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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984 Water Quality Study of Quilcene BayWater Quality Study of Quilcene Bay Jefferson County, Washington June 4 -7, 1984 October 22-31, 1984 Prepared by Kirk Y. Cook Department of Social & Health Services Office of Environmental Health Programs Shellfish Program - 0% Beginning on October 22, 1984 and lasting until October 31, 1984 an exami- nation of water quality within Quilcene Bay, Washington was conducted by the Department of Social and Health Services - Environmental Health Pro- grams. The study was necessitated by results obtained during a previous study of Quilcene Bay conducted by this office in June 1984. Several results obtained the course of the June study were outside the standards set forth by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for shellfish growing area waters. In addition, several shellfish meat samples collected since June and obtained directly from harvested beds showed unacceptably high counts for fecal coliform bacteria. Water samples from sixteen sites within Quilcene Bay and three sites on tributaries of Quilcene Bay were sampled twice daily, during the June study. Samples were not collected from bay sites on June 5, 1984 because of rough conditions. Water samples from ten sites within Quilcene Bay and two sites on tribu- taries of Quilcene Bay were samples twice daily during the October study. Midway through the October study two additional sites were added, they were sites 10 and 11. June sites were chosen to obtain general information regarding water quality within Quilcene Bay, while October study sites were chosen to better define water quality of the bay's head waters. Water temperature, salinity meteorological, and tidal data were recorded for each station sampled. The water samples were immediately put on ice and kept under refrigeration until receipt by the Public Health Laboratory in Seattle. Shellfish meat samples collected were shipped to the Public Health Laboratory in Seattle using procedures similar to those used for shipping water samples. Quilcene Bay is located on the eastern shore of the Olympic Peninsula. The entire bay is contained within the confines of Jefferson County. Quilcene Bay currently supports five to six commercial shellfish operations.which utilize more than 1/2 of the bay's three square miles as their prime shellfish growing and harvesting areas. On the southwest shore there exists a commercial oyster hatchery. The hatchery supplies substantial quantities of oyster "seed" to west coast operations; water from Quilcene Bay is the sole source for the hatchery. Three major perennial streams discharge into the head of Quilcene Bay. During periods of moderate to high precipitation the combined discharge of the Quilcene River, Little Quilcene River, and Donovan Creek can exceed 1,000 cfs. Numerous small intermittent and ephemeral streams discharge into the bay; however their contribution to bay waters is minimal. The following table describes tidal conditions during the studies. -2- Quilcene Bay Tides Quilcene Bay Correction from Seattle District Zelatched Point,.Dabob Bay: High Tide: -:04 min Low Tide: -:01 min + 0.1 Ft Date Time Tide Time Tide Time Tide Time Tide 06/04/84 0740 9.3 2250 12.3 0333 7.4 1510 -1.5 06/05/84 0856 8.5 2337 12.3 0440 6.7 1558 -0.5 06/06/84 1026 7.9 - - -- - - -- 0552 5.5 1653 0.8 06/07/84 0020 12.3 1206 7.6 0655 4.2 1759 2.2 10/22`/84 0331 9.7 1605 12.0 0934 1.8 2224 1.7 10/23/84 0434 10.5 1634 12.1 1024 2.6 2303 0.2 10/24/84 0537 11.3 1707 12.1 1115 3.5 2345 -1.1 10/25/84 0633 11.8 1740 11.9 1200 4.5 - - -- - -- 10/29/84 0932 11.7 1914 9.5 0145 -1.3 1447 7.5 10/30/84 1041 11.5 2019 8.6 0238 -0.6 1611 7.5 10/31/84 1144 11.4 2140 7.9 0339 0.6 1751 7.0 Quilcene Bay Correction from Seattle District Zelatched Point,.Dabob Bay: