LAKE ERIE
LAKE WIDE
JVlAWACiEJVIENT
PLA1V
Lake Erie Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP)
Technical Report Series
Degradation of Aesthetics
Prepared for the Lake Erie LaMP
Preliminary Beneficial Use Impairment Assessment
Lauren Lambert
August 28, 1997
Lake Erie LaMP Technical Report No. 15
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Technical Report 15
Degradation of Aesthetics
Prepared for the Lake Erie LaMP Preliminary
Beneficial Use Impairment Assessment
Lauren Lambert
August 28, 1997
NOTE TO HI! READER:
This technical report was prepared as one component of Stage 1, or "Problem
Definition," for the Lake Erie LaMP. This report provides detailed technical and
background information that provides the basis for the impairment conclusions recorded in
the Lake Erie LaMP Status Report.
This document has been extensively reviewed by the government agencies that are
partnering to produce the LaMP, outside experts, and the Lake Erie LaMP Public Forum,
a group of approximately of 80 citizen volunteers. This review was designed to answer
two questions:
• Is the document technically sound and defensible?
• Do the reviewers agree with the document conclusions and format?
In its present form, this report has been revised to address the comments received during
that review process, and there is consensus agreement with the impairment conclusions
presented.
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15.1 Listing Criteria
According to the International Joint Commission (IJC), an aesthetic impairment occurs
when any substance in water produces a persistent objectionable deposit, unnatural
color or turbidity, or unnatural odor (e.g. oil slick, surface scum) (emphasis added, IJC,
1989).
As a result of the Lake Erie LaMP process the IJC listing criteria have been adopted for
evaluating aesthetic impairments in Lake Erie, with the following additions:
Whether an aesthetic problem is "naturally" occurring versus "man-made" does not
affect its potential designation as an impairment.
The fact that there is currently no known solution to an aesthetic problem does not
affect its potential designation as an impairment.
15 .2 Scope of the Assessment
The geographic scope of the Lake Erie LaMP beneficial use impairment assessment
(BUIA) includes open lake waters, nearshore areas, river mouths and embayments, and
the lake effect zone of Lake Erie tributaries. The lake effect zone is defined as that zone
where the waters of the lake and the tributary river are mixed. When aesthetic
impairments are mentioned in this summary in relation to Lake Erie Areas of Concern
(AOCs), these impairments are occurring in the lake effect zone of the AOC.
The presence of native species (such as Canada Geese, Ring-billed Gulls, and
Cormorants) can conflict with human use of the lake in certain situations. The issue of
overabundant native wildlife species and the interference of large quantities of living
aquatic plants with recreational boating are perceived by some as aesthetic problems. For
the reasons listed below, they do not meet the listing criteria for an aesthetic impairment
and are therefore outside the scope of the Beneficial Use Impairment Assessment.
Over abundant native wildlife species are not "substances" in water. In addition,
the perceived "nuisances" these species create to human use are not limited to
aesthetic considerations.
Similarly, large quantities of rooted aquatic plants are not "substances", and, in
fact, provide valuable habitat for certain aquatic organisms. However, the
uprooting of large quantities of aquatic plants can cause persistent, water-based,
objectionable deposits by washing up on beaches and this problem has been
included in the impairment assessment.
Although the issues of overabundant native wildlife species and rooted aquatic plants do
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not meet the beneficial use impairment listing criteria, they are nevertheless viewed as
problems that need to be addressed in Lake Erie. Therefore, these issues will be included
in a list for consideration by the LaMP process, so that they are not lost, simply because
they do not fit within the scope of the beneficial use impairment assessment.
15.3 Status
The purpose of this summary is to: a) outline all known instances of aesthetics problems
in Lake Erie waters, b) evaluate the nature of these problems, where possible, and c) to
distinguish between aesthetic impairments to use of Lake Erie, as defined by the IJC listing
criteria, and other aesthetic issues of concern that do not meet the listing criteria. To date,
the Lake Erie LaMP process has identified the following list of potential aesthetic
problems.
A. High Turbidity
B. Obnoxious Odor
C. Excessive Cladophora
D. Excessive Blue-green Algae
E. Nuisance Conditions at Public Beaches/ Lake Shoreline
1. Excessive aquatic plants washing up onto beaches and
shorelines.
2. Excessive algae fouling the shoreline (covered under
excessive Cladophora and obnoxious odors, above)
3. Large numbers of zebra mussel shells cutting people's
feet/odors due to decay.
F. Floating garbage/debris
G. Dead Fish
With the exception of beneficial use impairment assessments already completed for Lake
Erie AOCs, Lake Erie aesthetic problems have not previously been evaluated collectively.
In most cases the locations, frequency, duration, and magnitude of any identified aesthetic
problems or impairments have not been regularly tracked through any formal monitoring
program. In addition, there is no precise/common definition for a "persistent objectionable
deposit." Therefore, detailed information is largely anecdotal and inherently subjective.
The information that does exist is outlined below.
15.3.1 High Turbidity
Turbidity, or muddy/cloudy water, has been identified as an impairment in the Maumee,
Black, Cuyahoga (navigation channel), and Rouge River AOCs (Black River RAP, 1994;
Cuyahoga River RAP, 1992; Rouge River RAP, 1994; Maumee River RAP, 1995).
Turbidity is a persistent problem in the Black River mainstem and nearshore area and the
navigation channel of the Cuyahoga River. In the Black River AOC, "the cloudy
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appearance of [the] water column due to continual clay particle suspension [is] of special
concern" (Black River RAP, 1994).
