Lower 2 Rouge Storm Water Management Area

Hydrology. At both stream gages in the Lower 2 John Daly Road (US1) and Military Road (L05D), the mean streamflow recorded in 2002 was the lowest recorded since 1997 (for years with a complete set of data for the six month period) and was approximately 70 percent of the 1997 through 2001 average. Dry weather streamflow within the Lower 2 continues to be dominated by effluent from the YCUA wastewater treatment plant, which began discharging in 1996. The mean streamflow during the 2000 monitoring period remained the highest recorded since 1994. In the Lower since 1994, 2000 remained the wettest season on record and 2002 was the driest season on record. The precipitation total in 2002 was 65 percent of the long-term average precipitation total for 1994 through 2001.

Water Quality. In 2002, continuous DO and water temperature monitoring was conducted at Military Road (L05D) and has been annually since 1994. Continuous and grab DO monitoring at Wayne Road (L06) from 1994 through 2001 was also included in trend analysis for the Lower 2 SWMA. The DO at this location (L06) was poor in 1994 and 1995 when DO frequently fell below the State water quality standard of 5 mg/L. Flow augmentation from YCUA’s treated wastewater discharge has markedly improved DO concentrations at this location where grab samples collected since January 1997 have all been above 5 mg/L.

Since 1994, DO at Military Road (L05D) has typically been poor with DO concentrations frequently falling below the State standard. Trend analysis results show appreciable improvement during both wet and dry weather conditions. The percent of days where the State standard of 5 mg/L has been met has improved significantly since YCUA began discharging in 1996. In 2002, 85 percent of the recorded DO values met the standard. DO in 2000 and 2002 have been the best years on record. The year 2000 was characterized by higher than average stream flows. However, 2002 had the lowest average streamflow since the YCUA discharge began in 1996. Continuous temperature monitoring did not exceed a maximum temperature of 29.4°C (85°F).

E. coli. In general, E. coli bacteria levels have been poor in the Lower 2 where a substantial percentage of measurements taken since 1994 have been above the State water quality standards for both total and partial body contact recreation. Trend analysis results show substantial improvement at Wayne Road (L06), Henry Ruff (G97), and John Daly (G98), particularly during wet weather. Overall concentrations of E. coli bacteria have improved significantly in the Lower 2, particularly directly downstream of the sewer separation projects in Wayne and the Inkster RTB. Generally, although improving, bacteria levels are still not meeting State water quality standards for partial body contact recreation of 1,000 cfu/100 ml.