Huron River Report Published by the Huron River Watershed Council FALL 2020

feature story Oh, Dam! Was that a Beaver? A keystone species at work in the watershed

The North American beaver (Castor white people to push west into canadensis) is enjoying a time of the Great Lakes Region and the relative prosperity in the United lands of the greater Anishinaabe States, a significant feat given that the peoples. Forts at Detroit, Mackinac, beaver was driven to near extinction and elsewhere across the territory by the start of the nineteenth allowed the French to establish century. An insatiable European control over the lucrative fur trade, demand for beaver pelts to make the primary economic driver at the fashionable clothes and hats fueled time. As fashions changed and the the North American Fur Trade in the demand for beaver pelts waned, seventeenth and eighteen centuries, the fur trade ended. The remaining when French, English, Canadian, and beaver populations faced a continued American fur trappers harvested battle with polluted waterways beavers in incredible numbers. Here and habitat decline. However, with Beavers provide many ecosystem in Michigan, demand for beaver pelts the help of conservation efforts benefits. credit: Bedardar played a crucial role in European colonization of the territory. French continued on page 4 fur trappers were among the first Healthy Forests Equal Healthy Rivers Why HRWC is focused on land use Among the Huron River’s many lands, numerous endangered and groundwater, filtered through natural blessings are the forests, wetlands, threatened species, rare ecosystems lands, supplies water to thousands and prairies that make up 44% of like bogs and prairies of state-wide more private and community the watershed’s 588,000 acres. significance, and a burgeoning trail drinking water wells throughout the These natural lands clean polluted system. Thanks to nature’s cleansing watershed. runoff, keep streams cool, and soak services, the Huron hosts a multi- up rain, which can then infiltrate into million-dollar recreational fishery, Natural lands are the groundwater to recharge the river and 125,000 paddlers every year, and workhorses for clean water drinking wells. Mature forests and dozens of swimming beaches. Even Protecting natural lands is the wetlands also operate as a carbon more importantly, it is clean enough most cost-effective strategy for sink, helping to offset greenhouse gas to provide drinking water to over maintaining clean water and healthy emissions. 150,000 residents of the city of Ann freshwater systems. For instance, a These remaining natural lands are Arbor as well as Scio and Ann Arbor study by the Trust for Public Land a major reason the Huron watershed townships. It feeds Lake Erie which and the American Waterworks is home to two-thirds of Southeast supplies drinking water for about Michigan’s public recreational 11 million people. The watershed’s continued on page 5

INSIDE: New smart citizen science initiative | PFAS update - new state standards for contaminant levels Rebecca’s Stream of Consciousness | Take a Suds tour of the ‘shed | Microplastics, redux | 2020 interns rock! HRWC status and updates Rebecca’s Stream of Consciousness

