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LAKE ERIE
July,1965
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
Public Health Service
Division of Water Supply and Pollution Control
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PART 1 LAKE ERIE
I Summary of Conclusions and Recommendations 1
II Introduction 5
III Description of Area 5
IV Degradation of Lake Erie 17
V Waste Inputs to Lake Erie 24
VI Federal Installations 30
PART 2 TRIBUTARIES IN OHIO, INDIANA, AND MICHIGAN
I Introduction 51
II Maumee River Basin 52
III Western Ohio 71
IV Rocky River Basin 76
V Cuyahoga River Basin and Cleveland Lakefront 80
VI Eastern Ohio 89
VII Detroit River and Michigan Tributaries 97
PART 3 TRIBUTARIES IN PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW YORK
I Introduction 103
II Pennsylvania 104
III Western New York 110
IV Erie-Niagara 115
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Page Intentionally Blank
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Title Page
Part 1
III-l Lake Erie Locality Map 7
III-2 Lake Erie Bottom Deposits and Topography 8
III-3 Lake Erie Currents Generalized Surface Flow 11
III-4 Lake Erie Currents, Summer 1964 12
IV-1 Dissolved Oxygen, Bottom Waters, August 14-31, 22
1964
Part 2
II-l Maumee River Basin 53
III-l Western Ohio Basin 72
IV-1 Rocky River Basin 77
V-l Cuyahoga River Basin 81
VI-1 Eastern Ohio Basin 90
VII-1 Michigan Basin 98
Part 3
II-l Pennsylvania Basin 105
III-l Western New York Basin 111
IV-1 Erie-Niagara Basin 116
111
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Page Intentionally Blank
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LIST OF TABLES
Table Title Page
V-l Lake Erie Municipal Waste Treatment Facilities 35
¥-2 Industries in Lake Erie Basin Discharging Directly 40
to Public Waters
V-3 Industrial Wastes Discharged Directly to Lake- 43
Affected Portions of Rivers
V-4 Chloride Inputs to Lake Erie 47
V-5 Omitted
V-6 Suspended Solids Inputs to Lake Erie 48
V-7 Total Nitrogen Inputs to Lake Eire 49
V-8 Soluble Phosphate Inputs to Lake Erie 50
v
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Page Intentionally Blank
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I - SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusions
Lake Erie and its tributaries are polluted. The main body of
the Lake has deteriorated in quality at a rate many times greater
than its normal aging processes, due to inputs of pollution resulting
from the activities of man.
Identified pollutants contributing to damages to water uses in
Lake Erie are sewage and industrial wastes, oils, silts, sediment,
floating solids and nutrients (phosphates and nitrates). Enrichment
of Lake Erie, caused by man-made contributions of nutrient materials,
is proceeding at an alarming rate. Pollution in Lake Erie and its
tributaries causes significant damage to recreation, commercial
fishing, sport fishing, navigation, water supply, and esthetic values.
Eutrophication or over-fertilization of Lake Erie and the Maumee
River is of major concern. Problems are occuring along the lake
shoreline and at some water intakes from algal growths stimulated
by nutrients. Algal growths can be controlled, and" eutrophication
of Lake Erie can be retarded and perhaps even reversed by reducing
one or more nutrients below the level required for extensive growth.
Soluble phosphate is the one nutrient most amenable to reduction
or exclusion from Lake Erie and its tributaries. Present technology
is capable of removing a high percentage of soluble phosphates from
sewage at a reasonable cost.
More than three-fourths of the soluble phosphates reaching Lake
Erie are from municipal waste discharges; this includes some industrial
wastes routed through municipal facilities. Proper design and.opera-
tion of secondary sewage treatment plants will result in significantly
greater removal of phosphorus compounds than that produced by primary
treatment alone. This will result in substantial reduction of aquatic
growths and will be reflected chiefly in a better fishery, a better
water supply and better water for recreational uses.
Discharges of municipal and industrial wastes originating in
Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York are endangering
the health or welfare of persons in States other than those in which
such discharges originate. This pollution is subject to abatement
under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act,
Pollution of the Detroit River and Michigan waters of Lake Erie
has been the subject of a previous enforcement conference. Specific
recommendations were developed by the Detroit River-Lake Erie Project
for all known sources of municipal and industrial wastes in the
conference area. At the conference session held June 15-18, 1965,
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the Michigan Water Resources Commission agreed to implement the
recommendations of the U. S, Department of Health, Education, and
Welfare as contained in the "Report on Pollution of the Detroit River,
Michigan Waters of Lake Erie, and their Tributaries,"
The Maumee, Sandusky, Black, Rocky, and Cuyahoga Rivers and their
tributaries, all of which are tributary to Lake Erie in Ohio, are
grossly polluted. This pollution is caused by refuse, sewage, and
sludge resulting in low dissolved oxygen, algal growths, bacterial
contamination, and odors associated with polluted waters. This
pollution interferes with water uses for municipal and industrial
supply, recreation, fishing, and esthetic enjoyment. Specifically,
phenols and nitrogenous compounds cause taste and odor problems
in municipal water supplies. Other pollutants found in significant
areas of these tributary rivers are oil, silt, and sediment.
Lake Erie and its tributary streams in the Pennsylvania basin
are polluted by discharges of municipal and industrial wastes,
combined sewer overflows, accidental spills from vessels and industries
and wastes from Lake vessels, and land drainage, This
pollution has caused taste and odor problems in domestic water supplies,
bacterial contamination of bathing beaches, fish kills and algal
growths. In addition, wastes which cause the receiving waters to
foam, turn blackish-brown, and have a foul odor have interfered with
recreation and esthetic enjoyment.
Lake Erie and its tributary streams in the western New York
basin and the Erie-Niagara basin in New York are polluted by
municipal and industrial wastes. Discharges of these wastes cause
interferences with municipal and industrial supplies, recreation,
fish and aquatic life. In addition, these wastes cause discoloration
of the receiving waters, foul odors and algal growths,
Recommendat ions
Lake Erie is more than a valuable water resource; it is a price-
less natural heritage, The present generation has an obligation to
use it wisely and to preserve it for posterity. Each city and town,
each industrial firm - each and every citizen of the basin - must
bear a share of that responsibility.
Recommendations for abating water pollution interfering with
water uses in Lake Erie and its tributaries will be made in two groups;
general recommendations, covering the broad objectives of pollution
abatement in the conference area, followed by specific recommendations
in Parts 2 and 3 of this report, for the solution of particular
problems. The specific recommendations are offered in addition to,
and not in place of, the general recommendations.
The recommendations which limit the effluent concentration of a
particular waste constituent are made with the purpose of reduction
of waste loadings from a facility. If changes in concentration are
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brought about by increased dilution, combination of outfalls, or other
methods without reducing waste loading, a corresponding decrease in
recommended waste concentrations will be required.
Municipal Wastes
It is recommended that:
1. Municipal wastes be given secondary biological treatment; such
treatment to produce an effluent not exceeding the following concentrations:
a. Suspended solids - 35 mg/1
b. Settleable solids - 5 mg/1
c. Ammonia - 2 mg/1
d. Phenol - 20 micrograms per liter
e. Oil - 15 mg/1
f. 5-day BOD - 20 mg/1
2. Secondary treatment plants be so designed and operated as to
maximize the removal of phosphates.
3. Disinfection of municipal waste effluents be practiced in a manner
that will maintain coliform concentrations not to exceed 5jOOO organisms
per 100 ml, and not to exceed 1,000 organisms per 100 ml where the receiving
waters in proximity to the discharge point are used for recreational purposes
involving bodily contact.
k. All new sewerage facilities be designed to prevent the necessity of
bypassing untreated waters.
5. Combined storm and sanitary sewers be prohibited in all newly-developed
urban areas, and eliminated in existing areas wherever opportunity is afforded
by redevelopment. Existing combined sewer systems be continuously patrolled
and flow-regulating structures adjusted to convey the maximum practicable
amount of combined flows to and through treatment plants.
6. A program be developed to prevent accidental spills of waste materials
to Lake Erie and its tributaries. In-plant surveys with the purpose of prevent-
ing accidents are recommended.
7. Unusual increases in waste output and accidental spills to be reported
immediately to the appropriate State agency.
8. Disposal of garbage, trash, and other deleterious refuse in Lake Erie
or its tributaries be prohibited and existing dumps along river banks and shores
of the Lake are to be removed.
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Industrial Wastes
It is recommended that;
1, Industrial plants improve practices for the segregation and treatment
of waste to effect the maximum reductions of the following:
a. Acids and alkalies
b. Oil and tarry substances
c. Phenolic compounds and organic chemicals that
contribute to taste and odor problems
d. Ammonia and other nitrogenous compounds
e. Phosphorus compounds
f. Suspended material
g. Toxic and highly-colored wastes
h. Oxygen-demanding substances
i. Excessive heat
j, • Foam-producing discharges
k. Other wastes which detract from recreational uses, esthetic
enjoyment, or other beneficial uses of the waters
2. The Michigan Water Resources Commission, the Indiana Stream Pollution
Control Board, the Ohio Water Pollution Control Board, the Pennsylvania Sanitary
i^ater Board, and the New York State Department of Health are to undertake action
to insure that industrial plants discharging wastes into waters of Lake Erie and
its tributaries within their respective jurisdictions institute programs of
sampling their effluents to provide necessary information about waste outputs.
Such sampling shall be conducted at such locations and with such frequency as
to yield statistically reliable values of all waste outputs and to show their
variations. Analyses to be so reported are to include: pH, oil, tarry residues,
phenolics, ammonia, total nitrogen, cyanide, toxic materials, total biochemical
axygen demand, and all other wastes listed in recommendation #1, under Industrial
Pastes.
