A WATER POLLUTION INVESTIGATION
OP THE
DETROIT RIVER
AND THE
MICHIGAN WATERS OF LAKF, ERIE
SECTION VI
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS
MICHIGAN WATERS OF LAKE ERIE
U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Public Health Service
Division of Water Supply and Pollution Control - Region
Detroit River-Lake Erie Project
-------
A WATER POLLUTION INVESTIGATION
:»? THE
DETROIT RIV
AND THE
MICHIGAN WATERS OF LAKE ERIE
SECTION VI
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS
MICHIGAN WATERS OF LAKE ERIE
U.S Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Public Health Service
Division of Water Supply and Pollution Control - Region V
Detroit River-Lake Erie Project
-------
SECTION VI
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS
LAKE ERIE
-------
DESCRIPTION OF WATER QUALITY - LAKE ERIE
The Michigan waters of Lake Erie represent approximately I percent of
its total surface area. ^Thi6 complicates a description of vater quality.
It will be approached by presentation of a series of maps on which quality
contours of various measures of vater quality are shown. Narrative
interpretation vill follow to evaluate the graphical presentation. Sampling
stations in Lake Erie, along its bathing beaches and on its tributaries, are
shown in Figure 2-1. Tables 1-VI through 3-VI summarize average sampling
results and Tables 4-VI through 6-VI summarize maximum results found
during the survey in Lake Erie, its bathing beaches and tributaries respec-
tively.
Bacteriological
Figure 1-VI depicts geometric mean coliform values in the Lake a6
contours. Figure 2-VI shows maximum coliform concentrations found at
different locations in Lake Erie during the survey. The majority of the
Michigan Lake waters have average coliform concentrations under 500 organisms
per 100 ml. Two areas of high concentration are evident from study of
Figure 1-VI. The first extends below the mouth of the Detroit River south
to just above Stony Point while the other radiates out into the lake a
short distance from the Raisin River. These two tributaries to the Lake
exert separate influences upon these areas and do not appear to be associated
with each other. An area of geometric mean coliform concentration above
the International Joint Commission objective of 2,1*00 organisms per 100 ml
extended down into Lake Erie for a distance of 2 to 3 miles. Geometric mean
coliform concentrations greater than 5*000 organisms per 100 ml were observed
at the mouth of the Detroit River as it entered Lake Erie.
1-VI
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
TABLE 1-VI.
SUMMARY OF AVERAGE RESULTS IK MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE
Geometric
Geometric
Geometric
Alka-
Mean
Mean
Mean
Phos-
Ammonia
Organic
Phenols Chloride Unity Coliform
Fecal Strep Fecal Coli phates Nitrates Nitrites
Nitrogen Nitrocen
Station
pH
p- g/i
mg/l
mg/l
org/100ml
org/lOOml
org/lOOml
mg/l
ag/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
L2
8.07
2
14
79
2,000
16
360
.17
.15
.003
09
• 13
L3
8.12
2
25
79
6,000
23
1,620
• 35
.12
L4
8.08
3
44
85
3,500
12
550
- 1
L5
7.95
2
18
79
3,700
15
670
.32
.24
.003
34
.12
l6
:8.l4
1
20
. 79
1,600
80
320
.24
17
8.13
1
19
80
1,900
34
.18
L8
8.22
2
24
82
64o
.20
.15
.003
24
J12
L9
8.25
2
18
119
330
.12
.12
.002
39
.14
L10
8.44
2
21
83
130
.22
.26
Lll
8.36
6
22
80
69
.14
.10
.002
• 05
.08
L12
8.33
1
25
79
200
.24
.39
.003
.13
.23
LI 4
8.46
4
25
81
160
5
21
.13
.53
.001
.18.
.23
• 34 •
• 37;
LI 5
8.1+6
1
20
78
88
.11
.34
LIT
8.4l
2
22
78
36
• 25
.19
.001
.12
.12
L20
8.58
1
23
81
55
•33
.14
L21
7.63
0
35
84
5,000
29
1,250
.78
• 32
.006
• 27
-17
L22
8.13
1
U6
84
260
9
13
.24
.44
.001
.23
.17
L23
8.32
2
29
84
130
8
22
L2h
8.19
5
24
81
'84
5
25
ro
<0
.44
.001
.17
.15
• 43
.54-
L25
8.30
16
26
85
48
5
L26
8.19
-
25
84
19
• 31
.15
«
0
U)
0
.10
.25
.41
.4?
L2J
8.1*
2
29
81
88
7
5
L2&
8.44
2
24
86
69
7
7
.11
.49
.002
.16
.33
.58
.62-
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TABLE 2-VT. SUMMARY OF AVERAGE RESULTS
MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE BATHING BEACHES
Geometric Geometric Geometric
Mean Mean Mean
Phenols Chloride Alkalinity Coliform Fecal Strep Fecal Coli
Station
pH
Wl.
mg/l
mg/l
org./lOO ml org./lOO ml org./lOO ml
B1
8.1*2
2
65
93
2,000
19
630
B3
8.51.
2
1+1+
85
960
13
320 .
BU
8.50 ,
2
hi
86
1+80
60
180
B5
8.51
3
33
19
1+90
53'
152
BT
8.63
3
28
18
3ko
130
180
b8
8.66
k
2T
19
k8 0
TT
200
BIO
8.61
k
28
16
kQo
69
254
BlU
8.60
3
25
8T
360
50
83
BIT
8.59
3
25
16
'+30
90
206
Bl8
8.51
2
25
83
500
51
190
B21
8.50
3
2T
83
990
31
1T8
B22
8.43
k
26
85
i^SO
U30
* 20T
B23
8.68
3
2k
82
860
200
k90
B25
8.t^
2
25
81
300.
190
ill
B2T
8.68
1
32
83
210
190
61 ¦
B29
8.81
1
2k
8T
1T0
53
123
B31
8.T3
¦2
21
93
350
110
1T0
3-VI
-------
TABLE 3-VI.
SUMMARY" OF AVERAGE RESULTS TRIBUTARIES
TO MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE
Tributary
PH
Phenols
Wl
Chloride
mg/l
Alkalinity
mg/l
Geometric
Mean
Coliform
org./lOO ml
Geometric
Mean
Fecal Strep
org./lOO ml
Geometric
Mean
Fecal Coli
org./lOO ml
Huron River
8.37
3.1
36
1^5
13,000
560
5,700
Swan Creek
8.19
4
9k
106
4,100
150
1,350
Stony Creek
8.22
2
26
186
1,700
370
610
Sandy Creek
8.19
3
82
188
5,600
730
1,800
Raisin River
7.93
7
27
125
30,000
85
13,200
Plum Creek
7.77
16
31
221
49,000
2,500
21,500
LaPlaisance Creek
8.05
2
ko
130
2, 400
180
1,630
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TABLE 4-VI. ' SUMMARY OF MAXIMUM VALUES FOUND IN
MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE
Phenols Chloride Alkalinity Coliform Fecal Strep Fecal Coli
Station pH Jig/l mg/l tng/l org./lOO ml org./lOO ml jo of Total
L2
8.4
6
44
82
56,000
^5
42-
L3
8.7
8
58
80
110,000
88
^5
l4
8.7
9
82
89
75,000
60
^5
L5
8.6
15
44
80
97,000
58
55
l6
8.8
5
48
80
30,000
85
20
L7
9.1
4
48
Gl
42,000
_
L8
9-2
7
37
37
100,000
-
L9
8.7
¦ 7
55
157
23,000
-
-
L10
8.9
6
37
05
3,000
-
-
Lll
9.0
58
1+7
82
2,500
-
-
L12
8.8
6
k6
81
36,000
_
Lit
9.0
28
4l
0 4
6,4oo
L 10
25
LI 5
8.8
8
30
82
7,400
-
LIT
8.8
'9
35
78
1,200
-
-
L20
9.0
5
28
82
1,000
10
-
L21
8.0
0
58
84
57,000
310
40
L22
8.7
3
74
84
81,000
55
5
L23
8.8
2
39
86
1,700
75
25
L24
8.8
17
36
84
2,400
L 10
30
L25
8.8
30
34
87
4,700
L 5
L26
8.6
-
31
85
140
_
L27
8.8
2
3^
84
2,700
20
5
L28
9.0
4
27
86
2,000
20
10
£-vi
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TABLE 5-VI. SUMMARY OF MAXIMUM VALUES FOUND AT
MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE BATHING BEACHES
Phenols Chloride Alkalinity Coliform Fecal Strep Fecal Coli
Station pH . jur/1 mg/l mg/l org./lOO ml org./lOO ml $ of Total
Bl-
9.0
14
82
93
25,000
2,000
100
B3
9.2
5
80
88
240,000
850
70
BU
9.0
8
80
89
190,000
200
100
B5
9-0
8
75
82
'1-2,000
380
58
B7
9.1
10
71
81
62,000
2,000
95
B8
9.1
13
79
81
37,000
1,400
100
BIO
9.2
15
78
'78
33,000
2,500
100
BlU
9.2
8
37
99
86,000
42 0
40
B17
9.2
7
31
80
96,000
500
80
Bl8
9-3
8
30
88
230,000
250
80
B21
9.4
9
49
87
72,000
160
4o
B22
9.3
14
42
90
3,100
3,700
85
B2°3
9.3
10
36
86
51,000
1,800
90
B25
9.4
8
31
86
8,000
3,500
100
B2T
9-3
4
149
87
$,200
2,100
60
B29
9.5
3
30
90
2,000
jko
100
B31
9.4
13
37
103
3,000
1,500
90
6-71
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TABLE 6 -VI. SUMMARY OF MAXIMUM VALUES FOUND ON
TRIBUTARIES TO MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE
Tributary
PH
Phenols
Wi
Chloride
mg/l
Alkalinity
mg/l
Coliform
org./lOO ml
Fecal Strep
org./lOO ml
Fecal Coli
$ of Total
Huron River
9.1
14
^7
163
140,000
2,800
75
Swan Creek
8.5
12
193
109
26,000
400
45
Stony Creek
8.5
8
38
190
32,000
1,100
95
Sandy Creek
00
CD
8
180
198
1j60,000
6,100
82
Raisin River
8.8
36
33
153
530,000
560
100
Plum Creek
8.1
175
9b
23^
1,200,000
9,200
60
LaPlaisance Creek
8.7
6
59
1^5
44,000
400
95
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Maximum values of coliform concentrations at several locations showed
a similar pattern at higher concentrations. Again two zones of high values
were found in the same locations described above. The maximum coliform
concentration observed outside of the two zones of polluted water was te,000
organisms per 100 ml, while maximum values exceeding 100,000 organisms
per 100 ml were observed near the mouths of the Detroit and Raisin River.
Average fecal coliform concentrations in Lake Erie ranged from 5 to 30
percent of the total coliform concentrations and geometric mean fecal
streptococci in Lake Erie were under 80 organisms per 100 ml at all locations.
All bathing beaches along Lake Erie showed geometric mean coliform less
than 1,000 organisms per 100 ml, except Maple Beach (Bl) which is located
in the influence of the polluted Detroit River. The relatively low counts
at the Sterling State Park beaches are misleading due to high concentrations
which appear under certain conditions of wind and weather. These values
are masked in median or .geometric mean values, thus a special survey was
made on this beach and is described later in this report.
Average fecal coliform concentrations at the beaches ranged without a
noticeable pattern from 23 to 72 percent of the total values. Fecal strep-
tococci geometric means at the beaches ranged from 13 to 430 organisms
per 100 ml. Bathing beaches below Otter Creek to the Ohio State line had
geometric mean coliform concentrations less than 350 organisms per 100 ml.
Maximum coliform concentrations at these locations did not exceed 3,000
organisms during the survey.
Study of Table 3-VI reveals geometric mean coliform concentrations in
excess of 1,500 organisms per 100 ml, at the mouths of all Lake Erie
tributaries. Highest were Plum Creek, averaging 1*9,000 coliform organisms
per 100 ml and the Raisin River averaging 30,000,
8-VI
-------
Fecal coliform concentrations were high ranging from 32 to 68 percent of
the total values. Fecal streptococci concentrations in Plum Creek averaged
2,500 organisms per 100 ml while all other tributaries averaged under 1,000.
.Maximum coliform concentrations found in all Lake Erie tributaries
exceeded 25,000 organisms per 100 ml. The maximum value found in Plum Creek
exceeded 1 million organisms per 100 ml.
High total coliform concentrations, especially when accompanied by
high fecal coliform concentrations, indicate the presence of human wastes
which may contain pathogenic organisms capable of causing enteric disease
or disorder in humans. The presence of these organisms in concentrations
above acceptable levels is considered a threat to the health and welfare
of those who use such water for water supply or recreational purposes.
Bacteriological concentrations in Lake Erie from the mouth of the
Detroit River to a distance from 2 to 3 miles below this point, indicate
the water is polluted to the extent that it cannot safely be used for
recreational purposes. Furthermore, following heavy rainfall in the Detroit
area the zone of polluted water extends southward to just north of Stony
Point. Both the International Joint Commission objective of 2,^400 coliform
organisms per 100 ml and, 1,000 organisms per 100 ml, commonly used as a
standard pertaining to recreational use of water -are exceeded in the zone
of Lake Erie influenced by the Detroit River.
A similar zone of somewhat less extensive coverage radiating from the
mouth of the Raisin River indicates interference with recreational and other
water use in this vicinity. The zone of polluted water is extended radially
farther out into Lake Erie following heavy rainfall in the Monroe area.
Other areas of the Michigan waters of Lake Erie are of suitable bacterio-
9-VI
-------
logic quality for all uses. This statement is especially applicable to the
"bathing beaches just belov LaPlalsance Creek to the Ohio State line. The
Detroit or Raisin Rivers do not appear to seriously affect or interfere with
water use at the City of Monroe water intake off Stony Point.
.Chemical and Physical
Phenols
Average phenol concentrations in the Lake and alongshore ranged from 1
to l6jug/l with 17 of 2U stations showing averages of 2.0^AJg/l or less. The
few locations showing high phenolic concentrations showed no pattern and
were not located in the vicinity of either the mouth of the Detroit or
Raisin Rivers. Maximum phenol values at generally the same stations showing
high average values ranged to as high as 58jug/l at Station Lll.
All beaches had average phenol concentrations less than 5^ug/l with
most equal to or less than Only Plum Creek averaging l6jug/l and
the Raisin River at Tyug/l were the only tributaries exceeding 1+^/ug/l. Phenol
I
concentrations near the City of Monroe intake averaged 2>ug/l.
High levels of phenols in waters cause disagreeable tastes and odors
in drinking water and tainting of flesh in game fish, and may result in fish
kills at extremely high concentrations. With few exceptions, International
Joint Commission objectives for average phenol concentrations (2.jog/l) were
met during the survey. There is no evidence that phenols in the Michigan
water of the Lake constitute a real or even potential interference with
water use.
XO-VI
-------
Chlorides
Average chloride concentrations in the Michigan water of Lake Erie
ranged from 18 to Uh mg/l with the higher values alongshore and near the
mouth of the Detroit River. Average chloride concentrations in Lake Erie
are shown as contours in Figure 3-VI. The influence of the Trenton Channel
of the Detroit River on chloride concentrations in Lake Erie is clearly
shown in this figure, and is felt as far south as Stony Point. A maximum
value of 82 mg/l was observed near the mouth of the Detroit River. A
maximum value of jh mg/l was noted near the mouth of the Raisin River.
Chloride concentrations at high levels can interfere with domestic and
industrial water supplies by causing objectionable tastes in drinking water
and corrosion in industrial processes. Levels found in the Michigan waters
of Lake Erie are 3 to 5 times higher than those found at the head of the
Detroit River but existing concentrations are not considered high enough to
interfere with water use. The year by year increase noted at the City of
Monroe water intake (see Figure 1"3 -I) is alarming and this warning of future
difficulties merits attention and action.
pH
Alongshore and in the Michigan waters of Lake Erie pH values ranged from
7.6 to 8.8. The lowest pH values were found near the mouth of the Detroit
River, and the highest values were found in the southern part of the Michi-
gan paters.
Extreme pH values can interfere with fish propagation and. water supply,
"but values found in Lake Erie do not indicate a problem exists at this time.
11-VI
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Suspended and Settleable Solids
In the Lake average suspended solids ranged from 11 to 25 mg/l with the
higher values near the Raisin and Detroit Rivers. Average settleable
solids vere low ranging from 1 to h mg/l. Solids at certain bathing beaches
vere considerably higher with suspended solids averaging 80 - 165 mg/l at
Sterling State Park and Bolles Harbor beaches just north and south of the
mouth of the Raisin River.
Suspended and settleable solids in the Raisin River averaged 20 and 9
mg/l respectively.
Excessive amounts of suspended solids in water can cause interference
with domestic and industrial water treatment processes, can cause harmful
t
effects to fish and other aquatic life by clogging the gills and respiratory
passages of aquatic fauna, can cause turbidity which interferes with light
transmission, and can interfere with boating and esthetic enjoyment of water.
When a part of the suspended solids settles out on stream and lake
bottoms as sludge or bottom deposits, damage to aquatic life can occur by
blanketing the bottom, killing eggs and essential fish-food organisms, and
destroying spawning beds.
Suspended solids in Lake Erie in the vicinity of the mouths of the
Raisin and Detroit Rivers have reached levels which indicate pollution and
interfere with water uses by causing some of the effects mentioned above.
This is especially true near the shore.
Cyanides
All cyanide values in Lake Erie and its beaches were found to be zero
except one value of 0.03 mg/l collected at Sterling State Park. Cyanides
in the Raisin River averaged 0.03 mg/l at its mouth.
ia-vi
-------
Cyanides are toxic to man as well as fish and other aquatic life. Public
Health Service drinking -water standards recommend limiting cyanide concen-
trations to 0.01 mg/l. Cyanide concentrations above 0.025 mg/l are
considered detrimental to fish and other aquatic life.
