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Upper Sandusky River Watershed TMDLs

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Appendix I. Selected Plots of Datasonde results Collected by Ohio EPA in theSandusky River Basin During 2001-02

This appendix shows plots of dissolved oxygen (D.O.), temperature, pH andconductivity for most of the Sandusky River basin sites where submersible monitorswere deployed by Ohio EPA’s Water Quality Modeling staff during the 2002 fieldseason. The monitors measured each parameter once per hour, usually for a 48 hourperiod during each survey. The data was compared to 2001 datasonde results for a fewsites, particularly those that are not attaining their aquatic life use designation (based onthe 2001 biological assessment). A list of site names and river miles is also attached,to help users identify the location of the plotted data. The usefulness of looking athourly data for D.O. and temperature is that it reveals extreme values not alwayscaptured when survey crews collect manual measurements during typical businesshours. These extreme values can contribute to impairment of a stream segment,depending on the magnitude & duration. Many sites where temperature extremes wererecorded also showed poor biological scores compared to adjacent sites (upstream ordownstream).

Some highlights:• The maximum temperature water quality standard (29.4o C) and the minimum

D.O. WQS (4 mg/l) were exceeded at a few sites in the mainstem (Figures 1through 4) and several tributaries. The implications of these exceedancesrelative to aquatic life use attainment should be considered, because at many ofthose sites the biological indices are lower than at the upstream or downstreamsites. The main reason for the temperature extremes in those sites are lack ofupstream flow and little or no riparian shade.

• Hourly plots of dissolved oxygen in the vicinity of the Bucyrus WWTP (shown inFigure 4) illustrate the magnitude and duration of the D.O. violations at thosesites. Hourly data is available for all sites where the monitors were deployed.

• Dissolved oxygen and temperature violations were recorded in Broken SwordCreek, specially at the upstream sites (Figures 5 through 7). These sites sufferfrom habitat impairment (no riparian shade, lack of pooled reaches, low flows dueto extensive network of drainage tiles. Temperatures dropped downstream, asmore flow entered the stream and riparian shade increased.

• The Little Sandusky showed low D.O. at RM 6.5, but not at RM 1.5 during theSeptember 12 (2002) survey. The streamflows during that survey wereextremely low throughout the basin. Higher flows and more riparian shade at thedownstream site helped moderate instream temperature.

• Tymochtee Creek (Figure 10) showed very low dissolved oxygen concentrations,


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in spite of fairly low stream temperature (low temperatures improve oxygensolubility in water). All the sites shown on this plot are in partial attainment of theWWH use designation. The main reason for the poor biological scores are lowwater levels, which exacerbate the impact of small nutrient loads from failingseptic system inflows and agricultural nonpoint sources.

• Sycamore Creek and Honey Creek (Figures 11 and 12) show wide dissolvedoxygen swings indicative of high algal concentrations at the upstream sites. Sites closer to the mouth had a smaller range of D.O. values. The streamflowduring September 2002 was near record lows, and Honey Creek historically hasamong the lowest summer yields (in cfs/square mile) compared to other gages inthe Sandusky watershed.


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Sandusky River Dissolved OxygenJuly 1-3, 2002

0.002.004.006.008.00

10.0012.0014.0016.00

127.8 120.8 113.5 111.2 110.4 98.69

River Mile

D.O

. (m

g/l) Max DO

Min DO

Ave DO

Sandusky River Temperature July 1-3, 2002

15

17

19

21

23

25

27

29

31

33

127.8 120.8 113.5 111.2 110.4 98.69

River Mile

Tem

pera

ture

(C)

Max TempMin TempAve temp

Figure 1. Sandusky River D.O., pH, Temperature and Conductivity (max/min & average) vs. River Mile During July 1-3, 2002.


