United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of
Research and
Development
Industrial Environmental Research
Laboratory
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
EPA-600/7-77-090
August 1977
ELKINS MINE DRAINAGE
POLLUTION CONTROL
DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
Interagency
Energy-Environment
Research and Development
Program Report
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RESEARCH REPORTING SERIES
Research reports of the Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, have been grouped into nine series. These nine broad cate-
gories were established to facilitate further development and application of en-
vironmental technology. Elimination of traditional grouping was consciously
planned to foster technology transfer and a maximum interface in related fields.
The nine series are:
1. Environmental Health Effects Research
2. Environmental Protection Technology
3. Ecological Research
4. Environmental Monitoring
5. Socioeconomic Environmental Studies
6. Scientific and Technical Assessment Reports (STAR)
7. Interagency Energy-Environment Research and Development
8. "Special" Reports
9. Miscellaneous Reports
This report has been assigned to the INTERAGENCY ENERGY-ENVIRONMENT
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT series. Reports in this series result from the
effort funded under the 17-agency Federal Energy/Environment Research and
Development Program. These studies relate to EPA's mission to protect the public
health and welfare from adverse effects of pollutants associated with energy sys-
tems. The goal of the Program is to assure the rapid development of domestic
energy supplies in an environmentally-compatible manner by providing the nec-
essary environmental data and control technology. Investigations include analy-
ses of the transport of energy-related pollutants and their health and ecological
effects; assessments of, and development of, control technologies for energy
systems; and integrated assessments of a wide range of energy-related environ-
mental issues.
This document is available to the public through the National Technical Informa-
tion Service, Springfield, Virginia 22161.
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EPA-600/7-77-090
August 1977
> ELKINS MINE DRAINAGE
POLLUTION CONTROL
DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
by
Resource Extraction and Handling Division
Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
Edited by
PEDCo Environmental, Inc.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
Contract No. 68-02-1321
Project Officer
Ronald D. Hill
INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45268
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DISCLAIMER
This report has been reviewed by the Industrial Environ-
mental Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
and approved for publication. Mention of trade names or commer-
cial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation
for use.
11
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FOREWORD
When energy and material resources are extracted, processed,
converted, and used, the related pollution impacts on our envi-
ronment and even on our health often require that new and in-
creasingly more efficient pollution control methods be used.
The Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory - Cincinnati
(lERL-Ci) assists in developing and demonstrating new and im-
proved methodologies that will meet these needs both efficiently
and economically.
This report describes a demonstration project to correct
the environmental damage from abandoned surface and underground
coal mines. The methods utilized and their cost and effective-
ness are reported. The main body of the report is a summary of
all aspects of the project and should be of value to private,
state and federal agencies planning and conducting mine drainage
abatement projects for abandoned mines. The Appendix contains
detailed data and information that should be of value for
researchers and others wishing to better understand reasons for
variations in costs, effectiveness, and mine drainage quality
and quantity.
For further information the Resource Extraction and Han-
dling Division can be contacted.
David G. Stephan
Director
Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory
Cincinnati
iii
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ABSTRACT
Underground and surface coal mining operations have re-
sulted in degradation of the environment. Past mining opera-
tions continue to pollute streams with acid, sediment, and heavy
metal laden waters. Land disturbed during mining lies deluged,
and useless. In 1964 several Federal agencies in cooperation
with the State of West Virginia initiated a project to demon-
strate methods to control the pollution from abandoned under-
ground and surface mines in the Roaring Creek-Grassy Run water-
sheds near Elkins, West Virginia.
The Roaring Creek-Grassy Run watersheds contained 400
hectares of disturbed land, 1200 hectares of underground mine
workings and discharged over 11 metric tons per day of acidity
to the Tygart Valley River. The reclamation project was to
demonstrate the effectiveness of mine seals, water diversion
from underground workings, burial of acid-producing spoils and
refuse, surface mine reclamation, and surface mine revegetation.
Following a termination order in 1967, major efforts were
directed away from the completion of the mine sealings and
toward surface mining reclamation and revegetation. In July
1968 the reclamation work was completed with the reclamation and
revegetation of 284 hectares of disturbed land and the construc-
tion of 101 mine seals.
Results of an extensive monitoring program revealed that
some reduction in acidity load (as high as 20 percent during
1968 and 1969), and little if any in iron and sulfate loads and
flow have occurred in Grassy Run. Roaring Creek had an insig-
nificant change in flow as a result of water diversion, and a
decrease of 5 to 16 percent in acidity and sulfate load. Bio-
logical recovery in both streams has been nonexistent except in
some smaller subwatersheds. Good vegetative cover has been
established on almost all of the disturbed areas. Legumes
dominate in most areas after eight years. Tree survival and
growth has been good.
Average reclamation costs (at 1967 prices) were as follows:
surface mine reclamation - $4,150/hectare, seal construction -
$4,140/seal, and revegetation - $620/hectare.
IV
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword iii
Abstract iv
Figures vii
Tables x
Acknowledgments xiii
1. Introduction 1
2. Summary and Conclusions 2
3. Background 5
Acid mine drainage overview 5
Legislation, funding and site selection 6
Description of project site 8
Project objectives 10
Chronology of events 12
4. Preliminary Determination of Conditions 14
at the Project Site
Mining operations within the project 15
site
Reconnaissance of the Project Area 20
Geology 20
Hydrology of the project site 28
Land permits 73
5. Reclamation and Revegetation 74
Preliminary plans for reclamation and 74
revegetation
Reclamation project 76
Revegetation project 87
Cost of reclamation and revegetation 93
6. Postreclamation Conditions at the Project 108
Site
Mine seals 108
Chemical-physical characteristics of 109
surface waters
Surface runoff 120
Biological characteristics of surface 120
waters
Long-term evaluation 127
7. Special Studies 135
Revegetation feasibility studies 135
Infrared aerial photography study 136
Subsidence area grouting study 137
Vacuum filtration study 138
v
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TABLE OP CONTENTS (continued)
Halliburton mine seals study 138
Bureau of sport fisheries and wildlife 141
study
Treatment and revegetation of test plots 142
on reclaimed surface mines
References 147
Bibliography 150
Glossary 151
Appendices
A. Detailed information for subwatersheds A-2
B. Lease agreement B-l
C. Analytical procedures C-l
D. Associated reports D-l
VI
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FIGURES
No. Page
1 Location map of Elkins demonstration project 9
2 Pollution of the Tygart Valley River by 11
Roaring Creek - Grassy Run
3 Underground mine working 16
4 Surface mine working 18
5 Abandoned underground mine opening - 19
Roaring Creek, Site RT5-2
6 Abandoned strip mine - Kittle Run 19
7 Core drilling sites, gaging stations and 22
water quality points
8 Geological cross section of overburden 25
9 Diagram of drill core sample No. 18-3-22 29
10 Diagram of drill core sample No. 18-3-21D 30
11 Acid mine drainage contributions to 44
Roaring Creek by major tributaries - 1966
12 Acid mine drainage contributions to 51
Grassy Run - 1966
13 Location of biological sampling stations 55
14 Distribution of benthic invertebrates, Roaring 57
Creek, June 1964 to July 1967
15 Distribution of periphyton, Roaring Creek, 57
June 1964 to July 1967
16 Pre-mining hydrology 60
17 Post-mining hydrology 61
vii
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FIGURES (continued)
No. Page
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Water movement affected by strip and underground
mining (updip side of coal seam)
Water movement affected by strip and underground
mining (downdip side of coal seam)
Flow of water in underground mine
Location of work areas and sampling sites
Cross section of wet mine seal
Wet seal at Site RT9-11 with weir to measure
discharge rate and plastic pipe to draw off
air samples from within mine
Wet seal from outside mine
Construction of a compacted backfill with a
vibrating "sheeps foot" compacter
Contour backfill - Area 27
Typical contour backfill
Typical pasture backfill
Pasture backfill - Area 3
Swallow-tail backfill - Area 2
Typical swallow-tail backfill
Liming from bulk truck - Area 8
Seeding and fertilizing - Area 29
European black alder and Sericea lespedeza -
Area 10
Japanese larch - Area 22
Grass growth - Area 6
Sericea lespedeza growth - Area 10
^^^•••••••••••H
63
64
71
75
79
80
80
81
81
82
83
84
84
85
92
92
130
130
131
131
Vlll
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FIGURES (continued)
No. Page
38 Grass killed by acid water seeping from leaking 133
clay seals - Area 27
39 Gully formed where water from a grassed water 133
way was discharged over the outslope of a fill
area - Area 2
40 Plan view of remedial construction - Mine No. 140
RT5-2
41 Treatment of reclaimed strip mine - Plots 1 143
and 2
ix
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TABLES
No. Page
1 Chronology of Events 13
2 Coal Profile 26
3 Coal Analysis 27
4 Proximate Analyses of Sewell Seam - Rich 28
Mountain Near Elkins, West Virginia
5 Description of Precipitation Monitoring 32
6 Quarterly Precipitation Data 33
7 Location and Description of Water Monitoring 35
Sites
8 Annual Precipitation, Runoff, and Runoff 38
Coefficients for Roaring Creek, Grassy Run,
and Sand Run
9 Monthly Averages of Water Quality Data and 41
Loads for Roaring Creek From March 1964 -
December 1965
10 Summary of Water Quality Data for Roaring Creek 43
From March 1964 - June 1966
11 Major Underground Mine Discharges to 45
Roaring Creek - 1966
12 Sediment Discharge by Months for Roaring 47
Creek From 1965-1967
13 Monthly Averages of Water Quality Data and Loads 49
for Grassy Run from March 1964 - December 1965
14 Summary of Water Quality Data for Grassy Run 52
From March 1964 - June 1966
15 Sediment Discharge by Months for Grassy Run 53
From 1965-1967
x
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TABLES (continued)
No. Page
^^^fc™*""*' ^^^ftmm^SLm^mm
16 Physical Characteristics of Core Holes Drilled 66
in 1964
17 Fluctuations of Water Levels in Core Holes 68
18 Average Unit Costs of Construction Bid 77
19 Reclamation Work Performed 88
20 Species of Plants used for Revegetation 90
21 Seed Mixtures Planted 91
22 Tree Mixtures Planted 93
23 Cost Analysis Breakdown 94
24 Reclamation Project Cost Breakdown Summary of 97
Equipment Time
25 Clearing and Grubbing Costs for 651 Acres 99
26 Cost of 55 Masonry Seals 99
27 Clay Compacted Seals 101
28 Surface Mine Reclamation Costs for 651 Acres, 101
3,060,000 Cu. Yd. Moved
29 Revegetation Cost for 709 Acres 104
30 Cost Breakdown of Revegetation, Dollars per Acre 105
31 Direct Cost of Surface Reclamation by Various 106
Methods of Selected Work Areas
32 Cost Comparison of Seal Construction 107
33 characteristics of the Discharge from Under- 110
ground Mines Before (1966) and After Air Sealing
34 Effectiveness of Mine Seal RT 9-11 111
35 Summary of Annual Data for Station Gl, Mouth 113
of Grassy Run, and Station R-l, Mouth of
Roaring Creek
XI
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TABLES (continued)
No. Page
36 Summary Data, Mabie Subwatershed Before and 115
After Reclamation
37 Summary Data, North Branch Flatbush Fork Sub- 117
watershed Before and After Reclamation
38 Summary Data, Lower Kittle Run Subwatershed 118
Before and After Reclamation
39 Summary Data, Upper Kittle Run Subwatershed
Before and After Reclamation
40 Pollution Loads and Their Sources, Upper Kittle 121
Run Subwatershed
41 Benthic Organisms, Roaring Creek, March 1970 123
42 Benthic Organisms Collected Before and After 125
Reclamation of Mined Areas
43 1973 Evaluation of Conditions at Selected Work 129
Areas
44 Soil Analyses of Sewage Sludge Plots Before 144
and After Initial Application
xii
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Elkins Mine Drainage Demonstration project was a
cooperative effort between the State of West Virginia, U.S.
Bureau of Mines (USBM), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) (formerly U.S. Bureau of Sport
Fisheries and Wildlife) and the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) (formerly part of Department of Health, Education
and Welfare and the Federal Water Quality Administration FWQA).
The Soil and Conservation Service, U.S. Forest Service and
Tygart Valley Soil Conservation District provided assistance in
the revegetation aspects of the project.
Overall direction of the project was by William E. Bullard,
FWQA. The project was originally directed by a Technical Com-
mittee made up of Lowell Van Den Berg, FWQA, Chairman; Steve
Krickovic, USBM, Houston Woods, State of West Virginia, and
George Whetstone, USGS. Other key individuals during the con-
duct of the project were Robert Scott, EPA, James Boyer and
Charley Finely, USBM, Willard Spaulding, Jr., and Charles Burner,
USFWS, Jack Gallaher, USGS, and Edward Henry and Ben Green,
State of West Virginia.
This report was prepared by the following EPA personnel:
Ronald D. Hill, Robert Scott, John Martin and Roger Wilmoth all
of the Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory, Cincinnati,
and Richard Warner of the Field Investigation Center, Denver.
Richard 0. Toftner, Jack Greber, and Anne Cassel, PEDCo Environ-
mental, Cincinnati, edited and prepared the final draft of the
report. Information and data collected by the cooperating
agencies were used freely throughout the report.
Xlll
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SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION
It has long been known that coal mining activities often
severely degrade the quality of nearby ground and surface waters,
chiefly through acid drainage. Acid discharges are known to
occur centuries after a mine has been closed and abandoned. In
1964 the Congress authorized funds for a demonstration project
to demonstrate the efficiency and cost of mine sealing, water
diversion channeling, and other procedures for reclamation of
mined areas. This report describes a demonstration project
undertaken jointly by U.S. Bureau of Mines, U.S. Geological
Survey, U.S. Sport Fisheries and Wildlife (now U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the
State of West Virginia in the vicinity of Elkins, West Virginia
and known as the Elkins Mine Drainage Pollution Control Demon-
stration Project.
This report provides detailed background information
concerning the mine drainage problem, the legislation and
funding, the project site, and project objectives (Section 3).
It provides baseline information with respect to prerecla-
mation conditions at the site, i.e., the effects of mining
operations, topography, geology, and hydrology (Section 4).
Reclamation and revegetation procedures undertaken in the
course of the project are described in Section 5, with informa-
tion on costs of equipment and operations.
Section 6 describes postreclamation conditions at the site,
as indicated in several site assessments since the project
terminated in 1967. Detailed postreclamation analyses of the
several watersheds encompassed by the project are given in the
appendices, together with a detailed chronology and other infor-
mation to support evaluation of the project and its results. In
the appendices, the study area has been divided into smaller
watersheds with detailed data presented for each of the units.
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SECTION 2
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
A project was conducted near Elkins, West Virginia to
demonstrate methods to control acid mine drainage (AMD) pollu-
tion resulting from inactive surface and underground coal mines.
Methods to be demonstrated were: air sealing of underground
mines, diversion of surface waters from underground mine work-
ings, burial of acid-producing spoils and coal refuse, reclama-
tion of surface mines and revegetation of surface mines. Be-
cause of a reduction in the air sealing portion of the project,
air sealing could not be evaluated except at one small under-
ground mine.
Conclusions drawn from this study were as follows:
1) Air sealing of one small underground mine resulted in
the reduction in the oxygen to 7 percent temporarily
with a final stable concentration of 13 to 15 percent.
Average reduction in acidity, iron and sulfate after
equilibrium was 51, 30, and 43 percent respectively.
2) Although the large underground mine (several thousand
hectares) was not completely sealed and thus could not
be monitored for the effectiveness of a sealing pro-
gram, it was the conclusion of the investigators that
a mine of this type was not applicable to the air
sealing technique. This mine contained hundreds of
openings by mine adits, shafts, and interconnections
of surface and underground mine workings. In addition
it contained thousands of subsidence areas, and
numerous fractures, cracks, etc. as a result of
mining. All of these avenues for air to enter the
mine would have been impossible to seal within eco-
nomic bounds. Thus with each change in barometric
pressure, air moves in or out of the mine.
If air sealing is to be effective in the reduction of
acid mine drainage, then the mine would probably have
to have these characteristics: a) minimum of adits,
(b) thick consolidated overburden with no subsidence
and limited fractures, (c) several hundred feet of
consolidated material between the mine workings and
the outside.
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3) Direct evidence that water diversion was successful in
reducing the volume of water discharging from the
underground mine or increasing the surface runoff was
not apparent from the data collected, because of the
inadequacies of the monitoring system, (i.e., lack of
continuous monitoring of stream discharges). Observa-
tions of increased peak flows and local flooding
appear to indicate that the diversion was successful.
4) Acid mine drainage concentration and pollution loads
were highly dependent on climatic conditions, espe-
cially precipitation. For this reason comparison of
yearly or even monthly before and after reclamation
water quality data was difficult. This finding is
evident from the data which showed general improvement
of the water quality throughout 1969 and 1970, but a
decrease in 1971 as a result of one month of very high
precipitation which resulted in the flushing of large
volumes of AMD from the underground mines.
5) Those subwatersheds primarily impacted by surface and
not underground mines showed the greatest improvement.
Although good vegetation was established on most areas
the residual acidity, sulfate and other ions remaining
in the backfill material continued to leach for years
after reclamation was completed.
6) Except for a few small areas a good vegetative growth
was established on all reclaimed area. The addition
of agricultural lime and fertilizer was greatly
responsible for this success.
7) Grasses exhibiting the best growth were tall fescue,
oat grass, orchard grass and Kentucky bluegrass.
Weeping love grass was a good nurse crop and survived
two years. Barley was also a good nurse crop.
Sericea lespedeza, birdsfood trefoil and alsike were
the dominant legumes.
8) Best tree survival and growth was obtained from
European black alder. Pines, Japanese larch and black
locust also were successful. Tulip poplar and white
oak in general had poor survival where the spoil
material was of poor quality.
^
9) Dense growth of grasses and legumes did not appear to
affect the growth survival of the older and other
trees that were taller than the grasses and legumes.
Pine survival did not appear to be affected, but
growth was probably slower because of competition from
the grasses and legumes.
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10) The stream biota in areas heavily polluted by acid
mine drainage had limited numbers and diversity
indicating a highly stressed condition. In those
streams having improved water quality, greater popula-
tions of more sensitive species were present after
reclamation.
11) Some reduction in acidity load (up to 20 percent) and
little if any in iron and sulfate loads and flow have
occurred in Grassy Run as a result of the reclamation
efforts in the Roaring Creek watershed.
12) Roaring Creek had an insignificant change in flow as
a result of water diversion, and a decrease of 5 to 16
percent in acidity and sulfate load.
13) Average reclamation costs were as follows: surface
mine reclamation - $4,ISO/hectare, seal construction -
$4,140/seal, and revegetation - $620/hectare at 1967
prices.
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SECTION 3
BACKGROUND
ACID MINE DRAINAGE OVERVIEW
Mining activities in the United States have long been
recognized as major contributors to the pollution of ground and
surface waters. One of the most serious pollution problems
arising from mining activities is acid mine drainage resulting
from the chemical reaction of sulfide minerals (commonly iron
sulfides) and air in the presence of water. This type of reac-
tion is common in coal mining areas since sulfur-bearing mate-
rials, usually pyrite or marcasite, are found in the coal seams
themselves and in the overburden covering the coal.
Discharge of acid mine drainage from coal beds has polluted
our streams and rivers since early times. The drainage pollu-
tants affect water quality by lowering the pH, reducing natural
alkalinity, increasing total hardness, and adding undesirable
amounts of iron, manganese, aluminum, and sulfates. The tangible
costs of this pollution are those involved in replacing equip-
ment corroded by the acid water, costs of additional treatment
at municipal and industrial water treatment plants, and costs
resulting from damage by corrosion of steel culverts, bridge
piers, locks, boat hulls, steel barges, pumps, and condensers.
Intangible damages, which are real and important, include de-
struction of biological life of streams, reduction of property
values, and restriction of the recreational uses of polluted
streams.
The major problems of mine drainage occur in the anthracite
and bituminous coal regions in Appalachia. Although significant
mine drainage problems occur in specific areas of the western
mining states, the overall problem is not as great as in the
eastern states.
Acid mine drainage results from mining and emanates from
both active or abandoned strip and underground mines. Pollution
studies in Appalachia have revealed that inactive underground
mines contribute 52 percent of the acid, active underground
mines 19 percent, inactive surface mines 11 percent, and active
surface mines 1 percent. Most of the remaining sources are in
combination surface-underground mines (1).
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Statistics are available which indicate how serious and
widespread the problem of acid mine drainage is. The Bureau of
Sport Fisheries and Wildlife canvassed state governments in 1963
to determine the effects of acid mine drainage on fish habitats.
The poll showed that such pollution — virtually all from coal
mines — had already eliminated fish in nearly 9654 kilometers
of streams and 6075 hectares of ponds, lakes, and reservoirs in
20 states (2). In 1970, estimates by the Federal Water Quality
Administration showed that more than 19,308 kilometer* of streams
in the United States were significantly degraded by mining
related pollution. Of the total affected streams, 16,920
kilometers or approximately 88 percent of the damage was located
in the Appalachian coal region. An additional 965 kilometers of
streams reportedly were degraded by coal mining in states in the
Illinois, Western Interior, and Rocky Mountain coal regions (3).
LEGISLATION, FUNDING AND SITE SELECTION
By the late 1950's and early 1960's acid mine drainage had
become a subject of major concern to those involved in pollution
abatement. In 1962 the Committee on Public Works, House of
Representatives, in House Report No. 306 (87th Congress, 1st
Session) requested the Secretary of the Department of Health,
Education, and Welfare (DHEW) to undertake a study of water
pollution caused by acid mine drainage. This study was made by
the Department's Division of Water Supply and Pollution Control.
The study report, submitted to the second session of the 87th
Congress in April 1962, was reproduced as House Committee Print
No. 18 (4). This report analyzed the nature and scope of the
acid mine drainage problem and recommended procedures for
lessening it. The recommendations were as follows:
"In keeping with the appraisal of the mine drainage problem
it is recommended -
I. That a three-point concurrent program for dealing with
the acid mine drainage problem be considered.
These are:
(a) A sealing program directed at sealing abandoned
mine shafts and other drainage openings, surface
cracks, crevices, and sink holes at acid-producing
mines so located and so situated as to be ame-
nable to seal construction.
(b) A stepped up research program in Federal, State,
and interstate organizations for developing other
measures applicable to those mines where sealing
is not practical or effective.
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(c) A stream and acid flow regulation program to be
employed where sealing or other methods are
unable to reduce the acid content of the stream
sufficiently to meet water quality requirements
for all legitimate purposes.
II. That implementation of recommendation No. I be pre-
ceded by demonstrations of procedures and results of
• acid mine drainage control in 3 appropriate watersheds
containing between 50 and 100 abandoned coal mines
each from which acid water is now draining, the demon-
stration work would be carried out under the super-
vision of the W.S. and P.C. program of the Department
of Health, Education, and Welfare. The demonstration
would be accompanied by an adequate measuring system
to properly evaluate the results of the work. The
cost for such demonstrations is estimated at $5
million.
III. That the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
in cooperation with other Federal water resources
agencies proceed immediately under present legislation
with a comprehensive program of water resources
development including providing reservoir storage for
the release of water for quality control purposes.
IV. That Federal and State water pollution control enforce-
ment procedures be invoked where necessary to obtain
pollution abatement of acid drainage from active
mines.
V. That a continuing surveillance program with provision
for maintenance be incorporated in legislative actions
as a permanent measure of control under the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act.
VI. That uniform State laws be adopted covering the
control of acid mine or mine-related drainage.
VII. That the States take action to reclaim lands and water
laid waste by present and future strip mining."
Public Law 87-88, 88th Congress, authorized initiation of
the second recommendation, i.e., the demonstration program. The
overall responsibility of the program was delegated to the
Division of Water Supply and Pollution Control, U.S. Department
of Health, Education and Welfare (DHEW). [In several reorgani-
zations between 1962 and 1971, the group was known as the Federal
Water Pollution Control Adminstration and the Federal Water
Quality Administration; Federal water quality activities are now
in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)]. Also to partici-
pate in the demonstration projects were the U.S. Bureau of Mines
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(USBM), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Bureau of Sport
Fisheries and Wildlife (USBSFW), and the State mining, water
pollution, and reclamation agencies.
In Fiscal Year 1964, $250,000 was programmed by the Depart-
ment of Health, Education, and Welfare funds to get the program
underway. Fiscal Year 1965 funds of $1,270,000 were divided
into three categories: $170,000 for DHEW, $280,000 for the
Department of the Interior, and $820,000 for construction con-
tracts.
The Monongahela River Basin of West Virginia was chosen for
the first demonstration project because the Monongahela Enforce-
ment Conference that had taken place in 1963 showed acid mine
drainage to be a major problem in the basin. At a meeting in
Morgantown, West Virginia on February 13, 1964, a Technical
Committee was appointed to develop a report on several sites and
act as an advisory committee throughout the project. Between
February 13 and February 23, 1964, the Committee visited several
proposed sites, gathered all available background information,
collected water samples for analysis, and prepared a report
indicating the advantages and disadvantages of each site. The
Committee was instructed not to make recommendations. Streams
under consideration were Robinson Run, Dents Run, Scotts Run,
Shinns Run, Simpson Creek, Roaring Creek, Grassy Run, Beaver
Creek and Laurel Snowy Run. Robinson Run, Scotts Run and Dents
Run were eliminated early because the major sources of mine
drainage were pump discharges from active shaft mines. The
latter four streams were taken under final consideration and on
February 27, the report was submitted to DHEW. On March 2,
1964, the Department notified the Technical Committee that the
Roaring Creek-Grassy Run area near Elkins, West Virginia, had
been selected.
At the May 18, 1964, meeting of the Technical Committee,
several objections were raised about the Roaring Creek-Grassy
Run site, the major objection being that three mines were cur-
rently active in the watershed. A state official, when asked
for advice relative to the active mines, estimated that life of
the mines was less than a year each. The last of these mines
did not close, however, until August 1971, over six years after
the estimated closing. This delay made it necessary to adjust
some of the initial plans for the demonstration project.
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT SITE
The study site chosen for the demonstration project (Figure
1) comprises two watersheds near Elkins, West Virginia, draining
into the Tygart Valley River in the upper Monongahela and Ohio
Basins. The watersheds lie side by side; one, Roaring Creek,
covers about 72 square kilometers and the other, Grassy Run,
about 10 square kilometers. Both watersheds were included
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TYGART VALLEY RIVER
(1 FOOT = 0.305 METERS)
ROARING CREEK WATERSHED BOUNDARY
GRASSY RUN WATERSHED BOUNDARY
ROADS
Figure 1. Location map of Elkins demonstration project.
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because a subsurface network of coal mine passageways and gal-
leries interconnects them and mixes the percolating drainage
waters.
Three small towns are located within the watershed, Norton,
Coalton, and Mabie. Additionally about two dozen small farms
are located along the streams and on the ridges around the rim.
Total area under cultivation is not large, but cattle graze over
some of the forest area of the watershed. The cover is predomi-
nantly hardwood forest, with few openings. The basin has been
logged-over several times, but at present only a small amount of
timber is cut and that primarily for mine props. One county
road and four coal haul roads serve the watershed, and a U.S.
highway runs along the northwest rim.
Mining has been the major industry in this area and has
created by far the largest impact on the watershed. The first
mines opened in the late 1890's and mining continues today.
Approximately 1200 hectares have been underground mined and an
additional 400 hectares disturbed by surface mines.
Following years of extensive underground and open-pit
mining in the Roaring Creek-Grassy Run watersheds, the country-
side has become devastated and the flora and fauna of both the
terrestrial and aquatic environments have deteriorated signifi-
cantly. One of the more obvious adverse impacts of mining has
been the decline in sport fishing (2). Prior to 1941 a sport
fishery for wild brook trout was located in 64.4 kilometers of
Roaring Creek and its tributaries. As a result of extensive
mining from the 1940's, through the 1960's acid drainage in-
creased continuously in the watershed (see Figure 2). By the
mid-19601s (prereclamation) fish life existed in only four
limited areas comprising 14.5 kilometers of streams, and sport
fishing was all but nonexistent. In addition to destroying fish
life in the Roaring Creek and Grassy Run stream system, mining
activities in these and other watersheds eliminated sport
fishing in 90.0 kilometers of the Tygart Valley River and in
part of the 708 hectare Tygart reservoir by the mid 1960's. As
a result of mining, biota other than fish have also deteriorated
in the aquatic and terrestrial communities of the Roaring
Creek-Grassy Run watersheds.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The overall objectives of the project were to demonstrate
procedures for acid mine drainage control and to evaluate the
results and the costs of the work.
The general concept to be demonstrated within the Roaring
Creek-Grassy Run watershed was the air sealing of a large under-
ground mine, since the House Committee Print - Acid Mine Drainage
had concluded that: "Mine sealing offers the most promising hope
10
-------
Figure 2. Pollution of the Tygart Valley River
by Roaring Creek - Grassy Run.
-------
in abating acid formation. Water seals are preferable to air
seals on abandoned mines when conditions permit complete inunda-
tion of the mine. Sealing of abandoned mines and other mine
openings, where practical, should reduce the annual acid load by
60 to 70 percent."
Because of the complexity of the mine structures, described
in detail later in this report, it was necessary to reclaim
surface mines, fill subsidence holes, and remove refuse piles in
addition to building mine seals to accomplish air sealing.
CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS
A chronology is presented in Table 1. What follows is a
summary of major events.
Work on the demonstration project was carried out in three
phases: (1) site selection, preconstruction evaluation, and
reclamation planning; (2) construction of mine seals and re-
grading and revegetation of surface mines; and (3) project
evaluation. Phase 1, begun in March 1964 and completed in July
1966, was devoted to water quality surveillance (EPA); stream
gaging (USGS); surface mapping, investigation of mine conditions,
and designing control measures and reclamation planning (USBM);
securing land permits (W. Va.); and awarding the construction
contract (EPA, USBM). Sealing of the mines and concurrent
reclamation measures (Phase 2) were begun in July 1966 and ter-
minated in September 1967. Disturbed areas were revegetated in
the spring of 1968. Phase 3, evaluation of the effectiveness of
mine sealing and reclamation measures, is continuing.
12
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TABLE 1. CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS
1962:
April 1962:
Fiscal year
1964:
February 13,
1964:
February 13
to 20, 1964:
February 27,
1964:
March 2,
1964:
Fiscal year
1965:
January 1965:
January 18,
1966:
June 30,
1966:
July 1966:
August 10,
1967:
September 15,
1967:
i
November 17,
1967:
October 10,
1967:
July 1968:
January 1972:
The Committee on Public Works, House of Representatives,
in House Report No. 306 (87th Congress, 1st Session)
requested the Secretary of Health, Education, and
Welfare to undertake a study of water pollution
caused by acid mine drainage.
The Division of Water Supply and Pollution Control,
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare sub-
mitted their report on the effect of acid mine
drainage to the 2nd Session of the 87th Congress.
$250,000 was programmed from the Deparment of
Health, Education and Welfare to get the acid mine
drainage program underway.
A Technical Committee was appointed to develop a
report on several potential study sites and act as
an advisory committee throughout the project.
The Technical Committee visited a number of pro-
spective sites and gathered background information.
The Technical Committee submitted their findings
on the prospective sites to the Department of
Health, Education and Welfare.
The Department of Health, Education and Welfare
notified the Technical Committee that the Roaring
Creek-Grassy Run watersheds had been selected for
the project site.
$1,270,000 was alloted to the project. The funds
were divided among the cooperating agencies.
The U.S. Bureau of Mines prepared a report entitled
"Mining Inventory and Preliminary Guide to Reclama-
tion on Roaring Creek and Grassy Run Watersheds".
This report was the basis for the reclamation
program.
"Request for proposal'
the reclamation work.
was submitted to firms for
Eleven bids were received.
The reclamation contract was awarded to Franklin
W. Peters and Associates for $1,640,383.
Reclamation work began.
The FWPCA made the decision to terminate work.
A modified reclamation plan was developed.
The modified project was inspected and accepted
by the Government.
The revegetation project was started by the Tygarts
Valley Conservation District.
The revegetation project was completed.
All regular sampling at -the project site was con-
cluded.
13
-------
SECTION 4
PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION OF CONDITIONS AT
THE PROJECT SITE
Preliminary investigations and evaluations of the project
area were carried out in order to:
0 Provide detailed data to establish characteristics of
the site,
0 Determine control measures that could be applied,
0 Prepare specifications and design for the construction
and installation of control measures, and
0 Produce baseline data which could be compared to post-
reclamation data so the success of the project could
be evaluated.
The development of necessary information involved mapping
of the project site, delineation of past and present mining
operations, and geologic and hydrologic investigations. The
initial work also included securing permits to work on private
land in the project area.
The preliminary evaluations and investigations were carried
out by the various agencies involved in the demonstration pro-
ject:
1. EPA - Program supervision and direction, water quality
surveillance, cost accounting, and biological studies
of bottom fauna, algae, and plankton.
2. USGS - Stream gaging, mapping ecological structure and
groundwater movement, and survey of groundwater
quality.
3. USBM - Surface mapping, inventorying mine conditions,
drilling programs, and engineering design of control
installations.
14
-------
4. USBSFW - Inventorying fish populations before and
after control measures and studying fish in any
impoundments developed in the program.
5. State Agencies - Determining land ownership, securing
permits for access to property, and providing local
publicity.
6. EPA and USBM - Arranging work contracts, and inspecting
and accepting installed control procedures.
7. All agencies - Share in selecting sites and proposing
pollution control measures.
Since a number of agencies were involved in the project,
the tasks listed above were, for the most part, carried out
simultaneously.
MINING OPERATIONS WITHIN THE PROJECT SITE
A history of mining operations in the area was developed by
reviewing past records and literature and by interviewing local
officials and citizens.
Underground Mining
Early records indicate that the West Virginia Coal and Coke
Company was probably the first company to mine in the watershed,
starting an underground mine in 1895 at Coalton in the Kittanning
coal seam (Figure 3). Later the same firm opened a drift mine
at Norton. Other drift mines were operated over the years by
small independent coal mine operators in the southerly section
of the coal field in the vicinity of Coalton and Mabie. By
1940, the Norton mine had advanced south and intercepted the old
Coalton mine, forming a massive underground mine complex of
approximately 1214 hectares, not including a number of smaller
underground mines in the watershed, (Figure 3). One company
operated in the complex near Norton until August 1971. During
the last several years of operation it was primarily involved in
pulling pillars near the pit mouth.
The Kittanning coal seam dips to the north and also to the
west and lies above surface drainage; therefore, drift mouth
openings at Norton and Coalton were located on the downdip side
of the coal seam to realize the economic benefits of hauling
coal downgrade and to allow natural drainage from the mine. A
double entry system of mining was incorporated by driving
headings updip from the drift mouth and then driving the cross
or butt entries at right angles on each side of the main heading.
Generally, rooms were turned at right angles to the butt headings
at a predetermined distance apart, the distance between the
center-lines of adjacent rooms being equal to the width of the
15
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TY6ART VALLEY RIVER
0 2500 5000 FEET
I I I
(1 FOOT = 0.305 METERS)
V
^
r
i
v
*
PROJECT WATERSHED
ib UNDERGROUND WORKING
A MAJOR UNDERGROUND MINE OPENING
Figure 3. Underground mine working.
16
-------
room added to the thickness of the pillar between the rooms.
These rooms were driven perpendicular to the butt headings so as
to eventually interconnect.
The advance and retreat system was used on the butt entries.
The advance into the seam was made by driving several adjacent
rooms a predetermined distance at right angles to the butt
headings. Immediately after the rooms were driven, retreat was
made from the rooms by extracting the pillars on a 45 degree
angle. A 24-meter barrier pillar was left standing by the main
air course heading as a protective measure. Coal was extracted
by using an arcwall cutting machine, which cut overhead into
solid coal approximately 2.7 meters deep and 5.4 to 6.0 meters
wide: then the miner drilled the block of coal with a hand auger
and shot the coal with dynamite. The coal was hand-loaded into
mine cars and transferred by gathering motors to the main
heading, where the mine cars were pulled to the tipple outside
by a mainline motor.
During the period 1920-1924 mechanized mining (long wall)
was used at the Norton mine, one of the first mechanized mines
in the world. The long wall method utilized top machine cutters
and steel conveyors to mine and transfer coal to an outside
tipple or to a place where it was loaded into mine cars and
transferred by electric motor to the outside. The system of
mining did not prove to be economically feasible because exces-
sive man hours were required to move the cumbersome equipment
from one section of the mine to another. Mechanized mining was
therefore discontinued in 1924. It is estimated that 65 to 70
percent of the Kittanning coal in the watershed has been recov-
ered by the two mining methods just described.
Strip Mining
At the beginning of World War II (1942), contour strip
mining began at Norton. By 1950 almost all the outcrop encom-
passing the deep mines had been extensively surface mined,
resulting in more than 400 hectares of disturbed land in the
watershed (Figure 4).
Surface mining was accomplished by contour stripping the
coal at the outcrop. This method consisted of removing the
overburden from the mineral seam and following the outcrop
around the hill. The overburden was deposited along the outer
edge of the bench or pushed down the hillside. The spoil pile
often served as a dam, preventing water from leaving the pit and
directing it toward the highwall and the underground mine behind
(Figure 5). Surface mining intercepted the underground mines in
numerous places, diverting water directly into them (Figure 6).
17
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TYGART VALLEY RIVER
N
0 2500 5000 FEET
I I I
(1 FOOT = 0.305 METERS)
PROJECT WATERSHED
5$V-i,-. •,••:•••;••.
" <"W STRIP MINE AREAS
C CORE DRILL
18-3-2ID CORE HOLE NUMBER
Figure 4. Surface mine working.
18
-------
Figure 5. Abandoned underground mine opening
Roaring Creek, Site RT5-2.
Figure 6. Abandoned strip mine - Kittle Run,
19
-------
Because it was not required by mine laws during the period
of strip mining, little or no surface mine reclamation was
performed. Some locust seed was broadcast over a portion of the
strip mined area early in the 1950's. The limited vegetative
cover was volunteer growth consisting mostly of locust, wild
cherry, and aspen.
Quantity of Coal Mined
Total coal production for the watershed is not known.
Maximum annual production for the Coalton workings was 490,244
metric tons in 1942. The total amount of coal mined from the
entire complex (Coalton mine) can be estimated by assuming 1)
1200 hectares mined, 2) 70 percent extraction and 3) a 1.37-
meter seam. Based on these assumptions an estimated 13,475,000
metric tons were mined.
RECONNAISSANCE OF THE PROJECT AREA
The first field effort of the study involved detailed
reconnaissance of the project area by the cooperating agencies
to locate all openings where air and water could enter the
subsurface mine workings. Personnel of the USBM and EPA began
the survey by inspecting aerial photos and old mine maps. Later
they covered the watershed on foot to find any openings not
referenced on the maps and to identify fissures (subsidence
areas) created by settling of overlying rock when coal was
removed. The survey revealed several mine seals built more than
30 years before during a WPA project. Some 625 openings and
several thousand subsidence holes were identified.
GEOLOGY
Geology of the Roaring Creek-Grassy Run area was mapped by
the U.S. Geological Survey in 1967, and two reports have been
prepared. Englund, in 1967, prepared an administrative report
for the Water Resources Division, USGS (5). Gallaher prepared a
more detailed report in 1971 (6). These reports are summarized
in the following paragraphs.
Methods of Evaluation
Geological features were plotted, with the aid of aerial
photographs, on topographic base maps at a scale of 1:40,800.
Altitudes of contacts and coal beds were determined by hand
leveling or by aneroid barometer traverses, with readings cor-
rected for temperature and atmospheric variations. Exposed
stratigraphic sections were studied in road cuts and in the
highwalls of strip mines, and subsurface data were determined
from analysis of core samples. The core drilling program was
carried out by the Bureau of Mines and the Geological Survey.
The data provided information on both the geology and ground-
20
-------
water hydrology of the project area. Figure 7 depicts the
locations where core drilling took place. Exposures of coal at
mine openings, strip mines, prospects, and roadcuts were analyzed
and additional data relating to coal were obtained from mine
maps and core drill records. In compilation of the structure
contour map, and geologic map, field data were transferred to a
1:12,000 scale topographic base map. The field work was facili-
tated by the cooperating agencies, who furnished logs of drill
holes (core holes or bore holes), mine maps, and coal analyses.