Cyanidfe concentrations found in the.Raisin River and in Lake Erie near
the mouth of the Raisin indicate a potential interference with water'use
from the standpoint of municipal water supply and fish and wildlife propaiga-
tion. This effect has not been observed in the vast majority of the Michigan
waters of Lake Erie but appears to be limited to a small, area of the Lake
immediately adjacent to the mouth of the Raisin River. ,
Iron
Limited sampling in Lake Erie for iron revealed an area adjacent to and
south of the mouth of the Raisin River with iron concentrations ranging
between 0.21 and 0.64 mg/l. Iron concentrations in the northern part of
the Michigan waters of Lake Erie were low at 0.01 mg/l.
Excessive concentrations of iron in water can cause interference with
domestic and industrial water supplies by causing tastes and stains. Iron
is toxic to certain species of fish and other aquatic life in relatively
low concentrations. International Joint Commission objectives define maxi-
mum limits of iron concentrations as 0.30 mg/l. Iron concentrations in Lake.
Erie generally meet this objective with the exception of the waters adjacent
to and south of the mouth of the Raisin River.
Toxic Metals
All toxic metals analyzed, except cadmium, were detected in the Michigan
waters of Lake Erie above the 0.01 mg/l level. The occurrence of metals
13-VI
-------
seemed to "be greater in the waters south of Stony Point.
Copper,^chromium and zinc ranged from 0.01 to 0.07 mg/l with the higher
values adjacent to the mouth of the Raisin RLver. Lead ranged from 0.01
to 0.12 mg/l with the highest values again in the vicinity of the mouth of
the Raisin. All nickel concentrations were 0.02 mg/l or less, and as
mentioned "before, cadmium was not detected at the sensitivity of the test
(O.Ol mg/l). Toxic metals were found above minimum detectable concentrations
only in the area extending outward 2 to h miles from the mouth of the
Raisin River.
Toxic, metals present a threat to the health and welfare of humans who
consume drinking water in which they airfe present in concentrations greater
than those listed in the Public Health Service drinking water standards.
They can also interfere with industrial processes and act as toxic agents
for fish and other aquatic life.
At this time the concentrations of toxic metals found in Lake Erie art
not expected to interfere with water use. Maximum values of chromium and
lead in the vicinity of the mouth of the Raisin River indicate a possible
future problem.
ABS
All concentrations of alkyl benzene sulphonate found in the Michigan
vateis of Lake Erie were less than 25^ug/l which are far less than the limil
of 500>ug/l which is expected to cause foaming. Therefore.it can be stated
i
that there is no demonstrated interference or likelihood of interference with
water use from this constituent.
Ui.-VI
-------
Dissolved Oxygen
Figure U-VI depicts percent saturation contours for dissolved oxygen
in Lake Erie. These are average values considering "both surface and depth
samples during the four seasons. The difference between surface and depth
samples ranged between 5 and 20 percent during fall surveys and as much as
90 percent during spring and early summer surveys in the deeper sections of
the Lake. The lowest actual dissolved oxygen concentrations were found as
expected during summer months. The location of these areas was adjacent
to the mouths of the Raisin and Detroit Rivers.
A band of low dissolved oxygen less than 50 percent saturation extended
out from the Raisin River a distance ranging from l/2 to 3A of a mile. Ip
this small area complete depletion of dissolved oxygen values were found.
The location of zero dissolved oxygen values was considered in the mouth of
the Raisin River hydrologically speaking, especially since within one mile
of the mouth average percent saturation values exceeded 100 percent.
The second area of relatively low dissolved oxygen values was found iri
the Lake immediately below the mouth of the Detroit River in a finger or
stream extending southward a distance of k- to 6 miles at values under 85
percent saturation. In this zone the minimum Lake value found was ^.8 mg/l
Just off Pointe Mouillee.
Excluding these two areas, the lowest value in Lake Erie was found at
Station LIT at the 2U-foot depth and was 5.6 mg/l. The corresponding sur-
face sample was 11.9 mg/l. In summary it can be said that all dissolved
oxygen values' found in the Michigan waters of Lake Erie either at the surfac
or at depths exceeded U.8 mg/l and 58 percent saturation. It should be
emphasized again that the Michigan waters constitute only 1 percent of the
15-VI
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
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PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
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total surface area of Lake Erie.
An area of exceptionally high dissolved, oxygen values was found in the
Brest Bay area where averages exceeding 120 percent saturation were found.
Such high values in natural waters are normally associated with algal growth
with subsequent production of oxygen.
The lack of dissolved oxygen in water can be an unfavorable environment
for fish and other aquatic life, and can interfere with municipal and
industrial water supplies by increasing their corrosive properties. Low
levels of dissolved oxygen can cause objectionable odors and make waters
less desirable from the recreational and esthetic sense; Levels of dissolved
oxygen in parts of the Michigan waters of Lake Erie (excluding the
mouth of the Raisin River) are sufficient at this time to prevent inter-
ference with water use.
Temperature
Temperature values in the Michigan waters of Lake Erie ranged up
to 2U. 5°C or 76°F and on specific day6 during fall and winter months varied
only 1° throughout the Lake. During spring and early summer surveys, differ-
ences throughout the Lake as great as 6° were observed. Average temperatures
in the Lake during the spring and summer tend to be slightly higher than
those in the Detroit River. During the fall no difference between the two
bodies of water was observed.
Differences at specific stations between surface and depth samples were
less than 1°C during fall and winter months, while differences as high
as 3° - ^°C were observed during the spring and early summer at the deeper
stations on Lake Erie.
Extreme high temperature can kill fish and cause corrosion problems in
16-VI
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water supplies, as well as accelerate the rate of utilization of the bio-
chemical oxygen demand in the water* The temperature levels in the Michigan
waters of Lake Erie do not interfere with water use therein.
Nitrogen Compounds
This category and phosphates are commonly referred to as essential
plant nutrients, or simply as nutrients. Although only the inorganic forms
of nitrogen (nitrates, nitrites and ammonia) are readily available for plant
utilization, other less stable forms can easily be changed into this form in
the presence of dissolved oxygen and thus are considered in this discussion.
All nitrogen compounds are reported as nitrogen.
Figure 5-VI depicts average nitrate concentrations in the Michigan
\
waters of Lake Erie as contours. The fluming effect from the mouth of the
Detroit River so noticeable in the dispersion of other constituents was not
present in the distribution of nitrates in the Lake. High levels of nitrates
were observed in the Brest Bay area with average concentrations ranging
from 0.35 to greater than 0.50 mg/l, and an area of high nitrate concentra-
tion was observed off Pointe Mouillee. Daily values in the Brest "Ray
showed high values early in May (0.91 nig/l); low values in September (O.i:
mg/l); and then higher valuesagain in October and December (0.2k mg/l).
Nitrite values in the Lake averaged between less than 0.001 to 0.009
mg/l with no noticeable pattern in the distribution of these values.
Ammonia nitrogen average concentrations in Michigan waters of Lake Erie
are shown in Figure 6-VI. The fluming effect of highly concentrated water
frail the mouths of the Detroit River and Raisin River was noticeable in the
dispersion of average ammonia concentrations. A mass of water exceeding 0.30
mg/l extended approximately 10 miles intothe Michigan waters of Lake Erie.
17-VI
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Average ammonia concentrations exceeding 0.3 mg/l were found radiating
about l/2 mile into the Lake from 1rtie mouth of the Raisin River, and values
exceeding 0.20 mg/l were found one to two miles from this point.
Average concentrations of organic nitrogen in the Michigan waters of
Lake Erie are shown in Figure 7-VI. The northern part of the Michigan waters
%
had-, values for the most part less than 0.20 mg/l. The portion of the Lake
extending from the Michigan-Ohio State line north to the Raisin River along
the Michigan shore had average organic nitrogen values between 0.20 and 0.30
mg/l. A small area just off the mouth of the Raisin River had values
exceeding 0.30 mg/l.
Nitrates in drinking water in concentrations greater than 10 mg/l can
cause serious illness in infants. Nitrates also cauBe interference with many
industrial processes. Ammonia can interfere with domestic water treatment
by combining with applied chlorine to form chloramines instead of the more
effective disinfecting agent, free chlorine. Ammonia in water supplies is
usually regarded as evidence of recent pollution from human or animal wastes
if concentrations exceed 0.10 mg/l.
Nitrogen compounds coupled with phosphorus can act as essential nutrients
causing the growth of algae in bodies of water where other environmental
factorB are satisfactory. In small quantities these algae are desirable as
a major source of food for fish. When algal growth exceeds certain limits,
nuisances result from undesirable blooms. These are unsightly, can result
in obnoxious odors, and can be toxic to fish. A commonly accepted level of
inorganic nitrogen compounds (nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia) above which
undesirable blooms can be expected to occur is 0.30 mg/l. Figure 8-VT shows
average values of inorganic nitrogen in the Michigan waters of Lake Erie.
18-VI
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All but a small segment of the southern part of Michigan Lake Erie near
Toledo lhad average inorganic nitrogen concentrations in excess of 0.30 mg/l
Two areas near the mouths of the Detroit and Raisin Rivers .had. average
inorganic nitrogen concentrations in excess of 0.60 mg/l or more than twice
the level above which nuisance growths can be expected.
Nitrogen compounds are not present in the Michigan waters of Lake Erie
in concentrations sufficient to cause illness in infants using this supply
as drinking water, nor are the existing levels sufficient to cause interfer-
ence with industrial processes. Average ammonia concentrations of 0.20 mg/l
near the City of Monroe water intake could cause water treatment difficulties
and excessive dosage of chlorine to achieve adequate disinfection in domestic
water treatment processes. Over 85 percent of the Michigan waters of Lake
Erie contain inorganic nitrogen in concentrations sufficient to cause unde-
sirable algal blooms and a subsequent serious interference with water use due
to premature nutritive enrichment or eutrophication of this body of water.
Phosphates
Figures 9-VI and 10-VI depicts total and soluble phosphate levels in the
Michigan water of Lake Erie as contours. Both are reported as phosphate.
Areas of high total phosphate concentration (0.20 - O.5O mg/l) extended
from the mouth of the Detroit River into Lake Erie as far south as Stony
Point (Figure 9-Vl). Daily average total phosphate concentrations for the
entire Lake varied from 0.l8 mg/l in the spring to over . 30 mg/l in late fall
and early winter. Another small zone of high total phosphate concentrations
(.30 - mg/l) extended'outward from the mouth of the Raisin River about
one mile.
Soluble phosphate values shown in FLgure 10-VI indicate!three areas of
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high concentrations of this constituent. One extended down 6-8 miles from
the mouth of the Detroit River with concentrations varying from 0.10 to
greater than 0.20 mg/l as phosphate (0.033 to 0.065 mg/l as phosphorus). The
second area of similar high soluble phosphate concentration radiated outward
1 to 2 miles from the mouth of the Raisin. River. The third area extended
upward 3 to U miles from the Michigan-Ohio State line near Toledo. The vast
majority of the remainder of the Michigan waters, of Lake Erie had concentra-
tions of soluble phosphate ranging from 0.05 to 0.10 mg/l as phosphate (0.016
to .033 mg/l a6 phosphorus).
•Soluble phosphates in relatively small concentrations are readily
available as eua essential nutrient for plant growth. The insoluble portion
>
of the total phosphate concentration can be converted to the soluble form by
bacterial action and thus become available for such plant utilization. Sol-
uble phosphates present in greater concentrations than 0.015 mg/l reported
as phosphorus in combination with inorganic nitrogen compounds in excess
of 0.30 mg/l and accompanied by satisfactory environmental conditions such
as light and heat, create over abundant growths of algae with concomitant ,
odors and detriment to fish life. To convert soluble phosphates reported as
phosphates (as shown in Figure 10-Vl) to those reported as phosphorus, divide
by three.
Concentrations of soluble phosphates in almost the entire Michigan
portion of Lake Erie exceeded the value of 0.015 mg/l as phosphorus. This,
coupled with the material presented under "Nitrogen Compounds", gives a
picture of a lake rich in nutritive matter well along towards a eutrophic
state with its undesirable characteristics. Over 85 percent of Michigan Lake
Erie waters contained soluble phosphorus in concentrations sufficient to caus<
20-VI
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over abundant algal blooms .with these undesirable after effects.
Con^arison of phosphate and inorganic nitrogen compounds reveals over
85 percent of Michigan Lake Erie in a highly nutritive state indicative of
eutrophlcation.
Alkalinity
Average concentrations of alkalinity were very constant throughout the
Michigan vaters of Lake Erie, ranging from 78 to 86 mg/l. One exception
was the concentration at Station L9 of 119 mg/l with no apparent explanation
other than one very high result affecting the average value.
Alkalinity concentrations at Lake Erie bathing "beaches were also very
consistent in the same range (76-93 Tributary alkalinity concentra-
tions were generally much higher ranging from 106 mg/l in Swan Creek to 221
in Plum Creek.
Alkalinity values in Michigan Lake Erie are well within ranges suitable
for all water uses.
21-VI
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Biology
MXczonseapie pi^mub ana AEiw&iLa
Floating and suspended microscopic plants and animals, commonly referred
to as plankton, were repeatedly collected and examined from selected stations
in the Detroit River and Lake Erie. Phytoplankton, free-floating microscopic
plant life, are of basic importance in aquatic environments since they provide
the first step in the food chains of fishes. Their presence is necessary to
support animals in the water. By the process of photosynthesis, phytoplank-
ton are able to synthesize protoplasm from the nutrients available in the
waters utilizing sunlight for energy.
Zooplankton, the animal plankton, form the food of many young fishes at
the critical post-hatching period. The microcrustacean plankters are
important animals in the transformation of algal cell material into fish
flesh. As primary consumers, they feed upon the phytoplankton. In order to
support game fish at the top of the food chain pyramid,, the waters must
produce large quantities of zooplankton.
Plankton in large numbers can create nuisances. Some species may become
toxic. Many cause water treatment problems by clogging filter beds and
producing tastes and odors. Through the uptake of nutrients released to the
waters by domestic wastes, some industrial wastes, and land drainage, algae
can occur in such abundance as to contribute to the increased aging of lakes.
' Low oxygen potentials in the lower water strata and the mud-water inter-
face of lakes create acid conditions that liberate nutrients bound in the
mudwater interface region to overlying waters. These phosphates contribute
to nuisance blooms and augment the algal problems„
In addition to studies of free-floating plants and animals, attached
2 2-VI
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slimes and other microscopic organisms were'collected and examined from
numerous points in the Detroit River and Lake Erie. Many of these organisms
form massive colonies in organically-enriched and highly-polluted waters.
Some,, such as Sphaerotilus, are filamentous slime bacteria. They are common-
ly referred to as "sewage fungus." These slime "bacteria form ragged white,
yellow, pink, ol* brown masses on all solid objects in rivers and lakes and
may even form a carpet over mud surfaces. At times, drifting masses of
sewage fungus may continue to grow in open waters of large rivers and cause
trouble to fishermen by fouling lines and nets. Sewage fungus is one of the
most unsightly products of pollution. Another growth, the filamentous green
alga, Cladophora, may also be associated with polluted and nutrient-enriched
waters. When dead and windrowed upon beaches, it decays and produces ob-
noxiouB odors and may become a fly-breeding habitat. Abundant growths of
this alga may then become a nuisance on beaches, prohibit swimming, and
interfere with recreation.
Waters of the lake study area were found to be rich in plankton with
counts as high as 22,lf25/ml. The lake area nearest the shore especially
supported dense populations of plant and animal plankters.
Collections near the mouth of the Detroit River had phytoplankton counts
throughout the season b - "J times lower than those of the lake reflecting the
plankton-poor water masses passing from the Detroit River and heading
eastward into other waters of Lake Erie. Density levels in general increased
with distance from the Detroit River mouth. Average values for the whole
season were 2,500 organisms/ml for the outshore locations and 4,200 organisms/
ml for the inshore stations (see Table 7-Vl).
The abundance of phytoplankton observed in the Michigan waters of Lake
23-VI
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TABLE" 7-VI. ABUNDANCE OF FHYTOPLANKTON - LAKE ERIE STATIONS, 1963
Values In Number of Organisms per Milliliter
Station
April
18
May
9
*June
3
Date
July
5
of Collection
August
6
Sept.
k
*0ct.
3
*0ct.
10
Nov.
k
Nov.
27
Mean
(Outshore)
'
2 ¦
1775
925*
900 y
950 .
525^ .
125-
350
625 ;
550'
275
700
5
2050
7125
2750
1025
525
100
275
1250
1900
2850
1985
10
1+1+50
6075
7775
3625
1225
575
2100
1200
1675
36OO
3230
15
8350
3950
5825
3750
1575
725
1800
775
2525
3525
. 3280
17
5825
7225
61+50
3925
1375
750
2500
1550
1250
1650
3250
Mean
I+I+90
5060
U-7Uo
2655
10U5
455
11+05 *
1080
1580
2380
2489
ro
e-
^ (inshore)
M ft
22425
6k 50
12600
5675
875
225
250
1075
3200
225
5300
8
- 7825
4845
3575
10325 ,
1600
1000
300
500
2875
2950
3580
12
8975
U250
4800
1+500 x
1900
1100
5025
1125 .
6025
5175
1+288
24
1+100
5325
U500
6050
5150
1800
1+525
1800
3950
I+125
M33
28
4800
1+650
7875
5175
1+225
1500
3750
1650
2625
5350
1+150
lk
5525
7200
9250
6775
2550
1625
5875
1U50
3800
2900
1+695
20
5^25
8725
3600
2225
1850
.2075
2000
11+50
950
1+1+00
3272
Mean
8439
5921
6600
5818
2593
1332
3101+
1293
3357
3589
1+205
* Variations from date of collection shown:
June 3 - Station 2 on May 20; 1+, 5> 8 on May 29; IT, 20 on June 1+.