ommunities need to be building current and future climatic conditions. smarter. Research released this summer found that nationwide, Across the country, experts C 14.8 million properties are understand that removing dams we vulnerable to flooding. (Explore no longer need is the best way to the data and find your home’s flood keep people safe, improve water K. Paine factor at floodfactor.com.) This finding quality, restore critical wildlife opposes the 8.7 million identified by habitat, and eliminate ongoing costs the Federal Emergency Management of dam maintenance and repair. In Agency—the agency responsible Michigan, a growing number of dams for drawing the country’s floodplain have been successfully removed any tributary, dramatically reducing maps. The analysis added changes including three on the Boardman river potential harm from flooding. The in rainfall, smaller streams and sea in Traverse City and one on the Mill City of Ann Arbor has proposed a level rise into the equation, and the Creek tributary of the Huron river flood damage prevention ordinance results nearly double the number of in Dexter. It concerns me that some to create a new zoning overlay that properties that should be considering media coverage of the Tittabawassee includes properties in or near the flood risk. Michigan has had several dam failures frames the argument floodplain. The ordinance calls for consecutive years of extremely high as wildlife versus people. This is no new development within the water resulting in surface flooding a dangerous and false narrative. floodplain and elevating buildings and high flow events on the river. Addressing dams can and should that are in the “flood fringe” where Conditions are changing in a way that improve the health of a river and flooding is possible. Land protection brings rivers in conflict with the built protect citizens from catastrophe. millages in the City of Ann Arbor, Ann environment. Now more than ever Arbor Township, Washtenaw County, we need to revisit where and how we On land, communities need to revisit and Scio and Webster Townships fund build. floodplain maps and understand the purchase of natural areas so they the implications of more water can continue to absorb rainfall and Addressing our stock of aging dams on buildings, homes, and other reduce flood risk. If you see a land and improving our approach to infrastructure. Expanding floodplains protection millage come up on your floodplain management are two mean more homeowners will need ballot, I encourage you to support it. key solutions. The breach of the flood insurance at a time when Edenville and Sanford dams on the insurance costs are increasing. People As I watch how more rainfall and Tittabawassee River in May illustrated of color are disproportionately larger, stronger storm events hit how a perfect storm can cause impacted by increased flood risk our landscapes, I am reminded of massive damage. as many historically segregated something I learned back in graduate neighborhoods are located in low school; the best way to avoid conflict Without action to remove obsolete lying areas. Residential flooding can with a river is to let it do its thing dams and investment to repair those result in mold and property damage, and stay out of its way. This includes that still serve a practical function, leaving residents with unique health flooding. While, in today’s society dam failures will become more and economic burdens. that is an impossibility in most places, common. Much of the state’s stock there is something to be said for of 2,600 dams have exceeded their At the local level, we need more aspiring to that goal. intended lifespan. Obsolete designs policies that reduce vulnerabilities meant to withstand past conditions to flooding. Green Oak Township — Rebecca Esselman are quickly becoming inadequate for limits development within 100 feet of HRWC Executive Director @natureiswater

Make a Gift for Ages to Come

Contact Wendy Palms about your planned gift to HRWC: [email protected], (734) 769-5123 x 605 Take a Suds Tour of the ‘Shed Support local businesses and HRWC!

Suds on the River is HRWC’s iconic annual fundraising event, providing an opportunity to gather along the river, enjoy delicious bites “Explore a and brews, and celebrate the company of good friends! It is also a time to remember the new community along the Huron River and importance of this water resource in our backyard and the pick up dinner at one value of HRWC’s work to keep it clean and accessible for everyone. of the many long-standing Suds restaurants While we are all disappointed by the strange circumstances of 2020, we are throughout also excited to do something a little different. This year, Suds for the River the watershed.” gives all of us the opportunity to show support for HRWC plus the restaurants Rebecca Esselman and breweries that have made the party special for so many years. HRWC Executive Director Buy a ticket and embark on the tour You will receive a special Suds Passport, good for discounts at participating locations. Enter the raffle for a chance to win awesome prizes “It’s plain and simple. Visit at least four participating breweries between September 10th Great beer starts with clean and October 31st, get your passport stamped, return it to HRWC, and water, and as a brewery located next to the Huron River, the protection you could win! of this valuable resource is critical to our beer and our community. HRWC can’t wait to return to the banks of the Huron next year, but in Hope to see you at the the meantime, CHEERS to YOU for your continued support! Corner Brewery in Ypsi this fall!” For more information including prize packages and how to get your Kyle Riffel Sales Director, Arbor Brewing Co. tickets, please visit hrwc.org/suds or email [email protected]. —Wendy Palms

New State Standards for PFAS Maximum contaminant levels established for drinking water The State of Michigan established pushback. Only parties with close ties drinking water standards for seven to PFAS users voiced opposition to PFAS chemicals. The standards, known the new rules. as maximum contaminant levels, Scientists and environmental or MCLs, are more protective to groups, including HRWC, argue that human health and the environment the standards are only a good first than the non-enforceable EPA step for protecting water supplies guidelines. These would be the first from these “forever chemicals.” There drinking water standards for PFAS are more than 5,000 PFAS compounds at either the federal or state level. out there and hundreds of variants Previously, Michigan only had limits have been used in Michigan. There on what needed to be cleaned up is growing evidence that all of them after pollution was released into the could cause health problems and that environment through wastewater. they should be regulated as a class of Despite delays in the rulemaking chemicals. process due to the COVID-19 To learn more about PFAS, visit Suspected PFAS foam on Portage pandemic the PFAS MCLs enjoyed hrwc.org/pfas. Lake, May 2020. credit: HRWC bipartisan support and limited —Daniel Brown

