Water Quality
Assessment for the
KANAWHA RIVER BASIN
North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia )
WORK DOCUMENT 50
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION III
WHEELING FIELD OFFICE
SURVEILLANCE & ANALYSIS DIVISION
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Water Quality Assessment Report
Kanawha River Basin
by
Raymond C. George and Robert I. Cantor, P. E.
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region III
Surveillance and Analysis Division
Wheeling Field Office
Wheeling, West Virginia
September 1973
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Water Quality Assessment Report
Kanavha River Basin
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this document is to provide answers to four
questions: (l) what is the current water quality situation; (2)
why does the situation exist; (3) what has been the trend in recent
years; and (k) what will the water quality be in years to come? In
so doing, identification is made of significant water bodies that,
in 1973, met the 1983 goal of water quality adequate for swimming
and for the protection and propagation of fish and wildlife and
water bodies that might achieve the 1983 goal by 1977> 1983 or some
.later date.
The document is summary in nature and is not intended to pro-
vide a detailed analysis of the water quality of all the streams
in the basin or to examine all of the factors present or potential
which act upon the vater quality of a given stream. The information
contained in the document is based on surveillance and monitoring
activities carried out by the. Wheeling Field Office, Surveillance
and Analysis Division, plus appropriate data from cooperating State
and Federal agencies.
The document should provide a starting point for the detailed
examination of needs, priorities, standards, load limitations and
other factors to meet the 1983 goal.
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BASIN DESCRIPTION
The New River portion of the Kanawha River rises near Blowing
Roe" 5 North Carolina, flows northeastward through florth Carolina
into Virginia, turns and flows northwestward through Virginia and
West Virginia to its confluence with the Gauley River near Gauley
Bridge, West Virginia where they form the Kanawha River. The
Kanawha River continues to flow northwestward through West Virginia
to its confluence with the Ohio River at Point Pleasant, West
Virginia, 266 river sdles below Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The
basin embraces about 12,300 square miles of which 8,^50 are in
West Virginia, 3,080 in Virginia and T?0 in North Carolina. Total
length of the Kanawha-New River is 3**7«2 miles with the lower 90.6
miles being navigable.
The basin is bounded on the north by the Little Kanawha and
Monongahela River basins, on the east by the Potomac, Jaiaes and
Roanoke basins., on the west by the Tennessee, Big Sandy and Guyan-
dotte River basins and on the south by the Peedee River basin.
The greater Charleston, West Virginia area is a major chemical
manufacturing center within the United States. The extremely com-
plex and ever-changing nature of the wastes from the chemical industry
makes the solution to this portion of the Kanawha's water quality
problems quite difficult and. expensive.
Principal tributaries to the Kanawha-Ek- ? -River are the Elk,
Coal5 Pocatalico, Gauley, BLuestcne and Greenbrier Rivers.
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METHODOLOGY
Streams having a, drainage area less than one hundred square
mil -'3 are generally excluded unless they have a significant impact
on the receiving stream., have a significant recreational value or
include a potential reservoir site under active consideration "by
the Soil Conservation Service or the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The criteria for classifying the streams are listed in Table 1.
"Put and take" trout stocking in a stream, does not qualify it for
classification under cold water fishery. The trout placed in such
a stream may be able to live in the stream year round, but if the
temperature and dissolved oxygen criteria are not suitable for trout
propagation, the stream is classified for warm water fishery. In
general, there is a lack of data available for evaluation of taste
and odor content and effects and total dissolved gases content with
respect to the existing atmospheric conditions. For the purpose of
this report, current data are considered as that collected from 1970
to present. For comparative purposes and for trends, pre-1970 data
were also evaluated.
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THE CURRENT WATER QUALITY SITUATION
New River and aiajor_tributaries
The Stream Water Quality Table (Table II) includes a total of
1,887.6 miles of streams. Of this amount, 651.3 miles do not pres-
ently meet water quality standards for recreational uses. The wide
distribution of the larger degraded, streams is illustrated on the
maps of the basin which identify streams that meet standards for
various recreational uses in the past, at present, and projected
to the years 1977 and 1983.
