Document 6590009

Karen M. Gonzalez, 2005
University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus
Civil Engineering Dept.
Faculty mentor: Dr. A. Mayer
1)Through the concepts of hydrology and water quality provide a better description of the watershed area
2)Through stake holding influencers’ designation of desired uses for healthy watersheds, delineate critical areas
Hydrology Facts:
Surface area: 2.8mi²
Highest extensions: 1089 ft
Geology:
a- Bedrock outcrop and areas of thin drift
b- Ground Moraines and water laid Moraines
c- Outwash
Exit of the watershed outflow into Portage Canal
d- Swamp deposits
Soil types:
a- Trimountain-Paavola-Arcadian
Management concerns: Equipment limitation, erosion hazard, windthrow hazard, vegetation.
b- Keweenaw-Trimountain-Kalkaska
Management concerns: Equipment limitation and plant competition
Water flow: Precipitation = EvapoTranspiration + RunOff
0.85m/yr = 0.38m/yr + 0.47m/yr
Why is water flow so important?
It’s very important when taking management decisions in a watershed area to consider that excess land use can increase
runoff and decrease important natural gas emissions. Overall, changes to the natural water flow of a watershed will have
chainlike consequences on its chemistry, its biology and also on its neighboring environment. Another important factor
relevant to this particular watershed is that it’s flow has significance to a bigger watershed area that through the portage
canal drains into Lake Superior.
This is a critical area and unfortunately it is one that has caused an impairment for fish
migration and other aquatic alterations. There are two landfill areas at the present time.
One is to the north of Sharon Ave, and it is already filled up, and the other one, which is
still operating, is to the South of Sharon Ave. Part 258 of Chapter 1 of Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) regulations includes location restrictions to address both the
potential effects that a municipal solid waste landfill (MSWLF) unit may have on the
surrounding environment, and the effects that natural and human-made conditions may
have on the performance of the landfill unit. Wetlands is one of those locations but there
are certain flexibilities that apply. Floodplains however are enforced for being undoubtedly
saturated areas. While the Huron Creek watershed is too small to be considered a flood
plain, it has a similar geological formation and lies within a flood plain area. It is not
surprising that in the seventies Environmental Enforcement agencies constantly visited
Houghton City for lechate discharges and refuse burning amongst other bad waste
management practices. It is also not surprising that today water samples of groundwater
presumably impacted by lechate would reveal ammonia levels that exceed the Aquatic
Maximum Value (the highest concentration of material in the ambient water column to
which an aquatic community can be exposed briefly without resulting in unacceptable
effects). It also showed that the ground water whose pH registered of between 8.0-9.0 in
1970 now had a pH as low as 5.96. Important considerations with respect to the location
of the landfills within the watershed is that they are of close vicinity to the creek’s mouth.
Lechate discharge, next to Wilderness Carwash
What are designated uses and how will they help you identify water quality concerns?
Watershed areas are of multiple recreational, residential and industrial uses. The Michigan Department of Environmental
Quality (MDEQ) along with other entities created a series of designated uses to standardize the quality of Michigan’s
watersheds. Designated uses are a helpful tool to characterize what type of watershed is the neighboring community
exposed to and to propose what possible pollution problems are limiting the uses.