PAGE 3 Oh, Dam! Was that a Beaver? continued from cover and environmental protections, use their powerful, flat tails to in rainier seasons is released slowly this industrious rodent has made a slap the mud into place, binding over time. Such changes to river comeback across the U.S., including the logs together like mortar on a hydrology and the local landscape can right here in the Huron River house. Behind the dam, water pools occur rapidly when there are beavers watershed. upstream transforming stretches of present―the “busy beaver” as they river into ponds. In the calm waters say, can build a dam overnight! Rodent, you say? of the pond, beavers build lodges to Yes! Beavers are one of the largest live in. The pond provides protection A nuisance to some rodents in the world, second only to from predators, a place to forage Despite the beaver’s contributions the capybara of South America. The for food, and still water to float logs to ecosystem diversity, beavers are two species of beaver alive today are and other building supplies to their considered a nuisance in some places. the closely related Eurasian (Castor construction projects. Beaver dams can cause flooding and fiber) and North American beavers, damage to homes, businesses, and both of which can weigh up to 70 Ecosystem benefits roads. In some small creeks, dams pounds and reach three feet in length. Flooding caused by beaver dams can cut downstream flow to a trickle. A semi-aquatic animal, beavers creates a diverse array of habitats Historically, “problem” beavers were spend most of their time in the water that support populations of insects, exterminated. These days, thankfully, and have developed adaptations to waterfowl, fish, and amphibians. efforts are often made to relocate succeed in aquatic environments. For this reason, beavers are also beavers to natural areas where their Beaver fur is naturally oily and considered a keystone species, as dam building can contribute to the water repellent—one of the many their presence in an area can enhance diversity and vibrancy of our local reasons beaver pelts were so prized biodiversity and promote the success ecosystems. both by Native Americans and early of other plants and animals in the In the Huron River watershed, Europeans. Beavers can hold their ecosystem. Beaver dams provide beavers are currently very active in breath for fifteen minutes underwater other benefits to ecosystems such Hudson Mills Metropark along the and have a set of transparent eyelids as erosion control and pollution Huron River, where the results of their that serve as goggles—they also filtration. Slower flow coupled with tree felling are apparent near the have webbed feet ideal for paddling higher water levels upstream allow walking path. HRWC has also received and their flat tail helps the beaver pollutants to be filtered slowly reports of beavers near Burns-Stokes maneuver through the water like a through vegetation and break down Preserve, Huron Meadows Metropark, rudder on a boat. Beavers are active over time. The reduction in water on the river in Huron Township, all winter long, even when ponds and velocity prevents excess sediments and in Wixom Habitat Park (Norton rivers freeze over, as they can swim from washing into the creek that Creek, Oakland County). It is exciting long distances beneath the ice and can harm aquatic species and may to see this iconic rodent back at it their thick coats keep them warm contain fertilizers and other chemical in the Huron. An integral part of even in the coldest water. contaminants. Michigan’s past, the beaver is once Beavers are known as ecosystem Beaver dams provide downstream again a part of the watershed’s bright engineers—their construction benefits as well. The ponds future. of dams in rivers and creeks can provide a steady supply of water to ―Kate Laramie significantly affect regional hydrology downstream reaches in dry periods, and habitat. Beavers build dams by as water stored upstream of the dam felling trees with their large front teeth. They weave tree trunks, Beavers dam up branches, and twigs together to waterways to create a latticework wall that they create large ponds waterproof with mud. Beavers so they can place their lodge in deep, still water, safe from predators. credit: J. Wolf

PAGE 4 Land Protection continued from cover Association of 27 drinking water systems in the United States found that protecting upstream forests and This map shows wetlands can reduce drinking water which local treatment costs at a rate of 20% for governments every 10% increase in watershed have participated forest cover. Another study assessed in HRWC’s the stormwater treatment value of workshops or wetlands in New York state at over adopted land half a million dollars per acre every protection year. The Huron River and its adjacent millages. wetlands alone provide over $3.8 Encourage your billion in ecosystem services. community to run Yet, these lands face continued a land protection conversion to roofs, lawns, parking mapping lots, and roads, which robs them workshop with of their ability to provide vital HRWC or explore ecosystem services, creating even a millage if it has more runoff for remaining lands not yet done so. to handle. Emerging contaminants credit: HRWC like PFAS and microplastics further threaten water quality.