Waste results to be reported in terms of both concentrations and load rates.
3uch information will be maintained in open files by the State agencies for all
those having a legitimate interest in the information.
Surveillance
The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare will establish water pollu-
tion surveillance stations at appropriate locations on Lake Erie and its tributar-
ies. The Department will welcome the participation and assistance of the appro-
priate State agencies.
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II - INTRODUCTION
On the basis of a written request from Governor James A. Rhodes
of Ohio, dated June 11, 1965, and on the basis of recent reports, surveys,
or studies, and in accordance with section 8 of the Federal Water
Pollution Act (33 U.S.C. 466 et seq.), the Secretary of the Department
of Health, Education, and Welfare called a conference in the matter
of pollution of the interstate and Ohio intrastate waters of Lake
Erie and its tributaries (Indiana-Michigan-New York-Ohio-Pennsylvania).
The conference is to convene first at Cleveland, Ohio, on August 3, 1965,
and to reconvene at Buffalo, New York, on August 10, 1965.
This technical report is based on studies made over the past
two years under the supervision of the Department of Health, Education,
and Welfare, Data obtained from other Federal, State, and local
agencies were also used in the report. The report considers the
quality characteristics of the waters as they exist today and trends
in recent years. It evaluates the effects of waste discharges on
water uses, and summarizes the principal problems and needed corrections.
The cooperation of the water resource and public health agencies
of the States of Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York;
county and municipal agencies; and universities throughout the Lake
Erie drainage basin, is gratefully acknowledged.
The report is in three parts: Part 1 is concerned with the Lake;
Part 2 is concerned with the Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana tributary
area; and Part 3 with the Pennsylvania and New York area,
III - DESCRIPTION OF AREA
General Description
Lake Erie is the oldest, southernmost, and warmest of the Great
Lakes. It is by far the shallowest, and the only one with ifs entire
water mass lying above sea level. Lake Erie contains the smallest
volume of water; it is the most turbid; it is subject to the widest
fluctuations in water level; it has the flattest bottom; and it under-
goes the most violent wave activity. In recent years it changed
rapidly in chemistry and biology.
Lake Erie (Figure III-l) is approximately 240 miles long with
its long axis oriented at about N 70° E, It is more than 50 miles
wide near the mid-point of its long axis. The Lake covers an area
of 9,94-0 square miles, and contains a total water volume of approxi-
mately 113 cubic miles.
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Figure III-2 shows the topography of the Lake Erie bottom, with
a 20-foot contour interval, as interpreted from U. S. Lake Survey
charts and soundings made by the Ohio Division of Geological Survey.
Topographically, Lake Erie is separated into three basins. The
relatively small shallow western basin is separated from the large,
somewhat deeper, flat-bottomed central basin by a rocky island chain.
The relatively deep, bowl-shaped eastern basin is separated from the
central basin by a low, wide sand and gravel ridge near Erie, Pennsylvania,
The average depth of the western basin is 24- feet, the central basin
60 feet, and the eastern basin 80 feet,
The water in the western basin is the most turbid, it is less
turbid in the central basin and is usually very clear in the eastern
basin.
Hydrology
One method of describing the hydrology of Lake Erie is the water
budget. This method involves the accounting of all water, incoming
and outgoing, such as inflow and outflow by the rivers, supply from
underground storage, overwater precipitation, and variation in water
storage in the Lake, This can be formulated for a given period of
time by the equation: P + R-t-I-E = 0, where P = overwater precip-
itation, R = drainage area runoff, I = inflow from upper lakes, S =
change in lake storage, E = evaporation, and 0 = outflow from Lake
Erie, The supply from underground storage is considered to be a part
of runoff, but it is considered negligible as a direct supply to the
Lake.
Precipitation and streamflow records made since 1937 provide the
basis for calculation of the water budget in this report. Precipi-
tation on the Lake surface is a direct contribution to Its water
supply and the Lake level is affected immediately. Average annual
precipitation over the Lake has been estimated at 34.6 Inches.
Surface runoff from the drainage area enters the Lake via the
many tributary rivers or by direct runoff from the shore areas.
Average annual runoff since 1937 has been estimated at 21,000 cfs,
equivalent to 29.1 inches of water over the Lake's surface, and to
35 percent of the overland precipitation.
Nearly 90 percent of the total inflow to Lake Erie comes from
the Detroit River, the drainage outlet for Lake Huron. The average
annual inflow, as measured by the U. S. Lake Survey near the head
of the Detroit River, Is 182,000 cfs, equivalent to 251 inches of
water on Lake Erie.
The outflow from Lake Erie is through the Niagara River at Buffalo
and the Welland Canal diversion at Port Colborne, Combined outflow
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PENNSYLVANIA
LAKE ERIE
LOCALITY MAP
FIGURE m -4
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n
"l '•;<«*£• OMJAf'O \ |
NEW YORK
LEGEND
LAKE ERIE BOTTOM
DEPOSITS & TOPOGRAPHY
FIGURE nr - 2
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averages about 202,000 cfs annually, equivalent to 279 inches of water
on Lake Erie. Seasonally, both inflow and outflow are generally
higher in the early summer and lower in the winter.
Annual evaporation from the Lake surface averages 33,5 inches.
The low evaporation season extends from January through June, and the
high evaporation season is from July through December,
The variations of Lake level on an annual basis are small,
though on a monthly basis they may be relatively large. The average
annual change in Lake storage in the period 1937-1959 has been in-
significant and it is therefore unimportant in the computations of
an average annual water budget.
Lake Currents
The net movement of water in Lake Erie is from west to east
draining into Lake Ontario via Niagara River. Figure III-3 shows
the generalized flow pattern within the upper 30 feet.
More than 90 percent of the input to Lake Erie is from the
Detroit River, Most of this flow comes down the center of the River,
fanning out continuing far southward into the western basin. The flow
along the west side of the river continues along the Michigan shore
to mix with the Maumee River discharge. This flow then continues
eastward along the Ohio shore. The flow along the east side of the
Detroit River moves eastward along the Canadian shore.
The western basin water mixes in the island area and most of it
then drains into the central basin via Pelee Passage. Studies show a
dominant flow toward the west in the southern channels creating an
essentially rotary movement in the island area.
The drainage from Pelee Passage appears to reach as far south
as the Ohio shore at least at the surface. However, much of the flow
turns eastward before reaching that far south, as shown in Figure III-3.
The predominant eastward flow in the central and eastern basin is
reinforced by prevailing winds from the southwest, however, wind studies
for a 10-year period for Lake Erie indicate that the reversed pattern
of flow may occur nearly 25 percent of the time.
Discharges from tributary streams along the south shore such as the
Huron, Vermilion, Black and Cuyahoga Rivers, and other streams to the
east in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York, tend to stay along the south
shore and move normally eastward with an alternate, but smaller secondary
flow to the west. General dispersal of the flows from the south shore
streams with the deeper off-shore waters is limited.
The discharge of wastes and the tributary streams along the south
shore of the lake will increasingly contribute to the pollution of
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beaches and other water uses as it moves along the shore, both from
Ohio waters into Pennsylvania and to a lesser extent from Pennsylvania
to Ohio. This along shore flow will also apply to the movement of
tributary streams and wastes from Pennsylvania to New York and to a
lesser degree from New York to Pennsylvania.
Deep water or mid-lake circulation is complex in the central
and eastern basins being controlled to a great degree by the wind.
The wind induces surface flow in its general direction accompanied by
an opposing subsurface flow into the wind. Since south-west winds
prevail, the surface flow is dominantly toward the east and the sub-
surface flow is dominantly toward the west over most of the central
and eastern basins. A wide band along the Canadian shore, as wide
as about 1/3 of the lake's width, moves predominantly eastward from top
to bottom. These phenomena are shown in Figure III-4 at stations
6 and 7. Figure 111-4 shows the frequency of direction of flow and
total flow at a depth of 30 feet for the summer of 1964. The net
movement is from east to west at station 6, at station 7 the net flow
is toward the east.
It is apparent fror these studies that discharges anywhere along
the shores of Lake Erie can affect water quality in Lake Erie, with
the dominant effect occuring from west to east.
Population
The 1960 census shows that approximately 10 million persons live
in the U. S. portion and 1.2 million persons live in the Canadian
portion of the Lake Erie basin. This is almost three times the 1910
population. Population of the U. S. portion of the basin is expected
to double within the next 50 years. Although this overall rate of
growth is comparable to the extimated national growth rate, past and
estimated future growth rates show great differences within the water-
shed. Between 1940 and 1960 many economic subregions, and the counties
which comprise them, have shown rapid growth rates. Almost 80 percent
of the population is evenly divided between Michigan and Ohio.
Counties which have shown the most rapid growth rates during
the 1950-1960 decade include Macomb and Oakland counties in Michigan,
and Lake and Geauga counties in Ohio. In terms of actual numbers,
howevers the largest increases were in Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne
counties in Michigan; Allen county in Indiana; Erie county in New
York; and Cuyahoga, Summit, Lorain, and Lucas counties in Ohio. These
nine counties of the total of 45 in the basin accounted for 50 percent
of the 1950-1960 increase in population. Present indications are
that these large metropolitan counties will account for an even greater
share of the total population of the basin in the future.
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T A R I 0
LEGEND 83.
Primary Flow
Secondary Flow
82°
SCALE
0 & 10 16 20 ZS STATUTE MILES
LAKE ERIE CURRENTS
GENERALIZED SURFACE FLOW
SUMMER 1964
o 10
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PREVAILING DIRECTION
•b*$£- 30-
.STATION 6..-DEPTH 3D FEET
STATJOM 7 .QEPJti 30 FEET
'95°
IF airport
CCUiVELAND
SCALE
O 25 MILES
i 1 1 I I I
i i i i 1
0 40 KILOMETEBS
LOCATION MAP
North at N
NOTE:
Direction is from the sector shaded,
toward the center.
