78th Congress, 1st Session 
House Document No. 266 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
LETTER 
FROM 
THE ACTING SECRETARY OF WAR 
TRANSMITTING 
A LETTER FROM THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED 
STATES ARMY, DATED MAY 4, 1943, FORWARDING 
A REPORT, TOGETHER WITH ACCOMPANYING 
PAPERS AND ILLUSTRATIONS, ON A SURVEY 
OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS TRIBU- 
TARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL, 
AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 6 OF 
THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT 
APPROVED AUGUST 26, 1937 
IN TWO PARTS 
(Three Volumes) 
PART ONE 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE 
August 27, 1943.—Referred to the Committee on Rivers and Harbors 
and ordered to be printed, with 257 illustrations 78th Congress, 1st Session 
House Document No. 266 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
LETTER 
FROM 
THE ACTING SECRETARY OF WAR 
TRANSMITTING 
A LETTER FROM THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED 
STATES ARMY, DATED MAY 4,1943, FORWARDING 
A REPORT, TOGETHER WITH ACCOMPANYING 
PAPERS AND ILLUSTRATIONS, ON A SURVEY 
OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS TRIBU- 
TARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL, 
AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 5 OF 
THE RIVER AND HARBOR ACT 
APPROVED AUGUST 26, 1937 
IN TWO PARTS 
(Three Volumes) 
PART ONE 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE 
August 27, 1943.—Referred to the Committee on Rivers and Harbors 
and ordered to be printed, with 257 illustrations 
UNITED STATES 
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 
WASHINGTON : 1944 CONTENTS 
(Part I consists of the report of the Ohio River Committee) 
(Part II consists of the report of the United States Public Health Service) 
PART I 
Letter of transmittal VII 
Forwarding letter of the Chief of Engineers, United States Army 1 
Report of the Ohio River Committee f 
I. Syllabus 2 
II. Authority and preface 3 
Authority for report 3 
Formation of Ohio River Committee 3 
Conduct of survey by the United States Public Health 
Service and the Army engineers 3 
C Scope 4 
Acknowledgments 4 
Arrangement of report 4 
III. Prior reports .— . -- 4 
IV. Description of Ohio River Basin 5 
Geography 5 
Topography... 7 
Geology 7 
Climate 7 
Hydrology 7 
Population. 8 
Industry 12 
River uses 12 
V. Survey (character and extent) 12 
Field surveys 12 
Laboratory studies 12 
Hydrometric surveys 14 
Reservoir and reservoir-site surveys 14 
Interpretation of survey results ... 14 
VI. Existing conditions and damages 14 
A. Sources of pollution 14 
Nature of pollutants 14 
Domestic wastes 15 
Industrial wastes 18 
Acid wastes 23 
B. Effects of pollution 24 
Stream sanitary standards 24 
Extent of pollution 27 
Coliform bacteria results 28 
Biochemical oxygen demand results 28 
Dissolved oxygen results 28 
Hydrogen ion concentration 29 
Damages resulting from stream pollution 29 
Damage to public health 29 
Damage to public water supplies 30 
Damage to industrial water supplies 30 
Damage to navigation and hydroelectric power 
structures 30 
Damage to aquatic recreational facilities 30 
Local nuisance 30 
Summary of damages • 31 
Ohio Biver 31 
Pittsburgh, Pa.. 31 
Pittsburgh, Pa., to Wheeling, W. Va 32 
Pa ere 
in IV 
CONTENTS 
Report of the Ohio River Committee—Continued. 
VI. Existing conditions and damages—Continued. 
B. Effects of pollution—Continued. Page 
Huntington, W. Va., to Portsmouth, Ohio 32 
Cincinnati, Ohio 32 
Louisville, Ky 33 
Beaver River Basin 33 
Kanawha River Basin 33 
Other tributaries 34 
Acid pollution of the upper Ohio River Basin 34 
VII. Future conditions ' 35 
Possible effects of population and industrial changes 35 
Possible effects of changes in discharge conditions 35 
Droughts 36 
Reservoirs 38 
Navigation improvements 44 
Comparison of existing with possible future conditions 45 
VIII. Objectives of pollution-control activities 45 
Water uses and present adverse effects of pollution 45 
Physical and economic limitations 40 
Water quality characteristics 47 
Summary 4g 
IX. Attainment of objectives 48 
Technical difficulties 48 
Financial difficulties 49 
Administrative difficulties 59 
X. Program of improvement 52 
Collection and treatment of domestic wastes. 53 
Collection and treatment of industrial wastes 54 
Control of acid mine drainage 54 
Low flow control 54 
Physical aspects and estimated cost of the pollution-control 
program 55 
Probable accomplishments of the pollution-control program. 61 
XI. Conclusions 63 
A. Main Ohio River 64 
B. Ohio River tributaries 64 
C. Acid mine drainage 65 
D. General 65 
XII. Recommendations _ 66 
A. Program of remedial measures 66 
B. State cooperation 67 
C. Federal participation 68 
TABLES 
Table 1. Distribution of drainage area by States and subbasins 6 
2. Distribution of population by States and subbasins 9 
3. Significance of various physical,. chemical, and bacteriological 
tests used in Ohio River pollution survey 13 
4. Distribution of domestic wastes by States and subbasins 16 
5. Distribution of industrial wastes by States and subbasins 14 
6. Distribution of acid wastes by States and subbasins 23 
7. Water quality characteristics 25 
8. Number and percentage of sampling stations showing worst 
monthly average coliform bacteria and biochemical oxygen 
demand results in designated ranges 27 
9. Probable effect of low-water discharge of reservoirs now built 
or under construction 39 
10. Possible effect on low-water discharge of reservoirs, considered 
for development 41 
11. Water quality at waterworks intakes 43 
12. Physical aspects of suggested program of pollution control 56 
13. Economic aspects of suggested progiam of pollution control 58 CONTENTS 
V 
APPENDIXES 
Page 
Appendix A. Allegheny River Basin summary 71 
B. Monongahela River Basin summary 75 
C. Beaver River Basin summary 79 
D. Muskingum River Basin summary, _• 83 
E. Little Kanawha River Basin summary 87 
F. Hocking River Basin summary 90 
G. Kanawha River Basin summary 92 
H. Guyandot River Basin summary 96 
I. Big Sandy River Basin summary 99 
J. Scioto River Basin summary 102 
K. Little Miami River Basin summary 106 
L. Licking River Basin summary 109 
M. Miami River Basin summary 112 
N. Kentucky River Basin summary 116 
O. Salt River Basin summary 119 
P. Green River Basin summary 122 
Q. Wabash River Basin summary 126 
R. Cumberland River Basin summary 129 
S. Tennessee River Basin summary 133 
T. Ohio River Basin (direct drainage) summary 137 
U. Minor Tributary Basins summary 142 
Ohio River Basin: Plate No. 
General map 1 
Sources of pollution 2 
Ohio River and minor tributary basins: 
Pittsburgh to Huntington: 
Sources of pollution 3 
Coliform bacteria results 4 
Dissolved oxygen results 5 
Huntington to Louisville: 
Sources of pollution 6 
Coliform bacteria results 7 
Dissolved oxygen results 8 
Louisville to mouth: 
Sources of pollution 9 
Coliform bacteria results 10 
Dissolved oxygen results 11 
Allegheny River Basin: 
Sources of polution 12 
Coliform bacteria results 13 
Dissolved oxygen results 14 
pH results 15 
Monongahela River Basin: 
Sources of pollution 16 
Coliform bacteria results 17 
Dissolved oxygen results 18 
pH results 19 
Beaver River Basin: 
Sources of pollution 20 
Coliform bacteria results 21 
Dissolved oxygen results 22 
Muskingum-Hocking River Basins: 
Sources of pollution 23 
Coliform bacteria results 24 
j Dissolved oxygen results 25 
Bittle Kanawha-Kanawha River Basins: 
Sources of pollution 26 
Coliform bacteria results 27 
Dissolved oxygen results 28 
PLATES VI 
CONTENTS 
Gu3randot-Big Sandy River Basins: PlateNo. 
Sources of pollution 29 
Coliform bacteria results 30 
Dissolved oxygen results 31 
Scioto River Basin: 
Sources of pollution 32 
Coliform bacteria results 33 
Dissolved oxygen results 34 
Little Miami—Miami River Basins: 
Sources of pollution 35 
Coliform bacteria results 36 
Dissolved oxygen results 37 
Licking—Kentucky—Salt River Basins: 
Sources of pollution 38 
Coliform bacteria results 39 
Dissolved oxygen results 40 
Creen—Cumberland River Basins: 
Sources of pollution 41 
Coliform bacteria results 42 
Dissolved oxygen results 43 
Wabash River Basin: 
Sources of pollution 44 
Coliform bacteria results 45 
Dissolved oxygen results 46 
Tennessee River Basin: 
Sources of pollution 47 
Coliform bacteria results 48 
Dissolved oxygen results 49 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 
War Department, 
Washington, July 21, 194-3. 
The Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
My Dear Mr. Speaker: I am transmitting herewith a letter dated 
May 4, 1943, from the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, 
forwarding a report dated April 20, 1943, from the Ohio River Com- 
mittee, together with accompanying papers and illustrations, on the 
survey of the Ohio River and its tributaries authorized by section 5 
of the River and Harbor Act approved August 26, 1937, to ascertain 
what pollutive substances are being desposited, directly or indirectly, 
therein and the sources and extent of such deposits, and with a view 
to determining the most feasible method of correcting and eliminating 
the pollution of these streams. I concur in the findings and recom- 
mendations of the Chief of Engineers and the committee. 
The Under Secretary of War advises that the project as recom- 
mended is not essential to, nor of indicated value in the war effort 
and he points out that the mine-sealing program, if adopted, would 
require substantial amounts of critical materials, manpower, and con- 
struction equipment, without being a necessity to the prosecution of 
the war program. He further states that there is no objection to the 
submission of the report, but he does not approve of the submission 
of any estimate of appropriation for construction, or the initiation 
of any construction of this project until after the war. 
The Bureau of the Budget has been consulted and advises that, 
while there would be no objection to the presentation of the proposed 
report to the Congress, the submission during the present emergency 
of any estimate of appropriation for Federal participation in the pro- 
gram therein recommended would not be in accord with the program 
of the President, in the absence of further evidence of the need of 
undertaking any part of that program in conjunction with the war 
effort; and that no commitment is made at this time as to the rela- 
tionship with the program of the President of the proposed degree 
of Federal participation in the recommended pollution abatement 
program. 
Sincerely yours, 
Robert P. Patterson, 
Acting Secretary of War. 
VII REPORT UPON SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND 
ITS TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
War Department, 
Office of the Chief of Engineers, 
Subject: Ohio River pollution control. 
Washington, May 4, 19j3. 
To: The Secretary of War. 
1. I am forwarding herewith for transmission to Congress the report 
of the Ohio River Committee with accompanying papers and illustra- 
tions on the survey of the Ohio River and its tributaries for pollution 
control, authorized by section 5 of the River and Harbor Act approved 
August 26, 1937. The report is in two parts, part I, the Ohio River 
Committee’s report, and part II, the Public Health Service’s report. 
2. In accordance with the request of the President, the Secretary 
of War and the Secretary of the Treasury joined in the appointment 
of a committee designated as the Ohio River Committee to conduct 
the survey. The members of this committee are Maj. Gen. Thomas 
M. Robins, Assistant Chief of Engineers; Mr. Ralph E. Tarbett, 
Sanitary Engineer Director, United States Public Health Service; 
and Dr. Abel Wolman, Consulting Engineer, Baltimore, Md. 
3. This survey is the most complete and comprehensive examination 
ever made into the sanitary conditions of a major river and its tribu- 
taries, draining an area highly developed commercially, industrially, 
and agriculturally. About 5 years were required to obtain and 
analyze the voluminous field data necessary for a sound study of the 
complicated problems involved, to consider the technical, financial, 
and other associated questions, and to develop a plan for remedial 
improvements. The Corps of Engineers and the Public Health Serv- 
ice were in full collaboration at all times on this comprehensive 
pollution report. 
4. After due consideration of this report, I concur in the recom- 
mendations of the Ohio River Committee. 
E. Reybold, 
Major General, 
Chief of Engineers. 
1 2 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
REPORT UPON SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES 
FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
Ohio River Committee, 
Washington, D. C., April 20, 1943. 
Subject: Report upon survey of the Ohio River and its tributaries for 
pollution control. 
To: The Secretary of War. 
[Through the Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army, Washington, 
D. C.] 
I. Syllabus 
1. Practically all streams in the Ohio River Basin are polluted by 
domestic and industrial wastes, while some have severe corrosive 
characteristics imparted to them by acid mine drainage. The Ohio 
River proper is polluted to such an extent that 30 public sources of 
water supply serving about 1,660,000 people are endangered. The 
pollution of a number of the tributaries is as severe as, or even more 
severe than, the worst reaches on the main Ohio River, but the effect 
of such pollution on the tributaries is for the most part local and has 
little importance on the Ohio River proper. The findings indicate 
that sufficient control and abatement of pollution should be under- 
taken, at the earliest practicable date, to protect endangered sources 
of water supply both on the Ohio River proper and on the tributaries. 
A complete, well-balanced program, yielding maximum benefits attain- 
able at reasonable and justifiable costs, is presented with the recom- 
mendation that it be completed in 15 years. 
2. The principal obstacle to the abatement of pollution is the actual 
financing of the necessary facilities. Active support and participa- 
tion on the part of the States and the Federal Government are indi- 
cated and needed as a stimulus if any large and comprehensive program 
for the abatement of pollution is to be undertaken and properly com- 
pleted in the Ohio River Basin. A comprehensive program of research 
and education is also needed to discover new and more economical 
methods of waste treatment and recovery, and to inform the public 
of the necessity for the abatement of pollution. 
3. No definite action toward the enforcement of pollution abatement 
should be undertaken by the Federal Government unless all State 
and interstate action fails to secure the proper control. The tangible 
and intangible benefits accruing to the Federal Government in pro- 
tecting health and general welfare in the Ohio River Basin, as well as 
benefits accruing in the reduction of damage to commerce and naviga- 
tion and the general security obtained by the abatement of pollution, 
justifies Federal financial aid. This aid should be in the form of grants 
(say 35 percent of the construction cost of abatement projects) and 
loans to States, their political subdivisions, or municipalities. 
4. It is recommended: 
(a) That the proposed Ohio River Valley "Water Sanitation Compact 
be modified and vitalized to provide an improved means for uniform 
and effective control of all pollution interestate in its effect, and that 
when this has been accomplished the United States Public Health 
Service be authorized to participate in an indicated construction pro- 
gram for abatement of pollution in the Ohio River Basin. 
(<b) That the United States Public Health Service conduct a program 
of research and education. 3 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
(c) That the United States Bureau of Mines continue the program 
for sealing abandoned mines, and otherwise reducing acid pollution 
by mine drainage. 
5. While it is impracticable to formulate accurate estimates of the 
cost of individual features of the above program, it is believed that the 
total cost will be about $200,000,000, less than one-half of which would 
be a permanent charge against Federal funds. 
6. In addition to the foregoing specific remedial measures, consider- 
able benefit can be obtained by operating existing and future reservoirs 
so as to obtain the maximum low flow control for dilution of acid and 
organic pollution. 
II. Authority and Preface 
7. Authority for report.—The authority for this report is contained 
in the River and Harbor Act approved August 26, 1937; section 5 of 
which reads as follows: 
Sec. 5. That the Secretary of War is hereby authorized and directed to cause 
a survey to be made of the Ohio River and its tributaries to ascertain what pollu- 
tive substances are being deposited, directly or indirectly, therein and the sources 
and extent of such deposits, and with a view to determining the most feasible 
method of correcting and eliminating the pollution of these streams. 
The survey herein authorized shall include comprehensive investigations and 
studies of the various problems relating to stream pollution and its prevention 
and abatement. In making these investigations and studies, and in the develop- 
ment and formulation of corrective plans, the Secretary of W ar may, with the 
approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, secure the cooperation and assistance 
of the Public Health Service, and may allot funds from the appropriation herein- 
after designated to pay for such cooperation and assistance. The survey shall 
be completed as soon as practicable after the passage of this Act, and the Secre- 
tary of War shall report the results thereof to the Congress, together with such 
recommendations for remedial legislation as he deems advisable. 
The cost of the survey, and such incidental expenses as may be necessary in 
connection therewith, shall be paid from appropriations heretofore or hereafter 
made for examinations, surveys, and contingencies of rivers and harbors. 
8. Formation of Ohio River Committee.—Upon signing the above- 
mentioned river and harbor bill, the President asked the Secretary 
of War and the Secretary of the Treasury to join in the appointment 
of a committee of three to conduct the survey, the committee to 
consist of an Army engineer, a representative of the Public Health 
Service, and a non-Government expert on stream-pollution problems. 
In response, the Secretary of War designated Brig. Gen. Max C. 
Tyler to represent the Corps of Engineers; the Secretary of the Treas- 
ury designated Senior Sanitary Engineer Ralph E. Tarbett to repre- 
sent the Public Health Service; and Dr. Abel Wolman, Consulting 
Engineer, Baltimore, Md., was chosen as the third member of the com- 
mittee, referred to herein as the “Ohio River Committee.” Maj. 
Gen. Thomas M. Robins later assumed committee membership in 
place of General Tyler upon assignment of the latter to duty as presi- 
dent of the Mississippi River Commission. 
9. Conduct of survey by the United States Public Health Service and 
the Army Engineers.—The survey was conducted by the United States 
Public Health Service for and with the assistance of the Corps of 
Engineers, United States Army, under the general direction of the Ohio 
River Committee. The Public Health Service undertook all field 
sanitary surveys and laboratory studies and developed a suggested plan 
of corrective measures. The Corps of Engineers made the necessary 
hydrometric surveys (river discharge and velocity measurements, 4 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
studies for augmenting low-water flows by reservoir releases, etc.). 
Both agencies were in constant collaboration throughout the study. 
The report of the United States Public Health Service on this survey* 
published as part II, forms the basis for the report by the Ohio River 
Committee. 
10. Scope.—This survey is the most complete and comprehensive 
examination ever made into the sanitary condition of a major river 
and its tributaries draining an area highly developed commercially, 
industrially, and agriculturally. About 4 years were required to 
obtain and analyze the voluminous field data necessary for a sound 
study of the complicated problems involved, to study the technical, 
financial, administrative, and other associated questions, and to 
develop the plan for remedial improvements recommended herein. 
The cost of the investigation was approximately $600,000. 
11. Acknowledgments.—The Committee desires to acknowledge 
the full cooperation received from the Public Health Service and the 
Corps of Engineers. Other Federal agencies from which assistance 
was obtained on special phases of the work include the Fish and Wild- 
life Service, the United States Geological Survey, the Bureau of the 
Census, the United States Bureau of Mines, the Soil Conservation 
Service, and the National Resources Planning Board. The various 
State health departments within the Ohio River Basin rendered valu- 
able aid by making various data available, by providing office space 
to field personnel, and in numerous other ways. The Health and 
Safety Section of the Tennessee Valley Authority provided similar 
assistance. Municipal officials, water and sewage treatment plant 
operators, and industrial officials aided by furnishing data on plant 
operations and wastes-discharged. In numerous instances, munici- 
palities furnished facilities to the mobile laboratories without charge. 
The cities of Cincinnati and Louisville made available the results of 
consulting engineers’ studies of their waste-disposal problems. The 
assistance of various engineers in private practice, equipment manu- 
facturers, trade associations, universities, technical schools, and indi- 
viduals was also of great value. 
12. Arrangement of report.—This report has been divided into two 
parts; that is, part I, the report of the Ohio River Committee, and 
part II, the report of the United States Public Health Service to the 
Ohio River Committee. For a summary of the content of each part, 
including lists of the tables appendixes, plates, maps, and charts 
therein, see the table of contents at the beginning of each. 
III. Prior Reports 
13. The extent of the Ohio River Basin and the pollution problems 
therein and the interest of sanitary engineers, public-health officials, 
and others, have resulted in numerous studies of stream pollution in the 
area. These studies generally have been applicable to restricted 
localities and tributary streams only. They have not been listed 
herein. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
5 
14. A report on prior investigations by the Public Health Service 
of pollution of the Ohio River is published under the title, “A Study of 
the Pollution and Natural Purification of the Ohio River,” as follows: 
(a) For a survey during the period January 1, 1914, to December 31, 
1916: 
(1) I. The Plankton and Related Organizms, by W. C. Purdy (Public Health 
Bulletin No. 131, December 1922). 
(2) II. Report of Surveys and Laboratory Studies, by Frost, Hoskins, Tarbett, 
and Streeter (Public Health Bulletin No. 143, July 192*4). 
(3) III. Factors Concerned in the Phenomena of Oxidation and Reaeration, by 
E. B. Phelps (Public Health Bulletin No. 146, February 1925). 
(b) For a survey during the period November 1929 to May 1931: 
(1) IV. A Resurvey of the Ohio River Between Cincinnati, Ohio, and Louis- 
ville, Ivy., including a Discussion of the Effects of Canalization and Changes in 
Sanitarv Conditions Since 1914-16, by H. R. Crohurst (Public Health Bulletin 
No. 204, May 1933). 
IV. Description of Ohio River Basin 
15. Geography.—The Ohio River is formed by the confluence of the 
Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers at Pittsburgh, Pa. It flows 981 
river-miles in a generally southwesterly direction and joins the Misis- 
sippi River at Cairo, 111. The river bounds Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois 
(right bank); and West Virginia and Kentucky (left bank). Major 
tributaries, in addition to the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, 
are the Beaver, Muskingum, Hocking, Scioto, Little Miami, Miami, and 
Wabash Rivers (right bank); and the Little Kanawha, Kanawha, 
Guyandot, Big Sandy, Licking, Kentucky, Salt, Green, Cumberland, 
and Tennessee Rivers (left bank). Plate 1 is a general map of the 
Ohio River Basin. 
16. The river drains an area of 203,900 square miles, which is second 
in size among the six major divisions of the Mississippi River water- 
shed. Only the Missouri River Basin is larger. The longer axis of 
the basin extends from northeastern Mississippi to southwestern New 
York (800 miles), and the shorter axis from northern Georgia to 
northern Indiana (500 miles). The valley comprises 16 percent of the 
area of the Mississippi River Basin, almost 7 percent of the area of the 
United States, and portions of 14 States, namely: Alabama, Georgia, 
Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North 
Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. 
Table 1 indicates the division of area by States and subbasins. 6 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Basin 
State 
Total 
Ala- 
bama 
Georgia 
Illinois 
Indiana 
Ken- 
tucky 
Mary- 
land 
Missis- 
sippi 
New 
York 
North 
Caro- 
lina 
Ohio 
Penn- 
syl- 
vania 
Tennes- 
see 
Vir- 
ginia 
West 
Vir- 
ginia 
1,955 
9,775 
11,730 
430 
2, 770 
4,180 
7,380 
1,360 
1,785 
3, 145 
8,040 
8,040 
2,320 
2,320 
1, 185 
1,670 
1,670 
2,280 
985 
4,280 
6,510 
6,510 
1, 755 
1, 755 
3,670 
3, 670 
1,435 
3,950 
5,385 
6,940 
6.940 
2,890 
2,890 
8,840 
380 
9, 220 
8, 560 
24, 220 
320 
33, 100 
7,025 
10,975 
18,000 
6,810 
1,490 
1,055 
385 
5,490 
22,290 
3,080 
40, 600 
Ohio River (minor tributaries and direct 
2,880 
3,480 
6,675 
6,450 
1,290 
3,005 
23,780 
Total by States 
6,810 
1,490 
11, 440 
29,135 
39,375 
430 
385 
1,955 
6,260 
29,570 
15, 620 
33, 645 
7,175 
20.610 
203,900 
Table 1.—Distribution of drainage area by States and subbasins, Ohio River Basin 
[Drainage area in square miles] OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
7 
17. Topography.—The Ohio River Basin lies in 4 major physio- 
graphic divisions, namely: The valley and ridge province, which bor- 
ders the watershed on the east and is mountainous; the Appalachian 
Plateau, which lies to the west of the valley and ridge province; the 
interior low plateau, which lies south of the Ohio River and west of the 
Appalachian Plateau; and the central lowland, which includes virtu- 
ally all of the basin north and west of the Ohio River below Ports- 
mouth, Ohio, and which is a nearly level to undulating glaciated plain. 
The topography of the basin is diversified and is graduated between the 
mountains of the east and the low plateaus of the west. 
18. Geology.—Broadly speaking, the Ohio River Basin is a region 
of but slightly disturbed Paleozoic sedimentary rocks that range in 
age from Cambrian to Permian. On the basis of general lithology 
and economic importance they are subject to two broad divisions: 
(1) The coal measures and, (2) a great series of calcareous sediments 
that extend from the base of the coal measures down through the 
Cambrian. The coal measures form the broad Appalachian plateaus 
of the eastern third of the basin in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, 
eastern Ohio, eastern Kentucky, eastern Tennessee, and northeastern 
Alabama and underlie the central lowlands of western Indiana, 
western Kentucky, and eastern Illinois. They consist of a great 
series of sandstones and shales containing many important coal beds. 
The calcareous rocks underlie a broad belt extending through the 
central portion of the basin in central Tennessee, central Kentucky, 
western Ohio, and eastern Indiana, where they have been brought 
above drainage by erosion on the crest of the Cincinnati anticline. 
The dominant rocks of this area are limestones and calcareous shales. 
The northern and western portions of the basin including nearly all 
of the drainage area on the north side of the Ohio River, below 
Portsmouth, Ohio, have been glaciated. In this area, bedrock is 
generally buried beneath thick deposits of glacial drift and many 
profound changes in the old preglacial drainage have taken place. 
19. Climate.—The climate of the basin is temperate, and favors 
agriculture. Mean temperatures vary from 50° F. on the northern 
boundary to 60° F. on the southern boundary. Daily temperatures 
range from about —30° F. to over 100° F. The following tabulation 
shows mean air temperatures at several localities in the basin: 
Pittsburgh 
Huntington.. 
Cincinnati 
Louisville 
Nashville 
F 
o 
o 
p 
l 1 l l I 
l • I • 
till! 
1 1 1 1 1 
1 i 1 1 1 
1 1 1 1 1 
1 I ■ 1 1 
till! 
o 
d 
-4 05 35 
Years of record 
GO CO CO CO 03 
00 4>- © 4k © 
© 4* GO © *^4 
January 
4k. GO GO GO GO 
►-* M tO 4k bO 
© to 00 GO 
February 
4k- 4*- 4k. 4k. GO 
© O* O © © 
tO 4k. © © © 
March 
51.2 
54.6 
52.4 
56.4 
59.0 
April 
© © © © © 
00 © GO *3* to 
to © »— 4k. 
May 
K 
a> 
-O -vj «*4 -*4 -O 
pi 4k. H- tO © 
© tO © 
June 
d 
5. 
►i* 
©00 © © 4k 
July 
$ 
s 
•a 
~4 
-n4 “4 GO 4k. JO 
© © © © © 
August 
so 
I 
*4 “*4 © © © 
npsjO © 
00 © h- © 4»- 
September 
O 
© © © © © 
»-* © © © © 
© 4k. «4 
October 
4k. 4k- 4k 4k 
© © tO 4k GO 
© -4 © GO tO 
November 
4k GO GO GO GO 
h- GO © 4k 
© © 4k © tO 
December 
51.8 
55.2 
53.1 
57.0 
59.3 
Average 
20. Hydrology.—The mean annual precipitation in the valley varies 
from 51 inches in the extreme southwestern portion to 43 inches in 
the extreme northeastern portion, and from 60 inches in the extreme 
southeastern portion to 37 inches in the extreme northwestern portion. 
Storms have occurred with a precipitation of 6.5 inches in 48 hours, 8 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
over an area as large as 37,000 square miles. On the other hand, 
minimum monthly rainfalls of as low as 1.7 inches have persisted 
for 6 months at a time over a considerable portion of the basin. In 
general, rainfall and run-off are high in the late winter and in the 
spring, and are low in the summer. 
21. The following tabulation shows flow data for several Ohio 
River stations for the period 1930 to 1941, inclusive: 
Item 
Pitts- 
burgh i 
Louisville1 
Paducah 1 
Minimum monthly average flow - __ -- 
1,300 
4,900 
4,900 
557,000 
71,000 
83, 700 
20,000 
28,000 
3 37.6 
428:1 
4,400 
14, 800 
14,900 
1,110,000 
292,000 
316, 800 
67,800 
104,400 
4 50.7 
252:1 
23,000 
42,400 
47,100 
2 1,850,000 
648,000 
669, 700 
147,000 
231,400 
3 53. 1 
80:1 
Median of minimum monthly average flows 
Mean of minimum monthly average flows 
Median of maximum monthly average flows 
Mean of maximum monthly average flows - - 
Difference between stage of extreme high and extreme low water, feet. 
Ratio of maximum flow to minimum monthly average flow 
1 Cubic feet per second. 
2 Includes 70,000 cubic feet per second flow in Bay Creek-Cache River back channel. 
3 Minimum stage measured prior to raising of Emsworth Dam during years 1935-38. 
4 Upper pool. Low stages affected by dam No. 41. 
s Low stages affected by dam No. 52. 
22. Population.—The population of the basin approximates 
18,816,000 and comprises over 14 percent of that of the United States. 
Population densities are as follows: 
Persons per square mile 
Entire basin 92 
Area above Wheeling, W. Va 190 
Area below Wheeling, W. Va 80 
Almost half of the population is urban, and urban development in- 
cludes metropolitan centers such as Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and 
Louisville. 
23. Basin populations are shown in the following tabulation for the 
period 1890 to 1940, inclusive: 
Year 
Population 
Rural 
Urban 
Total 
Number 
Percent 
increase 
over pre- 
ceding 
period 
Number 
Percent 
increase 
over pre- 
ceding 
period 
Number 
Percent 
increase 
over pre- 
ceding 
period 
1RQ0 
8, 306, 000 
2, 723,000 
11,029,000 
1900 
8,994, 000 
8 
3, 761.000 
38 
12, 755, 000 
16 
1910 
9, 272, 000 
3 
5,110, 000 
36 
14,382,000 
13 
1920 
9, 429,000 
2 
6, 469, 000 
27 
15,898,000 
11 
1930 . 
9, 681, 000 
3 
7,852,000 
21 
17, 533, 000 
10 
1940 
10, 602,000 
10 
8, 214, 000 
5 
18,816, 000 
7 
Table 2 indicates the distribution of population by States and sub- 
basins. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Basin 
Class 
Population, 1940 census 1 
State 
Total by 
basins 
Ala- 
bama 
Georgia 
Illinois 
Indiana 
Kentucky 
Mary- 
land 
Missis- 
sippi 
New 
York 
North 
Carolina 
Ohio 
Penn- 
sylvania 
Tennes- 
see 
Virginia 
West 
Virginia 
Allegheny River 
73,044 
76,377 
640,104 
447,169 
713,148 
523,546 
Monongahela River 
— 
149,421 
1,087, 273 
1, 236, 694 
14, 646 
0 
423,869 
477,977 
241,028 
107,154 
679, 543 
585,131 
14,646 
901,846 
348,182 
1, 264, 674 
110,977 
307,000 
140,124 
170,267 
251,101 
477, 267 
Total ... 
417,977 
310,391 
728, 368 
Rural 
413,578 
398, 450 
413,578 
398,450 
Little Kanawha River.. 
Urban . 
Total. . 
812,028 
812,028 
Rural 
92, 355 
0 
92.355 
0 
Urban 
Total 
92, 355 
92,355 
65,422 
48,133 
65, 422 
48,133 
Kanawha River 
Urban 
Total 
113,555 
113,555 
Rural 
35,713 
0 
123,455 
30,174 
500,159 
145,344 
659,327 
175, 518 
1 Urban population 
Urban 
Total 
35, 713 
153,629 
645, 503 
834,845 
ncludes ineo 
rporated 
places each having a pope 
ilation of 2,5( 
0 Or more. 
, 1 1 
Table 2.—Distribution of population by States and subbasins, Ohio River Basin 
90035—43—pt. 1 2 OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Basin 
Class 
Population, 1940 census 1 
State 
Total by 
basins 
Ala- 
bama 
Georgia 
Illinois 
Indiana 
Kentucky 
Mary- 
land 
Missis- 
sippi 
New 
York 
North 
Carolina 
Ohio 
Penn- 
sylvania 
Tennes- 
see 
Virginia 
West 
Virginia 
140,065 
8,192 
140,065 
8,192 
Total 
148,257 
148, 257 
198,835 
13, 613 
66,711 
0 
115,174 
1/, 572 
380,720 
31,185 
212,448 
66,711 
132,746 
411,905 
291,761 
447,790 
291,761 
447,790 
Total 
739, 551 
739, 551 
111,470 
24,004 
111,470 
24,004 
135,474 
135, 474 
145,230 
24,913 
145, 230 
24,913 
Miami River 
Total . 
170,143 
170,143 
Rural 
59,367 
48,045 
269,010 
454,059 
328,377 
502,104 
Kentucky River 
Total 
107, 412 
723,069 
830,481 
Rural 
385,916 
96,053 
385,916 
96,053 
Salt River 
Total 
481,969 
481,969 
Rural 
123,865 
16,003 
123,865 
16,003 
139,868 
139,868 
Table 2.—Distribution of population by States and subbasins, Ohio River Basin—Continued OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
11 
.Rural 
367,117 
44,398 
32, 877 
0 
399,994 
44,398 
Wabash River 
Total 
411,515 
32. 877 
444,392 
Rural 
276,198 
170, 618 
1,020, 389 
1,022, 671 
13,881 
4, 841 
1,310, 468 
1,198,130 
Cumberland River 
Tennessee River 
Total 
446, 816 
2,043,060 
18, 722 
2, 508. 598 
Rural 
371,398 
56,090 
479,880 
221, 634 
851, 278 
277,724 
Total 
427,488 
701, 514 
1,129, 002 
Rural 
310,585 
79,464 
61,371 
3,538 
43,665 
3,773 
15,055 
0 
251,230 
67, 729 
974,450 
445,337 
203, 001 
32,100 
1,859, 357 
631,941 
Ohio River (minor 
tributaries and direct 
drainage). 
Total by States 
Urban 
Total... 
390,049 
64,909 
47,438 
15.055 
318,959 
1,419, 787 
235,101 
2,491, 298 
Rural 
109.984 
43, 658 
181,627 
171,351 
317, 230 
582, 657 
380, 314 
785,904 
221, 648 
897,447 
187,965 
222, 604 
1, 398, 768 
2, 703, 621 
Urban 
Total.... 
153, 642 
352,978 
899,887 
1,166, 218 
1,119,095 
410,569 
4,102,389 
Rural 
Urban 
Total 
310,585 
79,464 
61,371 
3, 538 
386,182 
214,276 
1,261,383 
1, 242,067 
1,953, 256 
837, 500 
14, 646 
0 
15,055 
0 
73,044 
76, 377 
286,943 
67,729 
1,656,413 
2, 470,181 
1,425, 745 
1,992,860 
1, 487, 207 
666,971 
396,167 
62, 274 
1,276, 746 
500,866 
10, 601, 743 
8. 214,103 
390,049 
64,909 
600, 458 
2, 503,450 
2, 790,756 
14, 646 
15,055 
149,421 
354, 672 
4,126,594 
3,418, 605 
2,154,178 
455,441 
1,777, 612 
18,815, 846 
i Urban population includes incorporated places each having a population of 2,500 or more. 12 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
24. Industry.—Portions of the Ohio River basin are highly indus- 
trialized, and agriculture, mining, and manufacturing are extensive. 
Principal natural and manufactured products include coal; limestone; 
sandstone; gravel; natural gasoline; petroleum; natural gas; salt; ores 
of iron, zinc, aluminum, and manganese; products of iron and steel 
plants, rolling mills, blast furnaces, foundries, and machine shops; 
motor vehicles, parts, and accessories; rubber goods; railroad equip- 
ment; electrical machinery; knit goods; furniture; electric power; 
lumber; cement; chemicals; farm products; and others of value. 
25. River uses.—The streams of the Ohio River system are exten- 
sively used for many purposes, including the following: 
(a) Public water supply. 
(b) Industrial water supply. 
(c) Agricultural water supply. 
(d) Waste disposal. 
(e) Support of plant and animal life. 
(f) Recreation. 
(<g) Navigation. 
(h) Hydroelectric power production. 
V. Survey (Character and Extent) 
26. The conduct of the survey was divided into four main sections, 
as follows: 
(а) Field surveys, in which the source, type, volume, and strength 
of pollutants were determined, and by means of which information 
concerning present water usage, waste-disposal methods, and similar 
data were obtained. 
(б) Laboratory surveys, in which various physical, chemical, 
biological, and sanitary characteristics of the involved streams were 
determined and were related to pollution sources and variations in 
season and stream flow. 
(c) Hydrometric surveys, in which determinations of discharge 
volumes and stream velocities were made for correlation with field 
and laboratory results. 
(d) Reservoir and reservoir site surveys, to determine water storage 
which may be made available for increasing low-water flows in order 
to further dilute polluting substances. 
27. Field surveys.—Data on the source, type, volume, and strength 
of pollutants were obtained by 11 field stations maintained in the 
offices of State health departments, and the Tennessee Valley Au- 
thority. Sanitary surveys were made of some 3,700 municipalities 
and 1,800 industrial establishments. A twelfth field unit was assigned 
to the study of acid mine drainage problems. 
28. Studies of specific industrial waste problems were made in 
cooperation with the cities of Cincinnati and Louisville, the State of 
West Virginia, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. 
29. Correlated work included the preparation of industrial waste 
guides which outline industrial processes, quantities and strengths of 
industrial wastes, and waste treatment and recovery practices and 
their effectiveness; studies of pollution abatement legislation and 
administration; studies of the cost of construction and operation of 
waste treatment plants; and other investigations. 
30. Laboratory studies.—The major accomplishment of the labora- 
tory studies was the determination of the physical, bacterial, and OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
13 
chemical characteristics of water samples collected from some 2,000 
stream stations in the Ohio River Basin. More than 71,000 water 
samples were examined. 
31. A base laboratory was located at Cincinnati, Ohio, and field 
laboratories included the quarterboat Kiski and six mobile laborato- 
ries in automobile trailers. 
32. Analytical practice conformed to the latest standard methods 
of the American Public Health Association and the American Water 
Works Association. Technique in the base and field laboratories 
was carefully standardized. Table 3 outlines the routine laboratory 
examinations made, and indicates their significance. 
Table 3.—Significance of various physical, chemical, and bacteriological tests used 
in Ohio River pollution survey 
Test 
Explanation 
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL TESTS 
Temperature 
Governs the solubility of oxygen and influences rates of purification. 
An index of the density of silt or other suspended matter carried by the stream 
Or hydrogen-ion concentration, indicates the relative acidity or alkalinity of 
a water. 
Represents the content of carbonates, bicarbonates, hydroxides, and occasion- 
ally borates, silicates, and phosphates. 
Represents the concentration of suspended matter, in terms of dry solids, and 
is a rough index of the organic waste material present. 
Essential to natural purification of streams and the maintenance of aquatic 
life, is drawn upon to support biochemical oxidation of organic waste and is 
replaced by absorption from the atmosphere and the photosynthetic action 
of some water plants including algae. A deficiency in dissolved oxygen 
below the saturation level indicates the presence of polluting organic sub- 
stances which are absorbing oxygen from the stream water. The degree of 
this deficiency is a measure of the deoxygenating effect of the polluting matter 
and hence an index of the degree of pollution in a particular stream zone. 
Indicates the amount of dissolved oxygen which may be expected to be absorbed 
from the stream water in 5 days at 20° C. to support the biochemical oxidation 
of the organic pollution carried by the stream at the point of sampling. 
Turbidity 
pH 
Alkalinity 
Total and volatile sus- 
pended matter.1 
Dissolved oxygen 
5-day biochemical oxy- 
gen demand at 20° C. 
(B. 0. D.). 
. 
BACTERIOLOGICAL TESTS 
Total count on agar in 24 
hours at 37° C.1 
Coliform bacteria (deter- 
mined by standard fer- 
mentation tube test at 
37° C.). 
Coliform bacteria (deter- 
mined by direct plate 
count on brilliant green 
lactose bile at 37° C.). 
Considered in conjunction with the coliform bacteria the plate count is of value 
both as an indication of pollution and as a rough measure of natural stream 
purification. 
Expressed as “most probable number” (M. P. N.). This test is the most 
delicate and specific test for pollution by sewage as it shows the approximate 
density of a group of bacteria which are always present in large numbers in 
sewage and are relatively few in number in other stream pollutants. Coli- 
form bacteria are normal inhabitants of the intestines of warm-blooded 
animals and are discharged in large numbers in human feces, which constitute 
the principal source of these bacteria in sewage. 
Utilizes the plate count method, rather than the fermentation tube method, 
for the determination of coliform bacteria using a culture medium selective 
for this type of organism. 
1 Discontinued as a routine test at the end of 1939. 
33. In general, sampling stations were chosen above and below 
Pollution sources, in order to measure effects at individual localities. 
Less frequently, sampling stations were located at several points, pro- 
gressively distant from upstream pollution. Because of this, polluted 
samples generally were indicative of water quality at the head of 
Polluted reaches which is usually poorer than the average quality of 
reaches. 
34. In addition to the routine stream sampling program, a number 
special investigations were made, including a study of water quality 
requirements for various uses; an epidemiological study of the occur- 
r®uce of intestinal diseases suspected of being water borne; biological 
studies of the effect of pollution on plankton and higher forms of 14 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
aquatic life; a controlled study to determine the effects of mine sealing 
on stream quality; taste and odor studies; and others. 
35. Hydrometric surveys — Collection and analysis of hydrometric 
data were essential to permit interpretation of field and laboratory 
studies. Determination of stream velocities, discharge volumes, and 
minimum-flow conditions were required to establish a quantitative 
measure of the pollution of streams involved, as well as to establish 
practical limits of waste carrying and self-purification capacity. 
These data were developed by field observations concurrent with 
water sampling operations, establishment of key observation stations 
on major streams, utilization of existing stream measurement facilities, 
and examination of the literature on the subject, with particular refer- 
ence to low-flow conditions. 
36. Reservoir and reservoir-site surveys.—All existing reservoirs were 
examined to determine whether they provide or can be modified to 
provide sufficient storage for increasing low-water flows for dilution of 
polluted water. Plans for proposed reservoirs were also examined to 
determine the advisability of including therein provisions for increas- 
ing such low-water flows. Attendant investigations revealed that 
reservoirs, for the sole purpose of increasing low-water flows for the 
dilution of pollution, are not warranted. 
37. Interpretation of survey results.—Stream conditions are reported 
as found at the time of actual physical survey and sampling. The 
period of time devoted to the study of the specific locations was neces- 
sarily limited so that the results of the survey seldom indicate the 
true sanitary condition of the streams under the most adverse condi- 
tion. For example, the survey indicated very satisfactory and desir- 
able stream conditions in the Kanawha River at its junction with the 
Ohio River. Here the effects of pollution from the Charleston, W. Va., 
area appear negligible. However, it is known that in 1930 rains follow- 
ing a drought in the Kanawha Basin washed sludge from the river 
bottom into the Ohio River. This apparently resulted in spreading 
a disease, originating in Charleston, W. Va., and known as gastro- 
enteritis, far down the Ohio River. It should be kept in mind, 
therefore, that in interpreting the facts as presented, reservations 
should be made because extremely adverse conditions which occur 
infrequently could not be included in the report. 
VI. Existing Conditions and Damages 
A. SOURCES OF POLLUTION 
38. Nature of pollutants.—Wastes from sewered communities, in- 
dustrial wastes of primarily local significance, and industrial wastes, 
including acid mine drainage, having a widespread effect, were 
determined to be the important pollutants being discharged to the 
streams of the Ohio River Basin. 
39. The polluting strengths of these wastes, despite all corrective 
efforts to date, are as follows: 
Sewered domestic wastes (population equivalent based on biochemical 
oxygen demand) 6, 396, 400 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent based on biochemical oxy- 
gen demand) 9, 071, 700 
Total organic wastes (population equivalent based on bio- 
chemical oxygen demand) 15, 468, 100 
Acid wastes (as tons per year of calcium carbonate) 1, 864, 800 OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
15 
40. In this report the polluting strengths of organic industrial 
wastes and domestic treatment plant residuals are expressed in 
terms of population equivalent, obtained by comparing the bio- 
chemical oxygen demand of the wastes with the unit biochemical 
oxygen demand of untreated human sewage, which, as shown by 
extensive observation of 5-day biochemical oxygen demand at 20° C., 
averages 0.168 pound of oxygen per capita per day. 
41. Domestic wastes.—The total population of the basin was 
18,816,000 in 1940. Of this number, 8,214,100 were urban dwellers 
in 529 incorporated communities having 2,500 or more inhabitants. 
Domestic wastes from 8,561,200 persons in sewered areas, largely 
urban, have caused objectionable concentrations in excess of the 
waste assimilating capacities of the waterways. There are 1,681 
domestic waste sources where 100 or more persons are sewered. The 
communities in the latter group are distributed as follows: 
Basin 
Num- 
ber 
Basin 
Num- 
ber 
Allegheny River ___ 
167 
Miami River __ 
60 
172 
25 
Beaver River -. 
64 
15 
78 
26 
Little Kanawha River 
9 
268 
19 
55 
Kanawha River 
116 
172 
Guyandot River 
37 
114 
Big Sandy River __ 
69 
136 
52 
Little Miami River 
22 
1,681 
Licking River 
15 
Sewered communities with 100 or more persons connected to sewers 
The population now served by water supplies but not sewered is 
1,805,400. Any increase in domestic sewage loadings from this source 
will occur mainly in communities of from 250 to 2,500 inhabitants, of 
which there are over 1,600 in the basin. 
42. Human and animal wastes originating in rural areas are of com- 
paratively minor significance because they are well distributed and 
usually not deposited directly into streams. 
43. Sewage treatment facilities at 464 locations serve 2,913,300 per- 
sons and are estimated to reduce the population equivalent of all 
sewered domestic wastes from 8,561,200 persons to 6,396,400. About 
§70,190,000 have been expended on sewage treatment plants, includ- 
ing the cost of interceptor sewer construction. Plants generally have 
been built at communities on smaller streams where raw sewage dump- 
ing constitutes a major local nuisance. On the Ohio River and its 
larger tributaries sewage treatment plants are notably lacking appar- 
ently due to financial and administrative difficulties as well as to the 
fact that large natural stream flows sweep the wastes downstream, 
preventing a grossly objectionable local nuisance. Communi- 
ties which suffer because of upstream neighbors cannot, of course, 
s°lve their own problems completely. 
44. Pertinent data with respect to domestic waste loadings are 
summarized in table 4. 16 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Basin and State 
Drain- 
age 
area, 
square 
miles 
Population, 1940 census 
Popula- 
tion 
served by 
sewers 
Existing sewage treatment plants 
Capital 
cost of 
existing 
sewage 
treat- 
ment 
plants 
and inter- 
ceptors 
Domestic sewage as dis- 
charged, population 
equivalent, based on bio- 
chemical oxygen demand 
Rural 
Urban 
Total 
Primary 
Secondary 
Total 
Num- 
ber 
Popu- 
lation 
served 
Num- 
ber 
Popu- 
lation 
served 
Num- 
ber 
Popu- 
lation 
served 
Resid- 
ual 
from 
existing 
treat- 
ment 
plants 
Untreat- 
ed sew- 
ered 
wastes 
Total 
Allegheny River 
11,730 
713,148 
523, 546 
1,236, 694 
919,800 
22 
109,000 
19 
55,300 
41 
164,300 
$5,460,000 
82,500 
755,500 
838,000 
Monongahela River 
7,380 
679, 543 
585,131 
1, 264,674 
862, 200 
13 
45,800 
7 
20,300 
20 
66,100 
1,500,000 
33,100 
796,100 
829, 200 
Beaver River 
3,145 
251,101 
477,267 
728,368 
515, 700 
17 
134, 300 
18 
84,100 
35 
218,400 
4,700,000 
102,700 
297,300 
400,000 
Muskingum River 
8,040 
413,578 
398,450 
812,028 
422,600 
13 
78, 700 
18 
206, 900 
31 
285,600 
4,550,000 
68,800 
137,000 
205,800 
Little Kanawha River 
2, 320 
92, 355 
0 
92,355 
10,200 
1 
1,400 
1 
3,400 
2 
4,800 
190,000 
1,400 
5,400 
6,800 
Hocking River 
1,185 
65,422 
48,133 
113,555 
48,400 
2 
1,300 
2 
22, 700 
4 
24,000 
840,000 
4,200 
24,400 
28,600 
Kanawha River 
12,300 
659,327 
175,518 
834,845 
226,500 
6 
20,900 
6 
28,600 
12 
49,500 
1,300,000 
18,100 
177,000 
195,100 
Guyandot River 
1,670 
140,065 
8,192 
148,257 
23,900 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
23,900 
23,900 
Big Sandy River 
4,280 
380, 720 
31,185 
411,905 
55,000 
0 
0 
3 
2, 600 
3 
2, 600 
70,000 
500 
52,400 
52,900 
Scioto River... 
6,510 
291, 761 
447,790 
739,551 
412,600 
15 
43,900 
18 
357,600 
33 
401,500 
12,890,000 
62,800 
11.100 
73,900 
Little Miami River 
1,755 
111,470 
24,004 
135,474 
109,700 
3 
8,100 
8 
16, 500 
11 
24,600 
530,000 
4, 700 
85,100 
89,800 
Licking River 
3,670 
145, 230 
24, 913 
1 170,143 
25,200 
0 
0 
2 
11,200 
2 
11,200 
290,000 
1,600 
14,000 
15,600 
Miami River. 
5,385 
328,377 
502,104 
830,481 
550,500 
10 
89,000 
21 
333,400 
31 
422, 400 
9,380,000 
88,700 
128,100 
216,800 
Kentucky River 
6,940 
385,916 
96,053 
481,969 
105, 300 
3 
1,200 
10 
68, 200 
13 
69,400 
1,370,000 
11,100 
35,900 
47,000 
Salt River 
2,890 
123,865 
16,003 
139,868 
20,300 
1 
1,700 
7 
15,400 
8 
17,100 
670,000 
3,600 
3,200 
6,800 
Green River 
9,220 
399,994 
44,398 
444,392 
45,000 
8 
29,300 
3 
5,000 
11 
34,300 
450,000 
20,100 
10, 700 
30,800 
Wabash River- 
33,100 
1,310,468 
1,198,130 
2,508,598 
1,119,700 
10 
39,100 
74 
782, 900 
84 
822,000 
16,650,000 
164,100 
297,700 
461,800 
Cumberland River 
18,000 
851,278 
277,724 
1,129,002 
237,300 
7 
9, 300 
10 
55,000 
17 
64,300 
1,660,000 
14,100 
173,000 
187,100 
Tennessee River 
40,600 
1,859, 357 
631,941 
2,491,298 
591,300 
26 
41,800 
18 
56, 600 
44 
98,400 
2, 750,000 
36, 700 
492,900 
529,600 
Minor tributary basins 
fl, 254,858 
130,344 
1,385,202 
167,800 
12 
13,900 
30 
96,400 
42 
110, 300 
3,800,000 
23,000 
57,500 
80,500 
Ohio River (direct drainage) 
\ 143,910 
2,573,277 
2,717,187 
2,092,200 
4 
6,100 
16 
16,400 
20 
22,500 
1,080,000 
6, 700 
2,069,700 
2,076,400 
Total 
203,900 
10,601, 743 
8, 214,103 
18,815,846 
8,561, 200 
173 
674,800 
291 
2, 238, 500 
464 
2,913,300 
70,190,000 
748,500 
5, 647,900 
6,396,400 
Alabama 
6,810 
310,585 
79,464 
390,049 
63,000 
2 
4, 400 
0 
0 
2 
4,400 
140,000 
2,800 
58,600 
61, 400 
Georgia 
1,490 
61,371 
3,538 
64,909 
7,900 
2 
2,100 
1 
3,500 
3 
5,600 
150,000 
1,800 
2,300 
4,100 
Illinois 
11,440 
386,182 
214, 276 
600,458 
203,400 
3 
29,800 
23 
120, 500 
26 
150,300 
3, 760,000 
23,600 
53,100 
76,700 
Indiana 
29,135 
1, 261, 383 
1,242,067 
2, 503,450 
1,164, 200 
9 
10, 500 
68 
713,900 
77 
724,400 
14,990,000 
144,500 
439,800 
584,300 
Kentucky 
39,375 
1,953,256 
837,500 
2,790, 756 
849,000 
22 
49,200 
42 
149,400 
64 
198,600 
4,585,000 
54,300 
650,400 
704,700 
Maryland . _. 
430 
14,646 
0 
14,646 
3,000 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
3,000 
3,000 
Mississippi 
385 
15,055 
0 
15,055 
700 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
700 
700 
New York. 
1,955 
73,044 
76,377 
149,421 
110, 500 
9 
79,500 
2 
1,500 
11 
81,000 
4, 260,000 
51,000 
29, 500 
80,500 
North Carolina 
6,260 
286,943 
67, 729 
354,672 
103,000 
3 
1,500 
10 
3,500 
13 
5,000 
210,000 
1,500 
98, 000 
99,500 
Table 4.—Distribution of domestic wastes by Stales and subbasins, Ohio River Basin OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Ohio 
29, 570 
1,656, 413 
2,470,181 
4,126,594 
2,593,800 
55 
239,000 
82 
975,500 
137 
1, 214,500 
30,380,000 
250,500 
1, 379,300 
1,629,800 
Pennsylvania... 
15,620 
1, 425, 745 
1, 992,860 
3, 418,605 
2,186,800 
36 
200, 300 
38 
159, 400 
74 
359, 700 
6,940,000 
162,600 
1,827,100 
1,989,700 
Tennessee 
33, 645 
1,487, 207 
666,971 
2,154,178 
553,600 
19 
24,000 
14 
76,700 
33 
100, 700 
2,900,000 
28,400 
452,900 
481,300 
Virginia.. 
7,175 
393,167 
62, 274 
455,441 
58,600 
2 
8,600 
3 
5,900 
5 
14,500 
380,000 
7,900 
44,100 
52,000 
West Virginia 
20,610 
1,276,746 
500,866 
1,777,612 
663,700 
11 
25,900 
8 
28, 700 
19 
54,600 
1,495,000 
19, 600 
609,100 
628,700 
Total 
203,900 
10,601,743 
8, 214,103 
18,815,846 
8,561,200 
173 
674,800 
291 
2, 238,500 
464 
2,913,300 
70,190,000 
748, 500 
5, 647,900 
6,396,400 
* Population of Covington-Newport area is included under “Ohio River (direct drainage).” 18 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
45. Industrial wastes.—Industrial wastes may have local or wide 
effects on streams, depending upon the nature of the waste and the 
amount of dilution available. Many streams are seriously and ex- 
tensively damaged by industrial pollution. Acid wastes from coal 
mines and metallurgical industries are of importance over a con- 
siderable water distance, as are some wastes such as phenols, which 
produce tastes in water supplies. 
46. The aggregate organic waste load discharged from industrial 
establishments has a human population equivalent of 9,974,300, despite 
corrective measures now applied by some industries. Ninety percent 
of this load, from 1,604 significant sources, is discharged directly to 
streams. The remainder receives treatment in domestic sewage treat- 
ment plants. The total residual population equivalent of all industrial 
wastes, as now discharged to streams, is estimated to be 9,071,700. 