Local decisions, local control In Michigan, local governments have HRWC efforts how land and water are connected, the power to determine land use To spread the use of these important how local governments manage and protection strategies within tools throughout the 63 local land, and what citizens can do to their boundaries. Several of the governments in the watershed, HRWC protect land and water at the local watershed’s local governments have offers policy and technical support level. recognized the importance of land to watershed communities and protection to the health, safety, and residents, including: What you can do welfare of their residents and local • Study the map above and ask water resources. In the past ten years, • Workshops where residents and questions about your community’s five property-tax (“millage”) funded local officials map a network of status for land use protection. land protection programs—including forests, wetlands, waterways, and in Ann Arbor, Scio, and Webster links to connect them. They then • Check with your community. Has it townships, the city of Ann Arbor, and discuss goals and how best to plan participated in any river-friendly Washtenaw County—successfully for development while protecting efforts? Investigate even further protected about 10,000 acres of the natural lands network. at HRWC’s Change Makers page natural lands in the Huron River (hrwc.org/changemakers). HRWC watershed. • A step-by-step Conservation keeps track of local land and Other municipalities have crafted Millage Toolkit (hrwc.org/ water protection activities in the policies in their zoning ordinances millagetoolkit) to guide watershed’s local governments and master plans that accommodate communities and local and provides resources on how or encourage growth that works in activists through the process of residents can advocate for river- concert with land protection. For campaigning for and passing a friendly policies. instance, Webster Township’s new millage. Watershed communities surface water protection overlay like Ann Arbor Township are • Find out who is running in district will protect 1,700 acres finding success with millage your local election and what of riparian lands along 61 miles programs. proposals will be on the ballot. of stream in perpetuity. Webster For instance, Washtenaw County’s also protected over 4,500 acres of “The Conservation Millage Toolkit is land protection millage is up for land through their land protection an incredible resource. Based on my renewal this November. Vote with property tax millage. The township experience, the advice it contains is spot the Huron River in mind! master plan includes goals for on. Read it and do it.” continued river-friendly policies John Allison, Ann Arbor Township Trustee Together we can ensure the including a wetland ordinance, which protection of natural lands critical to would protect about 4,300 acres of • The guidebook, Land Use for a maintaining a healthy Huron River. wetlands. Healthy Watershed, (hrwc.org/ changemakers) which describes ―Kris Olsson

PAGE 5 MISSION The Huron River Watershed Council protects The Huron River Watershed and restores the river for healthy and vibrant communities. VISION We envision a future of clean and plentiful water for people and nature where citizens and government are effective and courageous champions for the Huron River and its watershed. CORE VALUES We work with a collaborative and inclusive spirit to give all partners the opportunity to become stewards. We generate science-based, trustworthy information for decision makers to ensure reliable supplies of clean water and resilient natural systems. We passionately advocate for the health of the river and the lands around it.

HRWC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Committee Mary Bajcz Chris Benedict (Vice Chair) Janis Bobrin Paul Cousins Matthew LaFleur (Treasurer) Dick Norton (Chair) Diane O’Connell Evan Pratt Steven Wright

Board of Directors Suzanne Bade Scott Barb Sue Bejin Dave Bowman Marlene Chockley Cheryl Darnton Individuals, local businesses and more than 40 communities Steve Francour* support HRWC’s work through voluntary membership. Belinda Friis David Glaab Mandy Grewal Fred Hanert Gerry Kangas Barry Lonik* Michelle LaRose Molly Maciejewski Visit www.hrwc.org for detailed maps, monitoring data and creekshed status updates. James Martin Doug McClure* Erica Perry Sharon Popp Peter Schappach huronriver hrwc Matt Stuk Curt Wolf Lisa Wozniak huronriver huronriverwc