LAKE ERIE CURRENTS
SUMMER 1964
FIGURE m-4
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Economics
ladustrial activity as measured by value added by manufacture,
although occurring in substantial volume in moet counties, is for
the most part highly concentrated In a few metropolitan areas. The
leading counties in 1958 were: Wayne, Michigan; Cuyahoga, Ohio;
Erie, New York; Sumoitt, Ohio; Lucas, Ohio; and Oakland and Macomb,
in Michigan, in the order listed. These seven counties in 1958
accounted for 75 per cent of the total value added by manufacture
in the entire watershed. Manufacturing is even more concentrated in
a small group of counties than is the population. Whereas the total
population of the watershed will more than double by the year 2020,
industrial activity may increase six or seven-fold. Unless industries
show a reduction in net water use per unit of production, industrial
water requirements and possible waste returns will account for a much
larger percentage of the total water used and waste returns in future
decades.
The dominant industries in the largest metropolitan areas in this
highly industrialized region are as follows:
Detroit - Automotive and related industry, steel, chemicals,
pulp and paper, petroleum refining, and rubber.
Toledo - Automotive, glass, petroleum refining, and steel.
Cleveland - Steel, steel fabricating, automotive, and chemical.
Erie - Pulp and paper, and general manufacturing.
Buffalo - Steel, chemical, automotive, pulp and paper, Portland
cement, flour milling, and electrical equipment.
Importance of Lake Erie as a Water Resource
Municipal Water Supply
Lake Erie is used as a source of municipal water supply by 27
waterworks serving many municipalities. These municipal systems serve
•ore than 3.2 million people, and a number of Industrial firms, with
some 619 million gallons a day.
A summary by states showing the number of municipalities, popula-
tion served, and estimated water usage is given below. The Ohio portion
of the basin accounts for about two thirds of the use.
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Municipal Water Supply
Lake Erie
State
Ohio
Michigan
Pennsylvania
New York
Number of
Waterworks
16
2
1
-1
27
Estivated
Population
Served
2,239,000
23,000
160,000
835.000
3,257,000
Estimated
Water Usage
«gd
409
3
44
163
619
Industrial Water Supply
Industries use an estimated 4.7 billion gallons of water daily
from Lake Erie. As the tabulation below shows, power production
(cooling water ) accounts for some 80 per cent of the industrial with-
drawals. Water used for other Industrial cooling accounts for approxi-
mately 15 per cent. Approximately 100 mgd la withdrawn directly by
industries as process water. In addition, an unknown amount of industrial
process water is obtained from municipal supplies.
Industrial Water Supply
Lake Erie
State
Ohio
Michigan
Pennsylvania
New York
Total
Withdrawal
(mgd)
Amount Used
for Power
(agd)
Amount Used
for Cooling
(mgd)
270
2
20
350
642
Lake Erie Commerce
Lake Erie is fourth in size of the five Great Lakes, but its total
freight tonnage of 107.5 million tons was second only to that of Lake
Huron in 1962.
The domestic shipping in 1962 on Lake Erie was 74.7 million tons,
or 70 per cent of the total tonnage. Domestic shipping included all
commercial movements between points in the continental United States.
The foreign shipping (93 per cent Canadian) was 32,8 million tons,
30 per cent of the total. In ton-mileage, Lake Erie accounted for
12,6 billion ton-miles.
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Lake Erie has eleven major U. S. ports: Toledo, Detroit, Cleveland,
Buffalo, Ashtabula, Lorain, Sandusky, Conneaut, Fairport, Erie, and
Huron. During the period from 1953 to 1962, eight of these ports have
shown a decline in total tonnage. In 1964, the Corps of Engineers
dredged about 3.3 Billion cubic yards from Lake Erie ports at a cost
of about $1.2 million for routine maintenance of the navigation channels.
Recreation
Lake Erie does not have big, wide sand beaches. Good beaches are
at Catawba Island; Cedar Point at Sandusky; and Erie, Pennsylvania.
These highly developed recreational areas attract thousands of people
each year. The beaches in most other areas are relatively narrow.
Some cities, such as Cleveland, have provided man-made beaches to serve
the people in the area.
Lake Erie is used extensively for other recreational purposes
such as fishing and boating. There are many boat launching ramps along
the lakeshore, which serve people from a wide area. There are a large
number of boats that are trailered to various sites each weekend, many
from outside the area. Due to this fact, it is difficult to determine
exactly how many boats are actually using the Lake. However, a fair
estimate can be made by totaling the boats registered in the counties
near the Lake. This is the basis for the second column in the tabulation
below.
Total State Estimated Number
Boat Registration Using Lake Erie
State (1964)
Ohio 142,922 73,000
Michigan 362,112 79,000
Pennsylvania 78,359 6,000
New York 335.000* 34.000
918,393 192,000
*Estimate made by State of New York, Department of Conservation.
Fish
Commercial fishing has been practiced in Lake Erie for more than
a century and a half. It has always produced more fish and a greater
variety of fish than the other Great Lakes, but the species composition
has varied greatly, and the annual harvest has diminished. Lake herring
practically vanished around 1890, and whitefish have declined greatly
15
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since about 1920, Lake trout, which never reached great numbers, are
practically non-existent today. The blue pike, a highly desirable
species, declined from a peak annual U. S. catch of 20 million pounds
in 1936 to a meager 7,^00 pounds in 1960. Sauger also declined sharply
from a U» S. catch of about 6 million pounds in 1916 to almost none
in 1960.
The importance of sport fishing in Lake Erie is reflected in the
numbers of fishermen and in the annual harvest of sport fishes. In
the counties bordering Lake Erie, more than one-half million fishing
licenses were issued in 196M-. Presumably, a good many of those people
fish in Lake Erie. According to a 1964 report by the Ohio Department
of Natural Resources, boat anglers in 1960 harvested 1,300,000 pounds
of fish. During that year, the Ohio commercial catch was 1,290,000
pounds. Species that predominated the sport harvest were yellow
perch, sheepshead, white bass, small-mouth bass, channel catfish,
and walleyes. The highest intensity of sport fishing was in the
island area. Fishing pressure is also heavy in the Michigan and
Pennsylvania waters.
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IV - DEGRADATION OP LAKE
Lake Enrichment
Eutrophieation means enrichment of waters through either man-
created or natural means. Natural enrichment produces a rate of lake
aging that may be manifested only on the clock of geologic time. Addi-
tional fertilization will accelerate the rate of lake aging, making
changes in water quality noticeable within a decade or even less. For
example, growing cities and expanding industries are pouring nutrients
into the nation's waterways at an ever-increasing rate, and aquatic weed
and algal nuisances are occuring in areas where they did not exist before,
The scope of accelerated eutrophication or water enrichment is broad
and the ramifications are many. The most perceptible characteristics to
the layman include nuisance growths of small suspended plants or algal
scums, developing areas of rooted water plants, and odors associated
with decaying dead vegetation and possibly fish. More subtle changes
can be found by the investigator as indicated by decreased light penetration;
decreased dissolved oxygen in deeper waters; increased nitrogen and phos-
phorus concentrations especially in the deeper waters; significant changes
in the algal population, and in the kinds and numbers of bottom dwelling
organisms, and increased rooted aquatic weed beds.
There are many elements that are essential to life processes. Among
these are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur,
and several trace minerals. They are all present in sewage. Nitrogen and
phosphorus is partially removed by a sewage treatment plant, but the percentage
of removal depends on plant design and efficiency of operation. Nitrogen
is in good supply from natural sources (80$ of the air we breathe is nitrogen),
but phosphorus is not plentiful. The density of algae growth is usually
governed by the concentration of phosphorus. If phosphates are reduced,
algae growths are correspondingly less. Phosphorus, a constituent of domestic
sewage and certain industrial wastes, promotes algae growths and is thus a
serious pollutant that must be controlled.
It is well documented that many lakes throughout the country have
been fertile reservoirs for algal development for many years and have been
labeled eutrophic. Included among these are Lake Zoar in Connecticut,
Lake Sebasticook in Maine, the Madison lakes in Wisconsin, Lake Erie, the
Detroit lakes in Minnesota, Green Lake and Lake Washington in Washington,
and Klamath Lake in Oregon. Of these, Lake Erie is the largest.
When the concentrations of inorganic nitrogen and soluble phosphate
exceed 0.3 mg/1 and 0.03 mg/1, respectively, prior to the algal growing
season and when other growth conditions such as light, temperature, and
turbulence are favorable, algal blooms have been found to develop. Those
algae that occur usually in small numbers in infertile lakes become supplanted
by larger populations of more troublesome kinds.
17
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As nutrient concentrations increase, the numbers of algal cells
increase. Nuisance conditions such as surface scums and algal-littered
teaches occur. The water may become foul-smelling, Filter-clogging
problems may occur at municipal water supplies. Filamentous algae,
especially Cladophora, grow profusely .on almost any suitable subsurface.
They, too, cause nuisance conditions when they break loose and wash
ashore at bathing beaches to form windrows of stinking vegetation.
Growths of filamentous algae and slimes hamper commercial fishing by
adhering to nets, and interfere with municipal and industrial water
supplies by clogging intake screens.
At this stage of eutrophication other changes are occurring in
the lake. The "bottom ia changed by sedimentation of organic material;
this habitat is changed from one suitable for mayfly nymphs, scuds and
other small organisms favored as food by desirable fish to one where
only sludgeworms and bloodworms can exist. Fish populations are changed
to the coarser species because the habitat is more favorable to them.
