Section 319
NDNPDINT SOORHE PROGRAM SUGGEST STORY
Acid Mine Drainage Abated in Rock Creek
WatPrbndv Imnrnvpd
' } * '' " '
m'ne drainage from coal mines had decimated aquatic
life in a 4-mile stretch of Rock Creek. Best management
practices (BMPs) installed in the Rock Creek watershed, including removal of coal refuse
from streambank areas and treatment of creek water with limestone to increase pH, have
decreased acid loading to the creek, resulting in a reclassification from full nonsupport to
partial support for aquatic life and swimming on Kentucky's 303(d) list of impaired waters.
Problem
The upper portion of Rock Creek between the
Kentucky-Tennessee border and the stream's
juncture with White Oak Creek is designated
as a wild and outstanding natural resource
water. However, below the stream's juncture
with White Oak Creek, acid mine drainage,
from more than 40 coal mine portals and 8 coal
refuse dumps, has severely affected aquatic
life. In 1990 Kentucky listed Rock Creek on the
303(d) list as nonsupporting for aquatic life
and swimming. A total maximum daily load for
Rock Creek is under development.
Project Highlights
. ^-,:-,.
Bank restoration along Rock Creek has
reduced sediment loading by 500 tons
per year.
The Kentucky Division of Abandoned Mine
Lands led the implementation of Phase 1 of
the Rock Creek restoration project in spring
2000. Coal refuse that contributes to acidic
conditions in runoff was removed from the
banks of the creek, and open limestone
channels and a modified vertical flow wetland
system were installed to further neutralize
acidic drainage. Water in the creek was further
treated with monthly applications of limestone
sand to reduce acidity.
Results
Activities to date have dramatically improved
the water quality in the lower Rock Creek
watershed. Acid loading into the Big South
Fork of the Cumberland River from Rock Creek
has decreased from a monthly average of 110
metric tons to near zero. Removing 25,000
cubic yards of coal refuse from streamside
areas and revegetating the banks of Rock
Creek have reduced the sediment entering
the stream by 500 tons annually. Fish popula-
tions are improving in the lower Rock Creek
watershed, and the number and diversity of
fish species are increasing. Stations that once
supported no fish are now supporting fish.
Because of these improvements, Rock Creek
has been reclassified from full nonsupport to
partial support for aquatic life and swimming
on the 2002 Kentucky 303(d) list.
-------
Phase 2 of this project, already in the works,
includes installing more alkaline-producing
features in the watershed to ensure long-term
results in Rock Creek. These features will
reduce the need for monthly limestone dosing
of the tributaries. The 4 miles of Rock Creek
affected by acid mine drainage might become
a viable fishery thanks to the hard work and
cooperation of the many agencies involved.
Partners and Funding
The Rock Creek Task Force was formed in the
mid-1990s with the goal of restoring the lower
Rock Creek watershed. This group includes
12 state and federal agencies and conserva-
tion organizations. Under Phase 1, section 319
provided $200,000 in grant funding for the con-
struction of open limestone beds and removal
of coal refuse from the banks of the creek.
Other Phase 1 funding included $280,000
from the Appalachian Clean Streams Initiative,
$250,000 from a Personal Responsibility in a
Desirable Environment grant from the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
$160,000 from a Kentucky Abandoned Mine
Land Grant, and $80,000 from the U.S. Geologi-
cal Survey cost-share program.
BaL " ' • a • <*:»X5r?v5^*f'
Rock Creek bank before restoration.
Rock Creek bank after restoration.
'. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
"^ Office of Water
a Washington, DC
EPA841-F-05-004H
July 2005
For additional information contact:
Mark Carew
Kentucky Division of Abandoned Mine Lands
502-564-2141
mark.carew@ky.gov
------- |