October 3 - Stations 2, k, 5, 8 on September 30•
October 10 - Stations 12, 15, 28 on October 11; Stations 2, U, 5j 8 on October ll+
-------
Erie indicates that its capacity to produce plankton is among the highest
in the Great Lakes. The heavy crops of algae observed at the inshore
stations near Stony Point and Brest Bay could not be maintained throughout
the summer season without an adequate supply of inorganic nitrogen and
soluble phosphates. Measurements obtained shov inorganic nitrogen and soluble
phosphates reported as phosphorus at levels of 0.55 mg/l and 0.036 mg/l,
respectively which are characteristic of organically-enriched waters. The
nutrient levels at the beginning of the spring growing season that would be
expected to produce nuisance blooms are 0.30 mg/l for inorganic nitrogen
and 0.015 mg/l for soluble phosphates reported as phosphorus.
The shallowness of the western basin of Lake Erie, coupled with wind and
current action, brings about almost uniform vertical distribution of tempera-
ture and nutrients which creates an optimal environment for growth and
reproduction of plankters.
Atmospheric and photosynthetic oxygen is thoroughly mixed throughout the
water mass resulting in the absence of anaerobic organic decomposition near
the bottom. High mid-summer temperatures of 2U°C serve to increase the rate
of decomposition of protein materials and to convert nitrogen into the form
needed for growth of algae. Phosphorous, bound in cell material of dead and
decaying algae and other organic material, is released in the form of soluble
phosphates and a'portion recycled as a plant nutrient.
In the Brest Bay area, where the nutrient Bupply is rich and the nl gnl
counts highest, the phosphates and nitrates are recirculated in the water
mass by the clockwise currents. The addition of more nutrients gradually-,
increases the concentration. At times of bloom periods, low levels of
nitrates were observed, but this can be explained in the well-known capacity
25-VI
-------
of phytoplankton to take up nutrients in excess of actual needs.
A considerable portion of the nutrient supply for maintaining the
observed phytoplankton abundance in Brest Bay originates from the discharge
of inadequately treated domestic wastes and the paper mill wastes of the
Raisin River area at Monroe. Nutrient measurements substantiate this
9
assumption as the phosphate and nitrate levels observed in the Raisin River
rare Q.k mg/l and 0.6 mg/l, respectively.
Another symptom of heavy organic enrichment at the inshore stations was
the occurrence of sewage tolerant species of green and blue-green algae, and
the occurrence of diatoms characteristic of highly eutrophic bodies of
standing water. These blooms were concentrated in the Brest Bay area and
also observed at the station above Stony Point close to the crib of the City
of Monroe's water intake.
Taste and odor producing algae have caused trouble at the City of
Monroe's water treatment plant. The intake was moved to its present location
in 1950 to obtain waters less prone to tastes and odors.
Turbidity, as in the Detroit River, was high in Lake Erie. In contrast
to the river, however, the observable cloudiness was not due primarily to
the discharge of wastes, but rather to the high concentrations of plankton
themselves.
v.
The filamentous green alga, Cladophora, mentioned earlier as usually
being associated with nutrient-enriched waters, was found at most stations
in Lake Erie. Heavy growths of this alga were found along the beaches near
Bolles Harbor. In addition, sewage fungus was found in the-Brest Bay area
(Figure 11-VI) indicating the polluted condition of these waters and pointing
to the sources of waste originating in the Monroe-Raisin River area.
.26-VI
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In summary, the nutrient-laden waters of the Detroit River, 0.7 mg/l
phosphates and 0.3 mg/l nitrates, are not the primary cause of the high
plankton counts in the Brest Bay area. The Detroit River influence is felt
«
down as far as Stony Point, but the main stream of nutrients is carried "by
the prevailing currents into other waters of Lake Erie. The excessive
densities of organisms in Brest Bay are primarily caused by the nutritional
wastes discharged, in the Monroe area and retained there by the rotating
currents. The fertilization of the lake area by man-contributed organic
9
matter fosters the abundant crop of algae. This fertilization load simply
represents a superimposed burden upon waters which are already in an advanced
state of enrichment.
Bottom Organisms
As the environment in which bottom organisms live becomes modified by
pollution, undesirable changes occur in the kinds and numbers of organisms
present. This is especially true for those organisms that live on the bottom
of lakes and streams. . Bottom-dwelling organisms do not move great distances
and therefore are subjected to all local environmental changes. As a com-
munity of organisms becomes upset by pollution, some species abound in
disproportionate numbers. Huge aggregations of only one kind of organism may
be present. Deposition of fine silt or flocculent ooze from decaying organic,
matter of industrial and domestic origin constitutes one of the greatest
hazards to most species of clean-water associated bottom-dwelling organisms.
Oils and greases which are adsorbed into the bottom muds are another source
of community disruption.
Based on their response to pollution, bottom dwellers can be separated
into three categories: pollution-sensitive, intermediate, and'pollution-
2 7-VI
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tolerant organisms. Pollution-sensitive forms such as mayflies, caddisflies,
and mussels are associated with clean-water habitats and are important
because they provide essential food for many game fishes. Intermediate forme
such as snails, fingernail clams, and scuds are capable of surviving in a
moderately polluted environment. Pollution-tolerant forms such as sludge-
worms, bloodworms, and leeches may survive in areas severely polluted with
organic wastes. The elimination of the competition from sensitive organisms
and the seemingly unlimited food supply from organic solids permits the
surviving tolerant forms to increase inordinately in numbers.
Under conditions of drastic pollution even the tolerant forms may be
wiped out and no signs of life will be apparent in the bottom muds. Conse-
quently, the presence or absence of certain bottom organisms in a sample
becomes quite meaningful and enables a trained observer to assess the quality
of the water passing over the organisms and to evaluate and locate sources
of industrial and domestic pollution.
In Michigan Lake Erie, a study of the bottom animal associations revealed
polluted areas adjacent to the Raisin River and Sterling State Park, (Figure
12-VI, Table 8-Vl) and also at the mouth of the Detroit River extending in
the shape of a fan out into the lake. The clustering of these zones close
to the mouth of the Detroit River and the Raisin River points to the sources
of pollutional discharges which render the bottom unfit for the survival of
clean-water associations of organisms. In between-the two polluted areas,
an association of bottom forms containing sensitive, intermediate, and
tolerant specimens indicates that these two polluted areas are independent
and separate of each other.
As mentioned earlier, the samples from the river below sources of
2 8-VI
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TABLE 8-VI
SUMMARY OF BOTTOM ORGANISM DATA., LAKE ERIE
MEAN NUMBER PER SQUARE FOOT OF BOTTOM
SENSITIVE FORMS INTERMEDIATE FORMS TOLERANT FORMS
Caddisfly Mussels Snails Fingernail Scuds Midge Leeches SlucLgeworms
Station Larvae Clams Larvae
L-2
-
-
-
m «D
.1
5837
L-h
-
1
-
-
-
22
L-5
-
-
3
-
-
67
L"6
-
-
1
2
1
2
70
L-T
-
1
3
15
10
3
16
l-8
-
-
3
1
2
1
7
L-9
-
1
2
7
1
1
1
L-10
3
2
2
1
1
1
L-ll
-
1
5:
1 •
2
1
1
L-12
-
l
1
1
-
2
1
L-l4(l)
-
-
-
-
-
1
1
L-15
-
1
1
5
1
2
1
L-1T "
-
1
1
1
1
3
2
L-20
3
1
4
1
-
3
36
L-21
=
1
-
1
11
L-22
-
1
1
-
-
1
4l
L-23
1
—
mi
-
-
-
19
L-24
1
-
-
-
1
-
16
L-25
-
1
1
-
1
1
1
L-26
1
-
-
-
3
-
207
L-27
-
-
-
-
-
1
36
L-28
-
-
-
3
51
L-32(l)
V
-
-
-
1
^5
L-4l(2)
-
-
-
-
« «•
2
k
T-80
-
-
-
-
-
-
9
(l) No macro-bottom organisms, Fall Survey.
(2) No macro-bottom organisms, Spring Survey.
-------
pollution and from the lake did not contain a single burrowing mayfly. Among
the causative factors involved in the disappearance of this important fish
food organism are the Changes in the lake floor sediments themselves. The
occurrence of ooze or flocculent sludge and oil laid down by pollution from
Detroit and the Monroe area has replaced previously desirable habitats that
supported mayflies and other fish-food organisms.
30-VI
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SOURCES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF WASTES
¦ Municipal
In addition to study of operating records of sewage treatment plants
(see Figures 11-I and l^-l). of interest to this Project, two U-day surveys
were made of the Monroe Sewage Treatment Plant in cooperation with the Michi-
gan Department of Health during which waste flows were measured, hourly
"bacteriological samples and 12-hour composite chemical, biochemical, and
physical samples collected and analyzed in the Project laboratory.
The outfall for the primary sewage treatment plant serving the City of
Monroe is located near the mouth of the Raisin River. Table 9-VT summarizes
the results of the two surveys while Table 10-VI lists waste loadings and
observed treatment efficiency of the plant.
The Monroe Sewage Treatment Plant was considered the only municipal
plant whose effect on water quality in Lake Erie could be demonstrated.
Chlorination of the plant effluent was practiced during the first survey but
not the second.
Results from the two surveys indicatedan influent fairly typical of a
weak domestic waste. Exceptions to this general observation includedsoluble
and total phosphates at 20 and 1*0 mg/l respectively, and high concentrations
of certain toxic metals including copper, zinc and lead. These constituents
were present in approximately the same concentrations, in the plant effluent.
Plant efficiency as measured by percent removal of suspended solids (62
percent) and BOD (59 percent) was very good for a primary sewage treatment
plant. Bacterial control was effective during the first survey when effluent
chlorination was practiced but poor during the 6econd survey when no chlorine
was added for effluent disinfection.
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Study of operating records revealed that similar degrees of plant
efficiency were maintained on a long-term basis. Although chlorination was
practiced only during summer months, the results during the 1963 season com-
pared. favorably with those found during the first survey.
Nutrient concentrations in the form of ammonia and phosphate was high
at 8.3 Dig/l and 21 mg/l respectively. Oil and grease concentrations in the
plant effluent were erratic, averaging 7 mg/l during the first survey and 36
mg/l during the second. This variance appeared to be caused primarily by
differences in the plant influent since very little oil was removed during
treating in either survey. Phenol concentrations in the plant effluent were
high at bj ;ig/l.
Study of effluent loadings shown in Table 10-VI revealed this plant con-
tributed 52 gallons of oil and grease, 21^ pounds of nitrogen compounds,
over 600 pounds of phosphates, 1,180 pounds of suspended solids;and dis-
charges to the Raisin River, a waste equivalent to a population of 8,100.
In summary the operation of this plant is considered far above average
for an installation of this type and the operating personnel are so commended.
The table below lists present loadings of iron, oil, phenols and sus-
pended solids which would be effected if International Joint Commission
recommended effluent limitations and a suspended solids limitation of both 50
and 85 mg/l were met at the Monroe plant.
Pollutant
Present Loading
Loading after
Reduction
Reduction.
Oil and Grease
Phenols
Iron
Suspended Solids
52 gallons/day
0.97 pounds/day
31 pounds/day
31 gallons/day
0.^7 pounds/day
31 pounds/day
to
51
0
1,180 pounds/day
1,180 pounds/day
1,180 pounds/day
1,030 pounds/day
0
12
3UrVI
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Industrial
Sources of industrial wastes studied in the lower Raisin River comprise
6 plants near Monroe, Michigan. These plants consist of b paper mills, a
manufacturer of automobile "bumpers and accessories, and an industry producing
shock absorbers. The location of these industries is Bhown on Figure 6-II.
Individual grab samples were collected from plant outfalls throughout' the
Project's duration, and an intensive survey of each industry was performed
on a cooperative basis with personnel of the Michigan Water Resources Commis-
sion. In the computation of waste loadings contributed by each industry only
the increase over values found in the plants raw water supply were used.
Tables 11-VI and 12-VI summarize the results of these investigations.
Table 11-VI contains average concentrations of selected waste constituenta
while Table 12-VI summarizes waste loadings in some quantitative measure
such as pounds or gallons per day. In most cases, values found during the
intensive surveys were used as reported while some were modified by grab
samples collected from plant effluents by the Public -Health Service.
The total waste volume from these 6 plantB is 151 million gallons per
day. Another plant, the Consolidated Paper Company - West Side Works, al-
though not operating during the survey or Project operating period, has
resumed operation on a part-time basis. Waste constituents from these
sources include large quantities of oxygen-demanding material depleting the
oxygen resources of the Raisin River beyond recovery. The wastes also con-
tain significant quantities of coliform bacteria, oil, toxic metals, cyanides,
suspended and settleable 6olids.
Nearly 100 percent of the wastes which significantly degrade the water
quality of the Raisin River originate from the paper mills where the treat-
3 5-VI
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ment employed is inadequate. In fact, the Raisin River, primarily due to
the paper mill wastes, is in a continuous state of putrefaction and aestheti-
cally repulsive in appearance. Bacterial wastes and suspended solids from
the paper mUls and other sources also add to the degradation of the river
and Lake Erie near the mouth of the Raisin. The paper companies all provide
partial treatment for removal of settleable solids and one provides chemical
coagulation in addition. The Ford Motor Company plant maintains extensive
treatment facilities for control of the toxic metallic ions, and cyanide
"bearing wastes. In addition, a small primary sewage treatment plant treats
the domestic wastes from the Ford Works. With the exception of the Monroe
Auto Equipment Company, all treatment facilities are considered inadequate
to prevent interference to water uses in the Raisin River and subsequently
Lake Erie.
Coliform concentrations in the effluent of the paper mills at times
exceeded 1,000,000 organisms per 100 ml. The bacterial concentrations in the
industrial wastes are of particular interest in the Raisin River because of
their proximity to Lake Erie bathing beaches at the mouth of the Raisin.
This problem will be described in detail in a separate section of this report.
Table 13-VI lists the industries on the Raisin River and includes
information on production, waste water volume, significant waste constituents
and treatment and control employed for the process wastes.
The Raisin River receives wastes that eventually reach the waters of •
western Lake Erie. The paper mill wastes combined exceed the assimilative
capacity of the Raisin River by discharging wastes equal to the oxygen deman-
ding capacities of a city of 225,000 persons. The paper mill wastes, -
especially the Consolidated South Plant, contain excessive densities of
37-VI
-------
colifoira "bacteria. The Ford Motor Company discharges 1,075 pounds of
cyanides and U,080 pounds of toxic metals each day and, under the simmer
low flow conditions, the large flow from Ford comprises nearly the entir<
volume of flow in the lower Raisin River. The oil from Ford, although lc
in concentration due to dilution in the waste canal, is large in quantity
870 gallons/day. TheBe wastes may severely hinder the propagation of aqi
tic life in the Raisin River and the nearby lake waters due to their toxf
effect.
Table 14-VI lists those industries in the Raisin River whose effluer
discharge is considered to contain certain waste constituents in excessi;
concentrations.
Shown "below is a tabulation of the industrial waste loadings in the
Raisin River, which would result if excessive concentrations of certain cc
stituents were reduced to meet International Joint Commission effluent
recommendations and a suspended solids effluent limit of 85 mg/l.
Pollutant
Present Loading
Loadings after
Reduction
ReductJ
Iron
Oil
Phenols
Suspended Solids
35 pounds/day 35 pounds/day
0
0
70
50
Thus a 70 percent reduction in phenols and 50 percent reduction in e
pended solids could be achieved by meeting these limitations.
38-VI
-------
TABLE 13-VI. SOURCES OF INDUSTRIAL HASTES - RAISIN RIVER
Industry
Volume
(MEG)
Product
Production
Significant
Waste Constituents
Waste Treatment
or Control
Consolidated Paper Company
"North Side Division
South Side Division
West Side Division
Union Bag-Camp Paper Company
River Raisin Paper Company
Division
7.5 liner "board and 1*35 tons/day coliform, suspended sedimentation
corrugated cardboard solids, BOD
7.0 automotive blackboard, 368 tons/day coliform, suspended sedimentation
boxboard
solids, BOD
Not Operating
1+.57 liner board
Monroe Paper Products Company 2.2 liner board
Monroe Auto Equipment Company 0.016 shock absorbers
Fbrd Motor Company 130 automobile
accessories
315 tons/day suspended solids,
BOD
sedimentation
88 tons/day coliform, suspended sedimentation,
solids, BOD chemical coag-
ulation
none
toxic metals, CN,
oil
none
dilution,
chemical coag-
ulation, sewage
treatment plants
alkaline chlor-
ination
TOTAL
151.3
-------
TABLE 14-VI. INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS CONTAINING EXCESSIVE
CONCENTRATIONS OP WASTE MATERIALS
. Suspended
BOD Cyanides Solids Coliform Bacteria
Industry (rng/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) KF/iQO ml
RaiBin River
Consolidated Paper Company
North Side
West Clarifier 310 163 29,000
East Clarifier 327 190 *»6,000
Bypass 277 62,000
South Side 120 189 2,000,000
Ford Motor Company
Sevage Treatment Plant h60,000
Main Plant 1.02
Monroe Paper Products Company 126 :99 60,800
Union Bag-Camp Paper Company 305 93
UO-VI
-------
Description of Other Wastei
Shorefront Homes
Estimates of the number of unsewered shorefront homes that discharge
sewage directly, or from improperly functioning septic tanks, to Lake Erie
or its tributaries were made in the 1962 conference transcript. Consultation
with personnel of the Monroe County Health Department revealed several tribu-
taries including Plum Creek and Sandy Creek receiving such vastes directly
and via county surface drains. Much of the Lake Erie shorefront from Maple
Beach to below the Raisin River is so affected outside of the influence of
the sewered area of the City of Monroe. Surface drainage polluted with
sewage reaches the Raisin River above the City of Monroe through county
drains which permit discharge into the river during wet and, in some reported
cases, dry conditions.
