Water Movement in Relation to Fecal Coliform Contamination in the Metro Beach Area of Lake St. Clair, Michigan
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to determine sources of fecal coliform bacteria contaminating the Metro Beach area of Lake St. Clair and the likelihood that water currents moved contaminated water from the Clinton River cutoff into the Metro Beach area rapidly enough and with sufficiently limited dilution that bacteria from this source would exceed Michigan state standards for body contact recreation. Rhodamine WT, a red fluorescent dye, was used as a tracer for monitoring water movement near the Metro Beach area of Lake St. Clair during the weeks of 1 June, 13 July, 3 August, 24 August, and 7 September, 1998. The dye was injected into the upper 1 m of the water column near these locations along transects that were established perpendicular to the shoreline and approximately 600 m in length. Dye cloud movement from each transect was tracked at 2-hour intervals over a 12- to 24-hour period. In conjunction with water movement studies, bacterial sampling transects, established perpendicular to the shore, were located between the Clinton River cutoff and the Metro Beach area.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA376315
Entities
People
- Craig S. Smith
- Harry L. Eakin
- John W. Barko
- William F. James
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center