Topography
The Roaring Creek-Grassy Run area includes the drainage
basins of Roaring Creek and Grassy Run in northwest Randolph
County, West Virginia (Figure 1). Both streams flow northward
into the Tygart Valley River and together drain an area of about
82 square kilometers. From the Tygart Valley River, the Roaring
Creek-Grassy Run area extends 11.2 kilometers to the south and
is bounded on the east by the crest of Rich Mountain and on the
west by the divide on the west side of Grassy Run. Outline of
the area is irregular, ranging from 7.8 kilometers wide at the
Tygart Valley River to 9.6 kilometers wide across the headwaters
of Roaring Creek.
The Roaring Creek area is situated near the east edge of
the Appalachian Plateaus (Figure 1) and is physiographically
divisible into two areas (Kanawha and Allegheny sections), each
closely related to the weathering characteristics and structure
of the underlying rocks. The Kanawha section comprises the
western two-thirds of the area. This section has gently dipping
beds of relatively nonresistant shale, siltstone, sandstone,
coal and underclay and exhibits maturely dissected topography
and dendritic drainage patterns. Most of the streams occupy
narrow V-shaped valleys that lie between broad flat uplands
supported by moderately resistant sandstone beds. Topography in
the eastern third of the area, from the base to the crest of
Rich Mountain, is typical of the Allegheny section of the
Appalachian Plateaus. On the west slope of the mountain, tribu-
taries of Roaring Creek downdip between cliffs and flatiron-like
ridges carved from moderately dipping sandstone and conglom-
eritic sandstone. Altitudes range from a minimum of 564.6
meters along Tygart Valley River to a maximum of 1116.9 meters
at the crest of Rich Mountain.
Physical Geology
The Roaring Creek-Grassy Run watersheds lie in the broad
Belington syncline, which is centrally located in the Appala-
chian geosyncline between relatively flat-lying rocks to the
west and more intensely folded rocks to the east. The trough
line of the syncline strikes irregularly northward across the
project area and plunges about 19 meters per kilometer in that
21
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TYGART VALLEY RIVER
RG-7
0 2500 5000 FEET
L I I
(1 FOOT = 0.305 METERS)
C CORE DRILLING SITE
© PERMANENT STREAM GAGE
A TEMPORARY STREAM GAGE
O STREAM QUALITY SAMPLE POINT
R6 RAIN GAGE
Figure 7. Core drilling sites, gaging stations and
water quality points.
22
-------
direction. In the western two-thirds of the area, which includes
the trough and west limb of the syncline, the rocks are gently
dipping as shown by structure contour lines drawn at the base of
the Kittanning coal bed and a correlative horizon. On the west
limb, the dip of the beds is generally less than 3 degrees,
ranging mostly from 19 to 47.5 meters per kilometer. Anomalies
include several small anticlines and synclines, in strip mines
at the head of Grassy Run, that strike N. 45°E. and have an
amplitude of less than 3 meters. The west limb also includes a
shallow syncline that strikes N. 30° E. 30° E. from the head of
Kittle Run to Grassy Run and merges with the Belington syncline
at Norton.
About 671 meters of sedimentary rocks of late Mississippian
to late Pennsylvanian age crop out in the Roaring Creek area.
Of this total, the basal 250 to 267 meters of the beds are
mostly marine rocks that are assigned to the Greenbrier and
Mauch Chunk formations of late Mississippian age. Outcrops of
these formations are limited to a few localities on the east
edge of the area. The remainder of the stratigraphic sections
consist largely of continental coal-bearing rocks of the New
River, Kanawha, Allegheny, and Conemaugh formations of early to
late Pennsylvanian age. These formations are at the surface in
nearly all of the study area but are locally covered by deposits
of Quaternary age.
The Allegheny formation of middle and late Pennsylvania age
is a coal-bearing sequence of sandstone, siltstone, and shale
that lies between the Kanawha and Conemaugh formations in West
Virginia. In the Roaring Creek area, it ranges from 81 to 92
meters thick. This formation includes a persistent clay bed at
its base, two economically important coal beds — the Clarion
and Kittanning — and a mapped sandstone member near its top.
The formation outcrops in nearly all of the area west of the
foot of Rich Mountain.
The Kittanning coal bed, the most widely mined coal in the
Roaring Creek area, has been nearly depleted by extensive under-
ground and strip mining. The bed has a maximum thickness of
about 3 meters, excluding partings, near Coalton in the trough
of the Belington syncline. Westward on the limb of the syncline
the bed is split into three benches by underclay and carbona-
ceous shale partings as much as 0.6 meter thick. Only black
carbonaceous shale and underclay were found at the position of
the Kittanning coal bed in the ridge that fringes the southwest
edge of the area. The Kittanning coal bed is composed mostly of
bright attritus with minor amounts of vitrain and dull attritus.
Lenses of pyrite and pyritic impure coal as much as 7.6 cm thick
are common in the bed.
The strata between the Kittanning coal bed and a mapped
sandstone member in the upper part of the Allegheny formation
23
-------
range from 26 to 38 meters in thickness and consist mainly of
medium-gray shale and silty shale (Figure 8). This part of the
formation also includes lenticular beds of fine- to coarse-
grained sandstone, siltstone, coal, underclay, and argillaceous
limestone. A persistent bed of canneloid shale, as much as 46
cm thick, occurs 0.6 to 0.9 meter above the Kittanning coal bed.
Analysis of Coal Mined in the Area
The upper, middle, and lower Kittanning coal seams are
found in the project area. Since the coal rises to the south
and east, the upper and middle Kittanning seam eventually
pinches out in the upper reaches of the Roaring Creek-Grassy Run
watershed.
Analyses indicate that Kittanning coal is of high-volatile
A-bituminous rank, with moderate to high sulfur and ash con-
tents. Results of sampling of the coal profile at two locations
in the Norton mine are presented in Table 2. A geological cross
section appears in Figure 8. Total thickness of the bed sections
ranged from 2.25 to 2.5 meters. The floor was clay and the roof
slate. Ash content ranged from 9.4 to 11.7 percent and sulfur
content from 0.6 to 0.8 percent, considered a low sulfur coal.
Seven additional samples were collected by the Bureau of
Mines in various work areas in early 1965. The analyses are
shown in Table 3.
Sewell coal is located at higher elevations on the east
side of the watershed. Analysis of Sewell coal is given in
Table 4. Sewell coal is a high-grade coal desirable for metal-
lurgical uses. It constitutes less of a pollution problem than
Kittanning coal which is more desirable as a steam or utility
fuel.
Logs of two cores recovered from drilled test holes are
shown in Figures 9 and 10. Locations of the test holes are
shown in Figure 7. These cores indicate the physical and
chemical properties of the overburden. Samples from core
18-3-22 (Figure 9) revealed above the coal at a depth of 16.3
meters a layer of material having a high pyritic content (9.96
percent). This layer is probably a major source of acid mine
drainage. Core 18-3-21D (Figure 10) also had a high pyritic
content in the overburden above the coal. Thus both cores
indicate that the overburden material contains considerably more
acid-bearing pyrite sulfur than does the Kittanning coal seam
and thus is probably the major source of the acid mine drainage.
24
-------
Top of Casing
Well Elevation 2,270 feet
Feet
0-26 Freeport sandstone
26-45 Siltstone and clayey shale
45-65 Impure clayey lime
65-85 Siltstone with sandy streamers (massive)
85-100 Sandstone with silt laminae
100-105 Shale with sandstone laminae
105-119 Carboniferous shale
119-127 Coal
127-129 Carboniferous shale
129-134 Sandstone with shaley partings
ifiifii
!^.---fc ••• fc-'-".> «^»BfS.J_.«<
I .1
ill
I . I
'.I.'
ill
I . I
' . ' . I
Figure 8. Geological cross section of overburden
(Bore hole No. 24 near Coalton, W. Va.).a
a To convert feet to meters multiply by 0.305.
25
-------
TABLE 2. COAL PROFILE'
Sample Location
Roof
Floor
Thickness of bed, inches
Bed
Description of Section
to
Moisture (As-Received)
Volatile Matter %
Fixed Carbon %
Ash %
Hydrogen %
Carbon %
Nitrogen %
Oxygen %
Sulphur %
Sulfate, S %
Pyrite, S %
Organic, S %
Norton No. 2 Mine - Right Rib,
4 Rt. entry to main haulage-
way, 1200 feetb from portal.
Draw Slate
Hard Clay Shale
90°
Lower Kittanning
10' + Black, carb. shale, 18"
Bright Coal-top coal left in
roof - 4" Bright Coal mined
1 1/2" Attrital Coal (Splinty)
8" Bright banded coal
1 1/2" Attrital Coal (Splinty)
3 1/2" Bright banded coal
1 1/2" Attrital Coal (Splinty)
1 1/2" Bright Coal
4 1/2" Attrital Coal (Splinty)
38" Bright banded coal with
thin splinty streaks
3" Shale parting
3" Attrital Coal (Splinty)
20" Bright banded coal
2" + Grayish Shale-Floor rock
3.1
27.2
58.4
11.3
4.9
73.8
1.4
7.8
0.8
0.11
0.06
0.61
Norton No. 2 Mine - Left Rib
50 ft. in.portal of C.
Kelley drift in highwall
18" Top Coal
Gray soft wet clay shale
99
Lower Kittanning
18" Top coal left in Roof
(Bright banded coal)
22" Bright coal mined
1/4" Fusain band
36 1/2" Bright banded coal
4" Shale parting
21" Bright banded coal
2" + Grayish, soft wet
clay shale
10.8
25.0
54.8
9.4
4.9
65.4
1.3
18.4
0.6
0.0
0.01
0.57
a
b
c
Data collected by U.S. Bureau of Mines, March 18, 1965.
To convert from feet to meters multiply by 0.305.
To convert from inches to centimeters multiply by 2.54.
-------
TABLE 3. COAL ANALYSIS
Work h
Area No.
44 (Fisher Strip)
6 (Flat Bush 13)
10 (Proud Foot)
39 (Norton #1)
21 (Sylvester)
33 (Norton 12)
36 (Norton #2)
Proximate Analysis
Moisture
2.9
2.3
2.6
2.4
3.5
3.1
10.8
Volatile
matter
28.0
30.2
28.8
30.2
28.8
27.2
25.0
Fixed
carbon
56.3
55.0
53.5
57.7
56.5
58.4
54.8
Ash
12.8
12.5
15.1
9.7
11.2
11.3
9.4
Ultimate Analysis
Hydrogen
4.8
5.0
4.8
5.1
5.0
4.9
4.9
Carbon
72.3
74.1
69.9
76.6
73.6
73.8
65.4
Nitrogen
1.5
1.5
1.4
1.5
1.5
1.4
1.3
Oxygen
7.9
5.8
6.4
6.3
7.6
7.8
18.4
Sulfur
0.7
1.1
2.4
0.8
1.1
0.8
0.6
Ash
12.8
12.5
15.1
9.7
11.2
11.3
9.4
to
FORMS OF SULPHUR:
As received
Moisture free
Moisture & ash free
Sulfate
Pyritic
Organic
.04
.04
.05
.41
.43
.50
.58
.61
.69
* Samples collected and analyzed by U.S. Bureau of Mines.
•All of above analyses are as - received.
Coal: upper, middle and lower Kittanning
See Figure 21 for location of work areas.
-------
TABLE 4. PROXIMATE ANALYSES OF SEWELL SEAM
RICH MOUNTAIN NEAR ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA
Moisture, %
Volatile matter, %
Fixed carbon, %
Ash, %
Sulfur, %
Calorific value, Btu
HYDROLOGY OF THE PROJECT SITE
Climate
Low
0.90
28.10
63.07
2.87
0.48
14,237
High
1.26
30.99
67.03
6.00
0.59
14,875
The climate of the project area is of the continental
mountainous type, with relatively cold winters and mild summers.
Long-term temperature averages at the Elkins Airport, altitude
599 meters, range from a monthly normal of 0.3°C in January to
21.1°C in July, with an annual average normal of 10.4°C. These
figures represent the conditions in the valley bottom, but daily
temperatures in higher regions (i.e., Rich Mountain) are about 6
to 8 degrees lower throughout the year.
Precipitation received by the basin is derived from mois-
ture-laden air from three main sources: (1) the southwesterly
flow of air from the Gulf of Mexico, (2) the easterly flow from
storms traveling up the Atlantic Coast, and (3) the northwesterly
flow of air that picks up moisture over the Hudson Bay-Great
Lakes region and generates frequent snow showers during winter.
Although intense thunderstorms cause local flooding during the
summer, basin-wide flooding occurs more frequently in early
spring as a result of general large-scale storms. Surface
runoff from these storms is sometimes intensified by snowmelt.
The Elkins long-term annual precipitation average is 1.19 meters.
There are four weather stations within a few miles of the
project area, but the climatological conditions at those sta-
tions vary considerably from those within the area of study.
Therefore, as a means of determining the seasonal and areal
distribution of precipitation within the project area, a network
of precipitation stations was established (Figure 7).
Rain Gages 1 and 2 (RG-1 and 2), in Mabie and Coalton
respectively, were installed in February 1965. TO indicate any
variations in precipitation caused by topographic or geographic
28
-------
53' 6"
S-l
S-2
S-3
S-4
53' 7 3/4"
p O o O O O
J -f y y -f
54' 3"
59' 7 1/4"
60' T/4";:
1 3/4" Gray clay shale containing some finely disseminated
organic matter and thin coaly streaks near base.
Non-organic sulfur 4.7, Pyrite 4.57%.
7 1/4" High ash bony coal contains clay and finely crystal-
line pyritic mineral matter.
Non-organic sulfur 10.1, Pyrite 9.96%.
Pyritic nodules.
Clay streak
2 3/4" Broken coal fragments indicating layer of medium to
coarse bonded bright coal.
2" Medium to coarse-banded bright coal rich in vitrain.
14" Mostly fine- to medium-banded bright coal with some
thin lenses and nodules of pyritic minerals.
4 1/4" Medium- to coarse-banded bright coal.
Non-organic sulfur 4.0, Pyrite 4.03%.
41 1/4" Large segments of solid coal core consisting of
finely- to medium-banded bright coal and containing
some thin lenses and nodules of pyrite.
5" Dark gray finely-grained micaceous sandstone con-
taining finely disseminated organic matter.
Non-organic sulfur 0.7, Pyrite 0.70%.
30" Light gray finely-grained micaceous sandstone.
62' 6 1/4"
Figure 9. Diagram of drill core sample No. 18-3-22
(Interval 53 feet 6 inches to 62 feet 6 inches).3
a To convert inches to centimeters multiply by 2.54; to con-
vert feet to meters multiply by 0.305.
29
-------
96'
:-i- 100' 4" xi
S-2
S-4
:-l- TOT 3"£d
107' 6"
63" Massive bedded varied layers of light and dark gray
silty clay
5 1/2" Interlaminated layers of silty clay, sand, and coal
containing thin lenses of finely crystalline pyritic
mineral matter. Non-organic sulfur 0.1, Pyrite 0.06f.
5 1/4" Dark gray silty clay shale containing finely dis-
seminated organic matter. Non-organic sulfur 6.7,
Pyrite 6.69%.
2 1/4" Finely banded bright coal with thin streaks pyritic
mineral matter.
9" Dary gray silty clay shale containing finely
disseminated organic matter.
6 1/2" Dark gray silty clay shale with finely disseminated
organic matter.
7 1/4" Black carbonaceous silty clay shaie with thin coal
streaks. Non-organic sulfur 1.0, Pyrite 0.93°;.
5 1/2" Solid coal core representing finely- to medium-banded
bright coal and containing thin partings of silty
clay and thin lenses of pyritic mineral matter.
33 3/4" Broken coal core, coal fragments indicate a finely-
to medium-banded bright coal containing silt arid
clay mineral impurities. Non-organic sulfur 2.5,
Pyrite 1,87%.
2 3/4" Interbanded coal and silty clay layers.
\
4 1/4" Gray silty clay shale with finely-disseminated
organic matter.
4 1/2" Dark gray silty clay shale with thin coal streaks.
2" Finely- to medium-banded bright coal with thin pyrite
streaks and thin films of sulfate mineral matter -
selenite - calcium sulfate on bedding planes. Non-
organic sulfur 2.1, Pyrite 1.77S.
8" Gray silty clay shale with increasing amount of sand
and mica in lower portion.
27 1/2" Fine grained, gray, micaceous sandstone containing
some finely-disseminated organic matter.
Non-organic sulfur 0.2, Pyrite 0.21%.
113' 6"
Figure 10. Diagram of drill core sample No. 18-3-21D
(Interval 96 feet to 113 feet 6 inches).3
a To convert inches to centimeters multiply by 2 54• to
convert feet to meters multiply by 0.305.
30
-------
location, six additional gages were later installed throughout
the area. Except for RG-6 on Rich Mountain, all gages were read
daily by observers. RG-6, the last to be installed (January
1967), was a recording rain gage. Table 5 briefly describes the
precipitation gages. Precipitation data obtained from each rain
gage are also contained in the Appendices.
Gages RG-1, 2, and 4 were used to determine precipitation
for Roaring Creek drainage area and rain gage RG-3 was used for
the Grassy Run watershed. Only partial records were available
at other sites as operation of some gages was discontinued in
September 1967.
Analysis of conditions within specific portions of the
project area, required development of detailed precipitation
data. Estimates for periods of missing records were based on
coefficients determined by comparing available records with
Weather Bureau records at Elkins, West Virginia. Missing data
for gages RG-1 and RG-2 were calculated by multiplying the
Elkins values by a coefficient of 1.2. Similarly, data for RG-3
and RG-5 were based on coefficients of 1.10 and 1.07, respec-
tively.
As shown in Table 6, the greatest precipitation was re-
corded at lower altitudes, as at Mabie (RG-1) and Coalton
(RG-2). This is probably related to release of moisture from
air moving across the high elevation of Rich Mountain. Also,
more precipitation fell at Norton (RG-3) than at the higher
elevation in the vicinity of Kittle Run. Generally, maximum
precipitation occurred during the second quarter.
Surface Water
As already indicated, the project area is drained by two
main streams discharging into the Tygart Valley River. The
smaller of these streams, Grassy Run, drains the northwest
portion of the project area and Roaring Creek drains the remain-
der. The main streams of Grassy Run and Roaring Creek are,
respectively, 4.5 kilometers and 20 kilometers long. Courses of
these streams and their major tributaries are shown in Figure 7.
Monitoring Points and Sampling Stations—
Monitoring stations were established throughout the water-
shed (Figure 7) to determine water quality and quantity. The
letter-and-number designation system for the monitoring sites
evolved according to the needs of the project. G, R, and T
refer to Grassy Run, Roaring Creek, and tributary streams,
respectively. Sites on the main stems of the streams are as-
signed a single letter; those on tributaries have the letter T
affixed. The RM prefix used near the old Mabie mine, work area
31
-------
TABLE 5. DESCRIPTION OF PRECIPITATION MONITORING
to
Gage
(RG)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Elkins W B Airport
Date of
Installation
Feb. 9, 1965
Feb. 10, 1965
Apr. 27, 1966
May 25, 1966
Apr. 30, 1966
Jan. 13, 1967
Sep. 2, 1966
May 25, 1966
Daily Records
Location
Mabie, W. Va.
Coalton, W. Va.
Norton, W. Va.
On Roaring Creek
East of Norton,
W. Va.
Upper Kittle Run
near Mabie, W. V<
Rich Mountain
Pumpkintown
Above Mabie,
W. Va.
nr. Elkins, W. Vc
Altitude
(above msl) ,
feetb
2240
2150
1940
2140
2335
i.
3235
2515
2475
.. 1970
Months of
record
83
71
31
18
68
11
15
18
73C
msl - mean seal level.
To convert feet to meters multiply by 0.305.
Years - Established 1899.
-------
TABLE 6. QUARTERLY PRECIPITATION DATA (INCHES)
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
Station/Quarter
1
2
3
4
Total Annual
1
2
3
4
Total Annual
1
2
3
4
Total Annual
1
2
3
4
Total Annual
Mabie
(RG-1)
12.72
11.65
8.95
6.68
40.00
10.42
12.14
15.06
9.01
46.63
13.79
16.74
16.22
11.43
58.00
8.73
12.69
11.54
12.15
45.11
Coalton
(RG-2)
12.43
11.20
9.37
6.47
39.47
9.97
11.57
15.85
8.72
46.11
14.23
15.59
15.26
12.16
57.24
8.74
12.26
11.36
12.06
44.92
Norton
(RG-3)
8.03
10.76
13.75
9.05
41.59
13.56
15.95
14.04
11.04
54.95
To convert inches to centimeters multiply by 2.54,
33
-------
31*, is a later designation indicating mine drainage monitoring
sites in that area. The numerical portions of the designations
vary in meaning and use. On the main stems the monitoring sites
are simply numbered sequentially in upstream order. The tribu-
taries are also numbered in upstream order, and a two-part
number is generally used to describe sites in their basins. The
first part is common to sites within a given tributary basin.
For example, those designated RT-6 are all within Kittle Run,
the sixth numbered tributary from the mouth of Roaring Creek.
Some sites in the southern part of the deep mine area are given
an additional letter, as RT8G-; these designations describe
sites in subtributary watersheds. The final number is part of
an upstream sequential system used to describe specific sites
within the tributary drainage system. Letters accompanying the
final number generally designate monitoring stations that were
added either to replace older stations performing the same
function or to provide additional data. A description of the
various stations sampled is presented in Table 7.
Stream Flow—
In 1964, personnel of the U.S. Geological Survey estab-
lished a surface water monitoring network as a means of deter-
mining the volume of water moving past certain points within the
project area, both at regular intervals and during periods of
unusually high or low discharge. The density and areal coverage
of the initial network were based on the premise that complete
restoration of the mined areas would be accomplished. About 140
stations were established and monitored. These included two
permanent gage houses constructed near the mouths of Roaring
Creek and Grassy Run, and less elaborate sites at the mouths of
tributary streams and at mine drains. In October 1967, two
continuous recording gage sites were established at the mouth of
Kittle Run (RT6-1) and on Flat Bush Run (RT9-2). Additionally,
many sites were selected for instantaneous measurement of flows
and seepage during high streamflow conditions. Water samples
for quality analysis usually were collected at the time of the
discharge measurements.
During the course of the project, changes were made in the
monitoring sites, based on their suitability for meeting spe-
cific needs. As reclamation work began, some measuring stations
were discontinued or shifted to nearby sites, and some were
added to the network.
* The project site was divided into a number of work areas
so that specific locations could be easily identified. Although
these work areas were developed principally for the reclamation
project, they are cited throughout the report for convenience.
(See Figure 21 for location).
34
-------
TABLE 7. LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF WATER MONITORING SITESa
Sample site
Purpose
G-l
G-2A
G-3
GT1-9
GT6-1
R-l
R-2A
R-3
R-5
R-6
R-7
R-8
RT5-1
RT5-2
RT6-1
RT6-2
RT6-2A
RT6-3
RT6-5
RT6-6A
RT6-9
Mouth of Grassy Run - monitoring overall effec-
tiveness of reclamation work on Grassy Run
Measure influence of reclamation work in Area
10 on Grassy Run
Same as G-2A
Same as G-2A
Same as G-2A
Mouth of Roaring Creek - monitor overall effec-
tiveness of reclamation
Influence of reclamation on Roaring Creek
Influence of Areas 11 and 44 when used with R-5
Influence of Areas 10, 12 - 20 when used with
R-2A
See R-3
Influence of Areas 23 - 24, 1 - 9, and 27 - 30
when used with R-7,
See R-6
Low level of pollution above most mining
Influence of diversion in Area 10
Mine sealing effectiveness in Area 22
Influence of diversion in Areas 10, 13, 15 - 20
Influence of Area 12
Wet seal Area 12
Wet seal Area 12
Wet seal Area 13
Wet seal Area 14
Wet seal Area 10
(continued)
35
-------
TABLE 7 (continued).
Sample site
Purpose
RT6-12
RT6-19
RT6-20
RT6-21
RT6-23
RT6-25
RT6-26
RT6A-1
RT8B-1
RT8B-2
RT8F-1
RT8F-5
RT9-2
RT9-3
RT9-11
RT9-23
T-l
T-2
RT6-6
RT6-12S
RT9-6
RT9-7
RT9-8
RT9-9
RT9-9S
Wet seal Area 18
Wet seal Area 20
Influence of Areas 13 - 18
Mouth of Area 10
Wet seal Area 10
Area 10
Wet seal Area 10 - shaft to main drainway
Wet seal Area 53
Influence of Area 44
Wet seal (near) Area 44
Influence of Areas 28-30
Wet seal Area 28
Influence of Area 1-9 and 23 - 24
Non-polluted water
Wet seal Areas 23-24
Influence of Areas 1 - 9, 23 - 24, and 27
Above influence of Roaring Creek-Grassy Run
Influence of Roaring Creek-Grassy Run
Surface runoff Area 17
Surface runoff Area 18
Surface runoff Area 3
Surface runoff Area 2
Surface runoff Area 1
Surface runoff Area 7
Surface runoff Area 6
See Figure 21 for location.
36
-------
Frequency of streamflow measurements at selected sites
varied considerably. Most of the water-stage measurements at
the two permanent stream gages were made by continuous recording
strip charts or by an automatic punch-tape device; periodic
supplementary discharge-rating measurements were made by USGS or
EPA personnel. These data are available from the USGS (7) . At
25 to 30 other critical sites, discharge measurements were made
weekly and at times of unusually high or low flow. At the
balance of the sites, discharge was measured monthly, seasonally,
or randomly, depending upon their purpose in the network. In
August 1968, discharge measurements and water quality sampling
were reduced to a bi-monthly schedule; after July 1971, the
operations were further reduced to a monthly schedule.
In October 1967 all construction work on the project was
terminated (except for revegetation). Since all work performed
by cooperating agencies was completed, EPA personnel monitored
the streams until January 1, 1972, at which time these follow-up
studies were concluded.
Runoff and Evapotranspiration—
Mean precipitation for Roaring Creek watershed was computed
by averaging monthly records for RG-1, 2, and 5. Precipitation
for Grassy Run was determined by records obtained at RG-3. Data
for missing records were computed on the basis of weather records
from nearby stations and the U.S. Weather Bureau at Elkins
Airport.
Precipitation and runoff data for the Grassy Run-Roaring
Creek watershed are presented in Table 8. Data are also given
for Sand Run, a nearby unmined watershed, to allow comparison of
runoff in mined and unmined areas.
Sand Run and Roaring Creek have similar runoff coefficients
and runoff fluctuates directly with the yearly precipitation.
Because the Roaring Creek watershed is large (72 square kilome-
ters) , and surface disturbance by mining is relatively small
(4.5 percent of the watershed), the effect of mining on the
precipitation/runoff relationship was insignificant. The water-
shed acts much like a watershed without mining. In contrast,
values for Grassy Run exhibit an unusually high runoff coeffi-
cient. Because the Grassy Run watershed is small (10 square
kilometers) the water diverted from Roaring Creek through the
underground mine to Grassy Run affects the runoff coefficient
significantly.
Increase in runoff in 1970 and 1971 on Grassy Run is attri-
buted to deep mining near Norton and to high-intensity, short-
duration storms. Although the mine at Norton was closed in
August 1971, considerable water was released from the mine
during retreating operations and subsequent removal of coal
37
-------
TABLE 8. ANNUAL PRECIPITATION, RUNOFF, AND RUNOFF COEFFICIENTS
FOR ROARING CREEK (R-l), GRASSY RUN (G-l), AND SAND RUN
Calendar
year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Station
R-l
G-l
Sand Run
R-l
G-l
Sand Run
R-l
G-l
Sand Run
R-l
G-l
Sand Run
R-l
G-l
Sand Run
R-l
G-l
Sand Run
R-l
G-l
Sand Run
Precipitation ,
inchesa
39.01
38.85
34.76
46.62
43.05
39.50
57.09
54.41
53.50
43.82
42.73
39.38
51.06
49.40
49.27
47.60
44.71
47.91
43.79
45.50
41.66
Runoff,
inches3
22.01
31.41
19.36
20.78
27.99
19.19
31.28
47.99
29.69
23.78
33.45
20.42
24.76
31.05
25.02
22.04
39.83
27.65
44.55
22.83
Runoff
coefficient
56
81
56
45
65
49
55
88
55
53
78
52
49
63
51
49
89
48
63
98
54
To convert from inches to centimeters multiply by 2.54.
38
-------
pillars just before its closing. During 1971, periods of high
rainfall during short-duration storms caused greater than normal
runoff. For example, more than 20 centimeters of rain fell on
the watershed within a 4-day period from September 12 to 15,
1971. This rain comprised 83 percent of the total precipitation
for the month and about 20 percent of the total precipitation
for the year. During this period the runoff coefficient was
very high.
Detailed data on the subwatersheds and individual dis-
charges are presented in the Appendices.
Chemical and Physical Characteristics of Surface Waters—
The water quality sampling program was established for two
purposes:
(1) To aid in location of sources of mine pollution, and
(2) To indicate the effectiveness of at-source acid mine
drainage control methods.
The first phase of this project was to locate all sources
of mine drainage in the study-area watershed. A survey was made
to locate all points of discharge into the principle streams,
Roaring Creek and Grassy Run. Each discharge was then sampled
and a chemical analysis performed. The analyses included pH,
acidity (hot), alkalinity, iron, sulfates, aluminum, specific
conductance, hardness, calcium, and magnesium. These water
quality data indicated the severity of pollution at each dis-
charge. With the aid of these data and mine maps, the reclama-
tion plan for the watershed was formulated.
Materials and methods for analysis of chemical and
physical characteristics—Since the purpose of the program was
to demonstrate methods of controlling acid mine pollution at its
source, it was imperative that the quality of the water be well
documented before and after installation of corrective measures.
Hence, water samples were collected not only from the mine
discharges but also from the major streams and tributaries.
Sampling sites along Roaring Creek and Grassy Run were selected
to determine the influence of the major mine discharges upon
sections of the stream. In this manner remedial work of a
specific type could be evaluated by its effect on a section of
stream or an individual discharge point. Since Roaring Creek
and Grassy Run both are tributaries to the Tygart Valley River
and are major sources of mine-derived pollutants of the river,
sampling stations were established on the Tygart Valley River
above and below the project area to show the influence of these
tributaries (See Table 7 for summary of sampling stations).
39
-------
In an effort to achieve a complete and meaningful picture
of water quality, an intensive sampling program was established.
The important mine discharge and stream sites were sampled on a
weekly schedule, the less important sites on a monthly schedule,
and a few sites on a work-load schedule. After the first year
following completion of reclamation, sampling frequency was
reduced to bi-weekly and for the last year, to monthly. The
major emphasis was placed on the two gaging stations at the
mouth of Roaring Creek and Grassy Run. As indicated earlier,
permanent USGS gaging stations were located at these sites to
provide continuous water flow records. During the early phases
of the project, continuous water quality monitors were operated
at these two gaging stations. These were later discontinued
because acid and sediment caused pump malfunctions, and iron
fouled the sensors. Weekly grab samples were used thereafter.
A flow measurement was made each time a water sample was
collected. Special samples were also collected for detailed
analysis of heavy metals.
Detailed data for each subwatershed are presented in the
Appendices. Following is a summary of the water quality studies.
Physical and chemical characteristics of surface waters
in Roaring Creek watershed—Monthly concentration and load data
for Roaring Creek(Table 9) show clearly that the stream is
grossly polluted with acid mine drainage.
The concentrations follow a seasonal pattern, the highest
concentrations occuring during the low-flow period of late
summer and early fall, and the lowest concentrations occuring
during high-flow periods in the spring. This pattern indicates
a dilution effect. However, since the load does not remain
constant, but follows a seasonal trend, other factors are in-
volved. During high-flow periods the concentrations remain
higher than they should if dilution is the controlling factor.
These high concentrations result from mine drainage pollutants
being flushed from the mining system. Morth et al. (8) have
reported on this phenomenon.
Table 10 summarizes the water quality of Roaring Creek
prior to construction.
An analysis was made to identify the tributaries making the
major contributions to Roaring Creek. As noted in Figure 11,
White's Run, Kittle Run, and Flatbush Fork contributed over half
of the pollution load. A significant amount of the load was
being discharged to Roaring Creek as direct runoff from mine
wastes. The major underground mine discharges to Roaring Creek
are listed in Table 11. As noted, 1383 metric tons of sulfate
were discharged from this source. The actual contribution of
underground mines was probably somewhat higher because of under-
40
-------
TABLE 9. MONTHLY AVERAGES OF WATER QUALITY DATA AND LOADS FOR
ROARING CREEK (R-l) FROM MARCH 1964 - DECEMBER 1965
Year
Month
1964
March
April
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1965
Jan.
Feb.
March
April
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Yearly
Flow, cfsa
Max.
64.00
183.00
41.00
44.00
8.40
12.00
40.00
6.60
35.00
103.00
374.00
289.00
317.00
185.00
37.00
8.00
9.30
1.20
1.40
3.50
5.50
10.00
Min.
48.00
42.00
20.00
7.80
0.90
0.80
0.30
1.60
2.40
17.00
37.00
26.00
58.00
90.00
10.00
1.14
0.78
0.15
0.37
0.79
1.26
4.10
Ave.
53.50
99.00
32.60
20.50
5.50
3.70
5.10
3.00
10.20
52.00
116.00
101.00
135.00
129.00
26.00
3.30
3.74
0.73
0.77
1.64
3.40
6.00
Acidity as CaCO->.
mg/1
60
42
60
45
86
139
164
142
95
48
66
57
38
46
65
149
163
261
242
238
231
137
lbs/dayB
17,302
22,411
10,542
4,968
2,546
2,766
4,494
2,286
5,215
13,450
41,263
31,025
27,649
31,984
9,107
2,637
3,276
1,018
992
2,094
4,227
4,425
2,920 Tons0
Total iron
mg/1
6.8
6.6
2.2
2.3
2.8
3.5
2.6
7.1
4.4
1.9
7.0
6.2
2.7
4.6
3.2
5.1
3.9
7.0
8.7
12.4
12.7
6.3
Ibs/day
1,961
3,522
387
254
83
70
71
114
242
532
•
4,376
3,374
1,965
3,198
448
90
78
27
36
109
232
203
204 Tons
Sulfate
mg/1
93
70
95
93
177
206
241
237
154
78
108
108
72
76
111
252
280
493
352
345
298
193
Ibs/day
26,818
37,352
16,692
10,267
5,239
4,099
6,603
3,816
8,455
21,856
67,522
58,784
52,387
52,843
15,551
4,460
5,628
1,923
1,443
3,036
5,453
6,234
5,002 Tons
Hardness as CaCCn
mg/1
47
37
58
53
85
149
195
156
111
54
50
53
40
40
58
124
137
279
234
187
148
104
Ibs/day
13,553
19,743
10,191
5,851
2,516
2,965
5,343
2,512
6,094
15,131
31,260
28,843
29,104
27,812
8,126
2,195
2,754
1,088
959
1,646
2,708
3,359
Specific
Conductance,
U mhos/cm
280
217
349
291
547
709
747
673
449
240
362
363
266
293
396
756
808
1,168
1,148
956
903
678
(continued)
-------
TABLE 9 (continued).
year
Month
1966
Jan.
Feb.
March
April
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
NOV.
Dec.
Yearly
Max.
40.00
142.00
259.00
37S.OO
213.00
38.00
12.00
26.00
30.00
79.00
26.00
275.00
Flow, Cfs*
Min.
9.00
28.00
26.00
53.00
24.00
1.10
0.22
2.70
3.00
8.60
.00
45.00
Ave.
25.00
61.00
81.00
150.00
77.00
16.46
3.26
11.90
14.50
30.40
18 . 60
112.25
Acidity
mg/i
81
85
76
52
78
98
270
187
157
78
58
59
3,9
as CaCOi,
lbs/dayb
10,911
27,939
33,174
42,042
32,370
8,692
4,725
11,994
12,270
12,780
,812
35,695
28 Tons
Total
mg/1
4.8
8.6
6.5
5.1
6.4
3.6
11.7
7.8
7.9
4.0
.2
.4
28
iron
Ibs/day
647
2,827
2,837
4,123
2,656
319
205
500
617
655
321
,872
0 Tons
Su]
rag/1
115
- 130
101
89
120
144
358
264
250
114
QC
95
88
5,84
.fate
Ibs/day
15,491
42,731
44,087
71,957
49,800
12,773
6,265
16,933
19,538
18,679
9C 1 Q
co o jt n
53, Z4U
2 Tons
Hardnes
mg/1
46
54
46
41
57
79
199
120
128
66
s as CaCOg
Ibs/day
6,196
17,750
20,079
33,149
23,655
7,007
3,483
7,700
10,003
10,814
Specific
Conductance ,
Vi mhos/cm
421
456
417
350
451
558
1,008
829
771
393
"* A 1
to
* To convert ft3/sec. to cm3/sec. multiply by 7.87.
b To convert Ibs/day to Kg/day multiply of 0.453.
c To convert short ton to metric ton multiply by 0.907.
-------
TABLE 10. SUMMARY OF WATER QUALITY DATA FOR
ROARING CREEK FROM MARCH 1964 - JUNE 1966
PH
Acidity (as CaCO.J
Iron (total)
Iron (ferrous)
Hardness
(total as CaCO_)
Calcium (as CaC03)
Magnesium (as CaCO.,)
Aluminum
Sulfate
Specific conductance,
ymhos/cm
Manganese
Zinc
Cadmium
Copper
Lead
Chromium
Maximum,
mg/1
4.1
318
19
3
381
151
70
29
520
1310
1.5
Minimum,
mg/1
2.7
19
0.8
0.5
25
•
19
6
0
29
110
0.8
Mean,
mg/1
3.3a
104
5.4
1.3
97
71
16
11
166
528
1.1
0.24b
0.01b
0.03b
O.lb
0.2b
Median.
b One sample.
43
-------
TYGART VALLEY RIVER
NOTE: FIGURE NOT
TO SCALE
Acidity
Iron
Sulfate
mg/1
107
6
155
Tons
3,928
280
5,842
Acidity
Iron
Sulfate
mg/1
192
76
638
Tons
847
136
1,064
Acidity
Iron
Sulfate
mg/1
87
4
140
Tons
681
42
1,046
Acidity 425 644
Iron 81 115
Sulfate 591 894
\^
Acidity
Iron
Sulfate
"ig/1
238
27
324
Tons
48
7
63
Acidity
Iron
Sulfate
mg/1
10
0.4
7
Tons
37
1.3
24
Figure 11. Acid mine drainage contributions to Roaring Creek
by major tributaries - 1966.a
a To convert short tons to metric tons multiply by 0.907.
44
-------
TABLE 11. MAJOR UNDERGROUND MINE DISCHARGES
TO ROARING CREEK - 1966
White ' s Run
RT5-2
Kittle Run
RT6-3
RT6-5
RT6-20
RT6-23
RT6-9
RT6-25
RT6-12
RT6-6A
Mabie Watershed
RT8F-1
Middle Roaring Creek
RT8F-5
RT8B-3
Flatbush Fork
RT9-11
RT9-5
RT9-20
TOTAL
Acidity,
tons
158
25
254
169
270
65
38
65
25
32
14
2
18
19
3
1157
Iron,
tons
32
1
22
35
61
15
9
15
3
5
1
-------
ground mine seepage that could not be measured directly. If it
is assumed that the above figure is correct for underground
mines, then 26 percent of the sulfate load in 1966 was from
underground mines and the remainder from other sources such as
spoil banks and refuse dumps. Sulfate was selected for the com-
parison because losses to neutralization and precipitation would
be minor as compared to acidity and iron.
Sediment discharge, as reported by the USGS, is presented
for 1965 and 1966 in Table 12. Flint reported that the sediment
yield was low, 0.04 kg/m3 runoff, and attributed this level to
the fact that the surface mines had been inactive for several
years.
Physical and chemical characteristics of surface waters
in Grassy Run watershed—The monthly concentrations and load
data for Grassy Run are presented in Table 13. The concen-
trations and loads follow the same seasonal trend shown for
Roaring Creek. While discharges from Grassy Run were slightly
less than from Roaring Creek, area concentrations and loads were
much greater than for Roaring Creek because Grassy Run is a
smaller watershed. In 1966 Roaring Creek discharged 3563 and
5299 metric tons of acidity and sulfate respectively, while
Grassy Run discharged 3529 and 4452 metric tons respectively.
