The low-flow characteristics of the Pike River basin, Racine and Kenosha Counties were studied to determine the feasibility of Public Law 566 watershed-protection practices. Two seepage runs, one in October 1973, and the other in September 1974, showed that most of the low flow is combined treated-sewage and industrial cooling-water discharge. This effluent was 4.66 cubic feet per second (1.3 cubic metres per second) on September 19, 1974, and discharged into the headwaters of the Pike River; near the mouth the discharge was essentially the same. During drought this effluent could be lost gradually by evapotranspiration and by seepage to the ground-water reservoir. The Q7,2 discharge estimate near the mouth is 0.0 cubic foot per second. Water temperatures October 25-26, 1973, ranged from 9.5 to 16 degrees Celsius, whereas those for. September 19-20, 1974, ranged from 10 to 22 degrees Celsius. Dissolved oxygen October 25-26, 1973, ranged from 4 to 13.5 milligrams per litre; for September 19-20, 1974, the range was from 6.0 to 12.5 milligrams per litre. Specific conductance October 25-26, 1973, ranged from 480 to 1,350 micromhos; for September 19-20, 1974, the range was from 380 to 1,400 micromhos.