Most streams in the basin ore potentially suitable for warm
•water fish and primary water contact recreation. Four stream
reaches presently meet the criteria for primary recreation and
cold water fishery, with two others having the potential to meet
this criteria 'by 1977- k number of the headwater areas either
presently meet the criteria or have the potential for a eold water
fishery.
The Hew River area has numerous State parks and recreational
areas on and around water developments suca as Claytor and Bluestone
Lakes and Button and Sunanersville Lakes. Boating, water skiing,
swimming, camping and fishing activities are popular in these areas.
The principal water quality problem existing in the New River
area is caused by the discharge of inadequately treated domestic
sewage. While some 250,000 persons are served, by municipal water
systems, most communities have less than adequate waste treatment
facilities- Approximately 20 communities provide no waste treatment
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and, of those with primary or secondary treatment facilities, most do
not provide adequate chlorinatioru
In addition to the established municipalities, the semi-urban
and rural development which is prevalent along many basin streams
results in a significant domestic waste load which generally is
inadequately treated.
Excluding mine otrainag« problems» industrial pollution is a
significant problem in reaches of the aain stem of the Hew and
Greeribrier Rivers and several tributaries. Waste discharges from
the Radford Army Ammunition Plant at Radford degrade the New River
for approximately 2k miles below Radford, Virginia. These discharges,
along with those from the Celanese Corporation plant at Harrows,
Virginia, have caused intermittent fish kills in the New River from
Eggleston to the Virginia-West Virginia State line.
Tannery wastes from the Howes Leather Company Tannery at Frank,
West Virginia, degraded the Greenbrier River for some five miles down-
stream of Durbin. These wastes, along with the untreated domestic
wastes from Durbin, impaired the stream use as a municipal, ind.ust.rial
and agricultural water supply; water contact recreation; and support
and propagation of aquatic life. Recent field investigations by
aquatic biologists indicate a significant improvement in water quality,
as reflected by aquatic life, below this facility.
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A combination of municipal and industrial wastes in the Bluefield
area cause pollution problems in the Bluestone River in. both West
Virginia and Virginia. Other sources of pollution problems include
coal mine drainage; coal vasheries; oil» gas and brine field wastes;
and erosion and sedimentation resulting from land disturbances.
The degradation of the aesthetic values of the streams in the
area are a great impairment to property valxies and affect the social
environment in general,
Kanawha River mai n st em and t r ibut ar jugs,
Water Quality Table III lists a total of 90 miles of the
Kanawha River main, stem and 6k miles of principal tributary streams.
Presently, some 56 miles of the main stem Kanawha will not meet water
quality standards for recreational use. At least 52 miles of tribu-
tary streams are also known to not meet standards.
Most of the Kanawha River main stem is potentially suitable for
warm water primary recreational use. In the past, public bathing
beaches were coasion to the Charleston area, located at several sites
in and around the city, in addition to all other popular water oriented
diversions.
At present, every reach is used for boating, some contact recre-
ation and residents have expended a great deal in some areas to main-
tain backyard areas and bank areas with orientation towards water
recreation.
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Three main tributary streams are potentially suitable for primary
water recreation with sizable populations and stream bed areas with
development potential.
Water quality problems are severe in these tributary areas
with respect to acid mine drainage, siltation and domestic waste
influence in the Paint Creek and Cabin Creek streams especially.
Davis Creek was, until recently, heavily polluted from two large
chemical manufacturing firms. A series of remedial measures have
been taken to alleviate this problem.
The Kanawha main stem has definite zones or reaches of vary-
ing water quality. The upper reach from the Kanawha Falls extending
down river below the Chelyan Bridge areas has been generally unpolluted
and is of primary water recreational use quality. The Belle, West
Virginia area of the river is affected by some domestic waste and a
significant industrial waste load from the DuPont Chemical Plant.