Individual reports will be made of the effect of this type pollution
in the Maple-Milleville Beach and Sterling State Park Beach areas.
In other areas it can be stated that these sources of wastes do affect
water quality along Lake Erie bathing beaches, especially in times of rain-
fall and specific wind conditions favoring retention of the polluted wake
along the shorefront.
Pollution from Boats
Commercial and pleasure boats make heavy use of the Michigan waters of
Lake Erie. All such craft represent potential sources of pollution from oil
and human wastes. The files of this Project contain reports of oil spills
which appeared to originate in the middle of the Lake waters under study
indicating pollution from this source.
Estimates of the magnitude of these sources were not made because of
Ul-VI
-------
the great expense and time required for a complete study with the real possi-
bility of little return on this investment in terms of improved water
quality in Lake Erie. This source is recognized as a potential threat to
water use in the area.
Storm Water Overflow
Overflow from combined sewers does not pose the same type problem in
the Lake Erie area as' in the Detroit River. This is due to the absence of
the same type physical arrangement. Along the Lake Erie shorefront pumping
stations are located which are designed to receive surface drainage and
automatically discharge them untreated into Lake Erie during or following
rainfall and heavy surface runoff. Sampling the discharge of these stations
revealed that undoubtedly sewage from direct discharge or from improperly
operating septic tank installations reaches the stations along with surface
storm runoff.
The City of Monroe has separated its sewers, but a portion of the sani-
tary sewers still receive roof runoff from residences and commercial
establishments. This places a burden on the receiving sewage treatment plant
and that above 10 MGD is bypassed to the Raisin River with only chlorination.
Plant records indicate difficulty in obtaining effective bacterial control
when the plant influent is significantly increased by infiltration of this
storm flow. In addition, there exists a flood relief pumping station along
the Raisin River interceptor when unusually high rainfall or flood stage of
the river inundates the sanitary sewer to the plant. Operating records
indicate this station was used only one time since the conference and that
for only one hour.
Colifonn data at the mouth of the Raisin River were evaluated with
U2-VI
-------
respect to rainfall in th? Monroe area. In the lower part of the River
sources of industrial and municipal waste overshadowed any noticeable effect
of rain on bacterial water quality.
The effect of rainfall on the River above known source of pollution was
most evident in late August, 1963 when heavy rains caused the flood pumping
station to operate for one hour. Coliform concentrations were 10 to 20
times normal levels for the period following the heavy rainfalls. In times
of more moderate rainfall only a slight rise in coliform concentration was
noticed in the upper Raisin River, and then for a relatively short period
of time.
Additional data collected during significant rainfall might provide
insight into this problem. At the present time, however, large volumes of
industrial and municipal waste tend to mask.any effect of rainfall on Raisin
River water quality.
Enrico Fermi Atomic Reactor
cjhe Enrico Fermi Atomic Reactor is located on Lake Erie and is designed
to generate electric energy for domestic and industrial use. The plant is
not now in active operation but is expected to produce power sometime in
1965.
Domestic wastes from the 150 employees of this installation are treated
in a sewage treatment plant of the secondary type. Over 90 percent of the
BOD is removed from this plant no\r operating under the design capacity of
75*000 gallons per day. Operating records are sent to the Michigan Depart-
ment of Health for review. Treatment and operation appear to be adequate.
The only radioactive wastes originating in the plant are from biweekly
1*3-VI
-------
steam cleaning of the reactor sub-assembly. Over 99 percent of the radio-
active wastes consist of sodium 2b with a half-life of 15 hours. Treatment
is provided by storage for 9 days in a surge tank. The effluent is then
"bled off at a rate determined "by the radioactivity remaining in the tank and
discharged to Lake Erie through a dilution canal off a lagoon in Swan Creek.
Automatic monitoring devices operate continually and prevent discharge of
highly concentrated radioactive material to the receiving waters. In the
event radioactivity is too high after 9 days storage for discharge into the
receiving waters, additional storage equal to three months capacity is
available.
At this installation radioactive and domestic wastes are veil handled
*
and no danger of interference with water use iB evident.
Tributaries to Lake Erie
Tributaries to Lake Erie also serve as sources of pollution to this
body of water. The major source, the Detroit River, has been described in-
detail in Section V of this report. Other tributaries considered in this
study include the Huron River, Swan Creek, Stony Creek, Sandy Creek, Raisin
River, Plum Creek, and LaPlaisance Creek. Table 15-VI summarizes average
quantitative loadings for each of these tributaries for total coliform
organisms. Table 16-VI summarizes average values and loadings for the
Detroit, Huron, and Raisin Rivers for phosphates, nitrogen compounds, phenols,
chlorides, suspended solids, cyanides, and iron.
The Detroit, Huron and Raisin Rivers constitute the major tributaries
to the Michigan waters of Lake Erie both in flow and in waste discharge.
The Detroit River has been discussed in detail and three intensive surveys
were made of the Raisin River which will be summarized in a separate section.
UU-VI
-------
The Huron River is shown as a contributor of -wastes high in coliforra
concentrations, phosphates, and nitrogen compounds. This survey was unable
to demonstrate aft adverse effect on the Michigan waters of Lake Erie "by the
Huron. The Huron River discharges into a large marsh at Pointe Mouillee
which is subject to "backwater from the already polluted waters of the Detroit
River passing into Lake Erie. Any change in water quality in the receiving
Lake Erie is masked "by other sources of pollution. Retention in the Pointe
Mouillee marsh qaraplicates the picture from the standpoint of nutrient and
i
colifonn loadings. After sources of pollution in the Detroit River have
"been eliminated or substantially controlled, the real contribution of the
Huron River may be ascertained.
The United States section of the Detroit River contributes to Michigan
Lake Erie over 95 percent of the pollutional load originating from Michigan
sources.
US-VI
-------
TABLE 15-VT. AVERAGE COLIFOM LOA
TRIBUTARIES TO MICHIGAN LAKE EI
Average Colifprm Loading
Tributary BPE*
Detroit River** 77>000
Huron River 31T
Swan Creek 10
Stony Creek 51
Sandy Creek hj
Raisin River 4,500
Plum Creek bj
* One BPE = 200 "billion coliform organisms
** United States waterB
I46-VI
-------
TABLE l6-VI. AVERAGE STREAM LOADINGS
TRIBUTARIES TO MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE
Detroit River
Huron
River
Raisin
River
Concen-
tration*
Loading*
Concen-
tration*
Loading*
Concen-
tration*
Loading*
Chlorides
23 .
10,100,000
36
89,200
28.6
11*1,000
Phosphate
0.53
218,000
1.71
k,2hO
.36
1,770
Nitrates
0.27
109,000
0.28
69k
• 13
61*0
Ammonia
0.33
133,000
0.26
6k 5
.39
1,920
Organic
Nitrogen
0.18
72,600
0.13
322
.27
1,330
Suspended
Solids
21
8,600,000
k
9,920
9.7
47,800
Settleable
Solids
18
7,200,000
-
-
2.9
14,300
Phenols
^9
2,100
3.1
8
7.1
35
Iron
0.62
260,000
.09
223
0.78
3,81*0
* Concentration in mg/l, except phenols, which are in ug/l. Detroit
River average concentrations are adjusted to flow for the entire
United States section at the mouth..
* Loadings in pounds per day.
h7-VI
-------
SPECIAL STUDIES
Several special studies were made during this Project in areas whose
pollution problems were not clearly defined "by routine investigation of water
quality and waste sources. Included in these activities were three intensive
surveys of the Raisin River, a pollution study of the Maple-Milleville Beach
area, collection and analysis of "bottom deposits in the lake, determination
of distribution of currents in Michigan Lake Erie, and a special pollution
investigation of the Sterling State Park bathing beaches.
Raisin River Intensive Surveys
Three intensive surveys of the Raisin River were conducted by Project
personnel. These were conducted during winter and summer months and evaluation
made of water quality in the Raisin as well as waste sources discharging
into it. Tables 17-VI through 19-VI summarize the results of these surveys.
Figure 13-VI shows the sampling stations on a map of the Raisin River. Major
waste sources are introduced to the river between station T83 and T81*
(Monroe Sewage Treatment Plant and Consolidated Paper Company, South Plant)
and between stations T82 and T83 (Consolidated Paper Company, Worth Plant,
Union-Bag Company and Ford Motor Company). Wastes from the Monroe Paper
Products enter the river between T88 and T89.
From the upstream stations to station T84 (above most waste sources)
coliform concentrations in the river averaged under 20,000 organisms per 100
ml during all surveys $nd tinder 5,000 organisms per 100 ml during two. Below
station T8^ a sudden increase in coliform concentration due to industrial
and municipal wastes was observed. Average values at this point were
over 100,000 organisms per 100 ml during all surveys. The backwater effect
1*8-VI
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
of the Lake and increased volume of low bacterial industrial waste from the
Ford Motor Company reduced coliform concentrations at the mouth to values
of 1,350 organisms per 100 ml during winter month's and to 30,000 and 120,000
organisms per 100 ml during summer months.
During survey number two in June, 1963 "the effluent of the Monroe Sewage
i
Treatment Plant was monitored and had a geometric mean of 105 organisms per
100 ml during the survey. Nevertheless, an.increase between station T8U
and T83 of 7,800 to 57,000 organisms per 100 ml was observed. This testifies
to the extreme influence of the effluents from the paper mills along the
Raisin River upon its coliform concentration and bacterial water quality.
High concentrations of suspended and settleable solids were noted in the
effluents of all paper mills, but not in the Ford Motor Company or Monroe
Sewage Treatment Plant. Cyanides from one Ford effluent are considered ex-
cessive at 1.3 mg/l. Iron concentrations in all effluents were low but the
average value at the mouth was high at O.78 mg/l. Analysis of toxic metals
during survey number two indicated substantial quantities of copper, nickel
and zinc. Shown below is a summary of amounts from waste sources discharging
into the Raisin River between station T89 and the mouth compared to the
increase in stream loadings between those two points.
Waste Sources Increase in Loadings
Constituent pounds/day pounds/day
Phenols 2h 15
Chlorides 19,600 60,000
Cyanides 1,050 135
BOD 1*9,000 35,600
Iron 1+0 1,300
Suspended Solids 23,300 20,600
The two-mile stretch of the Raisin River immediately above its mouth
receives large quantities of industrial and domestic wastes, and is not only
U9-VI
-------
grossly polluted, "but also effects an area df Lake Erie near its mouth.
Waste constituents discharged to the River are high in coliform, suspended
solids and cyanide concentrations and include large quantities of oxygen-
consuming substances as evidenced by the discharge of ^-9>000 pounds per day
of POD (equivalent in oxygen consuming capacity to the untreated wastes of a
population of over 200,000 persons). The lover Raisin River is frequently
completely devoid of dissolved oxygen resulting in a continuous state of
putrefaction during the summer months. All uses in the Raisin River, except
waste disposal and navigation, have been eliminated by pollution, and deposi-
tion of settleable solids at the mouth interferes with this use to the extent
that annual dredging is required to remove the material and keep the channels
open for ship movement. Bacterial counts in the lower river are excessively
high and represent interference with any possible recreational use of water
from that standpoint. The effect of the Raisin River upon Lake Erie is seen
in the enrichment of the waters of the western basin and coliform levels at
bathing beaches near its mouth (including Sterling State Park),
The degradation of the Raisin River and subsequently certain areas of
Michigan Lake Erie described above is due primarily to.the discharge into
bhe River of large quantities of inadequately treated wastes from the paper
nills located along the banks. To a much lesser degree, part of the problem
Ls due to the effluent of the Monroe Sewage Treatment Plant.
50-VI
-------
TABLE 17-VI. SUMMARY OF RESULTS.
RAISIN RIVER SURVEY NUMBER 1
NOVEMBER 16 THROUGH DECEMBER 12, 1962
Geometric Mean
Average
Average
Coliform
Average
Average
Average
Suspended
Average
.'Jlowrt
Concentration
Phenol
Chloride
Iron
Solids
Cyanides
Station
(cfs)
org./lOO ml
jug/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
T80 (mouth)
330
1,350
5.8
2U.7
• 78
5
• 07
T8l
330
3,030
6.0
2k.6
• .80
9
.2b
T82
160
33,900
ex
23.8
M
36
M
T83
lU8
101,000
9.6
23.9
.28
10
0
T8J*
135
3,100
3.8
23.2
.18
5
0
T85
13^
if,100
7.0
23.0
.15
5
-
t86
132
1»,000
U.6
23.2
.07
'5
-
T8T
132
3,700
2.6
22.2
.18
6
-
t88
132
3,i^o
8.6
22.7
.09
k
-
T89
132
5^7
3-5
21.8
.10
2
-
T90
I
132
295
k.8
21.5
.17
13.
0
1
Average
_
Suspended
—
- COD
Phenol
Chloride
Iron
Solids
Cyanides
mg/l
JUg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mpc/l
mg/l
Consolidated Paper
Company -
267
0
32
0.16
99
North Plant
Consolidated Paper
Company -
13-310
0-13
23-90
0.09-0.72
17-23^
-
South Plant
Mason Run (Consolidated North and
504
1*9
23
1.22
298
-
Union-Bag Camp Company)
•
3-8
Ford Motor Company
22-35
0
23-27
0.10-0.25
1.3
Outfall No. 1
-
Outfall No. 2
Outfall No. 3 -
-------
TABLE 18-VI. SUMiAfff OF RESULTS
RAISIN RIVER SURVEY
NUMBER 2
JUNE 9 THROUGH JUNE 12, 1963
Geometric Mean
Average
Average
Coliform
Average
Average
Suspended
How
Concentrations
Phenols
Chlorides
$olids
Station
(cfe)
org./lOO ml
m/i
mg/l
mg/l
T80 (mouth)
868
120,000
8.6.
32.6
8
T8l
868
150,000
5-0
26.3
12
T82
TOU
170,000
23.8
U5.2
59
T83
682
57,000
13-6
29.2
37
T8U
668
7,800
k.k
41.8
54
Average
Average
Average
Average
Average
Flow
Cyanides
BOD
Copper
Nickel
Station
(cfs)
mg/l
rag/l
mg/l
mg/l
T80 (mouth)
868
• 03
7-6
.16
.02
T8l
868
•30
.22
.01
T82
7dt
0
24.8
. 06
.03
T83
682
<•01
10.0
.02
.02
T84
668
.01
8.1*
•03
-03
Average
Average
Average
Average
Average
Flow
Zinc
Lead
Chromium
Cadmium
Station
(cfs)
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
T80 (mouth)
868
.02
<•01
.01
T81
868
.Ok
.01
.02
T82
70I*
.10
.04
<.01
<.01 •
T83
682
.06
.01
<•01
<.01
T8U
668
.01
<.01
<.01
<.01
52-VI
-------
TABLE 19-VI. SUMMARY OF RESJLTS
RAISIN RIVER SURVEY NUMBER 3
AUGUST 26 THROUGH AUGUST 29, 1963
Average
Flow
Geometric Mean
Coliform
Concentrations
Average
Phenols
Average
Suspended
Solids
Station
(cfs)
org./lOO ml
jug/1
mg/l
T80
t
2l+5
30,000
6.8
16
T82
Y2
200,000
26.0
30
T83
6o
1+20,000
19-8 -
55
T81+
1*6
1+30,000
12.0
31
T86
1+5
17,000
99-8
9
T88
16,000
15-0
8
T89
720
2.5
3
Coliform Suspended Settleable
Concentrations Solids Solids
org./lQO ml mg/l mg/l
Mason Run (Consolidated North 26,000-50,000
and Union-Bag Camp Company)
Consolidated Paper Company - 6,200-190,000
North Plant
Consolidated Paper Company - 100-5,000,000
South Plant
Monroe Paper Products 2,000-80,000
Monroe Sewage Treatment 20,000-1+20,000
Plant
108-203
11-115
192-670
0-180
21-637
0-567
1+3-372
15-359
23-31
0-2
5J-V1
-------
. Maple-Milleville Beach Pollution Study
A special study was made, September 3 •• 5* 1963* to determine the influ-
ence of the Trenton Channel upon water quality on Maple and Milleville bathing
beaches located near the mouth of the Detroit River and designated as regular
stations B1 and B2 (see Figures 2-1 and 3-1 )• Bacteriological sampling was
undertaken to assist in this determination, and other Project data examined.
The following findings were made:
1. The results of bacteriological analysis adjacent to Maple and Mille-
ville beaches indicate that the water is unsafe for swimming, with values
found during the three-day survey ranging from 600 to 2,600 organisms per 100
ml, with fecal coliform values ranging from 20 to 800 organisms per 100 ml.
The geometric mean coliform concentration at these beaches during the Project
was 2,000 organisms per 100 ml.
2. Water quality adjacent to the two beaches is of much higher bacterial
quality than water further offshore. This same phenomenon is demonstrated
by comparison of Estral, Dewey and Stony Point Beaches and adjacent Lake Erie
bacteriological results (geometric means for the duration of the Project).
In this case the beach samples are approximately 25 percent of the magnitude
of the adjacent lake stations.' The lake beaches and Lake Erie stations are
shown in Figure 2-1 as numbers B3, B^, L3, L5, L6, and LJ.
3- In the Lake Erie bathing beacheB froji Stony Point south to the Michi-
gan-Ohio state line coliform concentrations at the beaches were higher
adjacent to the beaches than at corresponding Lake Erie stations.
