r
P0-24S 804
A BENTK1C SURVCY OF FLAT CR££K AND THE SALT RIVER
NEAR TKAtJU. WOKING
tftvirort<*ienta 1 Protection Agency
Oeri'.er . Col orado
February 1973
V
*
DISTRIBUTED BY:
Kfiji
Nation) iKhtfal Icfsnutin Stnrict
0. 1 DEPARTMENT Of COMMERCE
-------
WTSi-14
A BEKTHIC SURVfT OF
FLAT CREEK WTO THE SALT lilVtt
MEM TNAYNE, WWm
TECHNICAL SUW*T BRANCH
SOTVEJLWNCE AND ANALYSIS DMS1Q*
U. S. ENVIRCttfEJTTAL HWTECT10N AGENCY
REGION VIII
*avm**r W2
-------
TABLE OF COWTIHTS
Pigc
INTRODUCTION 1
METHODS AND MATERIALS 1
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION . }-$
SWtARY 11
-------
LIST Of FIGURES
1, Stapling Station locations on Flat Creek and the
Salt River near Thayne, Myoalng
LIST OF TABLES
1. Saaplirvg Station Descriptions for Flat Crack and
tht Salt River, Tltayne, Wyoming
2* Average ft*ber of Benthlc Organisms Collected frw
Flat Creek, near Thayw» Wyoming r r f
3. Total Organic Carbon Levels at Flat Creek Sampling
stations
4. Total Phosphorus Levels at Flat Creek Sampling
Stations
5. Total Nitrogen Levels at Flat Creek Sampling
Stations
6. Dissolved Oxygen Levels at Flat Creek Sampling
Stations . .
- 1V-
-------
INTRODUCTION
On August 29-30, 1972, it the request of the Enforcement Division of
Region VIIt. a bentMc survey was conducted on Flat Creek And the Salt
River near Thayne, Wyoming, by Ronald H. Eddy* a biologist from the
Surveillance and Analysis Division, and Thorns tfl 11 Ingham from the Per-
¦its Branch. The survey was conducted to determine possible effects on
Flat Creek and the Salt River of whey and raw sewage discharged from
the Star Valley Dairy. The effluent of whey and sewage from the dairy
and associated restaurant Is discharged directly Into Flat Creek, Aoproxi-
Dtttcly two miles downstream from the effluent discharge. Flat Creek flows
Into the Salt River (Figure 1).
METHODS AW MATERIALS
All quantitative saeples were collected with a square-foot Surber sampler.
Qualitative samples were collected both by readying organisms from selected
rocks and debris by hand and with the use of a large dip net, All samples
were preserved in 1W Formalin and transported to the Region VIM Biology
Laboratory 1n Denver, Colorado, for processing.
Figure 1 shows the location of each sampling station on Flat Creek and
the Silt River. A description of the physical characteristics of each
station is given 1n Table 1,
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The results of the Flat Creek benthic survey are shown in Table 2. All
organisms were classified to the lowest taxinomlc level possible.
Two Surber samples were taken at all stations except FC-D^-1 and FC-D^-2.
The quantity of organisms collected from the Surber samples taken at each
station was averaged for each station and the values recorded in Table 2.
For the purpose of this discussion* organisms wiTl be classified accord-
ing to their sensitivity to organic pollution as pollution sensitive*
pollution Intermediate, and pollution tolerant. Pollu'm sensitive
organisms are those which cannot withstand major reductions of dissolved
oxygen or the smothering effect of sludge deposits often associated with
organic pollution. With a moderate reduction of the dissolved oxygen
concentration* the number and kinds of pollution sensitive organisms
decrease with an associated increase in pollution intermediate and pollu-
tion tolerant organisms. With still further reductions of dissolved
oxygen, the pollution Intermediate organisms decrease with pollution
tolerant organisms becoming predominant.
Of the major organisms collected from Flat Creek, (mayflies),
Titccjtffcui (caddis flies)* and (stonefHes) are examples of
pollution sensitive organisms, while Scnu£i4at (blackflles) and CJuicncm^ac
(midges) are examples of pollution intermediate farms.
I.
-------
nawE i
SjgBljsa Static LKftjgjg on Flft Crtffc >nd tjijllt jjygr nwr tNant«
STAR VALLEY
PI DAIRY FARMS
-------
TABLE 1
Sampling Station Otic Motions for
rut Critic ii*3 the Salt Wvtr. Thiwi. Hnntw
Stat 1 oft location-1-/
FC-ll F'at Creek - ?0 yards UMtreim
of effluent.
FC-G Sum as above - qualitative
sample.
FC-E Star Valley Dairy affluent
taken directly from the Mfir
box prior to discharge Into
Flat Cree*.