Water recreation uses of a secondary nature would be currently per-
missible in this reach with recovery from the industrial source
fairly rapid.
Water quality below this point is fairly good and is used for
limited contact water recreation extending to the Route 60 Bridge
at Charleston, which marks the beginning of the heavily industrialized
portion of the Kanawha resulting in degradation extending nearly to
the mouth of the main stem.
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Industrial pollution, generated by a significant chemical manu-
facturing complex, is the single most significant factor in the water
qup/'ity degradation causing a loss of dissolved oxygen in the area .
below Charleston and extending below the Winfield Lock and Dam, a
distance of 25 miles or more, This oxygen demand of the river is
the single most prevalent degradant in the Kanawha River affecting
at least ko miles of the main stem. Generally, pH considerations
are not a detriment to the Kanawha with the possible exception of a
localized affect near an outfall.
FACTORS AFFECTING WATER QUALITY
Hey River and ai.aj.or tributaries
Municipal and domestic pollution is prevalent throughout most
of the basin. The discharge of ther.e raw and inadequately treated
wastes results in high coliform concentrations, high biochemical
oxygen demand, floating and suspended solids and odor. These dis-
charges impair the use of the streams for water contact recreation
and the support and propagation of aquatic life.
The most serious industrial problem on the ITew River occurs
in the vicinity of the Radford Army Ammunition Plant at Radford,
Virginia. This plant discharges large quantities of nitrate, sul-
fates, solids, THT red water and generates excess pll and temperature
variations.
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The upper reach of the Greeribrier River is degraded by wastes
from the Howes Leather Company tannery at Prank5 West Virginia.
Discharges from this tannery result in low dissolved oxygen, high
pH» biochemical oxygen demand, alkalinity, sulfates, chlorides,
color, high coliforms and solids. Intermittent fish kills have
occurred in this reach as a result of this condition.
Coal mining in the New River area is limited to the West
Virginia portion of the basin. Generally, however, the acid com-
ponent of mine drainage in this area is small compared to the
highly acid mine drainage common to the northern coal fields of
Ohio, Pennsylvania and ¥est Virginia. This mine drainage, although
highly mineralized, is alkaline rather than acid. These discharges
affect the iron, aluminum, hardness and dissolved solids content of
the streams, j¬her water quality problem emanating from the coal
industry is the waste discharge from coal vasheries. Their principal
waste is solids in the form of coal, fines resulting in a "blackwater"
condition in the stream.
Past and present oil explorations in the upper Pocatalieo River
basin have caused stream degradation through the discharge of brine
wastes. This pollution was so severe that the Sissonville, ¥est
Virginia Public Service District was forced to discontinue their
use of the Pocatalieo Eiver as a public water supply source in
early 1967.
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Several oil spills have occurred in the lower reach of the Elk
River from the Elk Refining Company, one of several oil industries
in 'che area. These spills., although localized in nature3 are a point
of concern.
Kanavha River,, main stem and tributaries
The three main tributary streams are characterized "by heavy
sedimentation, domestic wastes and chemical manufacturing wastes,
the latter confined to Davis Creek. Abandoned and active mining
discharges characterize Paint Creek resulting in all the pollutants
associated with acid mine discharges and, in particular, a pronounced
aesthetic degradation. Cabin Creek has a heavy sedimentation problem
which causes a masking of traditional mine drainage aesthetics. Both
of these streams are influenced by domestic wastes with Cabin Creek
having an area population of about 20,000 people. The majority of
this population is serviced by individual systems resulting in a
significant domestic waste contribution to the drainage system.
Two large industrial chemical manufacturing firms contributed
to pollution of Davis Creek until very recently. The largest com-
pany, Union Carbide at South Charleston, which discharged a heavy
lime-laden organic discharge, has completed an interceptor system
to collect all the discharge and divert it to a secondary treatment
system jointly operated with the City of South Charleston. The
present residual discharges to Davis Creek are primarily chlorides
with some visible oil also in evidence.from the FMC Corporation
Inorganic Plant located at South Charleston, West Virginia.