During low-flow periods discharges from underground mines were
the major portion of the Grassy Run flow. During the wet spring
period, large quantities of pollutants were flushed from the
large underground mine complex. The locations of major sources
of acid mine drainage to Grassy Run are shown in Figure 12.
The major mine discharge, GT 6-1, contributed 55 and 51
percent of the acidity and sulfate loads, respectively, in 1966.
The water quality of Grassy Run is summarized in Table 14
and in the Appendices.
Sediment discharges as measured by the USGS are reported in
Table 15. Although the sediment concentrations were usually
higher than those in Roaring Creek, the level of 0.07 kg/m3
runoff is low for Appalachian streams. The surface mines, (3.6
percent of the watershed), were several years old, relatively
stable, and did not contribute major amounts of sediment.
Water quality summary for Roaring Creek and Grassy Run
watersheds—For the base year of 1966 the combination of Grassy
Run and Roaring Creek contributed acid mine drainage to the
Tygart Valley River in the following amounts: acidity - 7092
metric tons, iron - 709 metric tons, and sulfate - 97,511 metric
tons. Over half of this pollution load could be directly attri-
buted to the underground mines.
46
-------
TABLE 12. SEDIMENT DISCHARGE BY MONTHS
FOR ROARING CREEK FROM 1965-1967
1965
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
1566
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
Sediment
concentration ,
mg/1
16
48
42
8
4
7
11
1
11
4
3
18
86
23
40
39
7
5
17
Sediment
discharge,
tons
48
549
574
16
1
2
0.4
0.1
2
1
1
46
722
125
340
228
7
1
13
(continued)
47
-------
TABLE 12 (continued).
September
October
November
December
1967
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
Sediment
concentration ,
mg/1
13
119
36
26
16
24
172
16
116
83
68
240
751
Sediment
discharge,
tons
13
267
81
149
47
108
3,330
85
1,420
138
161
475
942
To convert short tons to metric tons,
multiply by 0.907.
48
-------
TABLE 13. MONTHLY AVERAGES OF WATER QUALITY DATA AND LOADS
FOR GRASSY RUN FROM MARCH 1964 - DECEMBER 1965
Year
Month
1964
March
April
May
June
July
August
Sept.
October
Nov.
Dec.
1965
January
Feb.
March
April
May
June
July
August
Sept.
October
Nov.
Dec.
Yearly
Flow, cfsa
Max.
29.00
8.00
4.40
2.90
2.00
5.00
1.70
2.60
12.00
28.00
23.00
23.00
23.00
9.20
4.40
1.85
1.20
1.30
1.20
1.30
1.30
Min.
8.50
3.80
2.30
1.70
1.20
0.80
0.90
0.90
4.10
5.50
8.80
11.00
14.00
3.60
1.85
1.00
1.00
0.76
0.76
0.76
0.76
Avg.
16.40
5.43
3.26
2.15
1.60
1.51
1.24
1.38
6.84
13.76
12.37
15.60
17.00
6.45
2.62
1.60
1.05
0.92
0.93
1.07
0.96
Acidity as CaCOs v
mg/1
688
468
675
605
696
722
810
809
781
480
623
621
409
489
576
644
627
794
714
755
658
624
Ibs/day
41,367
19,751
10,630
8,060
6,224
6,585
5,404
5,803
17,693
45,903
41,402
34,389
44,807
20,022
9,093
5,405
4,486
3,534
3,783
3,790
3,226
3,715 tons0
Total Iron
mg/1
104
84
107
88
113
117
130
127
117
69
146
129
80
93
110
99
94
113
105
110
106
98
Ibs/day
7,425
3,131
1,546
1,309
1,009
1,059
848
869
2,543
10,757
8,600
6,726
8,521
3,824
1,398
810
638
520
551
611
507
715 tons
Sulfate
mg/1
963
672
983
973
1,054
1,294
1,380
1,299
1,192
748
964
1,069
706
750
963
1,056
1,108
1,215
806
988
928
908
Ibs/day
59,398
28,763
17,096
12,205
11,154
11,219
8,67.7
8,857
27,571
71,028
71,270
59,360
68,723
33,474
14,911
9,551
6,865
3,990
4,950
5,345
4,694
6,314 tons
Hardness as CaCOj
mg/1
374
299
464
480
471
597
627
567
566
421
367
417
280
289
379
457
476
519
533
457
449
425
Ibs/day
26,429
13,577
8,434
5,454
5,146
5,098
3,788
4,205
15,518
27,041
27,801
23,542
25,481
13,174
6,453
4,103
2,932
2,638
2,290
2,586
2,197
Specific
conductance ,
p mhos/cm
1,600
1,412
1,988
1,841
2,070
2,073
2,134
2,039
1,960
1,534
1,562
1,660
1,233
1,302
1,580
1,623
1,622
1,765
1,836
1,600
1,568
1,428
10
(continued)
-------
TABLE 13 (continued).
year
Month
1966
January
Feb.
March
April
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Yearly
Flow, cfsa
Max.
3.60
20.00
25.00
36.00
26.00
3.60
1.80
2.90
6.50
4.50
2.30
21.00
Bin.
1.50
3.60
4.50
8.00
4.50
2.20
1.90
1.20
1.70
1.50
1.40
5.50
&vg.
2.48
8.90
9.80
16.00
11.25
2.76
1.55
2.00
3.12
2.40
1.70
10.57
Aciditv as CaCOi.
mg/1
596
631
758
505
723
826
870
692
612
670
794
213
Ibs/day"
7,963
30,269
40,038
43,551
43,836
12,283
7,265
7,460
10,288
8,663
7,273
12,135
3,891 tons
Total Iron
mg/1
98
125
152
98
142
146
138
104
93
124
149
93
Ibs/day
1,309
5,996
8,029
8,452
8,609
2,171
1,152
1,121
1,563
1,603
1,365
5,298
691 tons
Sulfate
mg/1
813
813
872
620
885
1,004
1,073
936
888
878
996
698
Ibs/day
10,862
38,999
46,059
53,469
53,658
14,929
8,960
10,090
14,927
11,353
9,123
39,765
4,909 tons
Hardness as CaCOa
mg/1
363
351
353
254
382
474
511
449
390
390
~
~
Ibs/day
4,850
16,837
18,645
21,905
23,161
7,048
4,267
4,840
6,556
5,043
~
—
Specific
conductance ,
limhos/cm
1,462
1,395
1,604
1,226
1,648
1,836
1,995
1,964
1,818
1,765
1,968
1,351
*To convert
To convert
°To convert
ft /sec to cm /sec, multiply by 7.87.
from Ibs/day to kg/day, multiply by 0.454.
from short tons to metric tons, multiply by 0.907.
-------
N
mg/1 tons
ACIDITY 683 3,89
IRON 115 691
SULFATE 873 4,909
mg/1 tons
ACIDITY 720 273
IRON 103 36
SULFATE 963 316
mg/1 tons
ACIDITY 66 111
IRON 3 4
SULFATE 244 412
mg/1 tons
ACIDITY 1,185 "27163
IRON 240 445
SULFATE 1,371 2,513
NOTE: FIGURE NOT
TO SCALE
A MINE OPENING
• STREAM QUALITY
SAMPLING POINT
Figure 12. Acid mine drainage contributions to
Grassy Run - 1966.a
a To convert short tons to metric tons multiply by 0.907,
51
-------
TABLE 14. SUMMARY OF WATER QUALITY DATA FOR GRASSY RUN
FROM MARCH 1964 - JUNE 1966
pH
Acidity (as CaCO_)
Iron (total)
Iron (ferrous)
Hardness (total as
CaCOs)
Calcium (as CaC03)
Aluminum
Sulfate
Specific conductance,
(ymhos/cm)
Manganese
Zinc
Cadmium
Copper
Lead
Chromium
Boron
Molybdenum
Silver
Nickel
Cobalt
Vanadium
Barium
Strontium
Total carbon
COD
Maximum,
mg/1
3.4
980
260
7.0
744
380
72
1650
2320
2.9
1.0
<0.01
0.2
<0. 1
<0.02
<0.02
0.3
<0.01
0.3
0.1
<0. 1
<0. 1
0.08
<1
153
Minimum,
mg/1
2.4
208
31
1.8
146
223
10
310
720
1.2
0.3
<0.01
0.1
<0. 1
<0.02
<0.02
0.1
<0.01
0.2
0.1
<0 . 1
<0. 1
0.06
<1
<40
Mean,
mg/1
2.8a
656
110
4.4
420
308
38
950
1670
1.7
0.5
<0.01
0.15
<0 .1
<0.02
<0.02
0.1
<0.01
0.26
0.1
<0 .1
<0 . 1
0.07
<1
-
Median value.
52
-------
TABLE 15. SEDIMENT DISCHARGE BY MONTHS FOR GRASSY RUN
FROM 1965-1967
1965
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
1966
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
1967
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
Sediment
concentration ,
mg/1
51
77
53
16
19
33
19
33
32
20
18
66
147
54
153
32
11
12
39
22
32
41
27
20
27
188
22
42
11
52
34
83
Sediment
discharge,
tonsa
25
106
101
8
4
5
2
3
3
2
2
18
140
40
173
29
2
2
6
5
7.0
9
17.0
9
16.0
650
19
73
14
« — •
16
To convert short tons to metric tons, mulitply by
0.907.
53
-------
The monitoring stations on the Tygart Valley River were
inadequate for measuring the effects of Grassy Run and Roaring
Creek on the river because the discharge from the two streams
did not readily mix with the river.
Biological Characteristics of Surface Waters—
As indicated earlier, the chemical compounds common to
drainage water from coal mines include sulfuric acid and the
acid salts of iron, aluminum, zinc, lead, and copper. Complex
mixtures of these chemicals may be toxic to animals in the
concentrations commonly encountered (9).
Aquatic organisms respond in many ways to various types of
pollution. Waters that are not polluted are generally inhabited
by great varieties of organisms, both tolerant of and sensitive
to pollution. Conversely, polluted waters generally support
only a few varieties of organisms that are tolerant of the
pollution (these tolerant organisms may also inhabit nonpolluted
waters, along with pollution sensitive organisms). For these
reasons, comparisons of organisms in polluted waters with those
in similar, nonpolluted waters are useful in delineating the
effects and extent of pollution.
In the Roaring Creek and Grassy Run watersheds, one would
suspect that the large quantities of acid mine drainage pollu-
tants have produced highly restrictive environments capable of
supporting only a specialized assemblage of tolerant plants and
animals. With this in mind, biological surveys were conducted
at the project site in order to:
(1) describe the biological communities present in the
streams of the watershed prior to reclamation,
(2) assess the effects of acid mine drainage on the biota
of the streams, and
(3) generate baseline data to be compared to postreclama-
tion data.
The investigations were carried out in the mainstream of Roaring
Creek and in several selected tributaries. The biology of
Grassy Run was not evaluated.
Materials and methods (benthos and periphyton)—The bio-
logical investigations were carried out simultaneously with the
physical-chemical studies. Campling was done at 15 stations
along Roaring Creek and selected tributaries (Figure 13). The
studies were conducted during winters, springs, summers, and
falls from June 1965 to July 1967. Qualitative samples of
bottom-dwelling invertebrates were collected by picking and
scraping the bottoms of rocks and logs and by agitating debris
in a sieve (U.S. Standard No. 30). No quantitative data are
54
-------
TY6ART VALLEY RIVER
0 0.5 1 MILE
(1 MILE = 1.61 KILOMETERS)
Figure 13. Location of biological sampling stations,
55
-------
available. Benthos samples were preserved in 10 percent formalin
solution. Qualitative samples of periphyton were collected by
scraping rocks, twigs, and other substrates. Qualitative sam-
ples were examined live, then were preserved in 5 percent for-
malin for detailed examination at high magnification. Diatoms
were incinerated in nitric acid and potassium dichromate and
permanently mounted on microscopic slides and examined at
1,175X.
Identification of most of the algae and benthic organisms
was done at EPA water quality laboratories at Cincinnati, Ohio.
Material and methods (fish)—In 1965 the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service completed an initial quantitative and qualita-
tive inventory of the fish populations within the Roaring Creek
watershed. Existing upstream and downstream limits, densities,
and species compositions of the fish populations were determined
and mapped.
Results (benthos)--Some benthic invertebrates in Roaring
Creek and its tributaries resisted the toxic effects of the acid
mine drainage and the deleterious effects of smothering blankets
of deposits of iron salts better than did others (10). The
polluted reaches of Roaring Creek (median pH values of less than
3.8) supported far less diversity of bethnic communities than
did those reaches less heavily polluted by mine drainage.
Preferences for certain physical habitats influenced the distri-
bution of pollution-tolerant species; for example, Chironomus
plumosus was most abundant in reaches with a soft stream bed,
and Ptilostomis sp. inhabited slack-water reaches. Some investi-
gators have concluded that the distribution of acid-tolerant
Tendipes (Chironomus) plumosus in coal-mine drainage was depen-
dent on the presence of submerged leaf litter (11).
Headwater and tributary reaches of Roaring Creek not
severely polluted by acid-mine drainage (median pH values of 4.5
and greater) supported relatively complex communities of benthic
animals; for example, stations R-9 (pH 5.7), R-8 (pH 4.5), RT10-
1 (pH 5.1), and RT10-2 (pH 4.9) were each inhabited by 25 or
more species (10). Conversely, stream reaches that received
heavy loadings of acid supported fewer species of invertebrates;
many of these species also inhabited nonpolluted reaches. All
mainstream reaches of Roaring Creek downstream from Station R-7
(river km 14.1), the reaches most heavily polluted, were inhab-
ited by fewer than 13 invertebrate species, and the most severely
polluted reaches were inhabited by less than 9 kinds of benthic
invertebrates (Figure 14). Tributary streams very near mine
sources (e.g., station RT5-1) were often uninhabited, and never
supported more than 3 kinds of invertebrates.
A number of bottom-dwelling animals, including the alder
fly (Sialis sp.), the bloodworm midge (Chironomus plumosus) and
56
-------
pH:
MAJOR ACID
i wvv\ri\ nw*ii/
TAXA: =TRIBUTARIES TAXA: | MAIN STREAM ^SOURCES
Figure 14. Distribution of benthic invertebrates, Roaring Creek,
June 1964 to July 1967. (1 mile equals 1.61 kilometers).
12 n 10 9
8765
RIVER MILES
1 0
Figure 15. Distribution of periphyton, Roaring Creek,
June 1964 to July 1967. (1 mile equals 1.61 kilometers)
57
-------
other species of Chironomidae, and the dytiscid beetle, toler-
ated very strong concentrations of acid mine wastes. These
forms were locally abundant in severely polluted reaches; up to
16,675 individuals per m2 of Chironomus plumosus were collected
(with an Ekman dredge) from a swampy area having a median pH of
2.8. During the summer months, the caddis fly, Ptilostomis sp_._,
was found in slackwater reaches of all stations, regardless of
the pH of the stream.
Most sensitive to acid pollution among benthic inverte-
brates of common occurrence in headwater and nonpolluted reaches
were black flies, crayfish, May flies, stone flies, and many
species of caddis flies. All of these forms were repeatedly
collected at stations with median pH values of 4.5 and higher
but were never collected from reaches with median pH values
below 4.5.
Results (periphyton)—Periphytic communities in Roaring
Creek responded to the effects of acid mine pollution in a
manner similar to that of the benthic invertebrates. Stream
reaches with little or no acid pollution (pH 4.9 and higher)
supported diverse periphytic communities consisting of 33 or
more species (10). Conversely, severely polluted stream reaches
(pH 3.8 and lower) were inhabited by fewer than 20 species. The
smothering effect of heavy blankets of iron salts influenced the
periphytic communities. For example, station R-7 (pH 3.5), in a
stream bed heavily coated with iron salts supported only up to
13 periphyton species; stations R-6 (pH 3.6) and R-5 (pH 3.6),
with clean stream beds, supported 19 and 18 species, respec-
tively (Figure 15). Tributary streams near mine openings (e.g.,
RT5-1) supported no more than 10 species, and at times no more
than 3 species were found in such places.
Among the 64 species of periphyton collected from Roaring
Creek 10 species (Ulothrix tenerrima, Microthamnion strictis-
simum, Microspora pachyderma, Closterium acerosum, Chlamydomonas
sp., Eunotia exigua, Pinnularia termitina, Frustulia rhomboides,
Surirella ovata, and Euglena mutabilis) were particularly toler-
ant of severe acid mine-pollution. Only Ulothrix tenerrima,
Pinnularia termitina, Eunota exigua, and Euglena mutabilis were
present in large numbers, always in the more acid reaches. Some
tributary streams in which the major portions of flow originated
from mines contained flowing masses of Ulothrix sp. with some
Eunotia sp. and Pinnularia sp. The beds of other tributary
streams were coated with green slimes of hundreds of thousands
of individuals of Euglena sp^ per cm2 (estimated by exposing
glass slides in the stream for 2 to 6 weeks, then counting the
attached algae), mixed with large numbers of Pinnularia sp. and
Eunotia sp. Although other tolerant species of algae were found
inhabiting the acidic reaches of Roaring Creek, they were never
abundant.
58
-------
Results (fish)—Fish generally do not inhabit waters
severely polluted by mine drainage (12 and 13). The surveys of
Roaring Creek by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service revealed
fish populations inhabiting only those reaches of the stream
where the median pH was 4.9 or higher (R-9, pH 5.7; RT10-1, pH
5.1; RT10-2, pH 4.9; and two small nonpolluted tributaries).
Fish found in the Roaring Creek basin were brook trout (Salve-
linus fontinalis), mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdi), blacknose
dace (Rhinichthys atratulus), and creek chub (Semotilus atroma-
culatus). The greatest production of fish was 24 kilograms per
hectare, recorded in Seven Pines Run. The largest fish encoun-
tered was a brook trout measuring 20 centimeters in length and
weighing 113 grams.
Thirteen species of fish were found in the Tygart Valley
River 2.4 kilometers above the junction with Roaring Creek. The
river at this point is a popular sport fishing area and samples
disclosed a fish population of 1610 kilograms per hectare. The
sample obtained 2.4 kilometers below the convergence of Roaring
Creek and Grassy Run disclosed no fish life.
Groundwater
Basic Groundwater Patterns—
There are basic groundwater patterns which are character-
istic to all watersheds. These generalized patterns are dis-
cussed in the following paragraphs according to several situa-
tions which can exist in a watershed. These situations include:
0 Pre-mining hydrology.
0 Post-mining hydrology.
0 Water movement on updip side of a coal seam.
0 Water movement on downdip side of a coal seam.
In a watershed without mining, precipitation that reaches
the land surface either returns to the atmosphere by evapo-
transpiration, enters surface waters by runoff or enters the
groundwater. Figure 16 depicts a typical premining situation.
Prior to mining, relatively small amounts of water percolate
downward because of the relative impermeability of the under-
lying rock.
The effect of underground mining and the subsequent frac-
ture of overlying formations is to reverse the relative amounts
of runoff and downward percolation. The gross permeability of
soil and rock formations changes radically. In areas where
fractures approach the land surface, the situation shown in
Figure 17 occurs. Water moves downward easily through the
fracture system at the expense of normal surface runoff. This
59
-------
PRECIPITATION
Figure 16. Pre-mining hydrology.
-------
PRECIPITATION
Figure 17.
Post-mining hydrology.
-------
is a typical situation in the mined portions of the project area.
At sites where both deep and strip mining have occurred,
the hydrology is slightly more complicated, as shown in Figure
18. Water enters the underground mine not only through the
fractured overburden, but also as surface drainage down the face
of the highwall and into the underground workings. This situa-
tion was noted in large portions of Roaring Creek. When the
slope of the mine is reversed, as in Figure 19, water discharges
from mine openings and fractures in the highwall and moves
through and over the spoil piles enroute to the surface streams.
This situation was found in the Grassy Run watershed.
The sketches and the situations described here were found
throughout the project area. In some areas, especially those
with thick overburden above a deep mine, the fractures probably
do not approach the surface. In these areas the surface runoff
is probably unaffected; however, as the water moves downward
across the land surface, there is ample opportunity for inter-
ception by fractures and subsidence features, which are preva-
lent near the highwalls of strip mines. An actual example of
this situation is a stream located near Coalton that completely
disappears into the underground workings.
In and near a mined-out area, the mine floor can be con-
sidered as the base level that governs the movement of water
entering the hydrological system as precipitation. A layer of
impervious clay underlies the coal. Water enters the mine from
above and moves downward through formations varying in perme-
ability according to their degree of fracture. Additionally,
artesian pressure within the formations that underlie the mine
floor is probably great enough to cause some upward movement of
water into the mines.
Troughs and ridges in topography also divert and direct
movement of the mine water. At the Elkins site, troughs and
ridges influence water flow in such a way that the initial
movement of water is down the flanks and toward the axes of
synclinal structures. The final movement is northward following
the plunge of major synclines at a rate of 9.6 to 12.4 meters
per km. The axes of the West Fork of the Belington syncline and
of the main Belington syncline pass through the mine drains at
GT-6-1 and the main portals, GT-1-2, respectively. Separating
these two synclines is an anticlinal fold of low amplitude.
Drilling Program—
An integral part of the drilling program was to utilize the
boreholes not only for study of the subsurface geology and
extent of underground mines, but also as groundwater observation
wells. In 1964, 28 boreholes were drilled. In addition, private
and municipal wells, mostly in the unmined part of the watershed,
were inventoried.
62
-------
PRECIPITATION
u>
Figure 18.
Water movement affected by strip and underground mining
(Updip side of coal seam).
-------
PRECIPITATION
:COAL MINE
P^
Figure 19.
Water movement affected by strip and underground mining
(downdip side of coal seam).
-------
Core hole numbers used in the text and on the maps of this
report are abbreviations of a three-part numbering system of the
USGS in the West Virginia District. Holes drilled during 1964
are numbered from 15 through 37b, their locations are shown in
Figure 7. The wells and springs inventoried in 1966 are num-
bered 38 through 174. Shortly after the initiation of the
project, private wells and springs were no longer sampled.
Most of the 28 holes drilled for the project in 1964 were
sited above or very near the deep mine so as to indicate the
lateral extent of the mine. Some holes penetrated solid coal
and others entered the void spaces and fracture systems of the
mined-out areas. Some of the physical characteristics of these
holes are listed in Table 16.
Eighteen of the holes were drilled with coring equipment
for a total depth of 963 meters. The remaining ten were drilled
by large-diameter cable-tool drill; total depth was 390 meters.
Extensive fracturing was noted in many parts of the project
area. The cluster composed of core holes 2la, b, c, and d is a
prime example. While drilling core hole 21d, operators noted
considerable fracturing and core loss below a depth of 30.5
meters. The water level in nearby core hole 21a rose 10.4
meters because of the entry of drilling water from 21d. In view
of the tightness of formation and the short time involved, it is
assumed that movement of water was through part of a fracture
system.
By 1967 only 658.8 meters of the original 1353 meters of
core hole depth remained effective. Most of the loss was
attributed to water loss in the wells due to fractures in the
strata or to plugging by collapse of the borehole. Loss figures
also include the immediate loss of core holes 15, 27, and 28
which were not completed and later losses that occurred when
core holes 23, 30, 31, and 32 were plugged so that they would
hold water.
Some losses are attributed to rock collapse above the deep
mine and, to a lesser degree, to continued mining activity. The
attrition due to collapse is prolonged and apparently involves a
series of subsurface movements. Core hole 26b, for example,
although protected by heavy-duty casing, lost 12.2 meters of
depth in at least three increments of 4.6, 4.1 and 3.5 meters.
The losses related to continued mining often involved core
holes that penetrated supporting pillars of coal. Subsequent
pillar robbing removed the water-bearing strata from around the
core holes and the local water table dropped to the level of the
water on the mine floor. This was probably the case with core
hole 36a, whose water level rather abruptly dropped from a range
of 623.8 meters above mean sea level (msl) to 622.6 meters above
65
-------
TABLE 16. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CORE HOLES DRILLED IN 1964
en
Core
hole
number*
15
16
21a
21b
21o
2 Id
22
23
24
25
26a
26b
26c
27
28
29
30
31
32
33a
33b
34
35
36a
36b
36o
37a
37b
Type of
hole
Core
Core
Cable tool
Cable tool
Cable tool
Core
Core
Core
Core
Core
Core
Cable tool
Cable tool
Core
Core
Core
Core
Core
Core
Cable tool
Cable tool
Core
Core
Cable tool
Cable tool
Cable tool
Core
Core
Casing
diameter,
inches"
2 1/2
2 1/2
6
6
6
2 1/2
2 1/2
2 1/2
2 1/2
2 1/2
2 1/2
6
6
2 1/2
2 1/2
2 1/2
2 1/2
2 1/2
2 1/2
6
6
2 1/2
2 1/2
6
6
6
3
3
Depth
when drilled,
feet0
177
243
175
147
54
378
66
135
134
294
198
195
59
114
114
157
125
105
204
172
136
257
223
156
117
69
133
162
Depth
when finished,
feetc
0-dry
243
175
147
54
378
66
81
134
294
198
195
59
0-dry
0-dry
157
78
78
146
172
136
257
223
156
117
69
133
162
Depth
in 1967,
feetc
0-dry
243
170 -
135d
54
plugged
62
79
127
290
194
155d
39
od
Od
157
68
68
146
159d
136d
243
221
154d
113d
58d
133d
162d
Msle altitude,
bottom of
present hole
—
1876
2232
2277
2357
—
2112
2180
2043
1914
2203
2246
2339
—
~
2261
2295
2345
2213
2156
2170
2059
2275
2029
2074
21.28
2133
2104
Msle altitude,
base of
mined coal
—
2140
2256
2256
2255
~
2060
2127
2148
2054
2240
2240
2240
—
~
2254
2239
2313
2154
2173
2173
2205
2493
2042
2042
2042
2123
2123
See Figure 7.
To convert inches to centimeters multiply by 2.54.
To convert feet to meters multiply by 0.305.
Dry or otherwise useless as observation wells.
Msl - mean sea level.
-------
msl. According to the mine map and log of the well, 622.6
meters represents the altitude at the base of the mined coal.
In similar instances, mining has resulted in drainage of
water from enclosing rock near core holes, probably the cause of
the drying up of core holes 33a, 37a, and 37b. The mining may
not have been in the immediate area of the core holes but it was
close enough to affect the hydrology of the groundwater.
The water-level measuring point for all project core holes
is at, or very near, the top of the casing. In dug core holes,
a reference mark was usually affixed to the inside, upper por-
tion of the casing. The altitudes of these reference points
were determined by instruments for all core holes drilled in
1964, and the same was done for measuring points of many core
holes added to the network by inventory in 1966. Accuracy is to
the nearest hundredth of a foot. Altitudes of measuring points
and water levels of these core holes are given in Table 17.
Permeabilities were determined for 78 core samples taken at
representative stratigraphic horizons. All showed exceptionally
low coefficients of permeability, ranging from 0.0016 to 4.0 ciri3
per day per cm2. In many areas such formations would be classed
as aquicludes or barriers, relatively impermeable to the passage
of water. It is likely that because of fracturing, the effec-
tive permeabilities of many of these strata exceed those indi-
cated by the laboratory measurements of samples. Also, as
viewed along the highwalls of the strip mines, there are marked
lateral changes in rock texture, porosity, and cementation -
changes that would create differences in permeability.
The relative impermeability of the core samples tested is
the result of thorough cementation, with attendant lack of pore
space and a low degree of interconnection between pores. During
the drilling of wells and core holes in 1964, many water-bearing
zones were encountered, but in each instance the water seemed to
come from fractures or from the contact zones between formations.
If these permeabilities are representative of conditions
throughout the basin, most water movement must take place through
fracture systems that result from underground mining. In count-
less instances where pronounced and/or incipient fractures and
subsidence features extend either to the land surface or to the
zone of perched water, the water moves downward to become a part
of the mine drainage system.
On the basis of information gathered during drilling and
monitoring of core holes, it appears that in regard to the strata
above and near the deep mine, only mass permeability should be
considered. Conditions vary so greatly from one hole site to
another that no comparisons of permeabilities could be made.
67
-------
TABLE 17. FLUCTUATIONS OP WATER LEVELS IN CORE HOLES
CTl
CD
Core
hole
number
16
2 la
21c
22
23
24
25
26a
26c
29
30
31
32
34
35
51
57
62
67
74
75
Depth of
core hole
below land
surface,
feeta
243
170
54
62
79
127
290
194
39
157
68
68
146
243
221
25
43
9
89
145
49
Measuring point
altitude above
msl ,
feet
2118.87
2415.29
2415.19
2179.11
2263.36
2271.93
2205.56
2400.47
2400.48
2418.11
2363.97
2424.55
2358.78
2302.19
2498.25
—
—
—
2396.73
2255.89
2260.90
Water level, depth in feet below measuring point
1965
high,
feet
19.13
129.60
23.34
41.09
36.00
11.13
16.34
--
21.35
25.60
12.74
12.99
52.40
35.84
24.13
—
—
—
--
—
—
1965
low,
feet
28.38
140.27
25.30
44.99
46.72
27.15
32.05
--
36.13
45.33
24.50
43.76
78.60
48.34
84.00
— -
—
--
--
—
—
1966
high,
feet
21.30
133.40
20.57
28.49
33.84
13.38
18.07
48.59
20.33
18.98
12.60
11.07
47.66
36.67
25.52
—
—
—
—
--
—
1966
low ,
feet
24.53
138.37
25.23
41.16
44.63
22.84
25.10
143.42
29.44
36.72
23.69
29.27
67.72
45.21
60.90
—
—
—
— -
—
—
1967
high,
feet
19.61
133.42
23.48
23.41
28.95
10.51
14.76
46.23
18.28
17.16
12.72
10.24
47.50
31.54
22.20
6.92
7.70
5.07
44.13
32.76
14.15
9 months
low ,
feet
22.73
136.73
27.60
29.89
39.43
20.63
21.75
139.86
27.38
33.02
15.62
19.11
65.75
39.35
70.32
22.85
15.93
11.38
69.29
35.87
22.86
(continued)
-------
TABLE 17 (continued).
a\
Core
hole
number
81
92
93
95
96
98
102
107
109
110
112
116
119
122
124
126
132
136
143
149
155
158
168
Depth of
core hole
below land
surface ,
feeta
44
11
54
22
30
19
46
66
155
191
34
31
14
68a
151
105b
317a
104
124
22
21
37
35
Measuring point
altitude above
msl ,
feet
2243.98
2438.61
2454.11
2366.97
2420.96
2239.60
2331.68
2466.82
2173.81
2172.98
— -
2573.72
—
—
2229.51
—
~
~
2379.15
—
--
—
—
Water level, depth in feet below measuring point
1965
high,
feet
—
—
—
—
—
—
--
— •
—
—
—
—
T— —
— •
—
—
—
—
—
1965
low ,
feet
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
--
—
—
—
—
—
—
~
—
__
—
--
—
—
1966
high,
feet
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
~
—
1966
low,
feet
—
—
—
~
—
—
~
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1967
high,
feet
16.07
1.88
4.03
3.70
12.46
2.50
16.70
23.70
11.71
10.85
14.71
7.67
3.17
12.25
67.35
5.61
Fli
0.45
89.00
13.57
4.04
12.73
10.15
9 months
low ,
feet
18.90
7.57
5.31
7.00
22.07
10.13
20.43
31.45
17.33
15.92
33.43
9.78
7.60
20.01
71.38
9.07
swing
3.79
96.60
18.53
18.63
16.88
29.99
aTo convert feet to meters, multiply by 0.305.
R = reported.
-------
The only large quantities of water encountered during
drilling originated from fractures or from contacts between for-
mations. Shales often supplied more water than did the coarse
but well-cemented sandstones, apparently because of slight
fracturing which permitted good lateral movement of water. Some
movement of subsurface water in the zone of aeration above the
deep mines also takes place through the interconnected pore
spaces of the rock and soil, especially near the land surface;
however, the rate of movement is very much slower than that of
water traveling through the fracture system.
Underground Mine Water Movement—
Dye studies were conducted to determine the direction and
speed of water movement through the mine. A fluorometer was
used to read concentrations of fluorescent dye injected into the
water. Rhodamine B and Pontacyl Pink dyes were used in these
studies; the latter is subject to less deterioration under
acidic conditions. Water samples were collected at proposed
sample sites prior to release of the dye so that background
interference could be determined.
After injection of the dyes into the mine water, samples
were collected daily at sampling points discharging at the lower
side of the coal seam. Contour mine maps and knowledge of the
mine drainage patterns were the basis for determining the prob-
able direction of flow and approximate distances. The approxi-
mate direction the dye traveled in each study is shown in Figure
20. The first study was conducted on October 19, 1966. At
RT6-24 sample point, 7.6 liters of Rhodamine B dye were injected
into the mine. In 10 days the dye was detected at RT5-2, a
distance of 1280 meters. The flow rate was determined to be 128
meters per day. The dye concentrations peaked 24 days after
dosing. Concentrations were in the range of 6 ppb (parts per
billion). GT1-1, GTl-2, and GT6-1 were checked daily but showed
no signs of dye.
A second dye study was conducted in Flatbush subwatershed,
where 1.4 kilograms of Pontacyl Pink dye were injected into the
Sainato Mine (Area 7) near RT9-9 on March 3, 1967. Sampling
points RT6-9, RT6-23, RT6-26 in the Kittle run area and RT9-5
(Flatbush) were sampled daily and tested with the fluorometer.
After several weeks of sampling, an inspection of the deep mine
at the point of injection revealed the dye had settled to the
bottom of a water impoundment located behind a roof fall. This
incident is a good example of the effective damming of water
within the mine by roof fall debris. Mine maps indicate that
natural water movement would have been directed toward Kittle
Run along the dominant West Fork of the Belington syncline.
70
-------
NOTE: FIGURE NOT
TO SCALE
A MINE OPENING
GT6-1 MINE NUMBER
® BORE HOLE OR SHAFT
2)
DIRECTION OF DYE FLOW
AND TEST NUMBER
GENERAL DIRECTION OF
FLOW IN UNDERGROUND
MINE
UNDERGROUND MINE BOUNDARY
27 AREA NUMBER
Figure 20. Flow of water in underground mine.
71
-------
On January 7, 1967, approximately 0.5 kilogram of Pontacyl
Pink was dropped into a power shaft (Site 174) which penetrates
the mine in the main heading and drainway about 854 meters from
the mine opening on Grassy Run at GT6-1. On February 17, 2.3
kilogram of dye was injected into the same drainway through a
deep mine shaft at RT6-26 in upper Kittle Run. The point of
injection was about 2743 meters from GT6-1.
Sampling was at sites GT6-1, GTl-2, GTl-3, and RT5-2. On
February 23 a dye trace was detected at GT6-1. This trace
resulted from the first dye injection, which required 49 days to
flow through the mine with an average speed of 17.4 meters per
day.
On April 11, a dye discharge was detected at GT6-1, and
peak dye concentration occurred on April 13 with fluorometric
readings of 100 on the 300 X Scale. Thus, the second dye injec-
tion on Kittle Run required 53 days to reach Grassy Run, with an
average flow of 51.8 meters per day.
During the dye sampling period, two major floods occurred
in this section of the mine, moving directly down the West Fork
of the Belington syncline. The slow rate of flows through the
mine is attributed to water impoundments caused by roof falls
resulting from robbing of pillars and eventually abandonment of
the mined-out area.
Results of the drilling and tracer studies were used in
conjunction with mine maps to formulate a picture of the ground-
water movement in the Grassy Run-Roaring Creek watershed (Figure
20). Arrows on the map show the most probable directions of
water movement within the underground mine.
Surface water flowed through strip mines located on the
updip side of the coal seam in the Flatbush subwatershed and
flowed into the intercepted underground mine. Part of the water
eventually discharged through three portals in the Kittle Run
subwatershed at RT6-23, RT6-9, and RT6-25. The rest of the mine
water continued to flow through the main headings of the old
mine below natural drainage, crossing under Kittle Run at
RT6-26. The difference in elevation of these discharge points
is due to a local dip in the coal seam. Water in the main
heading-continues to flow north down the drainway to GT6-1 in
the Grassy Run watershed.
Extensive strip mining on both sides of Kittle Run resulted
in water impoundments caused by overburden material placed in
the center of the streambed. Mine water discharging at the
surface from the three portals seeped through the refuse and
eventually discharged near the mouth of the stream to form the
west branch of Kittle Run, a tributary to Roaring Creek. This
water flows into Roaring Creek at Coalton, West Virginia. Part
72
-------
of the water that seeped into the deep mine on the north side
flowed through the mine and discharged into White's Run from
mine portal RT5-2 (Figure 20).
LAND PERMITS
Responsibility for securing land permits for the project
area was with the State of West Virginia. All land in the
project area was under private ownership. The State retained a
local attorney to determine ownership of the land, draw up
permit agreements, obtain landowner signatures, and record the
agreements.
A copy of the general agreement is presented in the appen-
dices. Although the period of the agreement was to be for 10
years (1965-1975), the major landowner within the project area
would agree only to 7 years. Thus, the project was geared to
operate in that time frame.
The USBM assisted the State's lawyer in securing the
agreements with landowners. The consideration granted the
landowners under the basic agreement consisted of the benefits
derived from strip mine reclamation and pollution abatement; the
agreement did not include payments either in money or services.
After nearly all the agreements had been signed, it was dis-
covered that the form of the agreement was not valid. The
agreement was rewritten to designate only the State as the
permittee. When the revised agreement was presented for signa-
tures many landowners who signed the original resisted signing
the second document.
It was therefore necessary to negotiate with some of the
landowners. Although no money was ever paid for an agreement,
other considerations were granted. For two owners who heated
their homes with coal from a strip mine to be reclaimed, it was
agreed to mine them 1000 tons of coal and haul it to a desig-
nated place on the owner's land. Two owners required that a
portion of a strip mine be left unreclaimed so that a future
deep mine could be placed there. Two owners required that a
barbed wire fence be constructed. One owner required gates with
locks. Several owners required an agreement that unvegetated
strip mines outside the project area would be planted and the
performance bonds released by the State. Some owners never
signed agreements.
Obtaining land permits was one of the most difficult
and time-consuming aspects of the demonstration project. Nego-
tiations with the major landowners continued over several
months. Some properties were tied up in heirship with as many
as 14 heirs in many locations in the United States.
73
-------
SECTION 5
RECLAMATION AND REVEGETATION
PRELIMINARY PLANS FOR RECLAMATION AND REVEGETATION
Based on the mining, geology, hydrology, and water quality
data on the project site, and on the reconnaissance survey, a
preliminary reclamation guide was prepared. After review by the
Technical Committee, a consulting firm was hired to prepare a
final reclamation plan including specifications and a bid
package. The project site was divided into 45 work areas,
Figure 21. The details of each work area are presented in the
Appendices.
The basic plan for reclamation was to prevent air and water
from entering the underground workings. To accomplish this
objective openings on the updip side were to be sealed with
masonry blocks or clay seals and the surface mines graded to
facilitate rapid movement of water away from the underground
mine. Openings on the downdip side were to be sealed with "wet"
seals. Subsidence areas over the mine site were to be filled.
Following is a list of specific control measures:
1) Air sealing of the underground mine was to be accom-
plished by filling all boreholes, subsidence holes,
and other passages into the mine. "Wet" mine seals,
which allow water to leave the mine, but prevent air
from entering, were to be constructed at all openings
discharging water. Air sealing should prevent oxygen
from entering the mine, which would stop the oxidation
of pyrite in the mine and reduce the production of
iron and acidity.
2) Water diversion from the underground mine working was
to be instituted. Water is the transport medium for
carrying acid and iron from the mining environment.
Therefore, water diversion would reduce the amount of
water passing through a surface or underground mine,
and thus reduce the amount of pollution. This was to
be accomplished by filling subsidence holes, rechan-
neling streams to establish drainage away from the
74
-------
Ul
KEY
STSIP MINES
r ICOSPACTIOH
PTo^! PASTURE BACKFILL
^-•v.-'* CONTOUR BACKEIIL
r—i SVALLOWTAIL
f~^> WATERSHED BOUNDARY
=""« STREAM
© WORK AREA WJMSEtlS
L.. • j UflDERGROUHD MINE
• SAHPLIHG SITES
05001000 FEE!
(1 FOOT - 0.305 METERS)
Figure 21. Location of work areas and sampling sites,
-------
mines, and constructing solid "dry" seals in portals
through which water could not pass.