FC*D|-1 Flat Creek - ?0 yards do*'
stream of effli«nt discharge,
effluent side of stream.
FC-Dj-2 Same as above * opposite side
of stream.
FC-Dj Hat Creek - 300 yards do«n~
stream of effluent.
FC-Dj Flat Creek - 2 miles down-
stream of effluent - 2W yards
abova confluence with Salt civtr.
SP.-U Salt IMver - 1/2 mile ibovn con-
fluence of Salt River and
Flat Cwk.
SR-Dj Salt Rtver - ZD yards be>o*
confluence «ith Flat Creek.
Sfi-&2 * 3 «1lts tieto*
confluence with Flat Creek-
Bottom Tm Strata Width
Htt»lcai characteristic*
75? rock
gravel
7ft rtxfc
25* gravel
75* rock
2$: gravel
50* rock
50; gravel
Ml rock
Wl friwl
WI rock
SOt gravel
50* rock
gravel
in ft.
20 ft.
?0 ft.
25 ft.
W ft.
<0 ft.
40 ft.
Bottc* completely covered »1t*
excessive qrovtm or atcae and
aqmtlc plants.
Ptettimt,. alqee. and aouatk plants
covered hr1 tMck larer of con-
gealed trfiey.
No deposits of concealed
little or no lateral Mining of
tha effluent.
Larce n*&te| Of C9ngnl(d vh«v
trapf^d tn alga* and aquatic plants:
bottom not completely covered
deduction of atgiT growths aUtovo*
still abundant,
Ho large growth* o' algae present.
y *11 samples »*re collected in sna?iow rtffie »reas
except F[
loth Swruer samples Uke* on the
edee o* a (matt island in t*e
middle s>r Salt Hver.
Tmo Swrber templet «*re plaited at Men station.
¦Dj-1 and Fl-0j-2.
-------
TABLE 2
BontMc Organism
BactU 4p-
EpkimtitlU Ap.
P&wZtptoplitibia tp.
HtptajuuA
7>uccpt*m
AgojM£u4 ap,
ttytfttcpfrlftcAt 4jj,
PfliCCptW
.Venoci*4 *p,
Co'Uxida*.
Cotteptvia
EJ^idat
ViptVlCL
SatuiiAat
ChiftonomAdxt
ImfHcUdat
TLiniat
HktQ4Aiuda.i
Tobonidnt
QliqQtJ&Ztti
Ann&tidit
Ui/tudiMA
Awrigt fluwbar of Buttle OrMWllW
Coll »c tad frtw Flit Crf*. nwr Wyoming
Ft:—u rc-o^ Fc-cyi rc-o^-2
78
2
3
1
14
93
105
3
I
56
56
Q
9
Q
Q
0
Q
0
Q
10<
n
49
67
1
1
75
39
FC-O,
m
I
\ 38
$46
57
16
FC-Oj
133
\
118
12*1
2
1
Total Humbar Of Kinds , - > 12 13
Tota! Jtumba* p®r sq, ft-- * 355
4
B
9
419
7
1239
9
1481
1/ Qualitative sa»pl« - not uiad for computation of nunbar of organic* pe* sq< ft.
- 4 -
-------
Fourteen different kinds of organisms were collected from the upstream
control station (fC-U), Of the organisms collected, pollution sensitive
mayflies (fiae&a ap.} were the most prevalent* averaging 78 organisms
per sq. ft. Although pollution sensitive caddis flies and $toneflies
were collected, the small number taken Indicate a minor roTe in the
benthlc population. Blackflies and midges averaged 23 and 105 organisms
per sq. ft.. respectively.
The first dOMnstrean station (FC-D-j-1) Illustrates the detrfmental effect
of the whey effluent on the bcnthic community. The first Surber sample
(FC-Ol-1) was taken on the same side of the stream as the effluent dis-
charge. The bottom was covered with a thick layer of congealed whey far
approximately 50 yards downstream from the discharge. The large reduc-
tion of all kinds of organisms Is likely the result of the smothering
effect Df the whey rather than any toxic quality.
lateral mixing of the Mhey had not been affected at the first downstream
station. Consequently* the Surber sample taken from the side of the
stream opposite the discharge (FC-D-2) did not ihow any detrimental
effect of the whey
At the second downstream station (FC-D;>), 300 yards downstream of the
discharge, large Increases in the average rubber of mayflies* blackflies
and midges were observed. Mayflies [Ba&cia 4p.) fncreared from an
average of 7B organisms per sq. ft. at the upstream control station to
478 organisms per sq. ft. Blackflies and midges Increased from 33 and
106 organisms per sq. ft. at the control station to 138 and 54G organisms
per sq. ft.* respectively. The large Increase in organises was due to
the enriching effect of the sewage portion of the effluent as evidenced
by substantial increases 1n organic carbon, total nitrogen, and phosphorus
levels downstream of the effluent (Tables 3, 4, and 5). The enriching
effect of the effluent* however* cannot be classified as detrimertal
since not only the midges were increased but also the mayflies* a major
fish food organism.