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The main steal Kanawha River has four distinctive areas of indus-
trial and municipal sources with the industrial portion representing
an jstimated 95 percent of the total load. A listing of the more
important industry and municipal sources includes:
1} City of Chesapeake
City of Belle
Diamond Shamrock Belle area
E. I. DuPont deNemours and Co.
City of Marmet
2) City of South Charleston
City of Charleston Charleston area
Union Carbide-South Charleston plant
FMC Corporation, Inorganic Chemical Division
3) City of Dunbar
W. Vs. State College
Union Carbide-Institute Institute area
Chemical Leahman Tank Lines-Institute
Mason-Dixon Tank Lines-St. Albans
City of St. Albans
k) Allied Chemical-Hitro
Chemical Formulators, Inc.
Fike Chemical Co. Nitro area
FMC Corporation, American Viscose Division
FMC Corporation, Organic Chemicals
Monsanto Company
City of litre
The Kanawhs River between Mile "fO and Mile kO contains one of
the oldest and largest coucentiated chemical complexes in the country.
Pollutant discharges from such a complex run the gamut of a listing of
most parameters.; however, the organic loadings and tojcic materials gen-
erally are the important considerations. The organic material discharges
reflect an effect on the stream as Biochemical Oxygen Demand (B.O.D.)
which taxes the residual oxygen content of a 'body of "water.
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The industries and municipalities all approach a level of secondary
treatment; in the past, generally considered adequate. However, the
m&finitude of the raw waste loads from industry is such that the residual
after a generally high degree of treatment is still very significant.
This situation is further compounded 'by the existence of navigation
structures which reduce the natural assimilative capacity of the river,
particularly under lov flow conditions.
This lessening of assimilative capacity has resulted in a histor-
ical condition of low C. 0. values often times recorded at zero levels
during the critical flow months. Recent mathematical modeling of the
river indicates that a maximum BOD^ (ultimate Biochemical Oxygen De-
mand) load of 35j000 pounds can be tolerated to achieve a daily average
dissolved oxygen level of 5.0 mg/1 in the critical reach. As recent as
1972, loads have been evaluated after secondary treatment to be in the
378,000 lb/^ay BODU range. In consideration of these needs, significant
agency and national attention has evolved over the need for water quality
storage.
WATER QUALITY TKSiDS
New River; and, major__tribut ar'leg
) A comprehensive water quality survey of the Kanavha-Iew River
basin was conducted In 19$* by the Wheeling Field Office, Ohio Basin
Region, Federal Water Pollution Control Administration—I/ During
_JL/ low the Wheeling Field Office, Surveillance & Analysis Division,
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III.
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this study, some 50 stream locations on the Sew River and major trib-
utaries were sampled an average of 16 times each during the four month
suir'.er period. In addition, the West Virginia Division of Water Re--
sources has maintained a network of approximately ten water quality
monitoring stations in the west Yirginia portion of this area since
196T.
The data from the 19$* study and the State monitoring network
was used in preparing portions of Table II and the maps accompanying
this report.
Additional speeial studies have been conducted by the Wheeling
Field Office in specific areas in recent years but these were of a
limited nature and the data is not sufficient for an adequate assess-
ment of present conditions of water quality trends.
In predicting water quality in. the years to come, it is assumed
that a large, coordinated effort will be undertaken by the Federal,
State and local governments to improve water quality by 1983.
Some municipalities and industries» including mining, have al-
ready made significant progress in reducing water pollution. The
construction and efficient operation of adequate municipal and indus-
trial waste treatment facilities throughout the basin will go a long
way toward achieving the desired water quality "by 1983.
Pollution from abandoned mines and non-point sources, resulting
from poor land-use practices, will be a continuing problem and is ex-
pected to be the dominant factor affecting water quality for many
years to come.