Turbidity is a periodic problem in the nearshore area of the Cuyahoga AOC and the river
mouth/nearshore areas of all other major Ohio and New York Lake Erie tributaries.
Increased turbidity is evident after high flows and wet weather conditions. Nearshore
areas are particularly affected by storms stirring up bottom sediments, sediments carried
by the tributary river, and storm sewer discharges (Cuyahoga River RAP, 1992; ODNR,
1995; Draper, 1995).
In summary, high turbidity is causing an impairment, due to its persistence, in the
Maumee, Black, Cuyahoga and Rouge River AOCs. In other areas where turbidity has
been noted, it is not persistent, and is therefore not considered an impairment using the
IJC listing criteria.
15.3.2 Obnoxious Odors
Oil and grease, raw sewage from combined sewer overflows and/or failing septic systems,
and excessive decaying algae and zebra mussels are known to cause objectionable odors in
and around surface waters in the Lake Erie basin. In addition to potential odor problems,
CSO discharges can also cause problems due to the resulting floating garbage and debris.
This issue is discussed in more detail in the floating garbage and debris section of this
assessment.
In areas where oil and grease and raw sewage odors have been noted, they are not
persistent, and are therefore not considered impairments. Oil and grease are mentioned as
an aesthetic problem in the Black, Rouge and Detroit River AOCs (Black River RAP,
1994; Rouge River RAP, 1994; Detroit River RAP, 1991). In the Black River AOC oil
and grease loadings are of low concern because, problems are limited to very localized
areas and are limited in magnitude. Problems are not persistent in the Detroit River AOC
due to the high flow of the river. Combined sewer overflows are causing periodic odor
problems in two central basin locations, Edgewater Beach in Cleveland and in the
nearshore area between Geneva and Ashtabula (ODNR, 1995).
Persistent, seasonal, problems with obnoxious odors due to fish die-offs and decaying
algae have been identified in Lake Erie waters. These odors have interfered with human
recreational use of Lake Erie waters. Decaying algae odors are addressed below and in
the "Eutrophication and Undesirable Algae" assessment report. Odor problems associated
with decaying zebra mussels and fish die-offs are addressed below.
15.3.3 Cladophora
Cladophora is a filamentous alga that requires both a hard substrate and at least periodic
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submersion by water. Cladophora flourishes in areas of high nutrient concentrations and
significant quantities are an indicator of eutrophication. The growth of Cladophora in the
littoral zone does not necessarily indicate that there is a nuisance algal problem. It is the
die-back and sloughing of Cladophora in early to mid- summer and the subsequent
accumulation and rotting of Cladophora around the lake perimeter that is the primary
factor associated with an aesthetic use impairment. Current and wave actions can dislodge
and deposit large quantities of these attached algae onto the shoreline resulting in aesthetic
nuisance accumulations and obnoxious odors from decay (Bolsenga and Herdendorf,
1993; LTtalien, 1996).
In 1995, the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy surveyed 16 areas between Fort
Erie and Port Dover to determine Cladophora abundance. Cladophora fouling was
observed in 4 of the 16 areas surveyed (west of the Grand River mouth, Featherstone
Point, east of Sandusk Creek, and Peacock Point east of Nanticoke) (OMEE, 1995).
Because this survey was only conducted once, it is not known whether the Cladophora
fouling is persistent in these four areas (see Section 9.5.3, Shoreline Cladophora Surveys,
of the Eutrophication or Undesirable Algae component of the Beneficial Use Impairment
Report, for more details).
Specific details are summarized in Table 15.1 below.
Table 15.1: Median thickness and percentage cover of Cladophora over the 0.5 to 1.5 m
depth on rocky substratum in eastern Ontario Waters of Lake Erie, July 1995 (OMEE,
1995).
Snrvev A rest
Mciliiin Thickness (cm)
Percent Cover ("•«)
Bertie Bay (n=18)
5.4 (4-8)
89 (50-100)
Windmill Point (n=10)
7.7(6-11)
98 (90-100)
Whiteman's Point (n=10)
4.4 (2-7)
92 (60-100)
Sugar Loaf Point (n=10)
6.5 (6-7)
98(80-100)
Raton Point (n=10)
9.7(7-11)
91(70-100)
Morgan's Point (n=10)
8.0(6-10)
96 (60-100)
Mohawk Point (n=9)
10.9(6-15)
94 (80-100)
Rock Point (n=10)
5.4 (4-7)
60 (20-90)
Spatt's Bay (Grand R.) (n=6)
20 (10-28)
100
Grant Point (n=10)
13.4 (8-17)
94 (40-100)
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Snrvev Arm
Mediiin Thickness (cm)
Percent Cover
West of Low Point (n=10)
7.4 (4-12)
91 (40-100)
Featherstone Point (n=10)
18.0(16-20)
100
Sandusk Creek Mouth (n=10)
10.8 (7-17)
98 (90-100)
Peacock Point (n=3)
10.3 (8-13)
100
Nanticoke (n=10)
7.6(5-10)
76 (50-100)
Port Dover (n=10)
5.8 (4-7)
94 (60-100)
Median thickness = median heiiiht of the top of Cladophora lawn. N=number of 0.25 m"2 quadrants
surveyed. The values in parentheses give the range of values.
In addition to the four eastern basin locations mentioned above, the Norfolk-Haldimand
Public Health District in Ontario receives complaints from recreational users about
Cladophora fouling all along the eastern basin shoreline in Ontario. The rotting
Cladophora causes an obnoxious odor at public beaches and elsewhere along the shoreline
and is a source of taste and odor problems in drinking water (Steen, 1996).
