100
—
<18
-------
NORTHPORT\/5)
Fort Point Cove
STOCKTON
SPRINGS
Penobscot
River
LEGEND
<£) Clams collected Aug.2,1966
CD Clams collected Aug.3,1966
Clams collectedAug.9,1966
CD Clams collectedAug. 10,1966
FORT POINT
LOCATION OF CLAM SAMPLES TAKEN FOR BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
-------
TABLE 13 (Continued)
COLEFQRMS,
MPN/100 (HAMS MEAT
i
CD
H
I
STATION
Moose Point
Moose Point
Northwest tip of Sears Island
East side Sears Island
Northeast tip of Sears Island
Searsport Harbor-northeast side
Searsport Harbor-southwest side
Long Cove-north side
Long Cove-east side
Long Cove-southwest side
Fort Point Cove
Fort Point Cove
Fort Point Cove
Fort Point Cove
LATITUDE
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
44°
25'
25'
27'
27'
27'
27'
27'
28'
27'
27'
29'
29'
29'
28'
55"
55"
27"
04"
24"
17"
08"
04"
45"
39"
00"
46"
29"
36"
LONGITUDE
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
68°
56'
56'
53'
52'
52'
54'
55'
53'
53'
53'
50'
49-
49'
50'
28"
28"
01"
18"
53"
59"
37"
44"
15"
48"
15"
07"
48"
00"
DATE
8/2/66
8/2/66
8/3/66
8/8/66
8/9/66
8/10/66
8/10/66
8/3/66
8/8/66
8/9/66
8/3/66
8/8/66
8/9/66
8/10/66
TIME
0940
0930
0750
0850
1040
1150
1210
0830
0930
1105
0910
1000
0915
1030
TOTAL
2
3
2
7
35
5
3
3
2
35
17
54
24
,400
,500
,400
,000
,000
,400
,500
,500
,400
490
,000
,000
,000
,000
FECAL
230
20
18
61
490
170
40
1,100
45
20
3,500
11,000
9,200
3,500
-------
The presence of coliform bacteria in the waters emphasizes
the need for adequate pollution abatement and reaffirms the necessity
for continuous and effective waste treatment which will remove
Salmonellae and other pathogenic bacteria.
- 82 -
-------
SUSPENDED SOLIDS
Excessive suspended solids in a stream or bay diminish the
beauty of the water and settle to the bottom where they form sludge
deposits. These deposits can deplete the water's oxygen supply and
produce offensive odors, especially in tidal areas where the sludge
banks are exposed at low tide. The solids blanket the bottom and
smother the biological life upon which fish feed, and change the bottom
environment so that clams, lobsters, scallops and other aquatic life
no longer can live in that area. This apparently has happened in the
Belfast Bay area, where a few years ago the lobster and scallop harvest
was much more abundant than it is at the present time.
The area near the western part of Stockton Harbor in Sears-
port is receiving wastes that contain silica and other materials which
are smothering the clams. The solid material is discharged by Northern
Chemical Industries, Inc. and has an estimated suspended solids popula-
tion equivalent of 20,000 persons. The Penobscot River is receiving
tremendous loads of suspended solids equivalent to the discharge of over
591*000 persons. These solids, which cause sludge banks to develop, are
discharged from the untreated wastes of Bangor; S. A. Maxfield Company,
Bangor; Brewer; Standard Packaging Corp., Brewer; Hampden; Winterport;
Frankport; Bucksport; and St. Regis Paper Company, Bucksport.
A stream bottom should be free of pollutants that will
adversely alter the composition of the bottom fauna, interfere with the
spawning of fish or their eggs, or adversely change the physical or
chemical nature of the bottom. The environment of parts of the upper
Penobscot Bay area is far from this type.
- 83 -
-------
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND AMD DISSOLVED OXYGEN
The oxygen demand of sewage and industrial wastes, as measured
by the biochemical oxygen demand (B.O.D.) test, indicates the potential
for reducing the dissolved oxygen (D.O.) content of streams. If the
dissolved oxygen is reduced below an adequate level, clams, the fish
population, crustaceans such as lobsters, and the aquatic life on which
the higher forms of aquatic life feed are killed or driven out of the
area.