47. Much of the industrial wastes served by municipal treatment 
and over 30 percent of those not served are from food processing and 
allied industries. In general, these are well distributed throughout 
the area, although a majority of the cannery wastes is discharged in 
the Wabash River Basin, and a majority of the distillery wastes is 
discharged in the Kentucky and Salt River Basins and in the Louis- 
ville area on the Ohio River. The rapidly expanding chemical in- 
dustry contributes 21 percent of the industrial waste population 
equivalent not served by municipal treatment. This is largely in the 
Kanawha and Tennessee River Basins. An increase in the quantity 
and extent of wastes of this type may be expected. Paper and straw- 
board plants contribute over 15 percent of the industrial waste popu- 
lation equivalent, the largest sources of these wastes being located in 
the Allegheny, Wabash, and Tennessee River Basins. The effects of 
this pollutant should be lessened as improved treatment methods are 
developed. 
48. Pertinent data with respect to industrial waste loadings are 
summarized in table 5. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
19 
Basin and State 
Drain- 
• age 
area, 
square 
miles 
Industrial wastes 
connected to mu- 
Industrial wastes not connected to municipal treatment as discharged from industrial establishments 1 
nieipal tre 
population 
alent (bio< 
oxygen d( 
atment- 
equiv- 
:hemical 
unand) 
Brewing 
Byproduct coke 
Canning 
Chemical 
Distilling 
Meat 
Milk 
Prior to 
munici- 
pal 
treatment 
As dis- 
charged 
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Allegheny River 
11,730 
6,200 
3,200 
7 
5 
53,800 
2 
2 
84,000 
3 
2 
57,900 
7 
6 
9,600 
3 
3 
19, 600 
15 
11 
90, 600 
44 
13 
17,930 
Monongahela River 
7, 380 
2,000 
1, 200 
5 
49, 100 
3 
2 
240,000 
3 
3 
2 
94,000 
fi 
4 
fi 1O0 
Beaver River 
3,145 
ll' 800 
5, 800 
2 
2 
5,300 
4 
3 
80j 400 
4 
2 
2 
2 
7 200 
3 
2 
3, 403 
Muskingum River. 
8,040 
40,100 
5,900 
3 
3 
7,100 
2 
2 
14; 200 
8 
1L 500 
28 
24 
Little Kanawha River 
2,320 
Hocking River 
1, 185 
1, 400 
200 
2 
2 
5,800 
2 
2 
Kanawha River . 
12,300 
11,100 
900 
2 
1 
1,600 
11 
4 
1, 378,000 
Guyandot River 
1,670 
Big Sandy River 
4,280 
Scioto River _ 
6, 510 
348, 600 
100,200 
11 
9 
32, 200 
4 
3 
8 
5 
2,700 
7 
4 
700 
Little Miami River 
1,755 
2,800 
1,400 
8 
4 
6| 900 
Licking River 
3,670 
2 
2 
400 
2 
2 
Miami River... 
5, 385 
166,200 
30,600 
3 
1,700 
14 
6 
26,800 
6 
2 
3 200 
14 
3 
Kentucky River 
6,940 
32', 900 
4,900 
3 
2 
M00 
9 
9 
80 210 
6 
2 
L 100 
3 
Salt River.. 
2,890 
700 
' 300 
24 
24 
9L 500 
2 
2 
Green River 
9j 220 
1, 400 
600 
3 
3 
1 800 
2 
2 
Wabash River 
33, 100 
547, 500 
132,600 
3 
3 
42,000 
123 
121 
530,000 
2 
2 
121,000 
31 
30 
3fi’ 100 
45 
34 
Cumberland River 
18,000 
17,900 
3,000 
7 
4 
2,100 
2 
72,000 
5 
3 
37 500 
25 
0 
Tennessee River. 
40, 600 
5,400 
2,400 
24 
2 
38i 400 
21 
11 
353, 200 
19 
2 
40; 200 
28 
2 
9i 500 
Ohio River, minor tr ibu- 
taries and direct 
23, 780 
900 
100 
13 
13 
103, 200 
8 
7 
234,000 
20 
7 
55,800 
10 
7 
67, 300 
24 
11 
588, 700 
59 
39 
134,900 
43 
3 
17, 200 
Total 
203,900 
1,195,900 
293,300 
38 
27 
264, 300 
23 
17 
745, 200 
218 
160 
758,900 
65 
36 
1,880, 400 
67 
53 
1,009, 700 
173 
115 
385, 700 
253 
107 
85,100 
See footnote at end of table. 
II ‘ 
Table 5.—Distribution of industrial wastes by States and subbasins, Ohio River Basin 20 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Basin and State 
Drain- 
age 
area, 
square 
miles 
Industrial wastes 
connected to mu- 
nicipal treatment- 
population equiv- 
alent (biochemical 
oxygen demand) 
Industrial wastes not connected to municipal treatment as discharged from industrial establishments 1 
Brewing 
Byproduct coke 
Canning 
Chemical 
Distilling 
Meat 
Milk 
Prior to 
munici- 
pal 
treatment 
As dis- 
charged 
Number 
I At least minor correc- 
tions applied 
Population equivalent 
(biochemical oxygen 
demand) 
Number 
1 At least minor correc- 
tions applied 
[ Population equivalent 
(biochemical oxygen 
demand) 
Number 
At least minor correc- 
tions applied 
Population equivalent 
(biochemical oxygen 
demand) 
Number 
At least minor correc- 
tions applied 
Population equivalent 
(biochemical oxygen 
demand) 
l Number 
At least minor correc- 
tions applied 
Population equivalent 
(biochemical oxygen 
demand) 
Number 
At least minor correc- 
tions applied 
Population equivalent 
1 (biochemical oxygen 
demand) 
Number 
At least minor correc- 
tions applied 
Population equivalent 
i (biochemical oxygen 
demand) 
6,810 
300 
200 
3 
4,800 
\, 490 
0 
0 
11,440 
10,100 
4,100 
7 
7 
800 
5 
5 
500 
3 
3 
300 
29,135 
516,900 
129' 900 
5 
5 
83,000 
125 
118 
554, 800 
6 
6 
193,500 
42 
37 
92. 500 
44 
31 
11,900 
39, 375 
49j 700 
8' 100 
7 
4 
43,900 
11 
2 
34, 500 
53 
40 
699, 900 
43 
25 
65,600 
40 
9 
17; 500 
' 430 
0 
0 
385 
0 
0 
1,955 
5, 200 
3, 200 
15 
8 
3,800 
6,260 
100 
' 100 
6 
3, 700 
2 
3,300 
3 
1 
900 
29; 570 
580, 500 
137,000 
9 
6 
15,900 
8 
7 
125,600 
34 
20 
67,400 
8 
6 
300 
30 
22 
40; 200 
57 
37 
14, 500 
Pennsylvania 
15; 620 
13i 800 
7,000 
14 
7 
117,900 
7 
5 
454,000 
4 
2 
56; 700 
14 
7 
9,600 
6 
5 
113,600 
21 
15 
97j 900 
33 
6 
17,100 
33, 645 
8, 200 
2,800 
26 
6 
37,700 
20 
9 
375, 700 
16 
3 
68,100 
46 
10 
17, 800 
7,175 
0 
0 
3 
2 
20,610 
11,100 
900 
4 
4 
125,000 
18 
10 
1,440, 500 
10 
8 
12,100 
11 
2 
1,300 
Total 
203,900 
1, 195,900 
293,300 
38 
27 
264, 300 
23 
17 
754,200 
218 
160 
758,900 
65 
36 
1,880,400 
67 
53 
1,009, 700 
173 
us 
385, 700 
253 
107 
85,100 
Table 5.—Distribution of industrial wastes by States and subbasins, Ohio River Basin—Continued OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
21 
Tennessee River-- 
Ohio River, minor tributaries 
and direct 
Total.-- 
See footnote at end of ts 
Wabash River 
? 
T> 
*D 
1 
£ 
< 
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5 
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2 
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3 
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s 
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3 
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3J 
X 
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W 
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Kanawha River 
If 
■5 
s 
i 
3 
Muskingum River 
Allegheny River - 
Monongahela River 
Basin and State 
cr 
o 
4> 
to 1 CO to 
to 
to 
! to 
i Ci 
Number 
Oil refining 
1 Industrial wastes not connected to municipal treatment as discharged from industrial establishments 1 
4^ 
4*. 
h-i 1 CO to 
to 
to 
1 to 
1 CO 
At least minor correc- 
tions applied 
116, 500 
17,000 
1,200 
46,100 
3,600 
4* 
O 
o 
35,900 
Population equivalent 
(biochemical oxygen 
demand) 
Cn 
CO 
05 CO 
to 
to 
CO 
4** 
■ CO 
Number 
Paper 
- 
4^ 
05 
CO 00 
e 
CO 
to 
! to 
At least minor correc- 
tions applied 
1,659,200 
584,400 
19,900 
444, 300 
167,000 
39,200 
210,000 
94,400 
Population equivalent 
(biochemical oxygen 
demand) 
CO 
C5 
05 »-* 
4» 
H—* co to to 
►— CO C5^4 
Number 
0Q 
§> 
CD 
M ' 
to 
tO ►-* >-* 
Oi tO t—* 
At least minor correc- 
tions applied 
1 1 
Population equivalent 
(biochemical oxygen 
demand) 
CO 
to 
CO CO 
CO 
4* 
tO 
Number 
i 
& 
orq 
CO 
to 
CO 
tO C5 
At least minor correc- 
tions applied 
269, 600 
79,900 
21,600 
18, 700 
63,700 
25,000 
Population equivalent 
(biochemical oxygen 
demand) 
S 
O 0X03 
CO 
to 00 
Number 
Textile 
o 
CO 
CO 
Oi 
8 
CO ►-»! ' 
to 
1 4* 
At least minor correc- 
tions applied 
8,200 
9,000 
138, 700 
44,400 
8,300 
124, 300 
1,000 
Population equivalent 
(biochemical oxygen 
demand) 
CO 
CO 
CO 
05 COMM CO 
00 00 Cn 4-* H- tO t— CO 
h- CO 
Ol H-* H-* 05 tO 
tO tO CO 4*. 
05 tO H- 
Number 
Miscellaneous 
o 
CO 
tO t—* M i h- 
O CO 4** to ' MHtOH 
CO H- H- tO 
HOtOOi 
At least minor correc- 
tions applied 
1,268,700 
200 
14,000 
109,200 
56,300 
1 1,089, 200 
200 
68,700 
200 
400 
2,500 
* 51,000 
2,600 
35,100 
3,900 
h-* Oi to 
Cn^-1 
O CO 00 Cn 
O O O O 
O O O O 
Population equivalent 
(biochemical oxygen 
demand) 
1 
~00 
o 
00 
CO to to 
CO tO 05 O* totooo 4* 05 
00 *^OOOC5NCOCOSOOOOHHO»^ 
oo co 
4*- 05 05 05 
Number 
Total 
to • 
»-» tO tO ‘ 4*. CO CO 
4*. h-WSOtMOiOCntfkCOHHH^ 
Oi 4* tO CO 
05 Ol 05 CO 
At least minor correc- 
tions applied 
- 
00 
00 
4*. 
o 
o 
7,200 
1,479,100 
200 
400 
77,300 
* 57,900 
3,300 
235,300 
98,500 
98,200 
2,400 
1,224,500 
240,600 
1,300,600 
12,422, 300 
673,200 
424, 300 
152,600 
280, 500 
Population equivalent 
(biochemical oxygen 
demand) 
CO 
CO 
CO 
O 
o 
_CO 
o 
•^r 
o 
o 
8,600 
1,490,200 
200 
400 
425,900 
60, 700 
3,300 
401, 500 
131,400 
98,900 
3,800 
1,772,000 
258, 500 
1,306,000 
2,423, 200 
678.400 
426,300 
164.400 
320,600 
From industrial estab- 
lishments 2 
Industrial wastes as 
discharged—total 
population equiva- 
lent (biochemical 
oxygen demand) 
7,400 
1,480,000 
200 
400 
177, 500 
59, 300 
3, 300 
265, 900 
103,400 
98, 500 
3,000 
1, 357,100 
243, 600 
1,303,000 
2,422,400 
676, 400 
425, 500 
158,400 
286, 400 
To streams 3 22 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Basin and State 
Industrial wastes not connected to municipal treatment as discharged from industrial establishments 1 
industrial wastes as 
discharged—total 
population equiva- 
lent (biochemical 
oxygen demand) 
Oil refining 
Paper 
Steel 
Tanning 
Textile 
Miscellaneous 
Total 
Number 
At least minor correc- 
tions applied 
Population equivalent 
(biochemical oxygen 
demand) 
Number 
At least minor correc- 
tions applied 
Population equivalent 
(biochemical oxygen 
demand) 
Number 
At least minor correc- 
tions applied 
Population equivalent 
(biochemical oxygen 
demand) 
Number 
At least minor correc- 
tions applied 
Population equivalent 
(biochemical oxygen 
demand) 
Number 
At least minor correc- 
tions applied 
Population equivalent 
(biochemical oxygen 
demand) 
j Number 
At least minor correc- 
tions applied 
Population equivalent 
(biochemical oxygen 
demand) 
Number 
At least minor correc- 
tions applied 
Population equivalent 
(biochemical oxygen 
demand) 
From industrial estab- 
lishments 2 
To streams2 
3 
1,600 
10 
1 
2,700 
16 
1 
9,100 
9, 400 
9,300 
7 
1 
57,000 
7 
1 
57,000 
57,000 
57,000 
2 
2 
17,000 
11 
9 
61,000 
28 
26 
79,600 
89’ 700 
83, 700 
3 
2 
% 600 
12 
11 
385,600 
4 
2 
2 
1 
12,000 
3 
8,200 
40 
16 
32, 700 
286 
229 
1, 376,800 
1,893, 700 
1, 506, 700 
6 
6 
32,800 
2 
1 
7 
1,700 
30 
14 
80,100 
199 
101 
' 976,000 
1,025, 700 
' 984,100 
2 
2 
2,500 
3 
2 
50,900 
16 
7 
14, 700 
36 
19 
71,900 
77, 100 
75, 100 
3 
3 
381,400 
5 
2 
45,400 
13 
20] 400 
5 
54, 400 
37 
6 
509, 500 
509.600 
509, 600 
2 
2 
11,400 
30 
24 
434, 900 
43 
20 
2 
57,000 
2 
1 
2, 500 
81 
33 
1,152,400 
’ 306 
178 
1,922,100 
2, 502, 600 
2, 100 
27 
25 
43, 900 
3 
2 
94,400 
103 
45 
10 
5 
57, 100 
5 
2 
73. 400 
74 
7 
20,600 
321 
133 
1,156,200 
1,170,000 
1,163, 200 
2 
2 
1,000 
5 
5 
188,100 
4 
34, 500 
58 
66,200 
38 
16 
156, 700 
215 
51 
945,800 
' 954,000 
' 948,600 
12 
2 
10, 200 
11 
6 
25,300 
26 
10 
35, 500 
35, 500 
35, 500 
West Virginia — 
3 
3 
5,300 
3 
.... 
900 
21 
3 
4 
4 
37,000 
5 
15, 100 
48 
19 
1,700 
127 
53 
1,638,900 
1, 650,000 
1,639,800 
Total ; 
47 
44 
116, 500 
59 
46 
1,659,200 
174 
71 
.... 
32 
13 
269,600 
122 
10 
335,100 
333 
109 
1, 268, 700 
1,604 
808 
8, 778,400 
9,974,300 
9,071, 700 
1 Single industries in a specific classification in any basin or State are included in the “Miscellaneous 
’ classification when listed by individual basins and States, and in the proper 
specific classification when listed in the 
‘Total” 
columns. 
* Does not include the effect of municipal treatment which is now applied to a portion of the total industrial waste load. 
i Includes the effect of municipal treatment which is now applied to a portion of the total industrial waste load. 
4 Includes 7 metal plants, 4 applying some corrective measures, population equivalent of wastes neglibible. 
«Industrial waste population equivalent of 51,000 to Cincinnati sewers, number of industries not listed. 
«Includes 19 metal plants, 8 applying some corrective measures, population equivalent of wastes negligible. 
7 Industrial waste population equivalent of 1,057,400 to Cincinnati sewers, 
number of industries not listed. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
23 
49. Acid wastes.—Acid coal-mine drainage is an inorganic industrial 
waste common to all portions of the Ohio River Basin which lie within 
the bituminous coal fields. It seriously damages streams ranging 
from small runs to major tributaries. Acid wastes of lesser impor- 
tance originate primarily in spent pickle liquor discharged by the 
metallurgical industries. The total acid load discharged to streams, 
despite corrective efforts to date, is 1,864,800 tons per year (calcium 
carbonate equivalent). Ninety-eight percent is from coal mines. 
The heaviest concentrations of acid wastes are in the Monongahela 
and lower Allegheny River Basins. Acid loads have increased in 
proportion to the cumulative tonnage of coal mined, and severe 
stream pollution by mine drainage is a comparatively recent problem. 
Continued coal production will result in increasingly large acid loads. 
Since less than 5 percent of the coal resources of the Ohio River 
Basin has been mined, acid pollution may continue to become more 
severe indefinitely, unless corrective steps are taken. 
50. Pertinent data with respect to acid waste loadings are sum- 
marized in table 6. 
Table 6.—Distribution of acid wastes by States and subbasins—Ohio River Basin 
Basin and State 
Drain- 
age 
area 
(square 
miles) 
Mine acid load—tons per year (CaCCh equivalent) 
Pickle 
liquor 
free 
acid 
load, 
tons 
per 
year 
(CaCOa 
equiva- 
lent) 
Total 
resi- 
dual 
acid 
load, 
tons 
per 
year 
(CaCOj 
equiva- 
lent) 
Prior to sealing program 
(by status of mines) 
Re- 
moved 
by 
mine 
seal- 
ing 
by 
1940 
Resid- 
ual 
load 
Active 
Margi- 
nal 
Aban- 
doned 
Total 
Allegheny River 
Monongahela River 
Beaver River 
Muskingum River 1 
Little Kanawha River... 
Hocking River... 
Kanawha River 
Quyandot River 
"ig Sandy River 
Scioto River 
Little Miami River 
11,730 
7,380 
3,145 
8,040 
2,320 
1,185 
12, 300 
1,670 
4,280 
6, 510 
1,755 
3, 670 
5,385 
6,940 
2,890 
9,220 
33,100 
18,000 
40, 600 
250,353 
580, 009 
5,480 
37, 700 
323 
(') 
9,210 
15,680 
16, 236 
4,900 
30. 565 
64,673 
988 
14,600 
2 
(>) 
995 
614 
8,997 
2,400 
124, 232 
275,974 
10.920 
1G3, 500 
493 
(') 
22,650 
3,890 
35,699 
16,800 
405,150 
920,656 
17, 388 
215,800 
818 
(') 
32,855 
20,184 
60,932 
24,100 
29,704 
274,642 
2,280 
91,400 
470 
0) 
13, 750 
9, 320 
14, 738 
6,230 
375, 446 
646,014 
15, 108 
124, 400 
348 
(') 
19.105 
10,864 
46,194 
17,870 
3,375 
7,125 
8,000 
1, 375 
(') 
378,821 
653,139 
23, 108 
125, 775 
348 
(') 
19,105 
10, 864 
46,194 
17, 870 
Kicking River 
(s) 
(2) 
(]) 
6,875 
30, 467 
Miami River 
6,875 
Kentucky River . 
Salt River. 
10, 900 
3,200 
27,800 
41,900 
11,433 
30, 467 
yreen River 
~ abash River 
Cumberland River 
J ennessee River 
26, 500 
26, 777 
53,610 
4, 960 
7,900 
3,174 
13,045 
1,145 
42,100 
79,631 
198,115 
32,063 
76, .500 
109, 582 
264. 770 
38,168 
18, 750 
230,430 
15,115 
47, 040 
68,862 
16, 200 
61, 385 
62. 542 
195,908 
21,968 
18, 750 
176.464 
250 
61.3S5 
62, 792 
195, 908 
21,968 
18, 750 
191.464 
chio River (minor tribu- 
taries and direct, drain- 
age) 
Total 
1 Values for Hocking Ri 
* Slight. 
23,780 
67,093 
24,152 
139,180 
53,966 
15,. 000 
203,900 
1,109,731 
176, 450 1,173,052 2, 477,983 
655,150 1,822,833 
42,000 
1,864, 833 
ver included in Muskingum River values. 24 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Table 6.—Distribution of acid wastes by States and subbasins—Ohio River 
Basin—Continued 
Basin and State 
Drain- 
age 
area 
(square 
miles) 
Mine acid load—tons per year (CaCCh equivalent) 
Pickle 
liquor 
free 
acid 
load, 
tons 
per 
year 
(CaC03 
equiva- 
lent) 
Total 
resi- 
dual 
acid 
load, 
tons 
per 
year 
(CaCOj 
equiva- 
lent) 
Prior to sealing program 
(by status of mines) 
Re- 
moved 
by 
mine 
seal- 
ing 
by 
1940 
Resid- 
ual 
load 
Active 
Margi- 
nal 
Aban- 
doned 
Total 
6,810 
1,490 
11,440 
29,135 
39, 375 
430 
385 
1,955 
6, 260 
29, 570 
15,620 
33,645 
7,175 
20,610 
Illinois 
Indiana. 
Kentucky. 
Maryland .... 
356 
29, 775 
88,900 
535 
■ 1,804 
3,238 
31,700 
79 
411 
89, 644 
180,000 
847 
2,571 
122,637 
300,600 
1,461 
214 
53,100 
64,500 
342 
2, 357 
69, 537 
236,100 
1,119 
375 
1,125 
2,357 
69, 912 
237, 225 
1,119 
Ohio 
Pennsylvania 
Tennessee 
Virginia (unclassified)... 
West Virginia 
Total 
65,000 
521,513 
25,170 
25,000 
90,003 
5,190 
270,000 
277,833 
160,478 
360,666 
889,349 
190, 838 
18, 750 
591,777 
123, 590 
91,804 
59,800 
236,410 
797, 545 
131,038 
18, 750 
329,977 
19,500 
15,000 
255,910 
812, 545 
131,038 
18,750 
335,977 
378, 502 
19,436 
193,839 
261,800 
6,000 
203,900 
1,109,731 
176,450 
1,173,052 
2,477,983 
655,150 
1,822,833 
42,000 
1,864,833 
B. EFFECTS OF POLLUTION 
51. Stream sanitary standards.—Physical, chemical, and bacterio- 
logical considerations establish the relative desirability of waters for 
various uses. Table 7 summarizes the relationships between these 
factors. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Characteristic 
Occurrence 
Desirable 
Doubtful 
Unsuitable 
Coliform bacteria per milliliter. 
Coliform bacteria per milliliter. 
Dissolved oxygen, parts per 
million. 
5-day, 20° C., biochemical 
oxygen demand, parts per 
million. 
pH 
Average.. 
(Average 
(Maximum 
(Average 
(Minimum 
Average. 
Water supply—General sanitary conditions 
Not over 50 in any month (filtration treat- 
ment required if over 0.5). 
50-200 in any month (unsuitable if greater 
than 200 in more than 5 percent of sam- 
ples). 
Over 200 in any month. 
B athing—Recreation 
Not over 1.0 
)l.0-10.0 
Over 10.0. 
Fish life—Recreation—General sanitary conditions 
Not less than 6.5 in any month 
Not less than 5.0 on any day 
5.0 '-6.5 in any month 
3.0-5.0 on any day.. 
Less than 5.0 in any month.1 
Less than 3.0 on any day. 
General sanitary conditions—Recreation 
Not over 3.0 in any month 
3.0-5.0 in any month 
Over 5.0 in any month. 
Water supply—Fish life—Recreation—Navigation—Industry 
6.5-8.6 
4.0-6.5 or 8.6-9.52 (suitable for water supply 
prior to treatment). 
Less than 4.0 or over 9.5 2 (unfavorable for 
water supply prior to treatment). 
Sludge deposits 
1 In general it may be said 
zones immediately below fairly 
2 Tentative drinking-water 
that a .5 parts pe 
isolated sources 
standards perm 
Fish life—Recreation—General sanitary conditions 
No preventable deposits present-. J Slight to moderate—localized j Moderate to heavy—general. 
r million minimum is desirable, except where local conditions may be favorable to allowing a 4 parts per million minimum in limited 
of pollution. See discussion, p. 34, pt. II, vol. I. 
it pH 10.6 in “treated” water. 
Table 7.— Water quality characteristics, Ohio River Basin 
90035—43—pt. 1 3 26 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Characteristic 
Occurrence 
Desirable 
Doubtful 
Unsuitable 
Water supply 
Not over 1 
1-10 
Over 10. 
Water supply—Recreation—Fish life 
No toxic substances, oils, tars, or free acid 
at any time; no floating solids or debris, 
except from natural sources; no taste- 
producing substances. 
Free acidity at any time, chlorides over 250 
parts per million; occasional taste-pro- 
ducing substances. 
Toxic substances, oils, or tars present at any 
time; free acidity present frequently; 
taste-producing substances present fre- 
quently. 
Table 7.—Water quality characteristics, Ohio River Basin—Continued OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
27 
52. In view of the variety, distribution, and extent of surface water 
uses, it is undesirable to establish rigid stream quality standards for 
general application in the Ohio River Basin, and the data in table 7 
are not to be applied in that manner. The public interest can be 
served only by adapting standards to conditions existing in individual 
stream reaches, and by giving consideration to the most valuable 
stream use. However, a comparison between the observed quality of 
streams of the Ohio River Basin and the standards of table 7 affords a 
qualitative measure of the intensity of stream pollution throughout the 
basin. 
53. Extent of pollution.—In terms of the highest of the water quality 
standards of table 7, stream pollution of severe intensity exists at 
points in all major tributary basins, in minor tributary basins, and on 
the main Ohio River. Table 8 summarizes the worst stream conditions 
found at more than 2,000 sampling stations in the Ohio River Basin, 
as indicated by monthly average coliform bacteria and biochemical 
oxygen-demand observations. 
Plates 2 to 49 graphically indicate sources of pollution and dissolved 
oxygen and coliform bacteria results for the main Ohio River and all 
major and minor tributaries. Plates 15 and 19 also indicate the hy- 
drogen ion concentration of streams of the Allegheny and Monongahela 
River Basins. 
Table 8.—Number and percentage of sampling stations showing worst monthly 
average coliform bacteria and biochemical oxygen demand results in designated 
ranges, Ohio River Basin 
Basin 
Number of stations 
Percentage of stations 
Coliform or- 
ganisms per 
milliter 
Biochemical 
oxygen demand 
in parts per 
million 
Coliform or- 
ganisms per 
milliter 
Biochemical 
oxygen demand 
in parts per 
million 
0-50 
51- 
200 
Over 
200 
0-3 
3.1- 
5.0 
Over 
5 
0-50 
51- 
200 
Over 
200 
0-3 
3.1- 
5.0 
Over 
5 
Allegheny River: 
Acid streams.— . 
73 
4 
2 
59 
16 
4 
92 
5 
3 
75 
20 
5 
Normal streams - 
91 
30 
38 
121 
15 
23 
57 
19 
24 
76 
9 
15 
Total.. - 
104 
34 
40 
180 
31 
27 
69 
14 
17 
76 
13 
11 
Monongahela River: 
Acid streams. 
48 
7 
10 
45 
2 
18 
74 
11 
15 
69 
3 
28 
Normal streams 
29 
20 
44 
70 
6 
17 
31 
22 
47 
75 
7 
18 
Total 
77 
27 
54 
115 
8 
35 
49 
17 
34 
73 
5 
22 
Muskingum River: 
Acid streams 
2 
2 
1 
5 
0 
0 
40 
40 
20 
100 
0 
0 
Normal streams 
33 
33 
42 
86 
9 
13 
31 
31 
38 
80 
8 
12 
Total 
35 
35 
43 
91 
9 
13 
31 
31 
38 
80 
8 
12 
Hocking River: 
Acid streams 
5 
1 
3 
4 
3 
2 
56 
11 
33 
45 
33 
22 
Normal streams 
6 
3 
9 
6 
3 
9 
33 
17 
50 
33 
17 
50 
Total 
11 
4 
12 
10 
6 
41 
15 
44 
37 
22 
41 
Kanawha River: 
. 
Acid streams... 
6 
1 
1 
6 
1 
1 
75 
12 
13 
75 
12 
13 
■Normal streams 
74 
26 
42 
106 
16 
20 
52 
18 
30 
75 
11 
14 
Total.... 
80 
27 
43 
112 
17 
21 
53 
18 
28 
75 
11 
14 28 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
T-Able 8.—Number and 'percentage of sampling stations showing worst monthly 
average coliform bacteria and biochemical oxygen demand results in designated 
ranges, Ohio River Basin—Continued 
Number of stations 
Percentage of stations 
Basin 
Coliform or- 
ganisms per 
milliter 
Biochemical 
oxygen demand 
in parts per 
million 
Coliform or- 
ganisms per 
milliter 
Biochemical 
oxygen demand 
in parts per 
million 
0-50 
51- 
200 
Over 
200 
0-3 
3.1- 
5.0 
Over 
5 
0-50 
to Ol 
o >-* 
O 1 
Over 
200 
0-3 
3.1- 
5.0 
Over 
5 
Beaver River . 
21 
15 
29 
35 
13 
17 
32 
23 
45 
54 
20 
26 
Little Kanawha River 
0 
5 
5 
7 
1 
2 
0 
50 
50 
70 
10 
20 
Guyandot River . 
16 
5 
7 
17 
6 
5 
57 
18 
25 
61 
21 
18 
Big Sandy River 
33 
18 
37 
64 
10 
14 
38 
20 
42 
73 
11 
16 
Scioto River . 
32 
15 
38 
37 
17 
30 
38 
17 
45 
44 
20 
36 
Little M iami River 
5 
2 
28 
6 
11 
18 
14 
6 
80 
17 
31 
52 
Licking River 
24 
7 
3 
19 
13 
12 
71 
21 
8 
43 
30 
27 
Miami River . 
12 
18 
37 
21 
29 
29 
18 
27 
55 
26 
37 
37 
Kentucky River . 
32 
20 
29 
52 
11 
18 
39 
25 
36 
64 
14 
22 
Salt River 
12 
4 
9 
9 
6 
10 
48 
16 
36 
36 
24 
40 
Green River ... 
31 
1 
14 
36 
0 
10 
67 
2 
31 
78 
0 
22 
Wabash River 
102 
46 
122 
94 
62 
114 
38 
17 
45 
35 
23 
42 
Cumberland River 
45 
27 
39 
73 
19 
18 
41 
24 
35 
66 
17 
17 
Tennessee River 
55 
33 
61 
97 
17 
36 
37 
22 
41 
65 
11 
24 
Tributary basin totals 
787 
343 
650 
1,075 
286 
440 
44 
19 
37 
60 
16 
24 
Ohio Rm-r and minor tributaries: 
Pittsburgh to Huntington 
23 
43 
36 
72 
7 
23 
23 
42 
35 
70 
7 
23 
Huntingtor to Cincinnati 
6 
8 
14 
21 
4 
3 
22 
28 
50 
75 
14 
11 
Cincinnati to Louisville 
4 
9 
20 
10 
14 
9 
12 
27 
61 
30 
43 
27 
Louisville to mouth 
31 
20 
23 
47 
11 
14 
42 
27 
31 
66 
15 
19 
Ohio River and minor tribu- 
tary basins totals 
64 
80 
93 
150 
36 
49 
27 
34 
39 
64 
15 
21 
54. Coliform bacteria results.—Undesirable bacterial contamination 
of the streams of the Ohio River Basin is the most widespread effect of 
pollution. Limited stream reaches in which monthly average coliform 
bacteria counts of 200 or more per milliliter were observed are common 
to practically all portions of the basin and such counts were observed 
at 37 percent of the sampling stations. These reaches are unsuitable 
for use for public water supply, bathing, and recreation, and general 
sanitary conditions are poor. Monthly average coliform counts of 
over 50 per milliliter were common, and were observed at 58 percent 
of the sampling stations. Waters of the latter quality are unsuitable 
for bathing and recreational use, and are of doubtful value as sources 
of public water supply. 
55. Biochemical oxygen demand results.—One or more monthly aver- 
ages of biochemical oxygen demand of more than 5.0 parts per million 
were observed at 24 percent of the sampling stations. Stream reaches 
involved were uniformly distributed throughout the basin and gener- 
ally corresponded to, but were of lesser extent than, those showing 
evidence of severe bacterial pollution. The general sanitary condition 
of these reaches is unsatisfactory. 
56. Dissolved oxygen results.—In general, dissolved oxygen results 
confirmed the coliform bacteria counts and biochemical oxygen de- 
mand results in indicating polluted areas in the basin. During the 
periods of sampling, montlily average results below 5.0 parts per mil- 
lion were observed in limited stream reaches in all portions of the basin, 
and results below 4.0 parts per million were observed less frequently, OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
29 
but particularly where organic waste concentrations were high in rela- 
tion to available discharge. Such results are indicative of poor 
sanitary conditions. 
57. Hydrogen ion concentration.—The effects of acid pollution were 
evidenced by high hydrogen ion concentrations observed primarily in 
the Monongahela and lowei Allegheny River Basins and in localized 
tributary areas in the upper portion of the Ohio River Basin. Monthly 
average pH values less than 4.0 were observed in these areas. Values 
in this range are indicative of hard, corrosive waters, unsuitable for 
public and industrial water supplies and recreational use, and damag- 
ing to navigation structures. 
58. Damages resulting from stream pollution.—While the intensity of 
stream pollution is severe in numerous localities, serious damage is 
confined to a few places where water use is extensive. Generally, 
pollution in tributary basins does not materially affect the Ohio River. 
An exposition of the important damages resulting from stream pollu- 
tion follows. 
59. Damage to public health.—Of the 634 surface water supplies in 
the Ohio River Basin, 294 are subject to some degree of pollution by 
human sewage. The latter surface supplies serve 5,865,800 persons 
and aggregate 571,000,000 gallons per day. 
60. Conquest of water-borne typhoid fever has been virtually com- 
pleted by the installation of adequate water treatment facilities at a 
Majority of communities. There remains an epidemic disease, gen- 
erally considered to be water-borne, and usually referred to as “gastro- 
enteritis, presumably water-borne.” 
61. Drinking water contaminated with small amounts of sewage 
can result in acute gastro-enteritis. Outbreaks from this cause oc- 
curred more frequently several decades ago than they do at present, 
a.nd were often followed by typhoid fever infection. However, filtra- 
tion and chlorination of public water supplies have not reduced the 
niarrhea and enteritis death rate to the same extent that these meas- 
ures have reduced the typhoid fever death rate. Typical gastro- 
enteritis epidemics, traced to water supplies in 14 widely distributed 
communities in the United States, during the period 1924 to 1940, 
Sheeted 240,000 people. The population exposed was 2,580,000. One 
® these epidemics occurred in the Ohio River Basin at Georgetown, 
during the period of the survey; 4,500 people were exposed; 50 
Percent were attacked. The epidemic lasted for 5 days. Tliediar- 
10a and enteritis death rates for 144 Ohio River Basin communities 
anged from zero to 91.3 per 100,000 persons per year, during the 
Period 1933 to 1937. The median rate was 14.8 per 100,000 persons 
Per year. 
d2. Because water treatment alone lias not provided full insurance 
gainst outbreaks of water-borne gastro-enteritis, it follows that stream 
to ,*?n> particularly by domestic sewage, presents a definite hazard 
Public health. Fear of gastro-enteritis and dissatisfaction with public 
lost I sPPPdes which it engenders are undesirable, and the man-hours 
p during epidemics are of economic importance. 
c„n ' There are few stream reaches in the Ohio River Basin, physi- 
bpln rsu^cd to bathing and other recreational purposes, which are not 
ban" ?°urces of untreated human sewage. Monthly average colnorm 
sam va <?°unts of 50 or more per milliliter were observed at 1,166 
1 ‘Uphng stations in the basin. A majority of the reaches embraced 30 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
by the remaining 851 sampling stations were also indicated to be of 
doubtful value for bathing purposes. 
64. Many excellent facilities for bathing purposes are available in 
the basin, but, in view of the widespread bacterial pollution, it must 
be concluded that indiscriminate use of the streams for this purpose 
would constitute a dangerous hazard to public health. 
65. The deposition of sewage solids along stream banks below sewer 
outfalls is a common occurrence in the basin, particularly in smaller 
tributary areas. These depositions constitute a source of disease 
which may be transmitted by flies or other insects. 
66. Damage to 'public water supplies.—Public demand for safe water 
supplies of high quality precludes use of most surface waters without 
some prior treatment thereof. The removal of turbidity constitutes 
the major treatment applied to many unpolluted supplies. Disin- 
fection is commonly practiced to insure bacterial quality. Stream 
pollution of domestic and industrial origin has in many cases necessi- 
tated more costly and extensive treatment, including softening, taste 
and odor removal, heavier chemical dosage, and hydrogen ion control. 
With the exception of bacterial pollution of public water supplies, the 
most widespread damages have been caused by acid wastes which 
result in hard corrosive waters. In numerous cases, particularly those 
involving tastes and odors, extensive treatment fails to produce a 
palatable water. 
67. Damage to industrial water supplies.—The bulk of industrial 
water use in the Ohio River Basin is for cooling and wash water 
purposes. Basic requirements for satisfactory cooling water, other 
than low temperature, are freedom from turbidity and corrosiveness. 
Acid pollution has considerably damaged cooling water supplies in the 
upper Ohio River area by increasing the corrosiveness of surface 
waters. Wash water supplies have not been seriously affected. 
More specialized water uses, such as boiler supply, have also been 
adversely affected by acid pollution. 
68. Damage to navigation and hydroelectric power structures.— 
Excessive corrosion of floating and stationary navigation structures 
and hydroelectric power facilities has resulted primarily from acid 
pollution in the upper Ohio River Basin. The decrease effected in the 
life of such structures is a positive economic damage chargeable to 
stream pollution. 
69. Damage to aquatic recreational facilities.—The major damage to 
aquatic recreational facilities such as swimming is bacterial pollution. 
However, oxygen depletion resulting from organic industrial wastes 
and sewage, and acidity resulting from inorganic wastes, have caused 
conditions unsuitable for the support of aquatic life in many streams. 
Sporadic pollution has also been responsible for fish killings in 
numerous localities. 
70. Local nuisance.—In metropolitan areas, the aesthetic value of 
streams is usually slight, largely as a result of stream appurtenances 
provided for commerce rather than beauty. However, in such areas, 
there are frequently obnoxious odors resulting from the decomposition 
of sewage, and unsightly conditions resulting from sleek, scum, 
floating solids, and stream discoloration. These are commonly 
classified as local nuisance conditions and are responsible for a large 
portion of the public desire for pollution control. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
31 
71. Local nuisance conditions are common to a majority of the 
sewered communities in the Ohio River Basin which do not have sew- 
age-treatment facilities, particularly those where stream flows are 
low in comparison with pollution loads. 
72. Destruction of aesthetic values in rural areas? is largely related 
to other stream uses. The attractiveness of streams for recreational 
use appears to suffer because of a public aversion to unsightly con- 
ditions resulting from other than natural causes. The Clarion River, 
polluted by industrial wastes, and many upper-basin tributaries of 
the Ohio River, polluted by mine drainage, are typical examples of 
this condition. 
73. Summary of damages.—Principal damages from stream pollu- 
tion are to public health, domestic and industrial water supply, 
recreation, navigation, plant and animal life, other water uses, and 
aesthetic values. 
74. Untreated domestic sewage damages mainly public health and 
water supplies, recreation, plant and animal life, and aesthetic 
values. Industrial wastes, by their variety, effect damages to all 
water uses, but, in general, have a lesser effect on public health than 
have domestic wastes. 
75. The effects of stream pollution are widespread. In addition 
to direct, economic damages, there are other, less tangible damages, of 
a more or less psychological nature. For example, aquatic recrea- 
tional facilities convenient to large population centers are of value to 
Public morale, may lessen juvenile delinquency, and in other ways 
contribute to the general public welfare. It follows that their destruc- 
tion by stream pollution is detrimental to public welfare in these 
respects. 
76. Consideration of both the intensity and extent of individual 
cases of stream pollution in the basin indicates those discussed in the 
lollowing paragraphs to be of major importance. A discussion of 
Jesser pollution problems found in the various tributary basins and 
°h reaches of the main river is contained in appendices to this report. 
.77• Ohio River.—The main Ohio River receives domestic and indus- 
trial pollutants at frequent intervals throughout its length, and all 
pa^er supplies from tliis source are subject to bacterial pollution, 
cflution is severe in the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Louisville areas 
in the reaches from Pittsburgh to Wheeling, and from Huntington 
10 Portsmouth. 
.78. There are more intensely polluted stream reaches in the Ohio 
iver Basin than those of the main stream. However, pollution 
amages in the main stream are more widespread, with the result that 
Pese are of major importance from a quantitative standpoint. 
importance attaches to large pollution sources such as those 
p Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Louisville and the Huntington- 
°rtsmouth reach. These dominate stream conditions over relatively 
ong reaches and treatment of their wastes is part of a logical first 
eh ln an Ohio River pollution control program. 
t>. • Pittsburgh. Pa.—The organic waste load reaching the Ohio 
ivor from Pittsburgh and its suburbs has a population equivalent 
1’334,300, of which 597,200 discharges to the Allegheny, 458,500 
p charges to the Monongahela, and 278,600 discharges to the Ohio 
r direct. When the residual organic waste load from population 
HUivalents 0f 917,200 in the upper Allegheny River and 796,200 in 32 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
the upper Monongahela River is added to that from Pittsburgh and 
its suburbs, it becomes apparent that the concentration of organic 
waste below Pittsburgh is larger than that below any other community 
on the Ohio River proper. Additional pollution of significance in- 
cludes 1,032,000 *tons per year of acid waste (calcium carbonate 
equivalent) which flows from the area adjacent to and above 
Pittsburgh. 
80. The normal bacterial effect of untreated human wastes ap- 
parently is masked by acid pollution of the upper Ohio River. How- 
ever, coliform bacteria counts at Emsworth Dam, 6 river miles below 
Pittsburgh, varied from less than 1 to as high as 811 per milliliter in 
39 samples collected from September 1940, to March 1941. The 
median count was 52, the average, 94 per milliliter. Ten percent of 
the samples had coliform bacteria counts in excess of 200 per milliliter. 
Water of this quality is unsuitable for domestic water supply and 
definitely dangerous for bathing purposes. 
81. Partial oxygen depletion, denoting unsatisfactory sanitary 
conditions, was noted below Pittsburgh in October 1940. On the 
days of maximum oxygen depletion flows averaged four times as 
large as the minimum flows of record. 
82. Pittsburgh, Pa., to Wheeling, W. Va.—There is serious pollution 
of the 90-mile reach of the Ohio River from Pittsburgh to Wheeling, 
by domestic and industrial wastes from 24 significant sources, spaced 
at rather uniform intervals. Bacterial pollution is a result, although 
the effects are masked by acid wastes, largely from coal mines. 
83. Including that at Bellaire, Ohio, there are 8 public water 
supplies taken from the reach. These serve 173,600 people and aggre- 
gate 174,000,000 gallons per day. The average coliform bacteria 
count at the East Liverpool waterworks intake was 250 per milliliter 
for the period 1925 to 1940. All public water supply intakes are 
situated only 3 to 12 miles below significant waste sources. This is 
indicative of the insanitary conditions of the reach which constitute 
a serious potential source of damage to public health. 
84. Extensive corrective measures are indicated. Situated at the 
head of the reach, Pittsburgh is the key to pollution control in the 
area and is the logical location for initial work in that connection. 
85. Huntington, W. Va., to Portsmouth, Ohio.—Concentrations of 
wastes at 6 localities in the 50 mile Pluntington to Portsmouth reach 
of the Ohio River result in bacterial pollution of public water supplies 
at Ashland, Ironton, and Portsmouth. The average coliform bacteria 
count at [the Ironton waterworks was 125 per milliliter during the 
period 1925 to 1940. A maximum monthly average of 685 per milli- 
liter has been observed at this plant. The intakes for all 3 supplies 
are within several miles of upstream pollution sources. Corrective 
measures are indicated as a safeguard to public health. 
86. Cincinnati, Ohio.—In the Cincinnati area, the largest organic 
waste source on the main Ohio River, wastes having a population 
equivalent of 1,784,700 are discharged. These wastes are 64 percent 
industrial. Dissolved oxygen depletion and bacterial pollution at 
downstream points are the principal damaging effects. 
87. During August and September 1939, dissolved oxygen results 
on 22 sampling dates varied betweeen 6.6 and 1.6 parts per million 
at dam No. 37, below Cincinnati. The median value was 4.9 and 
the average value 4.6 parts per million. These are indicative of 
unfavorable sanitary conditions. Discharge on the day of maximum OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
33 
oxygen depletion was 3 times as great as the minimum flow of record; 
average discharge during the period was equal to the mean of minimum 
monthly flows. Monthly average coliform bacteria counts were ob- 
served to be consistently in excess of 200 per milliliter as far down- 
stream as dam 39, 61.5 river miles below Cincinnati, during June, 
July, and August 1939. One or more monthly averages in excess 
of 50 per milliliter were observed at all stations between Cincinnati 
and Louisville. 
88. Louisville, Ky.—Sewered wastes from 335,100 persons and an 
industrial waste population equivalent of 626,500 are discharged to 
the Ohio River in the Louisville area. This is the third largest pollu- 
tion source on the stream. Discharge conditions are such that 
bacterial pollution of downstream reaches is the major damage 
effected. 
89. The New Albany water supply, from the Ohio River in the 
Louisville area, is seriously degraded. Nine water samples collected 
during August and October 1940, and February 1941, at the plant 
intake, had coliform bacteria counts of from 93 to as high as 2,400 
per milliliter. The median count was 430; the average count, 645. 
Streams in which monthly average counts exceed 200 per milliliter 
are considered unsuitable for public water supply. Monthly average 
coliform bacteria counts in excess of 50 per milliliter were observed 
during August 1940, as far downstream as Troy Hill Light, 127 river 
miles below Louisville. Water of this quality is unsuitable for public 
water supply and for extensive recreational use. 
90. Beaver River Basin.—Concentration of population and industry 
m the Youngstown area on the tributary Mahoning River has caused 
severe stream pollution. Untreated sewage results in sludge bank 
formation, and floating solids, scum, and objectionable odors are 
common causes of complaints. Extensive use of water by the steel 
industry necessitates channel pondage,' and results in high stream 
temperatures and low stream velocities; these, in conjunction with 
inadequate summer discharge, add to the severity of pollution. 
91. Residents of the Mahoning River Valley, below Warren, have 
been forced to discontinue use of the river for public water supply 
because of stream pollution. Downstream Reaver River water sup- 
plies are subjected to bacterial pollution, and difficult taste and odor 
Problems result from the discharge of phenols in the Youngstown 
In addition to creation of local nuisance conditions, other 
damages include complete destruction of aquatic recreational facilities 
m the Beaver and lower Mahoning Rivers. These are sorely needed 
1/1 file basin, which has an average population density of 23 i persons 
Per square mile. 
Low flow control from existing Milton and Pymatuning Reser- 
WHrs and building Berlin Reservoir will partially improve the situa- 
tloji; however, sewage treatment for Youngstown and vicinity, and 
ltl(l us trial waste control, are necessary. Low flow control will permit 
smaller expenditures for this purpose than would otherwise be required, 
a q. continuance is essential to satisfactory pollution abatement, 
eecl l°r pollution control is indicated at. other localities in 
basin, where pollution is of a more local significance. 
• J4. Kanawha River Basin.—The chemical industry, situated mainly 
the Charleston area of the Kanawha River Valley, is one of the 
aJor organic waste sources in the Ohio River Basin. Its wastes 34 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
have a human population equivalent of 1,378,000. Untreated domes- 
tic sewage contributes to the pollution, and serious nuisance condi- 
tions result. In addition to odors, unsightly conditions, and destruc- 
tion of aquatic recreational facilities, damages include bacterial 
pollution of water supplies and serious taste and odor troubles. 
95. Domestic and industrial waste treatment is indicated, and low 
flow control would prove valuable, particularly in Elk River which is 
a source of Charleston’s public water supply. 
96. Other tributaries.—Numerous stream reaches in tributary basins 
are seriously polluted, with local damage as the result. These gen- 
erally are of lesser importance, relatively, than are those of the areas 
already discussed. Typical of the lesser pollution problems are the 
following: 
(а) The Clarion River in the Allegheny River Basin is polluted in 
headwater reaches by industrial wastes, untreated sewage, and acid 
mine drainage. Damages include degradation of a stream otherwise 
ideal for recreational use. There are difficult industrial waste treat- 
ment problems. 
(б) The upper Tuscarawas River in the Muskingum River Basin 
is materially polluted by industrial and domestic wastes. Domestic 
water supplies have been severely damaged. 
(c) Streams of the lower Scioto River Basin are polluted by indus- 
trial and domestic wastes. This includes the main stream below 
Columbus where residual pollution and surface wash create difficul- 
ties despite the storm water tanks and the high degree of sewage 
treatment provided by the city of Columbus. Low natural discharge 
and present limitations on industrial waste treatment methods will 
complicate application of corrective measures. 
id) Heavy waste loading of the Miami River in the Dayton-Hamil- 
ton reach results in high coliform bacteria counts and biochemical 
oxygen demand, and oxygen depletion. Domestic waste residuals 
and paper mill wastes are the damaging pollutants. 
(e) There are numerous badly polluted stream reaches in the 
Wabash River Basin which result from w*aste concentrations dispro- 
portionately high with regard to available flow. The most important 
of these is below Terre Haute where the untreated sewage from 
26,000 persons, together with an organic industrial waste population 
equivalent of 347,400, is discharged to the Wabash River. Serious 
oxygen depletion and high coliform bacteria counts are common to 
the 30-mile reach below the city. 
(f) Pollution of the Cumberland River in the Nashville area 
results in localized, downstream nuisance. Corrective measures are 
indicated. The Wolf Creek hydroelectric development now under 
construction upstream will lessen the difficulty of providing waste 
correction because of flow regulation which will result. 
(g) The tributary Pigeon River in the Tennessee Basin is grossly 
polluted throughout its length, largely with organic industrial wastes. 
Damage results to the Knoxville water plant 78 miles below on the 
Tennessee River. 
97. Acid pollution of the upper Ohio River Basin.—The bituminous 
coal fields of southwestern Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia 
are the major sources of acid wastes which are damaging to streams 
of the upper Ohio River Valley. The Allegheny River Basin as far 
north as the headwaters of the Clarion River and the Monongahcla 
River Basin, with the exception of the tributary Tygart, Cheat, and OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
35 
upper Youghiogheny River Basins, are severely polluted wdth acid 
mine drainage. Monthly average pH values of 4.0 or less, indicating 
a high hydrogen-ion concentration, are not uncommon in these areas. 
The effects of acid pollution are also evident in the Ohio River as far 
downstream as the mouth of the Kanawha River, 266 river miles 
below Pittsburgh. Free acid in waste pickle liquor discharged by 
metallurgical industries adds about 2.5 percent to the mine acid load. 
Acid from hydrolyzed iron sulfates in these wastes may be more 
significant, depending on the hydrolysis equilibrium. 
98. Direct damages which result to public and industrial water 
supplies, power plants, and floating and stationary navigation struc- 
tures and equipment in the upper Ohio River Basin alone, aggregate 
it is estimated, over $2,000,000 per year, and are imposed on industry 
and a population of several million. The aquatic and recreational 
facilities of a heavily populated and extensive area are damaged and 
acid pollution has been a deterrent to the application of domestic and 
industrial pollution control measures. 
99. While partial relief has resulted from mine-sealing operations 
and low flow control from Tygart River Reservoir, the acid load con- 
tinues to increase, and further corrective measures are indicated. It 
is estimated that unless acid control measures are applied average 
annual damages will increase by more than 50 percent by 1960. 
VII. F uture Conditions 
. 100. The satisfactory practice of waste-disposal methods which 
include ultimate discharge to water bodies, depends on the relation- 
s|dp between the character, quantity, and strengtli of the wastes and 
jhe character and volume or discharge of the receiving body of water. 
Unless remedial measures are adopted, the future condition of streams 
111 the Ohio River Basin depends on changes in present pollution loads 
arid stream flow. 
101. Possible effects oj population and industrial changes.—A com- 
parison between population growth in the Ohio River Basin and in 
the United States as a whole is shown in the following tabulation: 
Year 
Ohio River Basin 
United States 
Population 
Percent in- 
crease over 
preceding 
period 
Population 
Percent in- 
crease over 
preceding 
period 
1890.... 
11,029, 000 
12, 755, 000 
14,382, 000 
15,898,000 
17,533,000 
18,816,000 
62,947,714 
75.994, 575 
91,972,266 
105,710,620 
122,775,046 
131,669,275 
(25. 5) 
20.7 
21.0 
14.9 
16.1 
7.2 
16 
13 
11 
10 
7 
1890-1940 
72 
109.2 
—— 
102. J\)r five decades the rate of population increase in the Ohio 
Her Basin has been consistently less than that of the United States. 
**ties of the basin are more mature than those of the Nation as a 
and the population is hence likely to reach a maximum at an 
1 r ier date. It is estimated that a peak of about 20,000,000 will 36 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
occur in the period between 1960 and 1970. This figure is 7 percent 
greater than the present population of the basin. 
103. During the decade following 1930, the population of many 
Ohio River Basin communities decreased significantly for the first 
time. In the 10 States which have 5,000 or more square miles of area 
within the basin, over 25 percent of all incorporated communities 
became smaller during this period, and population losses were common 
to communities of ali sizes. In view of the approaching peak in the 
population of the basin as a whole, losses which have already set in 
may continue in some communities, and, in general, a leveling off of 
population curves is to be expected in the remaining communities in 
the next 25 years. 
104. Because of the small population growth anticipated, increased 
domestic sewage loads which will result should not materially increase 
the severity of pollution in the Ohio River or its major tributaries. 
Significant increases may be confined generally to a 25-year period 
and to those smaller streams in which waste loading is already high 
relative to the volume of diluting water available. In the past, sew- 
age treatment facilities have been provided at the sites of some of the 
most severe pollution problems. Continuation of this procedure will 
reduce the effect of anticipated increases in population. 
105. Industrial activity is related to population growth, and it is 
probable that, for the basin as a whole, a stabilized population will re- 
sult in an economy of replacement rather than an economy of rapid 
expansion. It seems reasonable to estimate that no material changes 
in industrial waste pollution will result for some time. About half of 
the organic industrial waste load now comes from food processing, 
paper, and strawboard plants. Pollution from these sources probably 
will increase with population and reach a peak within a few decades. 
Chemical industries now discharge 21 percent of the industrial waste 
population equivalent not served by municipal treatment. New prod- 
ucts have been developing in this field and an increase in wastes may 
be anticipated. It is estimated that future industrial waste pollution 
will increase in rough proportion to that from domestic sources for 
the basin as a whole. However, development of new processes and 
products in any major industry may change this relationship. 
106. Pollution by acid mine drainage is increasing in intensity in 
rough proportion to the accumulative tonnage of coal already mined. 
Therefore, continued but less rapid increases in mine acid loads may 
be expected indefinitely, even after stabilization of population and 
industrial development and of the domestic coal market. In the case 
of significant industrial pollutants, this condition occurs only in mine 
drainage. The rate of increase in mine acid loads will vary largely 
with world conditions influencing coal consumption and with indus- 
trial development and activity. 