Another identified nuisance problem with Cladophora growth in Ontario eastern basin
waters is the fouling of fishing nets. The Cladophora is very difficult to remove from the
fishing gear (Ryan, 1995). The fishing net fouling is not related to the seasonal die-off and
sloughing of Cladophora, but rather to abundant Cladophora growth in the littoral zone.
In the central basin, persistent problems (July through September) with excessive
Cladophora and shoreline fouling are occurring in Rondeau Bay, Ontario (Shepley, 1996).
Cladophora is commonly found along break walls and other suitable habitats in Wheatley
Harbor and in many areas of Ontario western basin waters of Lake Erie. To date, no
complaints have been formulated from area residents about excessive Cladophora
accumulations on the shoreline (Wheatley Harbour RAP, 1995).
Based on information provided to date, there are no excessive Cladophora problems in
the western basin of Lake Erie. Excessive Cladophora is a problem and may be causing
interference with human recreational use in at least 4 locations in the eastern basin and one
location in the central basin along the shoreline. A key issue with Cladophora fouling is
the obnoxious odor associated with its decay along the shoreline (Steen, 1996).
With the exception of Rondeau Bay in Ontario, sources of information documenting
persistent Cladophora fouling in problem areas are not available. Therefore, for the
remaining areas where Cladophora growth has been noted, it is not possible to determine
impairment or lack of impairment at the present time.
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15.3.4 Blue-green Algae (Cyanobacteria)
Blue-green algae are a component of the phytoplankton and have the ability to adjust their
buoyancy, floating or sinking depending on circumstances of light and nutrient supply.
Blue-green algae can be responsible for algal blooms, which are dense growths of algae
that can cover large portions of a lake's surface (Bolsenga and Herdendorf, 1993).
Cyanobacteria water blooms are defined as the visible coloration of a water body due to
the presence of suspended cells, filaments and/or colonies and in some cases subsequent
surface scums (surface accumulations of cells resembling clotted mats of paint-like slicks).
In northern latitudes like North America waters supporting cyanobacteria growth have a
sequence of algal dominance, generally being diatoms in the spring, then green algae
followed by cyanobacteria in the summer and often into the autumn. It is generally agreed
among aquatic microbiologists and limnologists who study water bloom formation that: 1)
nutrient loading, 2) retention time of water within the water body, 3) stratification, and 4)
temperature, are the main factors influencing bloom formation and intensity. Stratification
tends to induce rapid dominance by buoyant populations of cyanobacteria if conditions of
nutrient availability also exist. Thus the low wind days of summer and fall lead to
unhindered thermal stratification and buoyancy regulation (Carmichael, 1992).
From an aesthetics standpoint, Microcystis affects the color of the water. A Microcystis
bloom was described by one source as a "thick slick of grass-green paint" (Henry, 1995).
Microcystis, (tentatively identified as sp. aeruginosa) a genus of unicellular blue-green
algae, was found in mid-August 1995 floating on water near Rattlesnake Island, two miles
west of Put-in-Bay. The colony bloomed and by mid-September peaked, covering much
of the western basin. The bloom has reoccurred in the western basin in 1996. Although
Microcystis blooms appeared in Lake Erie annually in the 1970s and early 1980s,
researchers were not expecting a bloom to be present in Lake Erie today due to lower
phosphorus concentrations and the presence of zebra mussels.
It should be emphasized that toxin forming cyanobacteria are all naturally occurring
members of freshwater phytoplankton (Carmichael, 1992). However, Microcystis
outcompetes other algae, and as it is rather inedible, it diverts energy from the food chain
that would normally support zooplankton (Johannsson, 1995). The production of toxins
by cyanobacteria, to inhibit grazing pressures by zooplankton, may be one of the main
ecological roles for these compounds. Studies have shown that cyanobacteria may be
inhibitory or toxic to diatoms, zooplankton, and crustaceans (Carmichael, 1992).
Besides the aesthetic impact on Lake Erie, there is also concern about Microcystis'
tendency, under certain conditions to produce microcystin. Microcystin is a potent
hepatic (liver) toxin. At elevated concentrations, microcystin is suspected to cause bird
and fish kills as well as severe gastrointestinal problems in humans (Ohio Lake Erie Office,
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1995). Because the Microcystis blooms occurred so recently and were not expected, it is
not yet known if any aquatic organism mortality due to microcystins occurred in the
western basin in 1995 or 1996. A research project, currently underway, will evaluate
whether waterfowl deaths due to ingestion of microcystin occurred in 1995 and/or 1996
(Culver, 1996). More details about microcystin toxicity research can be found in section
2.2.4.4, "Ohio Contaminants Studies", in Chapter 2, Restrictions on Fish and Wildlife
Consumption, of the Beneficial Use Impairment Assessment.
The appearance of Microcystis in western Lake Erie is an emerging issue and it is not yet
known what caused the bloom in 1995. As of July 22, 1996, Microcystis blooms were
again occurring in the western basin of Lake Erie (Nichols, 1996). By mid-September
1996 much of the Microcystis bloom has dissipated due to a tropical storm.
There is some speculation that 1995 bloom may have been related to the presence of zebra
mussels. Due to the lack of current information related to the cause and potential
ramifications of the 1995 bloom, the Ohio Lake Erie Commission is funding a research
project that will investigate the scope, impact, and potential toxicity of Microcystis blooms
in the western basin of Lake Erie. Specifically this project will:
Monitor the occurrence of future blooms of Microcystis and other toxic algae.
Determine the risks of toxicity from microcystins released into Lake Erie to all
trophic levels, including wildlife species and humans.