3) Surface mine reclamation was to be performed by
regrading strip mine areas to establish drainage away
from the mining area and reduce the time in which
water would be in contact with acid-producing mate-
rials. During regrading, the highly acid material was
to be buried when possible.
4) Acid-producing spoils and refuse were to be buried
whenever possible in surface mine pits to eliminate
their major contribution to pollution.
5) All disturbed areas were to be revegetated to prevent
erosion and stabilize the backfills.
RECLAMATION PROJECT
Reclamation Contract
As soon as the final designs were completed, a bidding
package was prepared and advertised. Eleven bids were sub-
mitted. The original bid package was later revised, as were all
bids, to include a more detailed cost breakdown and thus facili-
tate closer comparison of bids. A review board of selected
experts rated the bids.
Since the extent of the mining was unknown and mine maps of
the area were not totally reliable, bidders could not accurately
itemize the exact extent and type of work required. For this
reason, a fixed-price bid for the entire job was not feasible
and bidding was on a cost-plus-fixed-fee basis. The bid was
awarded to Franklin W. Peters and Associates at a value of
$1,640,383. Average unit costs upon which the bid was made are
shown in Table 18. The contract did not include filling and
sealing the subsidence holes over the mine away from the high-
wall or revegetation of the reclaimed surface mines. The con-
tract stipulated that all work be completed in 24 months (by
July 1968). A team from the USBM supervised the construction
contract and was responsible for verifying records concerning
equipment usage, man hours, yardage, etc., and for approving the
work performed.
76
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TABLE 18. AVERAGE UNIT COSTS OF CONSTRUCTION BID
Common excavation
Subsidence excavation
Compacted backfill
$0.22/cubic yarda
$0.8 I/cubic yard
$0.50/cubic yard
a To convert $/cubic yard to $/cubic meter multiply
by 1.31.
Reclamation Procedures
Construction work was divided into three phases: (1)
clearing and grubbing, (2) mine sealing, and (3) surface recla-
mation. It is emphasized that mine sealing and surface reclama-
tion were mostly performed simultaneously. Revegatation was
initiated after sealing and reclamation were completed. Plans
and procedures for revegetation were outlined in a separate
contract.
Clearing and Grubbing—
For clearing and grubbing, which required removal of all
trees and roots, Model 977 Traxacavators served as root rakes.
Suitable trees (10 centimeters in diameter, 30 centimeters above
ground) were cut into saw logs and given to property owners as
specified under land leasing agreements. All remnants were
burned. All areas were cleared and grubbed prior to surface
reclamation.
Mine Sealing—
Several types of seals, varying in structure and function,
were constructed during the project. The seal types include:
0 Dry Seal - The dry seal is constructed by placing
suitable material in mine openings to prevent the
entrance of air and water into the mine. This seal is
suitable for openings where there is little or no flow
and little danger of a hydrostatic head developing.
0 Wet Seal - A wet seal prevents the entrance of air
into a mine while allowing the normal mine discharge
to flow through the seal. This seal is constructed
with a water trap similar to traps in sinks and
drains.
0 Hydraulic Seal (clay seal) - Construction of a hydrau-
lic seal involves placing a plug in a mine entrance
discharging water. The plug prevents the discharge
when the mine is flooded. Flooding excludes air from
the mine and retards the oxidation of sulfide minerals
77
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Both "wet" and "dry" seals were constructed from two
courses of fly ash blocks, which were coated with urethane foam
on both sides to protect the blocks from acid attack. The mine
openings were timbered on both sides of the seals to keep the
weight of the roof off the seals. Dry seals consisted of one
wall, whereas wet seals consisted of two or three walls. For
the wet seals, one wall was solid except that two blocks were
removed from the bottom to allow for the flow of water. Figures
22, 23, and 24 illustrate the design of a typical wet seal used
during this study.
Where severe caving was observed and sites were unsuitable
for masonry type seals, underground mine openings were sealed
with clay. Clay was brought from borrow pits by pans and was
compacted against the deteriorated openings by a vibrating
"sheeps foot" (Figure 25). The compacted clay was installed
approximately 0.5 meters above the openings. The height was
determined by the degree of highwall fracturing.
Three air compressors and an air tract carrier for air
hammer and pumping operations were used in underground seal
construction. Seal site preparation was done with a small,
maneuverable bulldozer.
Surface Reclamation—
Surface reclamation consisted largely of backfilling and
burying of spoils. Eleven bulldozers were used to backfill and
rough-grade the spoil. Final grading was accomplished with a
600 motor grader (rubber-tired), which was also used to maintain
haul roads. A power shovel was used for stream channeling and
to establish drainage. The shovel saw limited use during the
project.
Three model 977 Traxcavators with front-mounted hi-lift
buckets were used to explore the highwall face for buried mine
openings. Four pans were employed for long haulage of spoil and
for transfer of clay from borrow pits to clay compaction areas.
Backfills on the surface mines were of iphree types: con-
tour, pasture, and swallowtail. For a contour backfill (Figures
26 and 27), the spoil was graded back as close as possible to
the original contour of the land. Usually the top of the high-
wall was pushed down to complete the backfill. For a pasture
backfill (Figures 28 and 29), the spoil was graded to form a
small slope away from the highwall and the highwall was sound.
The swallow-tail backfill (Figures 30 and 31), was similar to
the pasture backfill except that a waterway was constructed
parallel to the highwall. The waterway was located away from
the highwall to allow water to drain over the outer slope at
specified low points on the backfill. Where possible, soil low
in acidity was hauled in and placed on top of the backfill to
facilitate revegetation and reduce acid production. Most of the
78
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VD
TIMBERS TO
PROTECT ENTRANCE/ MINE ROOF
SEAL
TIMBERS TO PROTECT
^/SEAL FROM ROOF FALLS
12"
CREOSOTED
BOARDS — -
LOCKED
GATE- — —
"""
*•
T
2 '6"
X
— J
i i
t 1 1
BF
1 — i
— *•
RIER
i — i
—
8
X
TOP OF
OPENING
*
1'9"
t
If
5
__
T
4"
X
X
x
t
t
BARRIER 6'
t
2 '6"
< T"P" »
L:
T
1-1
4"
X
12"
t
Figure 22. Cross section of wet mine seal.
a To convert inches to centimeters multiply by 2.54; to convert to feet to
meters multiply by 0.305.
-------
Figure Wet seal at Site RT9-11 with weir to measure
discharge rate and plastic pipe to draw off
air samples from within mine.
Figure 24. Wet seal from outside mine.
80
-------
Figure 25. Construction of a compacted backfill with
a vibrating "sheeps foot" compacter.
Figure 26. Contour backfill - Area 27.
81
-------
00
fo
BADLY CRACKED AND \
WEAK HIGHWALL
\
I
\
COAL
i
t
I
\
\
\
\
ss-vl i
SPOIL _^ SURFACE BEFORE
\RECLAMATION
\
SURFACE AFTER*
RECLAMATION^
VERTICAL SCALE: L
10 FEET
0
HORIZONTAL SCALE: L
10 FEET
(1 FOOT = 0.305 METERS)
\OUT-SLOPE
\
\
\
Figure 27. Typical contour backfill.
-------
00
00
SURFACE AFTER
RECLAMATION
/SURFACE BEFORE
/ RECLAMATION
OUT-SLOPE
VERTICAL SCALE:
HORIZONTAL SCALE:
(1 FOOT = 0.305 METERS)
Figure 28. Typical pasture backfill.
-------
Figure 29. Pasture backfill - Area 3.
Figure 30. Swallow-tail backfill - Area 2
84
-------
00
Ul
SURFACE AFTER
ECLAMATION
UTSLOPE
COAL
/SURFACE BEFORE
/RECLAMATION
•APIT BOTTOM x
0
HORIZONTAL SCALE: |_
VERTICAL SCALE: L
50 100 FEET
_i I
10 FEET
J
(1 FOOT =0.305 METERS)
Figure 31. Typical swallow-tail backfill.
-------
subsidence holes within 30 meters of the highwall were filled
with soil during backfilling. Approximately 17 percent of the
total backfill material moved was used as fill for subsidence
holes near the highwall.
Redefinition of Project Objectives—
As expected, conditions unknown prior to construction were
revealed as construction progressed. Isolation and selective
placement of toxic spoil required that much of the material be
moved more than once, resulting in necessary but unforseen extra
work. Also, numerous openings which did not appear on the mine
maps were uncovered and required sealing. These additional
efforts, along with bad weather during the winter of 1967,
hampered progress on the reclamation project. By April 1967, it
was anticipated that a cost overrun of the original bid amount
would occur if the project were completed as originally de-
signed. In August 1967, an order to terminate the project was
given by FWPCA.
Because the original project objectives were to demonstrate
and evaluate field applications of methods for at-source pol-
lution control on a watershed basis, construction had not pro-
ceeded in an order that would be logical for a shorter-term
project. For example, even though most of the wet seals (air
seals) had been completed in areas where backfilling was per-
formed, very little work had been done on subsidence. There-
fore, evaluation of air sealing was not possible in subsided
areas, since the mine atmosphere was directly exposed to the
outside via subsidence.
Since the basis for evaluation was to have been the effect
of reclamation on the entire watershed, only limited background
data were available concerning the small subwatersheds that were
affected by construction. In an attempt to gain maximum bene-
fits from the construction work performed, emphasis was shifted
to evaluation of individual watersheds. The remaining work was
tailored to complete some degree of reclamation in the areas
where most of the construction had been done.
Redefinition of project objectives was stated in the
termination specification as follows:
"The purpose.... is to finish off the project as soon and
as economically as possible and at the same time retain and
augment to the maximum extent possible such water quality
benefits as may be derived from work thus far completed.
The work specified herein (final work to be done) is
pointed primarily toward measuring the benefits from the
reclamation areas of strip mining rather than, as in the
case heretofore, measuring the benefits of water diversions
from the deep mines derived from reclamation of surrounding
strip mines and correction of areas of subsidence."
86
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Thus, use of contour backfill for badly fractured high-
walls, sealing of subsidence, and installation of wet seals were
eliminated by the termination order.
By November 1967, construction required for termination of
the project was completed. Practically all the work was per-
formed on the south half (updip side) of the major underground
mine (south half of Roaring Creek watershed). Reclamation was
not performed in either the Grassy Run watershed or north of
Coalton, W. Va., in the Roaring Creek watershed. The work
completed in each subwatershed is reported in the Appendix. In
16 months, Franklin W. Peters and Associates had employed,
during peak periods, 40 men and 26 pieces of heavy equipment.
Reclamation work performed is summarized in Table 19.
As a result of the redefined plans the major underground
mine was not air-sealed. A small isolated mine was sealed,
however, and was available for evaluation. Thus, any improve-
ment in water quality would occur only in the south portion of
the Roaring Creek watershed in which the sealed mine was lo-
cated. The effectiveness of air sealing and water diversion on
this smaller mine might thus be determined.
REVEGETATION PROJECT
Revegetation Contract
In September 1967, a contract in the amount of $205,911 was
awarded to the Tygart Valley Soil Conservation District (TVSCD)
on a cost-reimbursable basis to revegetate the reclaimed work
areas. The cost-reimbursible contract was appropriate since
TVSCD had revegetated most of the surface mines in the area and
was a nonprofit organization.
Revegetation Procedures
Soil Sampling—
Areas to be revegetated were divided into 10-acre plots for
soil sampling, which served as a guide to selection of vegeta-
tion and to fertilizer and lime requirements. Twenty samples
were taken in each 10-acre plot. Specific conductance and pH
were determined on individual samples, then the samples were
mixed for determination of pH, specific conductance, exchange
acid, sulfate, phosphorus, and nitrogen. Some composites were
also analyzed for potassium, sodium, iron, aluminum, and man-
ganese content. Analytical procedures are described in the
Appendix.
The value obtained for exchange acid was used to determine
lime requirements for treating the top 15 centimeters of soil.
A minimum of 1.8 tonnes of agricultural limestone was applied to
all areas. The procedure outlined by Black, et al, (14) was
87
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TABLE 19. RECLAMATION WORK PERFORMED
Reclamation
Surface mines reclaimed
Backfill, total
Subsidence holes filled
Mine seals, total
Mine seal, dry
Mine seal, wet
Mine seal, clay
Mine seal, other
Revegetation, total
Grass planted only
Grass hydroseeded only
Trees planted only
Grass hydroseeded and trees
planted
Grass and trees planted
12
3
450
101
43
12
41
5
610
322
16
57
195
120
5 miles3 (650 acres)
6 million cubic yards
acres
acres
acres
acres
acres
acres
.To convert miles to kilometers, multiply by 1.609,
To convert acres to hectares, multiply by 0.405.
88
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used. Fertility of the spoil material was found to be low, and
a standard fertilizer application of 0.45 tonne of 10-10-10 per
0.4 hectare was applied to all areas.
Types of Flora Planted--
The planting operation was based on need to develop a rapid
cover on the backfills to prevent erosion and water pollution.
Thus, grass was to be planted on all areas. Areas with steep
slopes and those containing the more toxic materials were to be
overplanted with trees.
After contact with various Federal and state agencies for
recommendations and results obtained from a USFS study on Rich
Mountain, the species of trees, grasses, and legumes to be
planted were selected. The species shown in Table 20 were
chosen. Two special grass seeds were acquired that were re-
ported to be resistant to toxicity from aluminum and/or man-
ganese, which were present in some spoil materials. One was a
barley developed in Canada and the other a rye grass developed
in Belgium. One ton of each was imported and planted.
The seed mixtures in all but a few cases contained a
legume and several grasses. Sericea lespedeza was the most
commonly used legume because of its earlier successful applica-
tion in surface mine planting. Birdsfoot trefoil was the other
predominant legume. Various combinations of grasses and legumes
were seeded, as reported in Table 21.
Planting Methods—
Planting was done by conventional methods and hydroseeding.
In conventional planting, lime and fertilizer were applied from
bulk trucks (Figure 32). On'steeper slopes these materials were
sometimes applied from agricultural fertilizer spreaders pulled
by farm or crawler tractors (Figure 33). These materials were
then worked into the soil with a spike-tooth harrow. Grass seed
was then planted with a grain drill. These conventional methods
were used on all areas that were not too steep for tractors.
Hydroseeding was done on the steep areas and along water
courses. After application of lime in the conventional manner,
the hydroseeder sprayed a mixture of grass seed, fertilizer, and
mulch.* The material was not worked into the soil. In some
areas, black locust seeds were also hydroseeded.
In Area 37, "frost" seeding was performed. Lime was
applied in October, and grass seed was broadcast on the surface
of the frozen ground the following March. Frost seeding is
* Metroganic 100 mulch was applied at a rate of 1 ton per
acre. This is a composited garbage material containing some
trace elements and fertilizer value. It costs about half as
much as wood fiber mulch.
89
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TABLE 20. SPECIES OF PLANTS USED FOR REVEGETATION
Grasses
Legumes
Treesc
Tall fescue
Tall oat grass
Weeping love grass
Orchard grass
Kentucky bluegrassa
Perennial rye grass
Reed canary grass
Canadian barley
Belgium rye grass
Sericea lespedeza
Birdsfoot trefoil
Alsike clover
Sweet clover
Scotch pine
Shortleaf pine
Virginia pine
White pine
European black alder
Cottonwood
Japanese larch
Tulip poplar
White oak
Black locust
Common strain.
Charlottetown 80 barley obtained from Canada, Dept. of
-Agriculture. Has resistance to aluminum toxicity.
RVP Malli rye grass imported from Belgium. Reported to
be resistant to aluminum and manganese toxicity.
All trees except black locust were planted as seedlings;
black locust seeds were hydroseeded.
90
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TABLE 21. SEED MIXTURES PLANTED (lb/acre)
to
H
AREA lt 2, 3, & 5
B. Rye grass - 5
S. Lespedeza - 15
T. Fescue - 10
T. Oat grass - 10
C, Barley - 5
AREA 11
B. Trefoil - 18
Sweet Clover - 5
T. Fescue - 10
K. Bluegrass - 8
R« Canary grass - 1
AREA 15 - 19
S. Lespedeza - 15
T. Fescue - 15
T. Oat grass - 15
AREA 28 - 30
S. Lespedeza - 15
T. Fescue - 10
T. Oat grass - 10
W. Love grass - 5
K. Bluegrass - 5
AREA 44 (Conventional plant)
T. Fescue - 4
K. Bluegrass - 24
S. Lespedeza - 4
Orchard grass - 5
AREA 4
W. Love grass - 7
Orchard grass - 7
B. Trefoil - 15
AREA 12
K. Bluegrass - 8
B. Trefoil - 13
P. Rye grass - 3
T. Fescue - 3
AREA 20
S. Lespedeza - 10
W. Love grass - 5
Orchard grass - 5
K. Bluegrass - 10
AREA 36
T. Fescue - 11
P. Rye grass - 9
W. Love grass - 4
Alsike Clover - 1
AREA 6, 7, 8, & 9
W. Love grass - 10
Orchard grass - 3
K. Bluegrass - 10
B. Trefoil - 10
Alside Clover - 2
AREA 13 & 19
S. Lespedeza - 20
T. Fescue - 15
T. Oat grass - 15
AREA 23 S 24
S. Lespedeza - 10
B. Rye grass - 15
W. Love grass - 10
C. Barley - 15
AREA 37
B. Trefoil - 10
'Orchard grass - 10
K. Bluegrass - 10
Sweet Clover - 5
AREA 10
S. Lespedeza - 10
W. Love grass - 5
K. Bluegrass - 5
T. Fescue - 5
P. Rye grass - 10
AREA 14
S. Lespedeza - 10
T. Fescue - 15
T. Oat grass - 10
AREA 27
B. Trefoil - 10
W. Love grass - 10
T. Fescue - 15
AREA 44 (Hydroseeded)
S. Lespedeza - 10
W. Love grass - 5
K. Bluegrass - 10
Orchard grass - 5
To convert Ibs/acre to kilomgrams/hectare multiply by 1.11
-------
Figure 32. Liming from bulk truck - Area 8.
Figure 33. Seeding and fertilizing - Area 29,
92
-------
based on the theory that freezing and thawing of the soil sur-
face will work the seed into the ground and the seed will have
an early start over those seeds planted at a later date. The
area was top-dressed with fertilizer in May.
Trees were selected on the basis of earlier success on
surface mine spoils and availability. European black alder was
chosen as the base tree because of its reported good growth
under acid conditions and its nitrogen-fixing ability. Two
basic tree mixtures were planted (Table 22), one all deciduous
and one including conifers. The deciduous plantings consisted
of three rows of black alder followed by a row each of cotton-
wood, tulip poplar and white oak. In the conifer plantings,
three rows of black alder were followed by three rows of a grab
mix of pines. Trees were planted 2 meters apart in rows approxi-
mately 2 meters apart. In a few areas, no black alders were
planted and black locust was hydroseeded.
TABLE 22. TREE MIXTURES PLANTED
Pine mix
Scotch pine
Shortleaf pine
Virginia pine
White pine
Deciduous
European black
Cottonwood
Tulip poplar
White oak
mix
alder
COST OF RECLAMATION AND REVEGETATION
Cost Analysis Procedures: Reclamation
The reclamation contract was entered into on June 30,
1966, at an estimated cost of $1,640,382. This contract did not
include revegetation or the filling of subsidence holes beyond
30.5 meters from the highwall. Because of the many unknown
conditions anticipated in the heavily mined-out areas, the
contract was on a cost-plus, fixed-fee basis.
The contractor kept daily records of labor and equipment
for each work area in the project. Table 23 shows cost analyses
breakdown for (A) clearing and grubbing (B) reclamation opera-
tion, and (C) underground operation. These data were later
entered on computer cards, and a computer program was developed
to obtain the desired cost breakdown.
Indirect Costs—
Indirect costs included everthing not directly applied to
the work areas, such as office work and supplies. These costs
were distributed among the various work areas proportionally to
93
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TABLE 23. COST ANALYSIS BREAKDOWN
A. Clearing and Grubbing
1. Cutting and clearing
2. Grubbing and clearing
3. Cutting landowner's timber
4. Handling landowner's timber
5. Chipping and hauling
6. Fire detail
7. Root rake hauling
B. Reclamation Operation
1. Cleaning pit
2. Cleaning face of highwall
3. Scraping SL from soilback
4. Backfilling
a) Pasture
b) Contour
c) Swallow-tail
5. Compaction
6. Subsidence
a) Drilling and shooting
b) Hauling material
c) Bull dozing
d) Shovel
7. Moving equipment to area
C. Underground Operation
1. Cleaning and temporary timber-
ing
2. Removal temporary timber and
ribs at seal location
3. Concrete footer seal location
4. Provide hitches in roof and
ribs at seal location
5. Erect seal
6. Coat seal inbye side with
bitumastic
7. Seal perimeter with urethane
foam
8. Access road grading
9. Cleaning pits and pit
mouth entry
10. Drainage grading
11. Downtime
12. Reporting time
13. Routine maintenance
8. Drainage/ structure
grading
9. Grading work sites
10. Drainage grading
11. Downtime
12. Reporting time
13. Maintenance
14. Grading roads
15. Cleanup of garbage
16. Ditching
17. Borrow pit
18. Carbonaceous material
a) Hauling
b) Burying
c) Bulldozing
8. Install rigid plastic
tubing
9. Pumping operation
10. Ventilation
11. Downtime
12. Reporting time
13. Routine maintenance
14. Hauling material and
supplies to work sites
15. Dismantling and as-
sembling equipment
16. Drilling, blasting, etc.
94
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direct costs. For example, if 10 percent of the direct costs
was charged to Area 2, then 10 percent of the indirect costs was
also charged to that area.
Approximately 260 hectares of surface mine were reclaimed
under the reclamation contract. For estimating and reporting
costs by area reclaimed and volume of soil moved during reclama-
tion, standard procedures were developed and followed. Aerial
photographs of the project area taken during the planning stage
were used to develop contour maps showing the finished grades,
acreage, and cubic yards of earthen material to be moved for
specified types of backfill on the work areas. Upon completion
of the contract, a land survey was made of each work area to
determine the total acreage and cubic yards of material moved.
Accuracy of the backfilling quantities is somewhat inexact
because some backfill material was moved two or three times in
an attempt to isolate the toxic spoil and bury it in the strip
pit.
Cost Analysis Procedures; Revegetation
The revegetation contract amounting to $205,911 was awarded
on a cost-reimbursable basis in September 1967. In the spring
of 1968 approximately 284 hectares* of land disturbed during
reclamation were revegetated. Because the contractor completed
revegetation of the project in one growing season instead of two
as originally planned, cost for revegetation was reduced to
$177,727.
Since the contract required a detailed cost analysis, the
contractor maintained accurate and complete records of all
phases of work as it progressed. Labor and equipment hours for
each work area were recorded daily, as were quanitites of lime
and fertilizer applied and plantings of grass and trees. The
daily records also included method of application, for example,
truck spreading or box spreading of fertilizer and conventional
seeding or hydroseeding of grasses. Species of grass seed and
tree seedlings planted in each work area were recorded also.
Data were summarized monthly, with cumulative totals of
labor, equipment, and materials applied to each work area.
Foremen's time and overhead costs were distributed to the work
areas in proportion to direct labor hours during the month.
Distribution of vehicle rental costs was based on recorded hours
of equipment use in each work area.
* Hectares revegetated is higher than hectares reclaimed,
because certain areas did not require reclamation before
planting.
95
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Costs Of Reclamation Arid Revegetation
Costs of surface mine reclamation, mine sealing, and re-
vegetation are presented in various ways in this report for
purposes of estimating cost of future reclamation work. An
average overall cost, including both direct and indirect charges,
is calculated for surface reclamation and mine sealing. Data
are presented in Tables 24 to 30. Since direct costs (labor,
equipment usage, and -material) will vary on different reclama-
tion projects depending on the condition and location of unre-
claimed area, certain work areas on this project that involve a
variety of working conditions and types of backfill and seals
were selected for a special cost study. Data from this study
are presented in Tables 31 and 32. All data from the selected
work areas (SWA) will be designated.
Costs for these selected areas are shown two ways: (1)
costs without clearing and grubbing, to show costs of reclaiming
recently mined, unrevegetated areas that would require no
clearing and grubbing and that could be reclaimed to satisfy
most current state mine laws, and (2) costs including clearing
and grubbing, to show costs of reclaiming old, abandoned strip
mine areas overgrown with vegetation that would require clearing
and grubbing prior to reclamation.
Since equipment rental was a main item of expense (40% of
the total cost) in reclamation work, equipment costs were
analyzed to determine the best and most economical equipment
utilization for each type of work.
Equipment Costs--
During the period of the reclamation contract, the contrac-
tor leased 26 pieces of equipment on a monthly basis for use in
reclamation work. The lessor was to be notified by letter 30
days prior to terminating the lease on any of the equipment.
The equipment used during reclamation, showing work hours,
costs per hour, and range of cost per hour for each type of
unit, are shown in Table 24.
Range of cost varied considerably for the bulldozers
because the need to keep certain ones on rental during periods
of adverse weather. For example, the bulldozer showing highest
cost per hour ($79.86) was on rental during 4 winter months but,
because of bad weather, was utilized only 144 hours during the
rental period. If this equipment had not been kept on rental,
the lessor would have moved it from the project, making it
unavailable for spring operations.
The LeRoi air compressor was rented for 1 month, but after
only 16 hours of use it was found to be insufficient for the
96
-------
TABLE 24. RECLAMATION PROJECT COST BREAKDOWN,
SUMMARY OF EQUIPMENT TIME
Type equipment
600 motor grader
TO- 2 5 dozer
D-7 dozer
D-8 dozer
D-9 dozer
Koechring shovel
Compactor
977 Traxcavator
DW-21 pan
Scraper pan
John Deere crawler
Air tract carrier
and attachments
Compressor
105 LeRoi air com-
pressor
TOTAL
No. Of
pieces
1
2
1
2
6
1
1
3
2
2
1
1
2
1
26
Work
hr
481
2,678
2,492
2,851
10,859
951
560
5,615
3,818
1,048
1,892
396
2,294
16
35,951
Total
cost, $
10,385
29,636
28,259
28,358
237,360
23,024
16,100
63,315
55,883
25,195
4,162
10,363
17,478
1,600
551,118
Average
cost per
hr, $
21.59
11.06
11.34
9.94
21.86
24.21
28.75
11.27
14.64
24.04
2.20
26.17
7.61
100.00
Range
in cost
per hr, $
0
7.47-17.14
0
8.50-10.31
12.63-79.86
0
0
7.71-16.97
14.30-14.99
11.81-30.55
0
0
6.27-8.94
0
97
-------
job; therefore the average cost was extremely high at $100.00
per hour.
The 977 Traxcavators were used as hi-lifts to explore the
strip pits for buried deep mine openings and as root rakes to
clear areas prior to backfilling. Difficulty in using this
equipment during winter months resulted in considerable varia-
tion in the cost per hour, as shown in Table 24.
The power shovel, operated at an average cost of $24.21 per
hour, was used for stream channeling and establishing drainage
from work areas. In February 1967 the shovel was damaged by a
falling highwall and was down for repairs for the remainder of
the project.
The scraper pans had limited use, mostly in work areas
requiring compacted backfill.
The grader was used exclusively to maintain haulage roads,
at an average cost of $21.59 per hour. The compressor, air
tract, and crawler were used mostly for underground work per-
taining to masonry seals.
Clearing and Grubbing Costs—
The first work performed on the project was the clearing of
areas covered with volunteer trees and other vegetation estab-
lished over the 25 years since stripping. This preparation of
the land for the backfilling and sealing operations was desig-
nated as "Clearing and Grubbing," consisting of the following:
1) Trees with diameters less than 10 cm. measured 30 cm.
from the ground, were uprooted, cut, and burned.
»
2) Trees with diameters greater than 10 cm. were cut,
trimmed to saw log lengths, and stockpiled at a
convenient location for the property owner.
3) Stumps and brush were uprooted and burned.
4) Boulders and rocks large enough to impede revegetation
were buried in the spoil near the outer slope.
Average overall cost for clearing and grubbing was $134 per
hectare or 16.6 percent of the total cost for surface mine
reclamation (excluding revegetation). An average of 13 labor
hours per hectare was required to clear and grub (Table 25).
These costs, higher than originally estimated, were partially
due to density of the forest in some areas and extra handling to
cut pulpwood for the landowners. Average direct costs for
selected work areas (SWA) varied considerably with respect to
type of backfill performed in the work areas. For example
(Table 31), the average costs per hectare for clearing and
98
-------
TABLE 25. CLEARING AND GRUBBING COSTS FOR 651 ACRES'
Direct labor, total
Direct labor, average per acre
Equipment, total
Equipment, average per acre
Direct cost, total
Indirect cost, total
Total cost
Average cost per acre
Cost, $
72,662
112
38,329
59
110,991
103,518
214,509
330
Hours
21,468
32
3,461
53
—
—
—
—
To convert $/acre to $/hectare multiply by 2.47,
TABLE 26. COST OF 55 MASONRY SEALS
Direct labor, total
Direct labor, average per seal
Equipment, total
Equipment, average per seal
Direct cost, total
Direct cost per seal
Indirect cost, total
Total cost
Average cost per seal
Cost, $
65,949
1,199
50,729
922
116,678
2,121
110,913
227,591
4,138
Hours
17,932
326
5,602
101
—
—
—
—
—
99
-------
grubbing prior to contour backfilling on Areas 27, 28, and 44
were quite high, ranging from $51 to $149 per hectare. High
costs were incurred in areas containing a fractured highwall.
-An unsafe portion of the highwall had to be cleared so that it
could be pulled down. Also the material was needed for fill.
Generally, costs were low in pasture and swallowtail backfill
operations and in stripped areas where toxic spoil had prevented
dense foliage and where vegetation on the highwall could be left
undisturbed.
Mine Sealing Costs--
Forty-three masonry seals and twelve wet seals were con-
structed in the .entries to abandoned drift mines at an average
cost of $4138 per seal (Table 26).
High equipment cost was attributed to the exploration of
the strip pit to locate mine openings and to clearing of debris
from openings at the face of the highwall. Preparation for
sealing, such as timbering and clearing debris from the seal
site in the mine, was performed manually.
The average direct cost (SWA) for dry seals and wet seals
are presented in Table 32, which shows that the wet seals cost
about twice as much as dry seals. Cost of the dry seal on Work
Area 8 was considerably higher than cost of other seals because
of labor involved in opening and timbering the portal prior to
constructing the seal.
In areas where the highwall was badly fractured and the
stripping operation had intercepted the deep mine workings,
openings were sealed by compacting clay against the openings and
the highwall with a vibrating sheep1s-foot. Although 41 open-
ings were sealed this way, data were recorded only for Work
Areas 19 and 10. These data are summarized in Table 27. The
cost per seal in Work Area 10 was higher than that in Area 19
because of haulage from the borrow pit to the seal site.
Surface Mine Reclamation Costs--
The average cost of surface mine reclamation was $671 per
hectare. Cost of moving earth was $0.27 per cubic meter (Table
28). These costs are higher than those reported by the U.S.
Bureau of Mines for surface mine reclamation at Moraine State
Park in Pennsylvania (15). Lower costs in some Pennsylvania
cases may result from using state equipment and not allocating
actual cost to the project. In their report, the costs per
hectare for two areas were $316 and $567. The average earth-
moving cost was $0.12 per cubic meter. Labor hours, 16 per
hectare, were the same for both projects.
100
-------
TABLE 27. CLAY COMPACTED SEALS
Work
area
19
10
No. of
seals
10
6
Cu. yd
compacted
backfill
10,490
11,670
Total
cost, $
9,500
14,160
Cost per
seal, $
950
2,360
Average
cu. yd
per seal
1,040
1,945
Cost per, cu. yd.
$b
0.91
1.21
To convert cu. yds. to cu. meters multiply by 0.76.
To convert $/cu. yds. to $/cu. meters multiply by 1.31.
TABLE 28. SURFACE MINE RECLAMATION COSTS FOR 651 ACRES,
3,060,000 Cu. Yd. MOVEDb
Direct labor, total
Direct labor, average per acre
Equipment total
Equipment, average per acre
Direct cost, total
Direct cost, average per acre
Direct cost, average per cu. yd.
Indirect cost, total
Total cost
Average cost per acre
Average cost per cu. yd.
Cost, $
96,884
149
457,706
703
554,590
852
0.18
524,984
1,079,574
1,658
0.35
Hr.
25,558
39
26,028
40
aTo convert $/acre to $/hectare multiply by 2.47.
bTo convert $/cu.yd. to $/cu. meter multiply by 1.31
101
-------
The average direct cost (SWA) for surface mine reclamation
ranged from a low of $191 per hectare on contour backfill to a
high of $475 per hectare for a combination of pasture-contour
backfill (Table 31).
Average direct cost (SWA) per acre for pasture backfill
reclamation was higher than for contour backfill, an unexpected
result. Further studies showed that, in general, the spoil in
the pasture backfill areas was more highly toxic than in the
contour areas. Because this toxic spoil had to be moved several
times, the costs were higher.
Because of additional earth work, swallow-tailed backfill
was slightly more costly than pasture backfill.
High costs for all phases of reclamation involving a
combination of pasture and contour backfill are due to complex
problems in these work areas, including these six conditions:
1) Unknown interconnections between the strip and under-
ground mines made it necessary to spend considerable
time opening up the pit to locate fractures and open-
ings into the underground mine.
2) The contractor was required to separate the toxic
spoil from the nontoxic backfill material where
feasible and bury the toxic material in the strip pit.
r This entailed moving the material two or three times
in some areas. As a result, the amount of earth
actually moved greatly exceeded the 2,339,535 cubic
meters determined from before and after cross sec-
tions.
3) Approximately 17 percent of the total backfill mate-
rial moved was used to fill subsidence holes on top of
the highwall and as clay-compacted material for seals.
4) In many work areas it was necessary to establish
drainage by rechanneling streams from strip mines
prior to reclamation.
5) Adverse weather conditions during the winter months
hampered the reclamation work project and necessitated
payment of rent on equipment that was not in use.
6) In many areas, the highwall was fractured to the
extent that it could not be left standing. In these
places the wall was pulled down and the material used
to complete the backfill.
102
-------
Revegetation Costs—
The overall costs for revegetating the reclaimed work areas
are summarized in Table 29. Average direct cost was $81 per
hectare and total cost was $100 per hectare.
Costs varied considerably with type of revegetation. Costs
were higher in steep areas which required use of a hydroseeder
(Table 30). The hydroseeder also increased cost (SWA) in con-
tour backfill areas (Table 31). The more level areas on which
conventional equipment could be used were revegetated at.a much
lower cost.
103
-------
TABLE 29.
REVEGETATION COST FOR 709 ACRES'
4
Direct labor, total
Direct labor, average per acre
Equipment, total
Equipment, average per acre
Material cost
Hydroseeding contract cost
Direct cost, total
Direct cost, average per acre
Indirect cost, total
Total cost
Total average cost per acre
Cost, $
31,860
45
17,493
25
45,190
47,475
142,018
200
33,709
175,727
248
Hour
9,539
14
4,365
6
To convert $/acre to $/hectare multiply by 2.47.
104
-------
TABLE 30. COST BREAKDOWN OF REVEGETATION,'
DOLLARS PER ACREb
f^
Conventional grass
Hydroseeding only
Trees only^
Hydroseeding, plus
trees*1
Conventional
grass1, pltps
trees
Labor
32,65
18.23
39.51
54.47
68.53
Equipment
36.51
227. 32a
4.20
238. 74a
23.29
Material0
63.39
61.44
18.87
76.78
64.80
Indirect
costd
32.07
71.49
21.63
84.93
37.22
Total
164.62
378.48
84.21
454.92
193.84
Hydroseeding work was subcontracted for $225 per acre which
included mulch at one ton per acre.
To convert $/acre to $/hectare multiply by 2.47.
clncludes lime, fertilizer, seed, and trees. In some "trees
only" areas no fertilizer and/or lime were used.
H ^
Indirect cost distributed on basis of direct cost.
fertilizer (0.5 ton per acre of 10-10-10), lime (2-4 tons
per acre) applied from truck, grass planted by seeder box.
Lime (2-4 tons per acre) spread from truck or from farm type
fertilizer spreader, hydraulic application of grass seed,
fertilizer (0.5 ton per acre 10-10-10).
gHand-planted (900-1000 per acre).
Hydroseeding plus hand-planted trees (900-1000 per acre).
"'"Conventional grass as in e, plus hand-planted trees (900 -
1000 per acre).
105
-------
TABLE 31. DIRECT COST OF SURFACE RECLAMATION BY
VARIOUS METHODS ON SELECTED WORK AREAS (SWA)
Work
area no.
3
4
5
8
9
37
Mean
23,24
28
27
29,30
44
Mean
1
2
Mean
10
11
Mean
Acres*
11.9
4.7
4.3
7.9
11.7
13.0
53.5
77.9
11.0
68.0
37.7
26.7
221.3
18.7
40.3
59.0
140.3
47.0
187.3
Type of
backfill
Pasture
Pasture
Pasture
Pasture
Pasture
Pasture
Contour
Contour
Contour
Contour
Contour
Swallowtail
Swallowtail
Pasture
and con-
tour
Pasture and
contour
Cost per acre,
reclamation, $
383
56
995
740
432
798
568
429
265
540
542
410
472
315
706
582
1,060
1,341
1,131
Type
seeding*5
C.H.
C
C
C
C
C.H.
C.H.T.
C.H.T.
C.H.
C.H.T.
C.H.T.
C.H.T.
C.H.T.
C.H.T.
C
Cost per acre,
reclamation +
seeding , $
533
140
1,126
840
523
912
682
669
612
907
744
684
754
546
815
730
1,236
1,498
1,302
Cost per acre,
reclamation + seed-
ing + clearing and
grabbing, $
576
174
1,137
1,035
559
1,028
760
704
882
1,275
804
812
918
566
843
755
1,425
1,548
1,456
a To convert acres to hectares multiply by 0.405.
b Type seeding: C, conventional, H, hydroseeding, and T, trees.
-------
TABLE 32. COST COMPARISON OF SEAL CONSTRUCTION
Work
area
no.
2
7
8
14
27
30
101
24
53
No. of
seals
2
3
1
1
12
6
1
1
1
Type
seal
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Dry
Wet
Wet
Wet
Direct
Cost, $
4,000
5,298
6,376
1,358
23,706
14,574
5,031
4,068
3,128
Cost per
seal, $
2,000
1,766
6,376
1,358
1,975
2,429
5,031
4,068
3,128
Maximum,
$
6,376
5,032
Minimum,
$
1,358
3,128
Average,
$
2,212
4,076
-------
SECTION 6
POSTRECLAMATION CONDITIONS AT THE PROJECT SITE
This section presents an evaluation of postreclamation
conditions at the project site (Phase 3 of the project plan).
As indicated earlier, the project was not completed as origi-
nally planned. Only the southern half of the Roaring Creek
watershed was reclaimed; no reclamation was performed in the
Grassy Run or the northernmost part of Roaring Creek watershed.
Therefore, only those areas that were reclaimed and revegetated
are considered in the evaluation, which includes the following
points of concern:
1) Mine Seals
2) Chemical-physical characteristics of surface waters.
3) Surface runoff
4) Biological characteristics of surface waters
5) Long-term evaluation of Project Site.
Information pertaining to the first four categories was
generated at various times between 1967 and 1971, the period
from the end of reclamation to termination of the organized
sampling and evaluation program.
The final category involves periodic and casual surveying
of the reclaimed areas to determine long-term changes. These
surveys have been carried out since termination of the organized
sampling program (1971) and are still continuing as of the time
of preparing this report.
MINE SEALS
Eleven "wet" seals were constructed in the large 1,200-
hectare underground mine complex and one seal in a small iso-
lated mine. Sealing of the large mine was not completed. All
of the portals on the south half of the mine were sealed but
several were left open on the north half. The subsidence over
large parts of the mine was not corrected. Thus, it is not
surprising that air samples collected from behind the "wet"
108
-------
seals in the large mine complex contained the same oxygen con-
centration as the air outside the mine. Although the air may
not have entered the mine at the seals, it still may gain
entrance to the mine through cracks and fractures in the over-
burden and outcrop, and through subsidence holes.