*Community-designated alternate representative

© 2020 Huron River Watershed Council The Huron River Watershed

As leaves turn and fall, please remember to rake them up and keep them out of stormdrains, creeks, and the river. credit: PSart Design Studio

HRWC STAFF Daniel A. Brown x 608 Watershed Planner [email protected] Anita Daley x 603 Marketing Executive [email protected] Rebecca Esselman x 611 Executive Director [email protected] Jason Frenzel x 600 Stewardship Coordinator [email protected] Allison Gotelaere x 610 Development Associate [email protected] Jennifer Kangas x 604 Operations Director [email protected] Pam Labadie x 602 Marketing Director [email protected] Kate Laramie x 606 Watershed Ecology Associate [email protected] Ric Lawson x 609 Watershed Planner [email protected] Kris Olsson x 607 Watershed Ecologist [email protected] Andrea Paine x 613 Visit www.hrwc.org for detailed maps, monitoring data and creekshed status updates. Watershed Planning Associate Lake Erie [email protected] Wendy Palms x 605 Development Director 1100 North Main Street, Suite 210 [email protected] Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104 Paul Steen x 601 (734) 769-5123 Watershed Ecologist www.hrwc.org [email protected]

Design by SJ Design Studio. Quarterly layout and illustrations © 2020 by J. Wolf, Laughing Goat Arts. The Huron River Report is published three times per year. Its content is prepared by staff and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of board members. Swimming in Plastic, Redux Microplastics are prevalent, but mysterious

Plastic is a part of life for 21st have contributed to this knowledge century humans. What happens base, but the question of microplastic when plastic items begin to break sourcing certainly is not settled. down? Unfortunately, much of it HRWC, operating on a local scale, is reaches our waterways. Tiny plastic interested in finding specific sources pieces have infiltrated lakes, rivers, so that we can work with government and wetlands, and are often small and landowners to shut down or at enough to avoid notice without least alleviate the problem. In 2018, specialized equipment. Researching HRWC began to experiment with the impact of these microplastics on microplastic monitoring procedures humans and the aquatic environment and in 2019 launched its first summer is becoming a focus of study in the microplastics monitoring program. environmental community. HRWC has produced three short educational HRWCs sampling finds an videos on microplastics, distributed answer but opens more balls and bags to catch microplastics questions from washing machines, and given an overview of the problem in the Huron In July and August 2019, HRWC River Report, Summer 2017. (Check filtered 1,000 gallons of water it all out at hrwc.org/our-watershed/ and kept the resultant debris from threats/microplastics-pollution/) This 31 sites at the mouths of Huron article is a sequel to the 2017 report. HRWC summer 2019 interns watershed streams as well as the river HRWC wants to stop behavior look for microplastics through itself. The filtered debris was trapped that contributes to microplastic the scopes! credit: HRWC on gridded filter paper and lightly contamination in our waterways, dried on a hotplate. The samples were but furthermore, is interested in the kept covered as much as possible scientific and management side of relationship between the amount of to prevent air contamination as the problem. In particular, HRWC’s wastewater effluent and microplastic microplastics are in dust and fall scientific goal is to determine the concentrations. Another study by off clothing. Microplastics on the source of microplastics to stop Carr (2016) reported that nearly all filter paper were counted under a pollution before it enters our microplastics (including microfibers) stereoscope and classified into five waterways. were removed from the process at different types: fibers, films, beads, Several studies have considered the end of tertiary treatment at one foam, and fragments. HRWC also ran how microplastics are delivered to WWTP, while at a second WWTP, several blanks with different sources aquatic systems. Plastic fragments plastics were released at a rate of of drinking and distilled water to from thin films, foam, and line about 1 piece per 1,000 liters. This is understand possible sources of segments (like from fishing line) enter a very low amount compared to the sample contamination. the system via trash from accidental abundances that HRWC is finding, Of the top ten microplastics and purposeful dumping—eventually implying that while WWTPs can sites in the project, six are from the breaking down into smaller pieces be a source, they are not a major immediate Ann Arbor area, all but through physical degradation. Trash is contributor. one of which (Fleming Creek) are a type of non-point source pollution Microplastics removed by primary urban streams (see box on the next since it comes from many different and secondary treatment phases page). Of the other top sites, Norton places (like sediment and nutrients) end up in wastewater sludge. Dried Creek and the Huron River in Ypsilanti and not a single source (like discharge sludge (aka ‘biosolids”) is applied to are also in urban watersheds, and from a wastewater treatment plant). agricultural fields as fertilizer. This South Ore is a highly suburban creek Microfibers are tricky; their is a regular practice in Michigan. (Brighton). The rest of the sites source is not obvious. Since washing Rain can pick up plastics from the spread further into Livingston and machines cause microplastic biosolids, washing them into creeks Oakland counties and generally are pieces to slough off of clothing and rivers (Nizzetto 2016, Baldwin more rural or even in natural areas. In and the wastewater is delivered 2016). Therefore, sludge is another every sample, there was at least some to municipal facilities, wastewater possible source of microplastics; plastic. Nowhere is pristine though, as treatment plants (WWTPs) are a although, this is also not strongly Horseshoe Creek and Chilson Creek seemingly obvious source. Scientific confirmed in the literature. samples had very low counts (2-3 studies, however, have not been Baldwin’s 2016 study showed the pieces per 1,000 gallons). able to strongly connect WWTPs Huron River is high in microplastic but could only speculate on the and microplastics. Baldwin et al. continued on next page (2016) did not find a statistical source of it. Other scientific studies