High Tide: -:04 min Low Tide: -:01 min + 0.1 Ft RAINFALL AT QUILCE\T- BAY .16 I .12 N C H .08 E S .04 qI .16 I .12 N C H .08 E S .04 M 04 05 06 07 JUNE 1984 2.2 23 24 2S 26 27 28 29 30 31 OCTOBER 1984 Rainfall amounts for June were measured by the National Weather Service, amounts for October were measured by the Department of Social and Health Services. JUNE 04 - .07 in 05 - .05 in 06 - .06 in 07 - .12 in Temperature Range 60 -65° F 22 - .00 23 - .09 24 - .02 25 - .14 26 - .04 (.85 was weather OCTOBER in 27 - .05 in in 28 - .15 in in 29 - .00 in in 30 - .02 in in 31 - .00 in recorded on November 1, prevented sampling) Temperature Range 43 -49' F -4- Bacteriological Data The following tables list bacteriological data obtained from the June and October Water Quality Studies conducted by the Department of Social and Health Services. Data for marine and freshwater samples have been sepa- rated due to differences in water quality standards. Additional data for the freshwater tributaries of Quilcene Bay were collected in later November 1984 and have been included in the tabulation of data for the Quilcene, Little Quilcene River and Donovan Creek. Each study's sample is followed by a statistical analysis of the data by which comparison to USFDA standards may be accomplished. All samples collected are from marine or freshwater surfaces, no attempt was made to collect water samples from varying depths. -5- Surface Water Samples Taken During June 4 -7, 1984 Quilcene Bay, June 1984 MPN Fecal Coliform org /100 ml Water (A -1 Modified Method) Station 6/4 6/5 6/6 6/7 1 7.8 - 33 7.8 < 1.8 - 7.8 4.5 2- 49 - 17 11 11 - 2.0 < 1.8 3 2 - 23 23 2 - 17 6.1 4 13 - 79 6.8 2 - 33 6.8 5 13 - 95 - 2.0 < 1.8 - 22 4.5 6 7.8 - 23 23 4.5 - 4.0 2.0 7 11 - 33 2.0 < 1.8 - 33 < 1.8 8 2.0 - 17 2.0 < 1.8 - 33 7.8 9 6.8 - 2.0 2.0 < 1.8 - 79 < 1.8 10 14 - 23 4.5 < 1.8 - 79 < 1.8 11 6.8 - 33 7.8 - - 170 12 7.8 - 9.2 < 1.8 - - < 1.8 6.8 13 7.8 - 49 4.0 - - 79 17 14 17 - 70 33 - - 110 17 15 6.8 - 110 33 - 240 49 QBH 2.0 7.8 I1 49 6.8 4.5 IM Quilcene Bay Summary Fecal Coliform Data 6/4/84 to 6/7/84 Station # Range Median % > 43 1 - 1.8 - 33 7.8 0 2 - 1.8 - 49 11.0 17 3 2 - 23 11.6 0 4 2 - 79 9.9 17 5 - 1.8 - 95 8.5 17 6 2 - 23 6.2 0 7 - 1.8 - 33 6.5 0 8 - 1.8 - 33 4.9 0 9 - 1.8 - 79 2 17 10 - 1.8 - 79 9.3 17 11 6.8 - 170 20.4 17 12 - 1.8 - 9.2 < 4.3 0 13 4 - 79 17 40 14 17 - 110 33 40 15 6.8 - 240 49 60 Q1 11.0 - 49 28 25 Q2 2.0 - 6.8 3.3 0 Q3 33 - 540 51 75 QBH 2.0 - 11.0 6.8 0 The standard for approved shellfish growing waters if fecal coliform median not greater than 14 org /100 ml of water, with not more than 10% over 43 org /100 ml of water. The above table shows bacteriological results in relation to program standards. -7- Marine surface water samples taken during October 22 -31, 1984. QUILCENE BAY, OCTOBER 1984 MPN Fecal Coliform org /100 ml Water (A -1 Modified Method) Station Oct. 22 Oct. 23 Oct. 24 Oct. 25 1 11.0 7.8 23.0 46.0 -- 130.0 -- 23.0 2 11.0 2.0 22.0 33.0 -- 7.8 4.5 22.0 3 < 1.8 7.8 23.0 49.0 -- 2.0 49.0 11.0 4 2.0 < 1.8 79.0 13.0 -- 7.8 4.0 23.0 5 < 1.8 2.0 4.0 2.0 -- < 1.8 2.0 7.8 6 2.0 4.0 17.0 7.8 -- 2.0 2.0 < 1.8 7 < 1.8 7.8 2.0 4.0 -- 2.0 7.8 7.8 8 < 1.8 4.5 < 1.8 4.5 -- < 1.8 4.5 6.8 9 < 1.8 7.8 2.0 4.5 -- 2.0 13.0 4.0 10 -- -- < 1.8 2.0 -- -- -- 7.8 11 -- -- -- -- B1 2.0 < 1.8 2.0 < 1.8 < 1.8 -- 2.0 < 1.8 < 1.8 -- < 1.8 -- < 1:8 -- -- -- < 1.8 -- -- -- < 1.8 -- -- -- 2.0 -- -- -- < 1.8 -- -- -- Station Oct. 29 Oct. 30 Oct. 31 1 < 1.8 7.8 4.5 18.0 2.0 < 1.8 2 < 1.8 7.8 4.5 < 1.8 4.5 6.8 3 4.0 35.0.0 11.0 < 1.8 < 1.8 < 1.8 4 < 1.8 4.5 < 1.8 2.0 2.0 < 1.8 5 2.0 7.8 < 1.8 < 1.8 < 1.8 < 1.8 -8- QUILCENE BAY, OCTOBER 1984 (continued) MPN Fecal Coliform org /100 ml Water (A -1 Modified Method) Station Oct. 29 Oct. 30 Oct. 31 6 < 1.8 17.0 < 1.8 < 1.8 < 1.8 < 1.8 7 < 1.8 < 1.8 < 1.8 ' < 1.8 < 1.8 < 1.8 8 < 1.8 2.0 4.5 49.0 < 1.8 < 1.8 9 < 1.8 < 1.8 < 1.8 < 1.8 < 1.8 < 1.8 10 < 1.8 2.0 < 1.8 < 1.8 < 1.8 < 1.8 11 < 1.8 < 1.8 < 1.8 < 1.8 < 1.8 < 1.8 B1 < 1.8 < 1.8 < 1.8 2.0 < 1.8 < 1.8 2.0 < 1.8 < 1.8 . t WE Quilcene Bay Summary Fecal Coliform Data October 22 -31, 1984 Station Median Range % >43 # Samples 1 9.4 1.8 -130.0 17% 12 2 '` 6.8 1.8- 33.0 0% 13 3 7.8 1.8 -350.0 23% 13 4 2.0 1.8- 79.0 8% 13 5 2.0 1.8- 7.8 0% 13 6 2.0 1.8- 17.0 0% 13 7 1.8 1.8- 7.8 0% 13 8 2..0 1.8- 49.0 8% 13 9 1.8 1.8- 13.0 0% 13 10 1.8 1.8- 7.8 0% 9* 11 1.8 1.8 0% 6 B1 1.8 1.8- 2.0 0% 23 *Samples taken on October 24 b 25 were obtained from mid - Quilcene Bay. Starting on October 29, 1984 samples were taken from the end of the aban- doned RR- Trestle and a site directly across Quilcene Bay on the east shore for sampling sites 10 and 11 respectively. The standard for approved shellfish growing waters is fecal coliform median no greater than 14 org /100 ml of water, with not more than 10% over 43 org /100 ml of water. The above table shows bacteriological results in relation to program standards. -10- Freshwater tributaries sampled during the water quality studies of June & October 1984. QUILCENE, LITTLE QUILCENE RIVER & DONOVAN CREEK, 1984 W N Fecal Coliform org /100 ml Water (A -1 Modified Method) Station Date Time FC /100 ml Quilcene River 06/04/84 1900 2.0 06/05/84 1050 4.5 06/06/84 1101 6.8 06/07/84 0950 2.0 10/23/84 0951 1.8 10/24/84 0903 1.8 10/25/84 1005 17.0 10/29/84 1458 4.5 10/30/84 1255 23.0 10/31/84 1300 2.0 11/26/84 1150 1.8 11/28/84 0910 7.8 Little Quilcene River 06/04/84 1855 11.0 06/05/84 1115 23.0 06/06/84 1115 49.0 06/06/84 0945 33.0 10/23/84 0956 17.0 10/24/84 0905 17.0 10/25/84 1330 49.0 10/29/84 1505 170.0 10/30/84 1300 49.0 10/31/84 1310 47.0 11/26/84 1221 2.0 11/28/84 1040 130.0 11/28/84 1218 540.0 Donovan Creek 06/04/84 1851 -95.0 06/05/84 1120 33.0 06/06/84 1111 540.0 06/07/84 0937 79.0 11/26/84 1232 130.0 11/28/84 0936 130.0 Station Median Range % > 100 Quilcene River 3.25 < 1.8 - 23 0% = Little Quilcene River 47 a 2.0 - 540 23% Donovan Creek 113 ,�e, C 33.0 - 540 50% The standard for freshwater class streams is fecal coliform median not greater than 50 org /100 ml with of more than 10% over 100 org /100 ml. The above table shows bacteriological results in relation to state standards. Donovan Creek Little Quilcene River Q 3 QUILCENE BAY Q1 ID 15 14 Quilcene River C 2 KEY Q 2 11 13 June 1984 water quality site 4 13 October 1984 water D quality site g 5 g 1 A Shellfish Meat Samp 6. 7 collection site O O O Q B H F 10 E 9 B 4 0V625T10 AE &-5 0 11 0 , miles 0 Fiqure 1 A -12- - MEAT SAMPLE DATA Below is a listing of shellfish meat samples collected off of beds harves- ted by commercial operations within Quilcene Bay. In all cases the samples were collected by members of this office and analyzed by the State Public Health Laboratories in Seattle. Quilcene Bay Total & Fecal Coliform org /100 gms Shellfish Meat Date Location Species TC /100 g FC /100 g 06/04/84 A P. Oyster 310 130 06/04/84 B It 45 < 20 06/04/84 C It 4900 4900 06/04/84 D If 330 45 06/11/84 E It 130 20 07/30/84 A it 40 < 20 07/30/84 B If 45 < 20 07/30/84 C it 790 760 07/30/84 F If 4900 460 The market standard for shellfish meat is a fecal coliform density of not more than 230 organisms per 100 gms of meat. The above table shows bacter- iological results of shellfish meat samples. -13- SUMMARY Fifteen marine sampling stations were utilized during the water quality study conducted in June 1984. A total of 12 marine sampling stations were utilized during the October study, of which seven were sampled previously in June. Nine of fifteen and two of twelve sites sampled in June and October respectively failed to meet USFDA standards for water quality in areas used for commercial shellfish growing /harvesting (Fig. 3). Sites located within the head of Quilcene Bay failed to meet water quality stan- dards during