UP THE CREEK FIELD PROGRESS REPORT

MUDDY WATERS PROJECT

NEIU 2009

 

Succinctly (in one or two sentences) state your research question:

  What geologic factors influence the water quality of the North branch of the Chicago River and the local water shed, and how do we interpret the various factors?  What out man made and environmental and anthropogenic influence contribute to the various chemicals we are testing for?

 

What have you done thus far? (List, with very brief explanations)

To date testing has been done at 10 various points along the north branch of the Chicago River and 1 point in the Skokie River and 1 point in the West Branch just  prior to their joining the North Branch of the River.  Chemical analysis was preformed for the following chemicals: Phosphate, Nitrates, Nitrites, Chloride, and Sulfate.  Readings for Turbidity, Dissolved Oxygen, Conductivity, pH, and water flow were also taken.

 

What are you still planning to do?  (List, with very brief explanations)

At this time the final report is in work and analysis of the data is being investigated.  Completion of excel sheet for all chemical results and other water quality measurements is also in work and we will take a look at in a format that will help formulate possible questions and hypothesis of the results.

 

What questions, problems, or issues did you have to work through successfully to get to this point?

Team scheduling was the most difficult of problems.  During labs when results of tests were out of range and there was not enough of the original sample to retest.

 

What questions, problems, issues, or concerns are as yet unresolved? 

Our only concern at this point is that we are running out of time and there are 12 soil sample that have yet to be looked at and identify.

  

Site 1)

• Rt. 137 east of I94

Location:

• The First Location that UTC decided to use was located Near Rt. 137 east of I94. This location is in the Libertyville Quadrangle.  See Figure 1 and is approximately 45 minutes north of Northeastern Illinois University.

 

Field Conditions:

• The site was visited on 11 July, 2009 at 11:00am.  Samples were taken by: David Salinas, JJ Mulliken and Thaddeus Cellak.
• Field Setting:   Large pond area 60x35 feet, max depth=3 ft. Negligible water outflow. Dirt and clay, mucky ground cover. Origin of N. Branch, middle fork, Chicago River marsh, wetland area, high vegetation (8 foot cattails and other wetland flora), aquatic vegetation (algae, plants, animal habitation evidence) Water flows underneath Rte.137 in a southerly direction

·         Industrial area surrounds site including Abbot Laboratories. Rte 137 at location is a 4 lane state route. Traffic is normally consistent with speeds of 50 miles an hour plus.

·         Area has virtually no available parking but a 4x4 vehicle could park on the grass along Rte 137 (future field work may need alternative parking arrangements due to scarcity of legal parking). Safety vests should be worn at all times, while navigating the roadside.

·         Sampling site is approximately 150 meters off road. Caution should be taken when hiking to location due to high vegetation and uneven terrain.

Geologic Factors: This location is in the Lake Border Ground Moraine.  The Watershed Borders are US 43 to the East and St. Marys Rd. to the West.  This location would be considered a  Forest Preserve Marsh area and there was a negligible water flow from the sampling point.   

Anthropogenic Factors: This location would be considered Rural with woods and Light industry bordering the watershed.  There are Retention ponds and an active railroad that to the west.

 

Soil Classification:  Testing of the soils samples brought back determined that the soil composition was clay.

  

Site 2)

 

Location:

• The second location was IL Rt.176 west of IL Rt.43 and was approximately 15 min south of Site 1.  This location was also in the Libertyville Quadrangle. Samples were taken 50 feet east of IL Rt. 176. Parking can be found on Energy Drive just west of the river.  see Fig.2

 

Field Conditions: The site was visited on 11 July, 2009 at 12:55pm.  Samples were taken by: David Salinas, JJ Mulliken and Thaddeus Cellak.

Field setting:  Slow moving, narrow, stream approximately 9 feet across and 10 inches deep. This location had an anthropogenic channelization utilizing large tree trunks. The banks low and had a gentle slope and were grassy and tree covered. The bed of the Stream was a mixture of gravelly and clay.

Geologic Factors; This location is in the Lake Border Ground Moraine.  The Watershed Borders are US 43 to the East and St. Marys Rd. to the West.  This location would be considered a Light Industrial and there was a noticeable water flow from the sampling point.   .  

 

Anthropogenic Factors:  This location would be considered Light Industrial and residential.  There are Retention ponds to the North and an active railroad that to the west. At this point the river has run through a chemical laboratory property a farmer’s field and retention ponds, and several golf courses.