PAGE 8 Swimming in Plastic, Redux continued from previous page

Microfibers were far and away the most plentiful type of plastic captured, comprising about 97% of the total amount. Fragments, beads, film, and foam were all found, but not consistently. As HRWC does not HRWC staff setting out the sample right on the surface of the fine meshed net that passes river but rather 60% from the top of water through while trapping the surface, it makes sense that the debris for the summer 2019 samples do not have much foam and study. credit: HRWC film, which are more likley to float. Surely this does affect the result to some unknown degree, but in any case, HRWC findings also match similar studies which show that fibers are the “most found” microplastic constituent in river environments (Baldwin 2016, Koelmans 2019) indicating that they are either the most transportable in streams or that there are far more of them out there. there are illicit washing machine and fields, but these pieces are more connections to these creeks, but it likely to get trapped in soils and less seems unlikely such connections likely to run-off into surface water. Top Ten in the Watershed would be present in high numbers. As In our samples, there is correlation mentioned earlier, another possible between microplastic pieces and Ten microplastics sites surveyed in source of microplastics hypothesized the amount of impervious surfaces the Huron River watershed based by Nizetto (2016) is biosolids spread in a site’s watershed (r= 0.54). The on 2019 sampling, ranked by the on agricultural fields—the theory microplastics could be peaking in average number of microplastics being that during rain events, the abundance in our waterways after microplastics are carried away in rain events wash them in, much like pieces per 1,000 gallons. the runoff. However, our highest- sediment and other non-point source count locations are urban creeks pollution peaks in rivers after rain Swift Run (Ann Arbor): 127 with nearly no agriculture in the events. Millers Creek (Ann Arbor): 61 creekshed, plus there are agricultural To get a better understanding Huron River (Ann Arbor): 57 watersheds sampled with hardly any of how rainwater runoff may have Malletts Creek (Ann Arbor): 34 microplastics. The microfibers are affected our results, we obtained Norton Creek (Wixom): 28 also presumably not coming from rain data from the City of Ann Arbor’s Fleming Creek (Ann Arbor): 21 a standard piece of trash found in rain gauge, located on the University Traver Creek (Ann Arbor): 21 the river like food packaging, as this of Michigan’s North Campus. South Ore Creek (Brighton): 20 type of trash does not degrade into Unfortunately, these rain/microplastic Huron River (Wixom): 20 microfibers but more typically into correlations did not suggest that Huron River (Ypsilanti): 18 fragments, foams, and films. Where, the runoff volume is related to then, are the fibers coming from? microplastics in the direction that Studies by Allen et al. (2019) and we would anticipate. Actually, the Brahney et al. (2020) have shown that correlations were negative, indicating As mentioned previously, research microplastics settle out of the air, that higher rainfall is associated with in the scientific literature has not even in remote mountain watersheds. lower microplastic counts, which is been able to confirm a positive If fibers are showing up on the tops the opposite of what we expected. correlation between WWTPs and of mountains, certainly we would This discrepancy in our expectation microplastic abundance. Similarly, expect them to be found in the dirt versus reality means it is a good the top hot spots for microplastics in and dust covering city streets in avenue for further study. Going this study are not below wastewater the summer. Brahney reports that back to the same sites several times treatments plants (an exception is fibers in particular are transportable over the course of a field season the Huron River in Ann Arbor, but through the atmosphere. Therefore, and covering all of the sites on the even this is a far distance; the closest it is possible that fibers settle from same days will give us a much better upstream WWTP would be in Dexter, the air, wash out from rain, and arrive understanding of how variable the about 12 miles away). The highest to streams via storm drain systems in samples can be in regard to flow plastics counts were in Swift Run, urban environments. If atmospheric Millers Creek, and Malletts Creek, all deposition is to blame, then plastic of which are small creeks that are not particles are also settling in forests continued on page 10 downstream of WWTPs. It is possible