both the June and October studies. Samples taken from the Little Quilcene River and Donovan Creek seem to point to these two tribu- taries as major contributors to bacteriological contamination of Quilcene Bay water. The source is severe enough to cause substantial degradation of shellfish growing area waters. Results for fecal coliform bacteria from marine waters sampled did not differ substantially from results obtained from head water sites sampled in June. Samples taken in November during melting snowpack and heavy rains did show an increase in fecal coliform bacteria in fresh water samples, assuming that fresh water tributaries are the major sources of bacteriological pollution in the head waters of Quilcene Bay, it can be expected that during periods of heavy precipitation this area is further degraded. Figure 2 illustrates the bacteriological data collected and the levels by which USFDA standards were exceeded in Quilcene Bay head waters. 120.0 M P N 90.0 F C 60.0 0 L I 30.0 0.0 STATION 114 STATION 015 04 Os 06 JUNE 1964 JUNE 1964 STATION 01 150 0 N P 240.0 M 80.0 P 180.0 N 60.0 ❑ 1st Run C t3 0 2n0 kin F 120.0 0 30.0 14 L 60.0 1 0.0 Q 2nd Run F en STATION 015 04 Os 06 JUNE 1964 JUNE 1964 STATION 01 150 0 N P 120.0 N 80.0 F 90.0 C 60.0 0 L 60.0 I 30.0 O 1st Run N 0.0 STATION fll 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 OCTOBER 1984 43 14 STATION f4 0.0 w os 06 07 Z2 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 JUNE 1964 OCTOBER 1984 STATION 013 STATION f3 400 0 60.0 M P 60.0 N C 40.0 0 L 20.0 I n_e 05 06 07 JUNE 1984 M P 80.0 K 160.0 M 200.0 P P 60.0 N 120.0 O 1st Run N F 0.0 Q 2nd Run F 40.0 C 80.0 C 0 L 43 O 20.0 I 40.0 L I - - -- -- - -- - - -- 14 0.0 43 14 STATION f4 0.0 w os 06 07 Z2 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 JUNE 1964 OCTOBER 1984 STATION 013 STATION f3 400 0 60.0 M P 60.0 N C 40.0 0 L 20.0 I n_e 05 06 07 JUNE 1984 M P 300.0 N 43 Qlst Run F 200.0 02nd Run C 0 L I 100.0 14 0.0 43 14 43 OCTOBER 1984 43 14 -15- CONCLUSION Data from the June and October water quality studies indicate that there exists a large degree of variability of water quality throughout Quilcene Bay. The data also reveals that water within the head of the bay does not meet shellfish growing /harvest area standards. Based on current data gathered by this office, the head waters of Quilcene Bay should no longer be open to commercial shellfish growing /harvest. The recommendation should apply to all current and future shellfish operations existing above the mouth of the Quilcene River on the western shore and the southern end of the log dump on the eastern shore of Quilcene Bay (Fig. 3). This closure should remain in effect until a cause of water degradation can be identified and corrected. y Dowtovan Creek utUe ounc«te River 03 OLALCENE BAY 01 m 0u111=ene R 02 CET ®4, if.t t+ter oustt7 ttta t ® a Octeeer Iffa cater llf du+itt7 ttta 0� itt Ila+t Sample 7 collet tfen Fite a O © O QBH a � 1 t F 10 0 t tulles O e N E June 1984 Area shaded represents sites not within USFDA standards for commerical shellfish growing/ harvest. QBH T JA 1 F ® 1 "lag O N E October 1984 Area shaded represents sites not within USFDA standards for commerical shellfish growing/ harvest. Donovan Creek Little 0tsticene River Q 3 QUILCENE BAY Q1 1 a The figure on the left represents an area of Ouiieena River C Quilcene Bay which failed to meet USFDA oulio.nstandards 4t�{1J1 LJ [Et Q 2 0�S � ® � ® eu+litl'f1 *z:tar octebar Ifft inter 12 w+titl site A collect/on ^s1teS +Ntt O © O QBH T JA 1 F ® 1 "lag O N E October 1984 Area shaded represents sites not within USFDA standards for commerical shellfish growing/ harvest. Fig 3 eek Little oQIALCENE BAY The figure on the left represents an area of Quilcene Bay which failed to meet USFDA oulio.nstandards during both the June 1984 and October PC 1984 water quality studies. t O Fig 3