Assess the potential ecological impacts of Microcystis blooms to the Lake Erie
ecosystem.
Educate and alert users of Lake Erie and its water to potential health risks
associated with blooms of Microcystis (Ohio Lake Erie Office, 1995).
In summary, the 1995 Microcystis bloom in western Lake Erie caused aesthetic problems
in western basin Lake Erie waters. However, because: a) this is the first bloom in many
years, and b) there is little to no information about the ecological impacts of the 1995 and
1996 blooms, it is not yet known whether this problem is significant enough to be
considered an impairment. The above-mentioned research, which is currently underway,
should provide data needed to re-evaluate this aspect of the impairment assessment.
15.3 .5 Nuisance Conditions at Public Beaches/Lake Shoreline
Perceived nuisance conditions at beaches or along the shoreline include: 1) excessive
aquatic plants washing up onto beaches/shorelines; 2) excessive aquatic plants interfering
with boat props and fishing gear; 3) Excessive algae fouling the shoreline (covered under
excessive Cladophora and obnoxious odors, above); 4) large numbers of zebra mussel
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shells cutting people's feet and/or odors due to zebra mussel decay; and 5) over abundant
native species such as Canada Geese and Ring-billed Gulls. For the reasons outlined in
Section 12.2, "Scope of the Assessment" of this report, shoreline nuisances created by
conflicts between human use and overabundant species of native waterfowl and rooted
aquatic plants will not be addressed in this assessment.
This assessment will address the nuisance conditions created when large quantities of
aquatic plants are uprooted and wash up on beaches. This has been a periodic problem
along the Michigan shoreline of Lake Erie, at Edgewater Beach in Cleveland (4 to 6 times
per year), and at Put-in-Bay and Catawba Island beaches (Sweet, 1995; Letterhos, 1995;
ODNR, 1995; Shieldcastle, 1995). This has been less of a problem along the Michigan
shoreline and at Edgewater Beach in 1995 than in past years.
Considerable anecdotal information regarding locations where large shoreline
accumulations of zebra mussels/shells have been noted has been provided to the BUIASC.
However, much of this information is not detailed enough to determine whether these
zebra mussel accumulations are persistent in nature. In addition, opinions differ regarding
whether the accumulated zebra mussels are objectionable to the point where they interfere
with human use of the Lake Erie shoreline. This has made it difficult to make a definitive
impairment determination.
It is clear that zebra mussels and their shells accumulate in large quantities along certain
portions of the shoreline, particularly in the western basin. What is not clear is whether
these accumulations persist, without some type of shoreline clean-up, to the extent that
people are not using the shoreline area affected, either due to odor problems or shells
cutting their feet. What is known, is summarized below.
Zebra mussel shells are abundant in the western basin, particularly at the Maumee Bay and
Crane Creek State Park, Catawba Island, South Bass Island, and Cedar Point beaches,
along certain portions of the Michigan Lake Erie shoreline, and in the central basin at
Presque Isle Bay State Park Beach (Letterhos, 1995; ODNR, 1995; Rutkowski, 1995;
Day, 1996). Large numbers of zebra mussel shells wash up onto the sand. In the case of
Cedar Point, zebra mussels wash up onto the shoreline and accumulate in windrows. This
is a problem not only in the beach area, but also along the private shoreline of the nearby
residential area. In addition, large piles of decaying zebra mussels cause an odor nuisance
(ODNR, 1995). Abundant zebra mussel shells on the beach are less of a problem at
Maumee Bay where an influx of sand from the lake tends to bury the shells fairly quickly.
According to park managers at both Crane Creek and Maumee Bay, routine beach
cleaning is generally an effective remedy during the bathing season, removing many of the
shells (ODNR, 1995).
Zebra mussel colonies on the bottom nearshore areas of both Crane Creek and Maumee
Bay State Park beaches are also a growing problem, again because people step on the
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shells. The problem has not yet become severe enough to require physical removal of the
colonies. Periodic northeastern storms cover these colonies with sand, smothering the
colonies. The dead zebra mussels then wash up onto shore where they can be removed by
beach cleaning.
In the case of South Bass Island, one journalist states, "not far from the Perry
Monument....[we] walked out onto a northeast-facing beach to look at what had to be the
most remarkable dune in the world. Built by days of winds, perhaps 200 feet long and
several feet high, the dune was made of millions upon millions of tiny brown-striped
mollusk shells. I bent and dug down, a foot, then two feet, astonished at the number of
shells, each about the size of a dried bean" (Luoma, 1996). At Presque Isle Bay State
Park, Beach #11 was closed for two days in June of 1994 due to abundant zebra mussels.
The beach was cleaned and the problem has not reoccurred as of March 1996 (Bernoski,
1996).
For the Michigan shoreline, the BUIASC has received a few reports of large
accumulations of zebra mussels, up to 2 feet deep, in certain areas. On the days these
zebra mussels were observed, it did not appear that any clean-up was occurring or was
planned (Day, 1996). However, the Michigan Health Department has not received any
public complaints about zebra mussel accumulations along the Michigan shoreline (Sweet,
1996).
In summary, nuisance conditions related to aquatic plant deposits and zebra mussel shells
are occurring. In the case of aquatic plants washing up on the beach, because no current
problems have been reported, this issue is not considered an impairment. However,
because zebra mussels are relatively new to Lake Erie and their filter feeding habitats have
created conditions that are ideal for increased growth of aquatic plants, the significance of
this problem may increase in the future. As a result, it is recommended that this problem
be re-evaluated periodically.
