Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted a survey of water quality and quantity in Huron County, Michigan from 1988-1990 (Sweat, 1992). In that study atrazine, a widely-used agricultural herbicide with possible endocrine-disrupting effects was detected in 9 of 9 surface-water samples. Metolachlor, metribuzin, prometone, simazine, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), and dichlorprop (2,4-DP) were also detected at some surface-water sites. One pesticide, 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T), was detected in two monitoring wells. Additionally, routine USGS monitoring through the early 1990’s indicated the Pigeon River in Huron County to have some of the highest levels of nitrate-nitrogen and dissolved solids of any monitored river in Michigan (Blumer and others, 1992). Recently, new methods of chemical and biological analysis have been developed that allow better evaluation of the nature and source of contamination of water. Eleven Huron County townships have passed a resolution calling for evaluation of water quality in Huron County. In 2004 Huron County desired a survey of current water quality in their county. In cooperation with Huron County, the USGS collected water samples for analysis of microbiological, chemical and physical constituents from the Pinnebog and Pigeon River watersheds in Huron County from April through November, 2004 to assess the current state of Huron County’s water quality.