Nutrient concentrations in Lake Erie indicate that soluble phosphate
values in the western basin consistently exceeded the stated critical
value during studies in 196*3 and 196^, with average concentrations ranging
from 0.05 to 0.15 mg/1 phosphate (POh). The central and eastern basins
now have phosphate concentrations at the critical threshold value and any
increase in present levels will produce a corresponding increase in algal
populations.
Water clarity as demonstrated by Secchi disc readings indicates that
visibility of the white and "black disc extends through k feet in the
western basin, and through 13 feet in both the central and eastern basins.
Because this test measures relative turbidity conditions by a combination
of algae and other suspended material, it reflects undesirable changes in
the western basin.
The biology of the western Lake Erie basin has changed drastically
during the past 35 years, especially the past 15. In the Bass Island area,
samples collected in September 196*t, showed suspended algal populations
of 3,500 organisms per milliliter (about 3.5 million per quart) compared
to a maximum 1,000 per milliliter found in a study conducted between 1938
and 19^2. Species composition has also changed from one predominantly of
diatoms to one presently dominated by blue-green algae that are associated
closely with enriched waters.
Long-term increases in suspended algal populations are also apparent
from data published for the area adjacent to Cleveland in the central basin
of Lake Erie. Annual averages have increased from 200 to kOO cells per
milliliter between 1920 and 1930 to 1500 to 2300 cells at the present time.
Also, there have been significant changes in dominant organisms with blue-
green algal forms becoming increasingly present even in this area.
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Although historical data are not available for the suspended
algae of the eastern basin, PHS studies in 1963 and 196U revealed
that the kinds and numbers are similar to those that occurred in
the central basin.
The filamentous green alga Cladophora is encouraged by enriched
waters to grow on any suitable attachment site. When it matures, it
characteristically breaks loose, floats to the water surface, and
creates an odorous nuisance when deposited on beaches by wind and waves.
An estimated 3^0 miles of Lake Erie shoreline has a subsurface suitable
for Cladophora growth. Nuisance conditions have become so severe that
restricted swimming and sunbathing have occurred in the island area and
at the beaches in the eastern basin, especially east of Erie, Pennsylvania
and near Dunkirk, New York.
A survey of Lake Erie bathing beaches was made in 196k to determine
their present use. As the tabulation below shows, 21 of the 32 beaches
contacted reported that they were open.
BATHING BEACHES
LAKE ERIE
Area Status - 19_6j*.
21 Open
6 Open-closed intermittently
3 Closed
1 Open but posted unsafe
1 Open - high coliform counts
observed
At six beaches, it has been found necessary to restrict swimming for
short periods during and following rains and high winds owing to an increase
in microbiological pollution. Beaches of this type are classified "open
intermittently."
The three beaches that are closed are at Toledo and two areas in New York,
The beach at Sterling State Park, Michigan, was reported open but posted as
unsafe for bathing.
The four groups of bottom-dwelling animals that occur abundantly in
Lake Erie include sludgeworms, bloodworms, and fingernail clams, all of
which are found in a lake bed covered by decaying organic ooze; and scuds
which prefer a relatively clean lake bed. Of the four groups, scuds are
preferred as food by the more desirable fish species. Although all of these
organisms were found in all three basins of Lake Erie there was a differ-
ence in the relative abundance of each.
In the western basin, sludgeworms and bloodworms were predominant in
three large areas. One area extended from the Detroit Biver mouth southward
for more than ten miles. Another fan-shaped area extended from the mouth
of the Maumee River for a distance of ten miles. The third area extended
about ^ miles lakeward from the mouth of the River Raisin.
19
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Sludgeworms, bloodworms, and fingernail clams predominated in the
bottom populations in almost the entire western two-thirds of the
central basin. In the eastern third of the central basin, as in the
eastern basin„ scuds were the predominant animals.
These present conditions are in sharp contrast to the kinds of
bottom-dwelling organisms that occurred in the western basin in past
years. Prior to 1953 burrowing mayfly nymphs were by far the predom-
inant bottom organisms. In September 1953 the western basin became
thermally stratified and dissolved oxygen was depleted in the deeper
waters. Great numbers of mayflies were killed. Although some areas
were re-populated by mayflies in 195^ the overall distribution of
these important fish food organisms declined year by year, and by
1959 only a few organisms could be found. During this same period
the caddisfly, another desirable fish food organism, virtually
disappeared from the deeper waters surrounding the islands. In both
instances sludgeworms and bloodworms have supplanted the mayflies
and caddisflies as the predominant bottom-dwelling animals. Restora~
tionof mayfly and caddisfly population will not be possible as long
as periodic deleterious dissolved oxygen conditions occur. The above
biological evidence indicates a general degradation of conditions in
Lake Erie from east to west, reflecting the major influence of the
large sources of waste at the west end of the Lake.
Dissolved Oxygen Deficit in theBottom Waters
Low dissolved oxygen concentrations were detected in the bottom
waters of the central basin as early as August 1929 when DO values of
U.U and k.B mg/1 were recorded at 2 stations in the central basin. A
low value of 0.8 mg/1 was measured at one station near Marblehead, Ohio,
in August 1930.
Low DO values from 19^8 through 1951 of 2 to k mg/1 were recorded
and in September 1959 the DO was found to be 'less than 3 mg/1 in a
large area of the central basin. A survey in August, I960 revealed
a similarly large area where the DO was less than 3 mg/1. One zero
DO was recorded in August 1959 near the south shore.
In August 196^, an area of about the same magnitude was found where
the DO concentrations were even lower (Figure IV-l). Most of the affected
area had DO values of 2 mg/1 or less. This area was about 2,600 square
miles, or about 25 per cent of the entire Lake.
In summary, dissolved oxygen values in the bottom waters of the
central basin of Lake Erie appear to have decreased during the past 35
years from about 5 mg/1 to less than 2 mg/1, with many parts near zero.
This DO deficit is caused largely by lake enrichment. When this
is coupled with a physical phenomenon called thermal stratification, the
mechanism is established through which oxygen is consumed in the bottom
waters. As explained earlier, the lake is enriched by the introduction
of such materials as nitrogen and phosphorus that encourage plant growth.
20
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Thermal stratification occurs when the upper layer of lake water becomes
one temperature, a lower layer of water becomes a different temperature,
and a third layer of water called the thermoeline is sandwiched between
them. The thermocline is the layer where a sharp temperature differential
exists.
During summer stratification, the upper water layer is as much as
l6°C higher than the bottom layer. Almost all lakes stratify thermally,
but dissolved oxygen deficits occur only in those lakes where large
amounts of oxygen-consuming materials and nutrients have been introduced.
These materials may be introduced directly as sewage or certain industrial
wastes, or indirectly by nutrients that accelerate algal growth. Suspended
organic materials are scattered over a wide area by winds and lake currents,
settle to the bottom, and exert an oxygen demand during decay. The crop
of suspended algae that grow in great numbers in a fertile lake is ever
changing. Cells die off and settle slowly to the bottom. During their
descent, they are attacked by decay organisms and exert an oxygen demand.
Thus, in a fertile lake, oxygen is being removed by the bottom muds and by
the suspended organic matter in the water above. Lake Erie is susceptible
to damage from these happenings, especially in its central basin.
The western basin does not become stratified except during 6 to 7
day periods of calm because it is so shallow that wind-induced turbulence
creates thorough mixing from surface to bottom.
Both the central and eastern basins do become stratified, usually
from June to October. A serious dissolved oxygen deficit does not
develop in the eastern basin because it is much deeper than the central
basin. The thermocline, or middle layer of water, lowers in the central
basin as stratification becomes well established until it is about 50 feet
below the surface. At this time, the lower layer of water in the central
basin becomes thin, on the order of 8 to 10 feet thick. At the same
time, the eastern basin, which is about 150 feet deep, may have a bottom
layer 100 feet thick.
The central basin is adjacent to the western basin where there are
large inputs of wastes and where the heaviest growths of suspended algae
occur. The overall easterly movement of water may carry some of this
material to the quieter waters of the central basin where it settles to
the bottom.
Changes in the Fishery
Dramatic changes have occurred in the Lake Erie fishery. Although
Lake Erie is still the most productive of all of the Great Lakes, the
quality of the catch is low. The only high quality fish still abundant
is the perch. Blue pike have disappeared, and herring and whitefish are
scarce. The Michigan Conservation Department, in a statement presented
at the Detroit River-Lake Erie Water Pollution Conference on June 17,
1965, summed up the Lake Erie fishery situation as follows;
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PO
ro
DISSOLVED OXYGEN
BOTTOM WATERS
AUGUST 14-31, 1964
Figure IV-1
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"The evidence is strong that the deterioration of fish resources
in these waters has come about principally because of the
environmental changes resulting from pollution. These chances
are complex and subtle, and have affected fish life in many
ways. Perhaps the most important change is rapid eutrophic aging
stimulated by nitrogen compounds and phosphates found in organic
wastes. Nutritive enrichment provided by these wastes leads to
oxygen depletion, temperature increases, turbidity, and inter-
ruption of the biological food chain. In addition, some chemical
and industrial waste toxicants directly harm fish."
and they concluded:
"The fisheries.... can be saved only by an all-out effort to restore
water quality to standards favorable to desirable fish,"
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V - WASTE INPUTS TO LAKE ERIE
Introduction
Municipal sewage and industrial vastes are the principal pollutions!
materials discharged continuously into the waters of Lake Erie. These
waste sources, along with other sources such as land runoff; combined
sewer overflow, ajid wastes from lake vessels; barge tows and pleasure
crafts, all add to the pollution of the Lake "by direct discharge or by
increasing; the tributary loadings of rivers draining into the Lake.