As outlined above, zebra mussels and shells are accumulating in large numbers along
certain stretches of the Lake Erie shoreline. Because detailed data is not available on
persistence and impact on human use, it is not possible to say with certainty that
impairment is occurring. However, based on anecdotal reports, it appears that impairment
is likely occurring in certain locations because there is no entity officially responsible for
removing the zebra mussels when they reach "objectionable" levels.
15.3 .6 Floating Garbage and Debris
Lake Erie Shoreline
Floating debris and garbage is a problem for most beaches and river mouth areas along the
Ohio Lake Erie shoreline. In many cases the debris is natural in origin (wood, cattails,
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grass, etc.) and is deposited on beaches/shoreline areas in the early spring as a result of
high flows from tributary river mouths. In some cases, large pieces of erosion control
structures are washed into the lake and sink in the nearshore areas along the Ohio
shoreline. These become hazards for waders, particularly in private residential areas on
the lake shore (ODNR, 1995). In other locations, floating debris from CSOs is deposited
in areas that are managed for public recreational use (Hudson, 1996).
Routine beach cleaning is usually an effective remedy for floating garbage and debris
deposited on public beaches just prior to or during the bathing season. In addition, an
International Coastal Cleanup has been conducted annually since 1989. The mission of the
International Coastal Cleanup is to: 1) remove debris from the shorelines, waterways, and
beaches of the world's lakes, rivers, and bordering oceans; 2) collect valuable information
on the amount and types of debris; 3) educate the public to the issue of marine debris; and
4) use the information collected from the cleanup to effect policy changes and other
measures needed to reduce marine debris and enhance marine conservation (Center for
Marine Conservation, 1994).
Ohio participates in the International Coastal Cleanup by sponsoring a Lake Erie shoreline
clean up as part of the annual Coastweeks celebration. The Coastweeks clean up
addresses a much greater portion of the shoreline than routine public beach cleaning
annually. In 1995, approximately 450 volunteers removed almost 30 tons of debris/litter
at 10 sites along 22.5 miles of the Ohio Lake Erie shoreline and river mouth areas. This
effort included underwater cleanups at Gordon Park, Put-In-Bay, and Areola Creek
Beach. The trash was inventoried and classified into the following categories: plastic,
glass, rubber, metal, paper, wood, cloth/clothing, and other (Ohio Lake Erie Office,
1995).
1,062 New York volunteers removed 18,000 pounds of debris from 95 miles of the Lake
Erie shoreline in 1995 (Cohen, 1996). In Pennsylvania, volunteers clean 7 miles of Lake
Erie shoreline at Presque Isle Bay State Park twice annually in the spring and fall. Daily
use of State Park beach cleaning equipment removes much of the debris during the period
of highest beach use. Volunteer cleaning in the spring is focused on removing debris
washed down from the tributary areas and fall cleaning focuses on debris that is not
addressed by beach cleaning equipment (Guerrein, 1996).
Canada and Michigan do not participate in the International Coastal Cleanup along Lake
Erie (George, 1996; England, 1996). However, local clean ups do occur along Canada's
Lake Erie shoreline sponsored by municipalities or local organizations. Therefore, no
readily accessible information is available on the results of Lake Erie shoreline clean ups in
Canada.
In addition to the annual International Coastal Cleanups around Lake Erie, since April of
1989, a group of student naturalists from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History have
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conducted an annual one day trash clean-up and inventory/characterization at Headlands
Dunes State Nature Preserve in Ohio. Since 1989, approximately 21,700 pieces of trash
has been collected at Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve. The trash was categorized
as plastic, styrofoam, paper, cigarette butts, glass, metal, rubber, wood, cloth or
food/masonry, and distinctions were made between beach trash (more representative of
floating garbage) and dunes/paths/woods trash (more representative of trash carried into
the site). Most of the trash was plastic or styrofoam and the approximately 50% of it was
found on the beach (Bartolotta, 1996).
Despite the above-mentioned efforts to remediate floating garbage and debris at
Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve, problems persist. Specifically, CSOs along the
Chagrin River discharge during wet weather and deposit floating plastic debris on the
Preserve shoreline on a regular basis. Visitors to the Preserve register frequent complaints
with the manager (Hudson, 1996). Anecdotal reports to the BUIASC suggest that similar
CSO-related floating garbage and debris problems are occurring along other areas of the
Lake Erie shoreline. However, with the exception of the AOCs (where a portion of the
debris is CSO-related) mentioned below, no specific information to confirm locations
where problems occur and/or their persistence has been provided to date.
Areas of Concern
Persistent problems with debris occur in the navigation channel of the Cuyahoga River and
periodic problems occur in the nearshore area of the Cuyahoga AOC. This issue has been
studied by many interested groups and agencies over the past 40 years and has been
addressed by a number of different periodic clean up efforts. Specifically, floating debris
presents a navigational hazard to recreational boaters and commercial boaters who travel
through the lower 5.6 miles of the Cuyahoga River - the dredged navigation channel. An
estimated $460,00-$500,000 was spent on debris-related damage to recreational
watercraft in 1994. Commercial vessels also incur damage from floating debris. In
addition, industries dependent on the river must build enclosures to keep debris away from
their water intake pipes.
The increase in floating debris on the Cuyahoga River is a result of the extensive
development in the watershed. If left untouched, trapped floating debris will accumulate
in piles several feet thick in backwaters, around bends, underneath docks, and against
bridge abutments. Here the logjams will remain until a heavy rain or flood waters wash
the debris to Lake Erie. Once in the lake, the debris will move east by prevailing westerly
winds and longshore currents. Although small debris is scattered by wind and currents,
many large logs collect inside the breakwall between the river mouth and North Coast
Harbor. Because of its location, North Coast Harbor becomes a catch basin for some of
the debris caught inside the breakwall.