Monitoring of the quality and quantity of water discharging
from nine mine openings has yielded the results reported in
Table 33. The first eight openings listed in the table were
into the large 1200-hectare mine. Even though the oxygen con-
tent behind the seal was never reduced, seven of the eight shown
had reductions in acidity and sulfate concentrations. The data
for the eighth opening, RT6-6, are complicated by extraneous
factors. Although several reasons for this condition have been
postulated, none has been verified.
The load data show little if any improvement, probably
because of the increase in flow that has resulted since sealing.
The increase in flow noted at several sites probably is due to
more accurate measurements of flow after reclamation. Before
reclamation, seepage at the base of highwalls and toes of spoils
could not be measured. As a result of reclamation this water
was forced out the main mine opening where it was measured.
Mine RT9-11 was a small isolated mine (only a few acres) in
which all known openings were sealed. Unlike work on the large
mine, it is believed that a good effort had been made to seal
off all air entrances to the mine. As shown in Table 34, the
oxygen content within the mine was reduced but not eliminated.
For the first 2 years following sealing, the oxygen content fell
below 11 percent. During the fourth quarter of 1969, the oxygen
level rose to near 15 percent and has remained near that level
since. Extensive investigation of the seal and the mined area
has revealed no apparent holes into the mine. Thus no explana-
tion of the increase in oxygen has been formulated.
The acidity, iron, and sulfate concentrations of the
discharge from mine RT9-11 have shown some improvement (Table
34). Seasonal fluctuations have occurred as a result of the
hydrologic conditions. Following sealing the total flow in-
creased; thus the reduction in load is not nearly as great as
that in concentration.
CHEMICAL-PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SURFACE WATERS
This section evaluates changes in water quality as a
result of reclamation and revegetation.
Methods
Sampling procedures before and after reclamation were
similiar except that the frequency of sampling was altered.
109
-------
TABLE 33. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DISCHARGE FROM UNDERGROUND
MINES BEFORE (1966) AND AFTER AIR SEALING3
Mine seal
number
Acidity
1966
1966
1969
1970
1971
Sulfate
1966
1968
1969
1970
1971
Concentration, mg/1
RT 6-9
RT 6-23
RT 6-12
RT 6A-1
RT 6-3
RT 6-6b
RT 6-5
RT 5-2
RT 9-11°
1,958
1,942
977
712
217
264
307
837
591
1,615
1,455
1,031
437
195
2,193
217
664
331
1,615
1,312
955
474
181
2,422
225
a
348
1,553
1,257
861
429
178
2,381
224
a
279
1,117
1,060
601
388
164
2,222
186
a
275
2,740
2,114
1,002
586
427
408
486
1,147
1,035
Load, tons/year0
RT 6-9
RT 6-23
RT 6-12
RT 6A-1
RT 6-3
RT 6-6b
RT 6-5
RT 5-2
RT 9-11°
59
242
65
17
20
25
240
118
18
266
246
129
11
22
39
171
119
16
221
163
135
6
23
18
172
a
16
184
132
68
8
27
27
97
a
92
214
223
64
14
25
79
167
a
15
79
268
68
10
38
22
399
81
26
1,494
1,567
1,055
509
412
2,022
425
799
685
1,608
1,560
1,098
520
358
2,380
412
a
674
2,020
1,738
1,197
539
353
3,200
416
a
671
1,637
1,268
568
350
257
2,619
290
a
498
248
274
136
x 13
45
34
350
159
33
220
194
152
6
51
17
315
a
30
218
171
94
14
53
35
213
a
21
320
265
66
13
37
94
243
a
27
Discharge, million cu. ft. /year6
RT 6-9
RT 6-23
RT 6-12
RT 6A-1
RT 6-3
RT 6-6b
RT 605
RT 5-2
RT 9-11°
1
4.3
4.1
0.6
3.4
2.3
27.9
4.5
0.9
5.5
5.7
4.5
0.8
3.9
0.8
27.7
6.6
1.5
4.5
4.1
4.8
0.4
4.7
0.2
24.7
a
1.4
3.9
3.4
2.7
0.6
5.1
0.4
16.7
a
1.0
6.7
6.7
4.4
1.4
5.1
1.0
28.5
a
1.7
}
Bulkhead seal constructed September 1969.
The concentration was lower and volume higher during 1866 because
surface runoff was measured along with the mine discharge.
All mine seals, except RT 9-11 are into the 3,000 acre mine. RT 9-11
is into a small isolated mine.
To convert short tons/year to metric tons per year multiply by 0.907.
To convert cubic feet/year to cubic meters/year multiply by 0.028.
110
-------
TABLE 34. EFFECTIVENESS OF MINE SEAL RT 9-11
Before sealing3
Mean
Minimum
Oxygen
within mine,
percent
21
Acidity
as
CaC03/
mg/1 .
591
438
PHb
2.8
3.1C
Iron,
mg/1
93
48
Sulfate,
mg/1
1,035
710
After
Year •
sealing
- Quarter
67
68
68
68
68
69
69
69
69
70
70
70
70
71
71
71
71
4
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
9.1
8.3
10.8
7.0
7.4
7.0
14.8
15.0
12.0
13.3
15.0
15.3
14.0
359
325
334
344
265
350
339
376
327
263
310
297
294
249
248
276
326
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
2.9
3.1
3.1
2.9
3.1
3.3
3.2
3.2
3.0
2.9
85
74
68
72
72
63
91
62
71
74
49
72
83
56
47
56
73
797
686
702
708
627
645
656
717
678
603
628
845
606
488
508
460
535
March 1964 - August 1967,
Median value.
Maximum value.
Ill
-------
Initially, streams and mine discharges were sampled weekly.
After the first year following reclamation, however, samples
were collected bi-weekly, and for the last year (1971), sampling
was done monthly. Since 1971 surface water and mine discharge
have been sampled twice, once in August 1974 and once in June
1975.
Chemical-Physical Data for Grassy Run Watershed (1968 to 1971)
Although no reclamation was performed in this watershed, it
was believed that reclamation in parts of the Roaring Creek
watershed that diverted water from the underground mine complex
that normally flowed through the mine to Grassy Run would reduce
the flow and possibly the pollution load in Grassy Run. The
data summary for the monitoring station at the mouth of Grassy
Run (G-l) is presented in Table 35. The data show that a reduc-
tion in acidity has occurred. If 1966 is used as a base year
(because rainfall was similar to that of postreelamation years)
then reductions of 705 tonnes (20 percent), 751 tonnes (21
percent), and 509 tonnes (15 percent) occurred during 1968,
1969, and 1970, respectively. In 1971 an increase in flow as a
result of unusually high precipitation in September caused an
increase of 122 tonnes of acidity over the base value. Reduc-
tions in iron and sulfate were also noted in 1968 and 1969;
however they increased to levels above prereclamation in 1970
and 1971. The flow at the mouth of Grassy Run was greater after
reclamation than before (19% to 46% for 1968-1970). This
finding is difficult to explain since a decrease was expected.
It may reflect the inherent problem of comparing annual rainfall
and runoff data for different years. sQuarterly data for this
site are presented in the appendix. These data support the idea
that the high loads in 1971 were a result of increased flow.
Concentration values were lower during these periods as a result
of dilution.
Chemical-Physical Data for Roaring Creek (1968 to 1971)
All reclamation work performed was in the Roaring Creek
watershed. If the reclamation efforts were successful, then an
increase in flow, because of the diversion of water from the
underground mines, and a decrease in the concentration and load
of pollutants would be expected.
If 1966 is considered the base year for before-reclamation
conditions, then an increase in annual runoff of about 5 percent
occurred in the 1968-1970 period (Table 35). This increase is
probably not significant when the variables between years are
considered. In 1971, a 166 percent increase in flow was re-
corded even though the annual rainfall was somewhat less in 1971
than in 1966. Approximately 60 percent of the annual runoff
occurred in the third quarter of 1966, (Table A-56 in Appendix).
This is an unusually higher amount for a period which normally
112
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TABLE 35. SUMMARY OF ANNUAL DATA FOR STATION G-l,
MOUTH OF GRASSY RUN, AND STATION R-l, MOUTH OF ROARING CREEK
Year
Rainfall,
inches3
Flow,
billion
gallons*3
Acidity,
tonsc
Iron,
tonsc
Sulfate,
tons0
Station G-l
Before reclamation
1965
1966
After reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
38.85
43.05
42.73
49.40
44;71
45.50
1.56
1.39
1.66
1.54
1.98
2.33
3,715
3,891
3,108
3,057
3,325
4,027
715
691
617
673
779
848
6,314
4,909
4,326
4,382
6,437
5,889
Station R-l
Before reclamation
1965
1966
After reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
39.01
46.62
43.82
51.06
47.60
43.79
43.9
50.1
51.9
52.5
52.2
133.3
2,920
3,928
3,728
3,474
3,383
11,806
204
280
279
252
244
468
5,002
5,842
5,046
3,949
3,495
4,898
a To convert inches to millimeters multiply by 25.4.
b To convert gallons to cubic meters multiply by 0.0038.
0 To convert tons to metric tons multiply by 0.907.
113
-------
has low runoff. Most of this occurred in September when the
precipitation exceeded six inches, more than 100 percent above
normal. Thus, it is impossible from the data available to
ascertain if a true increase in runoff has occurred as a result
of reclamation.
A decrease in the acidity (5 to 14%), iron (0 to 13%) and
sulfate load (14 to 40%) occurred in the 1968-1970 period. The
load decreased each succeeding year (Table 35). This general
trend continued until September 1971 when exceptionally high
runoff resulted in a massive increase in pollution load even
though the concentration did not change significantly (Table
A-56 Appendix).
Chemical-Physical Data for Subwatersheds (1968 to 1971)
The use of the monitoring stations at the mouth of Roaring
Creek and Grassy Run were felt to be inadequate to measure the
effectiveness of individual control practices. For this reason,
the project was divided into subwatersheds for evaluation.
Location of the monitoring point for each subwatershed is shown
in Figure 7 (see Section 4.0). Generally, the monitoring point
was at the mouth of a small stream system. Each subwatershed is
described below (Appendix A presents more detailed data on both
the Roaring Creek and Grassy Run watersheds).
Mabie Subwatershed (RT8-F-1)—
The effect of reclamation on 20 hectares of disturbed
land was measured at a sampling point located at the mouth of
this 82-hectare subwatershed. A superb growth of grass and
trees has been established in the reclaimed area. The under-
ground mine discharge located in the area has not been sealed.
During dry periods, the underground mine discharge makes up
almost the entire flow of the creek. Any improvement in water
quality can be attributed to reclamation of the surface mines.
As shown in Table 36, a continued improvement in water
quality has occurred. The marked improvement in 1968, followed
by an increase in concentration during 1969, may be partially
from the reduced effect of lime that was applied in 1968 during
revegetation. Concentration data obtained in 1970 and 1971 show
a continuing long-term improvement in water quality. The pollu-
tional load data show a similar trend. The load was greater in
1971 than 1970 because much higher runoff occurred during
periods of heavy rainfall in 1971. The approximate decreases in
acidity and sulfate loads due to reclamation have been 82 and 78
percent, respectively.
North Branch Flatbush Fork Subwatershed (RT9-2)—
This 280-hectare watershed contains 65 hectares of surface
mines (23 percent of land area), all of which were reclaimed.
One underground discharge is located in the watershed; however,
114
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TABLE 36. SUMMARY DATA, MABIE SUBWATERSHED (RT8F-1)
BEFORE AND AFTER RECLAMATION
Mean concentration, mg/1
Before reclamation
1965 - 1966
After reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
Load, tons/yeara
Before reclamation
1965 - 1966
After reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
Acidity
199
74
123
95
76
39b
12.5
23.7
5.6
9.0
Iron
19
10
16
9
4
4.7b
1.6
4-5
0.5
0.5
Sulfate
290
159
211
193
105
52. lb
26.0
64.5
11.5
12.4
To convert short tons/year to metric tons/year
multiply by 0.907.
Incomplete data.
115
-------
its acid load contribution is minor (less than 1 percent).
Except for a few isolated areas an adequate-to-excellent cover
of grass and legumes has been established. Table 37 summarizes
the data collected at the mouth of the watershed.
i
Concentrations of acidity and sulfate decreased during the
1968-1971 postreclamation period; the acidity concentration by
59 percent and the sulfate by 63 percent. No reduction in the
relatively low iron concentration occurred. Pollutional loads
also show a decreasing trend except for the increase in 1971
caused by heavy precipitation and runoff.
Lower Kittle Run Subwatershed (RT6-20)—
This 85-hectare watershed contains 18 hectares of surface
mines (21 percent of land area) and two underground mine dis-
charges. As shown in Table 38, the data are indeterminate with
respect to water quality and waste load. The sources of mine
drainage in this watershed were analyzed. Before reclamation,
approximately 54 percent of the pollution load was from the
underground mines. After reclamation (1968-1971) the contribu-
tion of underground mines increased to between- 75 and 90 percent
of the total load. Since the total load has remained about the
same, the contribution from the surface mines has decreased
since reclamation. Although the underground mines have been air
sealed, the sealing has not been effective in reducing the
pollution load (see Table 38); in fact, the load has increased
in some cases. Although this increase is difficult to explain
completely, it may be due to changes in drainage caused by roof
falls within the mine and by reclamation.
Upper Kittle Run Subwatershed (RT6-21)—
This watershed is located at the mouth of Upper
Kittle Run, one of the most devastated areas in the project.
The streambed had been completely destroyed during mining when
overburden was deposited in the creek. Surface runoff and
underground mine drainage in the headwaters were partly directed
into underground mines. Thus the sample site at the north of
the creek was not indicative of the total pollution contribution.
During reclamation 57 hectares of surface mines were regraded
and planted, several refuse piles and garbage dumps were buried,
six clay seals were installed in deep mine openings, and two wet
seals were constructed. The streambed also was reestablished,
thus directing all of the runoff past the control point. Except
for isolated areas, the cover of grasses and legumes is adequate
to very good.
Data pertaining to this area are presented in Table 39.
The prereclamation data do not show the total pollution load of
the watershed, since part of the water was directed into the
underground mine upstream from.the sampling point. Thus the load
values would have been greater than those reported. The acidity
concentration data show a long-term decreasing trend; the iron
116
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TABLE 3,7. SUMMARY DATA, NORTH BRANCH FLATBUSH FORK WATERSHED
(RT 9-2) BEFORE AND AFTER RECLAMATION
Mean concentration, mg/1
Before reclamation
1964 - 1966
After reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
Load, tons/year3
Before reclamation
1965
1966
After reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
Acidity
178
68
96
93
74
187
243
153
131
107
214
Iron
5
4
5
5
4
6.4
7.5
7.2
8.0
5.7
11.6
Sulfate
313
225
208
202
117
338
436
450
268
232
338
To convert short tons/year to metric tons/year
multiply by 0.907.
117
-------
TABLE 38. SUMMARY DATA, LOWER KITTLE RUN SUBWATERSHED
(RT 6-20) BEFORE AND AFTER RECLAMATION
Mean concentration, mg/1
Before reclamation
1964 - 1966
After reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
Load, tons/yeara
Before reclamation
1965
1966
After reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
Acidity
486
613
783
687
532
113
149
183
183
192
191
Iron
91 (40)
148 (43)
232 (10)
254
150
21
33
48
55
71
48
Sulfate
616
686
881
1,017
587
152
168
211
216
335
182
To convert short tons/year to metric tons/year
multiply by 0.907.
118
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TABLE 39. SUMMARY DATA, UPPER KITTLE RUN SUBWATERSHED
(RT 6-21) BEFORE AND AFTER RECLAMATION
Mean concentration, mg/1
Before reclamation3
1965 - 1966
After reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
Load, tons/year
3.
Before reclamation
1965
1966
After reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
Acidity
1,555
1,127
1,060
982
738
684
868
683
575
434
578
Iron
328
309
330
307
205
148
175
192
183
135
146
Sulfate
1,768
1,179
1,243
1,519
898
829
944
737
652
678
691
a The before and after reclamation data are not directly
comparable, because some of the pollution load developed
in the watershed prior to reclamation was diverted to
the underground mine and thus did not pass the control
point.
To convert short tons/year to metric tons/year
multiply by 0.907.
119
-------
and sulfate concentrations are lower than before but the de-
crease is slight. The load data are irregular, reflecting the
influence of year-to-year variations in precipitation (amount,
intensity, duration, etc.) and the effects of groundwater and
runoff. Even with these variations, however, it can be con-
cluded that the load is less.
Table 40 presents data from an analysis of sources of mine
drainage in this watershed after reclamation. Interestingly,
even though the area contributing to runoff from the watershed
was greater after reclamation, the acid and sulfate load de-
creased. The pollution load from underground mines remained the
same or increased. These data indicate that reclamation of the
surface mines and burial of the refuse piles resulted in a
reduction of pollution. The variation in contribution of the
surface mines may be due to yearly variations. Variations
during 1969 and 1970 may be due to the decreasing benefit of
lime applied to the soil during revegetation.
SURFACE RUNOFF
One of the major control techniques demonstrated in the
Elkins project was the diversion of water from the underground
mines. A method of evaluating the effectiveness of this method
would be the monitoring of the runoff from the area and the
underground mine discharge. When these data were evaluated, it
became apparent that discharge data collected once a week or a
month were inadequate. Thus, the only information available
that related to increased runoff were observations of increased
peak flows and flooding of areas that had not flooded before
reclamation.
BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SURFACE WATERS
As part of the third phase of the demonstration project,
this section describes changes in the aquatic biota brought
about by partial mine reclamation and resultant changes in water
quality. The same reclaimed subwatersheds delineated in this
section were examined. For comparative purposes, additional
polluted and nonpolluted mainstem and tributary reaches that had
been sampled previously were reexamined.
Methods
Biological investigations of Roaring Creek and selected
tributaries were conducted from March 17 to 19, 1970. Benthos
(bottom-dwelling invertebrates) were collected from shallow
riffle areas by use of a Surber square-foot sampler or a Peter-
sen dredge. Qualitative samples were collected by agitating
stream-bottom debris on a U.S. Standard No. 30 sieve to roughly
separate organisms from debris and by picking and scraping
organisms from submerged rocks and logs. Organisms and sieve
120
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TABLE 40. POLLUTION LOADS AND THEIR SOURCES,
UPPER KITTLE RUN SUBWATERSHED (RT 6-21)a
ro
Acidity
Total
Underground
Surface mines
Iron
Total
Underground
Surface mines
Sulfate
Total
Underground
Surface mines
1966,
tons
868
301
c
175
68
c
944
347
c
1968
Tons
683
512.
171b
192
136.
56b
737
522.
215b
Percent
100
74
26
100
70
30
100
70
30
1969
Tons
575
384.
191b
183
113.
70b
652
414.
238b
Percent
100
66
34
100
61
39
100
63
27
1970
Tons
434
316.
118b
135
85
50
678
389.
289b
Percent
100
72
28
100
63.
37b
100
57
43
1971
Tons
578
436.
142b
146
127
19
691
585.
106b
Percent
100
75
25
100
87
13
100
84
16
a To convert short tons/year to metric tons/year multiply by 0.907.
Assumed to be difference between total and underground.
c Cannot be determined because not all water in watershed drained past control point during
pre-reclamation.
-------
residue were preserved in 10 percent formalin solution and
returned to an EPA laboratory at Cincinnati for sorting and
enumeration. Benthos data are expressed as numbers of organisms
per square foot of stream bottom. Qualitative samples were
arbitrarily assigned values of 1 per square foot for counting.
No data on periphyton or fish were collected.
Biological Data For Subwatersheds And Related Tributaries (1970)
The stations sampled for biological data are not identical
to those sampled for chemical-physical data. Although the
sampling stations are not identical, they do represent common
drainage areas within the respective subwatersheds.
Headwaters--
Before the partial completion of reclamation projects in
1968, several Roaring Creek headwater areas were free from
serious damage caused by mine drainage. Stations R—8, R-9,
RT10-1, and RT10-2 (see Figure 13) were inhabited by diverse
assemblages (>25 kinds) of benthic invertebrates, including many
forms considered sensitive to mine-drainage toxicity (10). In
1970, these stream reaches continued to support diverse biotic
communities, including sensitive May flies, stone flies, caddis
flies, black flies, and crayfish (Table 41).
Mainstem station R-7 was severely polluted by waters ema-
nating from a nearby surface mine during the early part of the
demonstration project, supporting a limited variety of tolerant
organisms. Prior to the 1970 survey, the mine ceased operations
and water quality improved. In March 1970, the benthos popula-
tion was still sparse because the stream bed was blanketed with
iron precipitates. Nevertheless, sensitive May flies, stone
flies, and caddis flies now inhabit the area (Table 42).
Flatbush Fork Subwatershed (RT-9)—
The South Branch of Flatbush Fork watershed has had limited
mining (Figure 13). These waters, monitored at Station RT9-3,
were of good quality, supporting diverse benthic communities
(Table 41). The waters monitored at Station RT9-2 flow from a
small subwatershed that was extensively mined. The surface mine
in this area was subjected to reclamation, but, the subsurface
mine was not altered. In June 1970, aquatic invertebrates were
completely absent from this stream reach (Table 41).
Reclamation activities in subwatershed RT9-2 effected some
improvements in water quality; these improvements may have
resulted from addition of lime to the soil during surface mine
reclamation. Mixture of these waters with those from RT9-3
produced a substantial improvement in water quality downstream
at Station RT9-23. Prior to reclamation, this stream reach was
inhabited by low densities of tolerant organisms only. In 1970,
122
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TABLE 41. BENTHIC ORGANISMS, ROARING CREEK, MARCH 1970
Stations:
STONE FLIES
Brachyptera
Isoperla
Nemoura
Peltoperla
MAY FLIES
Ameletus
Blasturus
Ephemerella
Hexagenia
Stenonema
CADDIS ELIES
Cheuma to psyche
Hydropsyche
Polycentropus
Psychomyia
Ptilostomis
Pycnopsyche
BLACK FLIES
Proaimuliurn
CRANE FLIES
Helius
Hexatoma
Pedicia
Tipula
BITING MIDGES
Probe zzia
MIDGES
Chironomus
Metriocnemus
Micro tendipes
Pentaneura
Spaniotoma
Tanytarsus
R-l
Q
R-2
Q
R-2 A
1
Q
Q
1
R-3
Qb
2
2
4
Q
1
3
Q
7
R-4
1
Q
Q
Q
1
R-5
2
110
Q
2
11
2
R-6
Q
Q
2
3
R-7
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
R-8
1
Q
1
1
2
1
Q
Q
Q
1
R-9
Q
Q
Q
2
Q
Q
Q
Q
1
RT5-1
Q
1
Q
Q
RT6-1
Q
2
RT8-F1
Q
Q
1
2
29
RT9-2
RT9-3
4
Q
Q
Q
1
5
1
1
Q
Q
3
RT9-23
Q
1
Q
Q
1
Q
Q
Q
RT10-1
4
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
RT10-2
11
3
1
Q
3
Q
3
12
2
3
4
Q
4
1
Q
1
1
2
19
1
10
K)
U>
(continued)
-------
TABLE 41 (continued).
Stations:
DANCE FLIES
HORSE FLIES
Tabanus'
HELLGRAMMITES
Chauloides
Sialis
BEETLES
Narpus
SLUDGE WORMS
LEECHES
FLATWORMS
SPHAERIID CLAMS
CRAYFISH
SOW BUGS
Asellus
TOTAL ,
NO/ftZ
No. kinds
R-l
1
Q
3
3
R-2
Q
2
2
R-2A
Q
1
6
6
R-3
Q
2
9
34
12
R-4
5
5
R-5
2
18
L48
8
R-6
2
1
*
10
6
R-7
m in
R-8
3
14
11
R-9
Q
Q
Q
Q
14
13
RT5-1
1
5
5
RT6-1
1
4
3
RT8-F1
1
Q
2
38
8
RT9-2
0
0
RT9-3
Q
Q
1
Q
24
15
RT9-23
1
9
9
RT10-1
1
Q
16
13
RT10- 2
5
7
12
1
Q
2
113
27
to
aTo convert numbers/square feet to numbers/square meter
bQ = collected in qualitative sample only. Arbitrarily
multiply by 10.76.
assigned a value of one/square foot for counting purposes
-------
TABLE 42. BENTHIC ORGANISMS COLLECTED BEFORE AND AFTER
RECLAMATION OF MINED AREAS
Mainstem
station
R-l
R-2
R-2A
R-3
R-4
R-5
R-6
R-7
R-8
R-9
Tribu-
tary
station
RT5-1
RT6-1
RT8F-1
RT9-2
RT9-3
RT9-23
RT10-1
RT10-2
Black flies
Bb AC
B
B A
B A
B A
May
flies
A
A
B A
B A
A
B A
A
B A
B A
Caddis
fliesa
A
B A
A
A
B A
B A
B A
A
B A
B A
Stone
flies
B A
B A
A
A
B A
B A
A
B A
A
B A
B A
Crayfish
B
B A
B
A
B A
B A
Excluding ptilostorais
B = collected before reclamation
CA = collected after reclamation
125
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sensitive May flies, caddis flies, stone flies, and crayfish
inhabited the stream (Table 42). Because the stream bed was
blanketed with iron precipitates, the density of organisms
remained low (Table 41), and sessile organisms such as sensitive
black flies had not become established. However, the stream
bottom should consolidate eventually, allowing for the establish-
ment of a well-balanced assemblage of benthic invertebrates.
Mabie Subwatershed (RT8-F-1)—
This small watershed contained both surface and subsurface
mines. Although the surface mines were reclaimed, the under-
ground mine, which contributed most of the pollutional load, was
not sealed. Prior to 1970, water quality at RT8-F-1 was poor.
Water quality was temporarily improved by reclamation proce-
dures, perhaps by application of lime to the surface mine. This
improvement was reflected by the presence of sensitive May flies
and stone flies in the water in 1970. (Whether this level of
water quality and resultant sensitive benthic populations will
continue is not known).
Kittle Run Subwatershed (RT-6)—
This watershed was mined extensively (both surface and deep
mines) and contributed great amounts of pollutants to Roaring
Creek. Demonstration efforts were directed at these mines,
including surface reclamation and installation of several types
of underground mine seals. As a result of these efforts the
quality of surface runoff was improved but discharges from the
underground mines continued to be polluted severely. Prior to
reclamation efforts, the stream biota (monitored near the mouth
at RT6-1) were restricted to organisms tolerant of mine-drainage
pollution. In 1970, the biota had not changed. Only benthic
organisms tolerant of severe pollution inhabited the stream, in
very low densities (Table 41).
White's Run Subwatershed (RT-5)—
This severely polluted watershed contained one underground
mine, which was sealed. Although water quality improved, the
stream bottom was covered with iron precipitates. Damage to the
stream biota continued in 1970, the benthos consisting of
tolerant Ptilostomis, midges, and Sialis in very low densities.
Mainstem Roaring Creek—
As previously stated, the benthos of Roaring Creek indicate
good water quality from the headwaters to Station R-7. At the
next sampling point downstream (R-6), the creek carried pollu-
tants from Flatbush Fork and the Mabie area and possibly from
other sources. From Station R-6 downstream to R-3, the toxicity
of mine drainage damaged the biota of the stream bottom; the
diversity of benthic invertebrates was restricted to a few
kinds, mostly forms tolerant of acidic mine drainage (Table 41).
Significant differences were detected, however, in the inverte-
brate communities inhabiting Roaring Creek from R-6 to R-3
126
-------
before and after reclamation. Sensitive May flies, stone flies,
and caddis flies were collected for the first time in 1970
(Table 42). Thus, the quality of Roaring Creek waters improved
sufficiently after reclamation to allow the establishment of
more diverse benthic biota.
Downstream from Station R-3, vast quantities of pollutants
are discharged to Roaring Creek from stations RT6 and RT5.
From R-2A to the mouth, the invertebrate communities of Roaring
Creek were severely restricted by mine-drainage toxicity.
Pollution tolerant larvae of midges and alderflies (Sialis) were
prevalent in the benthos, whereas sensitive organisms such as
May flies and stone flies did not inhabit the stream reach.
Comparisons of benthic communities inhabiting this highly pol-
luted reach of Roaring Creek before and after reclamation re-
vealed no significant differences (Table 42); the benthos con-
tinued to show severe damage after partial completion of control
measures.
LONG-TERM EVALUATION
There have been no extensive or regularly scheduled inves-
tigations of the project site since the termination of all
sampling programs in the early 1970's. Since that time, how-
ever, the study area has been periodically inspected for assess-
ment of any long-term changes. What follows is a summary of the
investigations carried out at the project site in recent years.
Chemical-Physical Data for Subwatersheds (1971 to 1975)
As indicated previously only two sets of samples have been
collected since 1971 (16).
It is difficult to compare the results of these surveys
with one another or with previously collected information
because these data represent only one sampling period each, and
because one data set (1974) was collected during low water flow
whereas the other (1975) was collected during high flow.
For these reasons any attempts to draw strong inferences
from the 1974 and/or 1975 data may generate spurious conclusions.
The only general conclusion that can be drawn is that these data
indicate no extreme changes in water quality since the early
1970's.
Present Biology Of Surface Waters
A biological sampling was being conducted during the
writing of this report (Fall 1976). It was not available for
discussion in this report. Reports from local fisherman and
personnel from the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
indicate that fish life has returned substantially to the Tygart
127
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Valley River both above and below the mouths of Roaring Creek
and Grassy Run. Additionally, stocking has been sucessful in
the Tygart Valley Reservoir (downstream from the project site),
and fishing has progressively increased. These considerations,
as well as the improved water quality of the surface waters
within the project site since reclamation suggest that the
biology of Roaring Creek and Grassy Run has improved substan-
tially since prereclamation time.
Assessment of Work Areas
Since the completion of reclamation the project site has
been surveyed numerous times for the purpose of assessing (1)
vegetation growth, (2) condition of seals, and (3) erosion and
subsidence problems.
The data generated from a specific survey on November 28,
1973, are summarized in Table 43.
\
These data show that all areas investigated have stabilized
and support a good growth of grasses and trees (where planted).
There are no apparent major problems of erosion, subsidence, or
acid mine water seepage. Results of the 1973 and a 1976 survey
are discussed briefly below.
Trees—
All species of trees planted show some degree of growth,
with survival rates ranging from 40 to 75 percent. The European
black alder has exhibited the highest survival rate and best
growth pattern (average height 2.5 to 5 meters). In 1973, some
of the black alder began to die. It was postulated that the
trees were being attacked by insects and/or the disease cytos-
pera. The trees were still showing signs of this attack in
1976. The cause of the die back has not been verified (Figure
34). Other deciduous trees, such as Japanese larch (Figure 35)
tulip poplar, and white oak have also done nicely, but the
survival and growth rates were somewhat less than those of the
black alder. Density of cottonwood trees is low. The various
species of pines have also taken hold and are showing continual
growth. Estimated survival rates ranged from 35 to 50 percent,
and average height ranged from 1 to 1.5 meters. A few pines in
Work Areas 28 and 30 appear to be dying.
Grasses and Legumes—
The grass growth at all work areas was rated excellent on
the basis of percent of ground covered (85 to 100%) and thick-
ness of the grass mat (heavy in all areas except Work Area 3).
The grasses and legumes exhibiting best growth include tall
fescue, oat grass, orchard grass, and Kentucky bluegrass (Figure
36). Legumes showing best growth have been Sericea lespedeza,
birdsfoot trefoil and alsike clover. The dominant cover was
Sericea lespedeza, (Figure 37) trefoil, and orchard grass.
128
-------
TABLE 43. 1973 EVALUATION OF CONDITIONS AT SELECTED WORK AREAS
(FIVE YEARS FOLLOWING PLANTING)
Work
area
No.
a
i
4
5
f
7
1
*
n
21-30
44
Work MM
>1», acrea
40.3
9.5
4.7
4.3
12.0
17.0
7.9
11.7
68.0
46.7
26.7
Type Of
backfill
Feature
Feature
Feature
Paitur*
Faatur*
Contour
Feature
Feature
Contour
Contour
Contour
General condition*
of graaa and traea
treea i 601 aurvlval
graaaeai heavy cover
treaat minimal
growth
graaaeai light cover
treea i non-planted
graaeeai heavy cover
treea i non-planted
graaaeat heavy cover
treeet non-planted
graaaeai heavy cover
traeai non-planted
graaaeai heavy cover
treea i non-planted
graaaeai heavy cover
treea i non-planted
graiaaai heavy cover
treea i 35-60% aurvival
graaaeai heavy cover
treea t 40-751 aurvival
graaaeat heavy cover
treea t good growth
graaaeai heavy cover
Percent of
graaa cover
95
15
90
85
90
90
90
100
95
100
99
Ho. of
bare apoti,
>l/2 acrea
2
2
1
I
I
1
1
none
1
none
none
Average heighth
of trees, feet
larch i 7
alder t »
cottonwoodi -
larch i 4 to 5
alder i 6
non-planted
non-planted
non-planted
non-planted
non-planted
non-planted
alderi 12 to 16
pineai 3 to 5
alderi 14
pinea t 3
alderi 12
popular, cotton-
wood, and white
oaki minimal
Condi tiona of
aeala
good
no aeala
no aeala
no aeala
no aeala
good
no aeala
no aeala
acid mine water
aeepage from
dry aeala
good acid mine
water flow
from wet aealf
Major eroalon
problema
Dralnway hae
eroded, 1 to
2 meter deep
gulley
none
none
none
none
none
Two drainwaya
have eroded,
1 to 3 metera
deep
none
Slight eroalon
in area of
aeeping aeala
Slight eroaion
New
aubaidence
none
none
none
none
none
none
none
none
1
1 (1 by 4
netera)
Land uae
wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife
wildlife
601 wildlife t
401 paeture
VO
* To convert «crea to hectarea, multiply by 0.405.
b To convert feet to Meters, multiply by 0.305.
0 Graaa mane graaa and legumea.
-------
Figure 34. European black alder and Sericea lespedeza
Area 10.
Figure 35. Japanese larch - Area 22
130
-------
Figure 36. Grass growth - Area 6.
Figure 37. Sericea lespedeza growth - Area 10.
131
-------
Weeping love grass, Canadian barley, Belgium rye grass, and
sweet clover were nonexistent in most areas, and were sparse in
the areas where they were observed.
During the first two years following planting, weeping love
grass dominated on spoils that had lower pH's. Fescue was the
major grass in areas with higher pH spoils. Canadian barley
grew well the first year. As the weeping love grass, a superior
nurse crop, died and the available nitrogen decreased, the
legumes became dominant in most areas and maintained that posi-
tion in 1976. Except for a few experimental plots, additional
lime and fertilizer has not been applied. After eight years, it
does not appear as if soil admendments are necessary to maintain
good cover.
One or two bare spots larger than 1/4 hectare were noted in
all work areas except 1, 28, 29, 30, and 44. One large bare
spot in Work Area 27 has resulted from seepage of acid mine
water from a number of dry seals (Figure 38). Access roads in
Work Areas 5 and 6 have also caused several bare spots.
Erosion—
No major erosion problems were recorded during the 1973 or
1976 survey. The worst problems were several drainways in Work
Areas 2, 8, 28, and 30 which contained gulleys 1 to 3 meters
deep (Figure 39). The gullies were usually formed when grass
waterways carrying runoff discharged over the outslopes of
backfilled areas. This problem could have been prevented had
the waterway been lined with rock. Erosion appeared to have
stabilized by 1973 because gullies had not increased in size by
1976. Slight erosion attributed to the acid water seepage was
also noticed in Area 27 (Figure 38).
Seal Condition--
All seals inspected were in good condition except for the
dry clay seals in Work Area 27. Acid mine water had broken
through the seals killing all of the vegetation.
Land Use—
Land use of all work areas except 44 is for wildlife. Deer
have been sighted in most reclaimed areas. Forty percent of
Area 44 was being used for pasture; 60 percent was in wildlife.
The study site was surveyed in March and July, 1976, for
purposes of evaluating and bringing up to date the long-term
changes which have occurred at the project site. Study areas in
both Grassy Run and Roaring Creek watersheds were visited and
assessed. The survey, however, did not involve physical sam-
pling or taking of measurements.
This survey indicated that there have been no significant
changes in conditions since the 1973 evaluation. However, the
132
-------
Figure 38. Grass killed by acid water seeping from
leaking clay seals - Area 27.
Figure 39. Gully formed where water from a grassed waterway
was discharged over the outslope of a fill area - Area 2.
133
-------
continual success of vegetation growth was witnessed. Grasses
have continued to develop heavy mats in those areas where
revegetation was performed. Several bare spots still exist as a
result of acid mine drainage. The most visible bare spots are
in Work Areas 10, 23, 24, and 27.
The various species of trees planted are also showing good
progress. European black alder and the various species of pines
planted are doing better than the larch, poplars and oaks (par-
ticularly in Work Areas 27 and 31). There has been, however, an
increase in the number of deaths among the alders in recent
years. Trees in Work Areas 23 and 24, which exhibited limited
growth during early postreclamation days as a result of acid
mine drainage, are now showing signs of substantial improvement.
In those areas where reclamation was not performed (northern
part of Roaring Creek and all of Grassy Run watersheds) pioneer
vegetation is developing. Maple and locust, as well as a few
oaks, appear to be the dominant forms growing.
The various types of mine seals installed remain in good
condition and there have been no major changes since the 1973
survey. Acid mine drainage continues to flow from the clay
seals in Work Area 27 resulting in the bare spots previously
mentioned. Limited erosion also exists in this area as a result
of the drainage. No new erosion or subsidence problems were
detected during the J.976 survey.
Wildlife is still the major form of land use in the project
site. A limited amount of grazing exists in Work Areas 18, 19,
36, and 44. Less than 12 hectares of the entire 287 hectares
revegetated are in grazing.
134
-------
SECTION 7
SPECIAL STUDIES
Several small scale feasibility studies dealing with a
variety of technical problems were made during the course of the
demonstration project. Brief summaries of the purpose of each
of these studies are presented in this section. For detailed
information on the findings of these studies refer to the
reports referenced.
REVEGETATION FEASIBILITY STUDIES
Prior to revegetation, the USFS Northeastern Forest Experi-
ment Station at Berea, Kentucky, in cooperation with the Tygart
Valley Soil Conservation District and the Soil Conservation
Service, made test plantings on the reclamation area to deter-
mine the feasibility of establishing vegetation on the spoil
areas (17).
Initial testing began using 13 summer annual grasses and
legumes. Annuals would be useful in establishing quick cover to
combat erosion and would also provide protection for tree seed-
lings during the first growing season. Very little growth was
noted in the highly toxic Kittanning seam spoil areas as com-
pared to those test sites located in less toxic Sewell coal
spoils. Even though the rainfall was well below normal during
the test period, acceptable growth was noted, in several species
after fertilizer was added to the spoil. Pearl millet, velvet
beans, cane sorghum, German millet, buckwheat, and Sudan grass
exhibited acceptable growth in the fertilized spoil.
Lack of success on Kittanning spoil was attributed to (1)
aluminum toxicity and (2) excess manganese. Stubby roots, lack
of lateral roots, and browning of root tissue are characteristic
of aluminum toxicity and were observed in Kittanning plants.
Chlorosis (white leaves with green veins) was also observed and
indicates iron deficiency. This iron deficiency was believed
caused by excess manganese which inhibits iron uptake or utiliza-
tion by plants.
The initial study concluded that the use of grasses and
legumes would not be feasible on the Kittanning spoil due to the
low pH and toxicity. It went on to conclude liming would solve
135
-------
the problem but USFS felt the amounts required would not be
feasible. They recommended exclusive use of acid-tolerant trees
and shrubs for spoils with pH's below 4.5.
USFS found the less toxic Sewell spoils more amenable to
revegetation and recommended use of any of the following in
conjunction with fertilizing:
Shrubs Grasses Legumes^
Autumn olive Tall oat grass Birdsfoot trefoil
Bristly locust K-31 fescue Serecia lespedeza
Bicolor lespedeza Rye grass
Black locust Orchard grass
Timothy
Weeping love grass
Switchgrass
Later tests by the same people on Sewell spoil confirmed
that the spoil contained virtually no nitrogen or phosphorus,
thus it needed fertilizer. Also, the rate of water infiltration
into the spoil was very poor, necessitating scarification to
retain sufficient moisture for plant growth. This study con-
cluded that domestic rye grass and weeping love grass produced
the most successful cover. Sweet clover and alfalfa were
moderately successful.