Most water pollution control agencies have adopted a minimum
5 mg/1 D.O. objective to maintain the ma-vimum potential warm water
sport fish population. The State of Maine water quality standard for
Class C water requires the dissolved oxygen to be 5«0 mg/1 for tidal
waters.
If dissolved oxygen becomes totally depleted, obnoxious odors,
mostly from hydrogen sulfide, result, causing an unpleasant environment
for persons living or working nearby. The hydrogen sulfide given off
by the streams may turn nearby houses, bridges or other painted struc-
tures black.
The Maine Water Improvement Commission found that the dissolved
oxygen placed the Penobscot River either in the nuisance condition or
in Class D from Bangor to Bucksport. Zero D.O. was found from Bangor
to Winterport during the summer of 1963, with the oxygen sag curve
- Ok -
-------
moving downstream at low tide and upstream at high tide. This
dissolved oxygen condition limits usage of the entire river below
Bangor and prevents fish, including anadromous fish such as salmon,
from passing through these waters. Materials causing low dissolved
oxygen values in the Penobscot River are discharged by Bangor; S. A.
Maxfield Co., Bangor; Brewer; Standard Packaging Corp., Brewer;
Hampden; Winterport; Frankfort; Bucksport; and St. Regis Paper Co.,
Bucksport.
At least one fish kill has been reported due to wastes
discharged to Goose River.
-------
SULFITE WASTE LIQUOR
The high sulfite waste liquor concentrations in the Penob-
scot River are primarily from the processing of pulp using the sulfite
process. Standard Packaging Corporation and St. Regis Paper Company
"both use the sulfite process as do other pulp processing companies
above Bangor. Sulfite waste liquor adds material that causes color
in waters. Such discoloration of a water reduces its aesthetic qual-
ity.
Work has been carried out in the Northwest on the effects
of pulp mill wastes on oysters. The toxicity of low concentrations
(7)
of sulfite waste liquor to the oysters has been clearly shown.v '
Tests showed that embryonic development of the Olympia oyster from eggs
to shelled larvae did not take place in concentrations above 10 ppm.
Long-term bioassays with Olympia oysters of one to three years old
indicated that low concentrations of sulfite waste liquor (approximately
10 ppm) increase the mortality of these shellfish.
Other studies with Pacific oyster larvae showed 100 per cent
/ON
mortality when sulfite waste liquor exceeded 80 ppm. ' Fifty per cent
mortality was produced at a concentration of 30 ppm.
Most of the upper Penobscot Bay area had sulfite waste
liquor concentrations near 60 ppm and at low tide near Fort Point
- 86 -
-------
the value was about 100 ppm. See Figure 22. This high concentration
near the Fort Point Cove area could be the reason that the clam resources
are somewhat less than they were in the past. Stockton Springs fisher-
men confirmed that this area was a rich clamming area before 1950.'9/
Sulfite waste liquor is discharged in the study area by the Standard
Packaging Corporation, Brewer, and the St. Regis Paper Company, Bucks-
port.
The Atlantic Salmon Commission in Maine is planning a program
to restore salmon to the Penobscot River.' ' However; salmon, as well
as other fish, will avoid areas where the sulfite waste liquor concentra-
tions are high. Juvenile Chinook salmon have been reported to have an
avoidance to sulfite waste liquor in concentrations above 125 ppm.* '
- 87 -
-------
FUTURE WATER QUALITY
Under existing Maine laws, the Maine Legislature is the
organization that officially classifies state waters according to
water use and quality standards. The Maine Water Improvement
Commission makes recommendations to the Legislature after studies
of present and potential water uses and water quality. The classi-
fication for water uses, as voted by the Maine Legislature, was
completed in 1965. It is shown in Figure 36. Tables A-l and A-2
in the Appendix describe the Maine standards for both fresh and
marine waters. Marine waters include estuaries and upstream tidal
waters that have a salinity of 5,000 parts per million or greater
at high tide.
The majority of the upper Penobscot Bay area has been
classified as Class SB-1, which has as an upper limit for total
coliform bacteria a median value of not more than 2kO MPN/100 ml.