Presently there are no programs to regularly remove floating debris from the navigation
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channel of the Cuyahoga River. A cooperative effort between the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers and U.S. Coast Guard eliminates some of the larger logs in the spring, but for
the rest of the year, the majority of big logs and the smaller scattered debris continue to
float down river. These problems are significant enough that the Cleveland Waterfront
Coalition commissioned a study to assess the feasibility of using a trash skimmer boat for
removing floating debris on the Cuyahoga River, North Coast Harbor, and inside the
breakwall between these two points.
Field biologists noted the types of debris floating on the surface of the Cuyahoga River in
the 5.6 mile navigation channel between July, 1994 and January, 1995. On August 22,
1994, 257 cubic yards of floating debris was measured between river mile 5.6 and the
mouth of the river. This measurement included a large log jam under the Conrail bridge at
LTV steel, but did not include the shoreline debris at the mouth of the river. The
composition of the measured debris was 71.5% wood material (less than 10 feet in
length), 27.5% large logs (greater than 10 feet in length), and 1% litter. The 1995 report
recommended the acquisition of a debris harvester to be used for more regular debris
removal. Planning is currently underway to develop the financing package needed to
purchase, store, operate and maintain the needed equipment. The estimated capital cost
for the debris harvester is $250,000 (Rogers, 1995; Cleveland Waterfront Coalition,
1995).
Problems with debris, particularly logjams, is also a problem in the Rouge River AOC.
An annual cleanup, "the Rouge River Rescue" is conducted to remove Rouge River debris
(Rouge River RAP, 1994).
In more urbanized areas, storm sewer and combined sewer overflow discharges often
contain manmade debris such as litter and human waste. This is a particular problem in
the Black, Detroit, and Rouge River AOCs (Black River RAP, 1994; Detroit River RAP,
1991; Rouge River RAP, 1994). Persistent problems occur in both the nearshore and
mainstem areas of the Black River and debris persists until it can be removed manually.
The annual Rouge Rescue is conducted to manually remove man-made debris from this
AOC. Due to the high flow in the Detroit River, these problems are not persistent within
the AOC.
15.3 .7 Dead Fish
Public concern is often expressed about seasonal die-offs of alewife (eastern basin), smelt
(all basins) and gizzard shad (central and western basin). It is generally unclear how
closely public concern about these die-offs is linked to a perceived aesthetic problem
versus curiosity regarding the cause of the fish die-off Documentation of situations
where fish die-offs have caused an objectionable deposit is scarce.
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Alewife die-offs do apparently cause nuisance deposits during the winter in the eastern
basin for commercial fishermen. When trawling in February they have to avoid certain
areas when they encounter dead alewives on the bottom (Ryan and MacGregor, 1995).
Seasonal die-offs of alewife, smelt and gizzard shad are considered routine according to
fishery biologists, unless they are associated with a system too heavily balanced toward
planktivores (Ryan, 1995; ODNR, 1995; Johannsson, 1995). The two key reasons for
die-offs are water temperature and a weakened immune system during a certain stage of
the fish life cycle (usually post-spawning).
The temperature or range of temperatures provided by the environment controls and limits
the survival of individual fish and populations (Fry, 1947). Particular fish species have
evolved and adapted to live in particular thermal environments. The alewife is an exotic
species and is therefore not well adapted to the Lake Erie environment (Ryan and
MacGregor, 1995). The phenomenon of spring mortality of alewives is most likely due to
rapid seasonal decreases in water temperatures after the fish have acclimated to warm
nearshore waters (Ryan, 1995).
Although gizzard shad may be an exotic species it has inhabited Lake Erie long enough to
become naturalized. Gizzard shad, particularly in the 120 mm or smaller size range, are
also susceptible to the cold. If the Lake Erie water temperature remains between 1 and 3
C for 10 days or more, many of the fish in the smaller size range will die. According to
the Floating Debris Removal Feasibility Study for the Cuyahoga River AOC, in the lower
5.6 miles of Cuyahoga River, billions of dead gizzard shad carcasses collect beneath docks
and in marinas where their stench creates "unforgettable" aesthetic impacts (Cleveland
Waterfront Coalition, 1995).
Smelt is also an exotic species. Both smelt and alewife have a lower immunity to bacterial
and fungal diseases during a certain portion of their spawning cycle. Specifically, smelt
die-offs have largely occurred during or post-spawning. The mortality likely occurs
because poor physical conditions and warming waters leave the fish vulnerable to fungal
and bacterial disease (Ryan, 1995). These diseases are present in Lake Erie due to the
great numbers of smelt and alewife populating the lake. Widespread seasonal alewife and
smelt mortality is often attributed to these diseases (ODNR, 1995).
Isolated instances of dead fish occur in the vicinity of power plants during changes in
power production or near industrial water use facilities. Specifically, fish kills occur when
fish are: 1) drawn in at intakes (trapped on traveling screens), 2) they become acclimated
to the warm-water environment of discharges and are unable to survive at ambient lake
temperatures when the heat source is lost, or 3) where warm-water discharges reach lethal
temperatures. These situations appear to be short-lived, of low magnitude, and
consequently are not an aesthetic impairment. However, these effects are difficult to
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observe due to timing and the fate of the dead fish (sinking, predation by gulls, etc.).
Therefore, the ecological significance, particularly locally, of the fish kills is not known
(Ryan, 1995).
15 .4 Summary of Lake Erie Aesthetic Impairment Conclusions
A summary of conclusions related to aesthetic impairments is presented in Table 15.2.
