Union River
(BFURMT)
Ellsworth

CHART    N 44° 29'52.6" W 68° 25'44.9"

Union River

 The Union River drains about 500 square miles. Just above Ellsworth, the river was impounded to form Graham Lake. The City of Ellsworth (1990 population xxx) discharges municipal secondary treated waste into the river near head of tide. Use of the public anchorage and landing has increased significantly over the past decade resulting in increased boat traffic.

The site is located at the mouth of the river just before the river widens into Union River Bay. This is the uppermost location in the estuary where mussels occur as a result of the salinity regime. The substrate is ledge. Access is easy by small boat from Ellsworth's town landing.

Mercury is the one metal of concern. It was at the upper end of the normal range for 2 years and elevated in 1994. Although the cause of the this variability is not known, it is generally within that which we encounter when sampling stations over multiple years despite the effort to control as many variables as possible. It is a good example of why it is difficult to detect real change over time.

Actual Concentration (mg/g dry weight) of Heavy Metals in Mussel Tissue