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Kanawha River main stem and tributaries
Beginning in 1958, a phased program was developed to clean up
the Kanawha River» spearheaded by the State and with the full coop-
eration of the industries and municipalities. The target pollutant
was BOD and load allocations were assessed on those involved in three
stages with the most recent goal due in January 1973. Three phases
progressively led to 85 percent BGDj- or first stage removals. There
is probably no other major river basin in the country showing the
progress achievement as has been demonstrated in the Kanawha valley.
The Wheeling Field Office of EPA and its various predecessors
have completed substantial surveys of the river during alternating
years beginning in 19&5* Other groups have also completed studies
with the most recent being a. major pre-enforcement conference study
conducted by the National Field Investigations Center, Cincinnati,
in 1972. All of these efforts have indicated a positive trend toward
water improvement and higher average levels of dissolved oxygen below
the industrial complex. A privately owned water company serving Nitro,
West Virginia, which has relied on carbon filtration to augment drink-
ing water treatment for removal of taste and odor constituents, has
found its need to recharge these units considerably lessened.
As technology allows a greater removal of the BOD components,
which are readily degradable, the emphasis will shift to the more
resistant or lesser degradable components. Little is known as yet
in the treatment of these as well as their possible synergistic
effects.
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Due to the complexity of the organics discharged and their un-
known interactions in addition to the results of recent bioassay sur-
veys, it is known that toxic effects are present. This area of tech-
nology remains as one of the most troublesome to define and predictions
of future water use become clouded in light of this.
SPA is yet to define the legally mandated best practicable treat-
ment (BPT) levels. Without this- determination, it is difficult, at
best, to project the future cleanup which may occur in the Kanawha,
It is, however, widely recognised that levels of attainment will
surely go beyond those presently achieved resulting in the predictions
of the water quality in the maps for 1977 and 1983- XT. is also assumed
that a toxic element list will "be promulgated by EPA requiring the re-
moval of many heretofore undealt with items.
As for the tributaries, if Paint Creek and Cabin Creek are sub-
jected to unforeseen remedial measures, it would be possible for their
restoration to primary warm water recreational areas.
The fish population of the Kanawha River, as reflected by annual
sampling upstream and downstream of the industrial complex, indicates
a decline of pollution sensitive fishes at the Wlnfield sample point
(downstream of pollution sources) in comparison with the sampling at
London5 West Virginia (upstream of pollution).
However, the samples collected ;"fi 1967-1970, in comparison with
une sample collected in 193& by the ORSANCO-University of Louisville-
study, indicates the fishery quality arid quant.* «y has significantly
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improved at the location downstream of the pollution source complex.
The fishery composition at Winfield has included several species
COJL .idered pollution sensitive1 and, although riot in abundance, their
consistent presence during the sampling period (1967-1970) certainly
indicates a trend of vater quality improvement.
Also, fish kills have been less frequent and sport fishing has
shown improvement during the early 1970's. However, fish kills
could be more common as water quality improves because of greater
number of fish than in the past.
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Table 1
Water Quality Requirements for
Recreational and Fishery Uses
PRIMARY RECREATION
AND COLD WATER FISHERY
Fecal Coliform
PH
Dissolved Oxygen
Temperature
Color and Turbidity
Dissolved Solids
Taste and Odor
Total Dissolved Gases
Swimming, diving, water skiing, wading
and dabbling by children. Involves con-
siderable risk of ingesting water in
quantities sufficient to pose a signi-
ficant health hazard. Protection and
propagation of cold water fish species
(Trout).
geometric mean not over 200/100 ml.
6.5 to 8.3 standard units.
minimum 6.0 mg/1 daily average.
maximum of 68° F or 5° F rise over
natural temperature.
minimum to allow Secchi disc to be
visible at one meter or maximum of
ten (10) Jackson Turbidity Units.
maximum of 500 mg/1 or 1/3 above
characteristics of natural conditions,
whichever is less.
none present in such amount which
will interfere with water contact
use or in amount which will impart
taste to fish flesh.
not to exceed 110 percent of existing
atmospheric conditions.