Class SB-1 waters, however, will not permit the harvesting of shell-
fish. On the other hand, Class SA waters, found in a small part of
Searsport in Stockton Harbor and the western side of Islesboro Island
below Marshall Point, have a median total coliform limit of 70 MPN/100
ml and permit the harvesting of shellfish. Except for these two small
areas the remainder of the study area cannot be used for the taking
of shellfish, since it is legal to exceed 70 MPN/100 ml in the waters
overlying a shellfish bed. Therefore, the Maine water quality stand-
ards should be upgraded to reflect the beneficial water uses in the
area.
-------
FORT POINT COVE
jorsport tt;'.7&:;:' 7-XiU *'^
Harbor .->)::'.:'.';"/;;.1v y o^v D
LEGEND
TIDAL WATERS FRESH WATER
SLESBOR
SLAND
^ - ',".• •• i\l\v>
^5^-^ffi
CLASSIFICATION OF WATERS IN UPPER PENOBSCOT BAY AREA
-------
Part of Belfast Bay has been assigned a Class SD status.
Under the Maine revised statutes of 196U,'12' Class SD waters, the
lowest classification, shall be considered as primarily devoted to
the disposal of sewage and industrial wastes without causing a
public nuisance. It seems unreasonable to classify the area for this
purpose since means are presently available to correct the pollutional
problem.
The Maine Water Improvement Commission classification
report''' recommended that the Penobscot River from the Bangor dam to
the Route 1 bridge at Verona be Class C. The final classifications
were Class C from the Bangor dam to Hampden Highlands, and Class SC
from Hampden Highlands area to the Route 1 bridge at Verona.
This report also recommended that the Penobscot River be
classified SC from the Route 1 bridge at Verona to the southerly
point of Verona Island and have a maximum coliform concentration of
1,000 MPN per 100 ml and a median of no more than 2kO MPN/100 ml.
Final classifications did not include a numerical bacteriological
limit. The recommendation on classification of the Penobscot River
from Verona to Fort Point in Stockton Springs was Class SB-1 with
the coliform limit a median of 70 MPN/100 ml. Actual classification
for this section limits the median to 2^0 MPN/100 ml.
- 89 -
-------
Classes SA, SB-1 and SB-2 contain a provision that there
shall be no toxic wastes or colored wastes that either singly or
in combination with other substances act to be injurious to edible
fish or shellfish or to their culture or propagation. The sulfite
waste liquor fits into the above category since it can be deleteri-
ous to fish and shellfish in the concentrations found in the
Penobscot River and upper Penobscot Bay.
In considering the water quality of a stream, attention
should be given, not only to present population, industrial
discharges, and water uses, but also to future population, expan-
sion of industrial capacity, the possible introduction of new
industries into the area, and potential water uses expected to
develop. Water quality should be sufficiently high that economic
growth is not hindered and that the maximum beneficial use is made
of the stream.
Waste discharges must be controlled to allow economic
growth in the area, including more recreational use, and the
reopening of the shellfish growing areas. To achieve those
objectives the principal controls need to be placed on discharges
of bacteria, materials causing oxygen demand, suspended solids,
floating material such as feathers, grease, and wood fibers, and
toxic materials such as sulfite waste liquor.
- 90 -
-------
Water quality requirements must be applied in the
communities of Northport, Searsport, Stockton Springs, Penobscot,
Castine, Islesboro, Belfast east of Goose River, and Belfast
south of latitude hk 2VN to permit the following water uses:
Shellfish Production
Lobster Production
Commercial Fishing, including anadromous fish
Aesthetics
Industrial - Processing and Cooling
Recreation - Whole Body Contact
Sport Fishing
Pleasure Boating
Wildlife
Navigation
Water quality requirements must be applied in Belfast
west of Goose River and in Belfast north of latitude M+°24*N to
permit the following water uses:
Lobster Production
Commercial Fishing
- 91 -
-------
Aesthetics
Industrial Water - Processing and Cooling
Recreation - Whole Body Contact
Sport Fishing
Pleasure Boating
Wildlife
Navigation
Water quality requirements must be applied in the Penobscot
River from the Bangor dam to the southern tip of Verona Island to
permit the following water uses:
Commercial Fishing, including anadromous fish
Aesthetics
Industrial Water - Processing and Cooling
Recreation - Limited Body Contact
Sport Fishing
Pleasure Boating
Wildlife
Navigation
The recommendations of this report will result in the
attainment of water quality of sufficient purity that the beneficial
water uses may be accommodated.