Muni c i pal Was tes_
Approximately 10 million people inhabit communities throughout
the Lake Erie basin. These communities discharge their wastes directly
into Lake Erie or into rivers tributary to it. Table V-l shows the
approximate unsewered and sewered populations discharging into the
various rivers from each state bordering the Lake. The table also
shows the degree of treatment, primary and/or secondary, received
by the sewered population. Population equivalents are given and
include the sewered industrial load as well as the municipal load.
In Ohio, the largest municipal waste sources are discharged either
directly into the Lake or into the Cuyahoga, Maumee, or San dusky Rivers.
Of the 1.8 million sewered PE bordering Lake Erie, 1.3 million are
handled by two Cleveland sewage treatment plants. The Cleveland Easterly
Plant provides secondary treatment for approximately one million PES
and the Cleveland Westerly Plant provides primary treatment for some
300,000 PE. The Cleveland Southerly sewage treatment plant and Akron
handle wastes from approximately one million of the 1.2 million PE
discharging into the Cuyahoga River, Both plants provide secondary
treatment.
The Maumee River's largest waste sources are Toledo in the Lower
Maumee River area, and from Fort Wayne, Indiana in the Upper Maumee
River area. The Toledo Plant provides secondary treatment for 600,000
PE, and Port Wayne gives secondary treatment for 200,000 PE.
The Sandusky River receives wastes from municipalities whose total
population is about 100,000 PE. The cities of Fremont and Bucyrus with
secondary treatment serve approximately 30,000 and 18,000 PE, respectively
The city of Tiffin with primary treatment serves about 19tOOO PE.
Approximately 79 pe^r cent of the total municipal waste in Ohio-
Lake Erie Basin receives secondary treatment. About 3.5 per cent of
the population are not served by sewer systems.
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In the Michigan basin most of the population is centered in and
around Detroit. The Detroit Primary Sewage Treatment Plant serves
about 3.1 million people. While 9^* per cent of the Southeastern
Michigan population is sewered, only 11 per cent of the total population
receives secondary treatment.
In New York, the wastes from 78 per cent of the population receives
primary treatment. The cities of Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and part of
Tonawanda have sewage treatment plants that provide only primary treatment.
These three cities serve over a million of the 1.2 million people receiving
primary treatment.
The wastes from almost 100 per cent of the sewered population in
Pennsylvania receive secondary treatment. The city of Erie is the
largest city in Pennsylvania that discharges directly to Lake Erie and
provides treatment for 173»000 PE or about 90 per cent of the sewered PE.
Industrial Pol1ution
Industrial waste information in this report was obtained from records
of the Michigan Water Resources Commission, Indiana Stream Pollution
Control Board, Ohio Department of Health, Pennsylvania Sanitary Water Board,
and New York Water Pollution Control Board.
Industrial Waste Sources
State Classification
State Inadequate Unknown Total
Ohio 36 9 l6l
Indiana 2 - 11
Michigan 19 8 76
Pennsylvania 2 29
New York k 1 Ik
Total 63 26 271
The above tabulation shows that there are 271 known sources of industrial
wastes that discharge to the Lake and tributaries. The states have classified
about 23 per cent of these industries as having inadequate treatment facilities,
The adequacy of an additional 10 per cent of the industries has not been
determined. Table V-2 lists the total number of industries in each major
subbasin. The individual industries are listed in Parts 2 and 3 of this
report.
Table V-3 lists the industrial establishments that discharge directly
to the Lake or to the lower rivers in the Lake-affected areas. A total
of 53 industries are known to discharge in this area. This represents
about 20 per cent of total industrial discharges in the basin. Of these
53 industries, 22 are reported to have inadequate treatment facilities by
the State agencies.
Data have not been made available for the computation of meaningful
waste loads from industries.
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Inputs
The waste substances that are discharged to the Lake from municipal
and industrial outfalls, tributaries, and land drainage are many, and
their effects on water uses are varied. Many substances such as acid,
oil, cyanide, iron, phenol, and oxygen consuming materials have severe
effects on water uses in the localities of the discharge. These will
be dealt with in discussions of local water use problems and damages.
These substances that have damaging effects on the water use of
the total waters of the Lake are suspended solids (sediment), carbon-
aceous oxygen consuming materials, nitrogen compounds and soluble
phosphate.. A discussion of chlorides and dissolved solids is also
included, not because they have reached damaging concentrations, but
because their dramatic increases are indicative of the rate at which
water quality has been degraded. Tables V-U to V-8 present summaries
of the major known inputs of these substances to Lake Erie,
Suspended Solids
Damage to Lake Erie resulting from suspended matter entering from
waste discharges and tributaries are dependent on the nature and its
deposition results in enriched bottom muds or sludge banks, having
largely local effects. Proper treatment for removal of these wastes
can correct this problem. Suspended matter from certain industries
and the material from tributaries, originating as land runoff is largely
inorganic and its effects on settling result in the filling of harbors,
eaibayments, ship channels and the Lake.
The principal sources of suspended solids discharged to Lake Erie
are the Detroit, Maumee, Cuyahoga and Grand Rivers which represent a
total of 11,000,000 pounds per day of known discharges. The Detroit
River constitutes 78 per cent of this total, the Maumee 1^.5%, the
Cuyahoga U.5$» and the Grand k%.
About 1.5 million pounds of the Detroit River discharges are from
industrial and municipal sources. The Maumee discharges are largely
silt originating from land runoff. The greatest quantity is released
during periods of heavy rain and high runoff, therefore control must
be instituted through improvements in land use practices on the water-
shed. The Cuyahoga sediment load includes industrial sources as
well as both municipal and land runoff loads. The effects of this
load on the Cleveland harbor and channels result in severe discoloration
and the need for freq.uent dredging. The Grand River sources are similar
to the Cuyahoga,
Carbonaceous Oxygen Consuming Materials
Carbonaceous oxygen consuming materials, usually measured by the
5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), are usually considered direct
pollutants to streams in that they depress dissolved oxygen levels.
This immediate effect is not evident in lakes such as Lake Erie.
However, BOD is a measure of wastes that are used by bacteria in cell
growth and reproduction, thereby creating sludge which settles to the
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lake bottom. Thus BOD is a measure of wastes which produce the same
end effect as nutrients as discussed below. Carbonaceous BOD of wastes
is most effectively removed by secondary treatment.
Chloride
The concentration of chloride averaged 7 mg/1 in the headwaters
of the Detroit River and 23 mg/1 at Buffalo, a threefold increase.
Major known sources of input are the municipal and industrial contribu-
tions at Detroit, about 3 million pounds per day, the Grand River 2.2
million pounds/day and the Maumee and Cuyahopa 1 million pounds/day.
A large input of chloride from street and highway salting for ice
control during winter ultimately drains to the Lake through municipal
sewers and tributaries. Salt use for this purpose in 1961+ was at least
800,000 tons which represents an increase of at least 2,U mg/1 to the
chloride level of the Lake water.
Dissolved Solids
Dissolved solids concentrations at the head of the Detroit River
average 126 mg/1 and at Buffalo 192 mg/1.
The concentration of dissolved solids in Lake Huron has increased
from 110 mg/1 in 1900 to 115 mg/1 at present, whereas the increase in
Lake Erie at Buffalo in the same period was from 115 to 192 mg/1.
Nitrogen Compounds
The major known sources of nitrogen compounds entering Lake Erie
are listed in Table V-7« The largest input is the Detroit River, which
consists of the nitrogen residual from the upper Great Lakes and the
contributions from the Detroit metropolitan area. Other major sources
are the Maumee and Cuyahoga Rivers and the industrial and municipal
discharges at Toledo and Cleveland.
The origin of these nitrogenous materials is largely from organic
wastes, with sizeable contributions from specific manufacturers of
ammonia and nitrogen salts. Except for local effects of discharges of
these materials, the principal effect on Lake Erie is that of fertiliza-
tion. Both nitrogen and phosphate are critical materials in the control
of lake fertilization, however the nitrogen compounds are less amenable
to control partly because control methods are not fully developed and partly
because conversion of nitrogen from the air by some aquatic organisms
can provide sufficient nitrogen to support algal growth. For these
reasons, the abatement of pollution from lake fertilization through
phosphate control provides greater potential for success than control of
nitrogen inputs. However, the institution of secondary treatment will
significantly reduce nitrogen inputs and thereby aid in the control of
local problems as well as reduction in total inputs to the Lake.
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Soluble Phosphate
Phosphorus, in its inorganic form of orthophosphate (POU) is an
essential element of biological life. It is used extensively as an
agricultural fertilizer. All animals and plants require phosphate for
normal growth and reproduction.
Because phosphate is so important to "biological life it can
become a controlling factor in the rate of growth or size of crop, and
under conditions of limited abundance as prevails in Lake Erie it is
the one factor most easily controlled.
The pollution caused by phosphate in Lake Erie results in un-
controllable production of algae followed by decay of this organic
matter produced in the Lake. The decay, in turn produces zones of
oxygen depletion, as has been evidenced by studies in the past and the
recently revealed zone of serious oxygen depletion of 2600 square miles
of the central basin. The productivity and decay that caused this
tremendous loss of oxygen was of massive proportions. In 19614 it
produced an oxygen deficit estimated at 270,000,000 pounds. The total
of all oxygen consuming wastes from man-made sources now entering the
lake is only a small portion of the oxygen demand causing this deficit.
Phosphate inputs from principal sources are presented in Table 8.