PAGE 9 2020 Interns • 25 Intrepid Heroes! credit: G. Hieber credit:

Thank you for HRWC interns are always amazing, your dedication! inspiring, and hard-working. This year, the 25 interns who joined Alan Ching us are especially inspiring due to Caleb Willette their diligence and patience as Charlotte Reader we implemented COVID-19 safety Chloe Hernandez procedures in our field projects and Claire Bott worked remotely from our homes. Daniel Miller Summer field season has been Destiny Bullock different and slower to implement Erin McCargar this year. Some programs were Gabrielle DeMott canceled and many were drastically Hannah Pascual altered. All of the interns were Hannah Paulson understanding of and assisted in Jacob Inosencio creating solutions to the challenges Jesse Evers that arose. Most of them participated Kaitlyn Bowen in our BANCS erosion study, many Katie Pascoe helped educate the public about Kerra Janis invasive stiltgrass, a few helped Lauren Swain with our youth snorkeling project Lute Smith as well as our new E.coli study, and Patrick Fegan two interns helped from home doing Patrick Pinkowski marketing and communications, GIS, Quentin Davis and program research. Our heartfelt Sophie Lin Aquatic field interns collecting data on gratitude goes to each and every Paige Schurr stream erosion. one of these students for their Susan Shell credit (top left): J. Inosencio enthusiastic contributions to HRWC’s Tiffany Wu credit (center, bottom): A. Paine mission of protecting and restoring the Huron. ―Jason Frenzel

Swimming in Plastic, Redux continued from page 9 conditions and weather. Furthermore, In 2020, HRWC will sample with 2019 HRWC summer interns helped if the samples are highly variable more intensity on fewer places to filter and count samples, with Tina over the course of a summer, this will understand how weather, flow, and Lin and Willow Krupin contributing strengthen the hypothesis that the the natural variability in sampling substantial hours to the effort. Also sourcing of microplastics is non-point affects the microplastic counts. This thank you to Dr. Melissa Duhaime and rather than point source pollution, may further elucidate details on their Rachel Cable from the University of such as WWTPs. This is because a source. Determining the source of Michigan who provided HRWC with WWTP should produce more stable microplastics—or at least how they plentiful technical advice. This work microplastics numbers as its effluent are delivered to the Huron River was funded by the Bill and Mary will be stable over time, except during system—remains the ultimate goal. Kinley Innovators Fund. overflow events. —Paul Steen Acknowledgments Next steps Retired plastics engineer and The 2019 sampling was widespread HRWC volunteer Dennis Kittel led in order to find hot spots but we monitoring teams, helped build and Note: References, tables, and graphs can were only able to collect two test the monitoring procedures, be viewed at hrwc.org/our-watershed/ samples from each location, and donated much of the equipment for threats/microplastics-pollution/ thus did not get any indication of the study, helped find funding, and fall2020-addendum the possible sampling variation quite plainly was the initial driving in our microplastics collection. force behind this entire project. Many