4. The Detroit River is the main influence of bacterial water quality
at the bathing beaches from the mouth of the river to Stony Point. Bev.o."
this point Bources of pollution originating on Bhore and from other tributaries
&-VI
-------
to the Lake have the greater influence on bacterial vater quality at Lake Erie
"beaches.
55-VI
-------
Bottom Deposits - Michigan Lake Erie
Analysis or bottom materials to determine the effects or extent of water
pollution is a field in which little has been done to provide a basis for
quantitative interpretation. "Standard Methods" gives only passing mention
of procedures to be recommended in the field and laboratory, and considerable
difficulty is involved in working with a solid-liquid mixture rather than a
liquid.
For these reasons, the analysis can be treated only in a general way,
serving to show differences in bottom composition in areas of the Michigan
waters of Lake Erie.
Time is also a factor with bottom materials undisturbed underwater.
They may remain in much the same condition year after year even after the
original source has ceased to exist. Therefore, the bottom condition now
existing cannot be directly identified with existing effluents except by
circumstantial evidence. It can be definitely stated, however, that the con-
dition of the bottom was caused by the settling of waste materials, and if
suspended solids continue to enter the river they will settle in the same
areas as before and cause the same problems.
A sampling technique was developed to enable the boat crew to collect the
samples while drifting over the area. A special drag-type sampler was used
to scoop up the top 0.2 to 0.3 feet of material. The results are qualitative
for each site, and no attempt was made to determine thickness of settled
deposits.
Analysis of Data
Only one sample wa6 taken at each location, and the locations were widely
spaced to cover a variety of conditions in each area. By grouping the results
56-VI
-------
"by area certain trends were .noted, which will "be described under each consti-
tuent .
The lake was divided into areas and evaluated according to the bottom
material quality Bhown by the various observations and chemical analysis with-
in the area. Each area was then rated as good, fair, or poor, according to
the overall indications for that area.
Good condition - natural bottom conditions of 6and, gravel, mud or
silt without oil, grease or odor, and does not have abnormally large
amounts of waste-associated materials.
Fair condition - natural bottom condition with some evidence of
deposited material, slight oil or odor, and moderate amounts of
waste-associated materials.
Poor condition - bottom deposits of organic or other material having
oily appearance and odor of oil or sewage. Large amounts of waste-
associated materials, such as greases, phenols, total nitrogen, phos-
phates, and iron, are found. High percentages of volatile materials
and a pH higher or lower than surrounding areas. Such areaB show the
results of materials placed in the water by means other than natural
processes.
Suspended solids that have settled over the natural bottom will dis-
courage or eliminate the activities of fishes and other aquatic life. In the
shallow water, they are offensive to swimmers and boaters, and when fluctuating
water levels expose "beds of these materials, the resulting appearance and odors
destroy the esthetic value of the waterways. Since most of the bottom
material in the poor condition areas is light} and easily disturbed, there is
$1-VI
-------
a potential problem from this material being re suspended in the water in
stormy weather, or from.passage of large "boats.
The re suspended bottom materials in the poor condition areas could cause .
increase in turbidity,' increased oxygen demand, algae growth, and taste and
odor problems, which would decrease the quality of the water for riverside
or lakeside recreation, fishing, swimming, water skiing, and industrial and
municipal water supplies. The increase in turbidity has been observed to
occur during stormy weather on Lake Erie.
From the mouth of the Detroit River to Pointe Mouillee the bottom was in
poor condition, with this zone extending as far eastward as the Detroit River
Light. From Pointe Mouillee to Stony Point the bottom was in fair to poor
condition in the center of Swan Creek Bay and in the deep water east of Stony
Point. From Stony Point to the Raisin River, poor areas of bottom con-
dition were found in the center of Brest Bay and in the deeper water directly
east of the mouth of the. Raisin River. The condition of the bottom was very
poor at the mouth of the Raisin River.
Below the Raisin River extending south to Otter Creek the bottom was in
fair condition near the shore and poor offshore. From Otter Creek to the
south end of the Michigan waters the bottom was typified as fair to good con-
dition.
Along the United States 6hore near the mouth of the Detroit River there
existed a large area whose bottom condition was classified poor. This area
extended from the Trenton Channel past Pointe Mouillee as far east of the
Detroit River Light and southerly to the center of Swan Creek. This area,
indicates the effluent of the Trenton Channel as the principal contributor.
Figure ll*-VI depicts the location of the deposits with classification
58-VI
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according to the type material deposited on the Lake bottom. Tables 20-VI
through 25-VI summarize the results of the bottom deposits for the Raisin
River and various segments of Michigan Lake Erie. In addition to the results
shown in theBe tables, analysis of the bottom deposit supernatant was made
for phenol, phosphate, nitrate, and ammonia concentrations. All factors,
including field observations, were taken into consideration in describing
bottom conditions^
Very poor conditions found at the mouth of the Raisin River and
o
in its lake channel are indicative of the heavy load of suspended and settle-
able solids contributed by the Raisin River to the Michigan waters of Lake
Erie.
Areas classified as fair or good were found offshore in deeper waters
throughout Michigan Lake Erie.
59-VI
»
-------
TABLE 20-VI. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE
MOUTH OF DETROIT RIVER TO POINTE MOUILLEE
pH
d
ft
Inshore
Offshore
IRON
Inshore
Offshore
Number of
Samples Maximum Minimum Mean
Remarks
J.6 - area of 7.2
12 7.6 7.2 T.b near navigation channel.
13 9-2 6.6 T«5
High (9$) Pointe
10 9.98 <.01 3*86 Mouillee area.
9 6.11 .28 ' 2.77
$ OIL AND GREASE
Inshore
Offshore
12
,12
Very high near Detroit
1.12 .03 .65 River Light off Pointe
1.05 .01 Mouillee.
io TOTAL VOLATILE
SOLIDS
Inshore
Offshore
12
13
Fair condition; about
10.7 1-1 6.07 6$.
8.1 2.0 5-29
CONCLUSION: Bottom is in poor condition on the American side extending as
far eastward as the Detroit River Light. River is widening
and losing velocity throughout this area allowing solids to
settle out.
60-VI
-------
TABLE 21-VI. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE
FOIKTE MOUILLEE TO STONY POINT
PH
Inshore
Offshore
jfc IRON
Inshore
Offshore
$> OIL AND GREASE
Inshore
Offehore
$ TOTAL VOLATILE
SOLIDS
Inshore
Offehore
Number of
Samples
10
25
10
2k
10
2b
10
25
Maximum Minimum Mean Remarks
T.T
7.8
3-20
if.82
.60
• 99
12.0
13.2
7.2
7.9
.02
.01
.01
.02
5.8
2.0
7-^9
7-53
1.22
2.13
S
.26
•36
8.8
7.3
7.1+ to 7.6
Low nearshore; higher
values in center of
Swan Creek Bay and east
of Stony Point.°
Fair as far south as
Stony Point and poor
(10$) east of Stony
Point.
CONCLUSIONS: Bottom is in fair to poor condition with poor areas in center
of Swan Creek Bay, and in deep water east of Stony Point. Both
areas favor the settling of solids because of reduction in
current velocity.
61-VI
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TABLE 22-VI.
SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE
STONY POINT TO RAISIN RIVER
PH
Inshore
Offshore
Number of
Samples
Maximum Minimum Mean Remarks
T
27
7.8
7-6
7-2
6.9
7.*»1
7-3
7-2 to 7-b; 6.7 center
Brest Bay.
j6 IRON
Inshore
Offshore
8
2h
6.30
9.50
High west of Stony
.002 2.hQ Point and center of
.02 2.8k Brest Bay.
£ OIL AND GREASE
Inshore
Offshore
TOTAL VOLATILE
SOLIDS
Inshore
Offshore
8
25
7
26
Low nearshore; high In
1.2 .03 .23 center of Brest Bay.
1.0 .02 .36 .
High in deep water
13.1* 1.0 6.86 south of Stony Point
18.3 2.8 9.12 and in center of
Brest Bav-
CONCLUSION: A poor area exists in the center of Brest Bay and in deeper
water directly east of the Raisin River mouth. Shoreline areas
are fair to good.
62-VI
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TABLE 23-VI. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE
RAISIN RIVER
Number of
Samples Maximum Minimum Mean Remarks
dp IRON ^ 6.30 2.30 *+.33 High in Raisin and
around mouth.
$ OIL AND GREASE 1* 2.7^ 2.0 1.06 High in Raisin River.
CONCLUSIONS: Condition of bottom is very poor in the Raisin River.
63-VI
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TABLE 2k-VI. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE
RAISIN RIVER TO OTTER CREEK
Number of
Samples Maximum Minimum Mean Remarks
PH
Inshore
Offshore
% IRON
Inshore
Offshore
£ OIL AND GREASE
InBhore
Offshore
-------
TABLE 25-VI. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE
OTTER CREEK TO SOUTH END OF MICHIGAN AREA
Number of
Samples Maximum Minimum Mean
Remarks
pH
Inshore
Offshore
.
CONCLUSION: Bottom is good to fair except for a poor area nearshore south
of Otter Creek.
6$'-YL
-------
Hydrologic Studies - Michigan Lake Erie
Special hydrologic investigations were made of the Michigan waters of"
Lake Erie to provide inBight into the relationship between sources of wastes
going into the Lake and areas affected by pollution. Of special interest
was the path of dispersion of the waters of the Detroit River into Lake Erie
under varying weather conditions. Rhodaraine B fluorescent dye and fluoro-
meter were used in conjunction with surface and sub-surface floats or drogues
to assist in this determination. Lake currents outside of the influence of
the Detroit River were also determined.
Wind is the primary factor influencing water movement in the open water
sections of Lake Erie. The response of surface waters to wind changes is very
rapid. Few instances of a carryover effect due to differing wind conditions
preceding a survey were noted.
The Detroit River outlet into the lake is a strong factor influencing
currents in the immediate area of its debouchment, diminishing rapidly beyond
the Detroit River Light. Wind effects are noted as far north as Project
sampling range DT 3«9> although the river current is by far the greater influ-
encing force at this point. South of Pointe Mouillee wind forces predominate
over Detroit River current.
Seiches and wind set-up affect the shallow areas and mouths of tribu-
taries causing inward and outward water movement independent of the prevailing
current pattern in open water sections of the lake. These estuarine-like
movements are local in effect, from a current pattern standpoint, but may be
much more extensive, in terms of water quality, as is the case with the
Raisin River.
Vertical temperature profiles, taken regularly during dye vector work,
showed nothing suggesting stratification. Thus, surface current pattern
66-VI
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results were assumed to apply to the water mass as a whole.
Horizontal surface temperature profiles run in the northern section of
the study area support fluorometric and dye vector study results closely.
The prevailing wind direction on the Michigan waters of Lake Erie is
southwest, occurring 2b percent of the time on a ten-month basis (March
through December). Winds with a southerly component, namely those from the
southeast, south, and southwest, account for 50 percent of the total.
During the months of June, July and August, when recreational water
uses are at a peak, the percent occurrence values for a southwest wind and-
for winds with a southerly component are 19 percent and J+9 percent, respec-
tively. These values are somewhat lower than the ten-month average, possibly
because the percent occurrence of calm and near calm conditions during the
summer is much higher than during the year as a whole.
Figures 15-VI through 18-VI depict current patterns in the Michigan
*
waters of Lake Erie determined under varying wind conditions. The description
of the wind as to direction (i.e. south wind) indicates the direction from
which the wind blows. Therefore, a south wind comes out of the south and
blows toward the north. The large arrow denotes the dispersion of Detroit
River currents while the small arrows indicate lake currents considered to
be outside of the influence of the Detroit River.
A narrative description of the observed currents under each set of wind
conditions follows with an estimate of the frequency of occurrence of the
specific wind condition.
North (5 percent occurrence)
Water movement in the Michigan waters of Lake Erie is predominantly
southerly to south-southwesterly for a north wind. Thus, Detroit River water
67-VI
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would be transported south to Stony Point and across the RaiBin River Channel
if this wind condition prevailed for a sufficient length.of time. Little
data was obtained in Brest Bay for a north wind, but from what is available,
a generally southerly current pattern, paralleling the shoreline may be
assumed. It does not appear likely that Detroit River water moves west
in the bay as far as the beaches, however. East of the Project study area,
movement is to the south in the vicinity of the Detroit River Light, becoming
southeasterly as distance from the river mouth increases.
Northeast (9 percent occurrence)
The predominant current direction for a northeast wind within the Project
study area in Lake Erie, is southwesterly. As was the case with a north
wind, Detroit River water could possibly enter Brest Bay if a strong north-
easterly wind persisted for a day or two. Field observations made during
April and May of 196^-, show that water movement near the beach at Sterling
State Park is variable but generally has a southerly component for this wind
condition. This variability is probably due to non-steady water level condi-
tions, caused by seiche action or wind set-up.while field measurements were
being performed.
East (7 percent occurrence)
The current pattern for an east wind is somewhat more complicated than
for the two wind conditions just mentioned. Water movement in the West Outer
and East Outer Channels is southwesterly near the Detroit River Light becom-
ing westerly near the ends of the channels as wind becomes the dominant force
over the river current which dissipates with distance from the mouth.
In the area from Point aux Peaux north to Pointe Mouillee, the water . ¦
-------
mass appears to rotate In a clockwise direction when east winds are strong.
Thus, currents along the "beach in this area are northerly for this situation.
This was substantiated "by results obtained by Dr. Ayers, of the University of
Michigan, in a current pattern study at the Enrico Fermi atomic power plant.
In Brest Bay, at Stony Point, and in the area immediately to the east
of the bay, water movement is to the west. Studies made by the Project at
Sterling State Park in 196^ shov that currents along the beach are quite
variable for an east wind, and appear to depend on water level fluctuations
in the area at the time of observation. Therefore for an east wind, water
passing the beach at Sterling State Park could be moving north from the
Raisin River, west from Brest Bay, or south from the Stony or Sandy Creek
areas.
In that part of the Detroit River debouchment lying to the east of the
Detroit River Light and the channels, an east wind appears to cause a lai^ge
scale counter-clockwise rotation of surface waters.
Southeast (15 percent occurrence)
Current patterns in the study area as a whole are quite similar to
patterns for an east wind, with a few differences. The clockwise circula-
tion pattern in the Swan Creek area occurs more frequently for a southeast
wind than for an east wind, as the wind intensity required to cause rotation
is lower when the wind has a southerly component.
In Brest Bay and nearby areas, water movement is predominantly north-
west. Along the beach at Sterling State Park currents are most frequently
northerly but may also be to the south. This again is most likely due to
localized differences and changes in water level.
69-VI
-------
. South (DLL percent occurrence)
Overall water movement In the northern part of the study area is to the
south and southeast under the influence of a south wind. To the south,
where the effect of the Detroit River current is little felt, water movement
is north-northeast. Upon meeting, in the area south of the East Outer and
West Outer Channels, the two water masses appear to resolve into one,
moving along an easterly course.
Currents alongshore in the Swan Creek area are northerly, creating an
eddy in the area from shore to the West Outer Channel.
In Brest Bay, and along the beaches in the "bay, water movement is to
the north.
Southwest {2k percent occurrence)
For a southwest wind, currents in the Project study area in Lake Erie
are predominantly southeast in the northern sector and are northeast in Bres
Bay and in the area to the east of the bay.
Water movement alongshore in the Swan Creek area is northerly, turning
to the southeast in the vicinity of Pointe Mouillee.
Flow along the beach at Sterling State Park is northerly for a southwee
wind. Thus, water quality on the beach will likely be influenced by the
Raisin River.
West (10 percent occurrence)
Water movement throughout the study area was found to be easterly for
a west wind of moderate to high intensity. At Sterling State Park, currents
alongshore are northeasterly most of the time for this wind condition.
For a light west wind, waters in Brest Bay were found, on one occasion,
70-VI
-------
to "be circulating in a clockwise direction. At that time currents in the area
to the east of the bay were southerly.
Northwest (13 percent occurrence)
i
Current patterns in the Lake Erie study area are south to southwesterly
for a northwest wind. Currents alongshore in the Swan Creek area are south-
erly. Thus, Detroit River water can, theoretically, move south to Stony
Point, and possibly into Brest Bay.
In Brest Bay, a semi-rotational, counter-clockwise water movement was
observed on the one occasion currents were studied for this wind condition.
Currents at Sterling State Park beach were found to be generally southeaster-
ly for a northwest wind, although directional deviations can occur because
of seiche action.
Findings of Investigation
1. In open water sections of the Lake Erie study area, away from the
mouth of the Detroit River, currents were generally found to move with the
wind prevailing during the period of observation.
2. At the mouth and in the debouchment, the Detroit River current is
most important in determining patterns of water movement. The usual south-to-
southeast-to-east path traced by water moving from the river mouth' into the
debouchment, and finally out into the lake, is modified somewhat by east,
southeast, and 6outh winds, however. Under the influence of these winds, a
counter-clockwise circulation pattern is set up in the area east of the East
Outer Channel.
3. Along the beaches from Point aux Peaux north past Swan Creek, two,
types of current patterns occur. When winds are from the we6t, north, and
71-VI
-------
east, which is approximately 50 percent of the time, water movement is
southerly, directly from the Detroit River. For southeast through southwest
winds, flow alongshore is northerly. For a southeast wind, and possibly for
«
a south wind, also, results suggest that the northerly current movement
along the beaches is part of a clockwise circulation pattern extending from
shore to the West Outer Channel. Thus Detroit River water can affect water
quality along the. beaches in the vicinity of Swan Creek, 75 "to 85 percent of
the time.
U. The possibility of direct water transport from the mouth of the
Detroit River into Brest Bay does exist but is probably not significant from
a sanitary standpoint. Winds from the northeast and east, occurring approxi-
raately 20 percent of the time, could accomplish this if they blew steadily
for two days or more, which would be a rare occurrence.