Studies on tree and shrub suitability were also made on the
Sewell spoil. Evaluation of survival after one year indicated
the following as having adapted successfully to the harsh
environment:
Conifers Hardwoods
Pitch pine European alder
White pine (most successful)
Douglas fir Bristly locust
Norway spruce Black locust
Eastern hemlock Sweet birch
Canadian hemlock Red maple
INFRARED AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY STUDY
Itek Optical Systems Division suggested the possibility of
using infrared aerial photography to indicate toxic soil.
Previous work had shown non-toxic exposed soil to appear in gray
and brown hues on infrared positive prints, however, acidic soil
tended to appear cyan (blue-green). Itek proposed that these
cyan hues might be useful in reclamation and revegetation by
pinpointing highly toxic areas (18).
136
-------
A feasibility project was extended to Itek to attempt to
correlate infrared colors and intensities with soil toxicity.
The strip mined areas at Norton and Coalton were used for test
sites and two photographic overflights were made; the first
during a wet period, the second during a dry period.
Suspicious areas were marked on the resulting prints and
soil samples were taken at the indicated sites. Unfortunately,
the time lag between the time of the flight, film processing,
evaluation, final selection of the sampling site, and the time
of soil sampling allowed considerable possibility for change in
soil conditions. Duplicate soil samples were taken at each
indicated site and were separately analyzed by the FWPCA Labora-
tory (EPA) and by USGS Denver laboratory with conflicting
results. The lack of analytical correlation invalidated in-
depth study of possible correlations between individual soil
chemical constituents and infrared image tone.
Attempts at visual color comparisons were largely unsuc-
cessful as were photometric analyses by a Macbeth densitometer.
However, a statistical interpretation of the photometric data
did indicate the possibility of a relationship existing between
integral density and soil iron concentration.
In summary, the feasibility of using infrared aerial
photography to indicate relative soil toxicity was not demon-
strated. It is possible that further refinements of the process
and a more detailed study could establish more promising re-
sults.
SUBSIDENCE AREA GROUTING STUDY
A contract was awarded to Dowell, Inc., to study the
feasibility of pressure grouting subsidence areas to prevent
entrance of surface water into the drift mines (.19). Five test
sites were selected on the project. Three sites were pressure-
grouted using a mix of approximately 90 percent cement and ten
percent bentonite. The intent was to seal fractures in the
overburden via the lateral spread of grout. Unfortunately,
water permeability tests before and after grouting indicated
free flow into the mine from the subsidence test areas. In-
creasing the bentonite content to 32 percent did not appreciably
aid in sealing and several grouting patterns were used.
The final technique tested was to grout to a very shallow
depth in an attempt to form an impervious cap of grout covering
the fractured subsidence area. Pressures to 400 psi succeeded
only in forcing the grout to the surface but very little lateral
movement was observed.
In their report on the study, the Bureau of Mines concluded
11 that grouting in rock would involve tremendous quantities
137
-------
of cement and bentonite with no assurance of success, and that
attempting to establish an impervious cap over the fractured
rock within the surface subsidence area is impractical due to
the need of considerable pumping grout pressure to spread the
grout laterally which will, in most cases, find an easier path
to the surface or into the mine."
VACUUM FILTRATION STUDY
Johns-Manville Research and Engineering Center conducted a
small scale feasibility study at Norton on neutralized acid mine
drainage and sludge dewatering by vacuum filtration (20).
In the test plant, water was pumped into a "Mixmeter"* type
lime neutralization unit where the pH was increased above pH
6.5. A portion of the neutralized slurry (approximately 0.63
I/sec) was pumped to a 7.0 m^ upflow settling tank for precipi-
tation. Settled sludge from the tank could be continually
withdrawn and sent to the vacuum filtration unit.
A precoat vacuum filter unit was used and many types of
filter aids were evaluated during the study. Sludge solids
content of less than one percent from the settling tank were
increased by precoat vacuum filtration to better than 20 percent
in all cases.
Turbidity of the filtrate was generally less than 1.0 JTU
and residual iron was below 0.3 mg/1. Air drying the filter
cake as in land fill further increased the solids content from
20 to 75 percent. Johns-Manville reported that the cost of such
treatment, including 1.3 cents/m^ for lime, was approximately
2.8 cents/m^ of AMD treated. This cost is for lime and filter
aid alone, not for total process cost.
.'CELITE' precoated filteraid, a drum speed of 60 revolu-
tions per second, mergence of 30 seconds, and cake removal (cut)
of 0.008 cm per revolution, filtered 1.00 m-^/m^/s of AMD sludge.
This was the most successful combination studied by Johns-
Manville at the Norton site.
HALLIBURTON MINE SEALS STUDY
The Halliburton Company developed mine sealing techniques
using quick-setting, self-supporting sodium silicate-cement
slurries to construct barrier walls (21). In this technique, a
rear barrier wall is installed in a mine opening and limestone
aggregate is then placed against the rear barrier wall and in
the area in front of the bulkhead for a length of 3-5 meters.
* Mention of commercial products does not imply endorsement
by Environmental Protection Agency.
138
-------
Grout pipes are strategically placed in the limestone aggregate
and the front bulkhead is built against the sloping aggregate.
The grout pipes pass through the front barrier wall. Finally,
the aggregate section of the seal is grouted via the pipes to
fill voids in the stone and produce an impervious seal.
It was desirable to test this technique on a high flow mine
and site RT5-2 on the project area was chosen for this test.
Construction of the seal was completed in July 1969. A
pitot tube was installed to monitor water level buildup behind
the seal. A rapid increase in level occurred initially but
tapered off in a few days. An increase in flow was observed
from a wet seep located approximately 9 meters to the right of
site RT5-2's new seal. Emergence of the seep corresponded with
the reduction in water level buildup behind the RT5-2 seal and
subsequent exploration exposed a second mine opening. As the
water level behind RT5-2 increased, the water had been diverted
through a cross-cut and was now emerging from the second opening.
Thus it was necessary to seal the second portal before it
would be possible to increase the water level behind seal
number one. Under Contract No. 14-12-453, Halliburton had done
preliminary feasibility studies on 'permeable plug1 seals. A
permeable plug seal consists of filling the mine opening with
graded limestone. The upper portion of limestone is grouted to
assure a tight bond between the top of the mine and the limestone
to compensate for any settling which might occur. In this
manner, all water must pass through the limestone to escape from
the mine. As acid water passes through the seal, it is partially
neutralized and the resulting precipitation products from neu-
tralization (such as calcium sulfate, ferric hydroxide, etc.)
tend to fill voids between the stone and thus retard flow
through the seal. Eventually, precipitates should completely
plug the seal.- Until that time, water which does pass through
the seal is neutralized and ferric iron and aluminum are removed.
A 'permeable plug1 seal was installed in opening number two
in September 1969 (Figure 40). A roof fall served as the rear
of the seal and 149.7 metric tons of limestone were pneumati-
cally placed into the opening. The limestone was 85 percent
ASSHO #8 (76 percent between 3/8 and 4 mesh) and 15 percent rock
dust (approximately 200 mesh). The top of the seal was then
grouted to the mine roof using approximately 2.8 m^ of cement
slurry.
As in seal number one, a pitot tube was installed to
monitor water depth behind the seal and to allow water samples
to be taken.
139
-------
o
EXISTING CONCRETE BLOCK
WET SEAL
EXISTING CONCRETE BLOCK
DRY SEAL
REAR CEMENT
BULKHEAD
ss?
EXISTING
CONCRETE
BLOCK 30
DRY SEAL
HHT-I-C-LIMESTONE -----
r-r~r-:~ AGGREGATE :r-
* AGGREGATED
EXISTING CLAY SEAL
DIRECTION OF OLD CUT
SEAL
Figure 40. Plan view of remedial construction - mine No. RT5-2.'
a To convert feet to meters multiply by 0.305
-------
Water level behind seal number two increased from 0 to 1.6
m within 15 days after seal completion (22). Slow increases
over the next three months brought the head to 1.95 m where it
remained. No leaks were observed at seal number one. However,
the water was not to the roof of the mine at this height and it
must be assumed that the pool was draining off in another direc-
tion. Mine maps of the area were not accurate enough to reli-
ably ascertain the direction of flow due to localized dips in
the area.
To date, the limestone permeable plug seal has been dra-
matically effective. Flow from RT5-2, which averaged 5.4 x 10~3
m3/s for 22 months prior to sealing has been reduced to 3.09 x
10~4 m3/s since sealing for a 94 percent reduction in flow.
Significant improvements have also occurred in water
quality and the effluent now exceeds Pennsylvania's discharge
standards except for iron concentration. The main questions
remaining to be answered are:
1. Longevity of seal number one?
2. Duration of neutralizing capability of seal number
two?
3. Effects of reaction on seal two's strength?
4. How much pressure can either seal withstand?
Halliburton reported the costs of both seals to be:
Site Equipment Total
preparation Material & Operators cost
Seal #1 $1079.00 N.A. N.A. $9463.00
Seal #2 $3447.00 $1696.00 $3320.00 $8453.00
BUREAU OP SPORT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE STUDY
In April 1967, the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife
(BSFW) chose a one-fourth acre strip mine pond in the project
area to demonstrate the potential of establishing a fish habitat
(23). The inital pH of the pond water was pH 4.2. Application
of approximately 100 kilograms of agricultural lime increased
the pH to 6.6 and allowed successful stocking of rainbow trout.
After two months, the pH had dropped to pH 5.0 due to a continual
acid seepage. An additional 100 kilograms of hydrated lime were
added and increased the pond pH to 6.0. Survival of trout at
that time was acceptable but due to heavy fishing determination
of a survival rate was not meaningful. It was concluded from
this study that ponds of this type (i.e., slightly acid, low
141
-------
volume acid inflow) can be used for fish habitats by simply
using lime to increase pH to acceptable limits. Periodic lime
reapplications will be necessary to maintain acceptable condi-
tions but the expense of such treatment is very low in compari-
son with the benefits.
Termination of construction curtailed plans to install
several such ponds in the construction area.
Beginning in 1964, the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and
Wildlife had conducted fish population surveys at strategic
points in and outside the project area where improvements in
water quality due to reclamation would be indicated also by
changes in fish population. Again, this approach was from a
watershed basis and project termination invalidated use of this
data. However, up to termination, no population improvements
due to reclamation had occurred.
Attempts to re-establish Brook trout in Flatbush Run, a
relatively acid-free tributary, were only partially successful
due to pollution from gas well brine.
TREATMENT AND REVEGETATION OF TEST PLOTS ON RECLAIMED SURFACE
MINES
In August 1969 a study was initiated to determine the
effect of various types of soil treatment applied to reclaimed
surface mines (24). In Work Area 10, two 56.6 hectare plots
consisting of 13 subplots were laid out. Each subplot was
approximately 6.1 m wide and 73.2 m long. Secondary sewage
sludge, lime, and fertilizer were applied alone and in various
combinations to alternate subplots. Design of plots and instruc-
tion for treating are shown in Figure 41.
Soil samples were collected and analyzed in August 1969.
Table 44 indicates lime requirements expressed for each com-
posite sample collected on the subplots. Secondary sewage
sludge samples (from Elkins plant) were collected from the
sludge tanker prior to application of liquid sludge to desig-
nated plots. Chemical analyses of the sludge indicated the
following: pH - 6.9; conductance (ymhos/cm) - 1883; alkalinity
(mg/1 as CaCO^) - 1400; dissolved solids (mg/1) - 9099.7.
Liquid secondary sewage sludge was hauled by a tanker truck to
the areas and dumped. Lime and"fertilizer were spread on
designated subplots by hand or by truck.
Based on previous experience (Project 1) and on recom-
mendations by the Soil Conservation Service, the most suitable
types of grass were planted by a hand seeder on Plots 1 and 2 in
March 1970 and again on Plot 1 in September 1970. The types and
amounts of grass ploted were as follows:
142
-------
SUBPLOT NO'S. 1234567
9 10 11 12 13
x = SOIL SAMPLE
/// - CONTROL PLOT
NO TREATMENT
20 FEET"
APPLICATION II
OCTOBER, 1969
SLUDGE - WET (TRUCK LOADS)
LIME (LB)b
FERTILIZER (LB)b
APPLICATION 12
JULY 1970
SLUDGE {DRIED-INCHES)C
LIME (LB)b .
FERTILIZER (LB)D H
APPLICATION RATE (TON/ACRE)0
2
0
110+
2
0
110+
6*
0
600*
110+
0
450+
110+
1/4*
0
0
110+
0
0
110+
1/2+
0
250**
0
0
500++
0.
6
0
0
2 1/2++
3
0
0
2
0
0
a To convert feet to meters multiply by 0.305.
b To convert pounds to kilograms multiply by 0.4536.
c To convert inches to centimeters multiply by 2.54.
d To convert tons/acre to metric tons/hectare multiply by 0.367.
Figure 41. Treatment of reclaimed strip
mine - Plots 1 and 2.
143
-------
TABLE 44. SOIL ANALYSES OF SEWAGE SLUDGE PLOTS BEFORE AND AFTER INITIAL APPLICATION
Sample
number
1
2
3 b
Composite 1
1
2
3
Composite 3
1
2
3
Composite 5
1
2
3
Composite 7
1
2
3
Composite 9
1
2
3
Composite 11
1
2
3
Composite 13
PH
Plot #1
Before
applica-
tion #1
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
2.9
3.5
2.9
3.0
3.0
3.1
3.0
3.0
3.1
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.2
3.3
3.1
3.0
3.0
3.1
3.2
3.1
2.8
2.9
3.1
2.8
After
applicas
tion #1°
3.9
3.6
3.8
3.4
3.2
3.7
3.0
3.4
3.2
4.0
3.5
3.0
3.3
3.5
3.1
3.2
3.2
3.5
3.0
3.3
3.0
3.8
3.0
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.4
3.5
Plot #2
Before
applica-
tion #1
3.1
2.8
3.1
3.0
2.9
3.4
4.1
3.3
3.0
3.0
3.9
3.2
4.0
3.3
3.1
3.4
3.2
4.6
3.4
3.6
3.3
3.2
3.8
3.3
3.4
3.4
3.8
3.5
After
applica-;
tion #1°
3.3
4.0
4.1
3.7
3.5
3.5
5.2
4.5
4.4
4.4
3.2
3.2
4.7
3.2
4.3
3.8
2.9
3.0
3.2
3.2
3.1
4.2
4.9
3.9
4.6
2.9
3.4
3.5
Conductance , umhos/cm
Plot #1
Before
applica-
tion #1
700
750
360
660
920
450
750
820
570
700
550
660
400
410
350
330
380
280
340
360
940
380
240
580
940
560
280
900
After
applicas
tion #1
180
270
220
280
400
470
370
350
480
210
200
2-70
270
320
360
360
300
190
470
300
390
180
650
320
370
270
230
330
Plot #2
Before
applica-
tion #1°
330
1400
700
900
1000
1650
700
1300
900
1000
630
840
130
1600
1000
1100
750
1250
660
800
440
460
330
300
250
170
250
270
After
applicas
tion #1
270
240
230
250
320
600
' 550
400
200
1100
500
1200
190
1100
400
370
700
1500
480
650
470
1300
320
1000
190
1400
360
550
Lime requirements, lb/acrea
Plot #1
Before
applica-
tion #1
8650.0
6113.0
5988.0
175.0
162.5
3463
2538
After
applica-;
tion #1
112.0
4000.0
4750.0
5120.0
5350.0
4380.0
4450.0
Plot 12
Before
applica-
tion #1°
9863.0
11900.0
9375.0
9550.0
8063.0
6113.0
L0888.0
After
applica^
tion #1
1000.0
2380.0
1880.0
1750.0
7100.0
1630.0
5990.0
a TO convert Ib/acre to Kg/hectare multiply by 1.11.
b Composites represent subplots, e.g., composite #1 = subplot #1.
c October 1969.
d July 15, 1970.
-------
Type of Grass Application Rate3
Birdsfoot trefoil 10 Ib/acre
Weeping love grass 5 Ib/acre
Tall fescue 5 Ib/acre
Rye grass 5 Ib/acre
Bluegrass 5 Ib/acre
3
To convert Ib/acre to Kg/hectare multiply by 1.11.
Because of little or no growth after initial treatment with
lime, fertilizer, and liquid sludge, soil samples were again
taken on subplots in Plots 1 and 2 to determine the pH and
acidity of the soil (Table 44). Based on the chemistry of the
soils, additional treatment was applied to Plot 1 as follows:
Lime was applied by hand to designated subplots on the basis of
their requirements. Fertilizer was also applied by hand to
designated subplots at the same rate as previously. Dried
sludge was applied to the surface of designated subplots at
depths of 5, 8, and 15 cm. Approximately 5.4 metric tons of
dried sludge was applied to subplots 1 and 13, 9.7 metric tons
to subplot 11, and 16.3 metric tons to subplot 9. Plot 2 was
not treated a second time due to unavailability of dried sludge.
Based on the results of the studies described above, it was
concluded that the soil in the subplots contains toxic material
evidenced by chemical analyses performed on samples collected at
these experimental plots. Low pH readings and high lime re-
quirements varied considerably in each subplot which indicates
"hot spots" exist in rather small areas. These hot spots con-
tain acid,-forming pyritic material resulting from improper
separation of spoil and overburden during the strip mining
process. Lime requirements continued to be high based on
samples analyzed after treatment (Table 44).
Liquid sludge applied to designated subplots in October
1969 was not successful in treating the soil due to extensive
runoff during periods of rainfall. These plots were laid out on
slopes varying from 4 to 6 percent and were subject to rill
erosion.
A combination of lime and fertilizer applied on various
subplots within Plots 1 and 2 was unsuccessful in treating and
stabilizing these soils to yield grass cover. Inspection and
evaluation of these plots were made by the Soil Conservation
Service in May 1970 after initial seeding and again in July
1971. Plot 1 was treated twice during the period of study and
indicates some grass growth in subplots treated with various
applications of sludge after the second application in July
1970.
145
-------
inspections of Plot 1 in July 1971 showed a minimum cover
of 5 cm of dried sludge yielded a grass cover of 10 to 30 per-
cent in subplots 1 and 13. Treatment of 8 cm of dried sludge
yielded a grass cover of about 30 percent in subplot 11.
Maximum coverage of 15 cm yielded a 75 percent grass cover in
subplot 9.
Minimum grass coverage was noted at the upper end of the
subplots. The most predominant grasses found on these plots
were tall fescue and rye grass. Weeping love grass and blue-
grass grew sparsely in the vegetated areas. Little or no birds-
foot trefoil was found in these areas.
In summary, the following comments were made:
1. Soil analyses taken before and after treatment indi-
cate that various subplots still contain considerable
acid in the soil.
2. "Hot spots" throughout the subplots indicate that
acid-bearing pyritic material was not separated from
the top soil during strip mining and reclamation.
3. Lime and fertilizer did not bring the soil to desired
fertility to produce grass cover.
4. Application of liquid secondary sludge to the surface
of the plots was unsuccessful in treating the soil for
revegetation.
5. Liquid sludges ran off sloped areas as a result of
rainfall and rill erosion.
6. Maximum application of dried sludges yields grass
cover of 75 percent.
7. Climatic conditions and rill erosion readily broke up
the massive cover of dried sludge exposing the root
system, thus killing the grass.
8. Kentucky 31 tall fescue was found to be the most
successful vegetative cover on the test plots.
146
-------
REFERENCES
1. Stream Pollution by Coal Mine Drainage in Appalachia.
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration. Cincinnati,
Ohio. Revised 1969.
2. Annual Progress Report Fiscal 1965. Joint Federal-State
Acid Mine Drainage Pollution Control Program. U.S. Depart-
ment of Interior - Bureau of Mines, Geological Survey and
Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wild Life. In House Report,
1965.
3. Inactive and Abandoned Underground Mines. Water Pollution
Prevention and Control. EPA-440/9-75-007. U.S. EPA,
Washington, D.C., June 1975.
4. Committee of Public Works, U.S. House of Representatives.
"Acid Mine Drainage," 1962, House Committee Print No. 18,
87th Congress, Second Session. U.S. Government Printing
Office: Washington, D.C.
5. Englund, Kenneth J. Geology of the Roaring Creek Area.
U.S. Department of Interior, Geological Survey Administra-
tive report, 1967, and the Geological Survey Map 1-577.
Washington, D.C., 1967.
6. Gallaher, John T. United States Geological Survey, Morgan-
town West Virginia. In-House Report. Geology of Roaring
Creek - Grassy Run Watershed. 1971.
7. United States Geological Survey. Washington D.C., In-House
Report. Stream Flow Data for Roaring Creek-Grassing Run
Watersheds. 1967.
8. Morth, A.H., E.E. Smith and K.S. Shumate. Pyritic Systems:
A Mathematical Model. U.S. EPA EPA-R2-72-002, Washington,
D.C., November 1972.
9. Parsons, J.D. 1957. Literature Pertaining to the Forma-
tion of Acid-Mine Wastes and Their Effects on the Chemistry
and Fauna of Streams. Trans. 111. State Academy of Science.
50:49-59.
147
-------
10. Warner, Richard W. 1971. Distribution of Biota In a
Stream Polluted by Acid Mine-Drainage. The Ohio Journal of
Science. 71 (4):202-215.
11. Harp, G.L. and R.S. Campbell. 1967. The Distribution of
Tendipes plumosus (Linne") in Mineral Acidity Water. Limnol.
and Oceanogr. 12(2):260-263.
12. Reppert, R.T. 1964. Aquatic Life and the Acid Reaction.
In Proceedings of the Fifth Annual Symoposium on Industrial
Waste Control. Frostburg State College and State of Mary-
land Water Pollution Control Commission, p. 27-49.
13. Lloyd, R. and D.H.M. Jordan. 1964. Some Factors Affecting
the Resistance of Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdnerii, Richard-
son) to Acid Waters. Inter. J. Air and Water Pollution.
8:393-403.
14. Black, C.A., D.D. Evans, J.L. White, L.E. Ensminger, and
F.E. Clark. Methods of Soil Analysis. Series Agronomy,
American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wisconsin, 1965.
15. McNay, L.M. Surface Mine Reclamation. Moraine State Park,
Pennsylvania. Information Circular, 8456, U.S. Bureau of
. Mines. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1970.
16. Environmental Protection Agency, Industrial Environmental
Research Laboratory. Cincinnati, Ohio. Water Quality Data
for Roaring Creek-Grassy Run Watersheds, 1974 and 1975.
17. Plass, Wm., and Vogel Willis. Demonstration and Experi-
mental Plots on Rich Mountain, a series of unpublished
progress reports from 1965 thru 1967. U.S. Department of
Agriculture. Northeast Forest Experiment Station.
18. Itek Optical Systems Division. Toxic Soil Photoanalysis
Investigation, final report for FWPCA. P.O. No. 67-2-108,
January 1968.
19. Findlay, Charles. Grouting Surface Subsidence Areas Over
Abandoned Deep Mines Above Drainage. U.S. Bureau of Mines.
In-House Report, May 1966.
20. Johns-Manville Research and Engineering Center. Precoat
Filtration of Neutralized, Settled Mine Drainage Underflow
at Norton, West Virginia. USBM Contract #14-09-0050-2931,
Johns-Manville Report #412-8014, December 1966.
21. Halliburton Company. New Mine Sealing Techniques for Water
Pollution Abatement. Federal Water Quality Administration
Contract No. 14-12-453, March 1970.
148
-------
22. Hill, Ronald D. Limestone Mine Seal. Environmental Pro-
tection Agency, Water Quality Office. In-House Report,
March 1970.
23. Burner, Charles. Fishery Management Program—Acid Mine
Drainage Pollution Control Demonstration Project No. 1.
Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. Progress Report,
July 1967.
24. Treatment and Revegetation of Test Plots on Reclaimed
Surface Mines. In-House Report. U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio.
149
-------
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Flint, R. F., 1968. Sedimentation in Roaring Creek - Grassy Run
Basins, 1965-1967. U.S. Geol. Survey Administrative
Report.
Friel, E. A., Wilmoth, B. M. , Ward, P. E. , and Wark, J. W. ,
1967. Water resources of the Monongahela River basin, West
Virginia. W. Va. Dept. of Natural Resources and W. Va.
Geol. and Econ. Survey. 118 p.
Hodge, W. W. , 1938. The effect of coal-mine drainage on West
Virginia rivers and water supplies. W. Va. Univ. Eng.
Exper. Sta. Res. Bull. 18.
Stuart, Wilbur. 1966. A work program for joint HEW - Interior
demonstration projects. U. S. Geol. Survey administrative
report.
150
-------
GLOSSARY
Abandoned Mine - A mine that is not producing any mineral and
will not continue or resume operation.
Abatement - The lessening of pollution effects.
Acid - Any of various typically water-soluble and sour compounds
that are capable of reacting with a base to form a salt, that
redden litmus, that are hydrogen containing molecules or ions
able to give up a proton to a base.
Acidity - A measure of the extent to which a solution is acid.
Usually measured by titrating with a base to a specific end
point.
Acid Mine Drainage - Any acidic water draining or flowing on, or
having drained or flowed off, any area of land affected by
mining.
Acre-Foot - The quantity of water that would cover an area of
one acre, one foot deep.
Alkaline - Having the qualities of a base (i.e., a pH above 7).
Alkalinity - A measure of the capacity to neutralize acids.
Alluvial, Alluvium - Sedimentary (clay, silt, gravel, sand, or
other rock) materials transported by flowing water and deposited
in comparatively recent geologic time as sorted or semisorted
sediments in river beds, estuaries and flood plains, on lakes,
shores, and in fans at base of mountain slopes.
Anticline - A configuration of folded stratified rocks in which
the rocks dip in two directions away from a crest or fold axis.
Aquiclude (Barrier) - A porous formation that absorbs water
slowly but will not transmit it fast enough to furnish an
appreciable supply for a well or spring.
151
-------
Backfilling - The transfer of previously moved material back
into an excavation such as mine, ditch, or against a constructed
object.
Contour backfill: Material is placed back into the excava-
tion and graded to a slope approximating
the original topography.
Pasture backfill: Material is placed back into the excavation
and graded to an almost level slope. For
this project slope was away from highwall.
Barrier - Portions of the mineral and/or overburden that are
left in place during mining.
Bench - The ledge, shelf, table, or terraces formed in the
contour method of surface mining.
Benthic - Of pertaining to, or living on the bottom of a body of
water.
Borehole - A hole formed with a drill, auger, or other tools for
exploring strata in search of minerals for water supply, for
blasting purposes, for proving the position of old workings,
faults, and for releasing accumulations of gas or water.
Chert - Very hard glassy mineral, chiefly silica.
Conglomerate - A cemented clastic rock containing rounded
fragments of gravel or pebble size.
Deep Mine - An underground mine.
Dip - The amount of inclination in degrees of a mineral seam or
rock bedding plane from the horizontal. True dip is measured
perpendicular to the strike of the bed.
Downdip - Lying down-slope along an inclined mineral seam or
rock bedding plane.
Drift - A horizontal or near horizontal passage underground
which follows a vein and may be driven from the surface.
Eluvial - A residual ore deposit almost formed in situ but
mostly displaced by creep.
Fault - A fracture along which there has been displacement of
the two sides relative to one another parallel to the fracture.
Fracture - A break in a rock formation due to intense folding or
faulting.
152
-------
Gob Piles - The refuse or waste left after mining.
Highwall - The exposed vertical or near-vertical wall-associated
with a strip or area surface mine.
Hydrostatic Head - The pressure exerted by a column of fluid
usually expressed in kilograms per square meter (Ib/sq in).
Inactive Mine - A mine that is not producing any mineral but may
continue or resume operation in the future.
mg/l - Abbreviation for milligrams per liter which is a weight
volume ratio commonly used in water quality analysis. It
expresses the weight in milligrams of a substance occurring in
one liter of liquid.
Mine Seals - A structure built in the portal of an underground
mine to control the flow of water or air.
Dry seal: A solid blockage to prevent movement of air
and/or water into or out of a mine, but does not
build up a head of water.
Wet Seal: A blockage that allows water to escape from a
mine but prevents air from entering.
Hydraulic Seal (Bulkhead): Like a dry seal, but will create
a head of water inside the mine.
Clay Seal: A dry seal made of clay.
Mine Spoil - The overburden waste material removed or displaced
from a surface mining operation that is not considered a useful
product.
Outcrop - The part of a rock formation that appears at the
surface of the ground.
Outslope - The slope formed on the outer edge of a spoil dis-
posal area.
Periphytin - Sessile biotal components of a fresh-water eco-
system.
Permeability - The measure of the ability of a material to
transmit underground water.
pjl - The negative logarithm of the hydrogen-ion activity which
denotes the degree of acidity or of basicity of a solution.
Acidity increases with decreasing values below 7 and basicity
increases with increasing values above 7.
153
-------
Pit - Any mine, quarry or excavation area worked by the open-cut
method to obtain material of value.
Pollution Load - The amount of pollutants that a transporting
stream carries during a given period of time (usually expressed
as kg/day).
Reclamation - The procedures by which a disturbed area can be
reworked to make it productive, useful, or aesthetically
pleasing.
Regrading - The movement of earth over a surface or depression
to change the shape of the land surface.
Sediment - Solid material settled from suspension in a liquid
medium.
Shaft - An excavation of limited area compared with its depth
made for mineral exploration, or for lowering or raising men and
materials, removal of ore or water, and for ventilation purposes
in underground mining.
Slope - An inclined shaft for access to a mineral seam usually
developed where the seam is situated at distance beyond the
outcrop.
Subsidence - A sinking down of part of the earth's crust.
Syncline - A configuration of folded stratified rocks in which
the rocks dip downward from opposite directions to come together
in a trough.
Underground Mining - Removal of the mineral being mined without
the disturbance of the surface (as distinguished from surface
mining).
Updip - Lying up-slope along an inclined mineral seam or rock
bedding plane.
Urethane Foam - A rigid, cellular, acid resistant foam that is
formed by mixing isocyanate and a polyether polyol containing a
halogenated hydrocarbon agent which may be used to protect
mining and pollution abatement equipment and structures.
154
-------
METRIC CONVERSION FOR APPENDIX A
To Convert
Acres
Cubic feet
Cubic feet/min.
Cubic yards
Feet
Gallons
Inches
Miles (statute)
Pounds
Tons (short)
To
Hectares
Cu. meters
Cu cms/sec
Cu. meters
Meters
Cu. meters
Centimeters
Kilometers
Kilograms
Tons (metric)
Multiply By
4.047 x 10"1
2.832 x 10
4.72 x 102
7.646 x 10
3.048 x 10
3.785 x 10
2.540
1.609
4.536 x 10
9.078 x 10"
-2
-1
-1
-3
-1
A-l
-------
APPENDIX A
DETAILED INFORMATION FOR SUBWATERSHEDS
The project site was divided into 45 work areas, each sub-
divided further into smaller units referred to as subareas.
Appendix A contains detailed information pertaining to the work
areas (designated by number, e.g., Work Area 1, Work Area 2,
...) and subareas (designated by letter, e.g., Subarea A, Sub-
area B, ...) within the subwatersheds of the project site. The
subwatersheds described in Appendix A are illustrated in Figure
A-l. The major topics considered for each subwatershed include:
1. Area Description
2. Mining Summary (Blue Book) and Work Area Description
3. Description of Mine Drainage Problem
4. Reclamation Work Performed
5. Cost of Work
6. Results of Reclamation
GRASSY RUN WATERSHED (G-l)
Area Description
The watershed encompasses 1,869 acres* of hilly terrain
south and west of Norton, West Virginia (Figure A-2). It is of
oval shape, 1.4 miles wide by 2.6 miles long. Grassy Run flows
northeast to the Tygart Valley River. The elevation of its
mouth is 1,856 feet; its headwaters are at 2,200 feet. At its
beginnings, it falls approximately 0-030 ft/ft; its gradient in
the lower reaches is 0.015 ft/ft. The town of Norton lies
adjacent to Grassy Run, with houses paralleling it for 0.8
miles. In many cases, these private dwellings contributed
directly to the pollution load carried by the stream in its
lower reaches.
* As specified by the EPA Project Officer, all units in the
Appendices are presented in the English system and a metric
conversion table has been provided.
A-2
-------
TYGART
'ALLEY
RIVER
ELKINS
GRASSY RUN
WATERSHED
NORTH BRANCH
FLATBUSH FORK
LOWER
ROARING
CREEK
r
(..J
0 2500 5000 FEET
i i i
\ >> HEADWATERS )
\ ROARING CREEK /
Figure A-l. Index map to watersheds,
A-3
-------
KEY
1966 ANNUAL LOAD (G-l)
A
-WORK AREA BOUNDARY
WORK AREA NUMBER
SUBAREA
SAMPLING STATION
MONITORING STATION
I UNDERGROUND MINE
WATERSHED BOUNDARY
STRIP MINE
* MINE OPENING
STREAM
0 500 1000 FEET
' SCALE '
1966 ANNUAL LOAD (6-3)
FLOW - 6.04 cfs
pH - 2.6
ACIDITY - 4060 TONS
IRON - 682 TONS
SULFATE - 5189 TONS
1966 ANNUAL LOAD (GT1-9)
FLOW - 1.36 cfs
pH - 2.6
ACIDITY - 966 TONS
IRON - 138 TONS
SULFATE - 1291 TONS
SS/S/Sl'/S//l'S////SS/////////S/////////////
966 ANNUAL LOAD (GT6-1
DIRECTION OF
UNDERMINE
DRAINAGE
FLOW - 1.03 cfs
pH - 3.4
ACIDITY - 78 TONS
IRON - 8 TONS
- 323 TONS!
Figure A-2. Grassy Run watershed (G-l)
A-4
-------
Mining Summary and Work Area Description
A total of 66.4 acres in the Grassy Run watershed have been
strip mined. This represents 3.6 percent of the total. The
stripped areas lie near the stream beds where the Kittanning
coal crops out. The strip pits account for 28,800 lineal feet
of highwall. Mining took place during the late 40's and early
50's, and no reclamation had been accomplished.
Underground mining in the area was extensive. A large
abandoned drift mine complex of approximately 3,000 acres lies
to the east and south side of the creek. The dip of the coal
seam is toward Grassy Run. Smaller mines lie in the west side.
Surface mining operations often intercepted the underground
mines allowing underground waters to escape. Surface water was
entering the underground mine in the Roaring Creek watershed and
was being transported to the Grassy Run basin. To illustrate
the effect of mining on a watershed Grassy Run was compared to
Sand Run, an unmined but otherwise similar watershed. Sand Run
had a total runoff of 22.35 inches for the 1965 water year.
Grassy Run on the other hand had a total runoff of 34.17 inches.
Rainfall for Grassy Run and Sand Run during water year 1965 was
37.80 inches and 39.53 inches, respectively. Even though Sand
Run had a slightly higher rainfall, Grassy Run had 53 percent
more runoff.
The specific work areas and subareas within this watershed
are shown in Figure A-2 and described below.
Work Area 23 - Norton Refuse Pile—
N
Subarea A—Concealed deep mine opening with small dis-
charge .
Subarea B—No. 1 and No. 2 haulage entry, 15-16 feet wide
by 6 feet 8 inches high and concrete-lined for 50 feet. Dis-
charge from portal was 0.53 cfs (GT 1-2).*
Subarea C—Norton No. 1 and No. 2 passing siding. Con-
crete-lined entry 14 feet by 6 feet 8 inches. Discharge was
0.07 cfs (GT 1-3) .
Subarea D—A 60-foot opening along the outcrop discharging
0.29 cfs (GT 1-1).
Subarea E—A 6-foot caved opening discharging 0.002 cfs.
+ The information discussed under this title throughout
Appendix A, refers to work areas and subareas as they originally
were prior to any reclamation work.
* Sampling station number - see text.
A-5
-------
Subarea F—A 16-foot entry with an 8-foot pillar along the
outcrop to the left. Nearly 200 feet of crosscut to the left
was in good condition. No surface discharge noted.
Subarea G—A 12-foot entry at the fanhouse discharging 0.28
cfs (GT 1-10).
Work Area 33 - Norton Strip Mine--
Subarea A—A 14-foot caved opening.
Subarea B—A 300-foot poorly graded strip with six or more
concealed openings along the highwall. There was a discharge of
0.02 cfs from the southernmost end (GT 1-4).
Subarea C—A 900-foot strip with no backfill. Twelve or
more concealed openings along the highwall. There was a dis-
charge of 0.04 cfs from the northern end (GT 1-5).
Subarea D—Road covering possible strip pit.
Subarea_E--Mostly concealed dry opening.
Subarea F—Six or more concealed openings which were
discharging 0.05 cfs (GT 1-6).
Subarea G—Eight or more concealed openings along a 1,000-
foot highwall, had a total discharge of 0.03 cfs (GT 1-7; 1-8).
Subarea H—Seven or more concealed openings along a 600-
foot highwall. There was no apparent discharge from these
openings.
Subarea I—Coal adjacent to the strip had not been mined
because of the cemetery located above the highwall. The eastern
half was contour backfilled and the western portion needed only
minor grading.
Work Area 38 - Grassy Run Swamp (4 acres)—
Flat area possibly contained 15-20 feet of sawdust and
yellowboy.
Work Area 39—
Subarea A—llth right man portal, drainage was not evident
(GT 5-1).
Subarea B—Clean, well-drained, 900-foot strip and highwall
slough covered the coal seam.
A-6
-------
Subarea C—15th right drain, 13 feet wide and 10 feet high.
Discharge was 1.9 cfs, measured by Station GT 6-1. This was the
major discharge of the watershed.
Subarea D—Caved opening showed no drainage.
Subarea E—A 300-foot strip with auger holes along 50-feet
of the highwall. There was no apparent drainage.
Work Area 40 - 15th Right Fanhouse Strip—
Subarea A—Fan drift opening with no discharge.
Subarea B—Concealed entry, had little or no drainage (GT
8-4) .
Work Area 41 - Lower GT-8 Strip—
Subarea A—A 300-foot strip, had no apparent drainage.
Water ran toward the highwall and any openings were entirely
concealed.
Subarea B—A 1,200-foot strip, dirty and poorly graded,
there were at least 20 concealed openings along a broken high-
wall.
Work Area 42 - Upper GT-8 Strip—
Subarea A—Small, partially concealed opening which had
only a slight discharge in wet weather.
Subarea B—Small, concealed, dry opening.
Subarea C—Small, concealed, dry opening.
Subarea D—At least six concealed openings along the
highwall, with no backfill. Spoil area and cut were covered
with trees, shrubs, and grass.
Subarea E—Strip with final cut, was not backfilled.
Locust trees were established on the spoil and a pool was
formed at the west end (GT 8-3).
Subarea F—Concealed opening in the highwall, had no
drainage.
Description of Mine Drainage Problem
At its mouth, Grassy Run contained 3,497, 3,715, and 3,891
tons of acidity per year during the prereclamation years of
1964, 1965, and 1966, respectively. The pH varied from 2.5 to
2.8 (Table A-l and A-2). The major sources of pollution were
A-7
-------
TABLE A-l.
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY DATA FOR STATION G-l,
MOUTH OF GRASSY RUN
Quarter
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Flow in cfs
1
8.50
13.66
8.18
11.12
10.51
9.35
11.10
16.00
2
9.36
10.45
9.19
12.59
9.88
7.51
10.31
8.93
3
1.75
1.40
2.13
2.61
2.78
3.86
5.26
6.60
4
3.37
1.08
4.27
6.84
4.93
5.58
7.40
8.00
pH value
1
2.8
2.8
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.7
2.7
2.9
2
2.9
2.6
2.5
2.7
2.9
2.7
2.6
2.8
3
2.7
2.6
2.5
2.7
2.8
2.7
2.7
2.8
4
2.8
2.6
2.6
-
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.6
Specific conductance in ymhos/cm
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1525
1484
1487
1491
1315
1133
1283
948
1747
1504
1569
1352
1025
1325
1433
1700
2092
1741
1925
1633
1286
1216
1466
1133
1844
1531
1694
-
953
1260
1016
1400
Acidity
Load in tons
1417
1841
1317
2734
1430
1102
1165
1516
1195
1457
1532
1526
899
944
1717
1064
319
238
375
354
305
385
649
586
566
179
667
-
474
626
794
861
Concentration in mg/1
680
551
661
618
556
484
413
391
583
570
686
499
372
514
463
491
743
712
724
557
450
434
504
366
690
679
659
—
395
459
438
444
Total Iron
Load in tons
226
296
248
543
321
235
256
373
190
257
288
277
170
229
212
181
52
35
58
60
45
66
117
102
86
27
97
-
81
143
194
192
Concentration in mg/1
108
118
125
123
125
103
95
96
93
101
129
91
71
125
84
83
120
104
112
96
65
74
92
64
104
104
93
_
67
105
110
99
(continued)
A-8
-------
TABLE A-l (continued).