PRIMARY RECREATION
AND WARM WATER FISHERY
Swimming, diving, water skiing, wading
and dabbling by children. Involves con-
siderable risk of ingesting water in
quantities sufficient to pose a signi-
ficant health hazard. Protection and
propagation of warm water fish species,
i.e., gasses, catfish, etc.
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Table 1 (continued)
Fecal Col if or-n
pE
Dissolved Oxygen
Temperature
Color and Turbidity
Dissolved. Solids
Taste and Odor
Total Dissolved Gases
geometric mean not over 200/100 ml.
:'i.5 to 8.3 standard units,
mi nimrun 5 • 0 mg/1 as daily average
minimum if.O mg/1.
maximum 90° F or 5° F rise over
natural conditions.
minimum to allow Secchi disc to be
visible at one meter or, maximum of
(10) ten Jackson Turbidity Units.
maximum of 500 mg/1 or 1/3 above
characteristics of natural conditions,,
whichever is lesser.
none present in such amount which will
interfere with water contact use, or
in an amount which will impart taste
to fish flesh.
not to exceed 110 percent of existing
atmospheric conditions.
SECpmjARY ^REGREATlOlf Ala)
COLD WATER.FISHERY
Total Coliform
pll
Dissolved Oxygen
Temperature
Color and Turbidity
All other recreational uses except
Primary Recreation. Protection and
propagation of cold water fish species
(Trout).
maximum geometric mean of 10,000 per
100 ml.
o»0 to 9-0 standard units.
minimum of 6,0 mg/1 daily average.
maximum 68° F or 5° F rise over natural
temperature.
maxiKum of ten (10) Jackson Turbidity
Units.
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Dissolved Soxids
Taste and Odor
Totsu. Dissolved 0-ases
-; above characteristics of natural
conditions.
none which vil.l impart, taste to fish
flesh <
not to exceed 110 percent of existing
atJHo spheric conditions *
WARM WATER FISHERY
Total Colii'oriL
All other recreational uses except
for Primary Recreation. Protection
and. propagation of warm water fish
species i.e. basses, catfish, etc.
geometric mean of 10,000 per
100 ml.
TDK
Bis solved Oxygen
Temperature
Color and Turbidity
Dissolved Solias
C.O to 9-0 standard units.
luiniraiiia 5-0 Big /I daily average.
lu L ntrfioE «4 . 0 mg/ 1 .
i&axinum. 90° F or no more than 5° F
rise over natural conditions.
iB.ax.umiG of fifty (5'-1) Jackson
Tiirbj dity Units .
1/3 above characteristics of natural
conditions.
Taste and Odor
none of vhich wall impart taste to
fish flesh.
r.i. •• i'.o exceed 110 percent of existing
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KEY TO TABU; II AM) III
"Primary Recreation and Cold. Water Fishery
Primary Recreation and Warm Water Fishery
Secondary Recreation and Cold Water Fishery
Secondary Recreation and ¥arzn wratex' Fishery
Not suitable for recreation and/or fishery
No data
SYMBOL
EPA U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
WV West Virginia Department of Natural Resources
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Kanawha Rive1" 'Basin Coord Iacting Con-mi itee
U. S. Department of tht Interior , Federal Water Pollution Control
Administration , Iedrt
ljlxJ^^^ Wheel ing
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Field Office, "W. ?a, , Ohio Basin Region, 1967.
Commonwealth of Virginia - Department of Conservation and Economic
Development, Division of Water Resources,
SSS2y££§S»J!i£i'- Kichnoncl,, Virginia 19^-7 •
CS, Wheeling Field.
•JTY . Mlieelin^
Off ice» Work Document llo, 1 ,
Field Office, Work Boe-jjsern. Tfr. Up.
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G3KTROL PRACTICKS,, national Field Investigations Center Cincinnati,
Ohio - October 1972
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