107. Possible effects of changes in discharge conditions.—Discharge 
of the streams of the Ohio River Basin is influenced by the quantity, 
extent, distribution, and intensity of rainfall and by regulation in im- 
pounding reservoirs. Canalization modifies discharge elements such 
as velocity and stream cross section, but, alone, does not appreciably 
affect the discharge volumes. 
108. Droughts.—A wave of epidemicgastro-enteritis occurred in the 
Ohio River Valley after the 1930 drought. There is evidence that the 
outbreaks were water-borne. Gastro-enteritis first was noted in 
Charleston, W. Va., late in October 1930, and lasted until about OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
37 
November 10, 1930. Later in the year, there were rains in the 
Kanawha River Basin which flushed the channel at and below Charles- 
ton. Early in January 1931, gastro-enteritis was simultaneously noted 
at Huntington, W. Va., Ashland, Ky., and Ironton, Ohio, all on the 
Ohio River below the mouth of the Kanawha River. The attacks 
lasted until about January 10, 1931. Cincinnati experienced the 
same complaint from mid-January 1931 to about February 1, 1931. 
Louisville was affected on about January 25, 1931. The chronological 
order of attack indicates a progressive downstream movement of the 
causative agent. 
109. The drought of was also notable for the obnoxious tastes 
and odors experienced in many public water supplies in the basin. 
These frequently caused water users to seek more palatable supplies, 
often of questionable sanitary quality. Thus, the drought created a 
material potential source of damage to public health. In many in- 
stances, sewer outfalls were uncovered during periods of low river 
stage, as were sludgQ banks. This created many local nuisance 
Problems. Widespread pollution of the streams of the Ohio River 
Basin added to the difficulty of quickly developing emergency water 
supplies at those communities where the normal supply became 
madequate. 
110. The low flow conditions of this period apparently have not 
been duplicated on a basin-wide scale during nearly a century. The 
following tabulation indicates their severity in the Ohio River at 
Cincinnati: 
3,600 cubic feet per second. 
21,500 cubic feet per second. 
1 to 6. 
.eaiJ of minimum monthly flows for years 1920 to 1940, 
inclusive. 
7,700 cubic feet per second. 
48,200 cubic feet per second. 
1 to 6. 
verage June to September flow for years 1920 to 1940, 
inclusive. 
atio, average 1930 to average for period 
p.Hl. In 31 humid States, including the 14 which comprise the Ohio 
fuver Basin, noticeable rainfall deficiencies occur at lrom 3- to 7-year 
lri.tcrvais. Generally, the deficiencies are confined to short periods, 
tlie result that discharge deficiencies of more than several months’ 
| u fat ion are uncommon. In the 1920-40 period, during the latter 
°1 which the average summer flow of the Ohio River was unusually 
f°iT’ minimum monthly summer discharges occurred as shown in the 
1 olio wing tabulation: 
Month 
Year of occurrence and discharge in cubic feet per seeond 
Lowest 
Second lowest 
Third lowest 
Fourth lowest 
Year 
Discharge 
Year 
Discharge 
Year 
Discharge 
Year 
Discharge 
June_ 
July ' 
ueust" 
®ePtembeV 
F 
N°veinbeV 
1930 
1930 
1930 
1930 
1930 
1930 
15,200 
6,500 
4.300 
4,700 
3,600 
5.300 
1934 
1934 
1936 
1939 
1938 
1931 
16, 300 
15.900 
18, 500 
12.900 
13,600 
16,200 
1936 
1936 
1932 
1932 
1933 
1939 
21,100 
22,100 
19, 700 
14,800 
14,300 
24,400 
1925 
1933 
1929 
1936 
1940 
1924 
24,500 
26,100 
22,800 
15,600 
15,600 
31, 700 
Composite average 
6,600 
15,600 
19,400 
22,700 38 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
It is of significance that, with the exception of 1930, unusually low 
flow conditions were not observed in more than 2 consecutive months 
during the period. The probability of the recurrence of a long 
sequence of months with discharges as low as those of 1930 appears 
to be remote. It should also be noted that the composite average 
of second lowest flows (second column above) was 136 percent greater 
than the average for June to November 1930 (first column above). 
The spread between averages of the lowest and second lowest natural 
June-to-November flows (6,600 cubic feet per second, 1930; 25,800 
cubic feet per second, 1934) is 291 percent. 
112. Drought damages are often widespread. However, with the 
exception of extremely severe droughts, accompanied by prolonged 
periods of low flow, their effect on stream pollution is comparatively 
minor. 
113. Reservoirs.—Reservoirs, provided for flood-control purposes 
only, have slight effect on stream quality. Their major purpose is 
the rearrangement of the natural regimen of discharge during periods 
of extremely high flow. At high water oxygen depletion and nuisance 
conditions, resulting from sewage and pollution by industrial waste 
discharges, usually are not serious. However, the provision of low- 
flow control as a supplementary feature of storage reservoirs provided 
for flood control usually has a beneficial effect on the sanitary condi- 
tion of downstream reaches. Reservoirs at which hydroelectric 
power is generated almost always produce an incidental beneficial 
effect on stream sanitation, and water-supply reservoirs frequently 
have a beneficial effect. Provisions to increase low flow have been 
considered by the Corps of Engineers in the prosecution of a compre- 
hensive flood-control plan for the Ohio River Valley. Reservoir 
projects built or now under construction by the Corps of Engineers 
to piovide flood control, low-flow control, and other benefits, are as 
follows: 
Reservoir 
Basin 
Purpose 
Monongakela River. 
Flood control, navigation water supply 
(low-flow control). 
Flood control, low-flow control. 
Do. 
Flood control, hydroelectric power pro- 
duction, low-flow control. 
Do. 
Under construction: 
Youghioghcny, Youghioghcny River. 
Wolf Creek, Cumberland River 
|Cumberland River.. 
Center Hill, Caney Fork River 
114. Normally, seasonal low-flow control may be provided at small 
additional cost as an incidental feature of flood-control storage de- 
velopments. Hence there is no economic bar to its further piovision 
where flood-control storage works are justified. The increased dis- 
charge during periods of low run-off made possible by low-flow regula- 
tion is likely to be, in many cases, an effective adjunct to sewage 
treatment and, in connection with flood-control reservoir develop- 
ments, is conducive to efficient use of the water resources of the basin- 
115. The probable effects of the reservoirs now built or under con- 
struction on low water discharge are summarized in table 9. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
39 
Reservoirs and key river stations' 
Low-water regulation features 
Maximum reservoir capacity 
available for low-water reg- 
ulation, acre-feet 
Discharge station 
Average discharge during June to November 
1930, cubic feet per second 
Incidence 
of increase 
on Ohio 
River, 
miles be- 
low Pitts- 
burgh, Pa. 
Natural 
Probable 
regulated 
Probable 
increase 
Cumula- 
tive in- 
crease 
Low-water regulation effect of individual reservoirs 
100,000 
149,000 
23,000 
‘ 245,000 
* 2,017,000 
* 473,000 
* 492,000 
23 
49 
3110 
1,290 
1,490 
340 
480 
3 160 
2,000 
6,950 
317 
431 
50 
710 
5,460 
Percent 
317 
748 
798 
1,508 
6,968 
0 
0 
25.6 
265.7 
920.4 
Tributaries: 
Low-water regulation effect at key discharge stations 
« 1,150 
2 110 
1,590 
1,490 
3,230 
6,600 
9,220 
1,898 
3 160 
2,300 
6,950 
3,978 
8,108 
10, 728 
748 
50 
710 
5,460 
748 
1,508 
1,508 
65 
45 
45 
365 
23 
23 
16 
Do . . 
Reservoirs A, B, C, and D 
Do 
1 Reservoirs under the jurisdiction of the Corps of Engineers. 
2 Probable discharge had existing non-Federal Milton Reserve been used to sustain highest possible value of minimum flow at Youngstown, Ohio. 
3 Probale discharge with combined operation of Berlin and Milton Reservoirs. 
* Maximum draw-down for power purposes. 
1 Estimated. 
Table 9.—Probable effect of low-water discharge of reservoirs now built or under construction, Ohio River Basin 40 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
116. At the head of the Ohio River, the average increase in minimum 
flow from Tygart, Yooghiogheny, and Berlin Reservoirs will approx- 
imate 43 percent of the July to November flows of 1930. Blues tone 
Reservoir will result in an additional increase in the flow of the 
upper Ohio River, resulting in a 31-percent improvement in minimum 
discharge at Cincinnati. Proportionately larger increases would be 
effected on the tributaries on which the reservoirs are situated. 
Because of these reservoirs, it is possible that flows as low as those of 
1930 will never again be experienced in the Ohio River. 
117. Other reservoirs of the present comprehensive flood-control 
plan for the Ohio River, possible alternate reservoirs, and possible 
additions to the plan, would be capable of providing low flow control 
in tributary basins and the main stream. However, where detailed 
studies have been made, economic considerations generally indicate 
the provision of low flow control as an incidental rather than a primary 
function of reservoir development. 
118. Low flow-control operations incidental to flood control are 
subject to limitations imposed by restrictions on the use of storage 
capacity and it is probable that the most significant future increases in 
low water flow will result from flood control-hydroelectric reservoir 
development, in which case increases in low water flow will occur 
incidentally to hydroelectric operations. Table 10 lists certain 
reservoir projects of significance with respect to low flow control,, 
which may be provided in the Ohio River Basin, together with their 
possible low flow-control features. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
41 
Reservoirs and key river stations ' 
Possible low-water regulation features 
Maximum reservoir capacity 
available for low-water regu- 
lation, acre feet2 
Discharge station 
Average discharge during June to November 
1930, cubic feet per second 
Incidence 
of in- 
crease on 
Ohio 
River, 
miles 
below- 
Pitts- 
burgh, 
Pa. 
Natural 
Possible 
regulated 
Possible increase 
Accumu- 
lative 
increase 
Possible low-water regulation effect of individual reservoirs 
520,000 
225 
104 
51 
(*) 
17 
10 
174 
599 
3 6,950 
180 
100 cubic 
1,925 
1,060 
581 
(<) 
630 
2,050 
1,075 
2,300 
7,400 
450 
feet per se 
1.700 
956 
530 
4 100 
613 
2,040 
901 
1.701 
450 
270 
cond to 
Percent 
1,700 
2,656 
3,186 
3, 286 
3,899 
5,939 
6,840 
8,541 
8,991 
9,261 
flow duri 
0 
0 
0 
25.6 
265.7 
470.2 
545.8 
784.2 
920.4 
920.4 
ug June to 
618j000 
576,000 
25,000 
240,000 
M. Cave Run Reservoir (Licking River, Ky.) 
N. Falmouth Reservoir (Licking River, Ky.) 
O. Booneville Reservoir (South Fork Kentucky River, Ky.). 
P. Jessamine Reservoir (Kentucky River, Ky.) ... 
Q. No. 2 Barren Reservoir (Barren River, Ky.) 
R. Nolin Reservoir (Nolin River, Ky.) 
S. Mining City Reservoir (Green River, Ky.)_._ 
T. Stewarts Ferry Reservoir (Stones River, Term.) 
U. Three Islands Reservoir (Harpeth River, Tenn.) 
1 Reservoirs under consideration by the Corps of Engl 
1 Maximum draw-down for power purposes shown for 
3 Present quality of Clarion River unfavorable for low 
4 Operation dependent on operation of existing, non-I 
September, inclusive. 
* Includes probable regulation by Wolf Creek, Dale H 
625,0001 
960,000/ - - 
193,0001 
285,000/ 
558,000 . 
177,000> - 
27,000 j 
172,000 
152,000 
neers. 
contemplated flood control-hydi 
water regulation use as an initia 
ederal Pymatuning Reservoir. 
ollow, and Center Hill Reservoi 
Falmouth dam site 
Jessamine dam site 
Mining City dam site.. 
Nashville, Tenn 
Damsite 
oelectric developments. 
1 development. 
Plan contemplates addition o 
rs. 
regulated 
Table 10.—Possible effect on low-water discharge of reservoirs considered for development of Ohio River Basin 
90035—43—pt. 1 4 42 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Reservoirs and key river stations 1 
Possible low-water regulation features 
Maximum reservoir capacity 
available for low-water regu- 
lation, acre feet 
Discharge station 
Average discharge during June to November 
1930, cubic feet per second 
Incidence 
of in- 
crease on 
Ohio 
River, 
miles 
below 
Pitts- 
burgh, 
Pa. 
Natural 
Possible 
regulated 
Possible increase 
Accumu- 
lative 
increase 
Tributaries: 
Possible low-water regulation effect at key discharge stations 
Reservoirs H and I 
Pittsburgh, Pa 
2,180 
« 1,898 
7 200 
8 2,300 
10 
213 
618 
8 6,950 
* 3,978 
• 8,108 
• 10,728 
4,836 
2,428 
300 
2,913 
2,050 
1,114 
2,319 
7,400 
7,164 
14,047 
17, 568 
2,656 
530 
100 
613 
2,040 
901 
1,701 
450 
3,186 
5,939 
6,840 
Percent 
122 
28 
50 
27 
20,400 
423 
276 
6 
80 
73 
63 
Reservoir L _ __ 
Kanawha Falls, W. Va. 
Warwick, Ky 
Reservoirs Q, R, and S 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Do 
Reservoirs H, I, J, K, L, M, 
and N. 
Reservoirs H, I, J, K, L, M, 
N, 0, and P. 
Cincinnati, Ohio 
Do . - - 
Louisville, Ky 
1 Reservoirs under consideration by the Corps of Engineers. 
5 Includes probable regulation by,Wolf Creek, Dale Hollow, and Center Hill Reservoirs. 
6 Includes probable regulation by Tygart and Youghiogheny Reservoirs. 
7 Includes estimated effect of non-Federal Pymatuning Reservoir. 
8 Includes probable regulation by Bluestone Reservoir. 
* Includes probable regulation by Tygart, Youghiogheny, Berlin, and Bluestone Reservoirs. 
Table 10,—Possible effect on low-water discharge of reservoirs considered for development of Ohio River Basin—Continued OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
43 
119. It must be recognized that the foregoing estimates are subject 
to modification by virtue of changing power markets, conditions of 
stream pollution, and future economic conditions. It is believed 
that they indicate the possible extent of low flow-control operations 
In the Ohio River Basin in the future. Provision of all the reservoirs 
listed, together with those now built or under construction, would 
have resulted in an increase in minimum flow of 220 percent in 1930, 
«,t the head of the Ohio River, and of 140 percent at Cincinnati. 
While such discharge increases would materially improve sanitary 
conditions along tributaries and the main stream, in general, the need 
for sewage treatment would not be eliminated, because bacterial 
pollution would continue. On the other hand, the flow increases 
would be, in places, sufficient to reduce the extent and cost of sewage 
«,nd industrial waste treatment needed to prevent undue depletion 
of dissolved oxygen and also, along small streams, to supplement 
•complete treatment. 
120. Review of Ohio River water-plant records discloses that in 
the last 15 or 20 years there has been no general depreciation in the 
quality of the stream at the larger waterworks intakes. The most 
noteworthy change in water quality was a progressive decrease in the 
natural alkalinity of the river experienced at upstream water plants. 
However, at and below Steubenville, Ohio, this trend was not in 
evidence. At Cincinnati, Ohio, higher than average coliform bac- 
teria counts were observed during the period 1935 to 1940. This 
condition appears not to have occurred elsewhere. While it is certain 
that increases in domestic and industrial waste loadings experienced 
during the last 15 to 20 years resulted in more severe pollution in 
localized reaches, serious effects of this additional pollution were not 
in evidence at all waterworks on the river. Table 11 is a tabulation 
of coliform bacteria, alkalinity, and turbidity results for Ohio River 
water at selected waterworks intakes. 
Table 11.—Water quality at waterworks intakes, Ohio River Basin 
East Livernool 
Steubenville 
Miles below Pittsburgh... 
43 
69 
328 
1925 
to 
1930 
to 
1935 
to 
1925 
to 
1925 
to 
1930 
1935 
1925 
1925 
1930 
1935 
1925 
1929 
1934 
1940 
1940 
1929 
1934 
1940 
1940 
1929 
1934 
1940 
1940 
'Coltform bacteria per 
milliliter: 
1,180 
99 
679 
1,003 
370 
1,180 
538 
234 
96 
538 
527 
685 
340 
685 
Average—June to Sep- 
134 
183 
42 
30 
19 
30 
206 
157 
144 
165 
169 
208 
379 
250 
25 
24 
17 
22 
179 
103 
107 
125 
Alkalinity, parts per mil- 
lion: 
28 
30 
16 
30 
14 
35 
25 
35 
49 
51 
50 
51 
Average—June to Sep- 
13 
7 
8 
9 
9 
8 
11 
9 
37 
31 
35 
34 
13 
10 
8 
11 
9 
8 
10 
9 
30 
28 
29 
29 
Turbidity, parts per mil- 
lion: 
450 
185 
900 
900 
430 
230 
330 
430 
380 
400 
435 
435 
Average—June to Sep- 
67 
36 
115 
70 
31 
50 
101 
66 
131 
101 
146 
127 
115 
61 
191 
124 
71 
60 
83 
73 
143 
113 
157 
139 44 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Table 11.—Water quality at waterworks intakes, Ohio River Basin—Continued 
Location 
Cincinnati 
Louisville 
Evansville 
Miles below Pittsburgh... 
470 
609 
797 
1925 
1930 
1935 
1925 
1925 
1930 
1935 
1925 
1925 
1930 
1935 
1925 
Period considered 
to 
to 
to 
to 
to 
to 
to 
to 
to 
to 
to 
to 
1929 
1934 
1940 
1940 
1929 
1934 
1940 
1940 
1929 
1934 
1940 
1940 
Conform bacteria per 
milliliter: 
Maximum 
135 
120 
335 
335 
120 
167 
131 
167 
Average—June to Sep- 
tember 
42 
30 
124 
68 
20 
22 
23 
22 
Average 
32 
28 
104 
57 
27 
19 
22 
22 
Alkalinity, parts per mil- 
lion: 
Maximum .. 
58 
72 
59 
72 
83 
96 
82 
96 
90 
109 
92 
109 
Average—June to Sep- 
tember 
42 
40 
43 
42 
62 
53 
56 
57 
71 
71 
68 
70 
Average. 
36 
38 
37 
37 
55 
52 
51 
53 
60 
63 
60 
61 
Turbidity, parts per mil- 
lion: 
Maximum 
500 
370 
490 
500 
600 
590 
610 
610 
510 
630 
530 
630 
Average—June to Sep- 
tember... ... 
182 
104 
147 
145 
132 
76 
103 
104 
161 
80 
128 
123 
Average 
234 
122 
144 
166 
201 
118 
158 
159 
226 
142 
167 
177 
Note.—Monthly average values obtained from waterworks data and not reported on a uniform basis. 
121. Navigation improvements.—The 1914, 1930, and current Ohio 
River pollution surveys indicate no definite trend in river water qual- 
ity traceable directly to the construction and operation of navigation 
facilities. However, stream canalization has definite effects on stream 
conditions which in turn influence water quality. Among these the 
following are of importance: 
(a) Stream velocities are lessened, thus increasing times of flow and 
tending to shorten the zones of bacterial pollution which may exist 
below sewer outfalls. This is a beneficial effect of navigation improve- 
ments. A detrimental effect of lessened velocities is a tendency to- 
ward the precipitation of sewage solids and resultant sludge bank 
formation. 
(b) Stream turbulence is decreased throughout long reaches, thus 
lessening the rate at which oxygen is absorbed from the air. This is 
a detrimental effect of navigation improvements. 
(c) Navigation dams result in localized areas of turbulent discharge 
which tend to offset loss of the natural turbulence of flow. This effect 
of navigation improvements is beneficial. 
(d) Stream depths are increased, resulting in a tendency toward de- 
creased light penetration and lessened oxygen recovery from photo- 
synthesis; however, this condition is offset by lessened turbidity which 
tends to permit greater light penetration. Stream characteristics are 
subject to complicated but compensating influences as a result of 
canalization. On the whole, canalization of the Ohio River apparently 
does not greatly affect the use of this river for water supply and other 
purposes. fOn other rivers, such absence of effects is not universal. 
122. Future canalization of tributary streams now subject to low 
summer flows may benefit stream quality by virtue of flow regulation 
necessary to insure adequate navigation water supply. However, 
future changes in the quality of Ohio River water, attributable to 
either new or existing canalization, probably will be minor and of local 
significance. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
45 
123. Comparison oj existing with possible juture conditions.—Popula- 
tion and industrial changes will have a serious effect on the future con- 
dition of Ohio River Basin streams. Their effect will be continuous 
and generally detrimental, and probably will increase in intensity 
until about 1965, after which time significant changes are not antici- 
pated for a considerable period. Pollution by acid mine drainage is 
expected to increase indefinitely throughout the area of the bitumin- 
ous coal fields. On the other hand, low flow control now being pro- 
vided will have beneficial effects on the sanitary condition of streams. 
There appear to be no other factors of broad general significance with 
regard to anticipated conditions of stream sanitation. 
124. In general, the detrimental effects of organic pollution of the 
main Ohio River are estimated to have reached a peak, primarily be- 
cause the effects of population and industrial growth anticipated for 
the next quarter century will be offset by discharge regulation now 
being provided. On the other hand, there is evidence that discharge 
modification at extremely low stages may increase coliform bacteria 
counts at specific localities primarily as a result of modification of 
stream velocities. In consequence, slightly more severe bacterial pol- 
lution than now exists may result from population increases antici- 
pated. Local increases in domestic waste concentrations may result 
from new sewerage construction in existing communities; however, the 
extent of sewerage service in the larger metropolitan areas is such that 
only slight increases from this source can be expected in these areas. 
Unless a mine-sealing program is vigorously prosecuted mine-acid 
loads will become increasingly heavy in the future, with the result 
that acid waste concentrations in streams not benefited by low-flow 
control will increase over present levels, and more severe damage to 
water users will result than that now experienced. In spite of correc- 
tive measures applied to date, the present trend toward increased 
acidity in the upper Ohio River Basin is such that more than a 50- 
perccnt increase in damages from this source may be expected by 1960. 
125. All factors considered, the sanitary condition of most streams 
in the basin appears to be undergoing a slow process of deterioration. 
The results obtained by the accomplishment of the suggested program 
of improvement (see ch. X) must therefore be protected by adequate 
control of all existing, new, and future sources of pollution. 
VIII. Objectives of Pollution-Control Activities 
126. Water uses and present adverse effects oj pollution.—The utility 
of the waters of the Ohio River Basin, and of the country as a whole, 
is a valuable public asset closely related to public welfare. The ob- 
jective of the public authorities in the matter of pollution control 
should be to insure conditions which will permit the best social and 
economic use of the Nation’s watercourses. In determining this use, 
Public opinion must be considered. 
127. The most important uses of streams are for domestic, indus- 
trial, and agricultural water supplies, waste disposal, navigation, sup- 
port of fish and aquatic life, recreation, and power production. Pol- 
lution-control activities should be directed and correlated with all 
lUiportant stream uses in a manner which will permit realization of 
the greatest possible yield of public benefit from natural watercourses. 
128. In the Ohio River Basin all major streams and numerous small 46 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
streams are used for water supply, and practically all streams are used 
for waste disposal. These uses are basically opposed and, if waste 
disposal is carried to excess, water supplies suffer proportionately. At 
the present time it appears that there are obtainable, at most points 
in the Ohio River Basin, adequate water supplies safe for public con- 
sumption after treatment, and capable of serving the needs of agri- 
culture and industry. It does not appear that the adverse effects of 
waste disposal on water supply will necessarily be intensified in the 
future. On the other hand, there are some points in the basin, notably 
on upper reaches of the main stream and at localized points in tribu- 
tary areas, where the high bacterial content of the streams causes 
serious concern as to the safety and reliability of treated waters, even 
after use of the best-known methods of treatment. Acid discharges, 
mainly to upstream tributaries, and taste-, and odor-producing wastes,, 
also cause damage to water supplies. These latter damages are more 
readily apparent to the layman than are the dangers of excessive bac- 
terial pollution. Outbreaks of gastroenteritis indicate what can occur 
when stream conditions are adverse or operation of treatment plants 
is ineffective. 
129. Navigation and hydroelectric power production both suffer to 
some extent from the wastes now being discharged into the streams 
of the Ohio River Basin. However, damage to these uses is negligible, 
except where pollution by acid mine drainage is severe. Acid wastes 
have been estimated to cause damages to the extent of more than 
$2,000,000 annually in the area upstream from the point where the 
Ohio River crosses the western boundary of Pennsylvania. Of this 
damage more than half is said to be to Federal and private navigation 
interests. Damage of this magnitude, as well as the adverse effect of 
acid wastes on water supplies, much of which has not been evaluated 
because of its intangible nature, indicates that action to reduce acid 
waste discharges would be in the public interest. 
130. It may be said that use of the streams of the Ohio River Basin 
for waste disposal has progressed to a point where the propriety of 
using the streams for water sports has disappeared. Swimming and 
boating are practiced by a small fraction of the population, but cases 
of typhoid fever and other gastric disturbances are repeatedly trace- 
able to the former activity. There are, of course, still some stream 
reaches, mainly in headwater areas, where fishing is worth while and 
where swimming is reasonably safe, but these reaches are in remote 
and sparsely populated regions which cannot serve readily any con- 
siderable portion of the population of the basin. 
131. Physical and economic limitations.—Physical and economic con- 
siderations are such that the complete elimination of wastes from 
streams is a manifest impossibility. Moreover, unlimited curtailment 
of the disposal of wastes by dilution would result in a needless sacrifice 
of the self-purification capacity of streams, which capacity is itself a 
valuable natural resource. It is obvious that the most effective social 
and economic use of public waters would not accrue if vital domestic 
and industrial activities were unduly curtailed by arbitrarily restrict- 
ing the waste-disposal use of streams for the benefit of desirable uses, 
such as recreation. A basic consideration in pollution-control activi- 
ties must be the fact that the waste-disposal use of streams has become 
an important factor in the economic existence of the people. However, 
even in the face of this compelling use, it is unlikely that the public 
welfare has been best served in the Ohio River Basin when numerous OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
47 
sources of public water supply are dangerously polluted, important 
tangible damages to other vital water uses can be demonstrated, and 
aquatic recreational facilities, specifically bathing and fishing, have 
been virtually destroyed for mass enjoyment. 
132. The pollution of streams has been a gradual process, increasing- 
in intensity with domestic and industrial growth, with the result that 
the attendant technical, financial, and administrative difficulties 
have frequently been at hand prior to public realization that a serious 
problem existed. These difficulties have discouraged the planning 
of a solution of adequate extent. The conclusion seems inescapable 
that irresponsible dumping of wastes, which has been the general 
rule in the basin in the past and continues to be the rule in many 
sections of the basin, has not resulted in the most effective use of the 
public waters of the Ohio River Valley, and does not accurately 
reflect present public opinion or desire in the matter of pollution 
control. In view of this, it appears that public welfare may be 
served by provision of pollution control works which will permit the 
maintenance of higher standards of stream quality than now obtain. 
The most nearly applicable set of standards for a specific stream reach 
must be established in the light of the uses of the reach, each use being 
weighted with consideration for its relative importance to public 
welfare. It should be pointed out, however, that appreciable progress 
has been made in providing correctives in some parts of the basin. 
As a matter of fact, if the rate of progress in correction which pre- 
vailed during the period 1935-40 were to be resumed after the war, 
20 more years would witness completion of the suggested program. 
133. Since streams can assimilate a certain amount of pollution 
Without undue adverse effects on their established or desired use, the 
program for improvement should contemplate the removal of only 
that part of pollutive substances which the streams cannot assimilate. 
134. Water quality characteristicsThe behavior of streams subject 
to pollution, and the quality of the waters therein, have been studied 
extensively in Europe and in the United States. As a result, desirable 
characteristics of stream quality pertinent to specific water uses have 
been gradually established. These characteristics have been described 
ffi a preceding report section and are summarized in table 7. They are 
a good resume of general experience and, in particular, of exhaustive 
studies and surveys in the Ohio River Basin. In general, the main- 
tenance of at least the limiting minimum water quality characteristics 
°f table 7 is considered a desirable goal of pollution abatement activi- 
ties in the Ohio River Basin for localities where the maintenance of 
these standards will be of benefit to present and probable future water 
135. The limiting requirements are as follows: 
Coliforin bacteria per milliliter: 
Not over 200 in more than 5 percent of samples. 
Monthly average not over 200. 
Dissolved oxygen content, parts per million: 
Monthly average not less than 5.0 (see note on table 7). 
Daily average not less than 3.0. 
5-day biochemical oxygen demand at 20° C, parts per million: Monthly 
average not over 5.0. 
pH value; 
Not less than 4.0. 
Not more than 9.5. 
Phenol content, parts per billion: Not over 10.0. 48 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
136. Where present conditions are such that a reasonable degree of 
pollution control would make recreational use of streams available to 
large centers of population these standards should be raised. 
137. The means of satisfying the outlined requirements, or higher 
ones where applicable, is the regulation of waste disposal into public 
waters. Waste-disposal regulation should seek to place the points of 
waste discharge where they will do the least harm and should seek so 
to limit the volume and concentration of wastes that damage to 
public interests at downstream points will be minimized. Proper 
correlation of water uses with water-quality standards will permit such 
regulation without serious inroads upon essential waste disposal use 
of streams. The need for regulatory measures extends to both 
existing and future sources of pollution. 
138. Summary.—The objective of pollution control activities is the 
regulation of waste disposal into public waters, such that standards 
of water quality may be maintained which are commensurate with 
stream use in specific localities, to the end that the greatest possible 
yield of public benefits will accrue. 
IX. Attainment of Objectives 
139. The difficulties which hamper pollution-abatement activities 
are technical, financial, and administrative. 
140. Technical difficulties.—1Technical difficulties in pollution abate- 
ment are mainly those of industrial waste control. These arise be- 
cause there are no known satisfactory methods of treatment for some 
wastes and because other wastes, including acid-mine drainage, re- 
quire complex treatment ; or the methods must be so extensive as to 
render adequate control extremely tedious and frequently only par- 
tially effective. However, most wastes, including both domestic 
and industrial, are subject to treatment by well-established and not 
unduly expensive methods. Further research and experimentation 
with new methods of waste treatment should improve and extend 
technique to a point where such technical difficulties will no longer be of 
serious consequence. 
141. Designation of a governmental agency to act as a clearing 
house for information on waste treatment methods and to conduct 
research where necessary would help to effect an early solution of 
remaining technical problems. In addition, it would be impractical 
to undertake full regulation of stream pollution, on as large a scale as 
Ohio River problems require, without the sound technical background 
which could be supplied by such a governmental agency. 
142. Technical difficulties also result because of practical and 
economic limitations on the degree of pollution control which can be 
applied in specific cases. In localities where residual waste concen- 
trations will continue to be excessive in spite of the application of all 
reasonable corrective measures, controlled waste disposal probably will 
be the predominant stream use unless the responsible domestic or 
industrial activity is curtailed. An engineering solution is rendered 
difficult because many pollution damages and pollution abatement 
benefits (or damages) are not susceptible to evaluation and, as a result) 
a satisfactory comparison between the cost of abatennyit works and 
anticipated benefits cannot be set forth. However, the situation is 
not unusual in the construction of public works, and its solution in the 
United States customarily is to provide, as equitably as possible, ah OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
49 
persons concerned with an opportunity to express their views by direct 
vote or by public presentation of supporting information. It appears 
that this portion of the technical pollution-abatement problem must 
find its solution in an administrative arrangement which will permit 
the interested public to choose between use of certain streams for 
controlled waste disposal and curtailed activities. 
143. Financial difficulties.—Financial difficulties in pollution abate- 
ment are mainly those of equitably distributing the cost of abatement 
works. The first serious difficulty arises from the fact that, with few 
exceptions, benefits to be obtained by regulation of waste disposal 
cannot be evaluated with sufficient accuracy to permit a satisfactory 
economic analysis of specific projects. While it is true that in some 
industries byproducts of value result from waste regulation and offset 
a part or all of the cost of regulation, and that in certain localized 
areas control of specific wastes may be economically justified in terms 
of benefits to downstream water users, in general the readily evaluated 
benefits of pollution control works are but a small part of their cost. 
144. A second financial difficulty is that sources of pollution, which 
might reasonably be expected to bear the cost of regulating their own 
waste disposal, are usually not the recipients of the major portion of 
the improvements to be realized by such regulation because these im- 
provements most frequently occur at downstream points. While it is 
true that some communities, considering the benefits worth the costs, 
have solved purely local pollution problems at their own expense, this 
has not been a common occurrence in the Ohio River Basin. There 
are noteworthy cases in which polluters have resisted efforts to regu- 
late their waste disposal on the basis that others alone would benefit 
from the expenditures required. 
145. The effects of the financial difficulties cited are to destroy all 
cogent economic incentives for polluters to solve their own problems, 
and to make it difficult for those damaged by stream pollution to 
obtain relief. While common law recognizes the right of riparian 
owners to clean streams and it is the right of such owners to sue 
polluters and collect damages or require abatement of pollution, as 
heretofore stated, the damages are usually difficult to evaluate and 
prove and, furthermore, the courts recognize a well-established com- 
munity or industry as favorable to the public welfare, even though it 
may be a gross polluter. The result is, more often than not, that, 
such polluters are not disturbed, or are required to pay relatively 
small damages, neither of which alternatives accomplishes any 
pollution abatement. 
146. Statutory limitation of the bonding and taxing power of many 
communities has frequently been mentioned as a financial difficulty 
hampering progress in domestic pollution-abatement activities. How- 
ever, it is believed that this difficulty is not basic in nature and may 
readdy be overcome at such tmie as the public desires the expenditure 
of public funds for pollution abatement. 
147. There are several basic considerations which underlie the 
problem of equitably distributing the cost of pollution abatement 
Works. Among these considerations it may be contended that indus- 
tries exist only in response to public demand for their products and, 
therefore, that the public is indirectly responsible for all stream pollu- 
tion, both industrial and domestic, and ultimately must bear the cost 
of all pollution-abatement activities, either by direct expenditures or 
partially by direct expenditures and partially in. the form of increased 50 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
costs for industrial products. In lieu of expenditures for pollution 
control, it appears that the public must accept stream pollution or 
forego the practice of activities, either domestic or industrial, which 
bring it about. 
148. Had the beginnings of waste disposal and waste-disposal regu- 
lation been concurrent in the United States, it is probable that each 
polluter would have borne the cost of his own waste-disposal prob- 
lems, and that a thoroughly equitable distribution of costs would 
have resulted. It might be concluded from the foregoing statement 
that an equitable distribution of costs would result if each polluter 
was now made to stand the full cost of correcting his own waste dis- 
charges. This is not entirely true. Obviously, once established, a 
community or industry no ionger has wide physical latitude with 
respect to waste disposal. Hence, a reversal of public waste-disposal 
policy at this late date would work a hardship on communities and 
industries which located under the present policy without regard to 
ease of waste-disposal correction if the full cost of indicated abatement 
works were to be carried by the pollution sources alone. 
149. A sound financial policy must recognize these factual situa- 
tions. It serves no useful purpose arbitrarily to declare that a 
riparian owner has a right to clean streams above all else, and there- 
fore others must pay to make them clean, because if there has been 
any benefit to the Nation as a result of the unregulated discharge of 
wastes which has prevailed, this benefit has been in the form of aid 
to national expansion and, hence, has benefited all, including riparian 
owners. On the other hand, where damages occur as a result of 
stream pollution, a policy which contemplates irresponsible waste 
discharge is of economic benefit to polluters in an amount at least 
equal to the cost of providing a minimum of treatment. It is logical 
to conclude that an equitable distribution of pollution-abatement costs 
should contemplate their division between the polluter who has a 
definite responsibility in this connection, and the beneficiaries of im- 
provements resulting from provision of pollution-abatement works. 
The present status should be reckoned as a starting point and the 
financial burdens should be apportioned equitably between these 
entities in proportion to their responsibilities and requirements. 
150. The lack of a provable economic basis for providing pollution- 
abatement works is not likely to be a serious obstacle providing costs 
are properly apportioned among several interests rather than being 
concentrated on one interest. 
151. Governmental financial aid has been effective in the past in 
hastening the accomplishment of pollution control. Such aid should 
hasten completion of a comprehensive program for the Ohio River 
Basin. However, there are no elements in such a program, with the 
possible exception of mine sealing and supplemental low flow control, 
which could not be accomplished without governmental financial aid, 
providing public demand called for such accomplishment. 
152. Administrative difficulties.—Administrative difficulties in pol- 
lution abatement are the most Serious encountered in the Ohio River 
Basin, mainly because of the interstate character of many of the 
pollution problems of the area. However, there is no reason to 
suppose that tributary basin problems confined to a single State cannot 
be solved by action of the involved State alone, without administrative 
difficulty. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
51 
153. Many of the States of the Ohio River Basin have laws intended 
to regulate the pollution of their streams. These laws have had vary- 
ing but not outstanding success. However, they have demonstrated 
that pollution control within a State can be accomplished by State 
activities, and it appears that cases of ineffectiveness in State control 
can be ascribed partly to lack of public demand for effectiveness and 
lack of public willingness to bear the cost of regulation. Where the 
effects of pollution have become sufficiently obnoxious to create a 
strong public demand for correction, it almost invariably has brought 
about alleviation of the condition. In this connection, it may be 
stated that as far as is known practically no legislation promulgated 
by any subdivision of Government has accomplished the intended 
pollution abatement result unless there has been a public demand for 
that result. 
154. Interstate stream-pollution problems are another matter. 
The administrative difficulties inherent in their solution have been 
recognized by many States, some of which have entered into compacts 
or agreements in an effort to solve these problems. 
155. The Potomac Valley Conservancy District was formed by the 
States of Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and Pennsylvania and 
the District of Columbia, to control the sanitary condition of the 
Potomac River insofar as it affects the several States. New Jersey, 
New York, and Connecticut entered into a tri-State compact to con- 
trol the sanitary condition of the tidal and coastal waters touching 
the signatory States. An interstate commission on the Delaware 
River Basin was formed by the States of Delaware, New Jersey, New 
York, and Pennsylvania, to control the pollution of the Delaware 
River. The Red River of the North Drainage Basin Commission was 
formed by the States of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, 
to control the pollution of the Red River of the North. The Ohio 
River Valley Water Sanitation Compact was drafted by representa- 
tives of the States of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, Ohio, 
Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia to control the sanitary 
condition of the Ohio River and its tributaries which are interstate in 
character. This compact has not been ratified by a sufficient number 
°f States to cause its adoption. 
.. 156. While these compacts are intended to secure improvement of 
interstate waters, they are of doubtful efficacy because they do not 
av°id the difficulty which has most hampered control heretofore. 
157. In part, the Ohio River Compact reads as follows: 
No such order (to wholly or partially discontinue the discharge of wastes) shall 
so mto effect unless and until it receives the assent of at least a majority of the 
ommissioners from each of not less than a majority of the signatory States; 
7>d no such order upon a municipality, corporation, person, or entity in any 
L • ?-lall go into effect unless and until it receives the assent of not less than a 
aJority of the commissioners from such State. 
It is obvious that under this compact any municipality, corporation, 
Person, or entity in any one State can block action of the commission 
that State if it controls a majority of the commissioners (2 
cut °I 3, as now proposed) from the State in which the municipality, 
orporation, person, or entity resides or conducts its business. 
St A fairiy even balance among the interests of the several 
ates is essential to the satisfactory solution of interstate stream- 
tl? . .10n Problems by these States. Under present laws and compacts 
leie is no such even mutuality of interests and, hence, the possibility 52 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
of solving Ohio River pollution problems by the present interstate 
compact does not appear good. 
159. The following circumstances are believed to contain the ele- 
ments which are inimical to the solution of interstate pollution 
problems on the Ohio River. 
(a) There is no agency either of the Federal Government, or of a 
combination of the several basin States, which is in a position to 
administer interstate pollution abatement activities. 
(b) Due to the lack of such an agency, there is no means of initiating 
studies and proceedings which affect all of the interests involved in 
interstate pollution problems. 
(c) There is no present means of apportioning costs of pollution 
abatements works between both polluting agencies and interests 
benefited by pollution abatement. 
(d) There is no means of securing financial participation of local 
interests, although this could be accomplished through State govern- 
ments if other circumstances were propitious. 
(e) There is no assurance now that local interests will maintain 
and operate plants constructed for pollution abatement. 
if) There is no way at present to insure that unregulated future 
sources of pollution will not be established which will offset improve- 
ments made in existing pollution sources. 
(g) There is no agency which can coordinate plans and contract 
arrangements for the construction of pollution abatement works, for 
the purpose of eventually attaining a complete solution in a manner 
which will be economical of public funds. 
X. Program of Improvement 
160. This section presents a comprehensive program of pollution 
abatement works for the Ohio River Basin. It contemplates control 
of pollution from all existing and future significant waste sources. 
The works named in the program would control significant existing 
pollution. Certain projects are suggested for initial construction. 
Administrative difficulties being discussed elsewhere, this section 
covers technical questions only. 
161. A means to insure adequate control of pollution from future 
sources is an essential prerequisite to the success and economy of 
widespread pollution control activities in the Ohio River Basin. 
In the absence of such control, regulation at existing sources of 
pollution will become inadequate in maintaining stream quality. 
162. Various means or methods are available to reduce the amount 
and effect of harmful suspended or dissolved substances before they 
are permitted to reach the streams. Prominent among these are 
screening, sedimentation, flocculation with or without chemicals, bac- 
terial action, neutralization, industrial recovery, evaporation, filtra- 
tion, and disinfection. They may be used singly or in combination 
depending upon the results to be desired. A primary treatment 
plant for domestic sewage usually consists of screening and sedimen- 
tation and removes about 50 percent of the suspended solids, 35 
percent of the biochemical oxygen demand and 25 to 50 percent of 
the pathogenic (disease causing) bacteria. Chlorination (disinfection) 
may supplant primary treatment and secure the removal of 90 to 
95 percent of the pathogenic bacteria. Additional facilities may be 
added to a primary plant to increase the degree of treatment. These OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
53 
additional facilities are collectively known as a secondary treatment 
plant and the process known as secondary treatment. An activated 
sludge (bacterial action) plant, rendering secondary treatment and 
utilizing final sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection, will remove 
practically all harmful substances and bacteria. A plant in which 
primary and secondary treatment is combined is generally called a 
secondary sewage-treatment plant. 
163. Many industrial wastes may be collected in municipal sewerage 
systems but due to the fact that human wastes generally predominate, 
municipal sewage is known as domestic sewage and treated in plants of 
the type discussed in paragraph 162. For various reasons other 
industrial wastes are treated separately. Methods of industrial 
waste treatment are specialized and vary according to the nature of 
the industry. They include screening, flocculation, sedimentation, 
neutralization, industrial recovery, and evaporation. Very often 
methods similar to those for treating a domestic sewage may be used. 
164. The adverse condition of streams in the Ohio River Basin is 
due to the harmful effects of wastes discharged therein. Industrial 
waste depletes the natural dissolved oxygen and imparts undesirable 
acid, alkali, odor, and taste characteristics. Domestic waste depletes 
the oxygen and contributes harmful bacteria. Mine drainage con- 
tributes corrosive sulfuric acid. Domestic waste dominates the 
sanitary condition of the streams as it contributes practically all of 
the pathogenic bacteria which are so dangerous to life and health. 
165. Survey results indicate (1) that the program for improvement 
should contemplate the initial construction of primary sewage- 
treatment plants at all significant sources of pollution from domestic 
wastes where the quality of water downstream therefrom is adverse to 
the safe and established use of the stream as a source of water supply, 
(2) that contributors of industrial wastes located in close proximity to 
the above significant sources of domestic waste pollution should con- 
currently provide approximately equivalent treatment to their wastes, 
and (3) that, if the inhabitants of the basin as a whole are to secure the 
maximum available benefits for a given expenditure, the program for 
improvement should include (a) the construction of secondary 
facilities to improve the degree of treatment at some of the sources of 
pollution discussed in (1) above, (b) the construction of secondary 
facilities at many existing plants, (c) the construction of newr primary 
and secondary treatment plants at many other locations and (d) the 
construction of industrial waste treatment facilities throughout the 
basin giving a degree of treatment approximately equal to that pro- 
vided in nearby community plants. 
166. Collection and treatment of domestic wastes.—With the exception 
of interceptor sewers, collection works for sewage may be considered 
property improvements, the cost of which should not be charged di- 
rectly to pollution abatement, although provision of such works prior 
to provision of sewage treatment facilities is essential. Separate 
sanitary and storm sewerage systems are favored because of sewage 
treatment difficulties involved writh combined sewers. It has been 
estimated that the probable cost of additional sewage collection 
facilities, and modifications in existing facilities, essential to comple- 
tion of the program of pollution control outlined herein, would be in 
the neighborhood of $100,000,000, not counting the cost of needed 
mterceptors. Summarized cost estimates for interceptor construc- 
tion are presented later in this section. 54 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
167. The domestic waste treatment measures suggested have been 
selected after study of the results of field and laboratory surveys. Cor- 
relation of data for individual waste sources on the volume and 
strength of pollutants, discharge characteristics of carrying water- 
ways, downstream water uses, and the self-purification capacity of the 
involved streams, with the findings of the laboratory survey, permitted 
determination of the degree of sewage treatment required to provide 
satisfactory stream conditions insofar as this is possible. However, 
nothing less than primary treatment, embodying at least screening 
and plain sedimentation and necessary interceptor construction, has 
been contemplated for the waste sources for which treatment cost 
estimates are contained herein. All significant sources of domestic 
wastes, including metropolitan areas and individual communities 
having 500 or more inhabitants were investigated in this manner,, 
including those where treatment is now provided. Summarized cost 
estimates for community pollution control measures are presented 
later in this section. 
168. Collection and treatment oj industrial wastes.—Control of pollu- 
tion resulting from industrial wastes in the Ohio River Basin has 
several major aspects, namely: 
(а) Collection of wastes for discharge to municipal treatment 
plants, or 
(б) Treatment of wastes by industries, prior to discharge to streams, 
or pretreatment prior to discharge to municipal treatment plants, and 
(c) Modification of plant methods and procedures. 
169. The cost of collecting wastes, and in a few cases of modifying 
methods and procedures within individual industrial establishments, 
is not included in estimates of the cost of the pollution-abatement 
program. However, where applicable, the estimated cost of con- 
necting existing industrial waste sources to municipal sewer systems 
has been included. 
170. Selection of the industrial waste control measures suggested 
has been based upon studies of all significant waste sources, similar 
to the studies of domestic waste sources, and summarized cost esti- 
mates for industrial pollution control measures are presented later in 
this section. In general, when applicable, a minimum of industrial 
waste treatment equivalent in effect to primary sewage treatment 
has been contemplated. Cost estimates also are included in certain 
cases for the control of inorganic industrial pollutants. 
171. Control oj acid mine drainage.—Control of pollution by acid 
mine drainage requires continuance of the present mine sealing 
program. Cost estimates are included for an initial program wherein 
unit sealing costs are to be limited to a maximum of $10 per ton year 
of acid producing capacity sealed and to mine areas not connected 
to active ventilating systems. In order to expedite the sealing of 
future sources of acid mine wastes, it is suggested that an effort be 
made to correlate state mining laws to the end that mining procedure 
may be adopted which will be favorable to mine sealing operations. 
172. Low-flow control.—Provision of low-flow control in the Alle- 
gheny and Monongahela River Basins is required to permit full 
realization of the benefits of mine sealing. It will add to the beneficial 
effects of other waste control measures. Low-flow control may be 
satisfactorily and most economically accomplished as an incidental 
feature of the operation of reservoirs provided primarily for other OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
55 
purposes, such as flood control and the production of hydroelectric 
energy. Under such circumstances, low-flow control may be obtained 
at comparatively slight cost. On the other hand, provision of reser- 
voir capacity for the sole purpose of flow regulation is not economically 
feasible at this time. Because advantageous development of the 
water resources of the Ohio River Basin usually contemplates pro- 
vision of low-flow control as a low-cost incidental reservoir function, 
rather than as a primaiy reservoir function, and because its provision 
is largely dependent on the need for flood control and power storage, 
cost estimates for such facilities have not been included herein. If 
storage capacity is provided in the Allegheny and Monongahela 
River Basins for low-flow control only, and in the quantity indicated 
as being best as a supplement to other methods of pollution abate- 
ment, the first cost would be about $20,000,000. 
173. Physical aspects and estimated cost of the pollution-control 
program.—Tables 12 and 13, herewith, present pertinent physical 
aspects and cost estimates for the outlined pollution-control program 
for the Ohio River Basin. The program is set up without regard 
for possible sources of funds for its prosecution. The basis of the 
program is that every damaging source of pollution is now susceptible 
to some degree of abatement. It contemplates corrective measures 
at all existing significant pollution sources. Summarized cost esti- 
mates for these are included. Estimates of the cost of controlling 
future sources of pollution are not included, for obvious reasons. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Basin 
Drain- 
age 
area 
(square 
miles) 
Population, 
1940 census 
Suggested program of pollution control 
Municipal treatment 
Number of plants 
Population involved 
Primary 
Second- 
ary 
Improve- 
ments 
Total 
Primary 
Secondary 
Now 
sewered 
1940 census 
Design 
Now 
sewered 
1940 
census 
Design 
Allegheny River -- 
11, 730 
1, 236, 694 
86 
7 
7 
100 
i 654, 300 
863, 400 
586, 500 
57,900 
58,600 
70,400 
Monongahela River... ... . _. 
7, 380 
1, 264, 674 
66 
16 
1 
83 
i 683, 400 
764,100 
476, 500 
92,800 
102, 300 
105, 000 
Beaver River. . ... 
3,145 
728,368 
14 
5 
8 
27 
293, 300 
295, 000 
361, 900 
3,800 
5, 700 
7,700 
Muskingum River 
8, 040 
812, 028 
23 
20 
9 
52 
88, 200 
106, 900 
124,000 
48,400 
61, 000 
72, 500 
Little Kanawha River... ... 
2,320 
92, 355 
6 
0 
2 
8 
5,300 
5, 500 
5,900 
0 
0 
0 
Hocking River ... . ... 
1,185 
113, 555 
5 
2 
1 
8 
21,000 
25, 300 
33,100 
2, 400 
2, 500 
3, 600 
Kanawha River.. 
12,300 
834, 845 
35 
16 
6 
57 
131, 900 
141, 200 
179, 900 
32, 500 
42,800 
52 600 
Guyandot River.. ... . . 
1.670 
148, 257 
13 
0 
0 
13 
19, 700 
23, 800 
27, 700 
0 
0 
0 
Big Sandy River. .. 
4,280 
411,905 
20 
2 
0 
22 
36, 600 
51,000 
57, 000 
7,000 
7, 700 
9, 000 
Scioto River 
6, 510 
739, 551 
18 
4 
8 
30 
4, 600 
12. 800 
16, 900 
6, 500 
11, 500 
13,000 
Little Miami River ..... 
1,755 
135, 474 
3 
8 
3 
14 
2,900 
5,000 
5, 500 
4,200 
6. 000 
6,800 
Licking River 
3, 670 
2 170,143 
2 
11 
1 
14 
1,200 
2. 500 
2 800 
12, 800 
20.100 
23,800 
Miami River 
5,385 
830, 481 
7 
18 
7 
32 
99, 200 
100, 000 
108, 700 
28, 000 
39. 000 
50, 300 
Kentucky River 
6. 940 
481,969 
3 
7 
3 
13 
18. 200 
20, 000 
24, 300 
17, 500 
20, 800 
23, 300 
Salt River... _. .. 
2,890 
139,868 
0 
7 
1 
8 
0 
0 
0 
3, 200 
6,000 
7, 200 
Green River 
9,220 
444,392 
9 
7 
7 
23 
3,200 
7,900 
11, 200 
7,700 
15, 400 
17, 200 
Wabash River 
33,100 
2, 508, 598 
30 
132 
24 
186 
142,800 
212,900 
314, 000 
149, 800 
257,100 
318, 300 
Cumberland River 
18, 000 
1,129. 002 
13 
18 
3 
34 
134, 700 
202, 000 
283. 500 
37, 300 
58, 000 
62,100 
Tennessee River 
40,600 
2.491, 298 
64 
37 
9 
110 
373, 400 
491, 000 
670. 900 
116,000 
161, 500 
183, 700 
Minor tributaries 
/ 1, 385, 202 
17 
23 
5 
45 
i 73,600 
45, 400 
50, 300 
22, 800 
39, 800 
45, 000 
Ohio River direct 
\ 2 2,717,187 
111 
0 
0 
111 
2, 018, 500 
2,170,000 
4, 253, 700 
0 
0 
0 
Total 
203,900 
18,815,846 
545 
340 
105 
990 
4, 806, 000 
5, 545, 700 
7, 594, 300 
650, 600 
915, 800 
1,071, 500 
Table 12.—Physical aspects of suggested program of pollution control, Ohio River Basin OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
57 
Basin 
Suggested program of pollution control 
Municipal treatment 
Interceptor 
construction 
required 
Independent 
industrial 
waste correc- 
tion required 
Mine acid load 
economical to 
remove for 
average cost of 
$10 per ton- 
year, in tons 
per year 
Remarks 
Population involved 
Improvements 
Total 
Now con- 
nected 
1940 census 
Now sewer- 
ed or con- 
nected 
1940 census 
79.600 
25,000 
82.600 
180,300 
4,800 
1,100 
11,200 
0 
0 
19,800 
19,100 
6,300 
71,000 
47.700 
1,700 
18.700 
495,200 
6,500 
20.700 
3,900 
0 
77,300 
21,800 
85,400 
185,000 
5,000 
1,200 
12,000 
0 
0 
27,100 
20,500 
9,000 
80.700 
51.700 
4,700 
25,000 
544,500 
9, 400 
29,000 
7,400 
0 
i 791,800 
i 801, 200 
379,700 
316,900 
10,100 
21,500 
175,600 
19,700 
43.600 
30,900 
26,200 
20,300 
198,200 
83,400 
4,900 
29.600 
787,800 
178, 500 
510,100 
i 100,300 
2,018,500 
999, 300 
888,200 
386,100 
352,900 
10.500 
29,000 
196,000 
23,800 
58.700 
51,400 
31, 500 
31.600 
225, 700 
92.500 
10.700 
48, 300 
1,014, 500 
269, 400 
681,500 
92.600 
2,170,000 
Yes 
Yes . 
164,960 
198,680 
6,500 
3 19,000 
50 
0 
2,170 
1,330 
18,320 
7,100 
Low flow control suggested. 
Additional low flow control suggested. 
Do. 
Low flow control suggested. 
Additional low flow control suggested. 
Low flow control of value in all basins. 
Yes 
Yes.. . . 
Yes 
Yes 
Yes 
No 
Yes 
No 
Yes 
Yes . 
Yes 
No 
Yes 
No.. . 
Yes 
Yes 
Yes . 
Yes 
Yes .. ... . 
Yes 
Yes . 
9,520 
Yes 
Yes 
Yes 
No 
23,140 
30,403 
93,070 
10,770 
4 77,756 
Yes 
Yes 
Yes 
Yes 
Yes 
Yes 
Yes . 
1,095,200 
1, 202,700 
6,551,800 
7,664,200 
All basins... 
/No. .5 basins 
VYes. 16 basins 
} 662,769 
1 Includes some population to be served in Ohio River plants. 
2 Population of Covington-Newport area is included under “Ohio River direct”, 
s Muskingum and Hocking Rivers shown together. 