5« At Sterling State Park, northerly vater movement may be expected to
occur regularly for south through west winds. Thus, at least ^0 to U5
percent of the time, Raisin River water can reach the beach areas to the
north. For northwesterly and northerly winds, which occur 20 percent of the
time, currents along the beach are southerly. Currents along the beach at
Sterling State Park axe variable and unpredictable when wlnd6 are from the
northeast, east, and southeast, and also for calm or near calm conditions*
7 2-VI
-------
Sterling State Park Beach Survey
Sterling State Park is a large State of Michigan recreational area
located on Lake Erie just north of the mouth of the Raisin River. Among
recreational facilities present at this installation is a large expanse of
bathing beaches on Lake Erie. The park was attended by as many as 1,200,000
persons in 1959, many of whom used bathing facilities there. Following investi-
gation and evaluation "by personnel of the Michigan Water Resources Commission
and the Michigan Department of Health, and upon their advice,.- the Sterling
State Park was posted as unsafe for swimming by the Michigan Department of
Conservation. The State agencies in a special report to the Michigan Water
Resources Commission listed several possible sources of waste capable of
degrading the sanitary water quality of Sterling State Park, including (a)
municipal waste effluent from Detroit, Wyandotte, Trenton, and Monroe, (b)
overflow from combined sewers in the southeast Michigan area, (c) wastes from
shorefront homes, and (d) industrial wastes from paper mills in the Monroe
area.
After posting of the beaches as unsafe for swimming in August 19&1,
attendance at the park dropped off. This interference with recreational water
use was described in the conference proceedings of 1962 and has been an item
of continuing interest throughout the life of this Project.
\
The problem of the sanitary water quality at the Sterling State Park and
the waste sources and conditions under which this quality is degraded is
complex and defies a simple solution. Average or geometric mean values at
this beach during the Project's duration indicate satisfactory water quality
from this standpoint. However, samples collected after given conditions of
wind and rainfall are high enough to denote a serious pollution problem outside
73-VI
-------
normal sampling limits indicated "by geometric means. As a result of these
puzzling developments a special investigation of the park was undertaken by
Project personnel and an engineering consultant called to duty for this purpose.
The results of this investigation are described "below:
Description of Area
Sterling State Park is a major recreation area in the southeast part of
Michigan located on the vest shore of Lake Erie. The park is located on
Brest Bay north of the Raisin River extending north to the mouth of Sandy
Creek. The park provides facilities for swimming, fishing, "boating, and
picnicking. There are approximately 7,h00 feet of beach shoreline on Lake Erie,
and inland waters directly adjacent to Sterling State Perk have an area of
approximately 2^5 acres. The additional rater recreational area formed by
the inland ponds adjacent to and within Sterling State Park are generally used
for boating and fishing purposes, with some water 6kiing activity. Water that
is taken for industries in the Monroe area passes through these ponds; ithe
sources being Sandy Creek and Lake Erie -water.
Water level changes in Lake Erie affect water movement into and out of
the inland ponds resulting in appreciable flows during these periods of rapid
water level changes. It is not uncommon for the water level in Lake Erie to
change 1 foot within a 6-hour period, which would result in an average water
movement for this period equivalent to approximately 500 cfs. In that the
water usage of the industries using this as a source of water is approximately
200 cfs, it is readily apparent• that the quality of water in the inland areas
will be dependent on the quality of water at the west end of Lake Erie at
times.
7U-VI
-------
Figure 19-VI shows the area covered by this investigation as well as
sampling points referred to in this report. Table 26-VI describes the location
of sampling points investigated during this survey. ' Table 27-VI lists the
results of the bacteriological investigation of the Sterling State Park area
accompanied by pertinent weather data and remarks.
Present Water Quality Conditions
During the study period, the quality of water on the beaches at the west
end of Lake Erie was variable, ranging from acceptable to unacceptable for
use as a bathing area. The quality of water is expressed in terms of total
coliform, fecal coliforms, and fecal streptococcus with the standard usually
accepted for swimming purposes, in terms of total coliforms, as 1,000 coliforms
per 100 ml of water. Coliforms are associated with the enteric tract of
warm-blooded animals, and are quite common in soil as a natural habitat. The
fecal coliform concentrations differentiate those coliforms which may be
associated with soil or natural environment from that of the enteric tract of
warm-blooded animals. In waters from natural surface sources free from
pollution the concentration of fecal coliform will always be considerably
lower than the total coliform concentrations, approximately 5 per cent.
Consequently, high percentages of fecal coliform to total coliform indicate
the presence of pollution from domestic fecal sources.
The data from the Sterling State Park area for the 19&3 sampling seasoi
sharedthat during April, May, and the first 2 weeks in June, the water quali^
on the beaches adjacent to the park .. did not meet' ' .i.. the standards for
swimming. Results for the months of July and August, however, gave colifon
results consistently low enough to permit safe swimming. When sampling was
75-VI
-------
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DIGITALLY
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TABLE 26-VI. DESCRIPTION OF SAMPLING POINTS
STERLINQ STATE PARK SURVEY
T80 Raisin River at the mouth
T8l Raisin River 0.5 miles upstream from the mouth
T82 Raisin River 1.13 miles upstream from the mouth
T70 Stony Creek at River Road
T71 Mouth of small boat harbor about 1,500 feet south of the
mouth of Stony Creek
T7U Mouth of Sandy Creek
T75 Sandy Creek at River Road
T76 Culvert pipe under the road crossing the lagoon west of
Sterling State Park's bathing beach
T77 Mouth of the stream on the extreme southern end of Sterling'
State Park's bathing beach
B17 Detroit Beach north of Sandy Creek
Bl8 Sterling State Park (northern end)
B21 Sterling State Park (southern end)
B32 Midway between the Raisin River and Sterling State Park
B33 2,500 feet south of the Raisin River
PI Woodland Beach Pumping Station
P2 Grand Beach Pumping Station
P3 Detroit Beach twin pumping station
PU
P5 Detroit Beach Pumping Station along Sandy Creek
W1 Mason Run
W2 Monroe Sewage Treatment Plant outfall
W3 Consolidated Paper Company - south outfall
WU Consolidated Paper Company - north outfall
W5 Monroe Paper Products outfall
76-VI
-------
TABLE 27-VI. RESULTS OF BACTERIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF STERLING STATE
PARK BATHING BEACHES APRIL - MAY, 196k
Date
Sta.
Gen.
Wind
Dir.
Current
Direction
off
Park
Remarks
and
Weather
Observations
Total
Coliform
Concentration
Organisms/lOOml
Fecal Coliforms
Fecal
Strep
Org/lOCml
Ratio
F. Col.
F. Strep
Percent
Per lOQnl
k/6/6h
T7 5
35,000
5
1,750
180
10:1
B17
1,600
12
190
70
3:1
T7U
Lt.
Partly cloudy
U.ooo
100
Bl8
S
NNE
with wind up
1,700
10
170
UO
U:1
B21
to 10 knots
2,100
10
210
70
3:1-
T77
Light rain
1,000
20
B32
1,100
10
110
10
11:1
U/7/6U
T75
1,200
20
2U0
180
1:1
B17
Lt to
Cloudy with no
800
T7U
mod.
significant ¦
300
60
Bl8
W
rain
2,500
25
620
110
6:1
B21
8,1*00
hS
3,800
360
11:1
T77
6,600
35
2,300
300
8:1
B32
2,U00
5
120
70
2:1
T80
51,000
25
12,500
U60
27:1
T8l
58,000
ho
23,000
630
36:1
T82
71,000
hS
32,000
550
58:1
B33
2U,000
25
6,000
U90
12:1
U/8/6U
T75
10,000
30
3,000
290
10:1
B17
li,100
15
615
hO
15:1
T7U
Cloudy with
8,300
10
830
120
7:1
Blfl
Mod.
light rain and
5,900
25
1,500
20
75:1
B21
W
winds up to
6,600
35
2,300
hO
57:1
T77
20 knots
6,300
50
3,150
hO
79:1
B32
Flow is out-
1,000
8
80
10
8:1
T80
ward at T7U
53,000
50
26,500
8U0
32:1
T8l
and T77
35,000
20
7,000
900
8:1
T82
31,000
U5
lh,000
750
22:1
B33
1
Uo,ooo
10
14,000
8U0
5:1
-------
TABLE 27-VI.
RESULTS OF BACTERIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF STERLING STATE
PARK BATHING BEACHES APRIL - MAY, 196U (CONTINUED)
Gen.
Wind
Current
Direction
off
Remarks |
and 1
. Weather
Total j
Coliform
Concentration
Fecal Coliforms
Fecal
Strep
Ratio
F. Col.
Date
st&»
Dir.
Park
Observations
Organisms/lOOml
Percent
Per 100ml
Org/lOGnl
F.Strep.
U/13/6U
T75
B17
T7li
Bl8
B21
T77
B32
T80
T8l
T82
B21
Strong
S
N
Cloudy with
wind gusts up
to 30 knots.
No significant
rain for prev-
ious 3 days.
" 11,000
83,000
95,000
106,000
190,000
95,000
110,000
132,000
92,000
U5,000
380,000
5
5
5
15
25
20
25
5
10
30
5
550
M5o
U,750
16,000.
U7,500
19,000
27,500
6,500
9,200
13,500
19,000
50
210
170
290
310
210
370
U60
780
dho
250
11
17
28
55
153
90
75
Hi
12
16
76
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
U/UU/6U
B21
Strong
S
No sign rain
for last k
days
88,000
5
U,Uoo
100
Uli:l
U/15/6U
B21
Mod
W
No rain
220,000
10
22,000
10
2200:1
h/l6/6h
B21
Mod
SSE
No rain
l,0li0,000
10
ioU,ooo
270
385:1
U/20/6U
T75
B17
T7h
B18
B21
T77
T82
T8l
Mod
E
NE
to
SE
Cloudy with
light rain.
Currents on
north edge
of Park
tended to go
NE while on
the southern
edge they
f 0\C*MVa0^HUj
SO <>0
* ^ ^ V* *« >« ««
88888088
00000000
10
10
5
5
5
5
5
10
3,300
1,000
3,250
2,600
800
2,000
3,300
U,900
3U0
70
100
Uo
30
60
270
350
9:1
lii:l
32:1
65:1
27:1
33:1
12:1
lli:l
-------
TABLE 27-VI. RESULTS OF BACTERIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION' OF STERLING STATE
PARK BATHING BEACHES APRIL - MAY, 196U (CONTINUED)
Date
Sta.
Gen.
Wind
Dir.
Current
Direction
off
Park
Remarks
and
Weather
Observations
Total
Coliform
nonepntTva "hi on
Fecal Coliforms
Fecal
Strep
Org/lOQnl
Ratio
F. Col.
F.Strep.
v uiiv cii wi a uxvii
brganisms/lOOml
Percent
Per lOOnl
U/20/6U
T82
tended to go
8U,000
10
8,U00
260
32:
1
(cont.)
B33
i
SE. Winds
71,000
10
7,100
180
ao:i
ranged up to
,
18 knots
U/21/6U
T75
Moderate rain
2U,000
5
1,200
U80
3
l
B17
E
SE
in morning.
lii,000
10
1,1x00
50
28
1
T7U
to
to
Winds 5 to 10
7,000
5
350
ho
9
l
Bl8
SE
NE
knots shifting
18,000
10
1,800
ao
a5
1
B21
from E to SE.
11,000
10
1,100
20
55
l
T77
No significant
12,000
5
600
10
60
1
T80
rain in prev-
180,000
15
27,000
6U0
a2
l
T01
ious two days.
122,000
5
6; 100
910
7
1
T82
Currents south-
160,000
15
21,000
1,180
20
l
erly except for
north edge of
park.
U/22/6U
T75
10,800
25
2,1*50
200
12
1
B17
7,300
7
500
60
8
l
T7U
Mod.
75%¦ Sky
18,000
5
900
ao
22
1
Blfl
WSW
NE
cover. Winds
22,000
15
3,300
ao
82
l
B21
blowing from
32,000
10
3,200
ao
80
1
T77
10 to 20 knots.
83,000
10
8,300
iao
59
l
.
B32
No rain. Flow
16,000
25
1,000
100
ao
1
T80
is outward at
88,000
, 35
31,000
aso
65
1
T8l
T77 and T7U on
120,000
25
30,000
5oo
60
1
T82
this date which
117,000
35
ill, 000
1,260
33
1
B33
is unusual.
2,000
10
200
ao
5
1
-------
TABLE
27-VI. RESULTS OF BACTERIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF STERLING STATE
PARK BATHING BEACHES APRIL - MAY, 196U (CONTINUED)
Current
Direction
off
Park
Date
Sta,
Gen.
Wind
Dir.
Remarks
and
Weather
Observations
Total
Coliform
Concentration
*
Fecal Coliforms
Org/lOChil
Ratio
F. Col.
F. Strep
V W i k w w • ¦ V* X VL VX w 1 1
Drgan i sm s /lOQm 1
Percent
Per 100ml
3,800
25
950
180
5:1
21$%. Sky
ii,800
20
960
20
U8:l
cover. Winds
1,800.
15
720
10
72:1
blowing at
7,800
5
390
10
39:1
5-10 knots.
5,100
10
510
10
51:1
3,100
30 -
930
10
93:1
5,500
10
550
10
55:1
No rain
h2,000
15
6,li00
7120
9:1
58,000
20
10,600
kho
2liil
58,000
iiO
23,000
1,3U0
17:1
h9,000
15
7,2*00
60
123:1
Cloudy with
5,000
20
1,000
10
100:1
rain, wind
62,000
9
5,600
(
620
9:1
7-10 knots
Partly cloudy
39,000
10
1
3,900 ;
60
65:1
Wind 2-h knots
2U,000
i
Cloudy with
11^,000
520
Wind 8 knots
10,000
20
2,000
20
100:1
35,000
10
89,000
5
U.Uoo
320
lli:l
116,000
5
5,800
I,l2i0
5:1
109,000
5
5,Uoo
1,280
U:1
Rain; wind
72,000
5
3,600
260
1U:1
6-8 knots
h/23/6h
CD
§ 1/21M
U/28/6U
U/29/6U
Ii/30/6U
T7 5
B17
T7U
B18
B21
T77
B32
T80
T8l
T82
B33
B21
T80
B21
T75
B17
B18
B21
T80
T81
T82
B21
Ltc
SE
NNE
Lt.'
ESE
Lt,
S
Lt.
S
N -
N-
N
Lt.
ENE
-------
TABLE 27-VI. RESULTS OF BACTERIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF STERLING STATE
PARK BATHING BEACHES APRIL - MAT, l$6h (CONTINUED)
Date
Sta.
Gen.
Wind
Dir.
Current !
Direction
off
Park
Remarks
and
Weather
Observations
Total !
Coliform !
Concentration
Organisms/lOOrnl
Fecal Coliforms
Fecal
Strep
Org/lOOml
Ratio
F. Col.
F. Strep
Percent
Per lOOnl
5AM
B21
11,000
10
1,100
100 |
11:1
S/S/6U
T75
5,900
5
290
80
U:1
B17
Lt«
Mostly fair
1,000
10
. 100
10 • !
IOj
1
T7li
SE
SE
with wind
5,000
-
-
20 '
B18
5-10 m.p.h.
600
-
-
10
B21
Flow at ex-
2,100
10 1
210
10
21:1
T77
treme north
900
10
90
10
9:
1
B32
end of Park
U,Uoo
5 j
220
10
22:
1
was northerly
5/6/6U
B21
Lt.
NE
Mostly fair
1,300
6
80
100
0.8:1
SE
with about
10 m.p.h.
-•
winds
5/7/6U
T75 '
3,800
10
380
160
2
1
B17
Mod
31,000
10
3,100
10
310
1
T7U
SSW
N
Fair skies
7,100
10
710
10
71
1
B18
with no rain
26,000
10
2,600
10
260
1
B2I
for several
31,000
10
3,100
10
310
1
T77
days
39,000
10
3,900
10
390
1
B32
5U,000
10
5,Uoo
10
3h0
1
T80
86,000
10
8,600
70
122
1
T8l
250,000
10
25,000
300
83
1
T82
360,000
10
36,000
3U0
106
1
B33
63,000
5
3,100
UO
77
1
-------
TABLE 27-VI. RESULTS OF BACTERIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF STERLING STATE
PARK BATHING BEACHES APRIL - MAT, 196U (CONTINUED)
Date
Sta.
Gen.
Wind
Dir.
Current
Direction
off
Park
1 Remarks
I and
Weather
Observations
Total
Coliform
Concentration
)rganisms/l00ml
Fecal
Soliforms
Fecal
Strep
Org/lOOml
Ratio
F. Col.
F. Strep
Percent
Per lOftul
S/8/6U
T75
Lt
1
Thunderstorm
77,000
5
3,800
5,500
0.7
1
B17
to
passed through
U7,000
5
2,300
100
23
1
T7U
mod
N
the area about
8U,000
5
U,200
¦ 100
1*2
1
B18
S
six hours be-
66,000
5
3,300
100
-33
1
B21
fore sampling.
120,000
5
6,000
100
60
1
T77
Winds during
75,000
5 •
3,800
100
38
1
B32
sampling were
U5,ooo
5
2,300
100
23
1
T80
about 10-12
320,000
5
16,000
100
160
1
T8l
m.p.h.
1*00,000
5
20,000
100
200
1
T82
U70,000
5
23,000
100
230
1
B33
1,300
10
130
100
1
1
-------
resumed late in October, the water quality was borderline, and during the
latter part of November the results showed that the bacteriological counts
were very high.