Of the total of 17^»000 pounds of soluble phosphate discharged from
known sources daily, 67 per cent is from municipal and industrial
sources discharging directly to the Lake, and 33 per cent from tributaries
(including the St. Clair Biver), and other small sources. The St. Glair
River input is 6.8 per cent of this total. All other sources are amenable
to some degree of control,
A 65 per cent reduction of phosphate inputs can be achieved through
secondary sewage treatment, operated to effect optimum phosphate removal.
Secondary treatment provides additional benefits through greater reduction
of oxidizable organic matter, disease-causing organisms, phenolies,
nitrogen, and other waste materials.
The major controllable sources and the amount of reduction that can
be achieved hy the secondary treatment described above are listed, below:
Detroit 1+5,500 pounds per day
Toledo 2,900
Sandusky 700
Lorain-Avon 1,700
Lakewood 600
Westerly 3,500
Easterly 6,800
Euclid 1,300
Erie 1.300
6k,300
'% reduction
Michigan industry
oft
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Thus 9 at least hO per cent of present POj input can be reduced
by secondary treatment at the principal waste sources. This alone
would significantly reduce algae growths in the Lake. Therefore,
the first requirement for phosphate pollution control in Lake Erie
is the construction of secondary treatment plants where they do not
now exist and improved treatment techniques for those plants that
now practice secondary treatment.
These reductions, based on present day factors, must be
constantly improved in order to account for increases in phosphate
loadings resulting from population, industrial and agricultural
growth.
Even with the institution of secondary treatment, and
operation of treatment plants for optimum phosphate removal, the
reduction in phosphate inputs will require several years, and no
sudden or dramatic reductions in Lake algal productivity can be
expected. Therefore, top priority must be given to the earliest
construction and operation of those plants at which the highest
removals can be achieved; namely Detroit, Toledo, Cleveland, and
Erie. After these treatment practices are in operation it can be
reasonably expected that significant improvement in the water
quality in Lake Erie will be observable within a few years. At
that time, the effects of these measures should be reevaluated to
determine if further reduction of nutrients by additional treatment
will be necessary.
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VI - FEDERAL INSTALLATIONS
The Federally-owned or Federally-leased Installations listed below
discharge wastes to surface waters or to the ground. Installations that
discharge to municipally-operated sewerage systems, with a few excep-
tions, have not been listed since the Federal Government does not control
the kind of treatment provided. Federal installations in Michigan are
not included in this report since they have been discussed in the
"Report on Pollution of the Detroit River, Michigan Waters of Lake Erie,
and Their Tributaries," April 1965.
GSA Materials Depot, Hew Haven, Indiana
Secondary treatment with ground discharge is provided for sewage
from approximately 75 persons. Waste treatment facilities are adequate.
Erie Army Depot, Port Clinton, Ohio
This Army depot is scheduled to be phased out by December 31, 1966.
All sewage from approximately 1,800 persons receives secondary treatment
(activated sludge) and chlorination. The average dry weather discharge
is 0,12 mgd. Waste waters from boiler blowdown, air conditioning,
compressor cooling, plating rinse solutions, and laundry facilities are
discharged to the storm sewer system. Approximately 200,000 gpd are
discharged to Rusha Creek from the latter system. Because of the planned
closing of this installation, no improvements will be made for handling
industrial wastes from such operations as metallic plating.
The Lewis Research Center, NASA, Plum Brook Facility, Ohio
This installation, located near Sandusky, has a complement of
approximately 700. A primary treatment plant with chlorination treats
wastes from 400 employees; two smaller secondary package treatment
plants serve the rest. Septic tanks with disposal fields serve isolated
buildings on the property. Small amounts of chemical and acid wastes
are collected in Underground holding tanks for disposal by a contract firm.
The Lewis Research Center, NASA, Cleveland _F_ac_ility_I Ohio
This installation employs approximately 3,500 persons. All sewage
and some cooling water are discharged (1 mgd) to the Cleveland city
sewers. Cooling water from test stands and research facilities flows to
two 1 MG capacity settling basins, operated on a fill and draw basis,
and then to the Rocky River. Water with high chromate concentrations
from intermittent cooling tower blowdown is held in the settling basins
and released to the city system after dilution. Approximately 1.4- mgd of
30
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cooling water is discharged to the Rocky River through storm sewers
Owing to increased operations of both NASA and a nearby Army automotive
plant, the main sanitary sewer serving both installations now has insuf-
ficient capacity to carry the entire flow during heavy storm run-off
periods. This problem is currently being investigated.
Cleveland Army Tank Automotive Plant, Cleveland, Ohio
This plant located adjacent to the NASA facility described above
employs approcimately 2 ,100 persons in engineering design and manufacture
of military armored vehicles. Industrial wastes receive treatment that
includes anthracite filtration, neutralization, chemical coagulation,
and chlorination, Discharge to the Rocky River is intermittent depending
on production. The industrial treatment plant is operating satisfactorily
and is under the supervision of a qualified chemist. All sewage is dis-
charged to a sewer which also serves the nearby NASA facility. Owing to
the insufficient hydraulic capacity of this sewer to transport all
wastes from the two installations to the Cleveland municipal sewerage
system, a by-pass to Rocky River has been provided. By-passing occurs
only during storms. The presence of storm water in the sewer is
possibly due to infiltration or unknown connections at the Cleveland
Airport, The problem is now being investigated,
Hike _Hissile Sites , Cleveland Area
Site 29C
This site has a complement of 50, All sewage is discharged to a
settling tank and subsurface sand-filter. The sand-filter was rehabili-
tated in the fall of 1964. Approximately 3,000 gpd are discharged to
the above system which now appears to be operating well.
Site 34L
Approximately 2,500 gpd of sewage are being discharged to a system
similar to the one serving Site 29C. The treatment facility appears to
be operating well,
Post Of fic_e_)_
The Post Office has 27 employees. Sewage (250 gpd) and some storm
water flow to a concrete-block-lined cesspool on the installation's
property. The system appears hydraulically adequate to handle the flow.
The City of Bellevue does not have a municipal sewerage system,
Perry.* .s Victory and International Peace Memorial National Monument ?
South Bass
Sewage from the public comfort station located below the monument
31
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Is treated by a septic tank and drain field. The superintendent's
home and the National Park Service Office at the Monument are each
served by two septic tanks, and the effluent is discharged to the
Put-In-Bay sewer system which discharges to Lake Erie without further
treatment.
Post Office, Silver Creek. New York
Sewage from 12 employees flows to a septic tank and then to the
Silver Creek storm sewer system without further treatment. The City
of Silver Creek does not have a municipal sanitary sewerage system,
Air Force Plant_ Jo^ Jj^ Buff alp ^
This plant, owned by the U. S, Air Force, is operated under con-
tract by the Metal Processing Division, of Curtis Wright Corporation.
All sewage, 5,300 gpd, is discharged to the Buffalo City System.
About 60,000 gpd of cooling water is discharged directly to the
Scajaquada Creek, The cooling water does not contain wastes from
processing. Waste disposal practices appear adequate.
Nike Sites, Buffalo Area, N_ew York
Many of the Nike missile sites in this area have been phased out
and are now operated by the New York National Guard.
Site HI
Approximately 500 to 1,000 gpd of sewage is treated by a 1,000
gallon septic tank and sand-filter with post chlorination. The two
original two-stage biofiltration units at this installation are not
being used due to the insufficient flow.
Site 18
Approximately 1,200 gpd of sewage is discharged to a 1,000 gallon
septic tank and sand-filter with post chlorination. The effluent is
discharged to the Buffalo River.
Site 9
This installation has no permanent personnel and is used for
drill practices by the National Guard. Approximately 2,000 gallons
per month is discharged to a 1,000 gallon septic tank and subsurface
disposal field.
The waste disposal practices at the above HIKE installations
appear adequate,
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Post Office, Springville, New York
Sewage, 160 gpd, from 10 to 12 employees is discharged to a septic
tank system. The City of Springville has recently constructed a sanitary
sewerage system to which the Post Office could make a connection.
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Genesee County,New York
This facility is served by four separate septic tank systems with
subsurface disposal fields. The installation has a Job Corps Center
under construction which will be served by a septic tank and disposal
field system. It is anticipated that this center will have a population
of 130, The waste disposal systems appear to be operating satisfactorily,
N_iagar_a Municipal Airport Air* Base Group, New York
Sewage and airplane wastes are treated by a sewage treatment plant
consisting of two Imhoff tanks and six intermittent sand-filters. Al-
though chlorination facilities are available, they are not being used.
Approximately 80,000 gpd is discharged to the Cayuga Creek,
CoastGuard Installations, Lake Erie
Toledo Harbor Light Station, Ohio
This station, located in the outer Toledo Harbor, discharges raw
sewage from a complement of two. The Coast Guard is in the process of
installing automatic equipment at the light station, and the station will
not be a manned facility after October 19 1965.
Marblehead Lifeboat Station, Ohio
This facility has a complement of 15 and is served by two septic
tanks and a subsurface disposal field. This system is operating satis-
factorily. One house trailer at the installation is served by a cess-
pool consisting of a 50 gallon punched oil drum,
Put-In-Bay Light Station, Ohio
This facility consists of a houseboat which is unmanned at this
time. The houseboat is served by a retention tank with chlorination,
Sandusky Bay Lifeboat Station, Ohio
This installation has a complement of 25 and is served by three
septic tanks and a subsurface disposal field. The sewerage system
appears to be operating well.
33
-------
Lorain Lifeboat Station, Ohio
This installation has a complement of 12 and is served by a septic
tank which discharges directly to the Black River. This facility is
located less than 400 yards from the Lorain Sewage Treatment Plant. The
outer harbor light station has a complement of two to three persons and
discharges raw sewage into Lake Erie.
Cleveland Lifeboat Station, Ohio
This installation has a complement of 27 and is served by a septic
tank which discharges directly to Lake Erie without further treatment.