At the last station sampled on Flat Creek (FC-DjJ* approximately two
miles downstream of the discharge* the quantity of mayflies, blackflies,
and midges was significantly higher than the upstream control station
(FC-U). Mayflies {Sao.-tcj ip.l averaged 133 organisms per sq. ft, as com-
pared to 76 organisms per sq. ft* at the control station. Blackflies and
midges averaged 118 and 1221 organisms per sq. ft. as compared to 33 and
105 organisms per sq. ft., respectively, at the control station. Although
all of the above organisms exhibited increases from the respective control
station samples, only the midges experienced an increase 1n organisms per
sq. ft. from the previous sampling station (FC-0^). The decrease In may-
flies and tlackflies from the previous station Indicates a lessening of
the enrichment effect of the effluent due to dilution (Tables 3* 4, and 5].
- 5 -
-------
TABLE 3
Total Organic Ctrbott Lwlt at Hit Creek Samp) 1 fig Station*
Station
FC-U
FC-E
FC-D.-l
FC-D -1
fC-D0
FC-D,
Date
8/2fl/7?
9/29/72
0/30/7?
8/31/7?
9/01/72
9/02/72
R/2A/7Z
S/29/72
6/30/72
8/31/72
9/01/72
9/02/72
8/2ft/7?
3/29/72
fV30/7?
S711/7?
3/01/72
9/02/72
/V 28/72
3/29/72
8/30/72
8/31/72
9/01/72
9/02/72
TOUT
Organic Carbon
<.0
< 1-0
1.0
4.0
O.P
3,0
220
7170
4670
3680
119
4970
No samples taken
No samples, taken
21
67
T3S
119
1
121
19
IB
IS
13
1?
Average Total
?-9»n1c Carbon
fern
2.3
3472
79
14
- * -
-------
TABLE 4
Total Phorahorm Levels >t Flat Crtk Smollno Stations
Average
1 P«MS|
Station
Date
Total Phai
ToUl Pfeosphonn
¦V
FC-U
8/28/72
8/29/72
8/30/72
8/31/72
9/01/72
9/02/72
0.05
0,07
0.05
0.06
0.02
0.02
0.045
FC-£
8/28/72
8/29/72
3/30/72
S/31/72
9/01/72
9/02/72
10.9
125.0
1*2.0
82.5
10.0
82.5
78.7
FC-Dj-1
No samples taken
FC-DUj-2
Ho snples taken
FC-0,
8/22/72
8/29/72
8/30/72
8/31/72
9/01/72
9/02/72
0.53
2.00
4.50
3.00
0.2$
2.50
2.13
FC-D,
8/28/72
8/29/72
8/30/72
8/31/72
9/01/72
9/02/72
0.32
0.58
0.45
0.45
0.56
0.29
0.44
- 7 -
-------
TABLE 5
Total Nitrogen Levels at Flat Crtefc Sampling Stations
Station
Date
Total Nitrogen
isaill
Average
Total N^tr«9efi
isUll
FC-U
8/28/72
8/25/72
8/30/72
8/31/72
9/01/72
9/02/72
<0.1
0.2
0.25
0.04
0,02
0.26
<0.14
FC-£
8/28/72
6/29/72
8/30/72
8/31/72
9/01/72
9/02/72
13.
231
253
200
8
264
>61,5
FC-0^-1
FC-D,-2
No sables taken
Ho wwple* taken
FC-D-
8/28/72
8/29/72
8/30/72
8/31/72
9/07/72
9/02/72
1.12
5.10
7,36
5.91
0.44
ft.r*
FC-0- 8/28/72 0.87 0.99
J 8/29/72 0.78
8/30/72 0.73
P/31/72 1.08
9/01/72 T,32
9/02/72 1.20
-------
A decrease In Algal covering on the bottvn. and consequent rotation 1n
the actual amount of substratimi sampled, may also account for part of
thai reduction 1n the nimfcer of organisms per sq. ft. T^a reason for
the Increase In the number of midges per sq ft. from the previous up-
stream station is not known.
The only evident detrimental effect of the affluent was the Mothering
by the congealed wh*y tt sampling station FC-D|-1. Although congealed
wtvey was observed downstream as far as sapling station FC-Dj» no blanket-
log effect was evident as the congealtd whey *** Isolated to small nastii.