‘ Includes 11,070 tons per year from unclassified mines in Virginia. 
90035—43—pt. 1 5 58 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Basin 
Drainage 
area, square 
miles 
Population 
(1940 
census) 
Estimated cost of suggested program of pollution control (dollars) 
Estimated capital cost 
Municipal treatment 
Independent 
industrial 
Total 
Inter- 
treatment, 
Mine seal- 
Primary 
Secondary 
Improve- 
ments 
Total 
ceptors 
pretreatment 
connections, 
etc. 
ing 
By basins 
Per 
capita s 
Allegheny River— 
11,730 
1, 236, 694 
5,070,000 
890,000 
390,000 
6,350,000 
3, 670, 000 
660,000 
1, 460, 000 
12,140, 000 
9.80 
Moriongahela River - 
7, 380 
1, 264,674 
4, 710,000 
1,480, 000 
80, 000 
6,270, 000 
5,870,000 
1,110,000 
1, 600,000 
14.850,000 
11.70 
Beaver River 
3,145 
728,368 
2, 660,000 
160, 000 
150,000 
2,970, 000 
1,990,000 
1,040,000 
50,000 
6,050,000 
8. 30 
Muskingum River 
8, 040 
812, 028 
1,100,000 
1,160,000 
390,000 
2,650, 000 
2,220, 000 
310, 000 
3 no, ooo 
5, 290, 000 
6.50 
Little Kanawha River - .. 
2, 320 
92, 355 
85,000 
0 
5,000 
90,000 
120, 000 
0 
0 
210,000 
2.30 
Hocking River 
1,185 
113,555 
305,000 
70, 000 
5,000 
380,000 
240,000 
0 
(3) 
620,000 
5.50 
Kanawha River 
12,300 
834,835 
1, 520,000 
860,000 
90,000 
2,470, 000 
2, 530, 000 
1, 270,000 
120,000 
6,390,000 
7.70 
Guyandot River 
1,670 
148, 257 
300,000 
0 
0 
300,000 
230,000 
0 
10,000 
540,000 
3.60 
Big Sandy River . .. 
4,280 
411,905 
610,000 
130,000 
0 
740, 000 
500,000 
0 
240,000 
1, 480,000 
3.60 
Scioto River ... ... .. 
6, 510 
739, 551 
240,000 
200,000 
230,000 
670,000 
260, 000 
370,000 
40,000 
1,340, 000 
1.80 
Little Miami River 
1,755 
135, 474 
70, 000 
230,000 
110, 000 
410,000 
120,000 
50, 000 
0 
580, 000 
4.30 
Licking River 
3, 670 
170,143 
40,000 
420,000 
60,000 
520,000 
180, 000 
10,000 
0 
710,000 
4.20 
Miami River ... 
5,385 
830, 481 
820,000 
820,000 
480,000 
2,120,000 
1, 560,000 
1,180,000 
0 
4,860, 000 
5.90 
Kentucky River 
6,940 
481,969 
210,000 
370,000 
90,000 
670,000 
460, 000 
360, 000 
130,000 
1,620,000 
3. 40 
Salt River 
2,890 
139,868 
0 
140,000 
60,000 
200,000 
10,000 
250,000 
0 
460,000 
3.30 
Green River.. ... 
9,220 
444,392 
150,000 
290,000 
160,000 
600,000 
180,000 
0 
310,000 
1, 090,000 
2.50 
Wabash River 
33,100 
2, 508, 598 
2,130,000 
5,310, 000 
1, 430, 000 
8,870,000 
3,960, 000 
1,690,000 
80,000 
14, 600,000 
5.80 
Cumberland River .. 
18,000 
1, 129,002 
1, 280, 000 
970,000 
80,000 
2, 330,000 
4, 540,000 
270,000 
780,000 
7,920,000 
7.00 
Tennessee River 
40,600 
2, 491, 298 
4,650,000 
2, 580,000 
190,000 
7, 420,000 
15, 450, 000 
1,610,000 
100,000 
24, 580,000 
9.90 
Minor tributaries. 
/ 1,385,202 
520,000 
830,000 
70,000 
1,420,000 
890, 000 
280,000 
480,000 
3, 070, 000 
2.20 
Ohio River direct 
\ 2, 717, 187 
27, 560,000 
0 
0 
27, 560,000 
40,350,000 
3,120,000 
0 
71,030,000 
26.10 
Total 
203,900 
18, 815, 846 
54,030,000 
16,910,000 
4,070, 000 
75,010,000 
85,330,000 
13, 580,000 
5, 510, 000 
179,430,000 
9.50 
Table 13.—Economic aspects of suggested program of pollution control,1 Ohio River Basin OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
59 
Basin 
Estimated cost of suggested program of pollution control (dollars) 
Estimated annual cost 
Operation and maintenance 
Amortization and interest 
Total 
estimated 
annual cost 
Municipal 
treatment 
Interceptors 
Independ- 
ent 
industrial 
treatment, 
pretreat- 
ment con- 
nections, 
etc. 
Mine 
sealing 
Total 
Municipal 
treatment 
Interceptors 
Independent 
industrial 
treatment, 
pretreatment 
connections, 
etc. 
Mine 
sealing 
Total 
Allegheny River - 
Monongahela River- 
Beaver River - 
Muskingum River 
Little Kanawha River 
Hocking River 
Kanawha River 
Guyandot River 
Big Sandy River 
Scioto River 
Little Miami River 
Licking River 
Miami River 
Kentucky River 
Salt River 
Green River.. 
Wabash River 
Cumberland River 
Tennessee River 
M inor tributaries 
Ohio River direct - 
Total 
305,000 
270,000 
190,000 
105,000 
5,000 
17,000 
115,000 
15,000 
35,000 
30,000 
16,000 
24,000 
95,000 
30,000 
10,000 
30,000 
375,000 
135,000 
395,000 
70,000 
1, 765,000 
Negligible.. _ 
do 
do_ 
do 
do— 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do_ 
do 
do 
do 
do 
140,000 
320,000 
235,000 
100,000 
0 
0 
240,000 
0 
0 
40,000 
4,000 
1,000 
185,000 
5,000 
4,000 
0 
250,000 
15,000 
190,000 
40,000 
705,000 
158,000 
173,000 
6,000 
» 11, 000 
0 
(3) 
13,000 
1,000 
26,000 
4,000 
0 
0 
0 
14.000 
0 
33,000 
9,000 
84,000 
11,000 
52,000 
0 
603,000 
763,000 
431,000 
216,000 
5,000 
17,000 
368,000 
16,000 
61,000 
74,000 
20, 000 
25,000 
280,000 
49, 000 
14,000 
63,000 
634,000 
234,000 
596,000 
162,000 
2,470,000 
450,000 
440,000 
210,000 
185,000 
6,000 
27,000 
175,000 
20,000 
50,000 
50,000 
29,000 
36,000 
150, 000 
45,000 
14,000 
40,000 
625, 000 
165,000 
520,000 
100,000 
1,940,000 
170,000 
275,000 
95,000 
105,000 
5,000 
11,000 
120,000 
10,000 
25,000 
10,000 
5,000 
8,000 
75,000 
25,000 
1,000 
10,000 
185,000 
215,000 
725.000 
40,000 
1,890,000 
90,000 
150,000 
135,000 
40,000 
0 
0 
165,000 
0 
• o 
50,000 
6,000 
1,000 
155,000 
55,000 
41,000 
0 
220, 000 
35,000 
205,000 
35,000 
410,000 
61,000 
67,000 
2,000 
» 5,000 
0 
(3) 
5,000 
1,000 
10,000 
2,000 
0 
0 
0 
5,000 
0 
13,000 
3,000 
33,000 
4,000 
20,000 
0 
771,000 
932,000 
442,000 
335,000 
11,000 
38,000 
465,000 
31,000 
85,000 
112,000 
40,000 
45,000 
380,000 
130,000 
56,000 
63,000 
1,033,000 
448,000 
1,454,000 
195,000 
4,240,000 
1,374,000 
1,695,000 
873,000 
551,000 
16,000 
55,000 
833,000 
47,000 
146,000 
186, 000 
60,000 
70,000 
660,000 
179,000 
70,000 
126,000 
1,667,000 
682,000 
2,050,000 
357,000 
6,710,000 
4,032,000 
do 
2,474,000 
595,000 
7,101,000 
5,277,000 
4, 005,000 
1, 793,000 
231,000 
11,306,000 
18,407,000 
1 The cost of providing sewerage facilities would be in the magnitude of $100,000,000. 
2 Based on total population. 
3 Muskingum and Hocking Rivers shown together. 60 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
174. The portion of the program devoted to existing waste sources 
contemplates provision of 545 new primary and 340 new secondary 
sewage-treatment plants, improvement of existing sewage-treatment 
facilities at 105 localities, interceptor sewer construction, mine 
sealing, and independent industrial waste correction where needed. 
A total of approximately 6,551,800 persons are now serviced by sewers 
in the affected places, and the 1940 population involved is 7,664,200. 
Accomplishment of the program would of necessity be a gradual process. 
175. Cost estimates in table 13 are based on a review of cost expe- 
rience in the eastern United States during recent years. Separate 
estimates were made for each correction suggested but, in general, 
these were not based on detailed engineering surveys. Thus, individ- 
ual estimates are subject to error, but the summarized estimates 
shown are considered to be a good indication of the probable cost of 
accomplishing the suggested program at mid-1942 prices. 
176. Annual costs were computed on the basis of amortization per- 
iods of 40 years for interceptors, 20 years for municipal treatment 
plants, and 10 years or less for independent industrial waste correc- 
tions. The interest rate used is 3% percent for municipal construc- 
tion, and 5 percent for industrial construction. Annual costs for 
interceptors and sewage-treatment plants were computed at the lower 
interest rate. 
177. The cost of controlling pollution, including provisions of 
interceptor sewers, but exclusive of community sewerage systems, is 
estimated to be $179,430,000. This includes a 15-percent allowance 
for engineering and contingencies. Annual charges are estimated at 
$18,407,000 (table 13), or about $1 per capita when distributed over 
the total population of the basin. However, it should be noted that 
“total population” includes the population of communities which 
have'already provided treatment. Costs are distributed as follows: 
Municipal treatment $75, 010, 000 
Interceptors 85, 330, 000 
Subtotal 160,340, 000 
Independent industrial treatment 13, 580, 000 
Mine sealing 5,510,000 
Subtotal . __ __19, 09Q> 000 
Total - _~179, 4307000 
Annual charges are distributed as follows: 
Municipal treatment $9, 309, 000 
Interceptors 4, 005, 000 
Subtotal — 13,314, 000 
Independent industrial treatment 4, 267, 000 
Mine sealing 826, 000 
Subtotal - 5, 093, 000 
Total 18, 407, 000 
178. Per capita annual charges for the first two items in the fore- 
going tabulation (municipal treatment facilities and interceptor 
sewers) average $1.70 for the entire basin, based on the present popu- 
lation of communities to be served. 
179. Estimated per capita costs range from $0.90 in the Allegheny 
River Basin to $2.60 in areas immediately adjacent to the Ohio River. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
61 
The following factors are of importance in determining these costs: 
the extent and distribution of community development in the various 
sub-basins; stream-discharge characteristics; industrial waste loads 
to be treated with community wastes; and predominant stream uses. 
In general, sewage treatment facilities may be provided for per capita 
costs in rough inverse proportion to community size. However, in 
large communities, interceptor construction is frequently expensive, 
and treatment plant sites difficult to find, resulting in increased unit 
costs which offset the savings otherwise inherent in large plants. 
180. The estimated cost of the facilities at Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, 
and Louisville is $42,580,000, being 60 percent of the cost of con- 
templated facilities along the main stream, and 27 percent of those in 
the entire watershed. If all of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area were 
regarded as a main stream community the total estimated cost for the 
Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Louisville areas would be $60,900,000, 
distributed as follows: 
Pittsburgh (metropolitan area). $35, 900, 000 
Cincinnati 19, 000, 000 
Louisville 6, 000, 000 
Total 60,900,000 
181. The mine-sealing program outlined could be provided for an 
estimated annual cost of $826,000 (operation and maintenance, 
$595,000; amortization and interest, $231,000; table 13) or about 
$0.04 per capita when distributed over the present total population 
of the Ohio River Basin (18,816,000, 1940 census) or about 4 mills per 
ton of coal produced. Maximum annual per capita charges, based on 
total subbasin populations, would be experienced in the Allegheny 
and Monongahela River Basins, and have been estimated as $0.18 
and $0.19, respectively. 
. 182. The estimated cost of the outlined program for independent 
industrial waste treatment, if borne by the general public, would ap- 
proximate $0.23 per capita per year based on the total population of the 
oasin. Estimated costs for individual basins would vary from zero to 
$0.51 per capita per year, depending on the volume, extent, and type 
°f industrial activities involved. 
183. If it is assumed that the public eventually must bear the cost 
°f waste control measures, either directly or indirectly, the previously 
Mentioned average annual per capita cost of $1 may be considered 
applicable. The distribution of expenditure would be as follows: 
Municipal treatment $0. 73 
Industrial treatment . 23 
Mine sealing . 04 
Total. 1.00 
figures must be used with great caution because they are based 
3. total population,” which includes the population of communities 
tnch have already provided treatment. 
Probable accomplishments oj the pollution-control program.—The 
of pollution control outlined in this report section would 
atenally improve the streams of the Ohio River Basin for all im- 
fa r,tant water uses. Anticipated results may be classified as “satis- 
c 0IT control” and “limited control.” In general, “satisfactory 
str r W0 result in maintenance of “des’irable” standards of 
“li^.®1 Quality (see table 7) commensurate with water use, while 
ttmed control” would result in partial amelioration of present 62 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
objectionable conditions commensurate with the technical limitations 
of waste treatment methods and with the needs of the people in other 
directions. 
185. The program would reduce bacterial pollution sufficiently to 
insure the safety of efficiently treated community water supplies 
from surface sources. In general, satisfactory control would result, 
and average coliform bacteria densities would not in any month exceed 
50 per milliliter at water supply intakes. Taste and odor troubles 
resulting from industrial waste pollution and hardness and acidity 
resulting from acid mine drainage would be materially reduced. 
186. Industrial water supplies and navigation and water power use 
of streams would be improved by the program, largely as a result of 
mine sealing. The degree of control would vary from “limited” to 
“satisfactory,” and major benefits would accrue in the upper tributary 
areas of the Ohio River Basin. Improvement of limited extent would 
occur in the lower Monongahela River where monthly average 
acidities as great as 33 parts per million have been observed. It is 
anticipated that the outlined program would reduce peak monthly 
average acidities, by 19 parts per million, to about 14 parts per million 
in this reach. 
187. In general, agricultural water supplies would be made suitable, 
or improved, for stock-watering purposes. Satisfactory improvement 
would not be universal because of such exceptions as small tributaries 
locally polluted with mine acids. 
188. Recreational facilities would be benefited by the program 
largely as a result of the control of bacterial and acid pollution. The 
safety of waters now used in an organized manner for swimming 
would be insured, subject to reasonable local inspection and regulation. 
Limited improvement would result in other stream reaches. Fish 
life would be protected and, in many instances, restored. An improve- 
ment of the latter type is anticipated on the lower Allegheny River. 
189. The program would also improve general sanitary conditions 
and, with few exceptions, would result in the maintenance of “desir- 
able” characteristics of stream quality in this respect. 
190. The first step in the foregoing plan should be directed toward 
the control of pollution at those communities whose wastes adversely 
and dangerously affect public sources of water supply. 
191. About 30 sources of water supply, taken from the Ohio River 
proper and serving about 1,660,000 people are endangered by the 
disposal of wastes to the stream. Listed below are those main river 
locations where treatment of wastes is necessary to adequately protect 
water supplies of downstream communities. While grouped in order 
and extent of pollutive effects, all locations are considered of equal 
importance in the initial program for abatement: 
Group 1: 
Huntington, W. Va. 
Catlettsburg, Ky. 
Ashland, Ky. 
Ironton, Ohio. 
Group 2: 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (Allegheny County 
area). 
Ambridge, Pa. 
Aliquippa, Pa. 
East Liverpool, Ohio. 
Group 3: 
Portsmouth, Ohio. 
Weirton, W. Va. 
Steubenville, Ohio. 
Owensboro, Ky. 
Group 4: 
Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Louisville, Ky. 
Group 5: 
Wheeling, W. Va. 
Evansville, Ind. 
Parkersburg, W. Va. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
63 
192. Pollution abatement in the areas listed in group 1 is necessary 
if the raw public water supplies in the Huntington to Portsmouth 
reach of the Ohio River are to be brought up to the standards fixed 
by modern sanitary engineering. The work suggested in groups 2 
and 3 is also essential, because of present excessive bacterial pollution 
of raw public water supplies. Group 4 communities discharge wastes 
in sufficient volume to fix the sanitary condition of relatively long 
stream reaches. Hence, improvement is also necessary at these 
points. Group 5 communities are situated so as to fix the sanitary 
condition of comparatively long stream reaches, although they do 
not effect such severe downstream damages as does pollution from 
areas of the foregoing groups. Improvements in group 5 seem required 
in any comprehensive plan for improvement of the main stream. 
193. A program of mine sealing, as outlined herein, should parallel 
the foregoing improvements. 
194. It should not be implied that tributary basin pollution prob- 
lems should wait for solution on abatement progress on the main 
stream nor, on the other hand, should the converse be true. How- 
ever, while tributary problems in many instances are severe, their 
extent is usually localized and populations damaged are usually small. 
Severe tributary problems include the following: 
Johnsonburg-St. Marys-Ridgway area, Clarion River, Pa. 
Youngstown District, Mahoning River, Ohio. 
Canton-Barberton-Massillon area, Tuscarawas River, Ohio. 
Charleston District, Kanawah River, W. Va. 
Columbus-Chillicothe reach, Scioto River, Ohio. 
Dayton-Hamilton reach, Miami River, Ohio. 
Terre Haute, Wabash River, Ind. 
Muncie-Anderson-Indianapolis reach, West Fork White River, Ind. 
Nashville District, Cumberland River, Tenn. 
Canton District, Pigeon River, Tenn. 
195. Listed below are those locations along the tributaries where 
Waste treatment is necessary to protect the water supplies of one or 
niore downstream communities. While the pollutive effects are not 
extensive as those of communities on the main river, treatment 
facilities are just as essential and should be included in the first step 
°f the program: 
girard, Ohio, 
xples, Ohio. 
Sidney, Ohio. 
Warren, Ohio. 
Youngstown area, Ohio. 
Chattanooga, Tenn. 
Knoxville, Tenn. 
Nashville, Tenn. 
Charleston Area, W. Va. 
Elkins, W. Va. 
Industries at Canton, N. C., and Johnsonburg, Pa., contribute severe 
Pollution from pulp and paper mills which adversely affects water 
Applies. Corrective measures should be taken just as soon as 
reasonable methods of treatment are available. 
XI. Conclusions 
i 196. Practically all streams in the Ohio River Basin are polluted 
y domestic and industrial wastes while some have severe corrosive 
fr&racteristics imparted to them by acid mine drainage. The degree 
* Pollution varies from gross nuisance conditions and menace to life 
health to conditions adverse to special uses of the streams such 
s swimming. A program of improvement has been developed from 64 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
the survey which is considered essential and justifiable. The improve- 
ment, if completed, will secure conditions more suitable and safe for 
the many uses imposed on the streams. 
A. MAIN OHIO RIVER 
197. The Ohio River proper is polluted to such an extent that 30 
sources of public water supply, serving about 1,660,000 people, are 
endangered. The threat to life and health is real as even now the 
coliform bacteria counts often exceed that considered safe for a source 
of water supply even though treated in a modern plant. The escape 
of certain disease-causing bacteria, viruses or substances from the 
water-treatment process, or the slightest failure in the process itself, 
may result in a serious epidemic. 
198. Findings indicate that sufficient control and abatement of 
pollution should be undertaken to protect properly these sources of 
water supply. This protection, as well as the attendant improvement 
of the general sanitary conditions of the Ohio River, more than 
justifies the cost of the necessary abatement program. The minimum 
degree and extent of treatment necessary to secure the desired pro- 
tection consists of the removal of approximately 50 percent of the 
suspended solids and 35 percent of the biochemical oxygen demand 
from all sewage entering the river from significant sources, with 
chlorination of these effluents where further reduction of the bacterial 
content is necessary for the protection of water supplies. It is there- 
fore essential: 
(a) That primary sewage treatment plants, with chlorination where 
necessary and the necessary interceptors, be constructed at the fol- 
lowing cities and adjacent metropolitan areas: 
Evansville, Ind. 
Ashland,. Ky. 
Catlettsburg, Ky. 
Louisville, Ky. 
Owensboro, Ky. 
Cincinnati, Ohio. 
East Liverpool, Ohio. 
Ironton, Ohio. 
Portsmouth, Ohio. 
Steubenville, Ohio. 
Aliquippa, Pa. 
Ambridge, Pa. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Huntington, W. Va. 
Parkersburg, W. Va. 
Weirton, W. Va. 
Wheeling, W. Va. 
(6) That the wastes of industrial plants located within the limits 
of the above-named cities and metropolitan areas, which cannot be 
accommodated in the municipal treatment works, be treated to a 
degree comparable to that provided by the cities. 
(c) That extensive study and research be given to those industrial 
wastes now difficult to treat in order to find practical methods of 
recovery or of treatment at reasonable costs. 
B. OHIO RIVER TRIBUTARIES 
199. The pollution of a number of the tributaries is as severe or evefl 
more severe than the worst reaches on the main Ohio River. The 
effect of such pollution, however, is for the most part local and has 
little importance on the Ohio River proper. Certain established water 
supplies are endangered and corrective measures, similar to those OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
65 
necessary for the cities and industries on the Ohio River proper, should 
be undertaken at the following cities and adjacent metropolitan areas: 
Girard, Ohio. 
Niles, Ohio. 
Sidney, Ohio. 
Warren, Ohio. 
Youngstown, Ohio. 
Chattanooga, Tenn. 
Knoxville, Tenn. 
Nashville, Tenn. 
Charleston, W. Va. 
Elkins, W. Va. 
Industries on the Pigeon River at Canton, N. C., and on the Clarion 
River at Johnsonburg, Pa., contribute severe pollution from pulp 
and paper mills. Continued intensive research directed toward the 
development of better disposal methods is essential if those streams 
are to be restored to better condition. Abatement of pollution at 
those two locations is not included as an initial objective. 
C. ACID MINE DRAINAGE 
200. All streams throughout the coal regions of the Ohio River 
Basin are badly polluted by acid mine drainage. Sealing of abandoned 
mines has reduced the amount of acid reaching the streams and has 
demonstrated the efficacy of mine sealing in the control of acid 
pollution. However, the measurable annual damage from corrosion 
and injury to water supplies, as of 1940, to users of the Ohio River 
and its tributaries above the Ohio-West Virginia-Pennsylvania State 
line, was over $2,000,000 and probably exceeded $3,000,000 for the 
entire basin. The intangible damages are probably equal to the 
tangible damages. 
201. Since mine sealing does not eliminate all acid reaching the 
streams from the mines, low flow control is desirable for dilution of the 
acid during relatively dry periods. Low flow control may be secured 
from many existing reservoirs and should be considered in all new 
reservoir projects. A combined program of limited mine sealing and 
low flow control will reduce the acid damage by about 55 percent. 
It will cost approximately $15,000,000 to complete the mine sealing 
program, of which $5,500,000 will be required for the first step con- 
sisting of a limited program (1940 restrictions) to be applied to mines 
or mine areas where costs will not exceed $10 per annual ton of acid 
now produced and to areas which were not connected to active venti- 
lating systems (in 1938). In addition, an annual expenditure of 
$1,000,000 will be required to inspect and maintain all existing and 
Hew seals under the outlined first step in the program. Experience 
and results will govern future steps in the program. This work should 
be accomplished under the supervision of the United States Bureau of 
Mines. 
D. GENERAL 
202. A program meeting the above requirements is the minimum 
Necessary to correct serious and dangerous stream conditions. Such a 
Program will not result in a water quality suitable for the many 
Possible uses of the streams. Specifically, it does not assure satisfac- 
tory conditions for the propagation and support of aquatic life or for 
recreation. 
203. A complete, well-balanced program, yielding maximum bene- 
fits obtainable at reasonable and justifiable costs, will involve an ex- 
penditure of approximately $200,000,000, exclusive of the cost of 66 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
certain prerequisite sewerage facilities. Such a program will improve 
the water quality of nearly all streams in the basin. Many stream 
reaches will be made suitable or more suitable for the support of fish 
life and recreational purposes. 
204. Except for commerce and navigation, the selection and estab- 
lishment of stream uses and the enforcement of antipollution measures 
to secure and maintain a water quality suitable for such uses appear to 
be proper functions of the States. While the Federal Government has 
a decided interest in the protection of public health and in wildlife 
conservation, as well as in the protection and development of com- 
merce and navigation, it is believed advisable that no definite action 
toward the enforcement of pollution abatement should be undertaken 
by the Federal Government unless all State and interstate action fails 
to secure the proper control. The proposed Ohio River Valley water 
sanitation compact, if modified and vitalized, would provide an im- 
proved means for uniform and effective control of all pollution inter- 
state in its effect. Individual States cooperating with the Ohio River 
Valley Water Sanitation Commission should be able to control 
uniformly and effectively all pollution intrastate in its effect. 
205. The principal obstacle to the abatement of pollution is the 
actual financing of the necessary facilities. The polluters, the State, 
and the Federal Government have a direct concern and interest in the 
effect of the discharge or deposit of organic and inorganic substances, 
acids, and dangerous disease-causing bacteria or viruses into all bodies 
of water. Active support and participation on the part of the States 
and the Federal Government are indicated and needed as a stimulus 
if any large and comprehensive program for the abatement of pollution 
is to be undertaken and properly completed in the Ohio River Basin. 
A comprehensive program of research and education is also needed to 
discover new and more economical methods of waste treatment and 
recovery and to inform the public of the necessity for the abatement 
of pollution. 
206. The tangible and intangible benefits accruing to the Federal 
Government in protecting health and general welfare in the Ohio 
River Basin, as well as benefits accruing in the reduction of damage to 
commerce and navigation and the general security obtained by the 
control of pollution, justify Federal financial aid. This aid should be 
in the form of grants (say 35 percent of the construction cost of abate- 
ment projects) and loans to States, their political subdivisions or 
municipalities. 
XII. Recommendations 
A. PROGRAM OF REMEDIAL MEASURES 
207. In view of the many factors involved, it is recommended that 
the Federal Government participate, as hereinafter set forth, in the 
following program for abatement of pollution on the Ohio River 
Basin, at an estimated total construction cost of approximately 
$200,000,000. Units of this program, in order of importance, follow: 
(a) Construction, at the earliest practicable date, of (1) primary 
treatment facilities for domestic sewage, including chlorination where 
necessary, by all communities located within the 27 metropolitan OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
67 
areas listed below and (2) industrial waste-treatment facilities, render- 
ing a degree of treatment equivalent to that provided by the com- 
munities, by all industries located within the same areas whose wastes 
cannot be handled by community facilities: 
Evansville, Ind. 
Ashland, Ky. 
Catlettsburg, Ky. 
Louisville, Ky. 
Owensboro, Ky. 
Cincinnati, Ohio. 
East Liverpool, Ohio 
Girard, Ohio 
Ironton, Ohio 
Niles, Ohio 
Portsmouth, Ohio 
Sidney, Ohio 
Steubenville, Ohio 
Warren, Ohio 
Youngstown, Ohio, area. 
Aliquippa, Pa. 
Ambridge, Pa. 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Chattanooga, Tenn. 
Knoxville, Tenn. 
Nashville, Tenn. 
Charleston, W. Va., area 
Elkins, W. Va. 
Huntington, W. Va. 
Parkersburg, W. Va. 
Weirton, W. Va. 
Wheeling, W. Va. 
(6) Reduction of acidity in the streams by— 
(1) Completing the present limited (1940 restrictions) mine-sealing 
program, at an estimated cost of approximately $5,500,000, and by 
providing for inspection and maintenance of ail existing and newly 
constructed seals. 
(2) Securing low flow control as far as practical from existing 
reservoirs and studying the possibility of including low flow control 
for the dilution of acid and organic pollution in future reservoirs. 
(3) Conducting investigations to discover ways and means for 
economically preventing acid mine drainage, uncontrolled by the 
limited program, from reaching streams. 
(c) Construction of all additional treatment plants and facilities 
as may be found necessary to complete the entire program of improve- 
ment. This additional work should be completed within a period of 
15 years. 
B. STATE COOPERATION 
208. In order that effective centralized control of existing and 
future sources of pollution within the Ohio River Basin may be 
secured and that the entire program outlined may be properly ad- 
ministered, full cooperation of the States is required. It is therefore 
recommended: 
(a) That the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Compact be 
to give the three commissioners representing the United 
States Government voting power equal to that of the commissioners 
representing the States. 
. (b) That article IX of the compact be amended to place all orders 
m effect by a two-thirds majority of the commissioners and deleting 
tne following clause from the first paragraph of article IX. 
* * * and no such order upon a municipality, corporation, person, or 
entity in any State shall go into effect unless and until it receives the assent of 
n°t less than a majority of the commissioners from such State. 
.(c) That the proposed Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Com- 
mission take control over all existing and future sources of pollution, 68 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
including acid drainage from mines other than that specifically recom- 
mended for correction by the Fedeial Government, affecting the 
normal use of water in another State. 
(<d) That the commission determine and designate stream usage of 
all streams in the basin including those intrastate in character, 
advising the proper State agency of their findings and decisions but 
issuing no ordeis on intrastate streams unless the pollution adversely 
affects the normal use of the water in another State. 
(e) That the States develop local procedures for administrative, 
political, and fiscal programs which would facilitate the installation, 
maintenance, and operation of treatment plants. The development 
of sewerage districts, sewer-rental programs, city-county integration 
and other such activities by the States are virtually prerequisites for 
successful pollution abatement. 
(/) That all applications for Federal aid (hereinafter recommended) 
be processed through the commission which shall forward all data, 
together with its recommendations, to the United States Public 
Health Service for the necessary Federal administrative action with 
respect to such aid. 
C. FEDERAL PARTICIPATION 
209. Since successful completion of the recommended program for 
abatement of pollution in the Ohio River Basin involves effective 
and active State control and participation, as well as financial and 
technical aid on the part of the Federal Government, the following 
recommendations are made subject to the fulfillment of State coop- 
eration recommended in paragraph 208 to the satisfaction of the 
Surgeon General. 
(a) That the United States Public Health Service be authorized to 
make grants (say 35 percent of the construction cost) to States, their 
political subdivisions, and municipalities within the basin to assist in 
financing the cost of pollution-abatement projects as recommended in 
paragraph 207. 
(b) That the United States Public Health Service be authorized, 
upon such terms as it may deem necessary for the protection of the 
United States, to make loans to States, their political subdivisions, 
and municipalities, toward the construction cost of all pollution- 
abatement projects recommended in paragraph 207. 
(c) That the United States Public Health Service, in acting upon all 
requests for the allocation of Federal funds, give preference to those 
projects which are essential for the protection of water supplies and 
navigation. 
210. Since some of the work and functions on the part of the 
Federal Government are independent of initial cooperation by the 
States, it is recommended: 
(a) That the Director of the Bureau of Mines be authorized to com- 
plete the present limited (1940 restrictions) mine-sealing program at 
an estimated cost of approximately $5,500,000. 
(b) That the Director of the Bureau of Mines be authorized to 
inspect and maintain all existing and newly constructed mine seals 
and to conduct investigations into ways and means of further reducing 
the amount of acid reaching the stream from the mines at a cost not to OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
69 
exceed $1,000,000 annually for a period of 15 years and that addi- 
tional funds be appropriated as required to extend the scope of the 
mine-sealing program. 
(c) That Congress authorize an annual appropriation to the 
United States Public Health Service sufficient to cover the cost of— 
(1) Reviewing and acting upon requests for allocation of Federal 
funds required to finance abatement projects. 
(2) Supervising the actual construction of the projects to insure 
that all Federal interests are protected. 
(3) Conducting a program of research to discover new and more 
economical methods of waste treatment. 
(4) Informing the public of the need for pollution abatement. 
(d) That the United States Public Health Service be authorized to 
utilize an appropriate agency of the United States, designated by the 
President, for the purpose of reviewing the title, locations, plans, and 
specifications for the construction of treatment works and of super- 
vising actual construction to insure that all Federal interests are 
Protected. 
Thomas M. Robins, 
Major General, 
Assistant Chief of Engineers.. 
Ralph E. Tarbett, 
Sanitary Engineer Director, 
United States Public Health Service. 
Abel Wolman, 
Consulting Engineer, 
Baltimore, McL 
Washington, D. C., April 20, 1943. APPENDIXES 
Appendix A 
ALLEGHENY RIVER BASIN 
SUMMARY 
211. General description.—The Allegheny River Basin has a drain- 
age area of 11,730 square miles. There are 9,775 square miles of the 
basin in western Pennsylvania, the remainder are in southwestern New 
Tork. The river flows across the Allegheny Plateau in a well-defined 
valley, which has more or less precipitous sides, and joins the Monon- 
gahela River at Pittsburgh, Pa., to form the Ohio River. Valley ele- 
vations range from about 700 to about 3,000 feet afbove mean sea 
level. The eastern portion of the basin is for the most part rugged 
and drained by many tributaries, the remainder of the basin is less 
rugged. Principal tributaries are the Kiskiminetas and Clarion Riv- 
and Crooked, Mahoning, Redbank, Tionesta, Conewango, and 
French Creeks. A general map of the basin is shown on plate 12. 
. 212. Coal mining and steel production are the most important basin 
Industries. Brewing, canning, meat packing, oil refining, tanning, and 
ne .manufacture of byproduct coke, pulp and paper, and textiles are 
1 significance and the sources of appreciable quantities of industrial 
sewage. Dairying and farming are also practiced in the basin. Nat- 
ral resources, in addition to coal, include oil, limestone, building and 
glass sands, gravel, fire clays, shales, and second-growth timber. 
~13. Excellent water power resources exist but have not been de- 
eloped fully, due to the competition of steam power which can be 
Pr°duced at relatively low cost because of cheap fuel. The main 
Ver is canalized for 72 miles above its mouth, and navigation facili- 
* es are used extensively. The Corps of Engineers has completed 
t Ur flood-control reservoirs in the basin; namely, Crooked Creek, 
r yalhanna, Mahoning, and Tionesta Reservoirs. Four additional 
bvTiV°^rs are authorized and eligible to be selected for construction 
th a °f Engineers. The largest of these would be located on 
6 Allegheny River above Warren, Pa., and would include storage 
Pacity for low flow regulation. 
I93n ‘ U1*ban population of the basin increased steadily prior to 
but decreased slightly during the past decade, while rural 
PonU at^°n bas increased steadily for a long period. The present 
1 230 ition of basin, exclusive of Pittsburgh, Pa., approximates 
coin About 42 percent of this number is urban. Principal 
j and their populations (1940 census) are as follows: 
Ja!X0Wn’ Pa 66, 668 Oil City, Pa 20, 379 
New S°Wrb N- Y 42, 638 Meadville, Pa___ 18, 919 
Ol Pa 24,055 Bradford, Pa 17,691 
’ N- Y. 21, 506 72 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
215. Water uses.—There are 225 public water supplies in the basin. 
These serve about 1,545,000 persons. Ninety-one surface supplies, 
aggregating 139.38 million gallons per day, serve 82 percent of the 
population which uses public supplies. Over 920,000 persons, or about 
60 percent of the population using public water supplies, are served 
from 21 surface sources which are subject to pollution from community 
sewer outfalls. All communities using polluted surface supplies 
practice coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and chlorination. 
Three of these plants also employ lime-soda softening. 
216. The quality of the streams used for water supplies is gen- 
erally good, except where damaged by acid mine drainage and domestic 
and industrial wastes. Low natural alkalinity and hardness are 
characteristic; hence, acid mine drainage presents a more serious 
problem in the Allegheny River Basin than in basins where the natural 
alkalinity of the streams is higher. 
217. Many clean streams in the mountainous northern regions are 
extensively used for recreation, as are Chautauqua Lake, Conneaut 
Lake, and other natural and artificial lakes in the basin. Piney power 
plant, on the Clarion River, is the only sizable hydroelectric develop- 
ment. Industrial water supply is of considerable importance. 
218. Low flow characteristics at three selected stream stations in 
the basin are as follows: 
Stream.. 
Location 
Drainage area (square miles).. 
Period considered 
French Creek 
Saegerstown, 
Pa. 
629 
1921-39 
Clarion River 
Piney, Pa. 
980 
1924-39 
Kiskiminetas 
River 
Avonmore, Pa. 
1,723 
1907-37 
June to September discharge (cubic feet per second): 
Minimum single month 
36 
81 
90 
Minimum 4-inonth average 
52 
162 
408 
Average. 
282 
599 
1,414 
219. Sources of pollution.—About 919,800 persons, or 61 percent 
of the population of the basin, are served by sewers. Of these, 
273,600 live within the city limits of Pittsburgh, Pa. Industrial 
wastes, after application of various corrective measures now practiced, 
have a net population equivalent of 678,400 (based on biochemical 
oxygen demand), of which 5,200, or less than 1 percent, receive 
further treatment in municipal plants. About 40 percent of the 
industrial wastes of the basin enter the Allegheny River in the 30-mile 
reach below the mouth of the Kiskiminetas River. Twenty-tv0 
primary and nineteen secondary municipal waste treatment plants, 
in which about $5,460,000 have been invested, serve 109,000 and 
55,300 persons, respectively, and reduce the combined population 
equivalent of domestic and industrial wastes, as discharged, to about 
1,514,400. Summarized data follow: 
Waste sources: 
Total population (1940 census): 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (Allegheny River portion) 283, 440 
Remainder of Allegheny River Basin 1, 236, 694 < 
“ l’ 520lJS 
Sewered population: 
Connected to municipal treatment 164, 300 
Not connected to municipal treatment 755, 500 
: 919, 800 OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
73 
Waste sources—Continued. 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after appli- 
cation of independent corrective measures now in 
force, but prior to other treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 5, 200 
Not connected to municipal treatment: 
Brewing 53, 800 
Byproduct coke r 84, 000 
Canning 57, 900 
Chemical 9,600 
Distilling 19, 600 
Meat 90, 600 
Milk 17,900 
Oil refining J’ 35, 900 
Paper 94, 400 
Tanning 63, 700 
Textile 124, 300 
Miscellaneous 21, 500 
673, 200 
678, 400 
Total (population equivalent) 1, 598, 200 
astes as discharged: 
Human wastes (sewered) (population equivalent after 
all present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 82, 500 
Not connected to municipal treatment 755, 500 
838, 000 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after all 
present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 3, 200 
Not connected to municipal treatment 673, 200 
676, 400 
Total waste residual (population equivalent) 1, 514, 400 
Note.—Single industries of a specific classification are included within the miscellaneous classification. 
220. The intensity of pollution from acid mine drainage is second 
to that in the Monongahela River Basin and amounts to about 
75,400 tons of acid per year (calcium carbonate equivalent). Over 
2 percent of the mine acid load is discharged in the basin of the 
jmutary Kiskiminetas River, the most heavily acid large stream in 
entire Ohio River Valley. Prior to the inception of mine sealing 
ne acid load was about 9 percent higher than the above figure. 
221. Spent acid discharges from steel-mill pickling operations 
to about 3,375 tons per year (calcium carbonate equivalent), 
Riv°f which is discharged to the Kiskiminetas and lower Allegheny 
-. 222. Extent oj 'pollution.—During the period from July to December 
y40, the Public Health Service collected and analyzed more than 765 
ater samples from over 240 stream stations in the basin. Fifty- 
even percent were collected during July, August, and September, and 
remainder in October, November, and December. Average 
on the days of sampling during the summer and fall months 
a«less than half the mean June to September discharge of record. 
223. Average monthly dissolved oxygen results of less than 5 parts 
st/ mi^on were observed at about 11 percent of the stations on normal 
reams and at 5 percent on acid streams. The lowest results were 
p e^ow Corry, Johnsonburg, Kane, Clarion, Bradford, and 
90035—43—pt. 1 6 74 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
224. At approximately 75 percent of the stations on both normal 
and acid streams monthly average biochemical oxygen demands of 
less than 3 parts per million were observed. At about 15 percent of the 
stations on normal streams and 5 percent on acid streams average 
oxygen demands of over 5 parts per million were observed. The worst 
conditions were found on tributaries below Kane, St. Marys, John- 
sonburg, DuBois, Derry, and Ridgeway, Pa. 
225. Average monthly coliform counts of more than 200 per milli- 
liter were observed at 24 percent of the stations on normal streams 
and at less than 3 percent of the stations on acid streams, thus indicat- 
ing the effect of acid pollution in reducing coliform bacteria densities. 
The highest coliform counts were observed below Kane, Corry, 
DuBois, and Derry, Pa. 
226. Acid stream conditions were observed at approximately one- 
third of the sampling stations in the basin. The range of pH values 
was from 2.4 to 6.9. In addition to the main Kiskiminetas River, 
where the highest concentration of acid in the Allegheny River Basin 
was observed, Mahoning Creek, Crooked Creek, Cowanshannock 
Creek, and Loyallianna Creek showed evidence of pollution by acid 
mine drainage. 
227. Results of analyses for 12 sampling dates during the period 
September to December 1940 showed the dissolved oxygen content, the 
coliform bacteria content, and the pH value of the Allegheny River 
at its mouth to be higher and .the biochemical oxygen demand to be 
lower than those at the mouth of the Monongahela River on most of 
the sampling dates. Plates 12, 13, 14, and 15 include data on sources 
of coliform bacteria, dissolved oxygen, and pH results. 
228. Methods of 'pollution control.—The major pollution problems 
in the Allegheny River Basin are caused by acid mine drainage; indus- 
trial wastes, particularly in the Clarion River Basin; and domestic 
sewage, particularly in the vicinity of Pittsburgh. 
229. Control of acidity can best be accomplished by a combined 
program of mine sealing and low flow regulation. Storage in the 
required amount for low flow regulation could be provided incidental 
to flood-control operations in reservoirs built and authorized in the 
basin or as a separate feature in the authorized Allegheny River 
Reservoir. 
230. All of the industries in the Clarion River Basin have taken 
steps to reduce pollution, but any major improvement in conditions 
there will require the development of better industrial waste-treatment 
techniques if plant operations continue at the present level. 
231. Primary treatment and chlorination should be adequate for 
all municipal sewage from the Pittsburgh area. All or most of the 
wastes entering the streams in this region could be most economically 
treated at a large plant on the Ohio River. Primary sewage treat- 
ment should also be adequate for communities on the Allegheny River 
proper with the exception of Olean, N. Y., and Coudersport, Pa.; 
and adequate at Johnstown and Latrobe, Pa., and at other communi- 
ties on strongly acid streams. Secondary treatment appears to be 
necessary at Bradford and DuBois, Pa., and at five smaller communi- 
ties in the upper part of the basin, located on streams subject to near- 
zero flows. Supplemental treatment is suggested at seven commu- 
nities, including Jamestown and Olean, N. Y. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
75 
232. The estimated cost of a suggested program of pollution con- 
trol is shown in the following table. The program would eliminate 
local nuisance, improve streams for use as public water supplies, and 
restore and improve streams for recreational purposes. 
Suggested program of pollution control for the Allegheny River Basin—Economic 
aspects 
Suggested pollution control 
measures 
Population 
Estimated cost 
Type 
Num- 
ber 
Now 
sewered 
1940 
census 
Design 
Capital 
Annual 
Opera- 
tion and 
mainte- 
nance 
Amorti- 
zation 
and 
interest 
Total 
Municipal treatment: 
Primary 
Secondary 
Improvements - 
T Subtotal - 
interceptors - ... 
86 
7 
7 
i 654,300 
67,900 
79,600 
863,400 
58,600 
77,300 
586, 500 
70,400 
$5,070,000 
890,000 
390,000 
$235,000 
50,000 
20,000 
$360,000 
60,000 
30,000 
$595,000 
110,000 
50,000 
100 
i 791,800 
999,300 
6, 350,000 
3,670,000 
660,000 
1,460,000 
305,000 
(2) 
140,000 
158,000 
450,000 
170,000 
90,000 
61,000 
755,000 
170,000 
230,000 
219,000 
industrial treatment 
M*te sealing 
(3) 
(*) 
Subtotal . .. 
12,140,000 
2,430,000 
603,000 
771,000 
1,374,000 
emergency allowance, 20 
Percent 5 
Total 
14,570,000 
* Includes some population to be served in Ohio River plants. 
! Negligible. 
includes such items as minor corrections, process changes, sewer construction, treatment plants, etc. 
initial program contemplates sealing of 164,960 ton-years of acid. 
■Estimated additional cost of program if provided during the present emergency period. 
Appendix B 
MONONGAHELA RIVER BASIN 
SUMMARY 
233. General description.—The Monongahela River drains an area 
°* 7,380 square miles. Its watershed embraces the southwest corner 
°| Pennsylvania and the northeast portion of West Virginia, and in- 
cludes a small section of western Maryland. The river flows across 
the rugged Appalachian Plateau, through narrow valleys that are 
?®yeral hundred feet below the uplands, and joins the Allegheny 
River at Pittsburgh, Pa., to form the Ohio River. Valley elevations 
lunge from about 700 to about 4,700 feet above mean sea level. 
Principal tributaries are the Youghiogheny, Cheat, Tygart, and West 
*°rk Rivers. A general map of the basin is shown on plate 16. 
234. Coal mining and steel production in the basin are of sufficient 
to be of national importance. Brewing, dairying, distill- 
|ng, meat packing, tanning, and the manufacture of byproduct'coke 
nd chemicals are extensively practiced in the valley. Natural re- 
°urces in addition to coal include limestone, gas, and abundant water 
Power. 
• 235. The Monongahela River is canalized for its entire length. It 
0ne of the most intensively used inland waterways in the world. 76 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Tygart Reservoir, located above Grafton, W. Va., and Youghiogheny 
Reservoir, now under construction above Confluence, Pa., are Federal 
projects to provide flood control and low-flow regulation in the basin. 
236. The urban population of the basin increased considerably 
between 1910 and 1930, but only slightly in the past decade. The 
rural population has shown a slight, uniform increase in the past 3 
decades. The present population of the basin, exclusive of Pittsburgh, 
Pa., is about 1,264,700, of which 46 percent is urban. Principal com- 
munities and their populations (1940 census) are as follows: 
McKeesport, Pa 55, 355 
Clarksburg, W. Va 30, 579 
Wilkinsburg, Pa_. 29, 853 
Fairmont, W. Va 23, 105 
Uniontown, Pa 21, 819 
Duquesne, Pa 20, 693 
Monessen, Pa 20, 257 
237. Water uses.—There are 153 public water supplies in the basin 
of which 98, aggregating about 59.42 million gallons per day and serv- 
ing 811,200 persons, are from surface sources. About 84 percent of 
the population using public water supplies is served by 57 surface 
supplies subject to pollution from community sewer outfalls. Most 
of the communities using polluted surface waters practice coagulation, 
sedimentation, filtration, and chlorination. Five plants also employ 
softening processes. The acidity of surface waters presents unsual 
problems in treatment and corrosiveness. Twenty public surface 
water supplies from the main stream have average pH values ranging 
from 4.0 to 5.0 in the raw water. 
238. Several reservoirs are intensively used for recreation, as are 
many clean streams in the eastern part of the basin. The acidity of 
the main stream, the high degree of industrial development along its 
banks, and the intensive use of the stream for commercial navigation 
prevent satisfactory recreational use of the Alonongahela River 
proper. Two hydroelectric developments on tributary streams have 
been constructed by private interests and have provided some bene- 
ficial regulation during periods of low flow. There is extensive use of 
surface waters for industrial purposes. 
239. Low flow characteristics at four selected stream stations in 
the basin are as follows: 
Stream. 
Location 
Drainage area (square 
miles). 
Period considered - 
Youghiogheny, 
River 
Sutersville, Pa. 
1,715 
1920-36,1939 
Cheat River 
Pisgah, W. Va. 
1,360 
1927-39 
Tygart River 
Fetterman, W. Va. 
1,304 
1907-38 
West Fork River 
Clarksburg, W.Va. 
384 
1923-39 
June to September dis- 
charge (cubic feet per 
second): 
Minimum single 
month 
185 
43 
4 
4 
Minimum 4-month 
average 
566 
452 
151 
8 
Average - 
1,314 
1, 356 
1,211 
224 
240. Sources of 'pollution.—About 862,200 persons, or 58 percent of 
the total population of the basin, are served by sewers. Of these, 
210,600 live within the city limits of Pittsburgh, Pa. Industrial 
wastes contribute an additional net population equivalent of 426,300 
after application of various corrective measures now in use (based on 
biochemical oxygen demand). Less than 0.5 percent of these latter OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
77 
wastes receive municipal treatment. Almost 50 percent of the com- 
bined organic pollution load enters the main stream in the 15.6-mile 
reach below the Yougliiogheny River. Of 86 industrial establish- 
ments which are sources of wastes which do not receive municipal 
treatment, 26 have taken at least minor corrective measures to reduce 
pollution of the streams. Thirteen primary and seven secondary 
municipal waste-treatment plants, in which about $1,500,000 have 
been invested, serve 45,800 and 20,300 persons, respectively, and aid 
in reducing the combined population equivalent of domestic and 
industrial wastes, as discharged, to about 1,254,700. Summarized 
data follow: 
Waste sources: 
Total population (1940 census): 
Pittsburgh, Pa. (Monongahela River portion)__ 218, 289 
Remainder of Monongahela River Basin 1, 264, 674 
1, 482, 963 
Sewered population: 
Connected to municipal treatment 66, 100 
Not connected to municipal treatment 796, 100 
862, 200 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after appli- 
cation of independent corrective measures now in 
force, but prior to other treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 2, 000 
Not connected to municipal treatment: 
Brewing 49, 100 
Byproduct coke 240, 000 
Distilling 94, 000 
Meat 6, 100 
Milk 3,300 
Tanning 25, 000 
Textile 1, 000 
Miscellaneous 5, 800 
424, 300 
426,300 
Total (population equivalent) 1, 288, 500 
Pastes as discharged: 
Human wastes (sewered) (population equivalent after 
all present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 33, 100 
Not connected to municipal treatment 796, 100 
829, 200 
industrial wastes (population equivalent after all 
present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 1, 200 
Not connected to municipal treatment 424, 300 
425, 500 
Total waste residual (population equivalent) 1,254,700 
*''0TEi Single industries of a specific classification are included within the miscellaneous classification. 
js Pollution by mine drainage in the Monongahela River Basin 
y y?0re intense than in any other major subbasin of the Ohio River 
0j W Mine sealing has reduced the original acid load by an average 
30 percent, leaving a residual acid load of about 646,000 tons 
(calcium carbonate equivalent). 
lUr . • Free acid in waste pickle liquor discharged by the metal- 
Per approximates 28 tons per day, or about 7,000 tons 
ch./ear (calcium carbonate equivalent). Acid salts also are dis- 
S°d from this source. 78 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
243. Extent of 'pollution.—During the period from May to December 
1940, the Public Health Service collected and analyzed a total of 
more than 675 water samples from over 160 stream stations in the 
basin. In West Virginia this work was done with the cooperation of 
the State water commission. In general, flows on sampling days 
appeared to be several times greater than the mean June to September 
flows of record. 
244. During the period from May to October 1940, up to 2 monthly 
averages of dissolved oxygen content, based on from 1 to 4 samples 
each, were observed to be less than 5 parts per million in the vicinity of 
Clarksburg and East Salem, W. Va., and below Masontown, Waynes- 
burg, Fairbank, Republic, Uniontown, Ellsworth, Somerset, Mount 
Pleasant, Greensburg, Jeannette, Trafford, Turtle Creek, and Wilkins- 
burg, Pa., all of which communities discharge wastes to small tribu- 
taries. Similar conditions were observed at the mouth of the Monon- 
gahela River at Pittsburgh, Pa. Complete oxygen depletion, denoting 
septic conditions, was observed below Jeannette, Pa., in a single sample 
collected during October 1940. 
245. Monthly average biochemical oxygen demand results of 5 
parts per million or more, based on from 1 to 5 samples each, were 
observed below Youngwood, Irwin, and Pitcairn, Pa., which are 
located on small tributaries, and below each of the communities re- 
ferred to in the preceding paragraph, except Ellsworth, Pa. 
246. Monthly average coliform bacteria counts were in general 
agreement with dissolved oxygen and oxygen demand results in indi- 
cating the more severely polluted stream reaches. Highest values 
were observed below Waynesburg, Mount Pleasant, and Jeannette, Pa. 
247. The major stream pollution problem in the basin results from 
acid mine drainage. Acid stream conditions were observed at 95 
sampling stations in the basin with pH values ranging from 2.5 to 6.9, 
and phenolphthalein acidities from less than 1 part per million to over 
8,000 parts per million. 
248. Results of analyses of samples collected on 12 days during the 
period September to December 1940 showed the dissolved oxygen con- 
tent, pH value, and coliform bacteria content of the Monongahela 
River at its mouth to be lower, and the biochemical oxygen demand 
to be higher than those of the Allegheny River at its mouth, on most 
of the sampling dates. Plates 16, 17, 18, and 19 include data on 
sources of pollution, and on coliform bacteria, dissolved oxygen and 
pH results. 
249. Methods of pollution control.—Up to the present time, uncor- 
rected mine acid pollution has served as a deterrent to organic pollu- 
tion abatement activities. It is desirable that mine acid control and 
organic pollution abatement be carried on as parallel programs since 
both measures are necessary if reasonable restoration of stream qual- 
ity is to be obtained. A combined program of mine sealing and low- 
flow regulation seems to offer the best solution to the mine acid 
problem. 
250. Secondary domestic waste treatment is indicated at 16 com- 
munities located on streams subject to low summer flows; primary 
treatment is indicated at 66 communities in the basin, including the 
Pittsburgh area, and supplementary treatment is indicated at a singl0 
community. . 
251. Industrial waste treatment to reduce pickle liquor and phenol 
discharges is indicated to be desirable. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
79 
252. The cost of a suggested program of pollution control is shown 
in the following table. The program would eliminate local nuisance, 
improve streams for use as public water supplies, and restore portions 
of the streams for recreational use. 
Suggested 'program of pollution control for the Monongahela River Basin—Economic 
aspects 
Suggested pollution control 
measures 
Population 
Estimated cost 
Typo 
Num- 
ber 
Now 
sewered 
1940 
census 
Design 
Capital 
Annual 
Opera- 
tion and 
mainte- 
nance 
Amorti- 
zation 
and 
interest 
Total 
Municipal treatment: 
Primary 
Secondary 
Improvements 
T , Subtotal 
interceptors __ 
66 
16 
1 
1683,400 
92,800 
25,000 
764,100 
102,300 
21,800 
476,500 
105,000 
$4,710,000 
1, 480,000 
80,000 
$130,000 
65,000 
75,000 
$330,000 
100,000 
10,000 
$460,000 
165,000 
85,000 
83 
>801, 200 
888, 200 
6, 270,000 
5, 870,000 
1,110,000 
1,600.000 
270,000 
(2) 
320,000 
173,000 
440,000 
275,000 
150,000 
67,000 
710,000 
275,000 
470,000 
240,000 
industrial treatment. 