PAGE 10 Lights, Camera, Analyze! HRWC pilots low-cost spectrophotometer to analyze water pollution Around this time of year, neon green HRWC staff collected bimonthly algal blooms begin to form in Lake samples from 20 sites in Wayne Erie, undermining recreation, water and Washtenaw counties, bringing quality, and community well-being. the samples back to their newly The Huron River is undoubtedly a part established home “labs” for analysis of the problem as it carries polluted using the device. Staff will continue runoff containing phosphorus and to sample and send duplicate samples nitrogen (aka “nutrients”) to Lake to a professional lab for side-by-side Erie. That also means the Huron can evaluation. Such comparison will be part of the solution to mitigating help the team determine the devices’ these nasty blooms and improving overall precision and accuracy. water quality. With new technologies, HRWC is testing inventive new means Accessible tools in the field to improve water quality monitoring The 3D-printed spectrophotometer and reduce nutrient runoff. shines light beams through water With low-cost spectrometer samples and a diffractor to produce technology, classrooms such as Citizen scientists are key visible light spectra that are the one pictured above can study In collaboration with partners brighter or darker depending on the water quality more readily. from across the Lake Erie basin, sample’s nutrient concentrations. A credit: Cleveland Water Alliance 2019 HRWC is testing a new low-cost smartphone camera and app analyze spectrophotometer device to bolster the light spectra to produce an water quality data collection by absorbance value (a measurement of citizen scientists. The high cost of the light wavelengths passing through work with project partners to remedy laboratory-grade nutrient testing and a sample). HRWC then converts the these issues in time for the 2021 analysis typically inhibits community- absorbance values into nutrient monitoring season. HRWC looks based citizen science groups like concentrations for use in water forward to continued partnership on HRWC from collecting nutrient quality analyses. this innovative project to improve data. Developed by researchers While testing the devices this past water quality data accessibility and at the University of Akron, these summer, HRWC identified potential advance new technology. new spectrophotometer devices challenges with more widespread would enable HRWC and partners use. In the offseason, HRWC will ―Andrea Paine and Ric Lawson to increase the scale and speed of nutrient testing, and arm partner organizations with the essential data Seven partners throughout the Lake Erie basin, including HRWC in to drive policies and investments that Metro Detroit, are advancing new initiatives to increase collaboration, tackle polluted runoff and reduce innovation, and data sharing among citizen science programs. nutrients going into Lake Erie. credit: Cleveland Water Alliance This spring, HRWC was selected by the Cleveland Water Alliance as the Southeast Michigan Local Champion for this larger regional collaboration, called the Smart Citizen Science Initiative. Each Local Champion is sponsored by an area community foundation, with HRWC’s efforts supported by the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. This year and next, HRWC will pilot the spectrophotometer devices among its own monitoring programs, including the Chemistry and Flow Monitoring Program and the River Roundup macroinvertebrate Smart Citizen collection, and look for opportunities Science Initiative to distribute the devices to other Local Champion southeastern Michigan water Locations organizations working with citizen scientists. Starting this past June,

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Together We Protect Our Home River Please give back to the river that hasTour given the us watershed so much while supporting HRWC! September 10 - October 31, 2020 This year Suds for the River celebrates the Since 1965, we have led the restaurants and breweries that make the party change we want to see – taking the special! mantle and advocating at the LOCAL Get your ticket to Suds and get your passport to level, collecting and interpreting science, play! Visit participating breweries, get your informing action, policy, and outreach, passport stamped, return it to HRWC and you could win awesome prizes! strengthening local laws and regulations, implementing innovative solutions such HRWC can’t wait to return to the banks of the Huron, but in the meantime, as natural resources planning, climate readiness, and real-time monitoring. CHEERS to YOU for your continued support! For more information and tickets – visitDonate hrwc.org/suds at hrwc.org/donate or contact Allie at [email protected] depends on oryour (734) support 769-5123 to protect x 610

Photo by John Lloyd our clean water for people and nature.

Questions about how your dollars can help? Margaret Smith (734) 769-5123 x 605, [email protected]

Photo by John Lloyd