167 



Sanitary Survey of Indiana Rivers. 



Jay a. Craven. C. E. 



In August, 1908, the investigation by tlie Indiana State Board of 

 Health of the soutliern end of Lake Michigan bordering Indiana revealed 

 v- serious condition. It was found that the Lake water was "grossly pol- 

 luted and unfit for use as a source of water supply for drinking and domes- 

 tic pui'po.ses." The zone of pollution extended for five miles from shore. 

 .Uthough Indiana Harbor, East Chicago, Whiting and a portion of Ham- 

 mond contributed domestic sewages directly to the Lake, it was found 

 rhat this apparently had little influence on the character of the Lake 

 waters. The main source of pollution was found to be the Calumet River 

 with its great volume of sewage and manufacturing wastes. The portion 

 of the lake investigated is readily seen on the accompanying map. 



The deplorable situation called for a more thorough survey of the 

 condition, and to this end preparations and plans were made for an in- 

 ^estigation of the Calumet River, to determine the "exact condition of the 

 river, the amount and kind of pollution entering it from the Indiana 

 cities, how it was disposed of, and if possible, through its report to lend 

 assistance for the final solution of the prol>len> Mhich faces the Indiana 

 cities and also a part of Chicago." 



About twenty-five miles of the Grand Calumet River was surveyed in 

 the summer of 1910. It has a varying width of from twentj'-five to three 

 hundred feet and an average depth of six to eight feet until it reaches 

 Lake Calumet, from which point it averages twenty-five feet. It receives 

 most of the sewage and trade wastes from the four cities along its banks, 

 together with a portion of that of Chicago. Many large manufacturing 

 concerns contributed a large part of the most offensive refuse. 



Forty-three sampling points were established in the East Chicago 

 canal, the Grand Calumet River, The Little Calumet River and Lake 

 Michigan. Samples for the putrescibilty reaetii>n, oxygen consumed and 

 dissolved, were collected at all the sampling points and sewer outlets over 