 

Soil Classification: Testing of the soils samples brought back determined that the soil composition was Sandy Clay Loam

 

 

Site 3A)

 

Location:

• Lake Cook Rd. east of IL. Rt. 43 at the Entrance for the Northbrook Court Shopping mall this location is in the Highland Park Quadrangle. See Fig. 3a. There was ample parking in the shopping mall parking lot.

 

Field Conditions:

• The site was visited on 11 July, 2009 at 2:40pm.  Samples were taken by: David Salinas, JJ Mulliken and Thaddeus Cellak. 

*** Site Caution.  Immediate flood zone on west side of river south of the bridge has highly unstable terrain similar to quicksand but made up of decayed vegetation and is at least 3 feet deep. ***

Field setting:  Wide slow moving stream approximately 27feet wide and less than 4 feet deep . Water was Murky at time of field visit. Drain pipe (approximately 24 inches in diameter) can be seen on northeast bank of stream. There was medium low growth vegetation along stream. This area was re-channelized with concrete to divert water flow to the east, during the construction of the shopping mall.

Geologic Factors;

This location was in the Cahokia Alluvium and it’s watershed was bounded on the east by the Train tracks west of US94 and IL. Rt. 43 to the west.

Anthropogenic Factors:  The sampling area was a highly developed business area.  Just north of the site is mostly residential. Boarder of Natural flow was channelized at Lake Cook Road by concrete around the shopping mall.

 

Soil Classification:  Testing of the soils samples brought back determined that the soil composition was Sandy Clay Loam

 

  

Site 3B)

Shermer Rd

 

Location:

·         Shermer Rd. south of Dundee Rd.

·         Highland Park Quadrangle

 

Field Conditions:

·         Site visited on 19 July, 2009/1100am

·         Field Personnel: Eric Leahy, JJ Mulliken, Thaddeus Cellak

·         Field setting:

o        Little to no flow stream. Drainage pipe southeast of sampling area. Highly wooded area.

o        Mostly rural and forest preserve area.

o        Parking easily accessible at roadside.

o        Sampling site located right along south of bridge.

Geologic Factors

Surficial Geology: Cahokia Alluvium

General Watershed Borders: Train tracks west of 94 (East border); US 43 (West border)

Urban Area

Low Flow, <2’ deep

 

Anthropogenic Factors

Area Type: Light Residential/Golf Courses

River flows through large shopping center with lots of asphalt parking lots

River was rerouted at Site 3A many years prior and reconnects with original path near Site 3B

 

Site 4A)

Winnetka Ave Bridge (North Branch)

 

Location:

·         Winnetka Rd. just west of Northfield Rd.

·         Park Ridge Quadrangle

 

Field Conditions:

·         Site visited on 19 July, 2009/1205pm

·         Field Personnel: Eric Leahy, JJ Mulliken, Thaddeus Cellak

·         Field setting:

o        Slow moving stream approximately 40 feet wide. Well vegetated along stream banks.

o        Large residential setting with industry and businesses north of site.

o        Parking easily accessible at roadside on bridge.

o        Sampling was conducted from bridge using bomb sampler.

Geologic Factors

Surficial Geology: Glacial Lake Plain

General Watershed Borders: Train Tracks just west of 94 (East border); US 43 (West border)

Urban Area, Light woods, bike paths

Negligible Flow at sampling, wide channel (38.5’), more flow at surface in higher water; <2.5’ Deep

 

Anthropogenic Factors

Area Type: Medium Residential/Light Commercial/Light Manufacturing

Recreational corridor of bike paths and forest preserve

 

Soil Classification

 

Silt Loam

 

 

Site 4a

 

Location:

• Winnetka Rd. just west of Northfield Rd.

• Park Ridge Quadrangle

 

Field Conditions:

• Site visited on 19 July, 2009/1205pm
• Field Personnel: Eric Leahy, JJ Mulliken, Thaddeus Cellak
• Field setting:
• Slow moving stream approximately 40 feet wide. Well vegetated along stream banks.
• Large residential setting with industry and businesses north of site.
• Parking easily accessible at roadside on bridge.
• Sampling was conducted from bridge using bomb sampler.

 

 

Geologic Factors:

·         Surficial Geology: Glacial Lake Plain

·         General Watershed Borders: Train Tracks just west of 94 (West border); Greenbay Rd and Ridge Ave (East border)

·         Urban Area, Light woods, bike paths

·         Light Flow at sampling, wide channel (80’), Depths : 1.8’, 2’, 1’

 Anthropogenic Factors

·         Area Type: Medium Residential/Light Commercial/Light Manufacturing

·         Recreational corridor of bike paths and forest preserve

·         Site is bridge over river that funnels the water through three arches from the north side to south side

·         Engineered drainage ditches and streams lie to the north of the channel and flow in from the east and north (See Picture 4B1); also a pump system is in place to regulate water flow

·         Site lies just south of a recycling center and inactive landfill

Note: Comparing data sets numbers seem to warrant further investigation of this site area.