"line sealing 
(3) 
(4) 
p Subtotal..* 
14, 850,000 
2,970,000 
763,000 
932,000 
1,695,000 
■emergency allowance, 20 
Percent» 
Total. 
17,820,000 
— 
* Includes some population to be served in Ohio River plants. 
, Negligible. 
4 includes such items as minor corrections, process changes, sewer construction, treatment plants, etc. 
t p1.*-.19! program contemplates sealing of 198,680 ton-years of acid, 
estimated additional cost of program if provided during the present emergency period. 
Appendix C 
BEAVER RIVER BASIN 
SUMMARY 
-53. General description.—The Mahoning and Shenango Rivers 
®rge at New Castle, Pa., to form the Beaver River, which flows 
j^. narrow valleys across rugged plateau land to join the Ohio 
"ver 25.4 miles below Pittsburgh, Pa. The basin comprises a drain- 
sa°tarea 3,145 square miles situated in western Pennsylvania and 
(X te£n Ohio. Connoquenessing, Slippery Rock, and Neshannock 
s are the important tributaries. A general map of the basin is 
2541 °n plate 20- 
eel production is the most important industry in the basin. 
*ide Production of the so-called Youngstown District is of Nation- 
significance. Dairying, farming, meat packing, brewing, and 
of 1 of byproduct coke and miscellaneous other items are 
lirriester econornic importance. Natural resources include sand, coal, 
and + °ne’ sandstone, clay, shale, gravel, oil, and gas. Tillable soil 
255emT?.efature favor agriculture. 
basin ere are no particularly attractive water power sites in the 
’ commercial navigation is restricted to the limits of slack 80 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
water provided by Montgomery Dam on the Ohio River. In addi- 
tion to several domestic water supply reservoirs, Milton Reservoir on 
the Mahoning River, Ohio, and Pymatuning Reservoir on the She- 
nango River, Pa., have been constructed by non-Federal interests to 
provide flood control, low water regulation, and aquatic recreational 
facilities. In 1942 the Corps of Engineers initiated construction of 
Berlin Reservoir, at a site on the Mahoning River above the Youngs- 
town area, to provide low flow regulation and flood control. 
256. Both the rural and urban populations of the basin have in- 
creased rapidly for several decades. The present population of ap- 
proximately 728,400 is about 66 percent urban. Principal com- 
munities and their populations (1940 census) are as follows: 
Youngstown, Ohio 167, 720 
New Castle, Pa 47, 638 
Warren, Ohio 42, 837 
Sharon, Pa 25, 622 
Butler, Pa 24, 477 
Alliance, Ohio 22, 405 
257. Water uses.—There are 50 public water supplies, of which 18, 
serving 499,200 persons and aggregating 40.88 million gallons per day, 
are from surface sources. Twelve of the latter, serving 430,400 
people, are from streams or reservoirs subject to pollution. The sup- 
plies from the Beaver and Mahoning Rivers are seriously polluted and 
thorough treatment often fails to produce a palatable water. 
258. Industrial cooling water requirements in the Youngstown area 
frequently are as much as 20 times as great as minimum unregulated 
stream flow. This condition necessitates reuse of water, with resultant 
increases in stream temperatures which aggravate the already serious 
effects of pollution. Because of pollution, aquatic recreational activi- 
ties are restricted to the smaller streams of the basin, except in the 
Milton and Pymatuning Reservoir areas. 
259. Low flow characteristics at three selected stream stations in 
the basin are as follows: 
Stream. 
Mahoning 
River 
Youngstown, 
Ohio 
899 
1921-39 
Shenango 
River 
Sharon, Pa. 
608 
1909-38 
Beaver 
River 
Wampum, Pa- 
2, 235 
1914-18 
1932-39 
Location . 
Drainage area (square miles)... 
June to September discharge (cubic feet per second) 
Minimum single month 
Minimum 4-month average 
(*) 
47 
96 
388 
(J) 
7 
41 
219 
(“> 153 
309 
863 
1 Reflects flow regulation by Milton Reservoir. 
2 Reflects flow- regulation by Pymatuning Reservoir. 
260. Sources oj pollution.—About 515,700 persons, or 71 percent of 
the population of the basin, are served by sewers. Industrial wastes; 
after application of various corrective measures now employed b/ 
industry, have a net population equivalent to 164,400 (based on bio' 
chemical oxygen demand), of which about 7 percent receives further 
treatment in municipal sewage-treatment plants. Seventeen primary 
and eighteen secondary municipal treatment plants, in which about 
$4,760,000 have been invested, serve 134,300 and 84,100 persons, respec' 
ti vely. The combined population equivalent of domestic and industrial OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
81 
wastes as discharged after treatment is 558»,400, of which about 95 per- 
cent is discharged in the Warren-Lowellville reach of the Mahoning 
River. Summarized data follow: 
Waste sources: 
Total population (1940 census) 728, 368 
Sewered population: 
Connected to municipal treatment 218, 400 
Not connected to municipal treatment 297, 300 
515,700 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after application 
of independent corrective measures now in force, but 
prior to other treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 11, 800 
Not connected to municipal treatment: 
Brewing 5, 300 
Byproduct coke 80, 400 
Meat 7, 200 
Milk 3,400 
Miscellaneous 56, 300 
152, 600 
164,400 
Total (population equivalent) 680, 100 
Wastes as discharged: 
Human wastes (sewered) (population equivalent after all 
present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 102, 700 
Not connected to municipal treatment 297, 300 
400, 000 
Industrial wrastes (population equivalent after all present 
treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 5, 800 
Not connected to municipal treatment 152, 600 
158,400 
Total waste residual (population equivalent) 558, 400 
Note.—Single industries of a specific classification are included within the miscellaneous classification. 
261. Additional pollutants of significance include an acid load of 
*6,100 tons per year from coal-mine drainage and 8,000 tons per year 
t free acid in waste pickle liquor discharged by metallurgical industries 
fralcium carbonate equivalent). Phenols discharged by 4 byproduct 
c°ke plants are responsible for difficult water treatment problems. 
262. Extent of 'pollution.—The Public Health Service collected and 
Analyzed more than 350 water samples from over 60 stream stations 
111 the basin. Eighty-two percent were collected during June, July, 
August 1940, the remainder in October, November, and Decem- 
er °f the same year. Average discharge during the summer period 
as about twice as great as the mean June to September discharge of 
tob afrh°ugh the average flow on sampling days appears, in general, 
have been somewhat closer to the mean for the June to September 
-jod. Plates 20, 21, and 22 include data on sources of pollution, 
d on coliform bacteria and dissolved oxygen results, respectively, 
caches showing the greatest extent of pollution are the following: 
dist River between Warren and Lowellville, Ohio, a 
star1106 river miles: Samples collected at each of 10 stream 
oxv°nS during June, July, and August 1940 had monthly dissolved 
H?en content averages varying from 7.8 parts per million to zero. 82 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Zero or near-zero values were observed below Warren, Niles, Youngs- 
town, and Lowellville, Ohio. Monthly average coliform bacteria 
counts ranged from 12 to 11,000 per milliliter. From 4 to 9 samples 
were represented in each average. Flows varied during the sampling 
period but on the sampling days were generally lower than average 
summer flows. 
(b) Shenango River below Sharon, Pa.: Two samples collected dur- 
ing August 1940 had an average dissolved oxygen content of 3.2 parts 
per million and an average coliform bacteria count of 3,500 per milliliter. 
The biochemical oxygen demand was 7.5 parts per million. Discharge 
was less than summer average. 
(c) Beaver River below New Castle, Pa.: Three samples collected 
during August 1940 had an average dissolved oxygen content of 3.3 
parts per million and an average coliform bacteria count of 437 per 
milliliter. The biochemical oxygen demand was 11.5 parts per million. 
Discharge was less than summer average. 
Serious oxygen depletion was not noted in other than the Youngs- 
town district except locally, below pollution sources on small tribu- 
taries. 
263. Results of analyses for 31 sets of water samples collected 
during the period October 1940 to January 1941 showed the Beaver 
River at its mouth to be lower in dissolved oxygen content and higher 
in biochemical oxygen demand and coliform bacteria content than 
was the Ohio River above their confluence on the majority of sampling 
days. 
264. Methods of pollution control. —Corrective measures may be 
effectively applied to pollutants found in the Beaver River Basin. 
The best adapted plan for organic pollution control in the Youngs- 
town district appears to be the provision of 10 chemical sewage 
treatment plants and additional low flow regulation. Berlin Reser- 
voir is an initial step in this direction. 
265. Secondary treatment is indicated to be necessary at five small 
towns where the stream flows are now inadequate for satisfactory 
waste dilution. Primary treatment is indicated at four other com- 
munities. Additions to or improvement of the existing waste treat- 
ment facilities of eight communities in the basin are necessary. 
Industrial waste treatment, primarily to reduce phenol discharges at 
byproduct coke plants, appears to be necessary. 
266. The cost of a suggested program of pollution control is shown 
in the following table. The program would eliminate local nuisance, 
improve public water supplies, and restore portions of the streams 
for recreation. Incidental benefits would accrue to industrial water 
users if additional low flow regulation were provided for organic 
pollution control in the Youngstown area. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
83 
Suggested program of pollution control for the Beaver River Basin—Economic aspects 
Suggested pollution control 
measures 
Population 
Estimated cost 
Type 
Num- 
ber 
Now 
sewered 
1940 
census 
Design 
Capital 
Annual 
Opera- 
tion and 
mainte- 
nance 
Amorti- 
zation 
and 
interest 
Total 
Municipal treatment: 
Primar 
Secondary 
Improvements - - 
Subtotal... 
Interceptors 
i 14 
5 
8 
293,300 
3,800 
82,600 
295,000 
5, 700 
85,400 
361,900 
7,700 
$2,600,000 
160, 000 
150,000 
$178,000 
6,000 
6,000 
$190,000 
10,000 
10,000 
$368,000 
16,000 
16,000 
i 27 
379,700 
386,100 
2,970,000 
1, 990,000 
1,040,000 
50,000 
190,000 
(2) 
235,000 
6,000 
210,000 
95,000 
135,000 
2,000 
400,000 
95,000 
370,000 
8,000 
Industrial treatment 
Mine sealing 
(3) 
(4) 
Subtotal 
6, 050,000 
1, 210,000 
431,000 
442,000 
873, 000 
Emergency allowance, 20 
percent5 
Total 
7, 260,000 
1 Includes 10 chemical sewage-treatment plants. 
’ Negligible. 
* Includes such items as minor corrections, process changes, sewer construction, treatment plants, etc. 
■ Initial program contemplates sealing of 6,500 ton-years of acid. 
‘ Estimated additional cost of program if provided during the present emergency period. 
Appendix D 
MUSKINGUM RIVER BASIN 
SUMMARY 
267. General description.—The Muskingum River Basin has a 
drainage area of 8,040 square miles, and embraces the central and 
southern portions of eastern Ohio. Headwaters of the northerly and 
Yesterly tributaries rise in an area of glacial drift and flow across the 
Plateau. The main stream joins the Ohio River 172.2 
fiver miles below Pittsburgh, Pa. Principal tributaries are the 
■kicking, Walhonding, and Tuscarawas Rivers and Wills Creek. A 
general map of the basin is shown on plate 23. 
268. The natural resources of the basin include coal, clay, shales, 
Sas, oil, limestone, sandstone, salt, sand, and gravel. Fertile soil and 
ehrnate favor agriculture. Manufacturing is the leading economic 
P^rsuit. Paperboard, strawboard, and machinery; and ceramic, 
chemical, rubber, dairy, iron and steel products are among the goods 
produced. The Muskingum River is navigable, but facilities are 
for effective modern navigation. The streams of the 
usin are noj. wep adapted to the development of water power on a 
commercial scale. 84 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
269. The population of the basin has increased 31 percent since 
1910, to a present figure of about 812,000. Approximately half of 
the present population is urban. Principal communities and their 
populations (1940 census) are as follows: 
Canton 108, 401 
Zanesville 37, 500 
Mansfield. 37,154 
Newark 31,487 
Massillon 26, 644 
Barberton 24,028 
270. Water uses.—There are 94 public water supplies in the basin of 
which 9, serving 140,400 persons and aggregating 11.98 million gallons 
per day, are from surface sources. Four of the surface supplies are 
subject to pollution by domestic wastes. Ground water is plentiful 
but is usually hard and sometimes must be treated to remove iron. 
271. A system of 14 flood control reservoirs of which 11 have con- 
servation pools, together with Buckeye Lake and the Portage Lakes, 
furnish the area with fine aquatic recreational facilities which are 
extensively used. The lower Muskingum River and Wakatomica 
Creek are outstanding fishing streams. Use of water for industrial 
purposes is increasing. 
272. Low flow characteristics at three selected stream stations in 
the basin are as follows: 
Stream 
Location... 
Drainage area (square miles) 
Period considered 
Muskingum 
River 
Dresden 
5,982 
1922-39 
Tuscarawas 
River 
Dover 
1,398 
1924-39 
Licking 
River 
Toboso 
672 
1922-39 
June to September discharge (cubic feet per second): 
Minimum single month 
483 
188 
52 
Minimum 4-month average - 
768 
270 
65 
Average 
3,140 
770 
351 
273. Sources oj 'pollution— About 422,600 persons, or 52 percent 
of the population of the basin, are served by sewers. The popula- 
tion equivalent of industrial wastes is high, and approximates 320,600 
after application of various corrective measures by industry (based 
on biochemical oxygen demand). At least minor corrective measures 
have been taken by 56 of the 84 industrial establishments whose 
wastes are not connected to municipal treatment. About 75 per- 
cent of the industrial sewage not treated in municipal plants comes 
from 4 strawboard and paperboard factories. An industrial waste 
population equivalent of 40,100 receives further treatment in munici- 
pal sewage treatment plants. Thirteen primary and 18 secondary 
municipal treatment plants, in which about $4,550,000 have been 
invested, serve 78,700 and 206,900 persons, respectively. The popu- 
lation equivalent of industrial and domestic wastes, as finally dis- 
charged to the streams, is about 492,200. Summarized data follow: OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
85 
Waste sources: 
Total population (1940 census) 812, 028 
Sewered population: 
Connected to municipal treatment- 285, 600 
Not connected to municipal treatment ± 137, 000 
422, 600 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after application 
of independent corrective measures now in force, but 
prior to other treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 40, 100 
Not connected to municipal treatment: 
Brewing 7, 100 
Byproduct coke 14, 200 
Meat 17, 500 
Milk 6, 300 
Oil refining 11, 400 
Paper 210, 000 
M iscellaneous 14, 000 
280, 500 
320, 600 
Total (population equivalent) 743, 200 
Wastes as discharged: 
Human wastes (sewered) (population equivalent after all 
present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 68, 800 
Not connected to municipal treatment 137, 000 
205, 800 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after all present 
treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 5, 900 
Not connected to municipal treatment 280, 500 
286, 400 
Total waste-residual (population equivalent) 492, 200 
Note.—Single industries of a specific classification are included within the miscellaneous classification. 
> 274. Acid mine drainage and waste pickle liquors are other pol- 
utants of significance. Mine sealing has reduced the original mine 
?Cld load in the combined Muskingum and Hocking River Basins 
about 42 percent, to a present total load of about 124,400 tons 
j?e.r year (calcium carbonate equivalent). Most of the abandoned 
in both basins have been sealed. Larger steel plants in the 
anton and Massillon areas in the Muskingum River Basin have 
,aken steps to dispose of waste pickle liquors. The present acid 
°ad from this source is about 1,375 tons per year. 
Extent of pollution.—During the period from April 1940 to 
4nn the Public Health Service collected and analyzed over 
90 water samples from more than 110 stream stations in the basin, 
j percent of the samples were collected during April, May, 
9ne, and July, 1940. During the latter period, average discharges 
ere several times greater than the mean June to September flows 86 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
of record. Plates 23, 24, and 25 include data on sources of pollu- 
tion, and on coliform bacteria and dissolved oxygen results. 
276. Monthly average dissolved oxygen results of 5 parts per mil- 
lion or less, based on one to three samples each, collected during the 
period May to July 1940, were observed in Chippewa Creek at Ritt- 
man, Little Chippewa Creek at Orrville, Wolf Creek at Barberton, 
Nimishillen Creek below Canton, Rocky Fork Creek at Mansfield, 
Jerome Fork below Ashland, and from Barberton to Massillon on 
the Tuscarawas River. 
277. Monthly average biochemical oxygen demand results of 5 
parts per million or more, based on one to three samples each, col- 
lected during the period May to July 1940, were observed below 
Barberton, Canton, Carrollton, Mansfield, New Concord, Orrville, 
Rittman, and Wadsworth, and in the vicinities of Minerva and 
Coshocton. 
278. Coliform bacteria counts were generally high during the period 
of sampling. Highest values were observed below Brewster, Canton, 
Mansfield, Minerva, and Shelby; and, in the Tuscarawas River, in 
the Barberton to Massillon reach. 
279. The effects of acid mine pollution were in evidence in Moxahala 
Creek Basin where pH values less than 3.0 were common during the 
sampling period. Extreme hardness was observed below Barberton, 
reaching 5,800 parts per million in a single sample collected during 
July 1940. 
280. Results of water analyses for 63 sampling dates during the 
period May 1940 to March 1941, showed the dissolved oxygen con- 
tent of the Muskingum River at the mouth to be higher than that of 
the Ohio River above their junction on 56 percent of the sampling 
days. The biochemical oxygen demand and coliform bacteria content 
of the tributary were higher than those of the Ohio River about 65 
percent of the time. 
281. Methods of pollution control.—In spite of extensive efforts to 
abate pollution in the Muskingum River Basin, a problem remains on 
the upper Tuscarawas River and some of its tributaries. Only limited 
additional improvement in the quality of the upper Tuscarawas 
River drainage system appears justified in view of the present use of 
the streams. Other streams can be restored to or maintained in good 
condition at reasonable cost. 
282. Primary treatment of domestic sewage and removal of settle- 
able solids from industrial wastes should suffice to maintain satisfactory 
stream conditions below 8 of the 10 urban communities now discharg- 
ing untreated wastes. In addition, it appears desirable that primary 
treatment be employed at 16 smaller communities. Secondary treat- 
ment is indicated to be necessary at Newark and Cambridge, as well 
as at 18 smaller communities now without sewage treatment facilities. 
Improvements to existing plants appear to be necessary at Canton, 
Mansfield, and at 7 other smaller sources of pollution. 
283. The cost of a suggested program of pollution control is shown 
in the following table. The program would eliminate most local 
nuisance conditions in the basin, improve streams for use as public 
water supplies, and preserve and improve the valuable aquatic recre- 
ational facilities of the area. If legal and practical obstacles can be 
overcome in the future, desirable low flow regulation may be provided 
by means of the Muskingum Conservancy District reservoirs. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
87 
Suggested ■program of pollution control for the Muskingum River Basin—Economic 
aspects 
Suggested pollution control 
measures 
Population 
Estimated cost 
Type 
Num- 
ber 
Now 
sewered 
1940 
census 
Design 
Capital 
Annual 
Opera- 
tion and 
mainte- 
nance 
Amorti- 
zation 
and 
interest 
Total 
Municipal treatment: 
Primary. 
Secondary 
Improvements 7. 
» Subtotal 
23 
20 
9 
88,200 
48,400 
180,300 
106,900 
61,000 
185,000 
124,000 
72,500 
$1,100,000 
1,160,000 
390,000 
$52,000 
48,000 
5,000 
$80, 000 
80,000 
25,000 
$132,000 
128,000 
30,000 
52 
316,900 
352, 900 
2,650,000 
2, 220,000 
310,000 
4 110, 000 
105,000 
(0 
100,000 
4 11,000 
185,000 
105,000 
40, 000 
4 5,000 
290,000 
105,000 
140,000 
4 16,000 
industrial treatment 
sealing 
(2) 
(3) 
Subtotal 
5, 290, 000 
1,060,000 
216,000 
335,000 
551,000 
■r-niergeney allowance, 20 
Percent, s 
Total.. 
6,350,000 
ewer constr 
cid. See n 
resent emer 
5 Negligible. 
2 includes such items as n 
* i*'l*a* program contemj 
, "luskingum and Hockir 
Estimated additional co 
linor c 
)lates s 
lg Riv< 
st of p 
orrections 
ealing of 
r Basins 
rogram if 
process 
19,000 ton 
combined 
provided 
changes, s 
-years of 
during p 
uction, trc 
ote 4. 
gency peri 
atment pla 
ad. 
nts, etc. 
Appendix E 
LITTLE KANAWHA RIVER BASIN 
SUMMARY 
284. General description.—The Little Kanawha River drains an 
•r.ea of 2,320 square miles situated entirely within "West Virginia, and 
the Ohio River 184.6 river-miles below Pittsburgh, Pa. The 
js hiqy to mountainous, with steep slopes and narrow valleys. 
_ alley elevations range from about 560 to about 2,800 feet above 
tjean sea level. Hughes Fork, West Fork, Steer Creek, Leading 
reek, and Reedy Creek are the principal tributaries. A navigable 
ePth of 4 feet is maintained for a distance of 48 miles above the 
ej°uth of the Little Kanawha River. There are no existing hydro- 
power developments in the basin. A general map of the 
2^ls shown on plate 26. 
1 ’• mP°rt,ant economic pursuits include the production of gas 
Pro 1 agriculture> manufacturing, and lumbering. Current oil 
qu cluction approximates 1,000,000 barrels annually, or about one- 
of the total oil production of West Virginia. Coal produc- 
ed relatively unimportant. Manufacturing is confined almost 
Iliver Parkersburg area at the mouth of the Little Kanawha 
Prox'6' P°Pulati°n of the basin, exclusive of Parkersburg, ap- 
sinc lnJates 92,400, is essentially rural, and has not varied materially 
habit Spencer, the largest community, has about 2,495 in- 
ants. All other communities have less than 2,000 residents. 88 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
287. Water uses.—There are 8 public water supplies in the basin 
of which 5, aggregating about 0.28 million gallons per day and serving 
about 6,600 persons, are from surface sources. Three of the latter 
are from streams subject to pollution. All surface supplies are chlor- 
inated, 4 are coagulated and settled, and 3 are filtered. In general, 
no serious pollution problem is present in connection with public 
water supplies. The upper Little Kanawha River and both forks 
of the Hughes River are extensively used for sport fishing. Indus- 
trial water usage is of minor importance in the basin. 
288. Low-flow characteristics at two selected stream stations in 
the basin are as follows: 
Stream _ 
Little Kanawha 
Hughes River 
Location 
River 
Drainage area (square miles) 
1,513 
1912-40 
453 
Period considered _ _ _ _ 
1915-31 
1939-40 
June to September discharge (cubic feet per second): 
Minimum single months 
0 
0 
7 
2 
1,097 
272 
289. Sources oj 'pollution.—About 10,200 persons, or 11 percent of 
the population of the basin, are served by sewers. Two municipal 
waste-treatment plants, 1 primary and 1 secondary, in which a total 
of about $190,000 have been invested, serve 1,400 and 3,400 persons, 
respectively. These reduce the population equivalent of domestic 
sewage as discharged to about 6,800 (based on biochemical oxygen 
demand). There are no significant sources of industrial sewage in 
the basin, except in the Parkersburg area. The latter pollution prob- 
lem primarily concerns the Ohio River. Pollution from acid mine 
drainage is slight, aggregating about 350 tons per year (calcium 
carbonate equivalent). 
290. Extent oj pollution.—During the period May 1940 to March 
1941 the Public Health Service collected and analyzed more than 
180 water samples from 10 stream stations in the basin. Ninety-one 
percent of the samples were collected during the 5-month period 
from May to September 1940, and the remainder, in January, Febru- 
ary, and March 1941. Average discharges on sampling days during 
the early period were considerably higher than mean June to September 
flows of record. Results of analyses indicated that with the exception 
of more or less uniformly high bacterial pollution there is no extensive 
pollution in the Little Kanawha River Basin. Plates 26, 27, and 
include data on sources of pollution, and on coliform bacteria and 
dissolved oxygen results. Reaches showing the greatest extent 
pollution are the following: 
(a) Bennell Run below Pennsboro: Three samples collected during 
July 1940, had an average dissolved oxygen content of 3.7 parts pef 
million and an average coliform bacteria count of 7,130 per milliliter- 
The average biochemical oxygen demand for the month was l5d> 
parts per million. Discharge was less than summer average. 
(b) Spring Creek below Spencer: Four samples collected during 
August 1940, had an average dissolved oxygen content of 1.7 parP OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
89 
per million and an average coliform bacteria count of 3,350 per 
milliliter. The average biochemical oxygen demand for the month 
was 5.4 parts per million. Discharge was about equal to the summer 
average. 
(c) Little Kanawha River at mouth: Low dissolved oxygen content, 
high coliform bacteria counts, and high biochemical oxygen demand 
Were observed at the mouth of the Little Kanawha River. However, 
results were influenced by sewage from Parkersburg. 
291. Results of analyses for 57 sampling dates during the period 
May 1940, to March 1941, showed that the Little Kanawha River at 
its mouth generally had a lower dissolved oxygen content, and higher 
biochemical oxygen demand and coliform bacteria count than the 
Ohio River above their junction. On 12 sampling dates during the 
Period June to September 1940, the Little Kanawha River above the 
Parkersburg area (river mile 3.5) was similar in quality to the Ohio 
River above their junction. 
292. Methods oj pollution control.—The Little Kanawha River is 
but moderately polluted and there are no particularly difficult waste- 
treatment problems. The two largest communities, Spencer and 
Pennsboro, have treatment plants which need some improvement. 
Primary treatment should be sufficient to maintain good stream condi- 
tions at the remaining sources of pollution, except during such an 
extremely dry year as 1930. Provision against such a contingency does 
Uot seem to be justified. 
293. The cost of a suggested program of pollution control, including 
supplemental treatment at Spencer and Pennsboro, and primary 
treatment at six smaller communities, is shown in the following table. 
The program would eliminate local nuisance conditions which now 
exist and would both preserve and enhance the recreational value of 
the area. 
Suggested program of pollution control for the Little Kanawha River Basin—Economic 
aspects 
Suggested pollution control 
measures 
Population 
Estimated cost 
Type 
Num- 
ber 
Now 
sewered 
1940 
census 
Design 
Capital 
Opera- 
tion and 
mainte- 
nance 
Annual 
Amorti- 
zation 
and 
interest 
Total 
Municipal treatment: 
primary 
Improvements 
r Subtotal 
6 
2 
5,300 
4,800 
5,500 
5,000 
5,900 
$85,000 
5,000 
$4, 500 
500 
$5,500 
500 
$10,000 
1,000 
8 
10,100 
10, 500 
90,000 
120,000 
5,000 
(»> 
6,000 
5,000 
11,000 
5,000 
Ptt, Subtotal., 
210, 000 
40,000 
5,000 
11, 000 
16, 000 
urgency allowance, 20 
Percent 2 
Total. 
250,000 
legible. 
stimated additional cost of program if provided during the present emergency period. 
90035—43—pt. 1 7 90 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Appendix F 
HOCKING RIVER BASIN 
SUMMARY 
294. General description.—The Hocking River drains an area of 
1,185 square miles which lies wholly within southeastern Ohio. The 
stream joins the Ohio River 199.3 river-miles below Pittsburgh, Pa. 
The basin is hilly, with moderately steep slopes, except in the glaci- 
ated headwater area which is characterized by low hills and broad 
valleys. The important tributaries are Federal, Sunday, Monday, 
Clear, and Rush Creeks. A general map of the basin is shown on 
plate 23. 
295. Agriculture and coal mining are the principal occupations in 
the Hocking River Basin. Ceramic manufacturing, gas and oil pro- 
duction, and forestry are lesser pursuits. Natural resources, in addi- 
tion to coal, gas, and oil, include brines and commercial clays. 
296. Ohio River Dam No. 20 provides slack water in the lower 5 
miles of the Hocking River, but there has been no commercial naviga- 
tion since 1924. Scenic caves and forests in the basin are noteworthy 
recreational attractions. There are no existing hydroelectric 
developments. 
297. Lancaster, the basin’s largest city, has a present population 
of about 21,940. No other communities have as many as 10,000 
inhabitants, but small communities are uniformly distributed through- 
out the area. The total population of the basin approximates 113,600, 
of which about 42 percent is urban. Although the total population has 
not increased appreciably since 1910, the urban population has 
increased by 39 percent since that date. 
298. Water uses.—There are 16 public water supplies in the basin 
of which 2, aggregating 0.13 million gallons per day and serving about 
3,800 persons, are from surface sources. Both of the latter are coagu- 
lated, settled, filtered, and chlorinated. All public water supplies are 
from underground or upland impounded sources and are not important 
factors in pollution problems. Industrial water supply is not of 
serious concern. A few tributaries and several reaches of the main 
river are considered good fishing streams. 
299. Low flow characteristics at three selected stream stations on 
the Hocking River are as follows: 
Hocking River 
Hocking River 
Enterprise 
460 
1931-40 
Hocking River 
Athens 
944 
1915-40 
Location.. 
Drainage area (square miles) 
Period considered 
Lancaster 
93 
1923-32 
June to September discharge (cubic feet per second): 
Minimum single month 
12 
36 
40 
Minimum 4-month average 
15 
73 
54 
Average 
55 
273 
541 
300. Sources oj pollution.—About 48,400 persons are serviced by 
sewers and approximately half of the basin’s sewered domestic wastes 
receive treatment in two primary and two secondary municipal plants 
in which about $840,000 have been invested. Over 40 percent of the 
sewered population is situated in Lancaster, where a secondary treat- 
ment plant is in operation. Two meat-packing houses, a brewery, a OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
91 
cheese factory, and a milk-receiving station are the important sources 
of industrial sewage. The brewery wastes are discharged to municipal 
treatment and wastes from the milk-receiving plant are treated on a 
trickling filter. Other industrial wastes are discharged untreated. 
The total residual domestic and industrial waste load, as discharged to 
streams, has an approximate population equivalent of 36,000 (based on 
biochemical oxygen demand). 
301. Acid mine wastes have a damaging effect on many tributaries, 
particularly in the Sunday and Monday Creek Valleys. Mine sealing 
has reduced the original acid load in the combined Muskingum and 
Hocking River Basins by about 42 percent, to a present load of about 
124,400 tons per year (calcium carbonate equivalent). 
302. Extent of pollution.—The Public Health Service collected and 
analyzed more than 260 water samples, from over 35 stream stations 
m the basin. Seventy-nine percent of these were collected from 
April to September 1940; the remainder during October and November 
1939, and January 1941. Discharges on the sampling dates ranged 
from near minimum summer flows to flows several times greater than 
biean June to September discharges of record. During the summer of 
1940, flow was somewhat less than the average for the June to Sep- 
tember period. Plates 23, 24, and 25 include data on sources of 
Pollution, and on coliform bacteria and dissolved oxygen results. 
-Reaches showing evidence of significant pollution are as follows: 
(a) Hocking River: Three samples collected from the Hocking 
River below Lancaster, during October 1939, had an average dissolved 
°xygen content of 4.6 parts per million. Other dissolved oxygen 
Results on the main stream averaged well above 5 parts per million. 
Riochemical oxygen demand exceeded 5 parts per million below Lan- 
caster, in October 1939, and below Athens, in both October 1939, and 
January 1941. Discharge was extremely low during the October 
*939, sampling period. Coliform bacteria counts generally exceeded 
100 per milliliter throughout the length of the Hocking River, and 
Monthly averages ranged from several hundred to several thousand 
her milliliter below Lancaster, Logan, Haydenville, Nelsonville, and 
Athens. 
(b) Tributaries:* Dissolved oxygen results of less than 4 parts per 
Million were observed in single samples from Snow Creek above Mur- 
fay City and from Sunday Creek below Corning. Biochemical oxygen 
demand in excess of 5 parts per million was observed in Sunday Creek 
below Corning and Jacksonville, in Sugar Creek below New Straits- 
in Fork Creek below Murray City, and in Little Rush Creek 
below New Lexington. 
o 393. Severe acid pollution is in evidence in tributary Little Rush, 
Sunday, and Monday Creek Basins. In these streams pH values of 
d-9 and less are not uncommon. Results of analysis of water samples 
fleeted on 19 days during the period May to September 1940, showed 
Jbe dissolved oxygen content and biochemical oxygen demand of the 
bmcking River at the mouth to be lower than that of the Ohio River 
boy® their junction on about 60 percent of the sampling days. The 
ohform bacteria content of the Hocking River was lower than that of 
Ohio River on about half of the sampling days, 
i 304. Methods of pollution control.—Pollution problems in the Hock- 
g River Basin, with the exception of acid mine drainage, are not 
Yere> and are readily amenable to solution by waste treatment. 92 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Much of the acid mine drainage is the product of active workings which 
cannot readily be sealed. Damages from this source are insufficient to 
justify low flow regulation. Primary treatment of all wastes which 
are now discharged to the main stream without treatment should 
result in satisfactory stream conditions. On tributary streams which 
are polluted by acid wastes, treatment other than primary does not 
appear to be warranted. On the remaining tributaries, secondary 
treatment is indicated to prevent local nuisance below pollution 
sources. 
305. The cost of a suggested program of pollution control for the 
Hocking River Basin is shown in the following table. The program 
would eliminate local nuisance and improve present recreational 
facilities. 
Suggested program of pollution control for the Hocking River Basin—Economic 
aspects 
Suggested pollution control 
measures 
Population 
Estimated cost 
Type 
Num- 
ber 
Now 
sewered 
1940 
census 
Design 
Capital 
Annual 
Opera- 
tion and 
mainte- 
nance 
Amorti- 
zation 
and 
interest 
Total 
Municipal treatment: 
Primary 
Secondary 
Improvements 
Subtotal 
5 
2 
1 
21,000 
2,400 
1,100 
25, 300 
2, 500 
1,200 
33,100 
3,600 
305, 000 
70, 000 
5,000 
$14,000 
2,500 
500 
$21, 500 
5,000 
500 
$35, 500 
7,500 
1,000 
8 
24,500 
29,000 
380, 000 
240,000 
(2) 
17.000 
(') 
(s) 
27, 000 
11,000 
(s) 
44, 000 
11,000 
(’) 
620,000 
120, 000 
17,000 
38,000 
55,000 
Emergency allowance, 20 
740, 000 
i Negligible. 
s Costs for Hocking River Basin included with those for Muskingum River Basin. 
3 Estimated additional cost of program if provided during present emergency period. 
Appendix G 
KANAWHA RIVER BASIN 
SUMMARY 
306. General description.—The Kanawha River Basin has a drain- 
age area of 12,300 square miles situated in 3 States; West Virginia 
(8,450 square miles), Virginia (3,080 square miles), and North Caro- 
lina (770 square miles). The stream is formed by the junction of 
the New and Gauley Rivers and joins the Ohio River 265.7 river miles 
below Pittsburgh, Pa. The topography of the basin varies from wide 
valleys through hill country in the lower portions, to high mountains 
cut by deep gorges in the upper areas. Valley elevations range 
from about 500 to about 5,500 feet above mean sea level. A general 
map of the basin is shown on plate 26. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
93 
307. Coal is mined, and oil, gas, and brines are produced in the 
basin. Organic chemical manufacturing is an important industry and 
the source of much industrial sewage. Agriculture, limited forestry, 
electro-metallurgy, and quarrying are lesser economic pursuits. The 
Charleston area is a rapidly developing industrial center, the growth 
of which has been paced by the chemical manufacturing industry 
centered therein. The valley is rich in natural resources, including, 
in addition to those.already mentioned, water power, sandstone, lime- 
stone, clays, and various minerals. 
308. Urban and rural populations have increased rapidly in the 
last several decades. The present total population of the basin 
approximates 834,800, of which about 21 percent is urban. About 
one-sixth of the total population is centered in the Charleston metro- 
politan area. Principal communities with populations of 10,000 or 
toore (1940 census) are as follows: 
Charleston, W. Va 67, 9141 Beckley, W. Va 12, 852 
Bluefield, W. Va 20, 6411 South Charleston, W. Va 10, 377 
. 309. Water uses.—One hundred and eighty public water supplies 
111 the basin serve 326,400 persons. Sixty-five of these supplies, 
aggregating about 15.09 million gallons per day, and serving 201,500 
Persons, are from surface sources. Thirty-three of the latter, aggre- 
gating about 75 percent of the total surface supply, are from streams 
subject to pollution. Coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and 
chlorination are practiced at 28 of these plants. Three other plants 
cpiploy chlorination only, a fourth applies coagulation, sedimenta- 
tion and filtration, and a fifth employs sedimentation, filtration and 
chlorination. The domestic and industrial sewage discharged to 
Ulk Creek damages the source of the water supply used by Charleston, 
• Va., particularly during periods of low stream flow. 
„ 310. A large number of streams in the basin are extensively used 
fishing, boating, and swimming; however, gross pollution from the 
Charleston area limits recreation in the lower Kanawha River to 
gating. There is considerable industrial use of surface waters in 
lhe basin. 
„ 311. Low flow characteristics at two selected stream stations are 
as follows: 
Kanawha River 
Kanawha Falls, 
W. Va. 
8,367 
New River 
Eggleston, 
W. Va. 
2,941 
area (square miles) 
n°d considered 
1877-1940 
1915-37 
UlM\T?„®eptember discharge (cubic feet per second): 
vi nimum single month_ _. 
1,290 
812 
"Minimum 4 month average 
1,668 
1,129 
Average 
7,511 
2,885 
"■—— * 
0Urces °f pollution.—About 226,500 persons, or 27 percent of 
Population of the basin, are served by sewers. Industrial wastes, 
Co ,r.duplication of various corrective measures now employed, 
(l>a ri) an additional net population equivalent of about 1,490,200 
dJj* °n biochemical oxygen demand), of which about 97 percent is 
aI>eatlarSed to the Kanawha River in the Charleston metropolitan 
Wtl , ess than 1 percent of the industrial waste load receives 
ler treatment in municipal plants. 94 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
313. Of the 65 industrial establishments whose wastes do not 
receive municipal treatment, 31 have taken at least minor corrective 
measures toward decreasing the damaging effect of their wastes on the 
streams. Six primary and 6 secondary municipal waste treatment 
plants, in which about $1,300,000 have been invested, serve 20,900 
and 28,600 persons, respectively. These aid in reducing the net popu- 
lation equivalent of domestic and industrial wastes to about 1,675,100, 
as discharged. Summarized data follow: 
Waste sources: 
Total population (1940 census) 834, 845 
Sewered population: 
Connected to municipal treatment 49, 500 
Not connected to municipal treatment 177, 000 
226, 500 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent 
after application of independent correc- 
tive measures now in force, but prior to 
other treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 11, 100 
Not connected to municipal treatment: 
Canning 1, 600 
Chemical 1, 378, 000 
Milk 200 
Oil refining 3, 600 
Tanning 18, 700 
Textile 8, 300 
Miscellaneous 68, 700 
1, 479, 100 
1, 490, 200 
Total (population equivalent) 1, 716, 700 
Wastes as discharged: 
Human wastes (sewered) (population equivalent 
after all present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 18, 100 
Not connected to municipal treatment 177, 000 
195, 100 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after all 
present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 900 
Not connected to municipal treatment 1, 479, 100 
1, 480, 000 
Total waste residual (population equivalent) 1, 675, 100 
Note.—Single industries of a specific classification are included within the miscellaneous classification. 
314. In addition to the industries listed there are 24 coal washeries, 
most of which have recirculating systems. However, varying amounts 
of fine coal particles escape, causing turbidity and culm deposits in the 
streams. Mine sealing has reduced mine acid pollution to a present 
load of about 19,100 tons per year (calcium carbonate equivalent). 
315. Extent of 'pollution.—During the period from August 1939 to 
February 1941 the Public Health Service collected and analyzed more 
than 480 water samples from over 150 stream stations in the basin- 
Of these, 61 percent were collected in April, May, and June 1940- 
Discharges were generally low during the periods from August 1939 to 
February 1940 and from December 1940 to February 1941. Medium 
high to high discharges prevailed from March to May 1940. PlatoS 
26, 27, and 28 include data on sources of pollution, and on coliforn* 
bacteria and dissolved oxygen results. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
95 
316. Monthly average dissolved oxygen results of 5 parts per 
inillion or less were observed in Reed Creek below Wytheville, Va.; 
in Crab Creek at Christiansburg, Va.; in Coal and Kanawha Rivers 
below St. Albans, W. Va.; in Armour Creek below Nitro, W. Va.; 
and in the Kanawha River below Winfield, W. Va. From 1 to 3 
samples are represented in each average. Almost complete oxygen 
depletion was observed in Armour Creek below Nitro, where the dis- 
solved oxygen content of a single sample collected in January 1940, 
was 0.5 parts per million. 
317. Monthly average biochemical oxygen demand results of 5 
parts per million or more, based on from 1 to 5 samples each, were 
observed in East Fork below Boone, N. C.; in Reed Creek below 
Wytheville, Va. ; in Peak Creek below Pulaski, Va.; in Crab Creek 
fit Christiansburg, Va., in Stroubles Creek below Blacksburg, Va.; 
m New River below Narrows, Va.; in Grassy Branch below Bluefield, 
Va .; in Little Buff Creek below West Jefferson, W. Va.; in Laurel 
Creek below Pocahontas, W. Va.; in Little Whitestick River below 
Beckley, W. Va.; and in the Kanawha River below Charleston, St. 
Albans, and Nitro, W. Va. 
318. Average coliform bacteria counts agreed in general with dis- 
solved oxygen and oxygen demand results in showing the extent of 
Pollution. Highest values were observed below Wytheville, Charles- 
ton, Narrows, Chelyan, and Beckley, W. Va. 
319. Acid stream conditions were observed in the vicinity of 
Pulaski, Va./on Peak Creek; and along Piney, Beaver, and Dunloup 
Creeks in the Beckley, W. Va., area. At Pulaski, stream acidity was 
one to chemical plant wastes, while at the other sampling stations, 
acidity was caused by mine drainage. Gas, oil, and refinery wastes 
Produce taste and odor problems along Elk River. 
320. Results of analyses for 53 sampling dates during the period 
August 1939 to April 1941 showed the dissolved oxygen content of 
|be Kanawha River to be lower than that of the Ohio River above 
their junction on 48 of the sampling days. The biochemical oxygen 
oemand and coliform bacteria content of the tributary were lower than 
those of the main stream about 59 percent and 73 percent of the 
sampling days, respectively. 
321. Methods of pollution control.—The major pollution problems 
p the Kanawha River Basin are in the main stream in the vicinity of 
Charleston, where the rapidly growing chemical industry discharges 
arge volumes of wastes which tax the oxygen resources of the stream 
artd adversely affect downstream water supplies. It will be necessary 
t° reduce the strength or quantity of these wastes if a further deteri- 
oration in. the quality of the lower Kanawha River water is to be 
Prevented. Because of constant changes in industrial processes, and 
i jlr technical and often secret nature, pollution control in this area 
S the problem of the industries involved. 
322. Primary domestic waste treatment is deemed sufficient to 
provide a desired degree of pollution abatement at Charleston, South 
l5larleston, and 18 other communities along the main stream, and at 
Pollution sources on tributary streams. Secondary domestic waste 
appears to be justified at Princeton, Richwood, and 14 
fl0.er srnaller communities on streams subject to near-zero summer 
tio]VS * uPPlemental treatment is necessary at 6 localities. Regula- 
1 of low flow by operation of proposed reservoirs would lower the 96 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
minimum sewage and industrial waste treatment requirements now 
indicated at pollution sources on the lower Kanawha River. 
323. The cost of a suggested program of pollution control is shovm 
in the following table. The program wxmld eliminate local nuisance 
conditions, improve streams for use as public water supplies, and 
preserve and improve aquatic recreational facilities in the basin. 
Suggested program of pollution control for the Kanawha River Basin—Economic 
aspects 
Suggested pollution control 
measures 
Population 
Estimated cost 
Annual 
Type 
Num- 
ber 
Now 
sewered 
1940 
census 
Design 
Capital 
Opera- 
tion and 
mainte- 
nance 
Amorti- 
zation 
and 
interest 
Total 
Municipal treatments: 
Primary--. 
35 
131,900 
32, 500 
11,200 
141, 200 
42,800 
12,000 
179,900 
52, 600 
$1,520,000 
860,000 
90,000 
$71,000 
40,000 
4,000 
$108, 000 
61,000 
6,000 
$179,000 
101,000 
10,000 
16 
6 
Subtotal 
57 
175, 600 
196, 000 
2,470, 000 
2, 530.000 
1, 270,000 
120,000 
115,000 
175,000 
120, 000 
165, 000 
5,000 
290,000 
120, 000 
Interceptors. .. __ 
(•) 
240,000 
13,000 
Industrial treatment-- 
0 
0 
405, 000 
18,000 
Mine sealing.. 
Subtotal 
6, 390, 000 
1, 280,000 
368,000 
465, 000 
833,000 
Emergency allowance, 20 
Total . 
7,670,000 
1 
1 Negligible. 
2 Includes such items as minor corrections, process changes, sewer construction, treatment plants, etc. 
2 Initial program- contemplates sealing of 2,170 ton-years of acid. 
4 Estimated additional cost of program if provided during present emergency period. 
Appendix H 
GUYANDOT RIVER BASIN 
SUMMARY 
324. General description.—Tlie Guyandot River, which drains an 
area of 1,670 square miles, flows through the rugged, mountainous 
country of southwestern West Virginia and joins the Ohio River 
305.2 river miles below" Pittsburgh, Pa. Mud River is the important 
tributary. A general map of the basin is shown on plate 29. 
325. Coal and gas deposits are the valuable natural resources and 
coal mining is the chief economic pursuit in the basin. Farming 
practiced is of a subsistence type only. The Guyandot River is not 
commercially navigable beyond the limits of slack provided 
by Ohio River Dam No. 28. There are no hydroelectric power 
developments in the valley. 
326. The population of the valley has increased about 140 percent 
since 1910, to a present total of approximately 148,300. About 
95 percent of the total population is rural, and Logan and Mullens, 
wTith present populations of about 5,166 and 3,026, respectively, are 
the only urban communities. Many inhabitants live in mining OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
97 
camps which are concentrated in the vicinity of Logan and in the 
extreme southeastern portion of the area. 
327. Water uses.—There are 89 public water supplies in the Guy- 
andot River Basin of which 17, aggregating 1.21 million gallons per day 
and serving about 22,200 persons, are from surface sources. Five of 
the latter supplies, which serve 12,900 people, come from streams 
subject to pollution. All of the communities using polluted surface 
sources practice chlorination; in addition, 4 communities employ 
coagulation, sedimentation, and filtration, and of these, 1 practices 
softening and iron removal. Two of the water supplies from un- 
polluted sources receive no treatment. Ground water is usually 
bard and is limited in quantity. A number of the communities use 
mine drainage as a source of public water supply. • 
328. No commercially developed recreational areas exist in the 
basin, although the Guyandot River and some of its tributaries are 
extensively used for fishing by local residents. Industrial water 
supply is not a major problem. 
329. Low flow characteristics of the Guyandot River at two 
selected stream stations are as follows: 
Stream 
Guyandot River 
location 
Man, W. Va. 
762 
1929-40 
Branchland, 
W. Va. 
1,226 
1929-40 
drainage area (square miles)_ _ 
•'"enod considered ... ... . 
une to September discharge (cubic feet per second): 
Minimum single month ... 
10 
1 29 
404 
15 
41 
625 
Minimum 4-month average 
Average... 
330. Sources oj pollution.—About 23,900 persons, or 16 percent of 
lbe population of the basin, are served by sewers. No domestic 
sewage receives treatment. Much pollution reaches the streams of 
phe basin from privies along the banks, and from other refuse that 
dumped directly into the streams. A small cannery at Milton is 
he only industrial establishment in the basin which discharges an 
aPpreciable quantity of organic wastes. These wastes have a net 
Population equivalent (based on biochemical oxygen demand) of 
at)out 200. 
331. Most of the 25 coal washeries in the basin discharge fine 
coa.1 particles which blanket the bottom of the streams and increase 
lheir turbidity. A power plant at Logan daily dumps ashes from 
about 900 tons of coal into the Guyandot River. Mine sealing has 
educed the acid load to about 54 percent of the load carried prior 
° the inception of the sealing program. Present acid pollution from 
fhhe drainage approximates 10,865 tons per year (calcium carbonate 
equivalent). 
332. Extent oj pollution.—During the period from June 1939 to 
thPnl 1940, the Public Health Service collected and analyzed more 
Lift1 water samples from over 25 stream stations in the basin. 
a jy-four percent of the samples were collected during November 
tlvl^ecember 1939. Average discharges on sampling days during 
sum a^er months were, on the whole, less than one-tenth of the mean 
mUier-month discharge of record. In general, pollution problems 98 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
were found to be of a local nature. Plates 29, 30, and 31 include 
data on sources of pollution, and on coliform bacteria and dissolved 
oxygen results. 
333. Monthly average dissolved oxygen results, based on 1 to 5 
samples each, were in excess of 6.5 parts per million with the exception 
of monthly averages of 4.9 and 5.3 parts per million which were 
observed at the mouth of the river during September and October 1940, 
respectively. 
334. Monthly average biochemical oxygen demand results of 5 
parts per million or more, based on 1 to 4 samples each, were observed 
in Winding Gulf Creek below Helen, in Island Creek below Omar, in 
Copperas Mine Fork below Holden, and at the mouth of both Island 
Creek and the Guyandot River. 
335. Coliform bateria counts were in general agreement with 
oxygen demand results as to the location of major sources of pollu- 
tion; these being below Helen, Mullens, Man, Omar, Holden, and 
Logan. 
336. Acid stream conditions resulting from acid mine drainage 
were found in Island Creek and its tributary Copperas Mine Fork, 
where pH observations ranged from 4.5 to 5.2 and phenolphthalein 
acidities from about 20 to more than 200 parts per million. 
337. Results of analyses for 35 sampling dates between June 1939 
and April 1940 showed the Ohio River at dam No. 27, above the 
Guyandot River, to be of consistently better quality with respect to 
dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, and coliform bacteria 
content than was the Guyandot River at a sampling station 0.1 
mile above its mouth. Eight sets of samples disclosed the Guyan- 
dot River at a station 7.5 miles above its mouth to be similar in quality 
to the Ohio River at dam No. 27. 
338. Methods oj 'pollution control.—Results of water analyses indi- 
cate the effects of pollution in the Guyandot River Basin to be pri- 
marily local. At most localities, primary treatment of sewage would 
be sufficient to maintain good dissolved oxygen conditions. It 
would be desirable to intercept sewage from upstream communities 
whose wastes are now discharged to the Guyandot River above the 
water supply intake at Logan, for treatment with wastes from the 
latter community. Pollution from coal washeries is largely visual, 
and should not be difficult to correct. Continuation of the mine- 
sealing program will aid in reducing the mine acid load in tributary 
Island Creek Basin. 
339. The cost of a suggested program of pollution control, including 
13 primary municipal sewage-treatment plants, is shown in the 
following table. The program would eliminate local nuisance, improve 
streams for use as public water supplies, and preserve and improve 
aquatic recreational facilities. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
99 
Suggested 'program of pollution control for the Guyandot River Basin— 
Economic aspects 
Suggested pollution control 
measures 
Population 
Estimated cost 
Type 
Num- 
ber 
Now 
sewered 
1940 
census 
Design 
Capital 
Annual 
Opera- 
tion and 
mainte- 
nance 
Amorti- 
zation 
and 
interest 
Total 
treatment: Pri- 
mary (subtotal) 
13 
19,700 
23,800 
$300,000 
230,000 
10,000 
$15,000 
(») 
1,000 
$20,000 
10,000 
1,000 
$35,000 
10,000 
2,000 
(2) 
540,000 
110,000 
16,000 
31,000 
47,000 
■Emergency allowance, 20 
Percent3 
650,000 
I Negligible. 
initial program contemplates sealing of 1,330 ton-years of acid. 
Estimated additional cost of program if provided during present emergency period. 
Appendix I 
BIG SANDY RIVER BASIN 
SUMMARY 
340. General description.—The Big Sandy River is formed by the 
confluence of Levisa and Tug Forks at the Kentucky-West Virginia 
border and flows north to join the Ohio River 317.1 river miles below 
Rtsburgh, Pa. About half of its drainage area of 4,280 square miles 
in Kentucky, and the remainder is almost equally divided between 
Vrginia and West Virginia. The basin is rugged, and includes a rela- 
jvely elevated section of the Appalachian Range. A general map of 
he basin is shown on plate 29. 
341. Forests, principally of second growth hardwood, cover much 
i the basin surface; topography prohibits extensive agricultural activ- 
W; and manufacturing is of little significance in the area. Develop- 
ment of mineral resources, among which coal is of primary importance, 
constitutes the main economic activity of the basin. The navigation 
channel, provided by five locks and dams on the main stream and on 
tie lower reaches of Levisa and Tug Forks, is little used except near the 
mouth of the Big Sandy River. There are no important hydroelectric 
envelopments. 100 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION" CONTROL 
342. The total population of the basin has more than doubled since 
1910 and now approximates 411,900, of which about 8 percent is urban. 
Jenkins, Ky., and Williamson and Welch, W. Va., are the largest 
communities in the valley; their present populations are about 9,428, 
8,366, and 6,264, respectively. 
343. Water uses.—There are 120 public water supplies in the basin 
of which 18, aggregating about 2.99 million gallons per day and serv- 
ing about 53,800 persons, are from surface sources. Fifteen of the 
surface supplies, which serve an aggregate of 44,300 persons, come from 
streams subject to pollution. Fourteen of the communities using 
water supplies subject to pollution practice coagulation, sedimentation, 
filtration, and chlorination and of these, 3 employ lime soda softening 
processes. No treatment is applied to the fifteenth surface source 
which is subject to pollution. Ground water supplies are limited in 
quantity and generally are of poor quality, being hard and often con- 
taining objectionable quantities of hydrogen sulfide. A number of 
communities use mine drainage as a source of public water supply. 
344. Streams of the Big Sandy Kiver Basin are used extensively by 
local residents for recreational purposes, but there are no commercial 
developments of this nature. Water supply for industry is not a major 
problem. 
345. Low flow characteristics at a single station on Levisa Fork 
are as follows: 
Stream... 
Levisa Fork 
Location 
Paintsville, Ky. 
2,150 
1929-40 
Drainage area (square miles) 
Period considered 
June to September discharge (cubic feet per second): 
26 
85 
920 
Discharges per unit of drainage area during periods of low flow have 
been greater in the Tug Fork Basin than in the Levisa Fork Basin. 
346. Sources oj 'pollution.—About 55,000 persons, or 13 percent of 
the population of the basin, are served by sewers. The only indus- 
trial establishment in the basin which discharges an appreciable quan- 
tity of organic wastes is a small meat packing plant at Paintsville, 
Ky. These wastes have a net population equivalent of about 400 
(based on biochemical oxygen demand). In addition, there are 26 
coal washeries which discharge varying amounts of fine coal particles. 
Of these, 17 recirculate wash waters and recover the fines removed by 
washing. Three secondary municipal waste treatment plants, in 
which about $70,000 have been invested, serve 2,600 persons and aid 
in reducing the combined population equivalent of domestic and indus- 
trial wastes to about 53,300 as discharged. A considerable amount 
of polluting matter reaches the streams from privies along the banks 
of the streams, and in the form of other refuse dumped directly into 
the streams. Some progress lias been made with Works Progress 
Administration assistance in building sanitary privies. 