The quality of the water at Sterling State Park throughout the survey
conducted during April and the first week of May 196^> was poor. The highest
coliform count encountered in the surveys was observed on April 16, when the
coliform concentration at its southern end was l,Oto,000 per 100 ml. Coliform
counts in both the Raisin River on the southern end of the park and in Sandy
Creek at River Road on the northern end of the park were, with only one or
two exceptions, always in the five and six-figure range. Winds throughout the
survey periods were observed from all quadrants, and the currents off the
park travelled in both southerly and northerly directions. Currents at the
mouth of Sandy Creek were flowing upstream and subsequently into the paper
mills' intake on all but tiro times when observed during the sampling periods.
Winds were moderate from the west on these 2 days, and the lake level was
falling. Current in the Raisin River was observed during sampling to be
flowing in or out about an equal number of times.
In summarizing the results, the values for the total coliforms at
Sterling State Park ranged from less than 20 to l,0k0,000 per 100 ml. At times,
the per cent fecal coliforms of the total coliform count approached 90,
indicating the severity of the potential health hazard.
By contrast, the quality of water in Lake Erie offshore from Sterling
State Park and in the Brest Bay area was markedly improved and was of adequate
quality to serve as a source of water for domestic supply, as well as meet
the requirements for swimming purposes. It is evident from Figure 1-VI that
83-VI
-------
the poorer quality of water was found adjacent to the shoreline and a much
improved quality of water was found in the Lake Erie water. The effect of
the Detroit River on the bacteriological quality in Lake Erie is found
generally not to extend below Stony Point, clearly indicating its minor role
in the quality of water on the beaches adjacent to Sterling State Park.
Although high concentrations of coliform organisms at the Sterling State
Park beaches are of chief concern and were the cause of the posting of the
beach as unsafe for swimming, other water quality problems exist. One
particularly distressing condition during the summer months is caused by the
washing up on shore of floating, decaying organic material, thus further
impairing the recreational value of this beach. This obnoxious material is
the result of the deposition of settleable solids near the mouth of the Raisin
River in waters devoid of dissolved oxygen because of the discharge of large
quantities of oxygen-demanding vastes into this river. The settled material
or sludge decays, and under anaeobic condition, rises to the surface in a
putrefied condition and floats out into Lake Erie and onto the bathing beach.
Fecal streptococcus counts on samples taken in the waters off the park
during the 196^ survey were low, ranging from 10 per 100 ml to 8^0 per 100 ml.
Counts in the Raisin River, although higher, were still relatively low. The
highest count in the river during the survey was 1,3^0 per 100 ml. Fecal
streptococcus counts in Sandy Creek reached a high of 5*5°0 Per 100 ml on
May 8, when the creek wa6 carrying the runoff of an early morning thunder-
storm.
Although the per cent fecal coliform of total coliform was generally
below 20 per cent, the fecal coliform counts were over 1,000 per 100 ml on
the majority of occasions. In addition, the ratio of fecal coliforms to
8U-VI
-------
fecal streptococcus at Sterling State Park and Detroit Beach was usually
high, reaching a level in excess of 1,000:1 on one occasion. Recent research
studies have shown that when the ratio of fecal coliforms to fecal strepto-
coccus exceeds 2:1, the fecal bacteria have a human origin. Thus it is
apparent that despite the fact that the majority of the coliforms in the
waters at Sterling State Park were non-fecal during the I96U survey, the
remaining fecal "bacteria are from a human origin and in high enough popula-
tions to cause a definite health hazard i-
It is apparent that all of the sources of pollution can have some
bearing on the water quality under a given set of conditions. Consequently,
improvement a in the water quality will result only after a general improve-
*
ment in the treatment of wastes of the communities discharging to the Brest
Bay area.
Sources of Pollution
In the Brest Bay area there are a number of sources of pollution which
have the potential of affecting the water quality of the beaches in Sterling
State Park. The relative importance of each as a source of pollution depends
on a number.of factors, which is discussed in a subsequent section.
North of Sterling State Park there are a number of uneewered communities
which rely on septic tank method of disposal, the liquid products of which
may indirectly find their way to drainage ditches and thereafter be dischar<
ged into Lake Erie by gravity or by stormwater pumping stations. Although
the flow volume from these communities is small, because of the limited :
degree
85-VI
-------
of treatment provided, the concentration of pollutants can be excessively high.
In some instances shorefront homes discharge 6eptic tank effluent directly into
the lake. Homes not on shorefront property use septic tank disposal systems
and the effluent is discharged to absorption tiles* The effectiveness of thi6
method of disposal depends on the absorption characteristics of the soil and
the ground -water level. Also, some absorption tile fields are directly con-
nected to drainage ditches or storm sewers to be discharged into Lake Erie.
A storm water collection system carries the water to sumps and is discharged
intermittently to Lake Erie at storm water pumping stations.
Several storm pumps located in the Detroit Beach area directly north of
Sterling State Park were_ sampled to determine the quality of -water discharged
Most of the pumps discharge intermittently only during rainy periods;
consequently, only a limited number of samples were obtained. The results
are tabulated in Table 28-VI and show that the bacteriological quality of
their discharge was poor on most occasions. The pump located on the southern
edge of Detroit Beach. (see Figure 19-VI) operated in both wet and dry veather
Coliform results ranged from 7^+0 .>000 during a rain to 6,000 during dry
veather. Other pumping stations showed coliform counts ranging from 780,000
to 116,000. Fecal coliform percentage for all stations never exceeded 15
per cent and the fecal streptococcus figures ranged from a low of 210 to a
high of 49,000.
Another potential source of pollution results from the wastes of seven
major industries and the domestic waste from the City of Monroe, all of which
discharge into the Raisin. River. The Raisin River discharges into Lake Erie
approximately 1. mile south of the Sterling State Park area.
86-71
-------
TABLE 28-VI. RESULTS OF BACTERIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION
OF OVERFLOW FROM STORM PUMPING STATIONS
NEAR STERLING STATE PARK
Total Coliform Fecal Colifonn Fecal Strep
Date Sta. Organ Isms/lOOtnl Organisms/lOOml Organisms/lOOml
1961*
3/25 PI 780,000 39,000 18,000
P3 160,000 2b,000 29,000
P5 71*0,000 37,000 1*8,000
l*/6 P5 107,000 5,300 220
U/7 P5 5U,ooo 5,hoo 1,000
1*/13 . P5 6,000 - 210
a/21 P5 86,000 U,300 11,81*0
U/23 P5 116,000 17, 1*00 5,960
U/29 PI 1*10,000 20,500 1*8,000
P2 170,000 17,000 1*1,200
P5 63,000 3,150 9,Uoo
5/7 P3 1*90,000 U9,000 1,730
5/6 P3 i;00,000 1*0,000 1*1*, 800
87-VI
-------
The City of Monroe provides primary treatment and the effluent is chlori-
nated from approximately the middle of May to the middle of September.
Surveys show that during chlorination it is possible to reduce the coliforms
in the effluent to a level le6s than 10 per 100 ml. Without chlorination,
effluent coliform values were as high as 110,000,000,per, 100 ml. Flow through
the plant usually ranges from 2 to 6 MGD. The collection system is capable
of carrying 16 MGD to the sewage treatment plant. It is necessary to bypass
during period® of excessive rainfall, resulting in the discharge of polluted
storm water to the river.
The Raisin River receives the waste waters from the paper industries in
Monroe. In terms of BOD loading, the vastes discharged have a population
equivalent of approximately 225,000 persons. Sampling surveys were made to
determine the bacteriological quality of the influent and effluent waters
from the following paper mills:
Consolidated Paper Company - North Side Division
Consolidated Paper Company - South Side Division
Monroe Paper Products Company
Union Bag Company - River Raisin Division
The results of these surveys are tabulated separately in Table 29-VI.
Consolidated Paper Company - North Side Division. The results indicated
a twofold to over a hundredfold increase in total coliforms in the effluent,
as compared to intake water. The effluent values ranged from 2Ji-,000 to
3,500,000 total coliform per 100 ml. Fecal coliform counts experienced
increases in excess of one thousandfold with total per cent fecal coliform
approaching 50 per cent in the effluent, as compared to 10 per cent fecal
coliform in the influent. The fecal streptococcus counts increased to a
greater extent with effluent counts ranging up to 15,700.
8 8-VI
-------
TABLE 29-VI. SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION
OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE SOURCES NEAR STERLING
STATE PARK. APRIL - MAY, 196U
Geometric Mean Concentrations
InduB try-
Estimated
Discharge
(MOD)
Total
Coliforms
Org/lOOml
Fecal
Coliforms
Org/lOOml
Fecal Strep
Org/lOOml
Effluent
Consolidated Paper Co.
South Plant
North Plant
7.0
1.0
219,000
215,000
17,600
U2,300
630
5,520
Monroe Paper Products
2.2
3,370,000
130,000
5,630
Mason Run
(Consolidated North
& Union Bag)
11.0
98,000
18,000
1,0U0
Weighted Mean Effluent
Samples
21.2 (total)
U8U,000
92,800
1,570
Influent
•
Consolidated Paper Co.
-
Hi,600 .
1,800
56
Monroe Paper Products "j
I
-
1,570
100
80
89-VI
-------
Consolidated Paper Company - South Side Division. A comparison of the
influent and effluent samples shows a twofold to almost a hundredfold increase
in coliforms as the water passes through the plant. On one instance, there
was a reduction in coliforms. The highest count in the effluent for this
plant was 570,000 and the lowest was 33*000. Fecal coliforms for "both influen'
and effluent were usually in the 5 to 10 per cent range. Fecal streptococcus
counts were low but showed a significant increase in the effluent as, compared
to the influent.
Monroe Paper Products Company. The plant is located on the western edge
of Monroe and has a water intake on the Raisin River. The results from this
plant show that it produces the greatest "bacteriological degradation of the
paper mills. The lowest coliform count observed in the effluent was 100,000
and the highest was 23,700,000 per 100 ml. Influent quality was much "better
than this with one value of only 100 per 100 ml. Fecal streptococcus couiits
as well as per cent fecal figures show a marked increase for the water passing
through the plant.
Mason Run. Mason Run discharges to the Raisin River and receives the
waste effluents from Consolidated Paper Company, North Division and the Union
Bag Company. Results of the survey revealed coliform counts ranging from
3,000 to 5'^OjOOO with the per cent fecal values ranging from 5 to 60. Fecal
streptococcus values ranged from 100 to 6,700 per 100 ml.
Several tributaries are located near Sterling State Park in the Brest
Bay area, all of which are potential sources of pollution which may effect
the water quality on the beaches. The major tributary is the Raisin River,
90-VI
-------
which receives the effluents cited in the foregoing discussion. The water
quality at the mouth of the Raisin River, in terms of coliform organisms, is
generally poor throughout the year and has an average annual discharge of
approximately TOO cubic feet per second. The reaoh of the river from the dam
nearest to the mouth of the river has a low hydraulic gradient, and the water
level in the river is influenced by the level of the water in Lake Erie. .
Consequently, water quality at the mouth of the Raisin River -will be quite
variable, depending upon the changes in water level in Lake Erie. The flow
in the Raisin River may be reversed briefly during those periods when the
water level in Lake Erie is rising. The colifonn counts ranged from less
than 100 to Ul0,000 per 100 ml.
Other tributaries that discharge into Lake Erie and are potential sources
of pollution, both as a result of discharges of waste to the streams without
treatment as. well as runoff from land areas following rainfall, are Sandy
Creek, Stony Creek, and a small boat inlet. In addition, the Detroit River
discharges into Lake Erie and was considered as a potential source of pollu-
tion to the shoreline area..
Sandy Creek discharges into Lake Erie at the northern edge of Sterling
State Park, and for this reason its flow could easily influence the water
quality of the shoreline adjacent to the park. Observation of the direction
of flow at the mouth of the creek shows that it is influenced by the pumpage
of water into the nearby Ford Motor Company and paper mill intakes and water
level changes in Lake Erie. Approximately 2^5 acres of backwater area are
affected by water level changes in Lake Erie. On many occasions the flow at
the mouth of the creek was reversed, indicating that the intake punrpage
91-VI
-------
exceeded the creek flow. Samples taken at the creek at River Road during
1963 and I96U.show that Its "bacteriological quality was usually poor. Coli-
form counts ranged from a low of 300 to a high of 310,000. During the spring
of 196k, many of the physical indications of raw sewage were also observed,
in the stream.
Stony Creek and a small boat harbor about 1,500 feet south of the mouth
of Stony Creek, both located north of the Detroit Beach area, enter the Lake
about one and one-half miles north of the park. Stony Creek sampled at River
Road had colifoim counts ranging from a low of 360 to a high of 32,060 during
the 1963 sampling season. In 19^4, coliform values in Stony Creek ranged .
from a low of 1,800 to a high of 7,k00. Coliform counts at the mouth of the
boat harbor ranged from a low of 800 to a high of 60,000. ELow from the
harbor is negligible except during heavy rains and seiche action.
The Detroit River discharges into Lake Erie approximately 9-5 miles
north and 9.6 miles east of Sterling State Park. The water quality of the
Detroit River near the mouth has been summarized in Figures 1-V through 12-V.
Factors Influencing Water Quality
Currents. There are numerous meteorological and hydrological factors
which will determine the relative importance of these various sources on
Bhoreline water quality. The shoreline currents and current patterns within >
Brest Bay on Lake Erie are influenced to a great extent by wind movement,
water level changes, and seiche effects - all of which are instrumental in
the transportation of the potential pollutants to the beach sites.
92-VI
-------
Current observations were made at three points along Sterling State
Park "beach in April and May 1964. Dye was placed in the crater at about the
2-foot depth and its direction and velocity of movement observed on In-
different days and under a variety of v/ind conditions.
The direction of water movement is influenced primarily by wind friction
but is modified in both direction and velocity at the inshore areas along the
beach. Sterling State Park has a typical sandy beach with constantly changing
bar patterns running in random fashion both parallel and perpendicular to the
shoreline. At each end of the beach a pier extends into the lake about 200
feet, which tends to deflect the current movements alongshore. Seiche action
on Lake Erie is practically continuous, and when the surface level is changing
the nearshore water shows considerable movement shoreward or lakeward. These
factors introduce components affecting the direction of movement of water, in
the immediate inshore area. Some variable directions due to local effects
were found under all wind conditions, but it was observed that the general
pattern of flow was evident from the inshore stations studied. The winds
from easterly quadrants cause onshore i/at'er movements resulting in variable
'' v
movements and no distinct patterns of northward or southward alongshore
currents were evident.
During the survey, southerly winds resulted in northerly current movements
along the beach, and westerly winds resulted in northerly current movements
along the beach. Northwesterly winds resulted in mostly southerly current
movements, and northerly winds did not occur during the survey period but
would likely result in southerly currents.
93-VI
-------
In order to expand the survey data to give an Indication of the per cent
of time the currents could be expected to jnove water from the south or from
the north to the Sterling State Park beach, a comparison was made with long-
term wind data. The nearest available station record is at Grosse lie, as
shown in U.S. Weather Bureau Technical Paper 35> "Climatology and Weather
Services, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway."
The general trend of current movements and related winds observed during
the survey in April and May 13Gb was compared to the per cent of time the wind
blows from certain directions on a monbhly and annual basis as shown in the
U.S. Weather Bureau publication. For the 10-month ice-free period (March
through December) the water could be expected to move along the beach in a.
northerly direction about ^5 per cent of the time, in a southerly direction
about 20 per cent of the time, and be variable and unpredictable about 35
per cent of the time.
In June, July, and August when beach use would be at its maximum, norther!
moving currents can be expected about kO per cent of the time, southerly
currents about 15 per cent of the time, and variable and unpredictable about
U5 per cent of the time, including about 15 per cent of the time when calm
conditions could be expected.
The water movements in northerly direction create a potential problem
from Raisin River water, and in a southerly direction a potential problem from
storm pumps, tributaries, and other sources to the north of the park. Variabl<
movements create a potential hazard from either direction. T./hether or not the
problem condition materializes depends on other factors such as rainfall,
runoff, and seiche action which would introduce the pollutant into the moving
mass of lake water.
9U-VI
-------
Rainfall. Rainfall has an effect on three potential sources of pollution
in the Sterling State Park area. These are: (l) the storm-water punrps from
the Detroit-Woodland Beach areas, (2) Sandy Creek, (3) the Raisin River.
These sources are discussed individually and jointly covering sampling results
during periods of rainfall.
Bacteriological results from random samples taken at stormwater pumping
Btations during the 19^4 survey show that they are definitely potential
sources of coliforms. The coliform counts as high as 780,000 per 100 ml were
found at the Woodland Beach pumping station during the storm of March 25 when
1.55 inches fell at the Toledo Airport. With the possible exception of the
storm water pumping station located on the southern edge of Detroit Beach, all
pump sites were usually dormant except during periods of rain.
Sandy Creek contains relatively high coliform counts during periods of
high runoff. The highest flow recorded in the Creek during the survey was
about 60 cfs on April 29, which was after thundershowers had passed through
the area. Sandy Creek has a monthly dry weather flow of approximately 5 cfs.
The coliform count in the creek on April 29 was 24,000 per 100 ml. Another
period of relatively high runoff occurred on May 8, when the flow reached
about .20 cfs and the coliform count was 77*000 per 100 ml. No records of the
direction of flow at the mouth of the creek were taken on these dates. The
direction of flow at the mouth will depend on industrial intake, lake water
level changes, and the flow rate in Sandy Creek.
The Raisin River was found to be in a continual state of gross pollution,
but the highest coliform counts in the river occurred after the rain of May 8.
The highest counts during this date reached 470,000 per 100 ml. The Raisin
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River receives a significant load of pollution from storm water overflows,
"but because of its polluted state both "before and after a rain, it is
discussed specifically in the section on the Raisin River.