- 92 -
-------
REFERENCES
1. Pritchard, Donald W., Estuarine Circulation Patterns, Proceedings
of American Society of Civil Engineers, 8l, (1955).
2. Glude, John B., Survival of Soft-Shell Clams, Mya arenaria. Buried
at Various Depths, Research Bulletin No. 22, 195^, Department of
Sea and Shore Fisheries, State House, Augusta, Maine.
3. Dow, Robert L., Wallace, D. E. and Taxiarchis, L. N., Clam (Mya
arenaria) Breakage in Maine, Research Bulletin No. 15, Department
of Sea and Shore Fisheries, State House, Augusta, Maine.
k. Wallace, D. E., Personal Communication, 1966, State of Maine,
Department of Sea and Shore Fisheries.
5. Penobscot River Classification Report, 19&3, State of Maine, Water
Improvement Commission.
6. Salmonella Surveillance Report, Annual Summary-196U, Communicable
Disease Center, U. S. Department of. Health, Education, and Welfare,
Atlanta, Georgia.
7- Woelke, Charles E., Bioassays of Pulp Mill Wastes v/ith Oysters,
Biological Problems in Water Pollution, U. S. Department of Health,
Education and Welfare, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1965.
8. Personal Communication, Earl N. Kari, U. S. Department of the
Interior, FWPCA, Portland, Oregon, July 25, 1966.
9. Saunders, James C., Portland Sunday Telegram, August 7, 1966.
' - 93 -
-------
10. Letter, Richard F. Griffith, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service to
Lester M. Klashman, Federal Water Pollution Control Administration,
September 9, 1966.
11. Avoidance Reactions of Salmonoid Fishes to Pulp Mill Effluents,
Jones, B. F., Warren, Charles E., Bond, Carl E. and Doudoroff,
Peter, Sewage and Industrial Wastes, 28, November 1956.
12. Revised Statutes of 196U, Title 38, Chapter 3> Article 1.
-------
APPENDIX
-.95 -
-------
STATE OF MAINE
DEPARTMENT OF SEA AND SHORE FISHERIES
PUBLIC NOTICE
Acting under authority vested in the Commissioner of
Sea and Shore Fisheries of the State of Maine by R. S. 1964,
Title 12, Section 3503, the following regulations closing
certain shores, flats and waters in the towns of Searsport
and Stockton Springs, Waldo County, designated as Closed
Area No. 33> Searsport, promulgated March 24, 19^5; Closed
Area No. 33-A, Sears Island, promulgated May 18, 19&1; and
Closed Area No. 3^> Cape Jellison, Stockton Springs, promul-
gated June 6, 1961, to all digging of clams, quahogs, oysters
mussels and other marine mollusks are hereby repealed and
replaced by the following regulation to become effective
July 1, 1966.
REGULATION
Cloaed Area No. 33; Searsport-Stockton Springs; Because
of pollution it shall be unlawful to dig or take in any manner
any clams, quahogs, oysters, mussels and other marine mollusks
from all shores, flats and waters of that portion of Penobscot
Bay, Searsport and Stockton Springs, including Sears Island
and Cape Jellison, Waldo County, between a red painted wood
post located approximately 500 yards southwesterly of the old
Steamboat Wharf, Searsport, and a red painted wood post located
on the western shore of the Penobscot River at Fort Point,
Stockton Springs.
Whoever violates any provision of this regulation shall
be subject to a fine of not less than $10.00 nor more than
$300.00 or by imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or by
both.
Dated at Augusta, Maine, this twenty-eighth day of June,
A. D., 1966.
RONALD W.
Commissioner of Sea and Shore Fisheries
- A-l -
-------
TABLE A-l
MAINE WATER IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION CLASSIFICATION
AND STANDARDS OF QUALITY FOR FRESH WATER
CLASS A
Suitable for any
use . Character
uniformly
excellent.