347. Pollution from acid mine drainage now amounts to about 
46,195 tons of acid per year (calcium carbonate equivalent). A 
reduction of about 25 percent in acid load has been effected by min® 
sealing since the inception of the program. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
101 
348. Extent of 'pollution.—During the period from June 1939 to 
April 1940 the Public Health Service collected and analyzed more 
than 350 water samples from over 85 stream stations in the basin. 
Sixty-seven percent of the samples were collected during October, 
November, and December, 1939. Average discharges on sampling 
days during November and December were much less than the mean 
summer-month flow of record. Plates 29, 30, and 31 include data on 
sources of pollution, and on coliform bacteria and dissolved oxygen 
results. 
349. Monthly average dissolve oxygen results below 5 parts per 
million, based on 1 to 3 samples each, were observed only in Holly 
Creek below Clintwood, Va., and in Paint Creek at Paintsville, Ky. 
W ith the exception of single monthly averages for Levisa Fork below 
Fort Gay, Ky., and for Big Sandy River below Louisa, Ky., and near 
the mouth, monthly average results, based on 1 to 11 samples each, 
in excess of 6.5 parts per million. 
350. Montlily average biochemical oxygen demand results in 
eXcess of 5 parts per million based on 2 to 4 samples each, were 
observed at several sampling stations on Tug Fork, Elkhorn Creek, 
Clear Fork, and Dry Fork in Tug Fork Basin, and at single stations 
on Holly Creek, Elkhorn Creek, Beaver Creek, Paint Creek, and 
Fevisa Fork in the Levisa Fork Basin. 
351. At approximately half of the sampling stations average coli- 
form counts of more than 200 per milliliter were found, and at nearly 
of> percent of the stations average coliform counts of over 50 per 
Milliliter were observed. Highest values were recorded below Clint- 
Va.; Jenkinjones and Kimball, W. Va.; and Pikesville and 
Faintsville, Ky. 
352. Acid stream conditions resulting from mine drainage were 
observed in Muddy Creek, a tributary of Levisa Fork, and along Mate 
reek, a tributary of Tug Fork. Individual pH values ranged from 
•p to 4.8 and phenolplithalein acidities from 39 to 164 parts per 
Million. None of the larger streams of the basin were found to be 
acidic. 
353. Results of water analyses for 96 sampling days during the 
gnod June 1939 to March 1940 showed the dissolved oxygen content 
1 the Big Sandy River at a station 0.3 mile above its mouth to be 
less than that of the Ohio River above their junction. 
he biochemical oxygen demand was higher and the coliform bacteria 
. °ntent was lower in the tributary than in the main stream on a ma- 
J°iity of the sampling dates. 
p. 54. Methods of pollution control.—The two main streams of the 
p1? Sandy Basin, Levisa, and Tug Forks, are not heavily polluted. 
Jhnary treatment of wastes discharged to these streams should be 
bei *ent to maintain good oxygen conditions at all points except 
onTV Grundy, Va., 011 uPPer Levisa Fork, and below Welch, W. Va. 
u iug Fork. Local nuisance conditions caused by the discharge of 
Se leated sewage to a number of the tributary streams will require 
a Midary treatment for their correction; however, considering the 
Y01 hejai condition and lack of permanence of the communities in- 
9Uo r ’ Reification for expenditures beyond partial treatment is 
Wasl Mhable. Elimination of largely visual pollution from coal 
2 Mpy wastes presents no particularly difficult technical problems. 
2o : The cost of a suggested program of pollution control, including 
MMiary and 2 secondary municipal waste-treatment plants, is 102 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
shown in the following table. The program will minimize local nui- 
sance conditions, improve streams for use as public water supplies, 
and preserve and improve the extensive aquatic recreational facilities 
of the basin. 
Suggested program of pollution control for the Big Sandy River Basin—economic 
aspects 
Suggested pollution control 
measures 
Population 
Estimated cost 
Type 
Num- 
ber 
Now 
sewered 
1940 
census 
Design 
Capital 
Annual 
Opera- 
tion and 
mainte- 
nance 
Amorti- 
zation 
and 
interest 
Total 
Municipal treatment: 
Primary 
20 
2 
36,600 
7,000 
51,000 
7,700 
57,000 
9,000 
$610,000 
130,000 
$29, 000 
6,000 
$41,000 
9,000 
$70, 000 
15,000 
Secondary 
Subtotal 
22 
43,600 
58,700 
740,000 
500, 000 
240, 000 
35,000 
0) 
26, 000 
50,000 
25,000 
10,000 
85,000 
25,000 
36, 000 
Interceptors.., 
(2) 
Subtotal 
1,480, 000 
300, 000 
61,000 
85,000 
146,000 
Emergency allowance, 20 
Total. 
1, 780, 000 
i Negligible. 
»Initial program contemplates sealing of 18,320 ton-years of acid, 
a Estimated additional cost of program if provided during present emergency period. 
Appendix J 
SCIOTO RIVER BASIN 
SUMMAEY 
356. General description.—The Scioto River Basin lies within Ohio 
and comprises 6,510 square miles in the central and south central 
portions of the State. The stream joins the Ohio River 356.5 rivet 
miles below Pittsburgh, Pa. The topography of the basin varies froi» 
flat areas to hilly sections, the latter of which are situated between 
Prospect and Columbus and from Chillicothe to the mouth. Principal 
tributaries are the Olentangy River and Big Walnut, Big Darby, DecL 
Paint, and Salt Creeks. There is no commercial navigation nor impor' 
tant hydroelectric development. A general map of the basin is shown 
on plate 32. 
357. Much of the Scioto River Basin is highly developed in agri' 
culture. Canning, chemical, meat, metal, milk, paper, and misceb 
laneous other industries are also of considerable economic importance* 
Manufactured products include paper, shoes, hardware, tools, macliin' 
erv, fertilizer, wool and wool fat products, cigars, glass, mattresses 
rubber products, chemicals, mineral products, and others. Limestone 
is the most important mineral resource of the basin and much timbef 
cover remains. The river is not commercially navigable beyond the 
limits of slack water induced by Ohio River navigation facilities. , 
358. Since 1910 rural population has remained practically unchanged 
in the area, but total population has increased about 35 percent aiw 
now approximates 739,600 of which 60 percent is urban. ColumbnS OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
103 
the basin’s largest city, has 306,100 inhabitants; Marion has 30,800; 
and Chillicothe, 20,100. 
359. Water uses.—'There are 44 public wafer supplies in the basin. 
Five of the largest, aggregating about 32.66 million gallons per day 
and serving 350,200 persons, are from surface sources. About 96 
percent of the total surface supply is used in the Columbus area; 
however, most pollution which originates above Columbus receives 
treatment. Two other surface water supply intakes are located below 
community sewer outfalls. In general, there is no serious pollution 
of public water supplies. All communities using surface waters prac- 
tice coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, chlorination, and lime-soda 
softening. Ground-water supplies in the basin appear to be adequate 
ftfld industrial water supply is not a major problem. There are some 
recreational developments on the Scioto River below Columbus. 
360. Low flow characteristics at three selected stream stations in 
the basin are as follows: 
Stream 
Scioto River 
Olentangy 
River 
Delaware 
location 
Chillicothe 
Bourneville 
3,847 
387 
808 
1921-40 
1922-34 
1924-40 
June to September discharge (cubic feet per second): 
214 
1 
11 
305 
7 
25 
Average 
1.593 
126 
418 
—. 
361. Sources oj 'pollution.—A sewered population of about 412,600 
abd industrial wastes having a population equivalent of about 425,900 
(based on biochemical oxygen demand), constitute the major pollution 
sources in the Scioto River Basin. Over 97 percent of the sewered 
domestic wastes receive treatment in 15 primary and 18 secondary 
Plants, in which about $12,890,000 have been invested. Industrial 
Pastes which have a population equivalent of 348,600 also receive 
Municipal treatment. At least minor corrective measures have been 
taken by 33 of the 48 industrial plants not connected to municipal 
treatment. The combined domestic and industrial waste load, as 
discharged after treatment, has a population equivalent of approxi- 
mately 251,400. Summarized data follow: 
Waste sources: 
Total population (1940 census) 739, 551 
Sewered population: . ~~~ 
Connected to municipal treatment 401, 500 
Not connected to municipal treatment 11, 100 
412, 600 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent, based on bio- 
chemical oxygen demand, after application of independ- 
ent corrective measures now in force, but prior to other 
treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 348, 600 
Not connected to municipal treatment: 
Canning 32, 200 
Meat 2, 700 
Milk 700 
Paper 39, 200 
Miscellaneous 2, 500 
77, 300 
— 425, 900 
Total (population equivalent) 838, 500 104 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Wastes as discharged: 
Human wastes (sewered) (population equivalent after all 
present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 62, 800 
Not connected to municipal treatment 11, 100 
73, 900 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after all present 
treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 100, 200 
Not connected to municipal treatment 77, 300 
• 177, 500 
Total residual (population equivalent) 251, 400 
Note.—Single industries of a specific classification are included within the miscellaneous classification. 
362. Acid mine drainage, to the extent of about 17,870 tons of acid 
per year (calcium carbonate equivalent), also contributes to the pollu- 
tion of the streams of the basin, but is of minor significance. A reduc- 
tion of 26 percent in the initial acid load has been effected by mine 
sealing. 
363. Extent of 'pollution.—The extent of stream pollution in the 
Scioto River Basin was determined by analysis of more than 1,490 
water samples collected at over 80 stream sampling stations during 
1939 and 1940. The stream reaches showing the greatest extent of 
pollution are the following: 
(a) Scioto River, Columbus to mouth, a distance of 132 river miles: 
Samples in number from 9 to 17, collected at 12 stations during June 
1939, showed average dissolved oxygen results from 3.0 to 6.5 parts 
per million, averaging 4.6 parts per million. Average discharge during 
the sampling period ranged from 2,680 cubic feet per second at Colum- 
bus to 8,390 cubic feet per second at the mouth, which flows are 
several times greater than mean summer discharges. 
(/;) .Paint Creek below Washington Court House and below Green- 
field: Average results for 2 samples collected during October 1939, at 
each of 5 stations in a 5-mile reach immediately below Washington 
Court House, showed dissolved oxygen results ranging from practically 
zero to 2.4 parts per million, and averaging 0.4 part per million. Dis- 
charge averaged 4 cubic feet per second at the time of sampling. For 
the same period, coliform bacteria counts averaged 180,000 per milli- 
liter at the 5 stations below Washington Court House and 24,000 per 
milliliter below Greenfield. Single samples in October 1939, showed 
recovery from a dissolved oxygen content of almost zero to a content 
of 4.6 parts per million in a 16-mile reach above Greenfield, followed 
by almost complete oxygen depletion below Greenfield. 
(c) Little Scioto River below Alarion: Three samples collected at 
a single station during September and October 1939 showed an aver- 
age dissolved oxygen content of 1.8 parts per million and an average 
coliform bacteria count of 38,600 per milliliter. Discharge averaged 
1 cubic foot per second. 
(d) Little Walnut Creek below Baltimore: Three samples collected 
at a single station during October and November 1939 showed an 
average dissolved oxygen content of 0.5 part per million, and an aver- 
age coliform bacteria count of 2,730 per milliliter. Mean discharge 
was 2 cubic feet per second. 
364. Plates 32, 33, and 34 include data on sources of pollution, and 
on coliform bacteria and dissolved oxygen results for the Scioto River 
Basin. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
105 
365. The laboratory results for the basin indicate undesirable pollu- 
tion along the Scioto River from Columbus to the mouth and in lim- 
ited reaches of Paint, Little Scioto, and Little Walnut Creeks. These 
latter are primarily local problems. Except as noted, dissolved oxygen 
averages we're generally above 6.5 parts per million. In spite of ex- 
tensive control measures now in effect at Columbus, surface wash re- 
sulting from local rains is at times sufficient to result in oxygen deple- 
tion in the Scioto River below the city. 
366. Analytical results for samples collected on 18 sampling days 
during the period September 1939 to January 1940 showed the Scioto 
River at Lucasville Bridge (river mile 15) to have a dissolved oxygen 
content consistently less than that of the Ohio River at dam No. 31, 
above their junction. Coliform bacteria counts for the tributary 
Were consistently lower than those for the Ohio River, while bio- 
chemical oxygen demand results were somewhat higher. 
367. Methods of pollution control.—The cost of a suggested program 
°f pollution control is shown in the following table. The program 
Would eliminate local nuisance conditions which now exist and would 
Restore streams for recreational use, particularly in headwater areas. 
However, improved industrial waste treatment technique will be re- 
quired to fully control pollution in the Chillicotlie and Circleville 
&reas. 
368. Periodic flow augmentation would he effective in eliminating 
Occasional nuisance conditions below Columbus and could be obtained 
oy drawing from the small Whittier Street Reservoir on the Scioto 
River in the city. A dependable water supply for the purpose of 
replenishing the Whittier Street pool could be provided by the pro- 
posed Delaware flood control reservoir. 
Suggested 'program of pollution control for the Scioto River Basin—Economic aspects 
Suggested pollution control 
measures 
Population 
Estimated cost 
Type 
Num- 
ber 
Now 
sewered 
1940 
census 
Design 
Capital 
Annual 
Opera- 
tion and 
mainte- 
nance 
Amorti- 
zation 
and 
interest 
Total 
Municipal treatment: 
primary 
secondary 
improvements 
18 
4 
8 
4,600 
6,500 
19,800 
12,800 
11,500 
27,100 
16,900 
13,000 
$240,000 
200,000 
230,000 
$11,000 
10,000 
9,000 
$18,000 
15,000 
17,000 
$29,000 
25,000 
26,000 
30 
30,900 
51,400 
670,000 
260,000 
370,000 
40,000 
(') 
(4) 
30,000 
(>) 
40,000 
4,000 
(>) 
0) 
50,000 
10,000 
50,000 
2,000 
(') 
(4) 
80,000 
10,000 
90,000 
6,000 
<0 
(4) 
(2) 
(*) 
‘Ifovemer.ts to Whittier 
r dam 
w flow control 
Jv,,,, Subtotal 
1,340,000 
270,000 
74,000 
112,000 
186,000 
allowance; 20 
Total.. 
1,610,000 
2 {^eligible. 
3 lmr (,ies sucb items as minor corrections, process changes, sewer construction, treatment plants, etc. 
« Nee'r •?rogram contemplates sealing of 7,100 ton-years of acid. 
6 Estm?1* e’ incidental to flood control if provided. 
“mated additional cost of program if provided during present emergency period. 
90035—43—pt. 1 8 106 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Appendix K 
LITTLE MIAMI RIVER BASIN 
SUMMARY 
369. General description.—The Little Miami River joins the Ohio 
River 464.1 river miles below Pittsburgh, Pa. Its basin comprises 
1,755 square miles situated in a glaciated region wholly within 
southwestern Ohio, and constitutes a broad plateau, ranging in eleva- 
tion from about 900 to about 1,200 feet above mean sea level. Princi- 
pal tributaries are Caesar Creek and Todd and East Forks. A general 
map of the basin is shown on plate 35. 
370. There are no hydroelectric developments or outstanding 
mineral resources in the basin, and timber cover has been largely 
removed. Ohio River Dam No. 37 provides slack water in the lower 
mile of the stream. Fertile soil and climatic conditions favor agri- 
culture, and agriculture and canning are the most important economic 
pursuits. Industrial development has begun on the lower reaches 
of the stream, adjacent to the Cincinnati metropolitan area, and the 
proximity of the basin to population centers has resulted in its exten- 
sive use for recreational purposes. 
371. Xenia, with about 10,630 inhabitants (1940 census) is the 
largest city in the basin. Total population, exclusive of the Cincin- 
nati metropolitan area, approximates 135,500, and is about 82 per- 
cent rural. Both urban and mral population have increased about 
15 percent since 1910. 
372. Water uses.—There are 21 public water supplies in the basin 
of which 4, serving about 3,200 persons and aggregating 0.16 million 
gallons per day, are from surface sources, in all cases tributary to the 
main stream. Coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and chlorina- 
tion are applied to all surface supplies. Most communities use ground 
water which is limited in quantity in many sections, and generally 
hard, with high iron content. With the exception of Batavia and 
Williamsburg, surface water supplies are located above community 
sewer outfalls and are not seriously affected by pollution. The 
prevalence of stock watering and an increasing public demand for 
aquatic recreational facilities appear to warrant the application of 
high standards of stream quality. In addition, the inadequacy of 
ground water supplies indicates possible increased future public use 
of water from surface sources. Industrial water supply is not & 
major problem. 
373. Low flow characteristics at two stream stations in the basin 
follow: 
Stream 
Little Miami 
River 
Milford 
1,195 
1924-39 
East Fork Lit-tl© 
Miami River 
Pcrintown 
477 
1914-39 
Drainage area (square miles). 
Period considered 
June to September discharge (cubic feet per second): 
Minimum single month 
70 
107 
683 
1 
5 
268 
Minimum 4-month average. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
107 
374. Sources oj pollution.—About 109,700 persons, of which 78,000 
are situated in Cincinnati and its suburban areas, are served by 
sewers. Industrial wastes having a population equivalent of 60,700 
(based on biochemical oxygen demand), of which 51,000 is from the 
Cincinnati area, are discharged to the streams of the basin. Exclu- 
sive of the Cincinnati industrial waste load, 4 of the 10 canneries 
contributing the remaining industrial load have taken steps to reduce 
the strength of their wastes, and 2 vegetable canneries discharge 
wastes, having a 2,800 total population equivalent, to municipal 
treatment plants. Three primary and 8 secondary municipal treat- 
ment plants in which about $530,000 have been invested serve 8,100 
and 16,500 persons, respectively. These aid in reducing the combined 
population equivalent of domestic and industrial wastes .to about 
149,100 as discharged to streams. Summarized data follow: 
Waste sources: 
Total population (1940 census): 
Cincinnati and suburbs (Little Miami River 
portion) 81, 000 
Remainder of Little Miami River Basin 135, 474 
216, 474 
Sewered population: ■ ■: 
Connected to municipal treatment: 
Cincinnati and suburbs (Little Miami 
River portion) 0 
Remainder of Little Miami River Basin. 24, 600 
24, 600 
Not connected to municipal treatment: 
Cincinnati and suburbs (Little Miami 
River portion) 78, 000 
Remainder of Little Miami River Basin. 7, 100 
85, 100 
109, 700 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after 
application of independent corrective measures 
now in force but prior to other treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment: 
Cincinnati and suburbs (Little Miami 
River portion) ' 0 
Remainder of Little Miami River Basin. 2, 800 
2, 800 
Not connected to municipal treatment: 
Cincinnati and suburbs (Little Miami 
River portion) 51, 000 
Remainder of Little Miami River Basin. 6, 900 
57, 900 
60, 700 
Total (population equivalent) 170,400 
Wastes as discharged: 
Human wastes (sewered) (population equivalent 
after all present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment: 
Cincinnati and suburbs (Little Miami 
River portion) 0 
Remainder of Little Miami River Basin. 4, 700 
4, 700 
Not connected to municipal treatment: 
Cincinnati and suburbs (Little Miami 
River Basin portion) 78, 000 
Remainder of Little Miami River Basin. 7, 100 
85, 100 
89, 800 108 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Wastes as discharged—Continued 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after all 
present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment: 
Cincinnati and suburbs (Little Miami 
River Basin portion) _ 0 
Remainder of Little Miami River Basin. 1, 400 
1, 400 
Not connected to municipal treatment: 
Cincinnati and suburbs (Little Miami 
River Basin portion) 51, 000 
Remainder of Little Miami River Basin. 6, 900 
57, 900 
59, 300 
Total waste residual (population equivalent) 149, 100 
375. Extent of 'pollution.—The Public Health Service collected and 
analyzed more than 400 water samples from over 35 stream stations 
in the basin during the period January 1939, to April 1940. Sampling 
dates were well distributed throughout the period. Reaches showing 
the greatest extent of pollution are the following: 
(a) Little Miami River: A single sample collected above South 
Charleston in September 1939, had a dissolved oxygen content of 4.0 
parts per million. Other dissolved oxygen results for the main stream 
averaged uniformly above 5 parts per million, except below Beech- 
mont Bridge in the Cincinnati metropolitan area, where 4 samples in 
October and November 1939, had an average dissolved oxygen 
content of 2.8 parts per million, biochemical oxygen demand of 7.0 
parts per million, and a coliform bacteria count of 4,600 per milliliter. 
(b) Caesar Creek below Jamestown: Two samples in August 1939, 
had an average dissolved oxygen content of 2.5 parts per million; a 
third, collected in October 1939, contained 3.4 parts per million. 
Flows averaged about 1 cubic foot per second on the sampling dates. 
(c) Lyttle Creek above and below Wilmington: Samples in the 
latter months of 1939 showed severe oxygen depletion, high biochem- 
ical oxygen demand, and high coliform bacteria counts. Flows were 
low. 
(d) Turtle Creek below Lebanon: From 1 to 3 samples in each 
month from July 1939, to January 1940, with the exception of Decem- 
ber 1940, showed average dissolved oxygen results ranging from zero to 
5.0 parts per million, biochemical oxygen demands ranging from 2.4 
to 46.0 parts per million, and coliform bacteria counts as high as 
240,000 per milliliter, and not less than 1,580 per milliliter. 
376. Laboratory results for water samples collected on 23 days 
between March 1939, and April 1940, showed the dissolved oxygen 
content of the Little Miami River at Beechmont Bridge (river 
mile 4.3) to be consistently less than that of the Ohio River above their 
junction. The biochemical oxygen demand and coliform bacteria 
content of the tributary were consistently higher than those of the 
main stream. During the same period, the Little Miami River above 
the Cincinnati metropolitan area was similar in quality to the Ohio 
River above their junction. 
377. Plates 35, 36, and 37 include data on sources of pollution, and 
on coliform bacteria and dissolved oxygen results for the Little Miami 
River Basin. 
378. Methods of pollution control.—Pollution problems in the Little 
Miami River Basin are minor, generally of local significance, and can OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
109 
be satisfactorily solved by waste treatment. The cost of a suggested 
program of pollution control is shown in the following table. The pro- 
gram would eliminate local nuisance, protect valuable aquatic recre- 
ational facilities, and improve streams in anticipation of further use 
for public water supply. 
Suggested program of pollution control for the Little Miami River Basin—Economic 
aspects 
Suggested pollution control 
measures 
Population 
Estimated cost 
Type 
Num- 
ber 
Now 
sewered 
1940 
census 
Design 
Capital 
Annual 
Opera- 
tion and 
mainte- 
nance 
Amorti- 
zation 
and 
interest 
Total 
Municipal treatment: 
Primary 
Secondary 
Improvements.. 
* . Subtotal 
interceptors 
3 
8 
3 
2,900 
4, 200 
19,100 
5,000 
6,000 
20,500 
5,500 
6,800 
$70,000 
230, 000 
110,000 
$3,000 
10,000 
3,000 
$7,000 
16,000 
6,000 
$10,000 
26, 000 
9,000 
14 
26, 200 
31,500 
410, 000 
120,000 
50,000 
16,000 
0) 
4,000 
29, 000 
5, 000 
6,000 
45, 000 
5,000 
10,000 
industrial treatment 
p, Subtotal 
(2) 
580,000 
120,000 
20,000 
40,000 
60,000 
emergency allowance, 20 
Percent 3 
Total.. 
700, 000 
—. 
, Negligible. 
i includes such items as minor corrections, process changes, sewer construction, treatment plants, etc. 
Estimated additional cost of program if provided during present emergency period. 
Appendix L 
LICKING RIVER BASIN 
SUMMARY 
379. General description.—The Licking River joins the Ohio River 
rjPPosite Cincinnati, Ohio, 470.2 river-miles below Pittsburgh, Pa. 
fe basin of the Licking River comprises 3,670 square miles situated 
holly within Kentucky, and is mainly hilly and mountainous. The 
hsm also includes a portion of the blue-grass region. Principal 
Ojutaries are the North and South Forks. A general map of the 
Jea is shown on plate 38. 
of ’ le kicking River Basin is predominately rural, and, outside 
rp the area at its mouth, agriculture is the principal economic pursuit. 
a ]?re ai>e attractive hydroelectric power reservoir sites in the basin, 
hio ma^n river is navigable to a point about 3 miles above its 
illol i Timber resources are almost exhausted, mineral resources 
ar_llcie coal, oil, iron ore, sandstone, and fire clays, none of which 
3^^ensively worked. 
The population of the valley has remained virtually unchanged 
is e 1910, and now approximates 170,100 of which about 15 percent 
th . n\ Winchester, Paris, Cynthiana, and Mount Sterling are 
Principal communities. Their populations are, respectively, 8,594, OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
6,697, 4,840, and 4,782 (1940 census). All 4 are located in the 
tributary South Fork area. 
382. Water uses.—There are 17 public water supplies in the basin 
of which 13, aggregating about 2.56 million gallons per day and 
serving 36,200 persons, are from surface sources. Five of the latter 
are situated below sources of sewage pollution; however, only 2 of 
these, serving a total of 5,400 persons, are seriously affected. Coagula- 
tion, sedimentation and chlorination are practiced by all communities 
using surface waters, and 10 supplies are filtered. 
383. There are no outstanding recreational developments in the 
basin, but its streams are used for fishing and bathing by local resi- 
dents. There is no industrial water-supply problem. 
384. Low-flow characteristics at two stream stations in the basin 
are as follows: 
Stream 
Licking River 
Catawba, Ky. 
3.320 
1928-40 
South Fork, 
Licking River 
Hayes, Ky. 
922 
1928-31 
Location 
Drainage area (square miles) 
Period considered .. 
June to September discharge (cubic feet per second): 
Minimum single month _j . . 
12 
34 
1,716 
0 
4 
603 
Minimum 4-month average ... _ - 
385. Sources of pollution.—About 25,200 persons, or 15 percent of 
the population of the basin, are served by sewers. Industrial wastes 
from 7 small establishments have an additional net population 
equivalent of 3,300 (based on biochemical oxygen demand) after 
application of various corrective measures in 5 of the establishments. 
None of the industrial wastes receive municipal treatment. Two 
secondary municipal sewage treatment plants, in which about 
$290,000 have been invested, serve 11,200 persons and aid in reducing 
the net population equivalent of domestic and industrial wastes to 
about 18,900, as discharged. Pollution by acid mine drainage is of 
little significance. Summarized data follow: 
Waste sources: 
Total population (1940 census) 170, 143 
Sewered population: 
Connected to municipal treatment 11, 200 
Not connected to municipal treatment 14, 000 
25, 200 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent, based on bio- 
chemical oxygen demand, after application of inde- 
pendent corrective measures now in force, but prior to 
other treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 0 
Not connected to municipal treatment: 
Meat 400 
Milk 300 
Miscellaneous 2, 600 
3, 300 
3, 300 
Total (population equivalent) 28, 500 OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
111 
Wastes as discharged: 
Human wastes (sewered) (population equivalent after 
all present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 1, 600 
Not connected to municipal treatment 14, 000 
15,600 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after all present 
treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 0 
Not connected to municipal treatment 3, 300 
3,300 
Total waste residual (population equivalent) 18, 900 
Note.—Single industries of a specific classification are included within the miscellaneous classification. 
386. Extent of 'pollution.—The Public Health Service collected and 
aRalyzed more than 260 water samples from over 45 stream stations in 
the basin during the period from February 1939 to March 1940. 
Sampling dates were well distributed throughout these months. In 
general, pollution problems appeared to be of a local nature. Reaches 
showing the greatest evidence of pollution are as follows: 
(a) Triplett Creek below Morehead: Three samples collected in 
September and October 1939 had an average dissolved oxygen con- 
tent of 2.5 parts per million, biochemical oxygen demand of 4.3 parts 
her million, and coliform bacteria count of 528 per milliliter. Stream 
discharge was low. 
. f>) Hinkston Creek below Mount Sterling: Five samples collected 
111 September and October 1939 showed complete oxygen depletion, 
an average biochemical oxygen demand of 31.6 parts per million, and 
ar* average coliform bacteria count of 84,400 per milliliter, at low flow, 
n (c) Hinkston Creek below Millersburg: Four samples collected in 
ePtember and October 1939, had an average dissolved oxygen con- 
ent of 2.6 parts per million, biochemical oxygen demand of 2.9 parts 
er million, and coliform bacteria count of 73 per milliliter. 
. (d) Brush Fork and Scrub Grass Creek at Carlisle: Single samples 
0111 each stream showed an average dissolved oxygen content of 3.0 
per million and biochemical oxygen demand of 16.4 parts per 
niUion. 
f (e) Strodes Creek in the vicinity of Winchester: The averages for 
s 9111 2 to 5 samples at each of 3 sampling stations showed the dis- 
y ed oxygen content to range from 1.0 to 3.5 parts per million, 
j. y) Stoner Creek below Paris: Complete oxygen depletion was 
cued in 3 samples in September and October 1939. Biochemical 
Agen demand averaged 44.9 parts per million, the average coliform 
acteria count approximated 46,000 per mililiter. Flows were low. 
u Partial oxygen depletion was also noted in the South Fork 
(jj lovf Cynthiana. However, with the exception of the noted localities, 
oxygen results generally averaged in excess of 6.5 parts per 
Ob 10n’ biochemical oxygen demand less than 3 parts per million. 
oSHVecl pH values were consistently above 7.0. 
Apr’i ' Analytical results for 20 sampling days during the period 
Lick Hecember 1939 showed the dissolved oxygen content of the 
(Junlng ver river mile 3.3 (April to June) and at river mile 5.5 
Riv e to December) to be consistently less than that of the Ohio 
f°rr^r, ab°ve their junction. Biochemical oxygen demand and coli- 
389 a^er^a resu^s were similar for the tributary and the main river. 
y' Plates 38, 39, and 40 include data on sources of pollution, 
colif°rm bacteria and dissolved oxygen results for the Licking 112 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
390. Methods of pollution control.—Because of the low summer 
flows experienced in the Licking River Basin, need for secondary 
waste treatment is indicated at numerous communities. However, 
problems are generally local in nature and readily amenable to solu- 
tion. Low flow control does not appear to be an economically 
attractive substitute for conventional waste treatment methods. 
391. The cost of a suggested program of pollution control is shown 
in the following table. The program will eliminate local nuisance 
conditions, improve the streams for use as sources of public water 
supply, and preserve and improve recreational facilities. 
Suggested program of pollution control for the Licking River Basin—Economic aspects 
Suggested pollution control 
measures 
Population 
Estimated cost 
Type 
Num- 
ber 
Now 
sewered 
1940 
census 
Design 
Capital 
Annual 
Opera- 
tion and 
mainte- 
nance 
Amorti- 
zation 
and 
interest 
Total 
Municipal treatment: 
Primary— 
Secondary 
Improvements— 
Subtotal.— - 
2 
11 
1 
14 
1,200 
12,800 
6,300 
2,500 
20,100 
9,000 
2,800 
23,800 
$40,000 
420,000 
60,000 
$1,500 
20,000 
2,500 
$2,500 
30,000 
3,500 
$4,000 
50,000 
6,000 
20, 300 
31,600 
520,000 
180,000 
10.000 
24,000 
0) 
1,000 
36,000 
8,000 
1,000 
60,000 
8,000 
2,000 
Industrial treatment 
Subtotal 
(*) 
710,000 
140,000 
25,000 
45,000 
70,000 
Emergency allowance, 20 
850,000 
' Negligible. 
2 Includes such items as minor corrections, process changes, sewer construction, treatment plants, etc. 
3 Estimated additional cost of program if provided during present emergency period. 
Appendix M 
MIAMI RIVER BASIN 
392. General description.—The Miami River drains an area °^ 
5,385 square miles, about three-fourths of which is situated in south' 
western Ohio. The remainder of the area is in southeastern Indiana* 
The stream joins the Ohio River 491.1 river miles below Pittsburgh* 
Pa. The topography of its basin varies from gently rolling areas 
hilly sections. Upland elevations range from about 800 to aboiu 
1,100 feet above mean sea level. The Whitewater, Stillwater, aiw 
Mad Rivers are important tributaries. A general map of the area 
is shown on plate 35. . 
393. Natural resources include tillable soil, limestone, sand, gravel * 
and abundant ground water; however, the basin is singularly barrel 
of essential raw materials necessary to the operation of the diversify 
industry located within its boundaries. Hydroelectric power is pr°' 
SUMMARY OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
113 
duced on a small scale, but large scale development does not appear 
to be economically attractive. The river is regarded as navigable to 
the head of beneficial slack water provided by Ohio River Dam 
No. 38. 
394. The basin as a whole is well developed, both agriculturally 
and industrially. Manufactured products include paper, machinery, 
tools, automobile parts, sheet metal, metal products, textiles, canned 
foods, and dairy products. Paper manufacturing is the largest 
industry. 
395. Both urban and rural populations have increased rapidly in 
the last several decades, and the total population of the basin now 
approximates 830,500 of which about 60 percent is urban. The 
larger cities, together with their populations (1940 census), are as 
follows: 
bavton, Ohio 210, 7181 Hamilton, Ohio 50, 592 
Springfield, Ohio 70, 662 | Richmond, Ind 35, 147 
396. Water uses.—There are 64 public water supplies in the basin 
°f which 5, serving 101,300 persons and aggregating 12.51 million 
gallons per day are from surface sources. The remainder are from 
ground water sources which appear to be plentiful and of good chem- 
ical quality. All surface supplies are chlorinated and 3 are lime-soda 
s°ftened. The supplies at Greenville and Piqua are located below 
immunity sewer outfalls and thus are subject to pollution. In 
general, pollution does not seriously affect other public water supplies. 
Bowever, an increasing public demand for improved aquatic recrea- 
Ponal facilities and possible augmented use of surface water in the 
Joture appear to warrant maintenance of high standards of stream 
Quality. Industrial water supply is of some importance but does 
**°t present a major problem. 
,397. Low flow characteristics at two selected stream stations in 
basin are as follows: 
>tream 
Uon 
Hamilton, Ohio 
1910-40 
Dayton, Ohio 
1914-39 
considered 
Ittmage area (square miles) 1 j 
3,639 
632 
September discharge (cubic feet per second): 
"imimum single month 
335 
125 
465 
145 
Average 
1,746 
466 
. 
,°98. Sources of pollution.—Pollution of the Miami River is typical 
* a highly developed and industrialized area. Sewage from 550,500 
Jasons, in 64 communities, and industrial wastes having an approxi- 
ate population equivalent of 401,500 (based on biochemical oxygen 
irf1| a^er application of various minor corrective measures by 
Se^u.stry, are the principal pollutants. About 333,400 persons are 
PalV ky secondary treatment in 21 communities, and 10 munici- 
toti6 S Provide primary treatment for a total of 89,000 persons. A 
Ipd °f about $9,380,000 have been invested in these facilities. 
trial wastes with an approximate population equivalent of 
>*-00 are also connected to municipal treatment, and at least minor 114 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
corrective measures have been taken at 40 of the 89 remaining indus- 
trial pollution sources of significance. Summarized data follow: 
Waste sources: 
Total population (1940 census) 830, 481 
Sewered population: ===== 
Connected to municipal treatment 422, 400 
Not connected to municipal treatment 128, 100 
550, 500 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent, based on bio- 
chemical oxygen demand, after application of inde- 
pendent corrective measures now in force, but prior to 
other treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 166, 200 
Not connected to municipal treatment: 
Brewing 1, 700 
Canning 26, 800 
Meat 3, 200 
Milk 1, 500 
Paper 167, 000 
Miscellaneous 35, 100 
235, 300 
401, 500 
Total (population equivalent) 952, 000 
Wastes as discharged: 
Human wastes (sewered) (population equivalent after all 
present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 88, 700 
Not connected to municipal treatment 128, 100 
216, 800 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after all present 
treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 30, 600 
Not connected to municipal treatment 235, 300 
265, 900 
Total waste residual (population equivalent) 482, 700 
Note.—Single industries of a specific classification are included within the miscellaneous classification* 
399. Nineteen metallurgical industries discharge approximately 
6,875 tons of acid pickling liquor per year (calcium carbonate equiva- 
lent) into the streams of the basin. 
400. Extent oj 'pollution.—The Public Health Service collected and 
analyzed over 975 water samples from more than 75 stream stations 
during the period from February 1939 to April 1940. Ecaches show- 
ing the greatest extent of pollution are the following: 
(a) Miami Eiver below Dayton, Ohio: One or more monthly 
averages, each based on from 2 to 5 samples, collected at each of • 
stations between Dayton and Hamilton, Ohio, during the period 
August to October 1939, had dissolved oxygen contents ranging fro#1 
4.0 to 5.0 parts per million. Corresponding biochemical oxygen 
demand values ranged from 4.6 to 8.6 parts permillion. Colifor#1 
bacteria counts were uniformly high. On the sampling dates, floWS 
averaged somewhat less than mean summer discharge. 
(b) Jacket Creek below Bellefontaine, Ohio: Two samples in Sep' 
tember 1939 showed complete oxygen depletion and an average bi?' 
chemical oxygen demand of 36.6 parts per million. Coliform 
counts averaged 175,000 per milliliter. Flow averaged 34 cubic feet 
per second. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
115 
401. Single monthly averages, each based on from 1 to 3 samples, 
jdso showed dissolved oxygen of 5 parts per million or less in Buckanga- 
helas Creek above De Graff, Ohio; in the East Fork of Whitewater 
River above Richmond, Ind.; in Dismal Creek below Union City, 
in Greenville Creek below Greenville, Ohio; and in Stillwater 
River below Covington, Ohio. Monthly average biochemical oxygen 
demand results in excess of 5 parts per million were observed througli- 
°ut the length of the Miami River, and on tributaries below pollution 
sources. 
402. Laboratory results for 67 sampling dates during the period 
March 1939 to April 1940 showed the dissolved oxygen content of the 
Miami River, 4.2 miles from the mouth, to be higher than that of the 
ydio River above their junction about 55 percent of the sampling 
days. The biochemical oxygen demand of the tributary was higher 
than that of the Ohio River about 87 percent of the time, and the 
ooliform bacteria count was lower on about 67 percent of the sampling 
days. 
403. Plates 35, 36, and 37 include data on sources of pollution, 
on coliform bacteria and dissolved oxygen results for the Miami 
River Basin. 
404. Methods of pollution control.—Limitations in existing, practical 
of industrial waste treatment are controlling factors in 
abatement of pollution in certain stream reaches in the basin. Other 
Pollution problems are readily amenable to solution by waste treat- 
ment. Low flow regulation offers little promise as an economic 
method of pollution control although its provision as an incidental 
eature of flood-control development would be desirable. 
. 405. The cost of a suggested pollution control progiam is shown 
irp^16 following table. The program would eliminate local nuisances, 
aquatic recreational facilities, improve streams for use as 
ater supplies, and establish satisfactory stream quality in antici- 
pation of extended public use. 
5 
Qgested 'program, of pollution control for the Miami River Basin—Economic aspects 
Suggested pollution control 
_ measures 
Population 
Estimated cost 
Type 
Num- 
ber 
Now 
sewered 
1940 
census 
Design 
Capital 
Annual 
Opera- 
tion and 
mainte- 
nance 
Amorti- 
zation 
and 
interest 
Total 
MT^aryreatment: 
Secondary " * 
improvements 
Into, Subtotal 
Infers 
7 
18 
7 
99,200 
28,000 
71.000 
100,000 
39,000 
80, 700 
108,700 
50,300 
$820,000 
820,000 
480,000 
40,000 
40,000 
15,000 
$58,000 
58,000 
34.000 
$98,000 
98,000 
49,000 
32 
198, 200 
225, 700 
2,120,000 
1, 560, 000 
1,180,000 
95,000 
(') 
185,000 
150,000 
75,000 
155,000 
245, 000 
75, 000 
340,000 
trial treatment 
Emere*btotal 
(2) 
4,860,000 
970,000 
280,000 
380,000 
660,000 
PercIntT allowance, 20 
Total 
5,830, 000 
- __ 
i 
* Estimato^Uc!?items as minor corrections, process changes, sewer construction, treatment plants, etc. 
u additional cost of the program if provided during present emergency period. 116 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Appendix N 
KENTUCKY RIVER BASIN 
SUMMARY 
406. General description.—The Kentucky River Basin lies within, 
and comprises about one-sixth of the area of Kentucky. It drains 
6,940 square miles and joins the Ohio River 545.8 river miles beknv 
Pittsburgh, Pa. The headwater regions are rugged and mountainous, 
the middle area is characterized by isolated hills, and downstream 
areas are primarily fertile tableland. Principal tributaries include 
Eagle and Elkhorn Creeks, Dix and Red Rivers, and North, Middle, 
and South Forks. A general map of the area is shown on plate 38. 
407. The river is now canalized to river mile 258.6, the extent of 
the main stream. The further development of hydroelectric pow'er 
in the area offers attractive possibilities. Economically important 
mineral resources of the basin are coal, petroleum, phosphate rock, 
building stone, calcite, barite, fluorspar, galena, sphalerite, cement 
rock, and oil shale. Coal mining of national importance and agri- 
culture are the principal economic pursuits. Much of the food crops 
are processed in the basin, and the distilling industry, which produces 
about 10,000,000 gallons of whisky annually, is of considerable 
importance. 
408. The population of the valley has increased about 35 percent 
since 1910, and now approximates 482,000 of which about 20 percent 
is urban. Lexington, the largest city, has about 49,300 inhabitants, 
and, with the exception of Frankfort, which has about 11,490, no 
other community in the basin has as man}r as 10,000 inhabitants. 
409. Water uses.—There are 38 public water supplies in the basin 
of which 19, aggregating about 10.27 million gallons per day and 
serving 132,800 persons, are from surface sources. Although 10 
surface water supplies serving 113,300 persons are obtained from 
below sources of pollution, only at Irvine are the effects of pollution 
serious. Chlorination is practiced by all communities using surface 
waters, 18 supplies are coagulated and settled, and 16 of the latter 
are filtered. The supply at Berea is chlorinated only: Ground 
water is available generally, but in limited quantities only, and its 
chemical quality is usually poor. 
410. Recreational activities such as swimming, boating, and fishing 
are extensive on the Kentucky River and many of its tributaries- 
Industrial water supply is not a major problem. 
411. Low flow characteristics of the Kentucky River at two selected 
stream stations are as follows: 
Stream 
Kentucky River 
Winchester 
3,960 
1909-40 
Frankfort 
5,400 
1925-40 
Drainage area (square miles) __ 
Period considered ' 
June to September discharge (cubic feet per second): 
Minimum single months 
16 
83 
1,967 
avfc \ 
Minimum 4-month average 
Average OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
117 
412. Sources of 'pollution.—About 105,300 persons, or 22 percent 
of the population of the basin, are served by sewers. Industries, 
after application of various corrective measures, contribute wastes 
having an additional population equivalent of 131,400 (based on 
biochemical oxygen demand), of which 32,900 receives further treat- 
ment in municipal plants. Of the 23 industrial establishments whose 
Pastes do not receive municipal treatment, 9 distilleries account for 
about 90 percent of the total waste load. Fifteen industrial establish- 
ments, including all of the distilleries, have taken at least minor 
corrective measures toward reducing their pollution of the streams. 
Three primary and 10 secondary municipal waste treatment plants, 
m which about $1,370,000 have been invested, serve 1,200 and 68,200 
Persons, respectively, and aid in reducing the combined population 
equivalent of domestic and industrial wastes to about 150,400, as 
discharged. Summarized data follow: 
raste sources: 
Total population (1940 census) 481, 969 
Sewered population: 
Connected to municipal treatment 69, 400 
Not connected to municipal treatment 35, 900 
105, 300 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after application 
of independent corrective measures now in force but 
prior to other treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 32, 900 
Not connected to municipal treatment: 
Canning 6, 300 
Distilling 86, 200 
Meat 1, 100 
Milk 1,000 
Miscellaneous 3, 900 
98, 500 
131,400 
Total (population equivalent) 236, 700 
Pastes as discharged: 
Human wastes (sewered) (population equivalent after all 
present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 11, 100 
Not connected to municipal treatment 35, 900 
T 47, 000 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after all present 
treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 4, 900 
Not connected to municipal treatment 98, 500 
103, 400 
Total waste residual (population equivalent) 150,400 
Single industries of a specific classification are included within the miscellaneous classification. 
- mine drainage causes problems of primarily local impor- 
re]Ce in the area drained by the North Fork. Mine sealing has 
tkeUCe<^-the l°ad carried by the streams prior to the inception of 
abo Sca^n& program by about 30 percent. The present acid load is 
ut 30,470 tons per year (calcium carbonate equivalent). 
Extent of pollution.—The Public Health Service collected and 
more than 260 water samples from more than 80 stream 
four°11S’ urin§ tim period March 1939 to January 1941. Seventy- 
Percent of these samples were collected in September, October, 118 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
and November, 1939. In general, discharges on the sampling dates 
during the latter period were less than the mean summer discharges 
of record. Pollution problems in the basin appear to be of a local 
nature. Typical of such problems are the following: 
(a) North Fork Kentucky River below Hazard: Single samples 
taken at 3 points below Hazard, during October 1939 had dissolved 
oxygen contents ranging from zero to 3.3 parts per million, and aver- 
aging 1.1 parts per million; biochemical oxygen demand results rang- 
ing from 8.8 to 106.2 parts per million, and averaging 67.3 parts per 
million; and coliform bacteria counts ranging from 4,600 to 110,000 
per milliliter. Discharge averaged about 1 cubic foot per second. 
Two samples collected at a station 21 miles downstream showed an 
average dissolved oxygen content of 10.2 parts per million, biochemical 
oxygen demand of 1.7 parts per million, and coliform bacteria count 
of 5 per milliliter. 
(b) North Fork Elkhorn Creek below Georgetown: Two samples 
collected in September and October, 1939, at a station 1 mile below 
Georgetown had an average dissolved oxygen content of 2.2 parts per 
million, biochemical oxygen demand of 20.8 parts per million, and 
coliform bacteria count of 48 per milliliter. Flows were low. 
415. Partial or complete oxygen depletion was also observed in 
Wright Fork at McRoberts, North Fork below Whitesburg, Goose 
Creek above Manchester, Dreaming Creek below Richmond, Silver 
Creek and Walnut Meadow Branch below Berea, Town Branch below 
Nicholasville, St. Asaph Creek below Stanford, Town Branch beloW 
Lancaster, Clark Run and Town Branch below Danville, Penitentiary 
Run at mouth, Kentucky River below Frankfort, Town Branch below 
Lexington, and South Fork Elkhorn Creek below the Narcotic Farm- 
With the exception of local areas, dissolved oxygen results during 
the sampling period were generally above 6.5 parts per million, ana 
biochemical oxygen demand results less than 3 parts per million. 
416. Laboratory results for 55 sampling dates during the period 
March 1939 to January 1941 showed the dissolved oxygen content of 
the Kentucky River at the mouth to be higher than that of the Ohio 
River above their junction, on half of the sampling days. The 
biochemical oxygen demand and coliform bacteria content of the 
tributary were less than those observed in the main stream on about 
75 percent of the sampling days. 
417. Plates 38, 39, and 40 include data on sources of pollution, and 
on coliform bacteria and dissolved oxygen results for the Kentucky 
River. 
418. Methods of 'pollution control.—Abatement of pollution in the 
Kentucky River Basin presents no difficult technical problems. The 
cost of a suggested pollution-control program is shown in the following 
table. The program would eliminate local nuisance conditions, pro' 
tect existing surface water supplies from upstream pollution, ana 
improve surface waters for extended recreational and water supply use- OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
119 
Suggested program of pollution control for the Kentucky River Basin—Economic 
aspects 
Suggested pollution control 
measures 
Population 
Estimated cost 
Typo 
Num- 
ber 
Now 
sewered 
1940 
census 
Design 
Capital 
Annual 
Opera- 
tion and 
mainte- 
nance 
Amorti- 
zation 
and 
interest 
Total 
Municipal treatment: 
Primary 
Secondary 
Improvements.- 
v . Subtotal 
interceptors 
3 
7 
3 
18, 200 
17, 500 
47, 700 
20,000 
20,800 
51, 700 
24, 300 
23,300 
$210,000 
370,000 
90,000 
$9,000 
20,000 
1,000 
$14,000 
25, 000 
6,000 
$23,000 
45,000 
7,000 
13 
83,400 
92, 500 
670,000 
460,000 
360,000 
130,000 
30,000 
(0 
5,000 
14,000 
45,000 
25, 000 
55,000 
5,000 
75,000 
25,000 
60,000 
19,000 
t'mustrial treatment 
Mme sealing 
(2) 
(3) 
j. Subtotal . 
1, 620,000 
320,000 
49,000 
130,000 
179,000 
emergency allowance, 20 
Percent« 
Total.... 
1,940,000 
\ Negligible. 
3 includes such items as minor corrections, process changes, sewer construction, treatment plants, etc. 
« p1 tjal program contemplates sealing of 9,520 ton-years of acid. 
Estimated additional cost of program if provided during present emergency period. 
Appendix O 
SALT RIVER BASIN 
General description.—The Salt River Basin lies within the 
uegrass area of north central Kentucky. The stream drains 2,890 
/Dare miles and joins the Ohio River 629.9 river miles below Pitts- 
urgh, pa Floyd and Rolling Forks are principal tributaries. A 
seueral map of the basin is shown on plate 38. 
D tL There are n0 fl°°d control or hydroelectric power developments 
sh u basin, and the river is not commercially navigable except for 
ThT" Wai'er provided in its lower reach by Ohio River Dam No. 43. 
is tn Va%y is fertile and almost entirely under cultivation. Distilling 
Principal industry. 
Since 1910 the population of the basin has increased about 
Percent, to a present figure of approximately 139,900 of which about 
4 6?or-Cent is urban. Harrodsburg, the basin’s largest city, has about 
ini Inhabitants. Only 3 other communities have as many as 3,000 
tow tants- These are Shelbyville, 4,392; Lebanon, 3,786; and Bards- 
3,152. 
SUMMARY 120 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
422. Water uses.—1There are 17 public water supplies in the basin 
of which 15, aggregating about 2.06 million gallons per day and serving 
26,500 persons, are from surface sources. Five of the latter, which 
serve a total of 4,300 persons, are situated below sources of pollution; 
however, no serious contamination problem exists in connection with 
these supplies. Thirteen of the surface supplies are coagulated, 
settled, and filtered, and all but 1 of these 13 are chlorinated. The 
2 remaining surface supplies receive no treatment. Industrial wTater 
supply presents no major problem. 
423. Discharge data for the Salt River are meager, the longest record 
being of but 18 months’ duration. However, the recreational appeal 
of the streams of the basin is lessened because of the low flows which 
usually prevail during summer months. 
424. Sources oj 'pollution.—About 20,300 persons, or 15 percent of 
the total population of the basin, are served by sewers. Industrial 
w-astes after application of various corrective measures, contribute an 
additional net population equivalent of 98,900 (based on biochemical 
oxygen demand), almost all of which is from distilleries. Less than 
1 percent of the industrial waste load receives further treatment in 
municipal plants. At all 27 industrial establishments which are 
sources of wastes not receiving municipal treatment, at least minor 
corrective measures have been taken. One primary and seven 
secondary municipal waste-treatment plants, in which about $670,000 
have been invested, serve 1,700 and 15,400 persons, respectively, and 
aid in reducing the combined population equivalent of domestic and 
industrial wastes to about 105,300, as discharged. Summarized dat*1 
follow: 
Woqfp sjmirnps* 
Total population (1940 census) 139, 86$ 
Sewered population: 
Connected to municipal treatment 17, 100 
Not connected to municipal treatment 3, 200 
20,300 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after application 
of independent corrective measures now in force but prior 
to other treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 700 
Not connected to municipal treatment: 
Distillery 97, 500 
Milk 700 
98, 200 nl) 
98,J^ 
Total (population equivalent) 119,2*^ 
Wastes as discharged: 
Human wastes (sewered) (population equivalent after all 
present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 3, 600 
Not connected to municipal treatment 3, 200 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after all present 
treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 300 
Not connected to municipal treatment 98, 200 r00 
Total waste residual (population equivalent) 105, 
Note.—Single industries of a specific classification are included within the miscellaneous classification' OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
121 
425. Extent of pollution.—The Public Health Service collected and 
analyzed more than 90 water samples from over 20 stream stations 
during July, August, and October 1940 and February 1941. Areas 
Much showed evidence of pollution in the analytical results are as 
follows: 
(а) Town Branch below Harrodsburg: Three samples in August 
1940, showed complete oxygen depletion, an average biochemical 
oxygen demand of 19.9 parts per million, and 45,000 coliform bacteria 
Per milliliter. Discharge averaged 1 cubic foot per second. 
(б) Salt River above Lawrenceburg: Three samples in August 
1940, showed an average dissolved oxygen content of 4.3 parts per 
million with a flow of 2 cubic feet per second. 
(c) Hammonds Creek below Lawrenceburg: Three samples in 
August 1940, showed a 2.6 parts per million dissolved oxygen average 
aud an average coliform bacteria count of 365 per milliliter. 
(d) Clear Creek below Shelbyville: Three samples at a single 
Nation showed an average dissolved oxygen content of 3.7 parts per 
million in August 1940. Biochemical oxygen demand averaged 10.4 
Parts per million. 
(e) Road Run below Springfield: Three samples in August 1940 
showed complete oxygen depletion. 
(/) Hardings Creek below Lebanon: An average dissolved oxygen 
content of 2.6 parts per million was observed in three samples col- 
lected during August 1940. Biochemical oxygen demand averaged 
*3-0 parts per million, coliform bacteria content 10,900 per milliliter. 
(9) Salt River 6 miles above mouth: Two samples in October 
*940 had an average dissolved oxygen content of 4.0 parts per 
Million. 
426. In August 1940, while flows were low, partial oxygen depletion 
also noted in Mill Creek below Fort Knox and at the mouth of 
lle Salt River. With the exception of localized areas below pollution 
purees, dissolved oxygen values were, in general, above 6.5 parts per 
million, and biochemical oxygen demand was low; pH values were 
°bserved to be uniformly above 7.0. 
427 Average analytical results for 13 sampling dates during the 
.Period August 1940 to February 1941 indicated the Salt River at 
• s mouth to be similar in quality to the Ohio River above their 
Junction. Although average coliform bacteria counts were about 
fiual at the stations, results for the main stream were higher than 
Uose for the tributary on ten of the sampling days. 
428. Plates 38, 39, and 40 include data on sources of pollution, and 
n ?°liform bacteria and dissolved oxygen results for the Salt River 
Basin. 
429. Methods of pollution control.—Distillery wastes present the 
*u?t serious remaining pollution problem in the Salt River Basin. 
though all distilleries have taken some corrective measures, further 
LGPS aPPear to be justified. Other pollution problems present no 
tecWal difficulties. 
t-ho f i cost °f a suggested pollution-control program is shown in 
dih loo°wmg table. The program will eliminate local nuisance con- 
Pur°nS imProve surface waters for recreational and water-supply 
90035—43—pt. 1 9 122 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Suggested program of pollution control for the Salt River Basin—Economic aspects 
Suggested pollution-control 
measures 
Population 
Estimated cost 
Annual 
Type 
Num- 
ber 
Now 
sewered 
1940 
census 
Design 
Capital 
Opera- 
tion and 
mainte- 
nance 
Amorti- 
zation 
and 
interest 
Total 
Municipal treatment: 
Secondary 
7 
3,200 
1,700 
6,000 
4,700 
7,200 
$140,000 
60, 000 
$7,000 
3,000 
$10,000 
4,000 
$17,000 
7,000 
Improvements. 
1 
Subtotal 
8 
4,900 
10,700 
200, 000 
10,000 
(') 
4,000 
14,000 
1,000 
41,000 
24,000 
1,000 
45,000 
Interceptors.. 