The light station was automated on July 1, 1965, and is no longer a
manned facility. The Marine Inspection Office, which is located at
the foot of Ninth Street in Cleveland, is served by a septic tank
with direct discharge to the harbor.
Fairport Harbor Lifeboat Station, Ohio
This installation has a complement of 10 and is served by a
septic tank with direct discharge to the Grand River.
Ashtabula Light Station
This station is located in the outer harbor and is manned by
one to two persons. Sewage is discharged directly to Lake Erie without
treatment. No definite plans have been made to automate this station.
Chesterland Radio Station, Gates Mills, Ohio
This facility has a complement of 21 and is served by a septic
tank and subsurface disposal field. The system seems adequate.
Erie Lifeboat Station, Presque Isle, Pennsylvania
This station has a complement of 23 and is served by a septic tank
and subsurface disposal field. The system seems adequate,
Buffalo Lifeboat Station, New York
This installation has a complement of 20 and is served by a small
aerobic package plant that provides secondary treatment. The treatment
plant appears to be operating satisfactorily.
-------
TABLE V-l
LAKE ERIE MUNICIPAL WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES
River
Subbasin
Drainage
Area
(sq. miles)
Estimated Peculation
Total
1
Unsewered
Eaxiivalent
Sewered
2
Primary
Secondary
•UJ
VJ1
OHIO
Maumee River 6586.3*
Auglaize River 2448.2*
Lower Maurnee River
St. Joseph River 1060.4*
St. Marys River 816.7*
Tiffin River 804.5*
Upper Maumee River
Totals for Maumee River
190,995
623,910
11,780
22,560
44,915
13,735
907,895
7,240
5,035
2,395
1.465
16,135
16,600
5,815
3,330
2,600
2,045
1,020
31,mo
3,660
8,450
440
9,650
22,200
167,155
609,400
19,520
40,475
1,600
838,150
1 Unsewered, presently under state order to provide waste collection and treatment facilities
2 Remaining unsewered population
* Drainage area for Maumee River includes 4,856.2 sq. miles in Ohio, 1,260.0 sq. miles in Indiana,
470.1 sq. miles in Michigan
Drainage area for Auglaize River includes 2,341.6 sq. miles in Ohio, 106.6 sq. miles in Indiana
Drainage area for St. Joseph River includes 238.0 sq. miles in Ohio, 603.2 sq. miles in Indiana,
219.2 sq. miles in Michigan
Drainage area for St. Marys River includes 457-7 sq. miles in Ohio, 359.0 sq. miles in Indiana
Drainage area for Tiffin River includes 553.5 sq. miles in Ohio, 251-0 sq. miles in Michigan
-------
TABLE V-l "Continued"
LAKE ERIE MUNICIPAL WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES
1,0
0\
River Subbasin
Ward Canal
Halfway Creek
Ottawa River
Cedar Creek
Crane Creek
Turtle Creek
Toussaint Creek
Portage River
Muddy Creek
Raccoon Creek
Strong Creek
Sandusky River
Falls Creek
Pipe Creek
Cold Creek
Old Woman Creek
Huron River
Vermilion River
Quarry River
Quarry Creek
Martin Run
Black River
Gaboon Creek
Rocky River
Cuyahoga River
Euclid Creek
Chagrin River
Mentor Marsh
Drainage
Area
(sq. miles)
18.81
178.51
49.91
54.04
28.66
142.29
587.2
105.59
30.09
30.56
1420.7
36.44
26.73
8.17
30.37
403.4
271.7
6.51
4.26
466.8
5.44
293.8
813.3
23.15
267.0
Estimated Population Equivalent
Total
450
5,000
10,525
3,150'
1,565
665
4,610
75,270
1,210
2,500
830
102,240
160
1,500
955
970
35,870
7,875
2,480
4,505
3,000
65,600
12,905
67,847
1,177,138
1,200
24,480
3,640
Unsewered
1
4,905
—
—
—
1,800
1,820
730
— ._
1,005
12,905
1,904
14,798
2
450
5,000
1,325
950
1,565
665
2,325
9,715
630
—
285
11,830
160
_, —
955
970
1,495
2,435
—
1,655
3,000
7,570
10,393
20,155
—
12,325
Sewered
Primary
___
2,200
4,075
—
—
— _
22,080
— ,_
2,205
430
19,765
—
7,950
3,640
Secondary
9,200
— _
2,285
56,575
580
2,500
545
66,530
—
1,500
—
—
30,350
4,710
2,480
2,850
57,025
55,120
1,122,420
1,200
4,205
-------
TABLE V-l "Continued"
LAKE ERIE MUNICIPAL WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES
uo
—5
River Subbasin
Arcola Creek
Grand River
Wheeler Creek
Cowles Creek
Indian Creek
Ashtabula River
Conneaut River
Direct to Lake Erie
INDIANA
Maumee River
St . Joseph River
St. Marys River
Upper Maumee River
MICHIGAN
St . Clair River-Lake
St . Clair Basin
Black River
Belle River
St. Clair River
Clinton River
Lake St. Clair
Totals for basin
Drainage
Area
(sq. miles)
10.15
712.1
22.18
16.84
137.1
191.2***
6586.3*
1060.4*
816.7*
690
210
760
Total
1,970
31,225
500
5,380
350
1.095
5,130
1,770,085
4,599,975
20,020
16,940
212,925
249,885
20,800
9,000
63,100
288,500
9,000
390,400**
Estimated Population
Unsewered
1 2
500
6,840
500
350
1.095
5A30
1,635 7,455
59,682 169,538
5,105
10,050
985
— 16,140
4,100
600
3,200
— 66,500
2,500
76,900
Equivalent
Sewered
Primary
___
19,460
652,900
756,905
59,900
59,900
Secondary
1,470
4,925
5,380
1,108,095
3,613,850
14,915
6,890
211,940
233,745
16,700
8,400
222,000
6^500
253,600
** Population does not include communities discharging to interceptor systems connected to
Detroit Sewage Treatment Plant.
-:;-;;-;;-Drainage area for Conneaut River includes 37-7 sq. miles in Ohio and 153.5 sq. miles in Pennsylvania
-------
TABES ?-l "Continued"
LAKE MUNICIPAL FACILITIES
River Subbasin
Detroit River
Huron River
Raisin River
Maumee River Basin
St . Josenh River
Tiffin River
Direct to Lake
Drainage
Area
(sq. miles)
892
1070
6586.3*
1060.4*
804.5*
Total
3,457,400
171,600
60 , 000
2,700
6,645
9,400
Estimated Population
Unsewered
1 2
135,200
17,000
7,000
___ 2,700
2,055 2,040
9,400
Equivalent
S
Primary
3,321,600
8,900
25,600
ewered
Secondary
___
145,700
27,400
2,550
—
PENNSYLVANIA
Conneaut River
Raccoon Creek
Crooked Creek
Elk Creek
Trout Run
Walnut Creek
Sevenmile Creek
Sixteenffiile Creek
Direct to Lake Erie
MEW YORK
Chautaqua Creek
Cornell Creek
Slippery Rock Creek
Beaver Creek
Canadaway Creek
Silver Creek
Cattaraugus Creek
4,098,145
191.2***
8.95
21.2
101
5.83
36.1
8.70
18.4
4,440
500
760
5,660
1,640
2,000
255
13,145
173,500
36
40
52
565
201,900
3,800
500
1,415
130
37,640
4,215
18,035
2,055 250,340
2,060
760
915
3,416,000
1,415
130
140
130
4,235
500
4,215
a, 150
25
25
7,825
429,250
2,380
500
4,720
1,640
2,000
255
13,145
173_,000
197,640
3,600
37,500
1,930
-------
TABLE V-l "Concluded"
LAKE ERIE MUNICIPAL WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES
Drainage
River Subbasin Area
(sq, miles)
Big Sister Creek
Muddy Creek
Pike Creek
Eishteenmile Creek 110
Rush Creek
Smoke Creek
Buffalo River 842
Buffalo River
Buffalo Creek
Gayuga Creek
Cazenovia Creek
Totals for Buffalo River
Niagara River U . S . Sub-
basin
Niagara River
Tonawanda Creek 768
Totals for basin
Direct to Lake Erie
Total
5,240
422
2,500
17,155
25,300
42,035
22,110
4,785
17,160
27,895
71,950
1,163,174
71,055
1,234,229
31,320
1,495,886
Estimated
Population
Unsewered
1
___.
300
4,000
— _
4;000
_. —
700
6,815
2
3,665
422
2,500
1,400
600
5,855
590
785
300
2,925
4,600
2,400
960
3,360
8,015
43,282
Equivalent
S
Primary
___
5,920
290
6,320
—
13,700
—
20,020
1,099,174
4,945
1,104,119
22,605
1,160,779
ewered
Secondary
1 ^7^
— , j ' j
— ._
9,535
2i., 700
35,890
15,200
T 1 An
^J * — w w
24,970
43,330
61,600
65,150
126,750
235,010
-------
Table ¥-2
INDUSTRIES IN LAKE ERIE MS IK DISCHARGING DIRECTLY TO PUBLIC WATERS
River riuhbasin
Ohio
Mauiriee River
Auglalze River
Lower Mautnee River
St . Joseph River
St , Marys River
Tiffin River
Upper Maiunee River
Totals for Maumee
Portage River
Sandusky River
Huron River
Black River
Rocky River
Cuyahoga River
Chagrin River
Grand River
Ashtabula River
Minor Tributaries to Lake
Direct to Lake
Total
Industrial
Plants
11
9
2
3
l
3
29
7
5
2
13
2
2k
5
5
6
10
10
Industrial Plants
With Inadequate
Treatment
2
1
__
__
--
1
h
1
--
1
1
__
16
__
1
3
2
1
Total for Ohio
118
30
Indiana
Maumee River
St. Joseph River
St. Marys River
Upper Maumee River
Total
2
1
13
1
1
Status of waste treatment facilities as reported by state water pollution
control agencies.