Huron Ck. present
condition
Pollution
association
Meets supply
although no current
demand
n/a
n/a
Industrial water supply
Meets supply
n/a
n/a
Public water supply at
the point of intake
Not recommended
ammonia
Heavy metals
Failing septic systems
Excessive sediment
Old stamp mill
landfill
Navigation
In the past was
feasible, currently
limited in
dimensions
Construction activity
Canalizing
Lake drainage
Coldwater* fishery
not currently
Nutrients
Water flow
Failing septic systems
Excessive sediment
Other indigenous and
aquatic life and wildlife
Between poor and
fair conditions
Deforestation
Nutrients
Water flow
Industrial activity Failing
septic systems
Excessive sediment
Old stamp mill
Partial body contact
Not recommended
Heavy metals
Nutrients
Full body contact
Currently limited in
dimensions although
not recomended
Construction activity
Failing septic systems
Excessive sediment
Old stamp mill
Canalizing
¾
Chemical and biological data collected
Although
development
has
done
economical
improvements in certain aspects of the city, it has also
meant a drastic hydrologic change on wetland and
wildlife. Overall it has had a significant effect on the
watershed area. During my research in the creek I
experienced many times Turbid water so sedimented,
that it almost looked like Willy Wonka’s chocolate river
was discharging on Huron creek. I also witnessed very
poor construction practices. Construction are not only
visual and physical pollution but they also are
contributors to sound pollution. Wetland areas are
particularly delicate and even though building over
wetlands is permitted to a certain extent, there are
several management considerations that should be
taken account for. Good construction management
usually includes trying to build structures around delicate
areas. Since most of our soil is of moderate drainage it
is easier to prevent erosion rather that try to control
sedimentation that occurs from erosion. A couple of
recommended structures include a broad-based dip,
water bars, diversion ditches and culverts. Culverts are a
very delicate thing however and all year long flow
volume and speed has to be taken account off.
Chemical testing has been done by several stakeholders. These are: Joan Chadde’s educational monitoring program,
UP engineers, MDEQ, Geological Survey division of Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Soil Survey of Houghton
County area by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. All of these have been organized and compiled and are available at the
MTU library under Huron Creek watershed.
In general recent chemical testing (2002-2005) say: 1- That the creek is of low temperatures, ranging from 5ºC TO 21.1ºC.
2- That it is relatively low in dissolved oxygen levels (9ppm-11.8ppm) with high Chemical demand.
3- That it is high in Iron and copper levels
45
Habitatassesment
38
40
33
Biodiversity
28
MDEQ
30
ECOLOGY
STUDENTS
7TH
25
23
18
MDEQ
35
ECOLOGY
STUDENTS
7TH
20
8TH
15
13
8TH
In different biological surveys the tendency observed for Huron Creek was that by the year
biological diversity became more aggravated. Complementary Habit assessments showed the
similar decline.
10
8
6TH-9TH
6TH-9TH
5
3
TEACHERS
TEACHERS
0
-2
2001 2002 2003 2004
¾
2001
2002
2003
2004
Copper
(µg/g)
Silver
(µg/g)
Zinc
(µg/g)
Cu : Zn
>1000
23.62
1442.6
0.92
32.04
45.02
1000-500
43.25
1429.3
0.98
34.79
41.81
500-250
16.41
482.2
1.91
11.82
40.80
250-149
106.72
1114.9
1.67
50.22
22.20
149-63
79.96
1007.6
0.955
32.94
30.59
<63
29.71
1245.1
0.84
36.05
34.54
2005
Critical areas:
Critical areas are geographic portions of a watershed that contribute a majority of the pollutants affecting a watershed’s utility.
Through the identification of possible sources of pollution, we have potential critical areas. These potential areas have been
surveyed and studied to identify , but in order to asses them further testing should be done. This study and designation of
delicate environments help managers make special considerations before their projects are completed
35.71
Average
#3 Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems
Although technology has progressed with the advancement of civil
and environmental engineering, many residences have septic
systems that have been built many years before present
homeowners might have moved there. Regulation on this type of
system is very poor yet it is imperative that managers within the
watershed area take into consideration this fact. Poorly built septic
systems often result in high nutrient levels for groundwater and also
a hassle for the owner who has responsibility for giving it
maintenance. For wetland areas septic systems are not
recommended, because the water table is often high and comes
within the minimal 4 ft distance that there should be between it and
the bottom of the filtering tank (as designated by EPA). There are
two residential areas which are on septic systems and a few
commercial installations. The area on Green Acres road doesn’t
seem to be directly providing high nitrates or any other excess
nutrient to the water. It’s approximation to stamp sand and poor rock
trails is of concern however as these nutrients speed organic growth
and decomposition, and provide good environment for methylation
of metals.
By the end of the creek however, in the area of Dakota Heights,
nutrients seem to be a point source pollution, as algae vegetation
has been seen spawning.