10,000 
250, 000 
Industrial treatment 
(2) 
Subtotal 
460,000 
90, 000 
14,000 
56,000 
70,000 
Emergency allowance, 20 
percent3.. 
Total 
550,000 
• Negligible. 
1 Includes such items as minor corrections, process changes, sewer construction, treatment plants, etc. 
8 Estimated additional cost of program if provided during present emergency period. 
Appendix P 
GREEN RIVER BASIN 
431. General description.—The Green River Basin comprises 9,220 
square miles, situated almost entirely within west central Kentucky- 
A 380-square-mile portion of the tributary Barren River Basin is 
situated in Tennessee. Other, important tributaries include the 
Pond, Mud, Nolin, and Rough Rivers and Russell Creek. The main 
stream joins the Ohio River 784.2 river-miles below Pittsburgh, P&> 
The basin’s surface is uneven, with occasional hills from 300 to 400 
feet high and river channels cut from 100 to 200 feet below the 
uplands. A general map of the basin is shown on plate 41. 
432. Agriculture is the principal occupation in the Green Rivet 
Basin, although much of the area is too hilly for cultivation. Coal 
is mined in the western portion of the valley. Natural resources, b1 
addition to coal, include water power, oil, gas, rock asphalt, timber 
and commercial stones. The river is navigable for almost 200 mile3 
above its mouth. 
433. The urban populaton of the valley has almost doubled since 
1910 and now approximates 44,400. Rural population has not vaiied 
appreciably during the same period. The present total populating 
of the basin is about 444,400 of which about 90 percent is rural- 
Bowling Green, Ky., with a population of 14,585, is the only con1' 
munity of over 10,000 persons. 
434. Water uses.—There are 39 public water supplies in the basin 
of which 21, aggregating about 3.17 million gallons per day ana 
serving about 50,300 persons, or over 70 percent of the population 
which uses public supplies, are from surface sources. Nine of 
latter are located below community sewer outfalls; however, none 
of these supplies is seriously polluted. Chlorination is practiced 
SUMMARY OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
123 
°n all surface supplies except at Brownsville, Ky., where a 0.02 
million gallons per day supply receives no treatment. Eighteen of 
the surface supplies are settled, and of these 17 are coagulated and 16 
filtered. 
435. The Green River and most of its tributaries are considered 
good fishing streams and are extensively used for recreation by local 
residents. Water supply for industrial purposes presents no major 
Problem. 
436. Low-flow characteristics at two selected stream stations in the 
oasin are as follows: 
Stream 
Green 
Bough 
Biver 
Dundee, 
location 
Biver 
Liver- 
more, Ky. 
1930-40 
Ky. 
1930-40 
7,580 
764 
•tune to September discharge (cubic feet per second): 
482 
27 
718 
40 
3, 930 
296 
437. Sources of pollution.—About 45,000 persons, or 10 percent of 
the population of the basin, are served by sewers. Industrial waste's, 
a/ter application of various corrective measures, contribute an addi- 
honal net population equivalent of 3,800 (based on biochemical 
°xygen demand) of which 37 percent receives further treatment in 
Municipal plants. Of the 6 establishments whose wastes do not re- 
ceive municipal treatment, 5 have taken at least minor steps toward 
Pollution control. Eight primary and 3 secondary municipal waste 
treatment plants, in which about $450,000 have been invested, serve 
7?>300 and 5,000 persons, respectively, and aid in reducing the com- 
oiried population equivalent of domestic and industrial wastes to 
at>out 33,800, as discharged. Summarized data follow: 
J 7 — — — 
aste sources: 
Total population (1940 census) 444, 392 
Sewered population: ===== 
Connected to municipal treatment 34, 300 
Not connected to municipal treatment 10, 700 
45, 000 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after application 
of independent corrective measures now in force but prior 
to other treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 1, 400 
Not connected to municipal treatment: 
Meat b 800 
Milk 400 
Miscellaneous : 200 
2, 400 
3,800 
Wac,, _ Total (population equivalent) 48,800 
vastes as discharged: 
tluman wastes (sewered) (population equivalent after all 
Present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 20, 100 
Not connected to municipal treatment 10, 700 
30, 800 124 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Wastes as discharged—Continued 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after all present 
treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 600 
Not connected to municipal treatment 2, 400 
3,000 
Total waste residual (population equivalent) 33, 800 
Note.—Single industries of a specific classification are included within the miscellaneous classification. 
438. Mine sealing has reduced the acid load carried by the streams 
at the inception of the sealing program by about 20 percent. The 
present acid load is about 61,385 tons of acid per year (calcium car- 
bonate equivalent). 
439. Extent of pollution.—The Public Health Service collected and 
analyzed more than 140 water samples from over 45 stream stations in 
the basin during August to November 1940, and in February 1941. 
More than 90 percent of the samples were collected in August and 
October 1940. With the exception of 1 sampling date in February 
1941, flows were uniformly less than the mean summer discharge of 
record, and approached the minimum flow of record on tributary 
streams. On small tributaries, sewage comprised from 65 to 75 
percent of the total flow below sewer outfalls. 
440. Monthly average dissolved oxygen results of less than- five 
parts per million were observed in Valley Creek in and below Eliza- 
bethtown, Ky.; in the South Fork of Beaver Creek below Glasgow, 
Ky.; in Town Branch below Franklin, Ky.; in Mud River below 
Russellville, Ky.; in Muddy Creek below Beaver Dam, Ky.; in Flat 
Creek below Madisonville, Ky.; in Cypress Creek below Central 
City, Ky.; in the North Fork of Nolin River above Hodgensville, 
Ky., and in the Rough River above lock and dam No. 1. Monthly 
averages are each based on analytical results for three samples. 
441. Monthly average biochemical oxygen demand results of five 
parts per million or more, based on three samples each, were observed 
in Buckhorn Creek below Campbellsville, Ky.; in Valley Creek in 
and below Elizabethtown, Ky.; in the South Fork of Beaver Creek 
below Glasgow, Ky.; in Bays Fork below Scottsville, Ky.; in Town 
Branch below Franklin, Ky.; in Mud River below Russellville, Ky.; 
in Muddy Creek below Beaver Dam, Ky.; in Flat Creek below Madi- 
sonville, Ky.; and in Cypress Creek below Central City, Ky. 
442. Coliform bacteria counts were in general agreement with 
dissolved oxygen and oxygen demand results as to the location of 
major sources of pollution, these being Campbellsville, Ky.; Eliza- 
bethtown, Ky.; Glasgow, Ky.; Scottsville, Ky.; Franklin, Kyd 
Russellville, Ky.; Beaver Dam, Ky.; Madison ville, Ky.; and Central 
City, Ky. 
443. Acid stream conditions, resulting from pollution by acid mine 
drainage, were observed on Drakes Creek in the tributary Pond 
River Basin. An average pH value of 3.3 was observed in three 
samples. At the time of the survey most mines were shut down, and 
those working were pumping mine water intermittently. During 
periods of higher stream flow and normal mine operations, acid 
conditions may be more general in the streams of the coal area drained 
by the Pond River. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
125 
444. Laboratory results for seven sampling dates in the period 
August 1940 to February 1941 showed the dissolved oxygen content 
°f the Green River at the mouth to be lower than that of the Ohio 
River above their junction. The biochemical oxygen demand of the 
tributary was lower than that of the Ohio River in five cases, and 
equal to it in two, while the coliform bacteria content of the tributary 
less than that of the main stream on all seven sampling days. 
445. Plates 41, 42, and 43 include data on sources of pollution, 
on coliform bacteria and dissolved oxygen results for the Green 
River Basin. 
446. Methods of pollution control.—Laboratory data showed no con- 
sequential effects of pollution in the Green River proper, the major 
Problems being local nuisance below towns on the smaller streams. 
Secondary waste treatment appears justified at Central City, Ky.; 
franklin, Ky.; and at five smaller domestic pollution sources. Sup- 
plemental treatment is indicated at seven communities which now 
h&ve treatment plants. At Bowling Green, Ky., and Hartford, Ky., 
jffid at communities along the Green River, primary treatment should 
~e sufficient to maintain satisfactory stream conditions. Primary 
treatment with continuous chlorination is indicated at Cave City, 
Ky>, where all wastes enter the caverns beneath the town. Significant 
industrial pollutants can be treated at municipal plants and continua- 
. °n of the mine sealing program would reduce the acidity of streams 
111 the western part of the basin. 
447. The cost of a suggested program of pollution control is shown 
111 the following table. The program would eliminate local nuisance 
e<-mdition, preserve and improve the extensive recreational facilities 
f the basin, and improve surface waters for use as public water 
applies. 
®u9gesled program of pollution control for the Green River Basin—Economic aspects 
Suggested pollution control 
. measures 
Population 
Estimated cost 
Type 
Num- 
ber 
Now 
sewered 
1940 
census 
Design 
Capital 
Opera- 
tion and 
mainte- 
nance 
Annual 
Amorti- 
zation 
and 
interest 
Total 
IUpnPal treatment: 
primary 
Secondary 
improvements 
IutPJu.btotal-- 
JdinP»pt,ors 
9 
7 
7 
3,200 
7,700 
18, 700 
7,900 
15,400 
25,000 
11. 200 
17,200 
$150,000 
290,000 
100,000 
$7,000 
15,000 
8,000 
$10,000 
20,000 
10,000 
$17,000 
35,000 
18,000 
23 
29, 600 
48,300 
600,000 
180,000 
310, 000 
30,000 
0) 
33,000 
40,000 
10,000 
13,000 
70,000 
10,000 
46,000 
4 me sealing 
EmeriUbtotal --- 
1,090,000 
220,000 
63,000 
63,000 
126,000 
PerccntL7 allowance. 20 
Total, 
1,310,000 
— 
*®*e. 
3 Tstimai i!Tarn contemplates sealing of 23,140 ton-years of acid. 
dtea additional cost of program if provided during present emergency period. 126 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Appendix Q 
WABASH RIVER BASIN 
SUMMARY 
448. General description.—About 73 percent of the Wabash River 
Basin lies within Indiana, 26 percent within Illinois, and the remainder 
within Ohio. Its drainage area is 33,100 square miles, and the stream 
joins the Ohio River 848.0 river miles below Pittsburgh, Pa. Prin- 
cipal tributaries includes the Little Wabash (Indiana), Upper Eel, 
Tippecanoe, Vermilion, Embarrass, Little Wabash (Illinois), White, 
Patoka, and Mississinewa Rivers, and Wild Cat and Sugar Creeks. 
Much of the W abash River Basin is of the glacial plains region of 
the upper Mississippi Basin. Elevations range from about 300 to 
about 1,300 feet above mean sea level. A general map of the basin is 
shown on plate 44. 
449. Agriculture is the most important single occupation in the 
Wabash River Basin. Much of the agricultural products are proc- 
essed locally. Industrial development is diversified. Coal, oil, and 
limestone are among the mineral resources of the basin. The river 
is not commercially navigable. 
450. The present population of the watershed is about 2,508,600 
of which about 48 percent is urban. Indianapolis, Ind., has about 
386,970 inhabitants and is the largest city. Thirteen other com- 
munities have populations ranging between 15,000 and 65,000. 
451. Water uses.—In the basin there are 275 public water supplies 
of which.46, aggregating about 77.39 million gallons per day and 
serving about 752,600 persons, are from surface sources. Thirty of 
the surface supplies, serving about 687,500 persons, are below com- 
munity sewer outfalls. Coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and 
chlorination are applied to all but one of the supplies subject to 
pollution. Ground water is not sufficiently plentiful for use by the 
larger cities and, in addition, is generally hard and contains objec- 
tionable amounts of iron. 
452. Natural and artificial lakes in the basin are extensively used 
for recreation, and local residents use many streams for fishing and 
swimming. Industrial water supply is not a major problem. 
453. Low flow characteristics at 2 stream stations in the basin are 
as follows: 
Stream 
Wabash River 
Mount Car- 
mel, 111. 
28,600 
1928-40 
White River 
Hazelton, 
Ind. 
11,300 
1924-38 
Drainage area (square miles) 
Period considered 
June to September discharge (cubic feet per second): 
Minimum single month 
2,330 
3, 780 
12,192 
870 
1 29^ 
Minimum 4-month average... 
Average 
454. Sources of pollution.—About 1,119,700 persons, or 45 percent, 
of the population of the basin, are served,by sewers. 
wastes contribute an additional population equivalent of 1,772,000 
(based on biochemical oxygen demand) after application of vario^5 
corrective measures, of which 547,500, or 31 percent, receives munici' 
pal treatment. Of the 250 establishments whose wastes do OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
127 
receive municipal treatment, about half are canneries, which, together 
With 12 paper plants, account for about 80 percent of the industrial 
Waste load in this category. At least minor waste corrective measures 
have been taken at 217 plants. Ten primary and 74 secondary 
municipal waste treatment plants, in which about $16,650,000 have 
been invested, serve 39,100 and 782,900 persons, respectively, and 
help to reduce the combined population equivalent of domestic and 
mdustrial wastes as discharged to streams to about 1,818,900. Sum- 
marized data follow: 
sources: 
Total population (1940 census) 2, 508, 598 
Sewered population: 
Connected to municipal treatment* 822, 000 
Not connected to municipal treatment 297, 700 
1, 119, 700 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after appli- 
cation of independent corrective measures now in 
force but prior to other treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 547, 500 
Not connected to municipal treatment: 
Brewing 42, 000 
Canning 530, 000 
Distilling 121,000 
Meat 36, 100 
Milk 11, 900 
Oil refining 17, 000 
Paper 444, 300 
Textile 8, 200 
Miscellaneous 14, 000 
1, 224, 500 
1, 772, 000 
Total (population equivalent) 2,891,700 
astes as discharged: 
Human wastes (sewered) (population equivalent after 
all present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 164, 100 
Not connected to municipal treatment 297, 700 
461,800 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after all 
present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 132, 600 
Not connected to municipal treatment 1, 224, 500 
1, 357, 100 
Total waste residual (population equivalent) 1, 818, 900 
Single industries of a specific classification arc included within the miscellaneous classification. 
generab wastes from oil fields are not at present a major 
bri Pr°blem- Production in older fields having relatively high 
bvm(j~0il ratios is small, and brine production in new fields drained 
in n kittle Wabash River is at present not large. New activity 
JMn fields in Indiana has seriously affected the Patoka River; and 
that et°n’ kid., is being forced to abandon its water supply from 
a sp •stream' Steps are being taken to prevent the development of 
45fi°Up> problem in the new fields. 
fiarn from acid mine drainage has caused the greatest 
r6(j in the area drained by the Patoka River. Mine sealing has 
load’ original acid load by about 43 percent, and the present 
(cah;111 basin amounts to about 62,790 tons of acid per year 
Ur*i carbonate equivalent). 128 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
457. Extent of pollution.—The Public Health Service collected and 
analyzed over 1,000 water samples from more than 275 stream stations 
in the basin during the period from July to November 1940. Two 
samples were collected in February 1941. Discharge conditions 
during the sampling period were among the lowest of record. Reaches 
showing the greatest extent of pollution are the following: 
(а) Wabash River below Terre Haute: Average results for 5 
samples, collected from each of 5 stations in a 30-mile reach below 
Terre Haute, during September and October, 1940, showed dissolved 
oxygen from 2.6 to 4.6 parts per million, biochemical oxygen demand 
from 3.4 to 12.1 parts per million, and coliform bacteria counts from 
349 to 34,000 per milliliter. Discharge on sampling dates approxi- 
mated the minimum June-to-September average of record. Four 
samples collected at each of the same stations during November 
1940 under similar discharge conditions, but with temperatures 
averaging about 10° C. lower, showed much less severe oxygen 
depletion, average results ranging from 8.8 to 10.6 parts per million. 
(б) West Fork of White River below Indianapolis: Average 
results for 5 samples, collected at each of 3 stations during September 
1940 in an 18-mile reach below Indianapolis, showed dissolved oxygen 
ranging from 2.9 to 3.9 parts per million, biochemical oxygen demand 
of from 4.4 to 9.1 parts per million, and coliform bacteria counts from 
34 to 23,200 per milliliter. Corresponding samples, from a station 
20 miles below the downstream traverse point, showed an average 
of 9.9 parts per million of dissolved oxygen. Discharge was extremely 
low on sampling dates. 
458. Many small streams are grossly polluted, and poor sanitary 
conditions were observed on the upper Wabash River from Fort 
Recovery, Ohio, to below Bluffton, Ind. More or less localized pollu- 
tion problems were observed at Hartford City, Ind.; Portland, Indd 
Gas City, Ind.; Columbia City, Ind.; Warsaw, Ind.; Kokomo, Indd 
Frankfort, Ind.; Rantoul, 111.; West Baden, Ind.; Danville, Illd 
Mattoon, 111.; Flora, 111.; Albion, 111.; Muncie, Ind.; Elwood, Indd 
and Franklin, Ind. 
459. Laboratory results for 8 sampling dates during the period 
September 1940 to February 1941 showed the dissolved oxygen con- 
tent of the Wabash River at the mouth to be higher than that of the 
Ohio River above their junction on about half of the sampling days- 
The biochemical oxygen demand and coliform bacteria content of the 
tributary were respectively higher and lower than those of the Ohi° 
River on a majority of the sampling days. 
460. Plates 44, 45, and 46 include data on sources of pollution, and 
on coliform bacteria and dissolved oxygen results for the Wabash 
River Basin. 
461. Methods of pollution control.—In spite of substantial progress 
toward the abatement of industrial pollution, industrial wastes 
present cause the most serious pollution problems in the Wabash 
River Basin. However, a large part of the industrial waste load can 
be most easily and satisfactorily handled in municipal treatment 
plants. The cost of a suggested pollution control problem is shown i*1 
the following table. The probable accomplishments of such a program 
would be varied because of the extent and wide application of tb® 
streams of the Wabash River Basin. In general, the program would 
eliminate local nuisance, improve streams for public-water supplied OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
129 
establish new, more satisfactoiy sources of public-water supply, and 
Rnprove aquatic recreational facilities. 
Suggested program of pollution control for the Wabash River Basin—Economic aspects 
Suggested pollution control 
measures 
Population 
Estimated cost 
Type 
Num- 
ber 
Now 
sewered 
1940 
census 
Design 
Capital 
Annual 
Opera- 
tion and 
mainte- 
nance 
Amorti- 
zation 
and 
interest 
Total 
Municipal treatment: 
Primary 
Secondary... 
Improvements 
. Subtotal 
interceptors 
30 
132 
24 
142.800 
149.800 
495, 200 
212,900 
257,100 
544,500 
314,000 
318,000 
$2,130, 000 
5, 310,000 
1,430, 000 
$100, 000 
235,000 
40, 000 
$150,000 
375,000 
100, 000 
$250, 000 
610,000 
140, 000 
186 
787, 800 
1,014, 500 
8, 870, 000 
3,960, 000 
1, 690,000 
80,000 
375, 000 
(>) 
250,000 
9,000 
625, 000 
185, 000 
220,000 
3,000 
1,000, 000 
185,000 
470, 000 
12,000 
industrial treatment— 
aime sealin" 
(2i 
(3) 
tf Subtotal 
14, 600, 000 
2,920,000 
634,000 
1,033, 000 
1, 667,000 
•emergency allowance, 20 
Percent * 
Total 
17, 520, 000 
j Negligible. 
s includes such items as minor corrections, process changes, sewer construction, treatment plants, etc. 
4 init.ial program contemplates sealing of 30,403 ton-years of acid. 
■r-stimated additional cost of program if provided during present emergency period. 
Appendix R 
CUMBERLAND RIVER BASIN 
462. General description.—The basin of the Cumberland River com- 
?,riSes 18,000 square miles located within Kentucky and Tennessee. 
.s topography varies from rugged mountains in the east to rolling low 
J areas in the west. Elevations range from about 300 to about 
9on ftkove mean sea level. The stream joins the Ohio River 
j~0.4 river miles below Pittsburgh, Pa., and principal tributaries are 
aurel, Rockcastle, Big South Fork, Obey, Caney Fork, Stone, 
i arPeth, Red, and Little Rivers. A general map of the basin is 
46? °An Pkte 4L . . , 
pu . Agriculture, mining, and manufacturing are principal economic 
ra?SUlts‘ Manufactured products include cement, brick, lumber, 
textiles, chemicals, stoves, shoes, steel fabrications, furniture, 
air i esses, snuff, flour, feed, beverages, food preparations, leather, and 
°f p ne?- Coal is the most important mineral product, and deposits 
pho Norite, petroleum, limestone, shale, sandstone, sand, gravel, 
bas-sp*late rock, and iron ore have been or are being worked in the 
Waterpower possibilities are excellent. The main stream and 
l&bl ream reaches of principal tributaries are commercially navi- 
reser • Construction 0f the Wolf Creek, Center Hill, and Dale Hollow 
been r. dams to provide flood control and hydroelectric power has 
nutiated by the Corps of Engineers. 
SUMMARY 130 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
464. Nashville, Tenn., the population and industrial center of the 
basin, now has about 167,400 inhabitants; other large communities 
and their populations (1940 census) are as follows: 
Clarksville, Tenn 11, 831 
Middlesboro, Ky 11, 777 
Hopkinsville, Ky 11, 724 
Murfreesboro, Tenn 9, 495 
The total population of the basin has increased about 31 percent since 
1910, to approximately 1,129,000 of which about 25 percent is urban. 
465. Water uses.—There are 92 public water supplies in the basin 
of which 30, aggregating about 27.68 million gallons per day and serv- 
ing 290,800 persons, or about 80 percent of the population which uses 
public supplies, are from surface sources. Sixteen of the latter are 
located below community sewer outfalls. However, surface supplies 
are not seriously affected by pollution. Over 90 percent of the total 
volume of surface public water supply is coagulated, settled, filtered, 
and chlorinated. The remaining supplies, all small, receive lesser 
treatment. Softening is not practiced on surface waters. Ground 
water supplies are limited and of rather poor chemical quality, and, as a 
consequence, many of them have been abandoned in favor of surface 
sources. 
466. Extensive use is made of the streams for recreational purposes, 
including fishing, bathing, and boating. Industrial water supply 
is not a major problem. 
467. Low flow characteristics at three selected stream stations in the 
basin are as follows: 
Stream , . 
Cumberland 
River 
Clarksvillo, 
Tenn. 
15,780 
1922-40 
Caney Fork 
Silver Point, 
Tenn. 
2,130 
1923-40 
South Fork 
Nevelsville, 
Ky. 
1,275 
1915-39 
Drainage area (square miles) 
June to September discharge (cubic feet per second): 
Minimum single month 
Minimum 4-month average 
1.099 
2,650 
10,183 
289 
439 
1,608 
28 
55 
836 
468. Sources of 'pollution.—About 80 percent of the total pollution 
load of the basin enters the Cumberland River in the 40-mile reach 
from Old Hickory, Tenn., to and below Nashville, Tenn. A total oj 
237,300 persons, or 21 percent of the population of the basin, is served 
by seweis. Industrial wastes, after application of various correct^6 
measures now in force, contribute an additional population equivalent 
of 258,500 (based on biochemical oxygen demand) of which 7 percent 
receives further treatment in municipal plants. Of the 68 establish' 
ments whose wastes do not receive municipal treatment, 23 
taken at least minor corrective measures. 
469. Seven primary and 10 secondary municipal waste treatment 
plants, in which about $1,660,000 have been invested, serve 9,300 ana 
55,00.0 persons, respectively, and aid in reducing the combined popida' OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
131 
tion equivalent of domestic and industrial wastes to about 430,700, 
as discharged. Summarized data follow: 
Waste sources: 
Total population (1940 census) 1, 129, 002 
Sewered population: 
Connected to municipal treatment 64, 300 
Not connected to municipal treatment 173, 000 
237, 300 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after applica- 
tion of independent corrective measures now in force 
but prior to other treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 17, 900 
Not connected to municipal treatment: 
Canning 2, 100 
Chemical 72, 000 
Meat 37,500 
Milk 9, 600 
Oil refining 1, 200 
Textile 9, 000 
Miscellaneous 109, 200 
• 240, 600 
258, 500 
Total (population equivalent) 495,800 
Pastes as discharged: 
Human wastes (sewered) (population equivalent after 
all present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 14, 100 
Not connected to municipal treatment 173, 000 
187, 100 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after all 
present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 3, 000 
Not connected to municipal treatment 240, 600 
243, 600 
Total waste residual (population equivalent) 430, 700 
Single industries of a specific classification are included within the miscellaneous classification. 
« seahng has reduced the original acid load carried by 
a e streams of the basin by about 26 percent, to a present load of 
Pproximately 195,910 tons per year (calcium carbonate equivalent). 
jA*'h Extent of 'pollution.—During the period from August 1940 to 
arch 1941 the Public Health Service collected and analyzed more 
310 water samples from over 95 stream stations m the basin, 
for Nashville area were developed by the Tennessee State 
Sa°a r -Department in 1938 and 1939. Seventy-nine percent of the 
th r United States Public Health Service was done during 
'all of 1940. Discharges on sampling days during this period 
re considerably lower than the mean summer flows of record, except 
inflGaStern Kentucky, where local rains increased discharges and hence 
fenced analytical results. 132 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
472. Minimum dissolved oxygen results at 5 stations in a 30-mile 
reach below Nashville, Tenn., varied from 0.1 to 4.1 parts per million 
during the summers of 1938 and 1939. Maximum biochemical oxygen 
demand varied from 1.5 to 6.0 parts per million, and maximum 
coliform bacteria counts ranged from 200 to 8,000 per milliliter. 
473. Exclusive of the Nashville area, monthly dissolved oxygen 
results of 5 parts per million or less were observed below Jellico and 
Oneida, Tenn., and below Middlesboro, London, Corbin, Mount 
Vernon, Hopkinsville, and Princeton, Ky., all on smaller tributaries. 
Complete oxygen depletion, denoting septic conditions, was observed 
below London and Oneida. Three samples are represented in each 
average. Dissolved oxygen results show the main river to be in good 
sanitary condition except below Old Hickory and Nashville, Tenn. 
474. Exclusive of the Nashville area, monthly average biochemical 
oxygen demand results of 5 parts per million or more, based on from 
two to four samples each, were observed below each of the towns listed 
in the preceding paragraph and also below Lynch, Somerset, and 
Guthrie, Ky., and Cooksville, Lebanon, Gallatin, Woodbury, Dickson, 
and Springfield, Tenn., all on smaller tributaries. 
475. Average coliform bacteria counts were in general agreement 
with dissolved oxygen and oxygen demand results in indicating the 
major sources of pollution. The most unfavorable results were 
observed below Nashville, Oneida, and Dickson, Tenn., and Middles- 
boro, London, Corbin, Mount Vernon, and Princeton, Ky. 
476. Coal-washing operations produce visual pollution in Fugitt 
Creek, Clover Fork, Clear Fork, and Hickory Creek, but acid stream 
conditions were not observed. 
477. Laboratory results for eight sampling dates during the period 
September 1940 to March 1941 showed the dissolved oxygen content 
and the biochemical oxygen demand of the Cumberland River at the 
mouth to be lower than that of the Ohio River above their junction 
on all sampling days, while the coliform bacteria content of the tribu- 
tary was equal to or less than that of the Ohio River on 75 percent 
of the sampling days. 
478. Plates 41, 42, and 43 include data on sources of pollution* 
and on coliform bacteria and dissolved oxygen results for the Cumber' 
land River Basin. 
479. Methods of 'pollution control.—The only pollution problem of 
serious consequence found in the Cumberland River Basin is in tbe 
Nashville area. Minor pollution of local significance occurs at 
number of smaller communities on tributary streams. Wolf Creek, 
Dale Hollow, and Center Hill Reservoirs, now under construction* 
will furnish minimum summer flows in quantities such that primary 
treatment of sewage and equivalent treatment of industrial wastes 
Old Hickory and Nashville, Tenn., will be adequate to maintain 
satisfactory stream conditions. Secondary treatment seems justified 
at Corbin and Lynch, Ky., and at 16 other small pollution sources on 
tributary streams in Kentucky and Tennessee, where near-zero sum' 
mer flows occur. Supplemental treatment is suggested at Princeton* 
Monticello, and London, Ky. In addition to the Nashville ar?n* 
primary treatment is indicated at five communities at the head of We 
basin in Kentucky, at Clarksville, Tenn., and at five smaller com' 
munities in Tennessee, in the middle reaches of the basin. 
480. The cost of a suggested program of pollution control is 
in the following table. The program would eliminate local nuisanc OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
133 
conditions, improve streams for use as public water supplies, and 
Preserve and enhance the value of extensive recreational facilities in 
Jhe basin. Poor Fork, at the head of the basin, offers a favorable site 
for development of low flow control storage. Flow augmentation if 
Provided at this site would be available at five downstream com- 
munities where the need for secondary sewage treatment is now indi- 
cated, and would assure satisfactory stream conditions at these local- 
dies after provision of primary treatment alone. 
Suggested 'program of pollution control for the Cumberland River Basin—Economic 
aspects 
Suggested pollution control 
measures 
Population 
Estimated cost 
* Type 
Num- 
ber 
Now 
sewered 
1940 
census 
Design 
Capital 
Annual 
Opera- 
tion and 
mainte- 
nance 
Amorti- 
zation 
and 
interest 
Total 
Municipal treatment: 
primary 
Secondary 
improvements 
lQtPrnSubtotal 
13 
18 
3 
134,700 
37,300 
6,500 
202,000 
58,000 
9,400 
283, 500 
62,100 
$1,280, 000 
970,000 
80,000 
$81,000 
50,000 
4,000 
$90,000 
70,000 
5,000 
$171,000 
120,000 
9,000 
34 
178, 500 
269,400 
2,330,000 
4, 540,000 
270,000 
780,000 
135,000 
0) 
15,000 
84,000 
165,000 
215,000 
35,000 
33,000 
300,000 
215,000 
50,000 
117,000 
lrial treatment 
Pe sealing 
0 
0 
Subtotals 
7,920,000 
1, 580,000 
234,000 
448,000 
682,000 
Parent? allowance’ 20 
Total 
9, 500,000 
1 
3 Inb ■ <?es sucb items as minor corrections, process changes, sewer construction, treatment plants, etc. 
4 Est' pro&ram contemplates sealing of 93,070 ton-years of acid. 
timated additional cost of program if provided during present emergency period. 
Appendix S 
TENNESSEE RIVER BASIN 
SUMMARY 
General description.—The Holston and French Broad Rivers 
east of Knoxville, Tenn., to form the Tennessee River. This 
of <Y-Sy?t<rm drains most of the State of Tennessee and small portions 
* Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and 
stff1 The area of the basin is about 40,600 square miles and the 
thearn ioi»s the Ohio River 934.5 river miles below Pittsburgh, Pa. 
taij-. U^s^ream area, above Chattanooga, Tenn., is rugged and moun- 
[>etl °Ui? in character and, with the exception of the main valley, 
brC)a ] fjy wooded. In the lower valley, streams meander through 
rich • 00(i plains and agricultural lands predominate. The basin is 
a?Phah nat,llrai resources, the more important of which are coal; 
sinc 1 sand; gravel; limestone; phosphate rock; ores of iron, 
c°pper; and abundant water power. A general map of the 
4821STv10Wn on Piftte 47. 
• r 6 basin is primarily rural in character and agriculture is 
*y Practiced; however, practically every type of industry is 134 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION' CONTROL 
represented. Projects of the Tennessee Valley Authority provide 
flood control, hydroelectric power, navigation, and recreational facil- 
ities of importance. The total population of the basin has increased 
about 39 percent since 1910 and now approximates 2,491,300 of which 
about 25 percent is urban. Urban population has increased much 
more rapidly than has rural population during the period. The larger 
cities and their populations (1940 census), are as follows: 
Chattanooga, Tenn 128, 163 
Knoxville, Tenn 111, 580 
Asheville, N. C 51, 310 
Johnson City, Tenn 25, 332 
Twenty-three other communities in the Tennessee River Valley have 
more than 5,000 inhabitants. 
483. Water uses.—There are 244 public water supplies in the basiP 
of which 76, serving about 608,500 persons and aggregating about 
59.97 million gallons per day, are from surface sources; the latter 
include all major supplies. One hundred and eighty-eight supplies 
are chlorinated, including both surface and other supplies, and 68 of 
these receive additional treatment. Faulted geological formations 
which permit polluted surface waters to pass more or less directly to 
underground sources account for the high percentage of chlorination 
practiced. Eighty-two percent of the surface water used for public 
supplies is coagulated, settled, filtered, and chlorinated. There arc 
23 communities whose water supply intakes are located below com- 
munity sewer outfalls. In general, however, water supplies are not 
seriously affected by pollution except at Knoxville, Tenn. 
484. Industrial water usage is not now a major problem; however, 
it is anticipated that continuing development of the basin by tbe 
Tennessee Valley Authority will be accompanied by an increase i# 
industrial development, which probably will result in an increase i# 
industrial water demand. 
485. Low flow characteristics at three selected stream stations & 
the basin follow: 
Tennessee 
River 
Florence, Ala. 
30,810 
1894-1939 
Little Tennes- 
see River 
McGhee, Tenn. 
2,443 
1905-40 
South Forfci 
Holston RiVG* 
Kingsport, 
ITenn. 
1,931 
1925-40 
Drainage area (square miles) .. 
June to September discharge (cubic feet per second): 
Minimum single month 
Minimum 4-month average 
3,700 
7,675 
30,149 
609 
1,500 
4, 226 
8^0 
1,72* 
486. Sources oj pollution.—About 591,300 persons, or 24 percent 
the population of the basin, are served by sewers. Industrial waste5’ 
after application of various corrective measures now in force, coP' 
tribute an additional net population equivalent of 1,306,000 (based 
biochemical oxygen demand) of which 5,400, or less than 1 
receives further treatment in municipal plants. The pulp, paper, aPr 
cellulose industries discharge over half of the organic pollution lo& 
Of the 227 industrial establishments whose wastes do not receiv 
municipal treatment, 41 have taken at least minor corrective 
toward pollution control. Twenty-six primary and 18 
municipal waste-treatment plants, in which about $2,750,000 have be? 
invested, serve 41,800 and 56,600 persons, respectively, and aid 1 OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
135 
reducing the net population equivalent of domestic and industrial 
■Wastes to about 1,832,600, as discharged. Summarized data follow: 
Waste sources: , 
Total population (1940 census) 2, 491, 298 
Sewered population: 
Connected to municipal treatment 98, 400 
Not connected to municipal treatment 492, 900 
591,300 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after appli- 
cation of independent corrective measures now in 
force but prior to other treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 5, 400 
Not connected to municipal treatment: 
Canning 38, 400 
Chemical , 353, 200 
Meat 40, 200 
Milk 9,500 
Pulp and paper 584, 400 
Tanning 79, 900 
Textile 138, 700 
Miscellaneous 56, 300 
1, 300, 600 
1, 306, 000 
Total (population equivalent) 1, 897, 300 
Wastes as discharged: 
Human wastes (sewered) (population equivalent 
after all treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 36, 700 
Not connected to municipal treatment 492, 900 
529,600 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after all 
treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 2, 400 
Not connected to municipal treatment 1, 300, 600 
1, 303, 000 
Total waste residual (population equivalent) 1, 832, 600 
Ote.—Single industries of a specific classification are included within the miscellaneous classification. 
.487. Pollution from acid mine drainage amounts to about 21,970 
r Per year (calcium carbonate equivalent). Mine sealing has 
the original acid load by about 42 percent, 
to 1U Extent oj pollution.—During the period from September 1940 
March 1941 the Public Health Service collected and analyzed more 
an 290 water samples from over 100 stream stations in the basin. 
inety-seven percent of the samples were collected in January, 
and March, 1941. Use was made of data collected by the 
, frnessee Valley Authority on the Tennessee lliver and its tributaries 
le Peri°d from 1936 to 1939. Discharges on Public Health 
corr1CG samP^ng days, during the summer and fall months of 1940, 
trijk °!P0I1ded approximately with the mean summer flows of record on 
ary streams, while those of the main stream for the February 
flow SarnPdng period were considerably lower than mean summer 
Cated stream reaches showing extreme pollution, as indi- 
Auth • United States Public Health Service and Tennessee Valley 
(a\°pty laboratory results, are the following: 
cipaj Ugeon River below Canton, N. C.: This stream is the prin- 
of 3oqV(^si'e carrying tributary of the basin, receiving a pollution load 
>900 net population equivalent, of which 298,000 or 96 percent, 136 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
is from industrial establishments. Three samples at each of 2 sta- 
tions in a 6 mile reach below Canton, N. C., showed average dissolved 
oxygen contents of 0.9 and zero parts per million, respectively, and 
coliform bacteria counts of 1,040 and 1,260 per milliliter. Average 
biochemical oxygen demands were 238 and 208 parts per million. 
Samples were collected in February and March 1941. Average dis- 
charge was 128 cubic feet per second, which is lower than mean summer 
flow in this reach. 
(6) Holston River below Kingsport, Tenn.: Samples collected by 
the Tennessee Valley Authority at one station on the South Fork of 
the Holston River, during the period from May to October, 1941, 
showed average dissolved oxygen results of 6.1 parts per million, an 
average coliform bacteria count of 475 per milliliter, and an average 
biochemical oxygen demand of 5.9 parts per million. Average dis- 
charge was 2,510 cubic feet per second, slightly higher than mean 
summer flow. 
(c) Tennessee River below Knoxville, Tenn.: Records show dis- 
solved oxygen results falling to 4.0 parts per million, and coliform 
bacteria counts averaging 650 per milliliter during summer months. 
Water supply for the city of Knoxville, Tenn., has frequently been 
endangered and at times damaged by industrial wastes from plants 
on the Holston and French Broad Rivers. 
(d) Tennessee River below Chattanooga, Tenn.: Laboratory find' 
ings show dissolved oxygen results falling to 5.5 parts per million at 
moderate flow, with the probability of lower values at times of lov'- 
flow. Below the city, coliform bacteria counts were found to be in 
excess of 200 per milliliter during half of the months of the sampling 
period. Three samples taken in February 1941 from Chattanooga 
Creek, which receives wastes at Rossville, Ga., and from the southern 
part of Chattanooga, showed an average dissolved oxygen content of 
1.1 parts per million, an average coliform bacteria count of 2,410 per 
milliliter, and an average biochemical oxygen demand of 92.8 parts pet 
million. 
489. In general, pollution problems resulting from sewage are pri' 
marily local. Only at Chattanooga, Tenn., and Knoxville, Tenn., and 
in the vicinity of Asheville, N. C., does human sewage contribute 
materially to pollution problems of other than local extent. 
490. Acid stream conditions caused by copper and iron mining, and 
manufacturing activities, were observed in the vicinity of Copperhilb 
Tenn., on the Ocoee River. Three samples taken at each of 3 
in February 1941 showed average pH values of 4.1, 4.9, and 5.L 
respectively. 
491. Laboratory results for 8 sampling days during the period Sep' 
tember 1940 to March 1941 showed the dissolved oxygen content ann 
biochemical oxygen demand of the Tennessee River at the mouth f0 
be consistently less than that of the Ohio River above their junction1 
Coliform bacteria counts were low at both stations on all sampling 
dates. , 
492. Plates 47, 48, and 49 include data on sources of pollution, 
on coliform bacteria and dissolved oxygen results for the 
River Basin. 
493. Methods of pollution control.—Pollution problems of more 
local consequence in the Tennessee River Basin are primarily the resin 
of industrial wastes. Primary treatment of sewage and equivaF11 
treatment of industrial wastes should be sufficient to restore desirab1 OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
137 
stream conditions on the main river. Secondary and supplemental 
sewage treatment is indicated at numerous waste sources on smaller 
tributaries. Industrial waste treatment is needed to remedy gross 
Pollution of the French Broad and Pigeon Rivers, and to eliminate 
major pollution problems on the Holston, Little Tennessee, Clinch, 
and Hiwassee Rivers. 
. 494. The cost of a suggested program of pollution control is shown 
m the following table. The program would eliminate local nuisance 
conditions, improve streams for use as public water supplies, and 
restore and improve headwater tributary streams for recreational 
Purposes. 
Suggested 'program of pollution control for the Tennessee River Basin—Economic 
aspects 
Suggested pollution control 
measures 
Population 
Estimated cost 
Type 
Num- 
ber 
Now 
sewered 
1940 
census 
Design 
Capital 
Opera- 
tion and 
mainte- 
nance 
Annual 
Amorti- 
zation 
and 
interest 
Total 
Municipal treatment: 
primary 
Secondary 
Improvements 
Subtotal 
TrijercePt°rs 
64 
37 
9 
373,400 
116,000 
20,700 
491,000 
161, 500 
29,000 
670,000 
183,700 
$4,650,000 
2,580,000 
190,000 
$245,000 
140,000 
10,000 
$325,000 
180, 000 
15,000 
$570,000 
320,000 
25,000 
110 
510,100 
681,500 
7,420,000 
15,450,000 
1,610,000 
100,000 
395,000 
0) 
190,000 
11,000 
520,000 
725,000 
205,000 
4,000 
915,000 
725,000 
395,000 
15,000 
treatment 
sealing 
(2) 
(3) 
Em Subtotal... 
24, 580,000 
4,920,000 
596,000 
1,454. 000 
2,050,000 
allowance, 20 
Total.... 
29, 500,000 
"— 
\ Negligible. 
3 mpmdes such items as minor corrections, process changes, sewer construction, treatment plants, etc. 
« Program contemplates sealing of 10,770 ton-years of acid. 
“tunated additional cost of program if provided during present emergency period. 
Appendix T 
OHIO RIVER BASIN 
(Direct drainage) 
eneral description.—The Ohio River drains approximately 
Stat s9Uare miles, or about one-fifteenth of the area of the United 
jtes. The stream, formed by the junction of the Allegheny and 
Co S0ngahela Rivers at Pittsburgh, Pa., flows 981 river miles to its 
a with the Mississippi River at Cairo, 111., passing through 
ar{l rtl^n of western Pennsylvania and forming the southern bound- 
?r Indiana, and Illinois and the northern boundaries of 
area '/lr&in.ia and Kentucky. Plates 3, 6, and 9 include maps of the 
ComPrising minor tributaries and direct Ohio River drainage. 
SUMMARY 
90035-43-pt. 1 10 138 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
496. The topography of the basin varies from wide valleys with 
gently sloping sides to narrow steep gorges where the river has cut 
through pre-glacial divides. Elevations range from about 250 to about 
690 feet above mean sea level. Principal tributaries of the Ohio 
River in their order downstream from Pittsburgh, Pa., are the Alle- 
gheny, Monongahela, Beaver (right bank), Muskingum (right bank), 
Little Kanawha (left bank), Hocking (right bank), Kanawha (left 
bank), Guyandot (left bank), Big Sandy (left bank), Scioto (right 
bank), Little Miami (right bank), Licking (left bank), Miami (right 
bank), Kentucky (left bank), Salt (left bank), Green (left bank), 
Wabash (right bank), Cumberland (left bank), and Tennessee (left 
bank) Rivers. These and smaller minor tributaries are discussed 
separately. 
497. Numerous industrial centers situated on the banks of the Ohio 
River include steel plants in the vicinity of Pittsburgh, Pa., and 
Wheeling, W. Va., large paper and meat-packing plants at Cincinnati, 
Ohio, and the tobacco industry at Louisville, Ky. Extensive sand 
and gravel deposits are found along the stream. The river is canalized 
for its entire length and navigation facilities are extensively used. 
498. The urban population of the basin increased considerably be- 
tween 1910 and 1930, but only slightly in the past decade. Most of 
the cities on the Ohio River are relatively old and their rate of growth 
during this century has been less rapid than that of other cities in the 
basin. The present population situated in communities on the main 
Ohio River is about 2,717,187, of which 95 percent is urban. Prin- 
cipal communities and their populations (1940 census) are as follows: 
Pittsburgh, Pa 671, 659 
Cincinnati, Ohio 455, 610 
Louisville, Ky 319, 077 
Evansville, Ind 97, 062 
Huntingtpn, W. Va 78, 836 
Covington, Ky 62, 018 
Wheeling, W. Va 61, 099 
499. Water uses.—A total of 121 domestic water supplies serve com- 
munities situated on the main Ohio River. Of these, 33 supplies, 
aggregating 172.11 million gallons per day and serving about 1,673,200 
persons, are from surface sources. Thirty surface supplies, aggre- 
gating 170.88 million gallons per day and serving 1,663,000 persons 
are from the Ohio River and are subject to pollution from upstream 
sources. Over 1,000,000 persons are served by the 3 largest supplies 
at Cincinnati, Ohio; Louisville, Ky.; and Evansville, Ind. Three sur- 
face supplies aggregating 1.23 million gallons per day and serving 
10,200 persons have been developed from unpolluted sources by Ohio 
River communities. The heavy pollution at many water intakes ne- 
cessitates careful and complete treatment of the water. All supplies 
taken from the Ohio River are coagulated, settled, filtered, and chlm 
rinated. Two are softened by the lime-soda process. 
500. The river is used for recreation, in spite of excessive pollution. 
Boating, bathing, and sport fishing are carried on, and there is some 
commercial fishing in the lower reaches. One hydroelectric power 
project has been constructed by private interests at the falls of the 
Ohio at Louisville, Ky. Numerous reservoir sites on tributary stream5 
have been studied with a view toward controlling floods in the Ohio 
River Valley. Industrial water supply is of considerable importance- OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
139 
501. Low flow characteristics at three stations on the Ohio River 
are as follows: 
Locations - 
Drainage area (square miles) 
Period considered 
Pittsburgh, 
Pa. 
19,000 
1923-40 
Cincinnati, 
Ohio 
76,570 
1920-40 
Louisville, 
Ky. 
91,200 
1928-40 
June to September discharge (cubic feet per second): 
Minimum single month. 
1,300 
4,300 
4,900 
Minimum 4-month average 
3,900 
7,700 
11.000 
Average 
14, 200 
48,200 
54,000 
502. Sources of 'pollution.—About 2,092,200 persons, or 78 percent 
of the population of the basin, are served by sewers. In addition, 
sewage from about 640,000 persons in the Pittsburgh area enters the 
lower Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers just above their confluence 
at the head of the Ohio River, and sewage from about 78,000 persons 
in the Cincinnati area enters the Little Miami River near its mouth. 
Industrial wastes, after application of various corrective measures 
now employed, contribute a net population equivalent, based on 
biochemical oxygen demand, of about 2,400,000 to the Ohio River, 
about 415,000 to the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers near their 
Junction at Pittsburgh, and about 50,000 to the Little Miami River 
near its mouth at Cincinnati. None of these wastes receive further 
treatment in municipal plants. More than 80 percent of the organic 
industrial waste load is discharged from the Cincinnati area and 
downstream, the largest concentrations being at Cincinnati and 
b-ouisville. 
503. Four primary and 16 secondary municipal waste treatment 
Plants, in which about $1,080,000 have been invested, serve 6,100 
aud 16,400 persons respectively, and reduce the population equivalent 
y organic wastes to about 4,468,400, as discharged. Summarized 
data follow: 
sources: 
Total population (1940 census) 2, 717, 187 
Sewered population: 
Connected to municipal treatment 22, 500 
Not connected to municipal treatment 2, 069, 700 
2, 092, 200 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after appli- 
cation of independent corrective measures now in 
force but prior to other treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 0 
Not connected to municipal treat- 
ment: 
Brewing 103, 200 
Byproduct coke 234, 000 
Canning 42, 500 
Chemical 67, 300 
Distilling 588, 700 
Meat 118,200 
Milk 16, 900 
Oil refining 46, 100 
Paper 19, 900 
Tanning 21, 600 
Textile 44, 400 
Miscellaneous 31, 800 
Industrial wastes to Cincinnati 
sewers 1, 057, 400 
2, 392, 000 
2, 392, 000 
Total (population equivalent) 4, 484, 200 140 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
Wastes as discharged: .— 
Human wastes (sewered) (population equivalent after 
all present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 6, 700 
Not connected to municipal treatment 2, 069, 700 
2, 076, 400 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after all 
present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 0 
Not connected to municipal treatment 2, 392, 000 
2, 392, 000 
Total waste residual (population equivalent) 4, 468, 400 
Note.—Single industries of a specific classification are included within the miscellaneous classification. 
504. Extent of 'pollution.—During the period from February 1939 
to March 1941 the Public Health Service collected and analyzed more 
than 3,420 water samples from over 90 stream stations on the Ohio 
River. In general, sampling in the middle reaches of the stream from 
Point Pleasant, W. Va., 265 river miles below Pittsburgh, Pa., to 
lock and dam No. 39 above Carrollton, Ky., 503 river miles below 
Pittsburgh, Pa., was carried on from February 1939 to April 1940, 
while samples in the upper and lower reaches were collected during 
the period May 1940 to March 1941. The extent of pollution indi- 
cated by the analytical results is as follows: 
505. Pittsburgh to Huntington: Dissolved oxygen conditions in 
this reach of the river were generally good at the time of sampling; 
the large majority of samples having oxygen demands of less than 3 
parts per million and dissolved oxygen contents of more than 6.5 
parts per million. However, there were present relatively high con- 
centrations of coliform bacteria, counts in excess of 200 per milliliter 
being recorded at times at all stations except the three just above 
Huntington, W. Ya. The heaviest pollution was observed beloW 
Pittsburgh, Pa., Wheeling, W. Ya., and Parkersburg, W. Va., while 
evidence of natural purification was observed in the 53-mile reach 
between dam No. 14 below Moundsville, W. Va., and dam No. 1? 
above Marietta, Ohio, and in the 70 miles between dam No. 23 
below Parkersburg, W. Va., and dam No. 27 above Huntington, 
W. Va. 
506. Acid stream conditions were observed as far downstream a9 
dam No. 17 above Marietta, Ohio, during periods of low discharge- 
The range of pH values was from 4.7 to 6.5. 
507. Phenols in excess of 1 part per billion were observed in sample5 
below East Liverpool, Ohio; Steubenville, Ohio; and Wheeling? 
W. Va.; while concentrations of from 2 to 8 parts per billion were 
observed at dam No. 14 and dam No. 15 below Moundsville, W. Va-* 
and dam No. 22 and dam No. 23 below Parkersburg, W. Va. 
508. Huntington to Louisville: Dissolved oxygen conditions were 
generally good in the reach from Huntington, W. Va., to Cincinnati? 
Ohio. Oxygen demands averaged about 1.0 parts per million apd 
rarely exceeded 2.0 parts per million in this reach. Below CinciU' 
nati, Ohio, decreases in dissolved oxygen content were observed? 
including minimum monthly average values of 3.8 to 5.4 parts per 
million. The dissolved oxygen content of individual samples ap' 
proached zero. Oxygen demand results below Cincinnati, Ohio, were 
generally less than 3.0 parts per million, although very high value5 
were observed in the immediate vicinity of Cincinnati sewer outlet5. OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
141 
The dissolved oxygen content of the stream increased between dam 
No. 39 and Louisville, Ky., with a slight depression at Madison, Ind. 
509. The major problem in the Huntington-Portsmouth reach is 
one of high bacterial pollution, mainly of local origin, affecting the 
quality of raw water used for public supplies. Coliform bacteria counts 
m excess of 200 per milliliter were observed in 21 percent of the 
samples above Ashland, Ky., 26 percent of the samples above Iron ton, 
Ohio, and 6 percent of the samples above Cincinnati. A zone of self- 
purification between Portsmouth and dam No. 36 above Cincinnati 
apparent during low-flow periods. Below Cincinnati, cobform 
averages were from 2,000 to 60,000 per milliliter during periods of low 
flow. An increase in coliform counts was also observed below Madison, 
hid., and was especially marked during the summer months. 
510. Phenols in excess of 1 part per billion were recorded at dam 
No. 27 and dam No. 28, above and below Huntington, respectively, 
and at dam No. 30 and dam No. 31, above and below Portsmouth, 
respectively. 
511. Louisville to mouth: The zones of most severe pollution in 
the lower river were found immediately below Louisville, Ky., and in 
the Evansville, Ind.-Henderson, Ky., area. Lesser sources of pollu- 
tion are Owensboro, Ky.; Paducah, Ky.; and Cairo, 111. At the time 
°t sampling, dissolved oxygen conditions throughout the section were 
£°°d, even below the larger communities. Except for a slight lessen- 
T? of dissolved oxygen content below Louisville, which was noted in 
August and October samples, dissolved oxygen remained near oi 
aboye saturation levels. Oxygen demands were below 3 parts pel 
?pflion for the most part. Coliform bacteria results reached their 
aighest averages in the 10-mile reach below Louisville, and wer« 
datively high below Owensboro, Evansville, and Cairo. Marked 
evidence of self-purification was indicated in the reach between 
b'Ouisville and Evansville, and little evidence of pollution was found 
11 the extreme lower portion of the river. 
512. Methods of 'pollution control.—The most important problem 
created by pollution in the Ohio River is the unduly heavy bacterial 
fading imposed on the community water purification plants along 
] e stream. Other problems are taste and odor difficulties, general 
essening of recreational values, occasional destruction of fish life, 
Nuisance conditions due to discoloration and floating matter in 
A® stream and to occasional oxygen depletion below the largest 
cities. 
.513. Primary treatment of all wastes discharged to the Ohio 
f~1Ver is suggested. In addition, continuous chlorination of the treat- 
cut plant eflluents at all of the larger municipalities and at any of 
im fma^er ones whose sewage appreciably affects downstream water 
takes, would aid in reducing bacterial loadings at these intakes. 
ak°Vi^0rL or the addition of coagulants during critical periods should 
vi 1° i at Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. Low flow control pro- 
cd above Pittsburgh and Cincinnati might eliminate the need for 
Cr-5e i^lan Primary treatment at these cities. Pittsburgh is the 
YitLl 0cati°n with respect to low flow control, since storage pro- 
aci(] a^0ve that community in quantity sufficient for organic and 
5]^ste control would be more than ample at downstream localities. 
t0 . Treatment of organic industrial wastes to a degree equivalent 
Pftmary sewage treatment should be sufficient, and could be 142 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
accomplished in municipal treatment plants, except at industrial 
establishments whose wastes cause tastes and odors in public water 
supplies. In the latter instances, special attention should be given. 
Acid wastes from steel mills should be neutralized, at least during 
periods when their contribution to the acid load on the stream is 
significant. Control of acid mine drainage on tributary streams 
would insure satisfactory conditions on the Ohio River. 
515. The cost of a suggested program of pollution control on the 
main Ohio River is summarized in the following table. Such a pro- 
gram would reduce bacterial loadings, reduce taste and odor troubles 
in public water supplies, and eliminate nuisance conditions below 
large sources of pollution. Recreational values would also be en- 
hanced by the improved appearance and quality of the river water, 
and by the growth of fish life in the stream. 
Suggested 'program of pollution control for the main Ohio River Basin—Economic 
aspects 
Suggested pollution control 
measures 
Population 
Estimated cost 
Type 
Num- 
ber 
Now 
sewered 
1940 
census 
Design 
Capital 
Annual 
Opera- 
tion and 
mainte- 
nance 
Amorti- 
zation 
and 
interest 
Total 
Municipal treatment: Pri- 
mary (subtotal) 
111 
2,018, 500 
2,170,000 
4,253,700 
$27, 560,000 
40,350, 000 
3,120,000 
(3) A 
$1,765,000 
(') 
705,000 
(3) 
$1,940.000 
1,890,000 
410,000 
0) 
$3,705,000 
1,890, 000 
1,115,000 
(3) 
Industrial treatment 
(J) 
71,030,000 
14,210, 000 
2,470, 000 
4,240,000 
6,710,000 
Emergency allowance, 20 
85, 240,000 
i Negligible. 