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Sandusky River pHJuly 1-3, 2002

7.00

7.50

8.00

8.50

9.00

127.8 120.8 113.5 111.2 110.4 98.69

River Mile

pH (S

.U.) Max pH

Min pHAve pH

Sandusky River ConductivityJuly 1-3, 2002

0.60

0.65

0.70

0.75

0.80

0.85

0.90

0.95

127.8 120.8 113.5 111.2 110.4 98.69

River Mile

Con

duct

ivity

(mS/

cm)

Max Cond

Min Cond

Ave Cond

Figure 1. Continued


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S a n d u s k y R . D is s o lv e d O x y g e n J u ly 1 6 -1 8 , 2 0 0 2

0

2

4

6

8

1 0

1 2

1 4

1 6

1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 6 9 5 9 2 9 0 8 0 7 8 7 6 7 4 6 7

R iv e r M ile

D.O

. (m

g/l)

M a x D OM in D OA ve D O

Sandusky R. Temperature July 16-18, 2002

1214161820222426283032

111 110 106 95 92 90 80 78 76 74 67River Mile

Tem

pera

ture

(C)


Figure 2. Sandusky River D.O., pH, Temperature and Conductivity (max/min & average) vs. River Mile During July 16-18, 2002.


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Sandusky R. pH July 16-18, 2002

6.00

6.50

7.00

7.50

8.00

8.50

9.00

111 110 106 95 92 90 80 78 76 74 67

River Mile

pH (S

.U.) Max pH

Min pHAve pH

Sandusky R. Conductivity July 16-18, 2002

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

1.10

1.20

111 110 106 95 92 90 80 78 76 74 67

River Mile

Con

duct

ivity

(mS/

cm)

Max CondMin CondAve Cond

Figure 2. Continued


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Sandusky River Dissolved OxygenAugust 13-15, 2002

0.00

2.00

4.00

6.00

8.00

10.00

12.00

14.00

16.00

130 128 125 125 121 118 116 115 114 111 110 108 106 102 100 98.7 95.4

River Mile

D.O

. (m

g/l) Max DO

Min DOAve DO

Sandusky River TemperatureAugust 13-15, 2002

15

17

19

21

23

25

27

29

31

130 128 125 125 121 118 116 115 114 111 110 108 106 102 100 99 95

River Mile

Tem

pera

ture

(C)


Figure 3. Sandusky River D.O., pH, Temperature and Conductivity (max/min & average) vs. River Mile During August 13-15, 2002.


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Sandusky River pHAugust 13-15, 2002

6

6.5

7

7.5

8

8.5

9

130 128 125 125 121 118 116 115 114 111 110 108 106 102 100 98.7 95.4

River Mile

pH (S

.U.) Max pH

Min pH

Ave pH

Sandusky River ConductivityAugust 13-15, 2002

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

1.10

1.20

1.30

130 128 125 125 121 118 116 115 114 111 110 108 106 102 100 99 95

River Mile

Con

duct

ivity

(mS/

cm)


Figure 3. Continued


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0

2

4

6

8

10

12

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Sandusky R D.O. Upst Bucyrus WWTP RM 111.2

7/2/027/17/028/14/02Ave DO WQS

Dis

solv

ed O

xyge

n (m

g/l)

Hours

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Sandusky R Downstream Bucyrus WWTP outfall RM 110.4

7/17/028/14/027/24/01Ave DO WQS

Dis

solv

ed O

xyge

n (m

g/l)

Hours

Figure 4. Sandusky River hourly Dissolved Oxygen concentrations upstream and downstream of the Bucyrus WWTP during OhioEPA surveys conducted in 2001 and 2002. This reach is not attaining its use designation.


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Broken Sword Creek Dissolved Oxygen July 16-18, 2002

0.002.004.006.008.00

10.0012.0014.0016.00

27.7 25.5 23.3 19.2 16.8 5.1 0.9

River Mile

D.O

. (m

g/l) Max DO

Min DO

Ave DO

Broken Sword Creek Temperature July 16-18, 2002

15

20

25

30

27.7 25.5 23.3 19.2 16.8 5.1 0.9

River Mile

Tem

pera

ture

(C)

Max Temp

Min TempAve temp

Figure 5. Broken Sword Creek D.O., pH, Temperature and Conductivity (max/min & average) vs. River Mile During July 16-18, 2002.