* Cold water is water whose
temperature is of less than 27ºC
50
43
Mercury
(ng/g)
#4 Construction Activity
Sources
agriculture
Size
fraction
(µm)
Example Floodplain protection dike design
Harting,, 1999
Harting
Designated
use
48
From the mining industry that took place in the Isle royal mining company there was
basaltic rock left after sluicing it and collecting big pieces of copper. This process however
doesn’t collect all copper content or many other metals present in this released rock
formation. The most concerning pollutant associated with stamp sand leftovers is Mercury.
While there was no indication that mercury was used in an amalgamation process to
separate metals, recent studies published that Mercury is present in native copper, silver
and gold as a naturally occurring amalgam. Testing done on Isle Royal Stamp Sands
reveal contents of elemental mercury within them, along other concerning heavy metals.
Even though the water testing done did not reveal the presence of elemental mercury Hgº,
we don’t have any testing for mercury ion Hg²+, monomethyl-mercury ion HgCH3+ or
Dimethylmercury Hg(CH3)2. These complex formations of mercury are bound as
Organometallic compounds, which differ from complexes and chelates in that the organic
portion is bonded to the metal by a carbon-metal bond and the organic ligand is frequently
not capable of existing as a stable separate species. These compounds are synthesized
biologically by bacteria and they are particularly toxic because of their mobilities in living
systems and abilities to cross cell membranes. A genuine concern is that pollution
generated from sewage along with humic substances and low pH water levels help
elemental mercury to methylate. Another important concern pertinent to the watershed area
is the creation of impoundments as replacement for wetland which create ideal conditions
for methylation.
An important characteristic of our watershed’s geology is high iron levels in water. These
are likely to decrease mercury mobility by adsorption onto oxide and oxyhydroxide
surfaces. It helps form a highly insoluble compound of sulfide, HgS, that would most likely
sink into sediments. Sulfur compound testing, and the overall nature of northern waters
aren’t composed of high levels of sulfur, so the relationship between these to metals should
be evaluated. Poor Rock although hasn’t been profoundly tested on is known to have the
same property of natural mercury amalgamation. So run off from rain and snow that comes
in contact with these surfaces is also a concern.
Designated Uses:
¾
Research Experience for Undergraduates
#2 Stamp Sand and Poor Rock
#1 Landfills
Objectives:
¾
Sustainable Futures Institute
Huron Creek Watershed Management Plan: Technical Background
Conclusion:
Recommendations:
References:
The Huron Creek watershed is very poor in terms of stream
utility. It has to my knowledge 2 critical areas that for a long
time have represented issues between the stakeholders.
Other potential critical areas most likely would be defined as
critical if further testing and research where done
Watersheds are everywhere, whether you like it, or not, it’s
what connects us all. If the city of Houghton would have
issued a crew for developing good management decisions in
1980, maybe today the people from the city of Houghton and
Portage township
would still be able to enjoy and utilize the Huron Creek.
Water management plans are a very important thing and
Influencing stakeholders need to recognize that and make
good management decisions based on a thorough analysis
of the watershed’s technical aspects, of its people and their
needs.
#1 lechate collection systems and/or protection dike
#2 Begin a formal database with a weekly testing of the same
locations proposed by MDEQ and UPE&A. Add Mercury ion II, and
other Mercury formations.
#3 Set Gages on culverts for recording measurements of water flow
#4 Develop or promote an existing program that helps people study
their septic design and determine if it’s meeting their household
water discharge rate
#5 Designate a steering committee for the watershed planning that
includes residents of both townships and focus on how to
reestablish water uses for their community
•Doonan C.J, Hendrickson G.E, Berlay J.R, 1970 “Ground
Water and Geology of Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan”
Geological Survey Division DNR, Lansing, Mi
•USDA, 1989 “Soil Survey of Houghton County Area,
Michigan” Soil Conservation service, Michigan
Technological University, Houghton, MI
•Water Division, Dec. 2002 “A Biological Survey of selected
Waterbodies located on the Keweenaw peninsula” Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality
•Harting S.L. 1999 “Mercury in Native Ore Deposits: an
Ignored and Sidesoread Source of Mercury to Lake Superior
Sediments” DiscertationMTU, Houghton, MI
REU is founded by the National Science Foundation (NSF)