Quarter
Year
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Sulfate
Load in tons
1
2001
3052
1657
3489
1955
1521
1863
2380
2
1795
2359
1857
2099
1304
1229
2169
1291
3
535
356
501
524
390
556
1229
598
4
885
247
894
-
677
1066
1176
1620
Concentration in mq/1
1
960
913
832
789
760
668
688
613
2
876
923
836
686
540
668
862
596
3
1243
1043
965
824
577
638
955
373
4
1080
941
857
—
563
782
649
835
Hardness
Load in tons
775
1185
707
1497
827
967
1063
1622
849
759
825
954
617
984
972
805
243
174
234
271
226
353
630
—
426
117
441
—
373
689
984
812
Concentration in mg/1
372
354
335
338
321
424
392
418
414
375
369
312
255
535
386
372
564
509
450
426
334
397
489
—
518
443
422
-
310
507
543
418
Calcium
Load in tons
_
_
496
987
630
668
691
1034
_
715
563
633
439
674
705
689 1
_
112
156
183
155
234
464
384
_
83
283
—
253
505
559
517
Concentration in mg/1
_
-
249
224
245
293
255
267
—
280
252
207
182
367
280
318
—
330
300
287
230
263
360
339
—
316
271
-
210
370
309
266
Aluminum
Load in tons
—
—
61
128
91
65
91
124
-
128
74
87
54
71
51
68
-
14
20
22
23
25
47
—
-
11
28
-
40
63
76
66
Concentration in ma/1
-
-
31
29
36
29
34
32
-
50
33
29
22
39
20
31
-
41
39
35
34
28
38
"•
-
42
27
-
34
46
42
34
A-9
-------
TABLE A-2. SUMMARY OF ANNUAL DATA FOR STATION G-l,
MOUTH OF GRASSY RUN, AND STATION GT 6-1, DRAINWAY DISCHARGE
Year
Station G-l
Before
reclamation
1965
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
Station GT6-1
Before
reclamation
1965
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
Rainfall,
inches
39.97
46.11
44.92
51.96
46.28
45.50
Flow,
billion
gallons
1.56
1.39
1.66
1.54
1.98
2.33
0.70
0.44
0.63
0.45
0.46
0.38
Acidity,
tons
3,715
3,891
3,108
3,057
3,325
4,027
2,865
2,163
2,023
1,523
1,575
1,224
Iron,
tons
715
691
617
673
779
848
624
445
500
419
382
315
Sulfate,
tons
6,314
4,909
4,326
4,382
6,437
5,889
4,121
2,513
2,471
1,915
2,536
1,903
A-10
-------
the underground discharges at GT 6-1 (Work Area 39C), the mine
entries at Norton (Work Areas 22B, C, and D), the refuse pile at
Norton, and the large strip mines along upper Grassy Run (these
strips and associated auger holes broke into the underground
works and allowed water from the underground drainage to seep
into the strip pit). The largest single pollution contributor
was the old drainway-GT 6-1. During the base year 1966, it
contributed 31 percent of the flow, 54 percent of the acidity,
65 percent of the iron, and 50 percent of the sulfate found in
Grassy Run (Table A-3). The other major sources could not be
pinpointed as easily as GT 6-1, because they consisted of
complex combinations of underground, surface, and refuse pile
discharges. The Norton area as measured at GT 1-9 was one such
source which in 1966 contributed 24 percent of the acidity, 20
percent of the iron and 25 percent of the sulfate found in
Grassy Run (Table A-4).
The underground discharges that were identified accounted
for approximately 50 percent of the acid mine drainage. It was
known that a large amount of other acid mine drainage seeps into
the strip pit from the underground mines and could be accurately
measured.
The natural unpolluted water in Grassy Run, as measured in
a stream above any mining, showed that the water had a low
buffering capacity and was on the acid side. A typical analysis
would be as follows: pH - 5.9, acidity - 7.6 mg/1, alkalinity -
2.0 mg/1, iron - 0.07 mg/1, sulfate - 6.1 mg/1, calcium - 9.5
mg/1, hardness - 9 mg/1, aluminum - 1.2 mg/1, and conductivity -
44 ymhos/cm.
Reclamation Work Performed
Due to termination of the project, no reclamation work was
performed in the Grassy Run watershed. The bidding schedule for
the project, however, did propose for reclamation of this water-
shed. The proposed work for the Grassy Run watershed is de-
scribed below.
Work Area 33 - Norton Strip Mine—
Cleaning and grubbing of area, burial of acid forming
and/or carbonaceous material, compaction of backfill along the
highwall to prevent infiltration of water, and regrading to a
pasture backfill in all but Subareas A and B, which would be
graded to contour. An estimated 12,000 cubic yards of compacted
backfill and 93,000 cubic yards of excavation would have been
required. About 26.6 acres were to be affected.
Work Area 32 - Norton Refuse Pile—
Reconstruction of the gob pile and tipple area. Cleaning
and grubbing of strip areas, and backfill to contour. Volumes
of material to be moved were not specified because of the
A-ll
-------
TABLE A-3.
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY DATA FOR STATION GT6-1,
UNDERGROUND MINE DRAINWAY
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
DRAINWAY
Flow in cfs
1
4.79
2.30
5.30
2.66
3.15
3.42
3.15
2
5.96
3.10
4.32
6.03
2.52
2.36
1.54
3
0.65
0.84
1.13
1.03
1.00
0.79
0.78
4
0.47
1.27
6.75
1.01
0.97
1.23
1.00
pH value
1
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.7
2.6
2.5
2
2.6
2.5
2.6
2.8
2.6
2.5
3
2.6
2.5
2.7
2.7
2.5
2.6
4
2.5
2.5
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
Specific conductance in ymhos/cm
2383
2381
2278
1666
1691
1933
1400
1896
2162
1904
1523
1750
1800
1600
2045
2375
1953
1655
1833
1883
1900
2236
2530
1920
1587
1823
1700
2033
•
Acidity
Load in tons
1408
736
1495
565
652
703
665
1158
693
877
1029
461
449
241
136
225
226
187
215
157
109
123
409
1615
242
195
266
209
Concentration in mg/1
1199
1303
1149
866
843
839
870
793
1041
827
696
745
779
645
856
1085
816
737
879
806
574
1080
1309
976
899
824
885
869
Total Iron
Load in tons
318
152
315
131
172
156
174
252
172
193
271
147
94
50
28
47
53
38
46
39
28
26
74
397
60
52
93
63
Concentration in mg/1
271
269
242
200
222
187
228
173
226
182
183
238
163
134
175
227
190
150
188
202
145
224
236
240
223
220
310
263
(continued)
A-12
-------
TABLE A-3 (continued).
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Sulfate
Load in tons
1
1990
804
1755
644
805
1073
964
2
1771
979
1079
1317
551
730
330
3
199
272
307
223
268
278
171
4
161
458
2144
287
291
455
438
Concentration in mg/1
1
1695
1423'
1349
987
1040
1280
1262
2
1212
1285
1018
890
892
1263
884
3
1250
1314
1110
882
1053
1430
900
4
1407
1465
1295
1062
1228
1513
1824
Hardness
Load in tons-
634
307
668
338
415
515
496
644
357
444
514
377
316
189
92
114
135
110
137
135
—
69
213
837
140
146
246
167
Concentration in mg/1
539
542
513
517
536
618
649
441
468
419
347
610
548
505
579
548
488
434
557
695
—
601
682
505
519
615
817
697
Calcium
Load in tons
_
218
453
220
277
344
277
_
249
306
367
268
213
133
66
80
93
77
93
88
77
49
149
566
95
97
155
106
Concentration in mg/1
_
386
348
337
358
410
363
_
327
288
248
433
368
358
416
387
335
303
378
450
405
428
477
342
353
408
515
443
Aluminum
Load in tons
«.
32
68
24
32
49
37
_
37
42
73
32
17
16
7
12
13
13
12
12
""
6
18
91
19
13
24
18
Concentration in mg/1
_
57
52
37
42
59
49
—
48
40
49
52
30
44
46
57
47
50
50
61
•*
54
57
55
69
54
79
74
A-13
-------
TABLE A-4.
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY DATA FOR STATION GT1-9,
UNDERGROUND DISCHARGE
Quarter
Year
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Flow in cfs
1
_
3.56
1.43
—
2.65
2.32
2.78
4.25
2
1.93
3.66
2.27
2.94
—
1.65
1.32
1.34
3
0.35
0.44
0.59
0.74
—
1.10
0.47
2.88
4
0.57
0.23
1.22
—
1.28
1.12
0.55
-
pH Value
1
-
2.8
2.6
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.7
2
2.9
2.7
'2.6
2.7
-
2.7
2.6
3
2.6
2.6
2.5
2.8
-
2.6
2.6
4
2.8
2.6
2.7
-
2.8
2.8
2.7
Specific conductance in ymhos/cm
M
1527
1804
1668
1366
1308
1416
933
1860
1625
1802
-
—
1475
1500
1360
2205
1976
2186
1775
-
1541
1700
1466
2130
1944
1837
-
—
1466
1660
—
Acidity
Load in tons
_
461
250
-
314
271
321
406
327
547
410
-
-
207
155
143
68
79
110
108
-
144
67
271
112
43
179
-
121
140
72
—
Concentration in mg/1
_
528
715
612
484
476
469
394
691
610
737
—
-
511
478
439
784
725
828
597
—
538
584
388
798
760
601
_
384
509
534
0
Total Iron
Load in tons
-
80
38
-
57
46
51
49
49
87
71
-
-
44
22
23
10
10
16
15
-
19
10
45
15
5
17
-
16
27
16
—
Concentration in mg/1
0
91
110
94
87
80
75
48
103
97
127
—
—
110
68
71
115
93
118
81
—
70
85
64
106
91
56
_
52
98
118
-
A-14
(continued)
-------
TABLE A-4 (continued).
Quarter
Year
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Sulfate
Load in tons
1
-
842
323
-
394
404
475
637
2
485
891
534
-
0
272
287
208
3
117
119
146
165
-
204
128
361
4
174
64
259
-
185
243
120
-
Concentration in mq/1
1
-
964
922
868
607
710
695
618
2
1026
993
960
—
-
672
887
640
3
1355
1093
1102
915
—
758
1122
517
4
1242
1115
867
0
590
883
888
-
Hardness '
Load in tons
_
350
154
-
264
277
316
463
231
389
235
-
-
223
128
150
53
62
70
92
-
133
71
-
86
22
182
-
109
163
197
-
Concentration in mg/1
_
400
440
443
406
486
463
449
488
433
423
—
-
552
396
460
613
571
528
509
-
493
621
-
615
551
611
-
348
590
1456
-
Calcium
Load in tons
_
105
-
-
185
204
287
284
156
-
—
162
90
98
41
46
63
-
86
49
210
22
128
-
105
59
—
Concentration in mg/1
-
301
281
-
325
298
278
316
280
-
-
402
305
302
378
347
352
-
320
430
300
380
428
-
-
382
433
—
Aluminum
Load in tons
15
-
_
17
25
47
49
24
-
—
16
7
12
6
7
8
-
10
6
—
4
10
-
-
14
7
«.
Concentration in mg/1
_
44
13
—
31
36
45
54
43
-
-
40
21
36
51
53
44
—
37
49
~
62
34
—
—
49
55
~
A-15
-------
unknown extent of the refuse pile, etc. Control measures for
the several deep mine openings were not specified because the
underground mine was still active.
Work Area 38 - Grassy Run Swamp--
Draining and filling of swamp filled with sawdust, yellow-
boy, and acid mine drainage. Construction of a new stream
channel for Grassy Run. The work required here was not speci-
fied because of many unknown features of the swamp, i.e., depth
and amount of material in swamp and best location of new stream-
bed. The excavation was estimated at 1,200 cubic yards and the
length of channel at 3,000 feet. Size of swamp was 4.0 acres.
Work Area 40 - 15th Right Fanhouse Strip—
One wet and one dry seal were proposed. Extra work to be
specified later was included in the bidding schedule for clean-
ing up gob, old buildings, etc.
Work Area 41 - Lower GT-8 Strip—
To be regraded to a contour backfill. The estimates were
59,000 cubic yards of excavation and 11,000 cubic years for
filling subsidence holes. Area to be affected was 10.3 acres.
Work Area 42 - Upper GT-8 Strip—
Nine dry seals and wet seals were recommended. The area
was to be graded to a contour backfill. The estimated yardage
was 4,500 cubic yards of compacted backfill, 60,000 cubic yards
of excavation, and 8,500 cubic yards for subsidence repair.
Area to be affected was 13.8 acres.
Cost of Work
There are no costs associated with the Grassy Run watershed
since there was no reclamation of this site.
Results of Reclamation
As explained earlier, the project was terminated before any
reclamation work could be initiated in Grassy Run watershed. It
was believed, though, that reclamation performed in the parts of
Roaring Creek watershed which diverted water from the under-
ground mine complex that normally flowed through the mine to
Grassy Run, would reduce the flow and possibly the pollution
load'in Grassy Run. The influence of reclamation in Roaring
Creek on pollution improvement in Grassy Run is discussed below.
Table A-2 indicates that the acidity load measured at the
mouth of Grassy Run (G-l) improved substantially following
reclamation of Roaring Creek watershed. If 1966 is used as a
base year (rainfall for 1966 was similar to that of postreclama-
tion years), then reductions of 783 tons (20 percent), 834 tons
(21 percent), and 566 tons (15 percent) occurred during 1968,
A-16
-------
1969, and 1970, respectively. In 1971 an increase in flow
caused an increase of 136 tons of acidity over the base value.
Reductions in iron and sulfate were also noted in 1968 and 1969;
however they increased to levels above prereclamation in 1970
and 1971. The flow at the mouth of Grassy Run was greater after
reclamation than before. This finding is difficult to explain
except that it reflects the inherent problem of comparing annual
rainfall and runoff data for different years. Quarterly data
for this site are presented in Table A-l.
It was believed that the mine discharge at drain tunnel GT
6-1 would possibly reveal the reduction of inflow better than
the mouth of Grassy Run, since there would be less influence
from outside factors. As seen in Table A-2 acidity and iron
levels have decreased, whereas the flow and sulfate levels have
remained about the same. Two observations provide some indica-
tion that the reclamation work has caused changes in Grassy Run.
The underground mines are yielding a smaller percentage of the
total flow in Grassy Run, and heavy rainstorms no longer produce
extreme peaks in the flow from GT 6-1. It would appear that
more time is now required for the water to enter the mine.
Thus, the large slugs of acid water have been eliminated.
In summary, it appears that some reduction in acidity has
occurred, whereas the reduction of flow, iron, and sulfate is
questionable.
HEADWATERS OF ROARING CREEK (R-9)
Area Description
Roaring Creek has its headwaters on Rich Mountain above
Sampling Station R-9 (see Figure A-l). The watershed is 2.5
miles long by 1.1 miles wide and contains 1440 acres. Station
R-9 lies at elevation 2,450 ft. while Rich Mountain rises to
3,662 ft. in the southeast portion. The mainstem of the creek
flows 2.4 miles through the watershed, falling at the rate of
0.083 ft/ft for the first half of its length and 0.026 ft/ft as
it leaves the area. The drainage basin is wooded and has very
few private dwellings.
Mining Summary and Work Area Description
There were 18.6 acres of surface-mined land in the water-
shed, accounting for 1.3 percent of the total area. This mining
was done in the Sewell coal seam and contributes very little to
the pollution load of Roaring Creek. The area contains no
underground mines.
A-17
-------
Description of Mine Drainage Problem
In these upper reaches of Roaring Creek there was little or
no acid mine drainage pollution. Table A-5 shows that the water
quality for 1965-1967 was better than any point downstream.
Water passing Station R-9 was considered to be typical of
natural runoff.
Reclamation Work Performed
There were no major pollution problems associated with the
headwaters of Roaring Creek, and therefore reclamation work was
not performed in this area.
UPPER ROARING CREEK (R-8 to R-7)
Area Description
The watershed drains into upper Roaring creek above Mabie,
and is designated by Stations R-8 to R-7 on Roaring Creek
(Figure A-3). It encompasses an area of 582 acres. The stream
drops 12 feet between R-8 and R-7 in a distance of 1.0 mile.
Roaring Creek meanders considerably and encircles Work Area 31.
Mining Summary and Work Area Description
A total of 89 acres, 15 percent of the watershed, has been
surface-mined. Work Area 31 contains 37 acres of strip mining
and has been deep-mined extensively. The Demotto strip contains
approximately 30 acres and was mined in May-October 1965. It
was not reclaimed until 1968. Work Area 26, upper Flatbush Fork
strip, contains 24.6 acres, and is partially located in a remote
part of the drainage area. It contributes very little pollution
to Roaring Creek. Work areas within this watershed are shown in
Figure A-3 and described below.
Work Area 26 - Upper Flatbush Fork Strip (7 acres)—
Subarea A—A 16-foot opening in highwall. Only driven 15
feet into solid coal.
Subarea B—A 16-foot opening in highwall. Entry caved 40
feet from portal (RT 6-29 drain), spoil had been leveled, but
coal seam was exposed.
Work Area 31 - Mabie Mine Strip (14 acres)—
Subarea C—Nine" or more partially concealed openings.
Seepage was noted from three.
Subarea D—Eight or more partially concealed openings were
noted along this highwall. No drainage was noted. The re-
A-18
-------
TABLE A-5.
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY DATA FOR STATION R-9,
HEADWATERS OF ROARING CREEK
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
Flow in cfs
1
8.529
4.449
10.448
2
4.014
6.797
8.020
3
0.093
0.759
2.923
4
0.462
5.471
pH value
1
5.3
5.3
5.4
2
5.6
5.5
5.6
3
5.6
4.8
5.8
4
4.6
5.5
Specific conductance in wmhos/cm
1965
1966
1967
1965
1966
1967
1965
1966
1967
1965
1966
1967
1965
1966
1967
1965
1966
1967
1965
1966
1967
28
37
28
25
33
31
59
102
29
111
32
Acidity
Load in tons
7
15
5
2.4
12
.06
2
2
1.8
8
Concentration in mg/1
3.1
14
1.8
2.4
7
2.8
11
3
15.6
6
Iron
Load in tons
.4
.1
.6
.4
.3
.2
.01
.1
.07
.03
.8
Concentration in mg/1
.2
.08
.2
.4
.2
.1
.5
.8
.1
.3
.6
Sulfate
Load in tons
9
6
8
4
9
8
0.2
3
3
1.4
6
Concentration in mg/1
4
5
3
4
6
4
8
14
4
12
4
Hardness
Load in tons
16
9
14
6
9
6
.3
4
8
1.3
15
Concentration in mg/1
7
8
5
6
5
3
11
19
11
11
11
Calcium
Load in tons
8
11
4
8
5
.2
2
5
.1
11
Concentration
7
4
4
5
3
7
12
7
in mg/1
7
8
Aluminum
Load in tons
.3
.5
.1
.4
.2
.03
.1
.03
1.2
Concentration
.2
.2
.1
.2
.1
2
.5
in mg/1
.2
.8
A-19
-------
0
l_
SCALE
200 400
800 FEET
I
(3J
A
A
X
KEY
-WORK AREA BOUNDARY
WORK AREA NUMBER
SUBAREA
SAMPLING STATION,
MONITORING STATION
UNDERGROUND MINE
WATERSHED BOUNUARY
STRIP MINE
1966 ANNUAL LOAD R-7)
FLOW - 12.69 cfs
pH - 3.5
ACIDITY - 883 TONS
IRON - 62 TONS
SULFATE - 1190 TONS
1966 ANNUAL LOAD (R-8)
Figure A-3. Upper Roaring Creek (R-8 to R-7)
A-20
-------
maining subareas located in Work Area 31, which do not affect
this watershed, are reported later in Appendix A (see the Middle
Roaring Creek segment).
Description of Mine Drainage Problem
Flow values and water quality at Stations R-8 and R-7 are
shown in Tables A-6 and A-7. A water quality summary for
Station R-7, showing the various parameters, is presented later
in Appendix A (see the Middle Roaring Creek segment). Signifi-
cant changes in water quality occurred in May and June 1965 as a
result of an active strip located in the Mercer seam and oper-
ated by the Demotto Coal Company. The pH decreased one unit,
and acidity, specific conductance, iron and sulfate increased
200 to 700 percent. Reclamation of this area did not begin
until 1968. The area was planted in late 1968 and at this time
a second significant change in water quality occurred.
The largest mine drainage from Work Area 31 discharged from
RM-9.* Other mining in this watershed contributed little or no
mine drainage to Roaring Creek.
Reclamation Work Performed
Except for reclamation done by the Roaring Creek Company on
the Demotto strip, no reclamation or mine sealing was performed
in this drainage area.
Cost of Work
No construction costs were incurred in the drainage area.
Planting of black alder, Japanese larch, tulip poplar, cotton-
wood, and white oak on 18 acres of Work Area 26 were made at a
cost of $103.10/acre. Black alder and white oak are the pre-
dominant species, with greater than 65 percent survival.
*»»>
Results of Reclamation
The greatest mine pollution of Roaring Creek between R-8
and R-7 was contributed by an active strip mine (Demotto strip)
operated by the Roaring Creek Coal Company.
Significant changes in concentrations and loads for iron,
acidity, and sulfates were detected immediately after reclama-
tion by the coal company in 1968 (Table A-7).
* The prefix RM is used to designate mine drainage moni-
toring sites in Work Area 31.
A-21
-------
TABLE A-6.
SUMMARY OF ANNUAL DATA FOR STATIONS R-7 AND R-8,
UPPER ROARING CREEK
*~mmii~*~mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmi*~~mmmmm~*mmmmmmmm
-------
TABLE A-7.
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY DATA FOR STATION R-8,
UPPER ROARING CREEK
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Flow in cfs
1
-
12.000
14.927
21.376
11.369
22.666
24.75
2
9.578
18.129
20.659
20.416
6.699
11.166
11.78
3
0.144
I. Ill
4.322
0.595
15.183
4.166
—
4
0.943
13.163
10.566
16.726
8.941
13.516
—
pH value
1
-
4.5
4.7
4.9
4.9
4.7
5.0
2
4.7
4.5
4.6
4.9
4.9
4.6
5.2
3
4-4
3.9
4.9
5.0
4.3
5.3
0
4
4.0
4.5
4.1
5.1
4.8
5.1
0
Specific conductance in ymhos/cm
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
_
74
56
40
58
50
42
54
67
59
39
54
67
45
164
159
47
69
60
69
—
194
57
36
63
60
45
—
Acidity
Load in tons
mm,,.
50
15
30
23
64
12
9
45
25
43
16
30
7
0.2
8
4
0.7
34
7
—
4
22
13
17
22
12
—
Concentration in mg/1
_
17
4
6
8
12
2.0
3.7
10
5
9
10
11
2.6
4.7
19
4
5
9
7
~
15.9
7
5
4
10
3.5
0
Iron
Load in tons
0.3
0.6
0.5
2
6
4
0.5
0.8
2
0.5
1.5
4
0.6
0.02
0.3
0.2
0.1
3
1.6
—
0.1
1.3
0.5
1
2
3
—
Concentration in mg/1
-
0.1
0.2
0.1
0.7
1
0.6
0.2
0.2
0.4
0.1
0-9
1.3
0.2
0.6
0.6
0.2
0.5
0.9
1.6
—
0.4
0.4'
0.2
0.3
1
0.9
—
(continued)
A-23
-------
TABLE A-7 (continued).
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Sulfate
Load in tons
1
—
53
42
40
30
49
42
2
55
78
54
39
14
33
20
3
0.6
16
12
2
30
26
0
4
10
65
26
79
20
28
0
Concentration in mg/1
1
-
18
12
8
11
9
7
2
23
18
11
8
9
12
7
3
18
36
11
14
8
25
0
4
42
20
10
19
10
8
0
Hardness
Load in tons
_
55
48
54
63
77
84
34
62
53
58
23
25
77
0.7
14
19
2
54
16
—
7
54
43
66
25
28
—
Concentration in mg/1
0
18
13
10
22
13
14
14
13
10
11
14
9
27
20
32
17
15
14
15
—
29
16
16
16
11
16
—
Calcium
Load in tons
_
31
29
87
48
44
36
18
37
38
33
14
12
17
0.4
8
13
1.5
30
9
0
4
36
26
32
15
27
0
Concentration in mg/1
0
11
8
17
17
8
6
8
9
7
7
9
4
6
11
18
12
10
8
9
-
17
11
10
8
7
8
-
Aluminum
Load in tons
—
2
1
9
7
6
4
0.8
2
2
0.5
1
2.7
2.3
0.02
0.4
0.3
0.1
5
1
—
0.2
2
0.4
14
4
2.8
—
Concentration in mg/1
—
0.6
0.3
1.6
2.6
1
0.7
0.3
0.4
0.4
0.1
0.6
1
0.8
0.4
0.8
0.2
0.9
1.3
0.9
—
0.7
0.7
0.1
3
2.0
0.8
-
A-24
-------
NORTH FORK BRANCH FLATBUSH RUN WATERSHED (RT 9-2)
Area Description
The oblong watershed encompasses 605 acres of hilly and
rolling land (Figure A-4). Its southern border approximates
State Route 53; the northern and western limits parallel US 33.
At its most western point, the basin reaches Pumpkintown, West
Virginia. King Summit school is located just north of the basin
on US 33 in an area containing most of the private dwellings in
the watershed. The basin is 1.89 miles long and 0.83 miles
across at the widest point. The total length of the main stream
is 1.46 miles, falling at the average rate of 0.025 ft/ft from
its headwaters. Total relief in the area is 311 feet; the
highest point being 2,551 feet above sea level.
Mining Summary and Work Area Description
Strip mining in the watershed during the 40's and 50's
disturbed approximately 131 acres (22 percent of land area).
This activity left 3000 feet of highwall. To the north and
northeast, the strip mines intercept a large underground mine
which extends to Norton. Approximately 70 acres of this deep
mine underlie the watershed. The strip mines lie on the high
side of the Kittanning coal seam, and drainage generally was
into the underground mines, since the grading was toward the
highwall. Several small underground mines operated from the
strip cut, but did not usually have drainage. On the south side
of the watershed was a 58-acre two-seam strip mine. One small
underground mine was located in the lower Clarion seam. Drain-
age from this area was into Flatbush Fork.
Work areas within this watershed are shown in Figure A-4
and described below.
Work Area 1 - Flatbush No. 1 Strip (22 acres)—
This strip was backfilled but poorly graded. The acid
refuse covering was yielding runoff of pH - 3.2, acidity - 250
mg/1, and iron - 33 mg/1.
Work Area 2 - Flatbush No. 1 Strip Continued (30 acres)—
Subarea A—Old mine opening with about 8 inches of water on
the floor.Water seeped into the pit.
Subarea B—Opening to the old underground mine workings
with no drainage.
Work Area 3 - Flatbush No. 1 Strip Continued (5 acres)—
This strip was unbackfilled, and excessive acid refuse was
exposed on the spoil. An intermittent stream had been inter-
cepted and water was impounded in the highwall cut. Discharge
A-25
-------
ro
KEY
WORK AREA BOUNDARY
© WORK AREA NUMBER
A SUBAREA
» SAMPLING STATION
X MONITORING STATION
_ Kimai UNDERGROUND MINE
C~> WATERSHED BOUNDARY
» MINE OPENING
=*•» STREAM
° CLAY SEAL
• DRY SEAL
• WET SEAL
M SPECIAL SAND SEAL (DOUBLE)
STRIP MINE
ET3I3 PASTURE BACKFILL
SS23 CONTOUR BACKFILL
3 SMALLOWTAIL
TO RT6-23, RTS-9
S GT6-1
DIRECTION OF
UNDERGROUND
DRAINAGE
Figure A-4. North Branch Flatbush Fork watershed (RT9-2).
-------
(RT 9-6) from the area had a pH - 3.4, acidity - 240 mg/1 and
iron - 14 mg/1.
Work Area 4 - Prospect Strip (2.1 acres)—
Strip unbackfilled and was on a seam below the Kittanning
coal.
Work Area 5 - Flatbush No. 1 Strip Continued (4.3 acres)--
Well-graded and backfilled area with no visible openings.
Work Area 6 - Flatbush No. 1 Strip Continued (11.5 acres)—
The strip pit was unbackfilled, contained acid-producing
material and drained towards the highwall.
Subarea A—Two openings to the active Sainato Mine.
Subarea B—Caved opening 16 by 12 feet.
Subarea C—Concealed opening in the highwall.
Subarea D—Three concealed openings in the highwall.
Work Area 7 - Flatbush No. 1 Strip Continued—
The strip was unbackfilled, ungraded, and dirty, with
drainage into a large pool impounded next to the highwall.
Subarea A—Concealed opening to mine.
Subarea B—Subsidence area.
Subarea C—Concealed opening with massive caving in the
highwall.
Subarea D—A 14-foot mine opening. A siphon hose ran from
the pool in the strip into the mine to lower the pool level.
Subarea E—Two 14-foot concealed openings in the highwall.
Work Area 8 - Flatbush No. 1 Strip Continued (3.2 acres)—
Part of Area 8 (Subareas A-E) is in another watershed.
These subareas are considered later in the Appendix under the
Flatbush Fork watershed segment.
Subarea F—Opening to the mine, with no drainage in or out.
Subarea G—Caved opening in the highwall.
Subarea H—Caved dry opening in the highwall.
Subarea I—Opening into the old workings, with no drainage.
The mine was above drainage in the strip pit. The outer spoils
had been leveled, but the highwall cut remains unbackfilled. A
A-27
-------
refuse pile remained near the tipple south of the mine opening.
Work Area 23 - Upper Pumpkintown Road Strip—
This strip, on the Kittanning seams of coal, was completed
in the early 1960's. Approximately 50 percent of the operation
had been leveled, but none had been graded to expedite runoff.
Acid-forming refuse was exposed throughout the spoils. The
highwall showed no deep mine openings. Work Areas 23 and 24
contain 58 acres, of which only 44 are in this watershed.
Work Area 24 - Lower Pumpkintown Strip and Strip Mine in Clarion
Coal—
Subarea A—Two openings 50 feet apart. Both portals were
caved, and yield a combined discharge of about 2 gpm. The mines
were flooded behind blockages of iron precipitates on wet
leaves. Six small discharges from the strip were noted. Much
of the strip had coal spread indiscriminately on the spoil
surface. Discharge from RT 9-11, from the underground mine,
average flow was 0.035 cfs, pH - 2.8, acidity - 600 mg/1, and
iron - 110 mg/1.
Description of Mine Drainage Problem
This watershed exhibits the problems of strip mine drainage
almost exclusively. For the base year 1966, the deep mines
contributed less than 1 percent of the pollution. Selection of
this base year is important in considering the pollution load
carried by the stream. The year 1966 was selected rather than
1965 because precipitation conditions in 1966 were similar to
those in postconstruction years (Table A-8). Average concentra-
tions of pollutants in the stream for the base year at Station
RT 9-2 were as follows: acidity - 169 mg/1, total iron - 4.7
mg/1, sulfate - 297 mg/1, hardness - 188 mg/1, calcium - 99
mg/1, and aluminum - 15 mg/1 (Table A-9). Data for Station RT
9-9 represents the quality of natural runoff not affected by
mining. This channel was dry most of the year and carried water
only during wet seasons or immediately after a storm. For
example, in February 1966 the data for RT 9-9 was as follows:
pH - 4.5, specific conductance - 112 ymhos/cm, acidity - 11
mg/1, total iron - 0.08 mg/1, sulfate - 24 mg/1, hardness - 20
mg/1, calcium - 14 mg/1, and aluminum - 0.6 mg/1. These data
show that the natural runoff was on the acidic side and the
water has virtually no buffering capacity.
A-28
-------
TABLE A-8. SUMMARY OF ANNUAL DATA FOR STATION RT 9-2,
MOUTH OF NORTH BRANCH FLATBUSH FORK
Year
Before
reclamation
1965
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
Rain,
inches
36.65
44.79
41.46
42.58
42.60
37.92
Flow,
billion
gallons
0.31
0.43
0.48
0.38
0.33
0.52
Acidity,
tons
195
278
151
143
117
174
Iron,
tons
6.5
12.0
8.5
9.0
5.5
8.9
Sulfate,
tons
369
484
438
307
255
228
Reclamation Work Performed
All of the disturbed lands in this watershed were re-
claimed. The reclamation plan was to seal the underground mines
to prevent air and water from entering and to reclaim the strip
mines to prevent the movement of acid from that source. For
bidding purposes, Work Areas 1-9 and 23-24 were combined.
As seen in Table A-10 the estimated excavation in the contract
was 717,000 cubic yards. A survey of the area following recla-
mation revealed that 999,029 cubic yards had been moved. The
increase in yardage is partially due to the method of calcula-
tion, i.e., original yardage was calculated from maps made from
aerial photographs and cross sections superimposed by the
consulting engineer. The final yardage was calculated from an
on-ground survey and compared to the maps prepared from aerial
photographs. More fill than originally estimated was needed in
some cases.
The contract called for 16 dry masonry seals to be construc-
ted in Work Areas 1-9 and two in Work Area 24. The actual
seals constructed are reported in Table A-ll. In many cases, it
was found that the condition of the underground mine openings
made it difficult to install dry seals. In such instances the
opening was filled with compacted clay. In other cases, the
highwall was in such poor condition that the installation of dry
seals would have been a safety hazard, so a compacted backfill
was used. In Work Area 24, two dry seals were constructed.
Several months later one of these seals failed and a wet seal
was constructed as a replacement.
A-29
-------
TABLE A-9. SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY DATA FOR STATION RT 9-2,
MOUTH OF NORTH BRANCH FLATBUSH FORK
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969a
1970a
1971a
Flow in cfs
1
3.53
2.62
3.53
2.93
2.10
1.93
3.02
2
1.43
2.23
2.41
2.82
1.30
1.48
1.21
3
0.07
0.53
0.75
0.49
1.04
0.47
3.09
4
0.27
1.93
1.42
1.88
1.87
1.71
1.62
pH value
1
3.4
3.3
3.4
3.6
3.7
3.7
3.8
2
3.2
3.2
3.4
3.8
3.5
3.3
3.5
3
3.0
3.0
3.3
3.4
3.1
3.4
3.5
4
3.1
3.3
3.6
3.6
3.5
3.7
3.6
Specific conductance in ymhos/cm Precipitation inches
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
602
614
564
456
446
370
350
680
644
543
353
550
483
414
1045
1034
738
673
526
608
403
890
693
383
443
463
340
417
11.98°
8.40d
12.55
6.63
7.11
5.91
9.06
11.05°
10.76°
16.33
12.50
9.41
10.52
6.96
7.22=
16.28d
15.11
11.00
17.70
14.97
16.17
6.40=
9.35d
11.59
11.33
8.36
11.20
5.73
Acidity
Load in tons
122
99
87
63
39
34
32
53
80
48
44
37
38
21
5
30
27
16
26
14
77
15
69
24
28
41
31
44
Concentration in mg/1
141
155
101
95
76
72
44
151
146
88
64
118
104
70
271
228
146
124
101
121
103
224
146
69
61
90
74
111
Total Iron
Load in tons
5
3
5
4
3
2
2
1
2
3
2
1
1
0.8
0.1
2
2
0.5
3
0.5
1.1
0.4
3
2
2
2
1
5
Concentration in mg/1
5
4
6
6
5
3
3
4
3
5
2
6
7
2.7
6
6
9
4
11
4
1.5
6
6
5
3
4
5
12
(continued)
A-30
-------
TABLE A-9 (continued).
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Sulfate
Load in tons
1
234
163
212
192
91
93
81
2
102
125
117
114
81
64
40
3
9
53
66
35
45
32
51
4
24
143
64
97
90
66
56
Hardness
Load in tons
150
90
134
114
95
62
-
66
83
70
58
73
44
-
5
33
42
25
64
22
-
16
96
45
71
80
70
-
Concentration in mg/1
1
270
253
246
267
176
197
111
2
292
230
213
165
252
176
136
3
493
405
359
287
177
280
68
4
370
301
183
212
196
155
143
Concentration in mg/1
173
139
154
158
185
131
-
187
152
126
83
228
122
-
280
257
230
205
251
189
-
239
202
129
154
173
166
-
Calcium
Load in tons
_
51
69
65
58
33
46
40
45
38
36
103
30
21
3
17
24
16
35
15
46
9
48
25
38
46
34
29
Concentration in mg/1
_
79
79
90
114
71
63
115
82
69
52
327
82
70
165
134
131
131
137
125
62
136
101
73
83
99
79
74
Aluminum
Load in tons
-
8
8
7
5
4
5
6
7
4
3
4
2
0.9
0.4
3
3
2
3
0.8
—
1.4
7
3
5
3
4
0
Concentration in mg/1
-
12
10
9
9
10
7
16
13
7
5
11
7
3
25
19
14
12
11
9
""
22
14
8
10
7
9
~
aFlow data taken from daily readings
bData taken from Kittle Run raingage 15
"values taken from Elkins Airport and corrected to read
as gage 5, by the equation Gage #5 = Airport reading x 1.046
dFirst two quarters only computed from Elkins Airport readings
A-31
-------
TABLE A-10. EXCAVATION OF NORTH BRANCH FLATBUSH FORK
Areas
1-9
Areas
23 - 24
Common excavation, cu. yds.
Contract estimate
Actually completed
Difference, yards
Subsidence excavation, cu. yds.
Contract estimate
Actually completed
Difference, yards
Compacted backfill, cu. yds.
Contract estimate
Actually completed
Difference, yards
Total
Contract estimate
Actually completed
Difference, yards
403,000
639,747
+236,747
16,000
0
16,000
36,000
10,494
25,506
455,000
650,241
+195,241
262,000
348,788
+ 86,788
0
0
0
0
0
0
262,000
348,788
+ 86,788
A-32
-------
TABLE A-ll. MINE SEALS CONSTRUCTED IN
NORTH BRANCH FLATBUSH FORK
, a
Dry seals
Proposed
Constructed
b
Wet seals
Proposed
Constructed
Clay seals
Proposed
Constructed
Timber and Sand
Proposed
Constructed
Area
2
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
Area
6
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
Area
7
5
3
0
0
0
1
0
0
Area
9
1
0
0
0
2
0
2
Area
2
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
Total
18
6
0
1
0
5
0
2
Solid masonry seal to prevent water and air from entering mine.
Solid masonry seal with water trap to prevent air from
entering mine but allowing water to exit.
Clay compacted in mine opening to prevent air and water from
entering mine.
This seal was located in a subsided area over a haulway. A
timber wall was constructed on each side of the subsided
area, the area in between filled with sand and capped off with
compacted clay.
Three openings that were originally scheduled to have dry
seals had highwalls unfavorable for such construction. A
compacted backfill was used instead.
Originally two clay seals were constructed; however, one
failed and was replaced with a wet seal.
A-33
-------
Following reclamation, all disturbed areas were limed,
fertilized (1,000 pounds per acre of 10-10-10), and planted with
grasses and legumes. On steep areas, trees were also planted.
The work performed in the various work areas of this
watershed is described below.
Work Area 1 - Flatbush No. 1 Strip (18.7)—
Because the highwall was sound, a swallowtail backfill was
used. The drainage channel discharged over the outslope on the
southeast corner. A gully formed in the outslope at the dis-
charge point. For future work it is recommended that a control
structure such as a chute spillway, drop inlet, or drop spillway
be constructed to carry the water over the outslope. Other than
this gully, results of the backfilling grading were good.