 

Soil Classification

 

Sandy Clay

 

Site 5A)

 

Location

·             Harms Woods, 2^nd parking lot south of Old Orchard Rd., on Harms Rd.

·            Park Ridge Quadrangle

 

Field Conditions

·         Site visited on 25 July, 2009/940am

·         Field personnel: Eric Leahy, Dave Salinas, JJ Mulliken, Thad Cellak

·         Field Setting:

o        Shallow, slow moving stream, 35ft. wide. Abundant clam shells on bottom ~1/2” in size. Varying vegetation along banks, including trees, low growth bushes, and wild flowers.

o        Surrounded by forest preserve, with light industry to North of site.

o        Bike path runs along East of stream.

o        Site accessed by footpath off SW corner of parking lot on West side of bike path. ~100ft. walk.

o        Sampling done easily by wading into stream.

o        Ample parking in lot.

Geologic Factors

·         Surficial Geology: Cahokia Alluvium bordering Ground Moraine

·         General Watershed Borders: US 94 (East border); Wagner Rd ridge into forest preserve (West border)

·         Urban Area, Light woods, bike paths

·         More local relief in area possible more erosional sediments

·         Moderate Flow, Natural flow 35’ wide, Depth ~ 1.5’-2’

Anthropogenic Factors

·         Area Type: Heavy Residential/Golf Courses

·         Recreational corridor of bike paths and forest preserve

• Natural setting, low anthropogenic direct impact, evidence of wildlife area (shells, tracks, scat)

 

Soil Classification

 

Clay

Site 5B)

 Location:

·         West Fork of Chicago River at Golf Rd.

·         Park Ridge Quadrangle

 Field Conditions:

·         Site visited on 25 July, 2009/11:00am

·         Field Personnel: Thaddeus Cellak, JJ Mulliken. David Salinas, and Eric Leahy

·         Field setting:

o        Channeled to 36’ wide. Small waterfall approximately 5’ tall just northwest of bridge. Samples taken from west and east of waterfall for comparison. Too deep for wading.

o        Site is located in area heavily covered by golf courses along the river and suburban residential outside of that.

o        The specific sampling site was accessed from Golf Rd into the Glenview golf Club entrance on the north side of the road. Parking is available right at the entrance next to the club’s fenced in garbage pick up area.

o        Sampling site located on south side of river just west and east of waterfall.

Geologic Factors

·         Surficial Geology: Cahokia Alluvium bordering Ground Moraine

·         General Watershed Borders: US 94 (East border); Wagner Rd ridge into forest preserve (West border)

·         Urban Area, Light woods, bike paths

Moderate Flow, channel 36’ wide, Depth ~ 2-3’

 Anthropogenic Factors

·         Area Type: Heavy Residential/Golf Courses

·         Sampling Site from Golf course area

·         Channelized, small waterfall (~4’)

 

Site 6)

Location:

·         Milwaukee and Grosse Point.

·         Park Ridge Quadrangle

Field Conditions:

·         Site visited on 25 July, 2009/11:20am

·         Field Personnel: Dave Salinas, JJ Mulliken, Thaddeus Cellak

·         Field Setting:

o        Easy parking along Grosse Point along roadside North side of street.

o        Sampling site is approximately ¼ mile east of Milwaukee on Grosse Point. Under the Bridge that runs over Grosse Point. Caution should be taken when crossing as there is light to moderate traffic.

o        Marshy forest with light residential

o        Light river flow max depth = 3 ft. Dirt and clay gravel to rocky bottom.  Aquatic vegetation (algae, plants, animal habitation evidence). Signs of shells and crayfish

o        High River banks with a tree and light ground vegetation.

o        Width of river was 45 feet at time of sampling. 

o        Several water flow measurements were taken.    