CLASS B
CLASS B-l
CLASS B-2
SUITABILITY FOR USE
Suitable for all forms of recrea-
tion and industrial uses. Accept-
able for public water after ade-
quate treatment.
CLASS C
Suitable for
recreational
boating, fishing,
industrial use,
and potable water
supplies after
adequate treat-
ment.
Dissolved oxygen
CoHform bacteria
Oil and Grease
Odor, scum, float-
ing solids, or
debris .
Sludge deposits.
Chemical wastes
Not less than
75$ saturation.
Median not more
than ,100 MPN/
100 ml.
None
None
None
Only amounts that
are not injurious
to aquatic life.
STANDARDS OF QUALITY
Not less than
75$ saturation.
Median not more
than 300 MPN/
100 ml.
None
None
None
Not less than
60$ saturation.
Median not more
than 1,000 MPN/
100 ml.
None
None
None
Only amounts that are not injurious
to aquatic life.
Not less than
5 ppm for trout
and salmon
streams . Not
less than k ppm
for other streams.
Not harmful to
public health.
None
None
None
Shall not be
inimical to
aquatic life.
CLASS D
Suitable for
transportation
of sewage and
industrial
wastes without
causing a public
nuisance.
Present at all
times.
Not harmful to
public health.
Not objectionable,
Not objectionable,
Not objectionable,
Not harmful to
public health.
ro
-------
TABLE A-2
MAINE WATER IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION CLASSIFICATION
AND STANDARDS OF QUALITY FOR TIDAL OR MARINE WATERS
^
•
Coliform bacteria
Dissolved oxygen
Oil and grease
Odor, scum, float-
ing solids or
debris .
Sludge deposits
Temperature ,
colored or toxic
substances.
CLASS SA
Suitable for any
water use. Char-
acter uniformly
excellent.
Median not more
than 70 MPN/
100 ml.
Not less than
6.0 ppm.
None
None
None
Only amounts that
are not injurious
to edible fish or
shellfish or to
their propagation.
CLASS SB
CLASS SB-1
SUITABILITY F01
Bathing and other
clean water uses.
CLASS SB-2
R USE
Best usage, rec-
reational usages,
except bathing:
and fisheries.
STANDARDS OF QUALITY
Median not more
than 2UO MPN/
100 ml.
Not less than
6.0 ppm.
None
None
None
Median not more
than 1,000 MPN/
100 ml.
Not less than
6.0 ppm.
None
None
None
Only amounts that are not injurious
to edible fish or shellfish or to
their propagation.
CLASS SC
Suitable for rec-
reational boating,
fishing and other
similar uses ex-
cept bathing.
Not harmful to
public health.
Not less than
5.0 ppm.
None
None
None
Only amounts not
inimical to
aquatic life.
CLASS SD
Suitable for
transportation
of sev/age and
industrial
wastes without
a public nuisance.
Not harmful to
public health.
Present at all
times.
Not objectionable.
Not objectionable.
Not objectionable .
Not objectionable.
U)
-------
TABLE A-3
LATITUDE & LONGITUDE OF SAMPLING STATIONS
PENOBSCOT BAY AREA - JULY-AUGUST, 1966
STATION
1
2
3
k
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Ik
il
a
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
3*
35
36
37
38
39
LATITUDE
kk° 2V 05"
kk° 2V IV
2V 38"
> 25' 05"
25' 31"
22' U8"
23' U6"
1&° 2V 16"
UU° 25' 02"
kk° 25' 22"
kk° 28' 07"
1*° 27' U7"
l*° 26' 16"
kk° 26' 03"
l*° 25' 1*5"
hk° 27' 03"
l*° 27' 47"
44° 28' 30"
kk° 28' 51"
^° 25' Ok"
kk° 23' 56"
kk° 25' 37"
Wf° 25' 35"
kk° 25' 57"
° 25' 21"
° 26' 3^H
° 27' 00"
° 27' 39"
l^° 23' 21"
kk° 25' 51"
W3 27' 18"
kk° 27' 26"
1^° 27' 27"
kk° 27' 30"
^° 28' 10"
kk° 28' U8"
l^o 28, i^..