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Broken Sword Creek pH July 16-18, 2002

6.006.507.007.508.008.509.00

27.7 25.5 23.3 19.2 16.8 5.1 0.9

River Mile

pH (S

.U.) Max pH

Min pH

Ave pH

Broken Sword Creek Conductivity July 16-18, 2002

0.60

0.700.80

0.901.00

1.10

27.7 25.5 23.3 19.2 16.8 5.1 0.9

River Mile

Con

duct

ivity

(mS/

cm)

Max Cond

Min Cond

Ave Cond

Figure 5. Continued


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Broken Sword Creek Dissolved Oxygen September 10-12, 2002

02468

10121416

25.5 12.4 2.4

River Mile

D.O

. (m

g/l) Max DO

Min DOAve DO

Broken Sword Creek Temperature September 10-12, 2002

12

17

22

27

32

25.5 12.4 2.35

River Mile

Tem

pera

ture

(C)


Figure 6. Broken Sword Creek D.O., pH, Temperature and Conductivity (max/min & average) vs. River Mile During September10-12, 2002.


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Broken Sword Creek - pHSeptember 10-12, 2002

7.0

7.5

8.0

8.5

9.0

25.5 12.4 2.4

River Mile

pH (S

.U.) Max pHMin pHAve pH

Broken Sword Creek Conductivity September 10-12, 2002

0.60.70.80.91.01.11.21.31.4

25.5 12.4 2.4

River Mile

Con

duct

ivity

(uS)


Figure 6. Continued


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Broken Sword Ck at Schwemley RM 25.5D.O. : 2001-2001 Surveys

02468

10121416

Aug 7-9, 2001 July 16-18, 2002 Sep 10-12, 2002

Date

Dis

solv

ed O

xyge

n (m

g/l) Max DO

Min DO

Ave DO

Broken Sword Ck at Schwemley RM 25.5Temperature: 2001-2002 Surveys

13

18

23

28

33

Aug 7-9, 2001 July 16-18, 2002 Sep 10-12, 2002

Date

Tem

pera

ture

(C)

Max Temp

Min Temp

Ave temp

Figure 7. Broken Sword Creek D.O.,Temperature and pH (max/min & average) at RM 25.5 During 2001-02.


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Broken Sword Ck at Schwemley RM 25.5pH: 2001-2001 Surveys

77.5

88.5

9

Aug 7-9,2001

July 16-18,2002

Sep 10-12,2002

Date

pH (S

.U.)

Max pH

Min pH

Ave pH

Figure 7. Continued


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Little Sandusky R. Dissolved OxygenSeptember 10-12, 2002

02468

10121416

6.5 1.5

River Mile

D.O

. (m

g/l) Max DO

Min DOAve DO

Little Sandusky River Temperature September 10-12, 2002

12

17

22

27

32

6.5 1.5

River Mile

Tem

pera

ture

(C)


Figure 8. Little Sandusky River D.O.,Temperature and pH (max/min & average) During September 10-12, 2002 Survey.


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Little Sandusky River - pHSeptember 10-12, 2002

7.0

7.5

8.0

8.5

9.0

6.5 1.5

River Mile

pH (S

.U.) Max pH

Min pHAve pH

Figure 8. Continued


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Little Sandusky at CR 113 Dissolved Oxygen: 2001-02 Surveys

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Aug 7-9, 2001 July 16-18, 2002 Sep 10-12, 2002

Date

D.O

. (m

g/l) Max DO

Min DOAve DO

Little Sandusky at CR 113 Temperature: 2001-02 Surveys

15

20

25

30

Aug 7-9, 2001 July 16-18, 2002 Sep 10-12, 2002

Date

Tem

pera

ture

(C)


Figure 9. Little Sandusky River D.O.,Temperature and pH (max/min & average) at CR 113 (RM 1.5) During 2001-02 Ohio EPASurveys.


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Little Sandusky at CR 113, RM 1.5 pH: 2001-02 Surveys

7

7.5

8

8.5

9

Aug 7-9, 2001 July 16-18, 2002 Sep 10-12, 2002

Date

pH (S

.U.) Max pH

Min pHAve pH

Figure 9. Continued


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Tymochtee Ck Dissolved Oxygen Sept 18-20, 2002

02468

10121416

40.76 34 26.7 19.45 13.7

River M ile

D.O

. (m

g/l) Max DO

Min DOAve DO

Tymochtee Ck Temperature Sept 18-20, 2002

1214161820222426283032

40.76 34 26.7 19.45 13.7

Riv e r M ile

Tem

pera

ture

(C)


Figure 10. Tymochtee Creek D.O.,Temperature and pH (max/min & average): Sept. 18-2002 Ohio EPA Survey.