Geologic Factors

·         Surficial Geology: Cahokia Alluvium bordering Glacial Lake Plain

·         General Watershed Borders: US 94 (East border); NW Highway (West border)

·         Urban Area, Light woods, bike paths

Moderate Flow, channel 45’ wide, Depth ~ 2-4’

Anthropogenic Factors

·         Area Type: Heavy Residential/Pocket of Medium Industrial/Light Commercial

·         Large cemetery just west of river

Site 7)

•   Irene Hernandez Park/LaBagh Woods
•   Chicago Loop Quadrangle

 Field Conditions:

·         Site visited on 15 July, 2009/545pm

·         Field Personnel: David Salinas and Eric Leahy

·         Field setting:

o        When originally visited the site on 6/29, two weeks before taking samples, there had been much recent rain and the water level was very high at 11.5’; definitely too deep and fast for wading. On the day samples were taken the level was down to 1.1’ at its deepest; showing how much fluctuation can take place in a short time. The width of the channel is 58’.

o        Site is in a heavily wooded area at a point where old train tracks used to cross the river. These tracks were recently removed but the path remains. The bridge over the river is in disrepair but does serve as a good sampling point in high waters; otherwise the southeast bank is readily accessible.

o        Parking is convenient in a lot in Irene Hernandez Park just off Kilbourne Ave and Foster Ave, with the train tracks immediately west of the parking lot. From the tracks though it is a almost a ½ mile hike to site so plan equipment package properly.

o        Sampling site located along southeast bank next to bridge.

Geologic Factors

·         Surficial Geology: Cahokia Alluvium bordering Glacial Lake Plain

·         General Watershed Borders: US 94 (West border); Shallow Ridgeline between North Shore Channel and North Branch (East border)

·         Heavy Urban Area, Very Light woods,

·         Moderate Flow, channel 58’ wide, Depth ~ 2-4’

 

Anthropogenic Factors

·         Area Type: Heavy Residential

• Park/Forest Preserve Corridor, recently exiting a golf course area and crossing under a major highway.

 

Soil Classification

 

Site 8)

 Location:

·         Von Steuben High School/North Park Foot Bridge

·         Chicago Loop Quadrangle

Field Conditions:

·         Site visited on 24 July, 2009/615pm

·         Field Personnel: JJ Mulliken, David Salinas, Eric Leahy

·         Field setting:

o        Slow moving stream, 58.6’ wide and channelized. Light vegetation lining banks. Debris causing small dams in river. Calm and easily accessible site.

o        Urban setting in city, adjacent to a high school, community center, and university and also urban residential.

o        Street parking readily available near site at Carmen and Spaulding intersection.

o        Sampling was conducted from southeast bank at base of footbridge by wading and sampling from mid river.

Geologic Factors

Surficial Geology: Cahokia Alluvium bordering Glacial Lake Plain

General Watershed Borders: US 90/94 (South border); Shallow Ridgeline between North Shore Channel and North Branch (East border)

Heavy Urban Area

Light Flow, channel 58.6’ wide, Depth ~ 1-1.5’

 

Anthropogenic Factors

Area Type: Heavy Residential

River continues to act as recreation corridor although much more limited in its wild elements. Few trees line the river, residential areas and parks such as baseball diamonds and soccer fields lie adjacent on both sides until connecting with the North Shore Channel. This site lies in the middle of a large educational campus including Von Stueben High School and North Park University.

 

Soil Classification

 

Sandy Clay Loam

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DAILY VARIATIONS IN WATER CHEMISTRY OF GOMPERS PARK THROUGH VARYING WATER ENVIRONMENTS

 

Patricia Downie, Eric Leahy, David Salinas, Thaddeus Cellak, Erick Gilmore, JJ Mulliken, Ruanlly Lazarini, Brad Henning, Prof. Jean Hemzacek, Dr. Laura Sanders, Dr. Ken Voglesonger.

 

Dept. of Earth Science, Northeastern Illinois University, 5500 North St. Louis Ave. Chicago, IL. 60625.

 

The study conducted investigated how water chemistry at Gompers Park changed in its course through multiple aquatic environments. The source of flow in the park was found to be a well with city tap water flowing through a series of aquatic environments and ending in a lagoon. This lagoon occasionally serves as the overflow for high levels in the North Branch of the Chicago River. These changes in environments are hypothesized to affect certain parameters of water quality such as pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), and Conductivity. Multiple samples and measurements were made over several weeks from various environments around the park and at different times of day.

 

The importance of the project is to further an understanding and demonstrate how water quality changes in a small urban aquatic environment. Familiarization with current technology in analyzing data was essential in accurate and repeatable results. Tools include probes for water measurements and topographical maps for survey purposes. Data was collected and cross analyzed by two groups in order to come up with a baseline of data describing the area.

 

Results from the project demonstrate how wide of a range of results are possible in a small aquatic environment. With today’s aquatic environments so culturally strained by local urban environments it is incredibly important to have a thorough understanding of how a local water system functions. One result found shows how in the earlier day pH is lower and later in the day pH is higher. This function is believed to be a result from phytoplankton and plants using more CO₂ during the middle of the day, causing a higher alkalinity. Other results expected include changes in DO and conductivity as flow progresses through the various aquatic environments.