During the 196^ survey, the first rainfall occurred on April 21, when a
moderate rain fell in the morning. Samples were collected the day of the
rain as well as on the preceding and following days. The coliform counts at
Detroit Beach, which would "be most affected by the storm water pumping,
increased from a high count of 10,000 per 100 ml on the day before the rain
to 1^,000 per 100 ml on the day of the rain; the next 2 days' counts showed
a drop of about 50 per cent each day. Tbe Sterling State Park sampling station
closest to Detroit Beach showed a decrease in coliform count during the day
of the rain with a slight increase on the following day, and then a further
decrease on the next day. Currents off the park were southerly on the day
of the rain as well as the preceding date. Currents at the mouth of Sandy
Creek were upstream, and because of this, the potential effects on the park
of bacterial pollution from the Detroit-Uoodland Beach area were probably
lessened due to the fact that oome of the polluted lake water was drawn into
the creek.
Rain occurred on April 27, 28, 29, and 30, but complete sampling of the
park area only occurred on April 29. Results on this date show coliform counts
of 1^,000 per 100 ml at Detroit Beach just north of the mouth of Sandy Creek,
and 10,000 per 100 ml at Sterling State Park just south of the mouth of this
creek. The flow in Sandy Creek was up to 60 cfs on April 29. The direction
of flow at the mouth of the creek was not noted at this time, but it is quite
possible that with a runoff like this the flow was outward. Currents off
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the park were northerly at this time and -trould therefore tend to move
effluent from Sandy Creek northward towards Detroit Beach.
A thunderstorm passed through the area early the morning of May 8.
Results from samples taken on this day shov high coliform counts on all "beach
stations, decreasing in magnitude at stations farther from the mouth of the
Raisin River. The coliform count at Detroit Beach on this date was bj,000
per 100 ml, which was exceeded on one other occasion during the survey. Since
the lake currents were northerly and "because the direction of flov from Sandy
Creek was not noted, it is difficult to tell if the high count weis due to
pollution from Sandy Creek or the Raisin River.
Following a rain Sandy Creek arid the Detroit-Woodland Beach pump houses
are potential sources of pollution, in addition to the ever present pollutional
aspects of the Raisin River. If the lake currents opposite the "beaches are
northerly, . as it was during the rains of April 29 and May 8, pollution from
the above sources, excluding the Raisin River, would probably be swept north-
ward and have little effect on the park. If the current is southerly after a
rain and Sandy Creek has a positive discharge to the lake, the pollution from
the Detroit-Woodland Beach area and the creek would be enough to cause serious
contamination of the waters off Sterling State Park.
Raisin River. The discharge of pollution into Lake Erie from the Raisin
River depends on the flow rate and estuary effects in the lower reach of the
river. Calculations show that a drop in water level of 1 foot in 6 hours would
require an average outflow of 265 cfs from storage in the lower reach of the
river. The total flow at the mouth of the river would be equal to the sum of
the calculated amount," the river flow and industrial flow. In 19^3 the
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discharge from the river, measured at a U.S. Geological Survey gaging station
treet of Monroe, averaged 6k and k6 cfs for the months of July and August
respectively, as compared to 1,206 cfs for the month of March. It is evident
that the flow direction and quantity in the Raisin River at the mouth will
depend on water level changes in Lake Erie and river flow rates.
The Monroe Sewage Treatment Plant chlorinates the effluent discharged to
the river during the summer months. Samples taken at the mouth of the river
throughout the year, however, show that the counts do not drop noticeably
during this period. This is not to say that the chlorination is not effective
because the counts would be much higher in the summer if chlorination were not
practiced.
Coliform counts in the Raisin River were without exception extremely
high throughout the entire 196^ survey during the months of April and May.
The counts ranged from a high of Vf0,000 per 100 ml on May 8 following a heavy
rain to a low of 31*000 per 100 ml on April 8. It is estimated that the flow
during the survey period averaged about 700 cfs, including the industrial
effluents.
The high coliforai counts in the river are caused by two primary sources.
The first is domestic Bewage which enters the river from the Monroe Sewage
Treatment Plant outfall and storm water bypassing; the second is paper mill
effluent which comes from four paper mills located in the City of Monroe.
Flow in the sewage treatment plant during dry weather runs from 2 to 6 MGD.with
effluent coliform counts ranging from 13,000,000 to 110,000,000 organisms per
100 ml during the non-chlorination. season. Combined flow from the paper mills
totals about 21 MGD with coliform counts up to 23> 700,000 per 100 ml. The
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geometric mean total coliform concentration of the effluent from all the
mills, taking into consideration the flows from each plant, is only 4U0,000
organisms per 100 ml, however. During an industrial waste survey conducted
during August 19^3 the corresponding geometric mean coliform concentration
for these sources adjusted to flow was 553^000 organisms per 100 ml. Thus
the Monroe Sewage Treatment Plant is the major source of coliform bacteria
in the Raisin River during the non-chlorination season. On the other hand,
during the chlorination season (June through September) results from other
investigations indicate the greatest source of coliform organisms to "be the
paper mills along the Raisin River, with the Consolidated Paper Company-
South Plant the most significant contributor during the April 196h period and
the Monroe Paper Products the greatest contributor in August 19&3- If
efficient chlorination were not practiced during the recreation season, the
counts in the Raisin River could easily become much higher. During periods
v
of high runoff a mixture of storm water and raw sewage is bypassed at the '
Monroe Sewage Treatment Plant with minimum chlorination only. It is estimated
that coliform counts of the bypassed sewage during the summer ;rauld be in
excess of 1,000,000 organisms per 100 ml. The bypassing of several million
gallons of combined sewage to the river will contribute significantly to the
bacterial degradation of the Raisin River.
Samples taken from the paper mills, sewage treatment plant, and the river
itself, therefore, show that the river is a high potential source of bacterial
contamination of the waters of Sterling State Park. When the river flows
into the lake and the lake currents are flowing in a northerly direction, the
coliform from the river will be in waterB adjacent to the park. During the
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1964 survey these conditions were met the majority of the time. Bacteriologi-
cal results on many occasions verified th$ fact that the pollution was
reaching the park from the river. To illustrate* on April 13 a strong southerl
wind was blowing and the currents off the beach were moving to the north.
Coliform counts at the southern end of the park closest to the river were
190,000 per 100 ml. At the northern end of the park the counts were 106,000
per 100 m],. and at Detroit Beach to the north of the park the counts were
83,000 per 100 ml. The counts became generally lower as the distance from
the river increased. Samples taken midway between the Raisin River and the
park were only 110,000 per 100 ml, which does not fit the general pattern,
but this station on several occasions showed lower results than were found, to
the north or south of it: apparently water movement in this area is restric-
ted and the flow from the river eddies around it.
On April 22 the winds were blowing moderately from the vest-southwest
and the flow patterns in the lake were in a northerly direction. Coliform'
counts at the southern end of the park were 32,000 per 100 ml; at the
northern end 22,000 per 100 ml; and at Detroit Beach 7>3°0 per 100 ml. Thus
\
a similar pattern results when the water movement in the lake is in a norther]
direction. A definitive pattern could not be established on the days that
the currents offshore from the park were in a southerly direction.
Throughout the survey, the winds were primarily from the two southern
quadrants. Since the prevailing direction of wind in this area throughout
the year is from these quadrants, it may be expected that the effluent from
the Raisin River will be a constant threat to Sterling State Park.
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Sandy Creek. Although Sandy Creek has teen shown to carry a significant
amount of pollution, stream gage readings indicate that its flow becomes small
e
during the summer months. In the spring its flow from runoff was in excess
of 50 cfs at times and pould have a definite^ effect on the beaches if wind
conditions are favorable. The flow in Sandy Creek at the mouth is upstream
much of the time because of the water usage at the Pord Motor Company and
paper mill water intakes. The reverse flow pattern tends to diminish the
effects of the creek as a source of pollution on the beach water quality.
Sandy Creek, therefore, probably had little pollutional effect throughout
the summer and fall because of its low flow.
Summary of Findings
1. The water quality of beach waters in the Brest Bay area is primarily
affected by local sources of pollution rather than the Detroit River.
2. Based on the current studies, bacteriological data, meteorological
reports, and hydrological data, the Raisin River is the primary cause of
beachwater pollution at Sterling State Park.
3. Wind-driven water currents can be expected to move along the beach
in a northerly direction U5 per cent of the time, in a southerly direction
20 per cent of the time, and variable and unpredictable about 35 per cent
of the time when the lake is free of ice cover.
4. When water currents move along the beach in a northerly direction
(a phenomenon expected to occur '+5 per cent of the time) the effect of the
Raisin River is evident at the park beach. YJhen the currents move in a
southerly direction overflow from storm pumping stations, polluted tributarie
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and shorefront homes north of Sterling State Park have a dominant effect on
sanitary water quality at the "beaches.
5. Generally the water quality, measured in terms of coliform and fecal
streptococci organisms, at the lake stations opposite Brest Bay were of
satisfactory quality for swimming purposes. The bacteriological quality of
water representing "beach waters adjacent to Sterling State Park were un-
acceptable at times for swimming purposes and the quality varied cpnsiderab]
6. The Raisin River is highly polluted with coliform bacteria through-
out the year, with the primary sources being the paper mills in the Monroe
area, and the Monroe. Sewage Treatment Plant. The predominant effect
originates from industrial sources during summer months (June through Sep-
tember) and from municipal sources during the remainder of the year.
7. Septic tank effluents enter Lake Erie directly to a limited extent
by waterfront homes in communities north of Sterling State Park, and to a
much greater extent indirectly by discharge to drainage ditches and storm
water collection systems. The pollution enters the lake intermittently during
periods of rainfall and runoff at storm water pumping stations.
8. Because of the high coliform counts experienced and the proximity
of the storm water pumping stations to the Sterling State Park area, the
discharge of polluted storm water constitutes a health hazard in their
immediate vicinity and the northern part of the park during heavy runoff.
The severity of this source as a health hazard to Sterling State Park depends
on prevailing currents along the shore of Lake Erie in Brest Bay.
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9. Sources of pollution above the Detroit-Woodland Beach areas, Stony
Creek, and a small boat inlet, have high coliform counts, but the volume of
flow is small and they are located approximately one and one-half miles
north of the park. Because of the prevailing currents and location, it is
believed that these sources affect the vater quality on local beaches rather
than the Sterling State Park area.
10. The waters of Sandy Creek pose a threat to the quality of vater on
the north end of the park. Because of the reverse flow of the creek at the
mouth resulting from vater withdrawal by several major industries, the effect
of this source of pollution on water quality at the park beaches is realized
only during periods of high runoff or during rapid fall of water level in
Lake Erie.
11. To improve the quality of water offshore from Sterling State Park,
primary consideration should be given to measures which will improve the
quality of water discharged to Lake Erie from the Raisin River. The lower
reach of the river is .in a continual state of gross pollution as evidenced
by the water quality in terms of bacteriological parameters.
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Recommendations
These recommendations will be repeated on a more specific
basis for each industry and municipality involved. The recom-
mendations listed here emphasize what is necessary to improve '
conditions at Sterling State Park and assure satisfactory
water quality there.
1. The Corisolidated Paper Company, Union Bag-Camp Paper
Company, and Monroe Paper Products Company should:
a. Immediately begin effective chlorination of
plant effluent to reduce bacterial concentrations
discharged to the Raisin River.
b. Immediately improve operation of existing
facilities to remove more effectively suspended
and especially settleable solids in their
effluent.
c. Provide holding basins for wastes discharged
during emergency bypass to prevent diversion of
this discharge to the Raisin River.
d. Construct additional secondary waste treat-
ment facilities capable of effectively reducing
suspended and dissolved organic solids and thus
reducing the BOD load discharges to the Raisin
River.
2. The Ford Motor Company should:
a. As soon as possible eliminate detectable
concentrations of cyanide from the plant effluent.
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b. Immediately begin effective chlorination of
the effluent from their sewage treatment plant.
c. Construct secondary treatment facilities for
their sewage.
3. The City of Monroe should:
a. Continue at a rapid pace their plan of
separating roof runoff from sanitary wastes to
prevent overloading municipal waste treatment
facilities following heavy rainfall.
b. Immediately expand chlorination of plant
effluent to the entire year.
c. Expand existing sewage treatment facilities
to provide,for secondary treatment capable of
further reducing suspended and dissolved organic
solids. Present operation of existing facilities
is outstanding from the standpoint of reduction
of BOD and suspended solids, and additional
facilities will be required to achieve increased
efficiency.
k. In the area north of Sterling State Park between
Sandy Creek and Stony Creek, measures should be taken
to eliminate direct and indirect discharge of sanitary
sewage to Lake Erie. All discharge of sanitary wastes
to the storm pumping stations should be eliminated.
Areas having improperly functioning septic tanks and
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direct discharge installations should be sewered and
the wastes transported to a sewage treatment plant,
providing complete treatment and chlorination.
5. The practice of allowing discharge of raw and
septic tank effluent to surface drains originating
in the suburban area outside the City of Monroe
should be discontinued. This material is discharged
into the Raisin River during heavy rainfall. The
area should be sewered with sanitary wastes transported
to a sewage treatment plant providing complete treat-
ment and chlorination.
The foregoing recommendations are listed in the order
of greatest importance in improving water quality at the
Sterling State Park so that this recreational area could
be more fully utilized in future years.
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Rooted Aquatic Vegetation Study
Rooted aquatic vegetation was observed in abundance during the simmer
of 196k along the shoreline of Crosse lie in the Detroit River and Lake
Erie. These prolific growths were pronounced this year primarily due to low
water levels. The waters off the shore are shallower, allowing greater
light penetration to Stimulate growth. This factor, coupled with warmer
summer temperature and an abundant supply of essential plant nutrients
(soluble phosphorus and Inorganic nitrogen) in the adjacent waters or bottom
muds, contributes to this problem.
Attached to the weed growths are massive colonies of midge larvae. Two
genera of rooted aquatic vegetation were observed - Potamogeton and
Vallisnepla, and intertwined among these rooted aquatics were growths of
the attached green algae, Cladophora and Hydrodictyon.
These growths are not only undesirable from the esthetic standpoint,
a
but also interfere with boating by fouling propellors. Later in the season
the vegetation will die and their decomposition, accompanied by strong odors,
will add to this undesirable situation.
The phenomenon was surveyed only in the last months of Project operation
and not incorporated into the regular Biology Section. Solutions to this
problem include control of water levels to inundate the shallow areas and
prevent growth or abatement of pollution from sources containing significant
amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen compounds.
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SPECIFIC INTERFERENCE WITH WATER USE
MICHIGAN LAKE ERIE
Water Supply
City of Monroe Water Intake
Pollution from the Detroit and Raisin Rivers appears to have little
affect on the chemical and bacterial quality of the municipal intake of the
3ity of Monroe. No other municipal intake is located in the Michigan waters
of Lake Erie. The increase in chloride concentration in the plant intake
from 30 to UO mg/l over the past U years is possibly indicative of future
problems and is caused primarily by the fringe effects of the dispersion of
the Trenton Channel into Lake Erie.
Algal growths caused water treatment problems before relocation of the
Intake to its present location. Algal blooms observed near the present site
give indication of problems in the very near future including taste and odors
and premature filler clogging. This phenomenon is accentuated by the dis-
charge of pollution in the form of phosphates and nitrogen compounds into the
Michigan Waters of Lake Erie from sources on the Detroit and Raisin Rivers.
Such pollution results in the high levels of inorganic nitrogen and soluble
phosphates indicative of difficulties with objectionable algal blooms. Al-
though no difficulties have been reported during interviews with operations
personnel levels of algae and nutrients indicate problems should exist now.
Industrial Water Supply
There is no evidence of interference with industrial water supply on
Lake Erie due to the effect of pollution. Extremely gross pollution in the
ftaisin River, a tributary to the lake, makes the lower few miles of the
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River undesirable as a source of municipal or industrial supply.
Recreation
Because of pollution, participation in water contact sports at or near
Lake Erie beaches near the mouth of the Detroit River is hazardous, and swim-
ming and water skiing in these areas represent a threat to the health'and
welfare of the participant.
The bathing beaches at the Sterling State Park, heavily used in fomer
years, were posted as unsafe for swimming by State authorities because of
pollution as evidenced by high coliform concentrations near the beaches.
Interference with use of this beach is also caused by the deposition on the
shore of floating, decaying material.
Accidental or intentional spills of oil and garbage, presumably from
vessels, have caused nuisances on other bathing beaches and impairing their
use.
Fish and Wildlife Propagation
Bottom conditions caused by pollution in much of the waters of Michigan
Lake Erie, represent unfavorable environmental conditions for the propagation
of a great variety of game fish and contribute to the interference with this
water use by limiting the variety in these areas to those species capable of
survival and propogation in polluted waters.
Project records contain accounts of fish kills in tributaries to Lake
Erie due to accidental spills of oil and toxic materials. During the past
li years no duck kills attributable to pollution habeen reported.
Heatey algae blooms and concentrations of attached biologic organisms
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due to pollution from sources high in phosphates, inorganic nitrogen compounds,
and organic matter represent an eminent potential interference with the prop-
agation of fish and wildlife in the Michigan waters of Lake Erie. Pollution
levels indicate advance stages of enrichment typical of a eutrophic body of
water although at this time, no interference with fish propagation due to
dissolved oxygen depletion imthe lower levels of the Michigan sector of the
lake was observed by Project personnel.
Navigation
Interference with navigation experienced at the mouth of the Raisin
River as it enters Lake Erie requires extensive annual dredging operations
by the Corps of Engineers to keep navigable water in use. This is caused
by the deposition of suspended solids at the mouth of the Raisin River, a
portion of which origin t«n in the discharge of several paper mills along
the river.
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