Large reductions 1n dissolved oxygen concentrations, a possible detri-
ment*! effect of whey discharges Into water¦ ware not realized The dis-
solved oxygen level was reduced from an average of 8.0 mg/1 at the upitream
control station to an average of 5,7 mg/l at sampling station FC~Dj( a re-
duction Insufficient to produce gross detrimental effects in the benthic
commmlty. At stapling station FC-D3, the dissolved oxygen concentration
averaged 7*3 mg/1.
Initial examination of the Salt fttver benthlc samples evidenced pollution
sensitive mayflies, caddis flies, and stonaflles* both upstream and 4mm-
stream of the confluence of Salt River and Flat Creek. As no detrimental
effects of the effluent on the benthlc conwunlty were observed at the
farthest downstream station an Flat Creek (FC-O3), further processing of
the benthlc samples from Salt River to show detrimental affects on the
benthlc community below the confluence was deemed unnecessary.
- 9 -
-------
UBLE 6
Dissolved Qxygin Concentrations at Flit Crgtfc Sw11w Stations
*¦ «¦— ¦ ¦¦¦- ¦« ¦!
Dissolved Oxygen
Station Date Concentration*
Average Dissolved
Oowoefl Concentrations
FC-U
S/2S/72
8/29/72
8/30/7Z
8/31/72
9/01/72
9/02/72
83
7.6
8.0
8.1
9.2
7.9
e.o
FC-E
FC-D1-1
8/28/72 3.6
8/29/72 1.7
8/30/72 l.S
8/31/72 2.9
9/01/72 4.9
9/02/72 1.4
Ho samples collected
2,7
FC-Dj-2
No samples collected
FC-D,
8/28/72
8/29/72
8/30/72
8/37/72
3/01/72
9/02/72
«.0
5.4
5.4
6.1
6.7
5.4
5.7
FC-D, 8/28/72 7.5 7.3
J 8/29/72 7.4
8/30/72 8,2
8/31/72 7,7
9/01/72 5.2
9/02/72 7,5
- 10 -
-------
SUWWtT
1- The SUr Valltty Dairy, Thayne* Wyoming, dlsthar^s Mwy
-------
«l»LK>0*irMC DATA
*HE|T
1. Hrpu«t V^i.
3r fl P*" ipirfll' % »lOfl Xow
4 a BTTuv?c'f TvTctT^Zi
¦ > 41 ' J v. 1 •. j r j t? fi « 7 j V» 1 , ll I '.£ i 1 • I *- (
St Hrpwi li«r
J. .4ichnri<
t, IVHurmiQf Rrfir
S<».
f. rrr(u:a»if Orj»rur «»•>»» Nj«Hf J*J AjJrr»«
*- ¦••'• tfi, n-„ v <llfiF X»mr a»J A.J-irr¦* *
, 4 :¦ ¦ £ t l ¦ /l-l ".i <•.: f *t.~ !' >'" f' V ff <'<"<-
it#. c.i.rr.
<: t' >.', kjia(.
13*. 1 vfnr ut RrpHI 1 MciiCJ
t t)+*r*J
1S* >u|»|Mc *iro|a.ry Viirr*
,¦ ,rU\* ¦¦¦ ' rrfiL-rLJ (Uii't »uiv .^v. i,> -,y/."A.
/,.] +|i4- .,'ii r .¦.-•.»/ .V :i fir'Cj // 1 J ( j t.. ^
1 k' - Ji'm vaLii'j _ti.il>-!. r{\: ((./(.iy kcf .V'f ^ ./ -ftf/iY
-tf— -iAi'-. .1 .•:»; • (\ij /u< < i .f i1. t i!< <.<-:fli w 1-i^c^ .-./!¦ Uj'j '^iti'2 Mi vA-t" .lI-iIX*"1
v. * * 1 y
. *«o r_'\ tr* -iLu'j •• »v'- '~k: jit rlt.:. t
17. k^y IfJlJ* et>! ]lv*umcc1 4iuH-«tt. 17«. IV»rriPt''<*
^ V i ^ U
< I. . ' f .
I.- 1? lAL
17^. LirnciPecr% '< Ipr n-l-'n^#d Trrmt.
Y f.i;, -K V.^^VinJC '.ut^
S--* 1 -»¦
$j •.. f&it1
f , r'
'i
17c- ^'JSATI fir IJ Ciro^jp
PF'CK
r:
t T3 rv^
ti. *T«il»Ki1»ry
IV. ViytUyCItu (7hii
Rupert)
IJ»TL^«KIFlfc|>
15. So. of (*•»*«»
/6
JO. XtiirMyf (Th>«
!'¦**«•
iwi.a.«ifihi>
«• y, „ ^
it'Hl ^»«v «•!*• |:.V|V)R5F.n ftV ANSI AN1> r:.\| M o,
THIS FOUM MAV M: RtPXnKH'Fn
vl»COMM-OC »!«•-»«
------- |