1A° 28' 3^"
-. A-U -
26"
LONGITUDE
68° 58' U9"
68° 58' 29"
68° 38' 00"
68° 57' 28"
68° 57' 00"
68° 57' 52"
68° 57' 08"
68° 56' k2"
68° 56' 12"
68° 55'
68
68
68° 52'
i §:
68° 51' 02"
68° 52' 27"
68° 51' 23"
68° 51' oo"
68° 52' 30"
68° 52'
68° 59'
69° 00' 02"
68° 56' 02"
68° 5V 59"
68° 53' 3k"
68° 5k' 38"
68? 55' 21"
68° 53' 16"
68° kV 28"
68° 59' 36"
68° 55' 33"
68° 55' 22"
68° 55' 18"
68° 55' 15"
68° 53' k9"
68° 51' 29"
68° 50' 36"
68° 50' 1*3"
-------
TABLE A-k
CHLORIDE & SALOTTY DATA FOR EENOBSCOT BAY STUDY
HE2I TIDE
CHLORIDE, PPT SALINITY. PIT
STATION MIN. AVG. MAX. MIN. AVG. MAX.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12.
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
2k
25
26
27
28
29
30
14.0
13.5
13.5
13.5
11.5
14.5
13.5
14.0
13.5
13.5
13.6
14.5
14.4
14.6
15.1
14.3
14.5
14.5
14.6
14.7
14.9
14.5
13.1
14.6
15.3
14.5
14.7
14.7
14.6
15.7
14.5
14.5
14.3
14.4
13.9
14.8
14.2
14.4
14.4
14.3
14.3
14.8
14.8
15.1
15-3
14.6
14.8
14.8
14.9
15.0
15.1
15.5
14.0
15.5
15-7
15.2
15.3
15.4
15.1
16.0
14.8
15.5
15.5
15.2
15.0
15.3
15.1
15.2
15.0
15.0
15.2
15.1
15.2
15.5
15.5
15.0
15.4
15.2
15.2
15.6
15.6
16.4
16.1
16.0
16.1
16.1
16.0
16.0
15.8
16.3
25.3
24.4
24.4
24.4
20.8
26.2
24.4
25.3
24.4
24.4
24.7
26.2
26.0
26.4
27.2
25.8
26.2
26.2
26.4
26.5
26.9
26.2
23.6
26.7
27.6
26.2
26.5
26.5
26.4
28.3
26.2
26.2
25.8
26.0
25.1
26.7
25.6
26.0
26.0
25.8
25.8
26.7
26.7
27.2
27.6
26.4
26.7
26.7
26.9
27.1
27.2
28.0
25.3
28.0
28.3
27.4
27.6
27.8
27.2
28.9
26.7
27.1
27.6
27.4
27.1
28.0
27.2
27.4
27.1
27.1
27.4
27.2
27.4
28.0
27.8
27.1
27.8
27.4
27.4
28.2
28.2
29.6
29.1
28.9
29.1
29.1
28.9
28.9
28.5
29.4
- A-5 -
-------
TABI£ A-5
CHLORIDE & SALINITY DATA FOR PENOBSCOT BAY STUDY
TIDE
STATION
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
MIH.
14.0
14.0
14.0
14.0
14.5
14.0
13.5
13.5
14.0
13.5
12.7
11.9
14.2
12.6
13.4
14.2
14.3
14.5
14.3
14.2
14.6
7.42
14.6
14.9
14.7
14.7
14.6
14.8
14.6
AW.
14.5
14.4
14.7
14.4
14.8
14.6
14.5
14.4
14.6
14.4
13.7
13.2
14.6
14.1
14.5
15.2
14.8
14.8
14.7
15.0
15.4
11.3
15.4
15.4
15.4
15.3
15.2
15.1
16.0
MAX.
15.0
15.0
15.5
15.4
15.4
15.4
15.2
15.4
15.2
15.0
14.9
14.9
15.1
15.4
15.5
17.1
15.3
15.0
15.3
16.0
16.5
13.0
16.0
16.0
15.9
16.1
15.8
15.7
17.4
SALINITY, PPT
MPT.