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Table 15.2 Summary of Lake Erie Aesthetic Impairment Conclusions
Tj pi' or
Impairment
Determination <>l'
Impairment
Loi-ation/llxlenl <>l'
Impairment
Known Causes <>l' Impairment
Notes
High Turbidity
Impaired
Maumee and Rouge River
AOCs, western basin; Black
and Cuyahoga (navigation
channel) AOCs, central basin.
Agricultural and urban point and
non-point source runoff and storms
stirring up bottom sediments.
Obnoxious Odors
Impaired for fish
and Cladophora;
Inconclusive
decaying zebra
mussels.
Cuyahoga AOC, central basin
(fish); Cladophora fouling has
occurred at Rondeau Bay,
Ontario.
Decaying algae and fish.
Although decaying zebra mussels and
CSO discharges of raw sewage are
known to cause obnoxious odors, it
appears from information to date that
these problems are not persistent in
Lake Erie.
Excessive
Cladophora
Impaired.
Central basin-Rondeau Bay,
Ontario.
Nutrient enrichment, availability of
substrate.
It is not known if fouling problems are
persistent in Ontario waters of the
eastern basin. Only 1 year of
monitoring data.
Blue-green Algae
Inconclusive.
Western basin.
Emerging issue. Research is
underway to pinpoint cause of
Microcystis bloom. Hypothesis
that zebra mussels may be
contributing to the problem.
It is not known whether extensive
Microcystis blooms will continue to
persist. Therefore a definitive
impairment determination has not been
made.
Aquatic Plant
Deposits at Public
Beaches
Not Impaired/No
documentation to
date showing a
persistent problem.
N/A
N/A
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Tj pi' or
Impairment
Determination <>l'
Impairment
Loi-ation/llxlenl of
Impairmenl
Known (,ause<> iil° Impairmenl
Notes
Zebra Mussel Shells
at Public Beaches
Inconclusive.
Large deposits of shells have
been reported at many western
basin beaches and at Presque
Isle Bay State Park,
central basin.
Deposits of zebra mussels/shells.
It is not known whether reported
problems are persistent, and if so, if
they are interfering with human use of
shoreline areas.
Floating Garbage and
Debris
Impaired.
Geographic extent of
impairment is localized,
Cuyahoga AOC, Headlands
Dune State Nature Preserve,
central basin.
Large quantities of floating debris
(primarily natural), Cuyahoga AOC;
interfering with navigational,
recreational, and industrial use of
affected area in Cuyahoga AOC.
Large quantities of floating garbage
(primarily CSO-related) have led to
citizen complaints at Headlands
Dunes State Nature Preserve.
This issue is significant enough for the
Cuyahoga AOC, that a proposal to
purchase a debris harvester is being
pursued.
Dead Fish
Impaired
Geographic extent of
impairment is seasonal and
localized.
Cuyahoga AOC, central basin,
Ontario eastern basin waters
are only documented
impairments to date.
Post-spawning die-offs; Alewife not
acclimated to colder water
temperatures.
N/A = Not Applicable
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15.5 Emerging Issues
There are two current Lake Erie phenomena that have aesthetic ramifications, but are also
indicators of much broader ecosystem changes in Lake Erie — Microcystis blooms and the
reappearance of the burrowing mayfly, Hexagenia limbata in the western basin.
Research is currently underway to determine the cause and potential implications of the
1995 and 1996 Microcystis blooms in the western basin. The significance of this issue,
both aesthetically and ecologically, will be directly linked to whether the blooms continue
to be annual events. The LaMP will use the research findings, when available, to
reevaluate the status of Microcystis blooms as an aesthetic impairment to the western
basin of Lake Erie.
Another emerging issue is the conflict between traditional indicators of improving
ecosystem quality and perceived aesthetic problems. For example, during a certain stage
of their life cycle, burrowing mayflies emerge from western basin Lake Erie sediments and
swarm in large numbers. Swarms of mayflies made roads slippery and caused a temporary
brown-out in much of the [Toledo] region in June of 1995. It was the thickest infestation
since the mayfly disappeared in the mid 1960s (Henry, 1996). These swarms of mayflies
are regarded as a signal of improving Lake Erie water quality, but during the swarming
stage create a temporary nuisance to humans.
Some have suggested that mayfly swarms be classified as an aesthetic impairment.
Because the mayfly is widely regarded as a signal of improving water quality, any aesthetic
problems created by swarming have not been classified as an impairment in this
assessment. However, it is acknowledged that there can be temporary conflicts between
the improving Lake Erie ecosystem and certain desired human uses of the Lake region
during the mayfly swarming period.
15.6 Conclusions
Reaching definitive impairment conclusions was difficult for many of the aesthetic issues.
This was due to lack of information or because the information provided was not detailed
enough to determine the persistence of the problem or whether the problem was perceived
as "objectionable" by the general public to the point where it was inhibiting the use of the
Lake Erie shoreline. Nevertheless, based on available information, it appears that there
are not widespread aesthetic impairments to Lake Erie. Impairments that have been
documented are localized and, in most cases, some sort of remediation is being attempted,
with varying frequency.
The most frustrating problems to remediate are reported to be zebra mussel shells and
CSO discharges of garbage and debris, because clean-up only results in temporary
remediation before the accumulation of shells or garbage and debris occurs again.
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As additional public input on aesthetic problems is received, it will be used to update the
information included in this assessment with the hope that "inconclusive" determinations
will eventually be revised to state "impaired" or "not impaired". This input is needed to
insure that the data contained in this summary accurately reflects the extent of the
impairments in Lake Erie.