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Tymochtee Ck - pH Sept 18-20, 2002

7.0

7.5

8.0

8.5

9.0

40.76 34 26.7 19.45 13.7

River Mile

pH (S

.U.) Max pH

Min pHAve pH

Figure 10. Continued


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S y c a m o r e C r e e k Dis s o lv e d O x y g e n S e p t 1 8 -2 0 , 2 0 0 2

02468

1 01 21 41 6

5 3 .5

Riv e r M ile

D.O

. (m

g/l) Ma x DO

Min DO

A v e DO

S y c a m o r e C k T e m p e r a tu r e S e p t 1 8 - 2 0 , 2 0 0 2

1 2

1 4

1 6

1 8

2 0

2 2

2 4

2 6

5 3 .5

Riv e r M ile

Tem

pera

ture

(C)

Ma x Te mp

Min Te mp

A v e te mp

Figure 11. Sycamore Creek D.O.,Temperature and pH (max/min & average): Sept. 18, 2002 Ohio EPA Survey.


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S y c a m o r e C r e e k - p H S e p t 1 8 - 2 0 , 2 0 0 2

7 .0

7 .5

8 .0

8 .5

9 .0

5 3 .5

R iv e r M ile

pH (S

.U.) M a x p H

M in p H

A v e p H



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Honey Creek Dissolved Oxygen Sept 18-20, 2002

02

46

810

1214

16

14.8 6.6

Rive r M ile

D.O

. (m

g/l) Max DO

Min DO

Ave DO

Honey Creek Temperature Sept 18-20, 2002

1214

16182022

2426

14.8 6.6

River Mile

Tem

pera

ture

(C)

Max Temp

Min Temp

Ave temp

Figure 12. Honey Creek D.O.,Temperature and pH (max/min & average): Sept. 18, 2002 Ohio EPA Survey.


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Honey Creek pH Sept 18-20, 2002

7.0

7.5

8.0

8.5

9.0

14.8 6.6

River Mile

pH (S

.U.) Max pH

Min pH

Ave pH



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Westerly Creek at Oldfield Rd, RM 0.13 Dissolved Oxygen: 2002 Surveys

01234567

July 1-3, 2002 August 13-15, 2002

Date

D.O

. (m

g/l) Max DO

Min DOAve DO

Westerly Creek at Oldfield Rd, RM 0.13 Temperature: 2002 Surveys

15

20

25

30

July 1-3, 2002 August 13-15, 2002

Date

Tem

pera

ture

(C)


Figure 13. Westerly Creek D.O., Temperature and pH (max/min & average): July /August 2002 Ohio EPA Surveys.


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Westerly Creek at Oldfield Rd, RM 0.13 pH: 2002 Surveys

7

7.5

8

8.5

9

July 1-3, 2002 August 13-15, 2002

Date

pH (S

.U.) Max pH

Min pHAve pH



I-28

Paramour Creek at Nazor Rd, RM 1.5 Dissolved Oxygen: 2002 Surveys

0

2

4

6

8

10

July 1-3, 2002 August 13-15, 2002

Date

D.O

. (m

g/l) Max DO

Min DOAve DO

Paramour Creek at Nazor Rd, RM 1.5 Temperature: 2002 Surveys

15

20

25

30

July 1-3, 2002 August 13-15, 2002

Date

Tem

pera

ture

(C)


Figure 14. Paramour Creek D.O., Temperature and pH (max/min & average): July /August 2002 Ohio EPA Surveys.


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Paramour Creek at Nazor Rd, RM 1.5 pH: 2002 Surveys

7.4

7.5

7.6

7.7

7.8

7.9

8

July 1-3, 2002 August 13-15, 2002

Date

pH (S

.U.) Max pH

Min pHAve pH


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