-------
Table V-2 (continued)
IHDUSTRIES II LAKE ERIE BASIN DISCHARGING DIRECTLY TO PUBLIC WATERS
River Subbasin
Michigan
Detroit River
Rouge River
Total for Basin
Huron River
Raisin River
Direct to Lake
Total
Industrial
Plants
21
Ik
35
12
9
1
Industrial Plants
With Inadequate
Treatment
5
5
10
1
6
Total for Michigan 57 IT
Status of waste treatment facilities as reported by state water pollution
control agencies.
-------
Table V-2 (concluded)
River Subbasiri
Total Industrial Plants
With Adequate
Treatment
Pennsylvania
Gonneaut River
Tributaries to Lake
Direct to Lake
Total for Pennsylvania
1
5
1
Industries
With Inadequate
Treatment
Hew York
Buffalo River
Cattaraxigus Creek
Trttmtaries to Lake
Total for New York
2
2
10
Status of Waste Treatment Facilities as reported by State water
pollution control agencies.
-------
Table V - 3
LAKE ERIE
INDUSTRIAL WASTES DISCHARGED DIRECTLY TO LAKE-AEF1CTED OF
State Classification
Industry
Ohio
Standard Oil Co.
Gulf Oil Co.
Irrterlake Iron
Sun Oil Co.
Toledo Edison
LiVbey-Owens Fords
Allied Chemical
Type of
Waste
Required Improvements
Reported by State Agency
Mauaee River (0 - l4.9 Miles)
Oil Refinery
Oil Refinery
Steel Solids
Oil Refinery
Power
Glass Manufacture
Plastics
U. S, Steel Corp.
Black River (0 - 10.2 Miles)
Steel
Republic Steel
Bolt & Hut Div.
Mill Scale
Standard Oil Corp.
#1
#2
U. S. Steel Corp.
Blast Furnace
Pickling
Mill Scale
E. I. DuPont
Republic Steel
Coke Plant
Blast Furnace
Rolling Mill
Pickling
Cuyahoga River (0 - 6.6 Miles)
I Pickling Liquor
I Oil and, phenol
Steel
Acid Iron
Oil Refinery
Steel
Chemical
I
I
I
I
Solids
Pickling Liquor
Solids
Metals
I Solids - Increase efficiency
I Oil & Solids - Increase efficiency
I - inadequate as reported by State water pollution control agencies.
-------
Table V - 3 (Continued)
LAKE ERIE
INDUSTRIAL WASTES DISCHARGED DIRECTLY TO LAKE-AFFECTED PORTIONS OF RIVERS
State Classification
Type of
Industry
Type of
Waste
Required Improvements
Reported by State agency
Cuyahoga River (0 - 6,6 Miles)
J, L, Steel Corp,
Pickling
Blast Furnace
Mill Scale
Harshaw Chemical Co,
Sherwin-Williams
Elco Lubricant Corp.
Steel
Chemicals
Chemicals
Oil
I Pickling Liquor
I Pickling Liquor
I Reduction of metallic salts
I Acids & Alkaline Sludges
I Acids & Alkaline Sludges
Diamond Alkali Co.
U. S. Rubber Co,
Grand River (0 - 2.3 Miles)
Chemical
Chemical
Ashtabula River (0 - 3.3,Miles)
Olin Mathieson
Cabot Titania Corp.
Titania Dioxide Plant
Titania Tetrachloride
Detrex Chemical Ind,
Reactive Metals
Sodium & Chloride
Plant
Metal Reduction
Plant
Extrusion Plant
Diamond Alkali Co.
General Tire & Rubber Co.
Chemical
Chemical
Chemical
Chemical
Chemical
Chemical
Chemical
Chemical
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
Solids pH
Solids
Solids
Solids - Chloride
Iron Hydrocarbon
Solids
Solids and pH
Solids
Solids
I - inadequate as reported by State water pollution control agencies.
-------
Table V - 3 (Continued)
LAKE
INDUSTRIAL WASTES DIRECTLY TO LAKE-AFFECTED PORTIONS OP RIFERS
State Classification
Industry
Aluminum & Magnesium ,
Co., Sandusky, Ohio
United States Gypsum
Gypsum
Cleveland Electric
Illuminating Co.
Avon Lake
Eastlake
Ashtabula
Ohio Edison Co.
Lorain
The Lubrizol Corp.
Wickliffe
Thompson Ramo Woolridge
Euclid
Industrial Rayon Co.
Painesville
Union Carbide Corp.
Metals Division
Ashtabula
Detrex Chemical Ind.
Chloro-Alkali
Plant
Ashtabula
Type of
Waste
Direct to Lake Erie
Metals
Paper I
Power
Power
Chemical
Metal Finishing I
Textile I
Steel Acid-Iron
Chemical
Required Improvements
Reported by State Agency
Solids
Solids
Metals Reduction
Metals Reduction
Pennsylvania
Hammermill Paper Co.
Erie, Pa.
Interlake Iron Corp.
Erie, Pa,
Pennsylvania Electric
Erie, Pa.
Direct to Lake Erie
Paper I
Metal I
Plyash
I - inadequate as reported by State water polltition control agencies
-------
Table V - 3 (Continued)
LAKE
IIDUSTRIAL WASTES DISCHARGED DIRECTLY TO LAKE-AFFECTED PORTIONS OF RIVERS
State Classification
Type of
Industry Waste
HewYork
Direct to Lake Erie
Steel
Inorganic Solids I
Bethlehem Steel Co.
Lackawanna
Penn-Dixie Cement Co.
Michigan
Detroit Edison
Enrico-Fermi Station
Required Improvements
Reported by State Agency
Direct to Lake Erie
Power
I - inadequate as reported by State water pollution control agencies,
-------
TABLE V-4
CHLORIDE INPUTS TO LAKE
Source
MICHIGAN
Head of Detroit River
Additions to Detroit River (incl.Canada)
Discharges "by
Huron River
Raisin River
OHIO
Discharges by
Maumee River
Portage River
Sandusky River
Black River
Rocky River
Cuyahoga River
Chagrin River
Grand River
Ashta"bula River
Municipalities
Toledo
Sandusky
Lorain-Avon
Lakewood
Cleveland-Westerly
Cleveland-Ea sterly
Euclid
Industrial—Direct to Lake--Ohio
PENNSYLVANIA
Municipalities
Erie
Small Sources
Industrial
HEW YORK
Buffalo River
Other Sources
CANADA (other than Detroit River)
Sum of Known Sources
Discharged at Miagara River
Pounds/Day
6,500,000
11,500,000
90,000
MJ.O,OOO
100,000
170,000
170,000
110,000
660,000
60,000
2,200,000
20,000
80,000
7,000
17,000
10,000
37,000
140,000
lt»-,000
unknown
12,000
unknown
70,000
if, 000
_jmknown__
22,551,000
25,100,000
-------
V-6
SUSPENDED SOLIDS INPOTS TO LAKE ERIE
Source
MICHIGAN
Discharge by
Detroit River
Huron River
Raisin River
OHIO
MEW YORK
Maumee River
Portage River
Sandusky Hiver
Black River
Rocky River
Cuyahoga River
Chagrin River
Grand River
Ashtatrnla River
Buffalo River
Pounds/Day
8,600,000
10,000
1,600,000
130,000
130,000
73,000
8i»-,ooo
14.90,000
TO,000
360,000
15,000
100.000
TOTALS—Major Known Sources
11,710,000
-------
TABLE V-7
TOTAL NITROGEN INPUTS TO LAKE EHU
Source
MIGKEGAH
Discharge "by
Detroit River
Huron River
Raisin River
OHIO
Tributaries
Maumee River
Portage River
Sandusky River
Black River
Rocky River
Cuyahoga River
Chagiin River
Grand River
Ashtabula River
Municipalities
Toledo
Sandusky
Lorain-Avon
Lakewood
Cleveland-Westerly
Cleveland-Easterly
Euclid
Industrial—Direct to Lake
PENNSYLVANIA
NEW YORK
Erie
Buffalo River
Other Sources
CANADA (other than Detroit River)
Sum of Known Inputs
Pounds/Day
500,000
1,600
3,800
65,000
19,600
*
13,200
#
52,100
*
^000
k-0,000
3,500
6,700
5,200
19,000
71,000
6,900
12,000
#
2.100
821,700
* unknown
-------
¥-8
SOLUBLE PHOSPHATE I1PUTS TO LAKE
Source
MICHIGAN
Discharge from Lake Huron
Municipal
Industrial
Tributaries
Huron River
Raisin River
OHIO
Municipalities
Toledo
Sandusky
Lorain-Avon
Lakewood
Cleveland Westerly
Cleveland Easterly
Euclid
Industrial—Direct Discharge
Tributaries
Maumee River
Portage River
Sandusky River
Black River
Rocky River
Cuyahoga River
Chagrin River
Grand River
Ashtabula River
PENNSYLVANIA
NEW YORK
Erie
Other Sources
Buffalo River
Other Sources
CANADA (est.-Municipal)
Sum of Major Known Sources
Discharged at Niagara River
Pounds/Day
11,800
TO,000
10,000
2,000
900
8,
1,000
2,600
1,100
5, too
lit-, 900
2,100
unknown
11,000
1,100
6,000
3,^00
3,500
300
100
2,600
2,900
2,300
2,500
5 .OQP
2^,000
ft U, S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1915 O - 782-553
50
------- |