15.7 References
I. Ashtabula River Remedial Action Plan. December, 1991. Stage 1 Report 1.
2 Bartolotta, Robert. 1996. Personal communication. Cleveland Museum of Natural
History.
3. Bernoski, Steve. 1996. Personal communication. Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks,
Presque Isle State Park.
4. Black River Remedial Action Plan. April, 1994. Stage 1 Report.
5. Bolsenga, S.J. and Herdendorf, CE. 1993. Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair Handbook.
Pp. 248, 261.
6. Carmichael, Wayne W. 1992. A Status Report on Planktonic Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green
Algae) and Their Toxins. EPA/600/R-92/079. Wright State University, Department of
Biological Sciences. Pp. 3, 26, 35, 39, 44, and 48.
7. Carmichael, Wayne W. 1996. Personal communication. Wright State University,
Department of Biological Sciences.
8. Cleveland Waterfront Coalition. 1995. Aquatic Debris Removal Feasibility Study of the
Cuyahoga River and Nearshore Lake Erie.
9. Center for Marine Conservation. 1994. Coastal Cleanup Results.
10. Cohen, Barbara. 1996. Personal Communication. 1995 New York Coordinator,
International Coastal Cleanup.
II. Culver, David A. February, 1996. "Toxicity, Ecological Impact, Monitoring, Causes, and
Public Awareness of Microcystis Blooms in Lake Erie." Research Proposal.
12. Cuyahoga River Remedial Action Plan. June, 1992. Stage 1 Report.
13. Cuyahoga River Remedial Action Plan. September, 1995. Stage 1 Update.
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14. Day, Jennifer. 1996. Personal communication. Ohio Environmental Protection Agency,
Public Interest Center.
15. Detroit River Remedial Action Plan. June, 1991. Stage 1 Report, p. 307.
16. Draper, Dick. 1995. Personal communication. New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation, Great Lakes Section.
17. England, Liz. 1996. Personal communication. Lake Michigan Federation.
18. Fry, F.A. 1947. Effects of the Environment on Animal Activity. Univ. of Toronto,
Biological Series 55, Publ. Ont. Fish. Res. Lab. 68:162.
19. George, Sandra. 1996. Personal communication. Environment Canada.
20. Guerrein, Don. 1996. Personal communication. Presque Isle Partnerships.
21. Hartig, J.H. and Law, Neely L. 1994. Progress in Great Lakes Remedial Action Plans,
Implementing the Ecosystem Approach in Great Lakes Areas of Concern. Wayne State
University.
22. Henry, Tom. October 19, 1995. "Toxic Algae Back in Part of Lake Erie." Toledo Blade.
23. Henry, Tom. September 26, 1996. "Mayfly Nymphs Abundant in Lake." Toledo Blade.
24. Hudson, William. 1996. Personal communication. Ohio Department of Natural
Resources, Division of Natural Areas & Preserves.
25. IJC. 1989. Proposed Li sting/Deli sting Criteria for Great Lakes Areas of Concern. Focus
on International Joint Commission Activities. Volume 14, Issue 1, insert.
26. Johannsson, Ora. 1995. Personal communication. Department of Fisheries and Oceans,
Canada Center for Inland Waters.
27. Letterhos, Julie. 1996. Personal communication. Ohio Environmental Protection
Agency, Division of Surface Water.
28. LTtalien, Serge. 1996. "Draft Summary, Eutrophication or Undesirable Algae." p. 15.
29. Luoma, Jon R. 1996. "Biography of A Lake." Audubon. Pp 66-72; 96-101.
30. Maumee River Remedial Action Plan. April, 1995. Status Report, p. 5.
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31. Nichols, Jim. July 22, 1996. "Algae's Return Worries Lake Erie Scientists." Cleveland
Plain Dealer.
32. Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). November, 1995. Informal Survey
Results from Personnel Managing Public Lands on Lake Erie.
33. Ohio Lake Erie Office. November, 1995. Coastweeks 95 Cleanup Summary.
34. Ohio Lake Erie Office. December, 1995. Special Microcystis Grant Cycle. North Coast
News. p. 4.
35. Ontario Ministry of Environment & Energy. 1995. Unpublished data.
36. Rogers, Kelvin. 1995. Personal communication. Ohio EPA, Division of Surface Water.
37. Rouge River Remedial Action Plan. June, 1994. Stage 1 Update.
38. Rutkowski, David. 1995. Personal communication. Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection, Bureau of State Parks, Presque Isle State Park.
39. Ryan, P.A. and MacGregor, R. 1995. Fisheries, Foodwebs and Phosphorus: A
Perspective on Phosphorus Loading to Lake Erie. Unpublished manuscript. Ontario
Ministry of Natural Resources, Lake Erie Management Unit.
40. Ryan, Phil. 1995. Personal communication. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Lake
Erie Management Unit.
41. Shepley, Fred. 1996. Personal communication. Lake Erie LaMP, Binational Public
Forum.
42. Shieldcastle, Mark. 1996. Personal communication. Ohio Department of Natural
Resources, Division of Wildlife, Crane Creek Research Station.
43. Steen, Glen. 1996. Personal communication. Haldimand-Norfolk Regional Health
District, Ontario.
44. Sweet, Bob. 1995. Personal communication. Michigan Department of Environmental
Quality, Surface Water Quality.
45. Sweet, Bob. 1996. Personal communication. Michigan Department of Environmental
Quality, Surface Water Quality.
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Wheatley Harbour Remedial Action Plan. 1995. Draft Stage 1/Stage 2 Report.
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