1 Includes such items as minor corrections, process changes, sewer construction, treatment plants, etc. 
* Costs for “main” Ohio River Basin included with those for minor tributary basins. 
4 Estimated additional cost of program if provided during present emergency period. 
Appendix U 
MINOR TRIBUTARY BASINS 
SUMMARY 
516. General description.—Minor tributaries of the Ohio Rive1* 
drain about 23,780 square miles, or approximately 12 percent of th® 
area of the Ohio River Valley. Most of the area drained by thes® 
streams is hilly. Agriculture is the predominant occupation, but1 
there are also important coal-mining areas in Pennsylvania, in th® 
West Virginia panhandle and adjacent parts of Ohio, and in tb® 
Saline and Tradewater River Basins. There is very little oth®r 
industrial development. The principal minor tributaries togeth®r 
with their drainage areas are as follows: OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
143 
Tributary 
Point of con- 
fluence with 
Ohio River 
(miles above 
mouth of Ohio 
River) 
Drainage area 
(square miles) 
S®che River, El 
6.3 
720 
107.6 
995 
113.7 
1,235 
466 
318.1 
Creek, Ohio 
693.0 
435 
Sv*Ee Sandy River, Ky 
644.6 
780 
Creek, W. Va 
667.7 
441 
704.9 
684 
Island Creek, W. Va. 
827.0 
685 
Beaver River, Ohio-Pa 
941.5 
610 
General maps of the minor tributary basins are shown on plates 3, 6, 
and 9. 
.,517. The minor tributaries are not navigated commercially and 
here are no hydroelectric developments in their basins. Urban 
Population has nearly doubled since 1910, while rural population has 
greased somewhat in the past decade. The present total population 
°1 the minor tributary basins is about 1,385,200 of which only 9 
Percent is urban. Principal communities and their populations (1940 
eilsus) are as follows: 
Community 
Population 
Basin 
Pa 
26,166 
12,599 
12,301 
11,453 
5,537 
5,123 
5,002 
Chartiers Creek. 
Do. 
Little Beaver River. 
Saline River. 
Raccoon Creek. 
Little Beaver River. 
Captina Creek. 
pa _ _ 
5arifvOhi0- - 
\Ven^bur?, Ill- . 
Barnf alesline, Ohio.. 
Ohio 
"—-—_ 
Water uses.—There are 94 public water supplies in the minor 
butary basins of the Ohio River of which 44, aggregating about 9.45 
Soi 10n gallons Per day and serving 132,600 persons, are from surface 
rCes' About 19 percent of the population using surface supplies is 
fall by 9 supplies subject to pollution from community sewer out- 
All of these supplies are coagulated, settled, filtered, and 
(Plated, and 2 supplies are lime soda softened. 
Many of the streams, particularly those which are relatively 
q. Polluted and which are readily accessible to residents of the larger 
|° River cities, are used extensively for recreation. Industrial 
Hot a major problem. 
the ‘ ®0Ur'Ces of 'pollution.—About 167,800 persons, or 12 percent of 
are Population of the minor tributary basins of the Ohio River Valley, 
c0rrSeiTe(l by sewers. Industrial wastes, after application of various 
Po®iCtlye measures now employed, contribute an additional net 
equivalent of 31,200 (based on biochemical oxygen de- 
which 900, or about 3 percent, receives further treatment 
fr0rriUlllcipal plants. About 96 percent of the industrial wastes are 
sqlanCanileries and meat-packing plants, most of which are located on 
receiv strearPs. m Indiana. Of the 24 plants whose wastes do not 
Piea e Municipal treatment, 16 have taken at least minor corrective 
Priu^1^8 toward reducing their pollution of the streams. Twelve 
and 30 secondary municipal waste-treatment plants, in which 144 
OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
about $3,800,000 have been invested, serve 13,900 and 96,400 persons, 
respectively, and reduce the combined population equivalent of do- 
mestic and industrial wastes to about 110,900, as discharged. 
Summarized data follow: 
Wqcfo cmir^PQ* 
Total population (1940 census) 1, 385, 202 
Sewered population: 
Connected to municipal treatment 110, 300 
Not connected to municipal treatment 57, 500 
167,800 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after applica- 
tion of independent corrective measures now in force 
but prior to other treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment. 900 
Not connected to municipal treatment: 
Canning 13,300 
Meat 16, 700 
Milk 300 
30, 300 
31, 200 
Total (population equivalent) 199,000 
Wastes as discharged: 
Human wastes (sewered) (population equivalent after 
all present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 23, 000 
Not connected to municipal treatment 57, 500 
80,500 
Industrial wastes (population equivalent after all 
present treatment): 
Connected to municipal treatment 100 
Not connected to municipal treatment 30, 300 
30, 400 
Total waste residual (population equivalent) 110, 900 
Note.—Single industries of a specific classification are included within the miscellaneous classification. 
521. Acid mine drainage is the most damaging pollutant to which 
the minor tributaries of the Ohio River are subjected. This waste 
adversely affects streams in the upper part of the basin, particularly 
above Marietta, Ohio, and in the Saline and Tradewater River Basins 
in the lower part of the Ohio River Valley. Mine sealing has reduced 
the original acid load by about 23 percent, leaving a present load of 
about 176,500 tons per year (calcium carbonate equivalent). 
522. Extent of 'pollution.—During the period from February 1939 to 
March 1941 the Public Health Service collected and analyzed more 
than 1,000 samples from 125 stations in the minor tributary basins- 
Sampling was done concurrently with work on adjacent sections of the 
main Ohio River. Streams in the middle reaches of the basin were 
sampled from February 1939 to April 1940 and those in the uppe1’ 
and lower reaches were sampled from May 1940 to March 1941. 
523. Pittsburgh to Huntington.—Oxygen conditions were generally 
good except on Chartiers Creek below Washington, and Canonsburg 
Pa., and on some of the very small tributaries. Coliform bacterid 
counts were generally high as on the main stream. A number 
of the minor tributaries in this area were heavily acid. 
524. Huntington to Louisville.—Oxygen conditions were generally 
good throughout the region with dissolved oxygen results above 6-j| 
parts per million and biochemical oxygen demand results below 
parts per million. Moderately high coliform bacteria counts wet0 OHIO RIVER POLLUTION CONTROL 
145 
found below small sources of pollution on tributaries between Hunting- 
ton, W. Va., and Cincinnati, Ohio, and local pollution was evidenced 
on Laughery Creek at Batesville, Ind., Hogan Creek at Aurora, 
Ind., Harrods Creek at La Grange, Ky., and Goose Creek at Anchor- 
Ky. 
525. Louisville to Mouth.—The minor tributaries in this section 
Were in good sanitary condition, except in the Saline and Tradewater 
Liver basins, where local pollution was observed at several points. 
Low dissolved oxygen content, high biochemical oxygen demand, 
and high coliform bacteria counts were found below Eldorado and 
Harrisburg, 111., in the Saline River Basin. Several tributaries of 
the Saline River were found to be acid, with pH values ranging from 
2.8 to 4.3. In the Tradewater River basin, local pollution was 
observed at Dawson Springs, Sturgis, and Providence, Ky., and acid 
conditions were found at Providence and Earlington, Ky., with pH 
Values ranging from 3.3 to 5.7. 
526. Plates 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 include data on sources 
°f pollution, and on coliform bacteria and dissolved oxygen results for 
the minor tributary basins. 
527. Methods of pollution control.—Pollution problems on minor 
tributaries of the Ohio River are predominately local in nature and 
are concerned primarily with prevention or correction of nuisance 
conditions in small streams subject to extremely low flows. The 
|ow flows to which the streams are subject make secondary waste 
treatment necessary in most cases. Continuation of the mine-sealing 
Program would aid in reducing the mine acid load on the streams. 
. 528. The cost of a suggested program of pollution control is shown 
P1 the following table. The program would eliminate local nuisance, 
l*oprove streams for use as public water supplies, and preserve and 
enhance recreational facilities. 
u9gested 'program of pollution control for the minor tributary basins—economic 
aspects 
Suggested pollution control 
measures 
Population 
Estimated cost 
Type 
V 
Num- 
ber 
Now 
sewered 
1940 
census 
Design 
Capital 
Annual 
Opera- 
tion and 
mainte- 
nance 
Amorti- 
zation 
and 
interest 
Total 
Municipal treatment: 
Primary 
secondary 
Improvements 
Into Subtotal 
gtereeptors 
17 
23 
6 
73,600 
22,800 
3, 900 
45,400 
39,800 
7,400 
50,300 
45,000 
$520,000 
830,000 
70,000 
$27,000 
40,000 
3,000 
$37,000 
58,000 
5,000 
$64,000 
98, 000 
8,000 
45 
100,300 
92,600 
1,420, 000 
890,000 
280,000 
* 480,000 
70,000 
C1) 
40,000 
« 52, 000 
100,000 
40,000 
35,000 
* 20,000 
170.000 
40, 000 
75,000 
< 72,000 
SRffWal treatment 
sealing . 
(*) 
(») 
£mo Subtotal 
3,070,000 
610,000 
162,000 
195,000 
357,000 
allowance, 20 
'Total,.. 
3,680, 000 
"—^ 
\ Negligible. 
i vj?*udes such items as minor corrections, process changes, sewer construction, treatment plants, etc. 
t tributary and “main” Ohio River basins combined. 
* br°grarn contemplates sealing of 77,756 ton-years of acid. See note 3. 
»tunated additional cost of program if provided during present emergency period. WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS. U.S. ARMY 
VICINITY MAP 
SCALC 
PLATE NO. I 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
GENERAL MAP 
OHIO RIVER BASIN 
IN I SHEET 
SHEET NO. I 
SCALES AS SHOWN 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE Pft£F*R£D: APRIL l,l»43 
GPO- 43 0 - 90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS. U.S. ARMY 
LEGEND 
Areas of Circles Proportional to 
Population Equivalent of Woetee 
*1 
Discharged 
Before 
Treatment 
Diameter 
Populotion Equivalent 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
PLATE NO. 2 
SOURCES OF POLLUTION 
OHIO RIVER BASIN 
IN I SHEET 
SHEET NO.I 
SCALE OF MILES 
10 20 30 
SCALE AS SHOWN 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
MAP PREPARED BY US. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
PLATE PREPARED APRIL 1,1*43 
GPO- 43 0 - 90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS. U S. ARMY 
Areas of Circles Proportional to 
Population Equivalent of Wastes 
LEGEND 
Before 
Treatment 
As Discharged 
Pop ulation 
Equivalent 
Rod ii 
NOTE : 
Includes wastes entering 
lower 8 miles of Allegheny 
and Monongohela Rivers. 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
SOURCES OF POLLUTION 
OHIO RIVER & MINOR TRIBUTARY BASINS 
PITTSBURGH TO HUNTINGTON 
PLATE NO. 3 
SCALE AS SHOWN 
20 
IN I SHEET 
SHEET NO. I 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
SCALE OF MILES 
_ WAP PREPARED BY OS. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
PLATE PREPARED APRIL 1,1943 
6P0-43 0 -10035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS U. S. ARMY 
LEGEND 
Average Coliform Results at 
SamDlina Stations 
Mo»t proboble 
* number per ml. 
Under 25 
26 - 50 
5 I -100 
101-200 
Over 200 
PLATE NO.4 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
COLIFORM BACTERIA RESULTS 
OHIO RIVER AND MINOR TRIBUTARY BASINS 
PITTSBURGH TO HUNTINGTON 
NOTES: 
(I) MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIOOS. 
(*> PROFILE SHOWS SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED 
(3) SAMPLING PERIOD REPRESENTED 
JUNE 193# TO MARCH 1941 
RIVER MILES BELOW PITTSBURGH 
OHIO RIVER AND MINOR TRIBUTARY BASINS 
PITTSBURGH TO HUNTINGTON 
IN I SHEET 
SHEET NO I 
SCALE AS SHOWN 
SCALE Of MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
_MAP PRgyWRgQ U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
PLATE PREPARED APRIL UMi 
BPO-43 0 - 90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U.SARMY 
LEGEND 
Average Dissolvtd Oxygen 
Results of Sampling Stations- 
Symbol Dissolvtd Oxygon p.p.m 
Ov«r 6.S 
5.1 to 6.5 
3.1 to 5.0 
0.1 to 3.0 
0.0 
NOTES: 
MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS, AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS 
tZi PROFILE SHOWS SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED. 
(3) SAMPLING PERIOD REPRESENTED 
JUNE, 1939 TO MARCH, 1941. 
RIVER MILES BELOW PITTSBURGH 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN RESULTS 
OHIO RIVER AND MINOR TRIBUTARY BASINS 
PITTSBURGH TO HUNTINGTON 
PLATE NO. 5 
OHIO RIVER AND MINOR TRIBUTARY BASINS 
PITTSBURGH TO HUNTINGTON 
IN I SHEET SHEET NO I SCALE AS SHOWN 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
• PLATE PREPARED APRIL MM 
SCALE or MILES 
MAP PHEBARED BY US. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
GPO-43 0 - 90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS. U.S.ARMY 
LEGEND 
Area* of Circlet Proportional to 
Population Equivalent of Waetee 
Bafora 
Treatment 
A* Discharged 
Radii 
Population Equivalent 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
SOURCES OF POLLUTION 
OHIO RIVER AND MINOR TRIBUTARY BASINS 
HUNTINGTON TO LOUISVILLE 
PLATE NO 6 
IN I SHEET 
SHEET NO. I 
SCALE: AS SHOWN 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
MAP PREPAWCO BY US. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
PLATE HCMRCO APfWL 1.1*43 
ero-« o ihj5 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS U. S. ARMY 
Average Coliform Results of 
Sampling Stations 
LEGEND 
Symbol 
Mod proboble 
number per ml. 
Under 25 
25- 50 
5 I -100 
101-200 
Over 200 
RIVER MILES BELOW PITTSBURGH 
NOTES: 
(I) MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSCRVED FOR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN SO DAYS, AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS. 
(2J PROFILE SHOWS SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED- 
(3) SAMPLING PERIODS REPRESENTED 
JANUARY, 1939 TO MARCH, 1940 i 
JULY, OCTOBER, I940j JANUARY, 1941 
OHIO RIVER AND MINOR TRIBUTARY BASINS 
HUNTINGTON TO LOUISVILLE 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
COLIFORM BACTERIA RESULTS 
OHIO RIVER AND MINOR TRIBUTARY BASINS 
HUNTINGTON TO LOUISVILLE 
PLATE NO.7 
IN I SHEET 
SHEET NCI 
SCALES AS SHOWN 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
MAP A At PA A10 er US.AUM.IC HEALTH SLAVICS 
PLATE PRERAPED APRS. UB43 
GPO- 43 0 - 90035 CORPS OF ENGINEERS.ULS.ARMY 
WAR DEPARTMENT 
Average Ois*olv«d Oxygen 
Results at Sampling Stations. 
LE6EN0 
Symbol Dissolved Oxygen p pm 
Over 6.5 
5.1 to 6 5 
3.1 to 5.0 
0.1 to 3 0 
0.0 
NOTES: 
<l> MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS, AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS 
(2) PROFILE SHOWS SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED. 
(3) SAMPLING PERIOD REPRESENTED 
JANUARY, 1939 TO MARCH, 1940; 
JULY, OCTOBER, 1*40; JANUARY, 1941 
PLATE NO. 8 
RIVER MILES BELOW PITTSBURGH 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN RESULTS 
OHIO RIVER AND MINOR TRIBUTARY BASINS 
HUNTINGTON TO LOUISVILLE 
OHIO RIVER AND MINOR TRIBUTARY BASINS 
HUNTINGTON TO LOUISVILLE 
IN I SHEET 
SHEET NO.I 
SCALES AS SHOWN 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED APRIL U943 
MAP PREPARED BY U S- PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE. 
6PO-43 0 - 90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U.S.ARMY 
Areas of Circles Proportional to 
Population Equivalent of Wastes 
LE6END 
Balora 
Treatment 
“ • 
Ratfii 
Population Equivalent 
PLATE NO. 0 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
SOURCES OF POLLUTION 
OHIO RIVER AND MINOR TRIBUTARY BASINS 
LOUISVILLE TO MOUTH 
IN I SHEET 
SHEET NO. I 
SCALE-AS SHOWN 
TO ACCOMFANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED APRIL 1,1043 
SCALE OF MILES 
MAP PHEmWED BY US. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
GP0-4S 0-10035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U S. ARMY 
LEGEND 
Average Coliform Results at 
Sampling Stations 
_ . . Most proboble 
* m 0 number per ml. 
Under 25 
25- 50 
51-100 
101-200 
Over 200 
COLIFORMS-M.P.N. PEP ML 
"O 
NOTES: 
CO MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS. 
(2) PROFILE SHOWS SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED 
(3) SAMPLING PERIOD REPRESENTED 
JULY TO NOVEMBER, 19 40 
JANUARY TO MARCH, 19 41 
RIVER MILES BELOW PITTSBURGH 
PLATE NO. 10 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
COLIFORM BACTERIA RESULTS 
OHIO RIVER AND MINOR TRIBUTARY BASINS 
LOU I SEVILLE TO MOUTH 
INI SHEET SHEET NO. I SCALES AS SHOWN 
Ig, , 0 10 SO 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PHEWARED APR!, 1,1943 
OHIO RIVER AND MINOR TRIBUTARY BASINS 
LOUISVILLE TO MOUTH 
MAP PWCmWCO BY O S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERIVCE. 
6PO-43 0 -30035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS U.S.ARMY 
LEGEND 
Average Dissolved Oxygen 
Results at Sampling Stations 
Symbol Dissolved Oxygon p p.m 
Over 6.5 
5.1 to 6.5 
3.1 to 5.0 
0.1 to 3.0 
0 0 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN-PPM. 
RIVER MILES BELOW PITTSBURGH 
PLATE NO. 11 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN RESULTS 
OHIO RIVER AND MINOR TRIBUTARY BASINS 
LOUISEVILLE TO MOUTH 
IN I SHEET SHEET NO.I SCALES AS SHOWN 
io o io *o 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR PREPARED APRIL 1,1943 
NOTES-’ 
CO MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS, AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS. 
C2> PROFILE SHOWS SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED. 
C3> SAMPLINC PERIOD REPRESENTED 
JULY TO NOVEMBER, 1940; 
JANUARY TO MARCH, 1941. 
OHIO RIVER AND MINOR TRIBUTARY BASINS 
LOUISVILLE TO MOUTH 
MAP PREPARED DV U S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
BI’O -43 0 • 30035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS. U.S.ARMY 
LEGEND 
Areas of Circlet Proportional to 
Population Equivalent of Wastes 
Before 
Treatment 
As Discharged 
Radii 
Papulation Equivalent 
PLATE NO. 12 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
SOURCES OF POLLUTION 
ALLEGHENY RIVER BASIN 
INI SHEET SHEET NO. I SCALE: AS SHOWN 
HU m 9 '9 ■■ -*° 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED APRIL I, 1943 
PREPARED BY US. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
6P0 • 43. 0 -90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS,U.S. ARMY 
LEGEND 
Average Coliform Results at 
Sampling Stations 
«- >.»t Most proboble 
S y m d ol . 
1 number per ml. 
Under 25 
25-50 
51-100 
101-200 
Over 200 
NOTES: 
(I) MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS. 
(?) PROFILE SHOWS SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED. 
(3) SAMPLING PERIODS REPRESENTED 
JULY TO DECEMBER 1940 
ALLEGHENY RIVER BASIN 
PLATE NO. 13 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
COLIFORM BACTERIA RESULTS 
ALLEGHENY RIVER BASIN 
IN I SHEET SHEET NOI SCALES AS SHOWN 
10 0 10 20 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
H>TE PREPARED APRIL UM3 
MAP PREPARED BY U S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
GPO- 43 0 -90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY 
LEGEND 
Average Dissolved Oxygen 
Results at Sampling Stations- 
Symbol Oissolvod Oxygon p.p.m 
Over 6.5 
5.1 to 6.5 
3.1 to 5.0 
0.1 to 3.0 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN PRM. 
ALLEGHENY RIVER BASIN 
NOTES. 
(I) MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED POR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS, AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS. 
12) PROFILE SHOWS SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED. 
(3) SAMPLING PERIOO REPRESENTED 
JULY TO DECEMBER, 1940 
PLATE NO. 14 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN RESULTS 
ALLEGHENY RIVER BASIN 
IN I SKET SHEET NCU SCALES AS SHOWN 
10 0 10 20 
SCALE OP MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED APRIL 1,1943 
PREPARED BY U. S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
GPO-43 0-90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS. U. S. ARMY 
LEGEND 
Average pH Results 
at Sampling Stations 
Symbol pH 
6.0 to 8.5 
4.0 to 6.5 
undor 4.0 
pH VALUE 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF ALLEGHENY RIVER 
NOTES: 
(1) MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT/ 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS 
(2) PROFILE SHOWS SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED 
(3) SAMPLING PERIOD REPRESENTED 
JULY TO DECEMBER 1940 
ALLEGHENY RIVER BASIN 
PLATE NO. 15 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
pH RESULTS 
ALLEGHENY RIVER BASIN 
IN I SHEET (Q Q SHEET NO-! ,p apSCALE AS SHOWN 
SCALE Of MILES 
TO ACCOM FA NY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WKR 
''s? prepared by u.s. public health service 
PLATE PREPARED APRL U»43 
GPO-43 0 - 90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U.S. ARMY 
LEGEND 
Areas of Circles Proportional to 
Population Equivalent of Wastes 
Before 
Treatment 
A* Discharged 
Radii 
Population Equivalent 
PLATE NO. 16 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
SOURCES OF POLLUTION 
MONONGAHELA RIVER BASIN 
IN I SHEET SHEET NO. I SCALE=AS SHOWN 
0 10 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED APRIL I, 1943 
PREPARED BY U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
GPO - 43 0 - 90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U.S. ARMY 
legend 
Average Coliform Results al 
Sampling Stations 
. Most probable 
Symbo number per ml. 
— Under 25 
25-50 
51-100 
101-200 
Over 200 
COLIFORMS- M.RN. PER ML. 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF MONONGAHELA RIVER 
NOTES1 
CD MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIOOS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS ANO MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIOOS. 
12) PROFILE SHOWS SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED* 
C3J SAMPLING PERIOD REPRESENTED : 
MAY TO DECEMBER 1040 
MONONGAHELA RIVER 
PLATE NO. 17 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
COLIFORM BACTERIA RESULTS 
MONOGAHELA RIVER BASIN 
IN I SHEET SHEET NO I SCALES AS SHOWN 
_ 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR pLATE pref*RED APRIL l,l»43 
vT prewwed by u.s. public health service 
6P0-43 0-90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U.S. ARMY 
legend 
Average Dissolved Oxygen 
Results of Sampling Station*- 
Symbol Dissolved Oxygen p.p.m 
Over 6.5 
5.1 to 6.5 
3.1 to 5.0 
0.1 to 3.0 
0.0 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN-PPM. 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF MONONGAHELA RIVER 
NOTES: 
CD MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS. 
(2) PROFILE SHOWS SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED 
(3} SAMPLING PER 100 REPRESENTED ■ 
MAY TO DECEMBER 1940 
MONONGAHELA RIVER BASIN 
PLATE NO. 18 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN RESULTS 
MONOGAHELA RIVER BASIN 
IN I SHEET SHEET NO.I SCALE AS SHOWN 
10 0 10 20 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREFARED APRIL 1,1943 
PREPARED BY U.3. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
GPO- 43 0 - 90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U.S. ARMY 
LEGEND 
Average pH. Results 
<Jt Sampling Stations 
Symbol pH. 
- — - Over 8.5 
6.6 to 8.5 
4.0 to 6.5 
under 4.0 
MONONGAHELA RIVER BASIN 
NOTES: 
0) MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS. 
C2> PROFILE SHOWS SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED. 
C3> SAMPLING PERIOD REPRESENTED: 
MAY TO DECEMBER 1940 
PLATE NO. 19 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
pH RESULTS 
MONOGAHELA RIVER BASIN 
IN | SHEET SHEET NOil SCALES AS SHOWN 
10 0 10 20 
1 1 ■ —a 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED: APRIL 1.1943 
fiPO -43 0 -10115 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS. U.S. ARMY 
Scale of Miles 
LEGEND 
Areas of Circles Proportional to 
Population Equivalent of Wastes 
Before 
Treatment 
As Discharged 
Rod ii 
Population Equivalent 
PLATE NO. 20 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
SOURCES OF POLLUTION 
BEAVER RIVER BASIN 
IN I SHEET SHEET NOI SCALE IAS SHOWN 
10 O 10 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPAREO APRIL I, 1943 
PREPAREO BY US. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
GPO- 43 0 - 90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U.S.ARMY 
LEGEND 
Average Coliform Results 
at Sampling Stations 
Symbol Most Pr°boble 
number per ml. 
Under 25 
25-50 
51-100 
101-200 
Over 200 
COL I FORMS-M.P N. PER ML. _ 
c o 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF BEAVER RIVER 
BEAVER-MAHONING RIVERS 
NOTES: 
(I) MAPS SHOW AVERACE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS, AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERACE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS. 
C2> PROFILES SHOW SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERACE RESULTS AS INDICATED. 
C3) SAMPLING PERIODS REPRESENTED 
JUNE TO AUGUST, 1940. 
OCTOBER, 1940 TO JANUARY, 1941. 
PLATE NO 21 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
COLIFORM BACTERIA RESULTS 
BEAVER RIVER BASIN 
IN I SHEET SHEET NO. I SCALE AS SHOWN 
5 _ 0 S____jp 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
_ PLATE PREPARED JUNE I, 1942 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF BEAVER RIVER 
SHENANGO RIVER 
BEAVER RIVER BASIN 
**** PREPARED ST U.3. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
6P0-43 0 -80035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U.S. ARMY. 
LEGEND 
Average Dissolved Oxygen 
Results at Sampling Stations. 
Symbol Dissolved Oxygen p.p.m 
Over 6.5 
5.1 to 6.5 
3.1 to 5.0 
0.1 to 3.0 
0.0 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN-PPM 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF BEAVER RIVER 
BEAVER-MAHONING RIVERS 
NOTES: 
(I) MAPS SHOW AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED TOR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS. 
(2) PROFILES SHOW SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED. 
C3) SAMPLING PERIODS REPRESENTED 
JUNE TO AUGUST, 1940. 
OCTOBER, 1940 TO JANUARY, 1941. 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN-RPM. 
PLATE N022 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN RESULTS 
BEAVER RIVER BASIN 
I I SHEET SHEET NO. I SCALE AS SHOWN 
S 0 S 10 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED JUNE I, l«4* 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF BEAVER RIVER 
SHENANGO RIVER 
BEAVER RIVER BASIN 
**AP PAIRMU0 »Y U. ft. PUftUC HEALTH SERVICE 
GPO-43 0-90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U.S. ARMY 
Areas of Circles Proportional to 
Population Equivalent of Wastes 
LEGEND 
Before 
Treatment 
At Discharged 
Radii 
Population Equivalent 
PLATE NO. 23 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
SOURCES OF POLLUTION 
MUSKINGUM-HOCKING RIVER BASINS 
IN 1 SHEET SHEET NO. I SCALE:AS SHOWN 
ig_ 0 10 »o 
“ SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OP THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
MAP PREPARED BY US. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
PLATE PREPARED APRIL l,l#43 
GPO-43 0 -90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, US. ARMY 
Muskingum Gonssrvoncy 
Rsssrvoirs 
| Atwood 
2 Bsoch City 
3 Boiivor 
4 Charles Mill 
5 Clsndsning 
6 Oovtr 
7 Lsttvills 
8 Mohawk 
9 Mohlcanvills 
10 Pisdmont 
11 Plsasant Hill 
12 Sanecavilla 
13 Tappan 
14 Wills Crspk 
LEGEND 
Average Coliform Results at 
Sampling Stations. 
o Most probable 
S*mbo1 number per ml. 
Under 25 
25- 50 
51-100 
101-200 
Over 200 
COLIFORMS-M.PN. PER ML. 
RIVER MIES ABOVE MOUTH OF MUSKINGUM RIVER 
MUSKINGUM RIVER-TUSCARAWAS RIVER 
MUSKINGUM-HOCKING RIVER BASINS 
GOLIFORMS-MJPN. PER ML 
NOTES' 
(O MAP AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIODS OF 
I.ESS THAN SO DAYS, AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS. 
(2) PROFILES SHOW SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED. 
C3J SAMPLING PERIODS REPRESENTED 
MUSKINGUM RIVER- 
APRIL TO SEPTEMBER, 1940 
JANUARY TO MARCH, 1941 
HOCKING RIVER- 
OCTOBER ANO NOVEMBER,1*39 
JANUARY, 1941 
PLAT* NC 24 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
COLIFORM BACTERIA RESULTS 
MUSKINGUM-HOCKING RIVER BASINS 
IN I (NOT SMCCT MO. I 2CALI AS SHOWN 
so» JO 
SCALE OP mil 1 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
Or WAR 
PLATE PREPARED JUNE I. 1942 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF HOCKING RIVER 
HOCKING RIVER 
.W MHMMD »Y U.I. PUIUC HCALTM MftVKX 
GPO-43 0 - 90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U.S.ARMY 
Muskingum Conservancy 
Reservoirs 
| Atwood 
2 Beach City 
3 Bolivar 
4 .Charles Mill 
5 Clendening 
6 Dover 
7 Leesvflle 
8 Mohowk 
9 Mohicanville 
10 Piedmont 
11 Pleasant Hill 
12 Senecaville 
13 Tappan 
I A. Wills r.reek 
LEGEND 
Average Dissolved Oxygen 
Results uf Sampling Stations- 
Symbol Dissolved Oxygen p.p.m. 
Ovtr 6.5 
5.1 to 6.5 
3.1 to 5.0 
0.1 to 3.0 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN-PPM. 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF MUSKINGUM RIVER 
MUSKINGUM RIVER-TUSCARAWAS RIVER 
a 
MUSKINGUM-HOCKING RIVER BASINS 
OIMOLVEO OXYGEN- PPM. 
NOTES: 
(» MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATONS OBSERVED FOR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS. AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS. 
(2) PROFB.ES SHOW SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED. 
O) SAMPLING PERIODS REPRESENTED 
MUSKINGUM RIVER- 
APRIL TO SEPTEMBER. 1940 
JANUARY TO MARCH. 1941 
HOCKING RIVER- 
OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER, 1939 
APRIL TO SEPTEMBER, 1940; 
JANUARY, 1941 
PLATE NO IS 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN RESULTS 
MUSKINGUM-HOCKING RIVER BASINS 
IN I SHUT SHEET NO. I SCALE AS SHOWN 
S _ 0 i JO 
SCALE OP MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED JUNE I, 1042. 
\jj*iMcrmwo or uj. public mialtx service 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF HOCKING RIVER 
HOCKING RIVER 
GPO-43 0-90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS. U.S ARMY 
LEGEND 
Areas of Circles Proportional to 
Population Equivalent of Wastes 
Before 
Treatment 
As Discharged 
Radii' 
Population Equivalent 
. PLATE NO 26 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
SOURCES OF POLLUTION 
LITTLE KANAWHA-KANAWHA RIVER BASINS 
IN I SHEET SHEET NO.I SCALE AS SHOWN 
10 0 10 20 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
prepared by us. public health service 
PLATE PREPARED APRIL 1.1943 
QPO- 43 0 - 90035 CORPS OF ENGINEERS,U.S. ARMY 
WAR DEPARTMENT 
LE6EN0 
Average Coliform Results at 
Sampling Stations 
c Most proboble 
number per ml. 
Under 25 
25-50 
5 I -100 
101-200 
Over 200 
NOTES’. 
(1) MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS, AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS. 
(2) PROFILES SHOW SELECTED MONTHUT 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED. 
(3) PERIODS REPRESENTED: 
LITTLE KANAWHA RIVER- 
MAY TO SEPTEMBER,1940 
JANUARY TO MARCH,1941 
KANAWHA RIVER 
AUGUST, 1939 TO JUNE, 1940 
FEBRUARY, 1941 
COLIFORMS-M.fi N. PER ML. 
COLIFORMS M.P. N. PER ML. 
PLATE NO. 27 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
COLIFORM BACTERIA RESULTS 
LITTLE KANAWHA- KANAWHA RIVER BASINS 
IN I SHEET SHEET NO I SCALES AS SHOWN 
10 0 10 20 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED APRIL M*** 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF KANAWHA RIVER 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH 
OF LITTLE KANAWHA RIVER 
MAP PREPARED BY US. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
LITTLE KANAWHA-KANAWHA RIVER BASINS 
GPO- 43 0-90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERSvU.S.ARMY 
LEGEND 
Average Dissolved Oxygen 
Results at Sampling Stations 
Symbol Dissolved Oxygen p pm 
Over 6.5 
5.1 to 6.5 
3.1 to 5.0 
3.0 or less 
NOTES: 
CD MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIOOSOF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS. AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERACE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS. 
<23 PROFILES SHOW SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED. 
(33 SAMPLING PERIODS REP.RESENTEO: 
LITTLE KANAWHA RIVER- 
MAY TO SEPTEMBER, 1940 
JANUARY TO MARCH, 1941 
Kanawha river 
AUGUST, 1939 TO JUNE, 1940 
FEBRUARY, 1941 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN-P.P.M. 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN PPM. 
PLATE NO.28 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN RESULTS 
LITTLE KANAWHA-KANAWHA RIVER BASINS 
IN I SHEET SHEET NO-I SCALE AS SHOWN 
!Q ° to 20 
SCALE OFMLES 
TO ACCOMFANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED APRL 1.1043 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH 
Or LITTLE KANAWHA RIVER 
LITTLE KANAWHA RIVER 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF KANAWHA RIVER 
KANAWHA-NEW RIVER 
LITTLE KANAWHA-KANAWHA RIVER BASINS 
MAP PREPARED BY U S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
GPO-43 0 - 90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U.S.ARMY 
LEGEND 
Areas of Circles Proportional to 
Population Equivalent of Wastes 
Before 
Treatment 
As Discharged 
Radii 
Population Equivalent 
PLATE NO. 2 9 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
SOURCES OF POLLUTION 
GUYANDOT-BIG SANDY RIVER BASINS 
IN I SHEET SHEET NO. I SCALE AS SHOWN 
10 0 Ip 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED APRIL 1,1943 
Prepared by os public health service 
GPO- 43 0 -90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS. U.S. ARMY 
LEGEND 
Avarag* Coliform Rasultt at 
Sampling Stations. 
Svmbal N°St probable 
Sym®01 numbtr ft.r ml. 
Undtr 29 
23- 90 
9 I -100 
101-200 
Ovir 200 
COUFORMS-M.PN. PER ML. 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF BIG SANDY RIVER 
BIG SANDY RIVER-TUG FORK 
:OLIFORMS-MPN. PER ML 
GUYANDOT-BIG SANDY RIVER BASINS 
NOTES' 
fll MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED TOR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN SO DAYS. AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS. 
(?) PROFILES SHOW SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED. 
13) SAMPLING PERIODS REPRESENTED: 
GUYANDOT RIVER - 
JUNE, 1939 TO APRIL. 1940 
BIG SANDY RIVER- 
JUNE, 1939 TO APRIL,1940 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF BIG SANDY RIVER 
LEVISA FORK 
COUFORMS-M.RN. PER ML. 
PLATS MO 30 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
COLIFORM BACTERIA RESULTS 
GUYANDOT-BIG SANDY RIVER BASINS 
IN I SHUT POT NO. I (CALS AS SHOWN 
? y 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
or WAR 
PLATE PREPARED JUNE I, 1942 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF GUYANDOT RIVER 
GUYANDOT RIVER 
PREPARED By US PUBLIC health service 
GPO-43 0 -90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS. U. S. ARMY 
LEGEND 
Average Dissolved Oxygen 
Results at Sampling Stations 
Symbol Dissolved Oxygon p.p.m 
Ov«r 6.5 
5.1 to 6.5 
3.1 *o 5.0 
0.1 to 3.0 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN-PPM. 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF BIG SANDY RIVER 
BIG SANDY RIVER-TUG FORK 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN-PPM. 
GUYANDOT-BIG SANDY RIVER BASINS 
NOTES- 
III MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS. AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIOuS. 
(2) PROFILES SHOW SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED. 
<3> SAMPLING PERIODS REPRESENTED: 
GUYANDOT RIVER- 
JUNE ,1939 TO APRL.I940 
BIG SANDY RIVER- 
JUNE, 1939 TO APRIL.I940 
RIVER Mt.ES ABOVE MOUTH OF BIG SANDY RIVER 
LEVISA FORK 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN-PPM. 
PLATE NO St 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN RESULTS 
GUYANDOT - BIG SANDY RIVER BASINS 
IN I SHEET SHEET NO.J SCALE AS SHOWN 
S 0 5 10 
SCALE or MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED JUNE I. 1942 
RIVER MLES ABOVE MOUTH OF GUYANDOT RIVER 
GUYANDOT RIVER 
vjj* PfttPARCO ITUI. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
GPO 43 0 - 90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U.S.ARMY 
LEGEND 
Areas of Circles Proportional to 
Population Equivalent of Wastes 
Before 
Treatment 
As Discharged 
Radii 
Population Equivalent 
PLATE NO. 32 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
SOURCES OF POLLUTION 
SCIOTO RIVER BASIN 
IN I SHEET SHEET NO. I SCALE AS SHOWN 
10 0 » 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED APRIL 1.1943 
PREPARED BY US. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
GPO- 43 0 - 90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS. U. S. ARMY 
NOTESi 
CO MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS. AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS. 
(2) PROFILE SHOWS SELECTEO MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED. 
(3) SAMPLING PERIOD REPRESENTED 
JANUARY, 1939 TO APRIL, 1940. 
LEGEND 
Average Coliform Results at 
Sampling Stations. 
rwmh.. Most probable 
Symbo1 number per. ml. 
Under 25 
25- 50 
5 I -100 
101-200 
Over 200 
COLFORMS-M.PN PER ML. 
6 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF SCIOTO RIVER 
SCIOTO RIVER 
PLATC Na 1J 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
COLIFORM BACTERIA RESULTS 
SCIOTO RIVER BASIN 
IM I JMCCT SMUT MO. I SCALE AS SHOWN 
V-W MM i. ■■ ■! 
SCALE or MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED JUNE I, If42 
SCIOTO RIVER BASIN 
PM BANCO BY US. PUBLIC HBALTH SCNVICC 
GPO- 43 0 -90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS. U.S. ARMY. 
LEGEND 
Average Dissolved Oxygen 
Results of Sampling Station 
Symbol Dissolved Oxygen p.p.m. 
NOTES: 
(I) MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN 30 OATS. AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS. 
12) PROFILE SHOWS SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED 
(3) SAMPLING PERIOD REPRESENTED 
JANUARY, 1939 TO APRIL, 1940. 
Over 6.5 
5.1 to 6.5 
3.1 to 5.0 
0.1 to 3.0 
0.0 
CHSXH-\SE:C> OXYC&V- FfPM. 
NO 34 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN RESULTS 
SCIOTO RIVER BASIN 
IN I MKT MKT NO. I KAU At MOWN 
• » 0 » !0 
•CALC OP MLCi 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT Or THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED JUNE 1,1942 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF SCIOTO RIVER 
SCIOTO RIVER 
SCIOTO RIVER BASIN 
v 
tV m. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
GPO- 43 0 - 90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U.S. ARMY 
LEGEND 
Areas of Circles Proportional to 
Population Equivalent of Wastes 
Before 
Treatment 
As Discharged 
Radii 
Population Equivalent 
PLATE NO.35 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
SOURCES or POLLUTION 
LITTLE MIAMI-MIAMI RIVER BASINS 
INI SHEET SHEET NO. I SCALE: AS SHOWN 
0 JO 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPAREO APRIL I, 1943 
PAMEP By us. Piifti Ir uct. ru SERVICE 
GPO-43 0 - 90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS. U-S-ARMY. 
LEGEND 
Average Coliform Results at 
Sampling Stations. 
Sv_hA. Most probable 
Symbo! number per ml. 
Under 25 
25- 50 
5 I -100 
101-200 
Ovtr 200 
COLIFORMS-M.PN. PER ML. 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF MIAMI RIVER 
MIAMI RIVER 
NOTES: 
CO MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIOOSOF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS. AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS. 
C2> PROFILES SHOW SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED. 
C3) SAMPLING PERIODS REPRESENTED; 
LITTLE MIAMI RIVER- 
JANUARY, 1939 TO MAY, 1940 
MIAMI RIVER- • 
FEBRUARY, 193“ TO APRIL.I940 
COLIFORMS-M.PN. PER ML. 
FLATt NO 30 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
COL I FORM BACTERIA RESULTS 
LITTLE MIAMI-MIAMI RIVER BASINS 
IN I SHEET SHEET NO. I SCALE AS SHOWN 
S 0 » 10 
SCALE OP MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED JUNE I, 1942 
RIVER MU FS ABOVE MOUTH OF UTTLE MIAMI RIVER 
UTTLE MIAMI RIVER 
LITTLE MIAMI-MIAMI RIVER BASINS 
■J*** rwtpumeo anr us.public health sebvice 
6PO-43 0 - 90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U-S- ARMY 
LEGEND 
Average Dissolved Oxygen 
Results at Sampling Stations- 
Symbol Dissolved Oxygen p.p.m. 
Over 6.5 
5.1 to 6.5 
3.1 to 5.0 
0.1 to 3.0 
0.0 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN-PPM. 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF MIAMI RIVER 
MIAMI RIVER 
NOTES: 
ft) MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED TOR PERIOOS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS, AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS. 
(2) PROFILES SHOW SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED. 
«3> SAMPLING PERIODS REPRESENTED: 
LITTLE MIAMI RIVER - 
JANUARY, 1939 TO MAY, 1940 
MIAMI RIVER- 
FEBRUARY, 1939 TO APRIL,1940 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN-PPM. 
PLATE NO 37 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN RESULTS 
LITTLE MIAMI-MIAMI RIVER BASINS 
IN I 3MEET SHEET MO. I SCALE AS SHOWN 
SOS (O 
SCALE OP MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
or WAR 
PLATE PREPARED JUNE I, 1942 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH of UTTLE MIAMI RIVER 
LITTLE MIAMI RIVER 
LITTLE MIAMI-MIAMI RIVER BASINS 
PREPARED BV U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
GPO- 43 0 -90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U S. ARMY 
LEGEND 
Areas of Circles Proportional to 
Population Equivalent of Wastes 
Before 
Treatment 
- 
As Discharged 
Radii 
Population Equivalent 
PLATE NO.38 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
SOURCES OF POLLUTION 
LICKING-KENTUCKY-SALT RIVER BASINS 
IN I SHEET SHEET NO.I SCALE AS SHOWN 
w o « 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED APRIL I, l**3 
MAP PREPARED BY U-3- PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
GPO - 43 0 90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U. S. ARMY 
LEGEND 
AVERAGE COLIFORM RESULTS AT 
SAMPLING STATIONS 
SYMBOL MOST PROBABLE 
NUMBER PER ML. 
- UNDER 25 
25 - 50 
51-100 
101-200 
- OVER 200 
COLIFORMS-MPN. PER ML. 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF LICKING RIVER 
LICKING RIVER 
COL I FORMS - MPN. PER ML. 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF KENTUCKY RIVER 
KENTUCKY RIVER 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF SALT RIVER 
SALT RIVER 
NOTES: 
1 MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIOD OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER PERIODS 
2 PROFILES SHOW SELECTED MONTHLY 
average results as indicated. 
3 SAMPLING PERIODS REPRESENTED 
LICKING RIVER-FEBRUARY 1939 TO MARCH 1940 
KENTUCKY RIVER-MARCH TO DECEMBER 1939 
FEBRUARY TO APRIL JULY 2. OCTOBER 1940 JANUARY 1941 
SALT RIVER-JULY AUGUST OCTOBER 1940 FEBRUARY 1941 
PLATE NO. 39 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
COLIFORM BACTERIA RESULTS 
LICKING-KENTUCKY-SALT RIVER BASINS 
IN I SHEET SHEET NO I SCALES AS SHOWN 
IQ 0 10 20 
SCALE or MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PWEPAWEO: APRIL 1,1943 
LICKING-KENTUCKY-SALT RIVER BASINS 
"tdAP PfUPfRED BY U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
GPO-43 0 -90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS,U.S. ARMY 
LEGEND 
AVERAGE DISSOLVED OXYGEN 
RESULTS AT SAMPLING STATIONS 
SYMBOL DISSOLVED OXYGEN PPM. 
-OVER 6.5 
-5.1 TO 6.5 
-3.1 TO 5.0 
-0.1 TO 3.0 
- 0.0 
DISSOLVED OXYCEN-RP.M. 
S 100 123 IW 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF LICKING RIVER 
LICKING RIVER 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN-PPM. 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF KENTUCKY RIVER 
KENTUCKY RIVER 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN-P.P.M. 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF SALT RIVER 
SALT RIVER 
notes: 
O) MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN 30 CAYS, AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS. 
12) PROFILES SHOW SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED- 
(3) SAMPLING PERIODS REPRESENTED 
LICKING RIVER-FEBRUARY 1939 TO MARCH 1940; L I CKING~KENT UCKY- SAL T RIVER RASINS 
KENTUCKY RIVER-MARCH TO DECEMBER 1939, l_IL.r\IINO T\C_IN UL-fM OANL I mVLfK 
FEBRUARY TO APRIL, JULY & OCTOBER 1940, JANUARY 1941. 
SALT RIVER-JULY, AUGUST, OCTOBER 1940 ; FEBRUARY 1941 
PLATE NQ 40 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN RESULTS 
LICKING-KENTUCKY-SALT RIVER BASINS 
IN I SHEET SHEET NO.I SCALES AS SHOWN 
10 0 10 20 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PRERAREO: APRIL 1.1043 
-^P PREPARED BY U. S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
GPO- 43 0 - 90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U.S.ARMY 
legend 
Areas of Circlos Proportional to 
Population Equivalent of Wastes 
Bafora 
Treatment 
At Discharged 
Roail 
Population Equivalent 
PLATE NO.41 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
SOURCES OF POLLUTION 
GREEN-CUMBERLAND RIVER BASINS 
IN I SHEET SHEET NO. I SCALE AS SHOWN 
10 0 10 20 jo 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED APRIL 1,1943 
MAP PREPARED BY U S PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
GPO-43 0 *0035 CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U.S.ARMY 
WAR DEPARTMENT 
LEGEND 
Average Coliform Results 
af Sampling Stations 
_ . . Most probable 
Symbol 
7 number per mi. 
Under 25 
25-50 
5 1-100 
101-200 
Over 200 
.Tennessee Health 
Department Data 
COLIFORMS-MPN. PER ML. 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF CUMBERLAND RIVER 
CUMBERLAND RIVER 
NOTES: 
II) MAP 5H0WS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS, AND MOST UN - 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS. 
(2) PROFILES SHOW SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED. 
(3) SAMPLING PERIODS REPRESENTED: 
GREEN RIVER- 
AUGUST TO NOVEMBER, 1940. 
FEBRUARY, 1941. 
CUMBERLAND RIVER - 
AUGUST TO NOVEMBER, 1940. 
JANUARY TO MARCH, 1941. 
COLIFORMS- M.P.N. PER ML 
PLATE NO 42 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
COLIFORM BACTERIA RESULTS 
GREEN-CUMBERLAND RIVER BASINS 
IN I SHEET SHEET NO I SCALE AS SHOWN 
10 0 10 20 30 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED JUNE I, 1942 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF GREEN RIVER 
GREEN RIVER 
GREEN-CUMBERLAND RIVER BASINS 
PREPARED »Y U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
6PO- 43 0 - 90035 CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U S. ARMY 
WAR DEPARTMENT 
LEGEND 
Average Dissolved Oxygen 
Results at Sampling Stations- 
Symbol Dissolved Oxygon p.p.m. 
Ovor 6.5 
5.1 to 6.5 
3.1 to 5.0 
0.1 to 3.0 
0.0 
Tonnossoo Hooltb 
Deportment Data 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN-RRM. 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF CUMBERLAND RIVER 
CUMBERLAND RIVER 
NOTES: 
(I) MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIOOS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS, ANO MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIOOS. 
t2> PROFILES SHOW SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED. 
(3) SAMPLING PERIOOS REPRESENTED: 
GREEN RIVER- 
AUGUST TO NOVEMBER, 1640. 
FEBRUARY, 1941. 
CUMBERLAND RIVER- 
AUGUST TO NOVEMBER, 1940. 
JANUARY TO MARCH, 1941 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN-RRM. 
PLATO NO 4S 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN RESULTS 
GREEN-CUMBERLAND RIVER BASINS 
IN I SHEET SNOOT NO I SCALE AS SHOWN 
K> 0 10 SO SO 
SCALE OP MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF GREEN RIVER 
GREEN RIVER 
GREEN- CUMBERLAND RIVER BASINS 
PLATE PREPARED JUNE I, 1942 
MAP PRCRMtOO ev U.S.PUOLK HEALTH SERVICE 
8PO-43 0 • 80035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U.S. ARMY 
LEGEND 
Arte* Ctr«U* Proportion*! to 
Papulation Epuivplont of W**t** 
Btfer• 
Tr»otm«nt 
"Mil *•*■»•» 
PLATE NO. 4 4 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
SOURCES OF POLLUTION 
WABASH RIVER BASIN 
IN I SHEET SHEET NO. I SCALE AS SHOWN 
10 0 10 20 
■ei ■ ■ 1 , i.~.: . rm 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED APRIL 1,1943 
MAP PREPARED BY US PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
GPO-43 0 *0035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U.S- ARMY 
COLlFORMS-MPN. PER ML. 
0 C4U 4UU 19V 11 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF WABASH RIVER 
WABASH RIVER 
COL I FORMS - MPN. PER ML. 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF WABASH RIVER 
WEST FORK-WHITE RIVER 
LEGEND 
Avarof* Colilorm RttulU at 
Samplitf Station! 
c- -k.i Pf«50»l» 
Srmbsl «o*»«r p«r Ml. 
NOTES: 
Cl) MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIOOS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS, AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS. 
(2) PROFILES SHOW SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED. 
(3) SAMPLING PERIODS REPRESENTED; 
JULY TO NOVEMBER, 1940. 
FEBRUARY, 1941. 
Undtr 25 
IS- 50 
5 I -100 
101-200 
Ovtr 200 
PLATE N041 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
COLIFORM BACTERIA RESULTS 
WABASH RIVER BASIN 
* I SHEET SHEET NO. I SCALE AS SHOWN 
•0 0 10 SO 
SCALE or MESS 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED JUNE I, 1842 
WABASH RIVER BASIN 
NAP PWKWANSP Of MX PUBLIC HCAUH SENVtCS 
6PO- 43 0 - 90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS. USARMY 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN-PPM. 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF WABASH RIVER 
WABASH RIVER 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN-PPM. 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF WABASH RIVER 
WEST FORK-WHITE RIVER 
LEGEND 
Avnrogt DI»»ol»ad Oxygen 
Results at Sampling Stations. 
Symbol 0ISSOI<<<I Oiyftn ,*.m 
NOTES: 
CD MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS, AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS. 
(2) PROFILES SHOW SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED. 
C3) SAMPLING PERIOOS REPRESENTED: 
JULY TO NOVEMBER, 1940 
FEBRUARY, 1941. 
0»«r «.S 
5.1 t*«.S 
5.1 'o S O 
O.l >o 3.0 
0.0 
PLATE NO 40 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN RESULTS 
WABASH RIVER BASIN 
IN I SHEET SHUT NO. I SCALE AS SHOWN 
10 O » SO 
FTH-HH HI— -4 I 
SCALE or MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED JUNE I, 1942 
WABASH RIVER BASIN 
RED BY U. 3 PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
6P0 - 41 0 ■ Mill WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U S. ARMY 
LEGEND 
Areas of Circles Proportional to 
Population Equivalent of Waste* 
Bafora 
Traotmant 
A* Discharged 
Radii 
Population Equivalant 
PLATE NO. 47 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
SOURCES OF POLLUTION 
TENNESSEE RIVER BASIN 
IN I SHEET SHEET NO. I SCALE AS SHOWN 
IQ 0 10 20 SO 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED APRIL 1,1943 
MAP PREPARED BY US PUBLC HEALTH SERVICE 
GPO - 43 0 90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U-S. ARMY 
NOTES'- 
(1) MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS, AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS- 
(2) PROFILES SHOW SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED. 
(3) SAMPLING PERIODS REPRESENTED: 
SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER, 1940 
JANUARY TO MARCH, 1941 
T.V.A. DATA 1936 TO 1939 
LEGEND 
Average Coliform Results at 
Sampling Stations 
c —k«i Most probable 
Symbol . , 
9 number per ml. 
Under 25 
25- 50 
5 I -100 
101-200 
Over 200 
T .V. A. Dato 
COLIFOR MS - M. P N. PER ML. 
Plate no.48 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
COLIFORM BACTERIA RESULTS 
TENNESSEE RIVER BASIN 
IN I SHEET SHEET NO I SCALE AS SHOWN 
10 0 10 20 30 
SCALE OF MILES 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
PLATE PREPARED JUNE I, 1942 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF TENNESSEE RIVER 
TENNESSEE RIVER 
(bATA USED IN PROFILES DEVELOPED BY T. V. A) 
TENNESSEE RIVER BASIN 
map prepared by u. s. public health service 
GPO- 43 0 90035 WAR DEPARTMENT 
CORPS OF ENGINEERS. U.S ARMY 
NOTES' 
Cl) MAP SHOWS AVERAGE RESULTS AT 
STATIONS OBSERVED FOR PERIODS OF 
LESS THAN 30 DAYS. AND MOST UN- 
FAVORABLE MONTHLY AVERAGE RESULTS 
AT STATIONS OBSERVED FOR LONGER 
PERIODS 
C2> PROFILES SHOW SELECTED MONTHLY 
AVERAGE RESULTS AS INDICATED. 
(3> SAMPLING PERIODS REPRESENTED 
SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER,1940 
JANUARY TO MARCH ,1941 
T.V.A. DATA 1936 TO 1939 
LEGEND 
Average Dissolved Oxygen 
Results dt Sampling Stations- 
Symbol Dissolved Oxygen 
Per Cent Saturation 
Over 80 
6QJt© 80 
40.1 to 60 
40 or lets 
0.0 
T.V.A. Ooto 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN -PPM. 
PLATE NO. AS 
SURVEY OF THE OHIO RIVER AND ITS 
TRIBUTARIES FOR POLLUTION CONTROL 
DISSOLVED OXYGEN RESULTS 
TENNESSEE RIVER BASIN 
IN I SHEET 
SHEET NO. I 
SCALE AS SHOWN 
RIVER MILES ABOVE MOUTH OF TENNESSEE RIVER 
TENNESSEE RIVER 
SCALE or MUt 
TO ACCOMPANY 
REPORT OF THE OHIO RIVER 
COMMITTEE TO THE SECRETARY 
OF WAR 
(data used in profiles developed by t.v.a) 
TENNESSEE RIVER BASIN 
MAP PHEPAMO ST U. 3. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
PLATE PREPARED JUNE I, 1942 
GPO-43 0 - 80035