25.3
25.3
25.3
25.3
27.1
25.3
24.4
24.4
25.3
24.4
22.9
21.5
25.6
22.7
24.2
25.6
25.8
27.1
25.8
25.6
26.4
13.4
26.4
26.9
26.5
26.5
26.4
26.7
26.4
AVG.
26.2
26.0
26.5
26.0
26.7
26.4
26.2
26.0
26.4
26.0
24.7
23.8
26.4
25.4
26.2
27.4
26.7
26.7
26.5
27.1
27.8
20.4
27.8
27.8
27.8
27.6
27.4
27-3
28.9
MAX.
27.1
27.1
28.0
27.8
28.5
27.8
27.4
27.8
27.4
27.1
26.9
26.9
27.3
27.8
28.0
30.9
27.6
27.1
27.6
28.9
29.8
23.5
28.9
28.9
28.7
29.1
28.5
28.3
31.4
- A-6 -
-------
TABLE A-6
CHLORIDE & SALINITY MIA FOR PENOBSCOT BAY STUDY
LOW TIDE
CHLORIDE. PPT SALINITY, PPT
STATION MIN. AVG. MAX. MIN. AVG. MAX.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
20
21
22
23
2k
25
26
27
28
29
30
14.0
14.0
13.5
13.5
13.5
14.0
13.5
13.5
13.5
13.5
13.1
13.4
14.2
13.4
14.0
14.5
14.3
14.5
13.3
13.2
14.6
6.44
14.8
15.1
14.6
14.7
14.9
14. 7
14.8
14.4
14.6
14.5
14.7
14.7
14.7
14.4
14.5
14.4
14.5
13.7
13.8
14.5
13.8
14.3
14.8
14.8
14.8
14.2
14.4
15.5
10.5
15.6
15.6
15.3
15.5
15.5
15.2
16.6
15.0
15.0
15.1
15.2
16.0
15.5
15.1
15.1
15.0
15.2
14.3
l4.o
15.0
14.4
14.6
15.2
15.4
15.1
15.8
15.0
16.5
14,6
16.1
15.9
15.9
16.0
16.0
15.7
17.3
25.3
25.3
24.4
24.4
24.4
25.3
24.4
24.4
24.4
24.4
23.6
24.2
25.6
24.2
25-3
26.2
25.8
26.2
24.0
23.8
26.4
11.6
26.7
27.2
26.4
26.5
26.9
26.5
26.7
26.0
26.4
26.2
26.5
26.5
26.5
26.0
26.2
26.0
26.2
24.7
24.9
26.2
24.4
25.8
26.7
26.7
26.7
25.6
26.0
28.0
19.0
28.2
28.2
27.6
28.0
28.0
27.4
30.0
27.1
27.1
27.2
27.4
28.9
28.0
27.2
27.2
27.1
27.4
25.8
25.3
27.1
26.0
26.4
27.4
27.8
27.2
28.5
27.1
29.8
26.4
29.1
28.7
28.7
28.9
28.9
28.3
31.2
-------
STATION
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
TABLE A-7
TEMPERATURES OF PENOBSCOT BAY
BACTERIA SAMPLES
7/27/66 - 8/16/66
TEMPERATURE* C
MINIMUM
15-5
15.0
15.0
15.0'
15.0
15.5
15.0
15.0
13.5
14.5
13.5
13.5
14.0
13.5
13.5
15.5
15.0
16.0
14.0
14.0
14.0
16.0
15.5
14.0
13.0
15.0
15.0
16.0
16.0
12.5
AVERAGE
17.2
17.0
16.7
16.5
16.4
16.8
16.5
16.2
16.0
15.7
14.7
15.0
15.4
14.8
14.8
16.6
17.1
18.2
18.4
15.3
15.6
18.3
17.8
16.7
16.2
15.3
16.7
17.1
17.6
13.9
MAXIMUM
19.0
18.8
18.0
18.0
18.5
18.5
18.0
17.5
18.5
17.5
16.5
16.5
16.5
16.0
16.5
18.5
19-5
20.0
20.0
16.5
17.5
20.0
18.0
17.5
17.5
18.0
18.5
18.5
19.5
15.0
- A-8 -
-------
UPPER PENOBSCOT BAY
MAINE
------- |