Agricultural limestone (2.8 tons per acre) and 10-10-10
fertilizer (0.64 ton per acre) were applied by truck. On the 10
acres of bench the following grasses and legumes were planted in
April 1968: rye grass (RVP Malli rye grass from Belgium) - 5
Ib/acre, Sericea lespedeza - 15 Ib/acre, tall fescue - 10
Ib/acre, tall oat grass - 10 Ib/acre and Charlottetown 80
barley - 5 Ib/acre. A grab mixture of scotch, shortleaf,
Virginia, and white pine was hand-planted on the 8.7 acres of
outslope in March 1968 at a rate of 827 trees per acre. The
outslope was also hydroseeded in May 1968 with the same mixture
of grasses and legumes as used on the bench. The fertilizer and
seed were hydroseeded with Metroganic 100 mulch (1 ton per
acre).
During the first growing season the growth of grasses and
legumes was slow. Rye grass and fescue were present over most
of the area, but lacked vigor. S_. lespedeza was hardly detect-
able. Some oat grass and barley were present, but provided
little cover. By 1970, the rye grass and fescue on the bench
had essentially stabilized the area. S_. lespedeza was becoming
more prevalent. The outslope had far less vegetation, espe-
cially on the southeast side where very little growth was pre-
sent. Few of the pines survived.
In 1971, the S_. lespedeza had taken control of the western
half of the area and was beginning to take over the eastern end.
By 1976, the bench and western end of the area was stabi-
lized. The only unstable area was a small part of the steep
outslope on the eastern end.
N
Work Area 2 - Flatbush No. 1 Strip Continued (40.3 acres)—
The western 25 percent of the area was pasture backfilled
and the eastern portion was swallowtail backfilled. The drain-
age channel for the swallowtail had inadequate facilities for
discharge over the outslope. In addition, on the lower end the
A-34
-------
channel was too steep and has cut into the backfill. Better
channel design was recommended. In this area a section of the
pit was to be left open for a deep mine, as a term of the
leasing agreement. Before the project was completed, however,
permission was given to backfill the whole area. This delay
resulted in inefficient use of equipment and extra cost.
Two underground mine openings were sealed in the east end
of Work Area 2. Both seals were solid masonry walls, about 6
foot 2 inches high, intended to prevent air and water from
entering the underground mine. One was 10 feet wide and the
other 14 feet. No outside excavation was necessary, but four
cubic yards of excavation was needed inside the mine to set
timbers. Three sets of timbers were set inly and outly of the
block wall. The wall was set on a concrete footer and coated
with bitumastic. Clay was compacted in front of the openings
before the area was backfilled.
The bench (35.8 acres) and the outslope (4.5 acres) were
planted with the same grasses and legumes used in Work Area 1.
Agricultural lime was applied to both at a rate of 2.5 tons per
acre. The bench received 1,000 Ibs of 10-10-10 fertilizer per
acre in April 1968 and was planted in May. The outslope was
planted in June. Black alder and Japanese larch were hand-
planted at 600 trees per acre. The outslope was hydroseeded
with fertilizer, grass seeds, black locust tree seeds (six
Ibs/acre) and 1,000 Ibs per acre of Metroganic 100 mulch.
Vegetative growth was poor on the western half of the area
at first. In the spring of 1969, this area was reseeded with
black locust, which did not grow. The area remained relatively
bare until 1971, when a good growth of Sericea lespedeza
developed on the bench.
An evaluation of the area in 1973 found that there was a
60 percent survival of trees with the average height of larch
being 7 feet, and alder 8 feet. Grasses and legumes covered 95
percent of the area and only two bare spots were greater than
one half acre.
A May 1976 evaluation reported that larch, locust and alder
were the primary trees. The hydroseeded locust and alder were 4
to 12 feet tall and some bare spots were present. The black
alder stand was poor and many trees were in bad condition. Of
the herbaceous species planted, only tall fescue and S^. lespedeza
persist.
Work Area 3 - Flatbush No. 1 Strip Continued (9.5 acres)—
A contour-type backfill was used at the head of the hollow
to carry the small intermittent stream over the highwall. The
remainder of the area was graded to a contour and swallowtail
A-35
-------
backfill. The stream channel formed a small gully that quickly
stabilized.
The area was limed in October 1967 at a rate of 3 tons per
acre. Grass was drilled in April 1968, and the stream channel
hydroseeded in May. The seed mixture was the same used in Work
Area 1.
A satisfactory growth of grasses developed the first year.
By 1973, 85 percent of the area was covered with grasses and
legumes. The area is considered to be satisfactorly stabilized.
Work Area 4 - Prospect Strip (4.7 acres)—
This small area was pasture backfilled. Agricultural
limestone was applied by truck (four tons per acre) in October
1967. In April 1968, weeping love grass (7 Ib/acre), orchard
grass (7 Ib/acre), and birdsfoot trefoil (15 Ib/acre) were
drilled. A very dense growth of orchard grass developed the
first year. The love grass could not compete and never made a
showing. By 1970, a good stand of trefoil had also developed.
In 1973 the grasses and legumes covered 90 percent of the area.
The area is now considered to be completely stablized.
Work Area 5 - Flatbush No. 1 Strip Continued (4.3 acres)—
A stable highwall was present in this area and pasture
backfilling was performed. Lime was applied in October 1967,
and the area was planted in April 1968. As with all the vege-
tated areas, 10-10-10 fertilizer was applied at 1,000 pounds per
acre. The seed mixture was the same as used in Work Area 1. A
good growth of rye grass and fescue developed the first year.
By 1971, a vigorous growth of S_. lespedeza was present. By 1973
ground cover was 85 percent. The area can be considered stabi-
lized (see Figure A-5 and A-6).
Work Area 6 - Flatbush No. 1 Strip Continued (12 acres)—
A pasture backfill was constructed to drain the water away
from the highwall and the adjacent underground mine. Clay was
compacted into two of the underground mine openings to form a
seal. The regraded area was limed with 2 tons per acre in
October 1967. In April, the area was fertilized and planted
with weeping love grass (10 Ib/acre), orchard grass (3 Ib/acre),
Kentucky bluegrass (10 Ib/acre), birdsfoot trefoil (10 Ib/acre),
and alsike clover (2 Ib/acre). The drainageway through the area
was hydroseeded with the same mixture. An excellent growth of
orchard grass, clover, and trefoil developed. Although some
erosion developed in the drainage way, it was not excessive. By
1973 ground cover was 90 percent. The area can be considered
stabilized.
Work Area 7 - Flatbush No. 1 Strip Continued (17 acres)—
Three solid masonry seals were constructed in portals that
were once the Sainato mine. Two of the seals were within the
A-36
-------
Figure A-5. Work Areas 5 and 6 in fall of 1968
Figure A-6. Work Areas 5 and 6 in summer of 1976
A-37
-------
same opening. Approximately 163 cubic yards of excavation was
required outside the portal, and an additional 70 cubic yards
for one seal and 42 cubic yards for the other to gain access to
a suitable site for the seal, make the area safe for workmen,
and prepare the site. Three to four sets of timbers were set
inly and outly of the seal to keep the roof load off it and to
provide a safe working area. The seals were 12.5 feet wide by 7
feet high and 15 feet wide by 7.5 feet high. A concrete footer
was poured and the wall was made of solid concrete blocks. The
seal was faced and tied to the walls and roof with urethane
foam.
The third masonry seal required no outside excavation and
only 12 cubic yards on the inside. It was constructed in the
same manner as the other two seals.
A fourth opening was sealed with 64 cubic yards of compacted
clay.
Because of the poor condition of the highwall -a contour
backfill was used to cover the four mine seals. The area
received the same soil amendments and grass-legume planting used
in Work Area 6. An excellent growth of grass and legumes was
established and in 1973 a 90 percent vegetative cover was pre-
sent.
A 1976 survey revealed that orchard grass was doing well
and was growing in clumps. There was also a lot of St. John's
Wart volunteering into the area.
Work Area 8 - Flatbush No. 1 Strip Continued (5.6 acres)—
Part of this area is in Flatbush Fork watershed and is
considered later in Appendix A. The openings at F and G were
compacted with clay to prevent water from entering the under-
ground mine. The area was then pasture backfilled. It received
the same soil amendments and grass-legume planting used in Work
Area 6. An excellent growth of grass and legumes was estab-
lished, and in 1973 90 percent of the area had vegetative cover.
The 1976 survey found orchard grass and Kentucky bluegrass
dominating.
Cost of Work
Records were kept of equipment and labor used in each work
area. These data were used to determine the direct cost as
reported in Table A-12. The remaining costs were then distrib-
uted on a direct-cost percentage basis to the work area. For
the cleaning and grubbing, reclamation, and underground activi-
ties, the total cost was 1.297 times the direct cost. Total
revegetation costs were determined in a similar manner. Total
costs for each work area are reported in Table A-13.
A-38
-------
TABLE A-12. COST OF WORK - DIRECT COST (DOLLARS)'
Area
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
23-24
Cleaning and
grubbing
Equipment
324
283
41
81
0
83
143
1,067
701
Labor
45
815
454
77
47
91
880
473
2,179
Reclamation
Equipment
4,750
22,955
3,465
220
3,614
31,915
29,098
4,207
28,200
Labor
1,142
6,263
1,100
45
665
5.560
4,486
1,646
2,824
Underground
Equipment
78
956
0
0
0
701
306
1,732
1,793
Labor
15
307
424
0
0
2,530
887
3,275
1,279
Revegetation
Equipment
and
materials
3.760
3,828
1,530
365
471
736
1,187
633
15,279
Labor
564
562
264
30
94
176
163
154
3,643
Total
10,683
35,969
7,278
818
4,891
41,792
37,150
13,187
55,671
10
a For cleaning and grubbing, reclamation and underground work. This includes only the
actual cost of equipment and labor and does not include any materials, overhead,
G&A, etc. Revegetation cost includes actual cost of labor, equipment and material.
-------
TABLE A-13.
TOTAL COST FOR WORK AREAS IN NORTH BRANCH
FLATBUSH FORK
Area
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
23-24
Cleaning and
grubbing,
reclamation,
underground
8,246
40,982
7,117
549
5,614
53,052
46,460
16,092
47,986
Vegetation
5,410
5,387
2,200
483
694
1,143
1,674
962
22,822
Total
13,656
36,369
9,317
1,032
6,308
54,195
48,134
17,054
70,808
Cost/acre
730
1,151
783
220
1,467
4,516
2,831
2,159
909
Costs per acre were lowest in areas where extensive mine
sealing, grading, and hydroseeding were not performed. Highest
costs were in Work Area 6, which required two seals, and con-
siderable earth moving because of toxic material.
Results of Reclamation
As shown in Table A-8, the total pollution load has been
reduced during the postreclamation years. Considering 1966 as
the prereclamation base year, acidity, total iron, and sulfate
loads have been reduced by 58 percent, 54 percent, and 47 per-
cent through 1970. Extremely heavy rains in September 1971
caused unusually high runoff values and therefore produced the
high load values for that year. The mineral load decreased as
the cover crops developed and reduced the runoff and contact
time with deleterious materials. The rainfall was nearly con-
stant for three years after reclamation (Table A-9) and 2 to 3
inches less than in 1967; total runoff rose above the prerecla-
mation value in 1968, and dropped off during 1970. Runoff is a
direct indicator of the benefit derived from cover crops. In
1966, the spoil areas were bare. A yearly rainfall of nearly 45
inches produced 0.43 billion gallons of mineral-laden water. In
1968, 41.46 inches of rain produced 0.48 billion gallons of
runoff. The newly graded strip mines expedited drainage and
less water soaked into acid-forming deposits and underground
mines. As the cover developed in 1969 and 1970, with equal
yearly rains, more and more surface water was trapped»in the
topsoil and used by the plants. The 8.14 inches of rain in
September 1971 produced heavy overland flow and rapid flooding
which is indicated in the 0.52 billion gallons of runoff pro-
duced for that year. Chemical analysis showed lower concentra-
tions of pollutants (see Table A-9), indicating less contact
with deleterious material. The vegetation seals the surface
A-40
-------
against air and overland flow, and then absorbs and uses much of
the surface water.
The small underground mine in Work Area 24 (RT 9-11) was
sealed in 1967 to restrict the inward flow of oxygen. The air
seal impounded about 2 feet of water in the mine. As shown in
Table A-14, the oxygen content within the mine had been reduced
but not eliminated. During the latter months of 1969, the
oxygen content increased markedly. No explanation has been
found for this happening. A marked reduction in acid and sul-
fate concentration occurred shortly after the mine was sealed,
even before the oxygen concentration was reduced. This reduc-
tion is believed to be due to a change in the hydraulics of the
mine, since 2 feet of water were ponded in it as a result of the
seal, and not to a reduction in acid formation. The quality of
the water has been fairly constant since the initial decrease
and appears to have reached equilibrium.
FLATBUSH FORK WATERSHED (RT 9-23)
Area Description
The Flatbush Fork watershed encompasses 3,397 acres of land
on the western side of the Roaring Creek watershed (Figure
A-7). It is a large oblong area 3.7 miles long and 1.5 miles
wide. The southernmost branch of Flatbush Fork has its head-
waters 5 miles upstream from the mouth. Forming at an elevation
of 2,650 feet, the channel drops at an average rate of 0.016
ft/ft to its mouth at 2,255 feet. The southern end of the
watershed contains the most relief, with ridges rising to 3,857
feet. The northern sector is described more completely earlier
in Appendix A (see North Branch Flatbush Fork segment).
Mining Summary and Work Area Description
Strip mining has disturbed 192 acres or roughly 6 percent
of the watershed. One hundred thirty one acres lie in the North
Branch watershed as presented earlier. Areas not previously
considered are 14 acres in Work Areas 8 and 9, 14 acres in Work
Area 23, 12.6 acres in Work Area 27, and 20.1 acres in Work
Areas 25 and 26. The acreage in Work Areas 25 and 26 was not
reclaimed, except for trees planted in Work Area 26.
As noted earlier the large underground mine is adjacent to
Work Areas 3-9. Water drained through the strip areas into
the underground mine and eventually was discharged at mine
openings RT 6-23, RT 6-9, and GT 6-1. A portion of the large
underground mine also adjoined Work Area 27. Because of lo-
calized dips, part of the underground drainage seeps through the
strip mine in Work Areas 27G and 27 H-J (see Figure A-7). Most
of the drainage is either to the northeast and Station RT 6-12
A-41
-------
TABLE A-14. EFFECTIVENESS OF MINE SEAL RT 9-11
Before Oxygen,
sealing percent
Mean 21
Minimum
After sealing
Quarter
Year
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Quarter
Year
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Quarter
Year
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Acidity,
mg/1
591
438
Oxygen , percent
1
—
8.3
—
15.0
15.0
2
—
10.8
—
12.0
15.3
3
—
7.0
7.0
-
14.0
V,
pHb
2.8
3.1C
4
9.1
7.4
14.8
13.3
"""
Acidity, mg/1
1
-
325
350
263
249
2
-
334
339
310
248
3
-
344
376
297
276
4
359
265
327
294
326
Sulfate, mg/1
1
-
686
645
603
488
2
-
702
656
628
508
3
_
708
717
845
406
4
797
627
678
606
535
Iron,
mg/1
93
48
Sulfate,
mg/1
1,035
710
pH value
1
-
3.2
3.2
3.1
3.2
2
-
3.2
3.2
2.9
3.2
3
-
3.2
3.2
3.1
3.0
4
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.3
2.9
Iron, mg/1
1
-
74
63
74
56
2
—
68
91
49
47
3
-
72
62
72
56
4
85
72
71
83
73
March 1964 - August 1967,
Median value.
Maximum value.
A-42
-------
£»
CO
KEY
WORK AREA BOUNDARY
@ WORK AREA NUMBER
A SUBAREA
« SAMPLING STATION
X MONITORING STATION
EZ3 UNDERGROUND MINE
f~~} WATERSHED BOUNDARY
CT5 STRIP MINE
* MINE OPENING
. SPECIAL SA
^STREAM
EZ3 COMPACTION
irroq PASTURE BACKFILL
ggga CONTOUR BACKFILL
FT3 SUALLOWTAIl
Figure A-7. Flatbush Fork watershed (RT9-23).
-------
(Work Area 17) or to the east and Station RT 8F-2 (Work Area
30) .
The work areas and corresponding subareas within this
watershed are shown in Figure A-7 and described below.
Work Area 25 - Lower Flatbush Fork Strip (2.5 acres)—
This was an unbackfilled prospect strip, which appeared to
be causing very few problems.
Work Area 26 - Upper Flatbush Fork Strip (17.6 acres)—
Little or no regrading was done. The area did not appear
to be creating a major problem.
Subarea A—This was a 16-foot opening in the highwall
driven 15 feet into solid coal.
Subarea B--This was a 16-foot opening in the highwall caved
40 feet back, and had slight discharge (less than 1 gpm), pH -
2.9, acidity - 172 mg/1, and iron - 19 mg/1 (RT 6-29).
Work Area 27 - Travise Strip (12.6 acres)—
Strip area 27A-D did not drain to Flatbush Fork, but to
Roaring Creek and is therefore described later in the Appendix.
(See the Middle Roaring Creek segment presented later in Appen-
dix A) .
Subarea E—Leveled backfill planted in white pine and
locust. Drainage was toward the highwall, along which were four
concealed openings.
Subarea F—Eight concealed openings were located in this
unbackfilled strip.
Subarea G—No openings were apparent along the highwall,
but there was extensive subsidence behind it.
Subarea H—A 12-foot by 7 1/2-foot opening to the mine in
fair condition with discharge (RT 9-17) less than 0.2 cfs, pH -
2.5, acidity - 1,345 mg/1, and iron - 278 mg/1.
Subarea I—A 12-foot by 7 1/2-foot opening in fair condi-
tion yielding no discharge.
Subarea J—Concealed opening.
Subarea K—Three concealed openings with no noticable
drainage.
Subarea L—Partially concealed opening draining only
during wet weather.
A-44
-------
Subarea M—Partly concealed dry opening.
Subarea N—Dry mine opening in fair condition.
Subarea O—Opening to the underground mine was dry and in
fair condition.
Subarea P—Large mine opening caved at 40 feet. Drainage
(RT 9-5) less than 0.5 cfs, pH - 3.2, acidity - 215 mg/1, and
iron - 35 mg/1.
Subarea Q—Area of extreme subsidence.
Subarea R—A 150-foot prospect strip being used as a
garbage dump. A slight discharge (RT 9-20) of 0.02 cfs or less,
pH - 3.6, acidity - 400 mg/1, and iron - 150 mg/1.
Work Area 8 - Flatbush No. 1 Strip Continued (2.3 acres)—
Part of Work Area 8 is in the North Fork Flatbush Run
watershed (described earlier in Appendix A).
Subarea A—A 14-foot mine Opening with no drainage.
Subarea B--A 16-foot mine entry with no drainage.
Subarea C—A 14-foot fan portal with no drainage.
Subarea D—A 14-foot haulage portal in good condition.
Subarea E—Concealed opening in the highwall.
Work Area 9 - Strip mine (11.7 acres)—
A strip in the Kittanning seam encircling a small knoll.
The area had not been backfilled, and three dry openings were
present in the highwall.
Work Area 23 - Upper Pumpkintown Road Strip (14 acres)—
The Upper Pumpkintown Road Strip was considered earlier
(see North Branch Flatbush Fork segment of Appendix A).
Description of Mine Drainage Problem
The flow from Flatbush Fork, measured at Station RT 9-23,
constitutes a large portion of the total flow of Roaring Creek,
accounting for nearly a fourth (23 percent) of the water passing
the mouth of Roaring Creek in 1966 (Tables A-15 and A-16).
A-45
-------
TABLE A-15.
SUMMARY OF ANNUAL DATA FOR STATION RT 9-23,
MOUTH OF FLATBUSH FORK
Year
Before
reclamation
1965
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971a
Rain,
inches
37.77
47.14
55.88
41.46
42.58
16.43
Flow,
billion
gallons
1.88
2.43
2.94
1.93
2.49
2.14
Acidity,
tons
537
687
504
433
456
247
Iron,
tons
38
42
35
31
45
33
Sulfate,
tons
ff
974
1,046
947
648
864
199
Data for first one-half year only.
During the base year 1966, Flatbush Fork carried 687 tons
of acidity, 42 tons of iron, and 1,046 tons of sulfate. These
amounts represent 19 percent, 16 percent, and 20 percent of the
corresponding loads carried by Roaring Creek.
The most polluted areas of the watershed were the North
Branch and the unnamed tributary measured by Station RT 9-30
(Figure A-7 and Table A-17). The North Branch is polluted
almost entirely by surface mine runoff (discussed earlier in
Appendix A); RT 9-30 receives water from both underground
drainage and surface mine runoff. Since RT 9-30 was not sampled
after 1967, the contribution to the lower mainstream, between
the confluence of the North and South Branches and the mouth,
was assumed to be the difference between the values at Stations
RT 9-2 and RT 9-3, and the values at the mouth, Station RT
9-23. This analytical procedure appears reasonable because for
1966, when RT 9-30 was measured, the acidity and sulfate loads
were 312 and 326 tons, respectively, as compared to 272 and 378
tons respectively, as determined by the "difference method."
Reclamation Work Performed
Except for Work Areas 25 and 26, all of the disturbed lands
in this watershed were reclaimed. Work Area 26 was planted with
trees, but no other reclamation took place. For bidding pur-
poses, Work Areas 27, 29, and 30 were combined. The excavation
estimated in the contract (Table A-18) was 492,000 cubic yards.
A survey following reclamation revealed that 554,127 cubic yards
A-46
-------
TABLE A-16.
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY DATA FOR STATION RT 9-23,
MOUTH OF FLATBUSH FORK
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Flow in cfs
1
21.27
14.32
24.70
12.23
9.25
18.77
30.23
2
9.36
15.07
17.57
21.47
5.82
8.03
6.00
3
0.24
1.18
2.36
0.79
8.99
2.75
—
4
0.99
10.73
9.04
15.35
8.62
12.68
—
pH value
1
3.6
3.6
3.5
4.0
4.1
4.0
4.3
2
3.3
3.5
3.6
4.1
3.8
3.6
3.9
3
3.1
3.2
3.6
3.4
3.3
3.6
-
4
3.3
3.5
4.0
3.8
3.7
4.1
-
Specific conductance in ymhos/cm
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
291
264
271
476
231
380
118
417
310
263
148
336
290
196
735
662
324
615
321
381
—
624
289
173
331
260
145
—
Acidity
Load in tons
283
227
307
130
100
150
190
202
256
137
145
102
140
57
11
45
40
44
132
46
—
41
159
74
185
99
120
—
Concentration in mg/1
54
65
51
43
44
33
26
88
69
32
28
72
71
39
193
155
69
230
60
68
~
171
60
33
49
47
39
"""
Iron
Load in tons
22
15
33
11
7
21
29
14
17
17
5
8
9
4
5
2
2
2
8
3
—
1
8
12
17
8
12
~
Concentration in rag/1
4
4
5
4
3
5
4
6
5
4
1
6
5
3
9
6
3
11
4
5
"
5
3
6
5
4
4
~
(continued)
A-47
-------
TABLE A-16'(continued).
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Sulfate
Load in tons
1
541
330
533
174
164
312
132
2
350
372 ,
366
219
130
174
67
3
19
77
78
63
266
153
-
4
64
267
326
491
128
225
-
Concentration in mg/1
1
104
94
88
58
73
68
18
2
152
101
85
42
91
88
46
3
321
264
134
327
103
227
—
4
265
101
147
131
61
73
—
Hardness
Load in tons
265
139
290
117
121
201
293
179
180
172
149
121
53
42
10
42
54
27
323
46
—
47
156
92
371
106
99
—
Concentration in mg/1
50
39
47
38
53
43
40
77
48
39
28
85
27
29
177
146
93
141
146
68
—
152
59
41
98
50
32
—
Calcium
Load in tons
-
80
153
68
76
120
147
120
101
89
91
73
57
32
6
21
28
17
261
35
—
22
82
57
204
63
94
-
Concentration in mg/1
—
23
25
23
34
26
20
52
27
21
17
52
29
22
101
74
48
86
119
51
-
90
31
26
54
30
31
-
Aluminum
Load in tons
—
14
22
29
12
26
22
25
18
17
6
9
6
4
1
4
3
4
25
4
—
4
12
8
33
10
11
—
Concentration in mg/1
_
4
4
10
5
6
3
11
5
4
1
6
3
3
18
13
5
22
11
5
-
16
5
4
9
5
4
-
A-48
-------
TABLE A-17. AREAS OF POLLUTION CONTRIBUTION FOR FLATBUSH FORK WATERSHED
Flatbush Fork
RT 9-23
North Branch
RT 9-2
South Branch
RT 9-3
Lower Mainstream
RT 9-30
1966
Acidity
tons
687
278
137
272
Sulfate
tons
1,046
484
184
378
1968
Acidity
tons
504
151
100
253
Sulfate
tons
947
435
222
290
1969
Acidity
tons
433
143
63
227
Sulfate
tons
648
307
200
141
1970
Acidity
tons
456
117
42
297
Sulfate
tons
864
255
116
493
1971
Acidity
tons
24 7a
-
-
-
Sulfate
tons
199a
-
-
-
Difference between Flatbush Fork and sum of North and South Branch.
-------
were moved. A large percentage of the extra yardage was due to
reclamation above the highwall to correct subsidence. This area
had not been included in the original estimates.
TABLE A-18. EXCAVATION - FLATBUSH FORK
Common excavation, cu. yd
Contract estimate
Actually completed
Difference
Subsidence excavation, cu. yd.
Contract estimate
Actually completed
Difference
Compacted backfill, cu. yd.
Contract estimate
Actually completed
Difference
Total
Contract estimate
Actually complete
Difference
Areas
25 - 26
83,000
0
- 83,000
0
0
0
0
0
0
83,000
0
- 83,000
Areas
27, 28, & 30
292,000
380,000
+ 83,393
83,000
162,456
+ 79,456
34,000
11,671
- 22,329
409,000
554,127
+145,127
Work Area 8 - Flatbush No. 1 Strip Continued (2.3 acres)—
Part of this area was in the North Branch watershed. Clay
seals were constructed at Subareas A, B, C, and D to prevent
water from entering the underground mine. Seals A, B, and C,
each required 92.6 cubic yards of outside excavation; seal D
required 433 cubic yards of outside excavation and 87 cubic
yards of inside excavation. At Subarea 8H, a subsidence hole
developed next to the roadway. This hole allowed surface waters
direct access to the underground mine. As part of the modified
construction plan the area was sealed by constructing timber
walls across the haulway on each side of the subsidence area,
filling the space between with sand and then capping the hole
with compacted clay. The refuse pile near Subarea A was buried
in the backfilling operation. A compacted backfill was used
next to the highwall throughout Work Area 8. The final grading
was to pasture backfill.
A-50
-------
The area was revegetated by applying 2 tons/acre of agri-
cultural limestone in October 1967. This application was
followed by the addition of 1,000 Ib/acre of 10-10-10 fertilizer,
10 Ib/acre of love grass, 3 Ib/acre of orchard grass, 10 Ib/acre
of Kentucky bluegrass, 10 Ib/acre of birdsfoot trefoil, and 2
Ib/acre of alsike clover in May 1968. Love grass was predominant
for the first 2 years. By 1971, birdsfoot trefoil and orchard
grass had taken over the area, with a good stand also of alsike
clover. The grass growth in this area is excellent, with over
90 percent cover in 1973. By 1976 orchard grass was still the
predominant grass; however large amounts of Kentucky bluegrass
were also present.
Work Area 9 - Strip Mine (11.7 acres)—
This area was pasture backfilled. The procedures used in
revegetation were the same as for Work Area 8, except that
bluegrass was not included. Orchard grass was more successful
in the area than love grass because of the more favorable soil
pH. A good cover developed the first season and has been main-
tained with an estimated 100 percent cover, both in 1973 and
1976.
Work Area 25 - Lower Flatbush Fork Strip (2.5 acres)—
No reclamation took place in this area. By 1972, a good
stand of voluntary trees had developed.
Work Area 26 - Upper Flatbush Fork Strip (17.6 acres)—
Clearing and grubbing had just begun in this area when the
project was terminated. No reclamation was done in this area
except the planting of trees in May 1968. Trees were planted in
a six-row band of European black alder, followed by a six-row
band of a grab mixture of Japanese larch, tulip poplar, cotton-
wood, and white oak. By the fall of 1971, approximately 80
percent of the trees were surviving. Almost 100 percent of the
alder had survived and were about 4 feet tall. Good stands of
oak and larch about 2 feet tall were also present. Although the
stand of trees is excellent, the ground is still relatively bare
and some erosion is taking place.
Work Area 27 - Travise Strip (12.6 acres) —
All of the mine sealing was in the vicinity of Work Area 27
H-P. Construction of two clay seals at Work Area 27K required
172 cubic yards of excavation. The third opening was tightly
caved and no additional work beyond normal backfilling was
performed.
At Work Area 27J, four openings were discovered as the
highwall was cleaned. In each of these openings a dry seal was
constructed by timbering the opening and constructing a solid
masonry block wall coated with urethane foam. Construction of
these seals required 566 cubic yards of inside excavation. Since
the localized dip of the coal resulted in water draining through
A-51
-------
these openings during wet periods, some head would develop
behind these seals. The seals were covered during the normal
backfilling operation.
Construction of dry seals at Work Areas 27H and I, similar
to those in Work Area 27J, required 167 cubic yards of outside
excavation and 67 yards of inside excavation.
At Work Areas 27 N, 0, and P, dry seals were constructed,
similar to those in Work Area 27J, but installed to prevent
water from entering the underground mine. Only 24 cubic yards
of outside excavation and 77 of inside excavation were required.
Two other openings in the area were plugged during the excava-
tion, backfilling, and compaction of Work Area 27Q.
Dry seals were constructed in three openings at Work Areas
27 L-M. Excavation required 513 and 123 cubic yards for outside
and inside work respectively.
Throughout Work Area 27 E-K, clay was compacted against the
highwall to prevent water from entering or seeping from the
underground mine. The entire area was contour backfilled. Work
Area 27Q was regraded to a contour backfill to correct subsid-
ence.
After regrading, two problems became apparent in Work Area
27 G-K. First, the long (600-foot) steep slopes were conducive
to erosion which could have been reduced by cutting of a diver-
sion ditch at the top of the slope and building of several
terraces. A road cut across the slope in 1968 to facilitate
hydroseeding helped control the erosion. Secondly a large
seepage area developed in early 1968 below Work Area 27 H-K.
The seals and/or compacted backfill do not hold water in the
underground mine. The seepage area covers about 5 acres that
support no vegetation. This underground mine seepage is a major
contributor to the pollution of Flatbush Fork (see Table A-17).
One small subsidence hole developed in Work Area 27Q after
reclamation, requiring less than $100 to repair. Since Work
Area 27Q was initially a subsidence area, development of only
one additional subsidence hole in 5 years indicates potential
for stability.
Revegetation of Work Area 27 called for planting of grass
and legumes on all of the disturbed land. In the more level
areas at the bottom of the slopes, conventional planting techni-
ques were used. The steeper slopes were hydroseeded with grass
seed, 1,000 Ib/acre of mulch and 1,000 Ib/acre of 10-10-10
fertilizer; then trees were planted. Agricultural limestone in
amounts ranging from 2 to 3.5 tons per acre was applied in March
and April 1968. The grasses and legumes (love grass - 10
Ib/acre, birdsfoot trefoil - 15 Ib/acre, and tall fescue - 15
A-52
-------
lb/acre) were conventionally planted in April 1968 and hydro-
seeded in May 1968. The trees (six rows of European black alder
then six rows of a grab mixture of scotch, Virginia, shortleaf,
and white pine) were planted in March and April 1968.
Except for the 5-acre seepage area in Work Area 27 H-J, a
small seepage area (less than 1 acre) in 27G, and a very toxic 1
acre in 27G, a dense growth of grasses and legumes has developed.
During the first year, love grass was very prevalent; by 1972,
tall fescue and trefoil had taken over. The alder had more than
80 percent survival and stood 6 to 10 feet tall in 1972. In
spite of the dense grass growth that engulfed the pine trees,
their survival rate was 60 percent or more.
Competition of the grass has slowed the growth of the
pines, however, and they were only 2 to 5 feet tall in 1972.
A 1973 evaluation found there to be a 95 percent ground
cover and the alder to be 12 to 16 feet tall and the pine 3 to
5 feet. The 1975 evaluation reported the pines to have good
survival and the average height was 8 to 10 feet. Black alder
had degenerated to about 25 percent stand and many trees were
dying from fungus infection. Tall fescue was dominant at about
90 percent stand. Very little birdsfoot remains and there was
no weeping love grass.
Although the strip mine and subsidence areas can be con-
sidered stabilized, the deep mine seepage is a major pollution
problem (Figure A-8).
Cost of Work
Records of equipment and labor used in each work area were
used to determine the direct cost as reported in Table A-19.
The remaining costs were then distributed to the work areas on a
direct-cost percentage basis. For the cleaning and grubbing,
reclamation, and underground activities, the total cost was
1.297 times the direct cost. Total revegetation costs were
determined in a similar manner. Total costs for each work area
are reported in Table A-20.
The low cost for Work Area 9 is a result of ease of grading
and revegetation. The only cost incurred at Work Area 26 was
for planting trees. Costs in Work Area 27 were higher because
of building seals and grading contour backfills.
Results of Reclamation
The flow of Flatbush Fork has not changed appreciably since
1966, except for effects introduced by seasonal variations in
rainfall. The acid and sulfate loads have been much lower,
dropping from 687 tons of acidity and 1,046 tons of sulfate in
A-53
-------
•
!
Figure A-8. North end of Work Area 27, summer 1976.
-------
TABLE A-19. COST OF WORK - DIRECT COSTS (DOLLARS)
Area
No.
9
26
27
Cleaning and
grubbing
Equipment
-
62
10,170
Labor
425
54
15,371
Reclamation
Equipment
3,877
-
31,973
Labor
1,185
-
4,792
Underground
Equipment
-
-
5,225
Labor
-
-
9,897
Revegetation
Equipment & Materials
888
212
20,638
Labor
171
861
4,323
Total
6,546
1,189
102,299
For cleaning and grubbing, reclamation and underground, this includes only the actual cost of equipment and
labor and does not include any materials, overhead, G&A, etc. Revegetation cost includes cost of labor,
equipment and materials.
i>i
Ui
TABLE A-20. TOTAL COST FOR WORK AREAS (DOLLARS)
Area
number
9
26
27
Cleaning & grubbing
reclamation, underground
7,121
151
100,366
Revegetation
1,299
1,371
30,776
Total
8,420
1,522
131,142
Cost per
acre
720
85
1,929
-------
1966, to 456 tons and 864 tons, respectively, in 1970 (Table
A-15 and A-16). Data for the first 6 months of 1971 showed that
reduced acidity and sulfate were continuing. Most of this gain
in water quality results from work performed on the North Branch
(discussed earlier). Table A-17 shows that the pollution load
from the South Branch has decreased also. A small reduction in
the lower mainstream was due to strip mine reclamation but,
because of the underground mine seepage in Work Area 27, no
great improvement can be expected in that reach.
Surface mine reclamation can be credited with approximately
34 percent decrease in acidity and 47 percent decrease in sul-
fate in water from this watershed.
MABIE WATERSHED (RT 8F-1)
Area Description
The major portion of this 206-acre watershed lies to the
northwest of Mabie, West Virginia. It is more populated than
other watersheds nearby, with houses along Route 4 and 17. The
basin is 0.6 miles wide by 0.9 miles long, supporting 0.5 miles
of stream channel. The tributary, with its mouth on Roaring
Creek at elevation 2,221 feet, has an average gradient of 0.011
ft/ft to its headwaters. Hills around the drainage area rise to
2,420 feet.
Mining Summary and Work Area Description
Nineteen percent of the land area, 39 acres, has been
disturbed by mining. The drainage problems originate from
abandoned strip mines and because of extensive subsidence over
the underground complex. In addition, drainage from the deep
mine contributes substantially to the total pollution load
during dry seasons.
Four work areas are included or partially included in this
watershed and they are shown in Figure A-9 and described below.
Work Area 28 - Prospect Strip (7.3 acres)—
Part of this area is in Middle Roaring Creek area (de-
scribed later in Appendix A, see Middle Roaring Creek segment).
Subarea A—Areas of subsidence. Runoff (RT 8F-4), flow 0
to 0.24 cfs, pH - 2.8, acidity - 245 mg/1, and iron - 22 mg/1.
Work Area 29 - Ray Strip (1.3 acres)—
Subarea A—Twelve or more openings along highwall.
Subarea B—Concealed opening at turn of strip pit.
A-56
-------
N
KEY
(£])
A
-WORK AREA BOUNDARY
WORK AREA NUMBER
SUBAREA
SAMPLING STATION
MONITORING STATION
UNDERGROUND MINE
WATERSHED BOUNDARY
MINE OPENING
STREAM
° CLAY SEAL
• DRY SEAL
• WET SEAL
M SPECIAL SAND SEAL (DOUBLE)
dD STRIP MINE
COMPACTION
GSiSIl PASTURE BACKFILL 0
CONTOUR BACKFILL
SWALLOWTAIL
400 800 FEET
SCALE
Figure A-9. Mabie watershed (RT 8F-1)
A-57
-------
Subarea C—Considerable subsidence above highwall and a
number of concealed openings.
Work Area 30 - Ray Strip Continued (19.7 acres)—
Subarea A—Caved mine portal, 14 feet wide. No gravity
discharge was apparent, but seepage was evident 100 feet to the
west.
Subarea B—Ralph Ray mine portal showed no evidence of
discharge.
Subarea C—A 12-foot opening in the highwall to Ray Mine.
This was the drainage portal (RT 8F-9). Flow - 0 to 0.67 cfs,
pH - 2.7, acidity - 525 mg/1, and iron - 100 mg/1.
Subarea D—Old fan opening in the highwall. No drainage
was evident but 2 feet of water was impounded on the floor.
Subarea E—A 3-foot dry opening to the .old workings.
Subarea F—The coal had been completely stripped in this
swaleTThe highwall had sloughed down, and excessive subsidence
indicated that the old mine workings were intercepted.
Subarea G—Twenty-six or more openings in the highwall.
Discharge (RT 8F-2) had flow 0 - 0.22 cfs, pH - 2.6, acidity -
766, mg/1, and iron - 106 mg/1.
Subarea H—Subsidence close to the highwall.
»
Subarea I—Subsidence area near the Coalton-Mabie road.
Work Area 52—
Area undermined by Brady Mine with no apparent openings.
A small active exploratory strip.
Description of Mine Drainage Problem
Though small, this watershed has a complex mine drainage
problem. In addition to the surface and underground mines, it
includes large areas of subsidence. During the base year 1966,
underground discharge RT 8F-2 contributed 32 tons of acidity and
36 tons of sulfate, or 62 percent and 48 percent respectively of
these constitutents at the mouth of RT 8F-1 (Table A-21). The
flow at this sampling station was very low.
Reclamation Work Performed
Excavation work for Work Areas 28-30 was combined with Work
Area 27 in the contract. Information pertaining to Work Area 27
A-58
-------
TABLE A-21. SUMMARY OF ANNUAL DATA FOR STATION RT 8F-1,
MOUTH OF SMALL TRIBUTARY, AND RT 8F-2, UNDERGROUND DISCHARGE
Year
Before
reclamation
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
Before
reclamation
1965
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
Rain,
inches
46.6
45.1
58.7
53.9
49.2
Flow,
billion
gallons
.046
.043
.063
.014
.029
.008
.059
.048
.029
.014
Acidity,
tons
48
13.1
44.5
5.8
11.3
4
32
23
15
4.3
Iron,
tons
6.5
2.4
4.8
0.~6
2.5
0.5
4.5
3.1
2.2
0.5
Sulfate,
tons
63
27.1
69
8
13.4
5
36
29
18
7
A-59
-------
was discussed earlier in Appendix A (see the Flatbush Fork
watershed segment).
Work Area 28 - Prospect Strip (7.3 acres)—
Two seals were constructed in Work Area 28, but they are
not in this watershed and will be considered later. Correction
of subsidence in Work Area 28A involved more than twice the area
originally estimated. The area was finally graded to contour
backfill.
Work Areas 29 and 30 - Ray Strip (20 acres)—
During construction, Work Areas 29 and 30 were blended. At
underground mine discharge RT 8F-2, a drain was constructed
instead of a seal. A wet seal at this location was not consid-
ered advisable because water backing up in the mine might wash
out the backfill. A conduit of creosoted lumber was constructed
to carry the water through the backfill. The conduit was 98
feet long, 6 feet wide, and 6 inches high.
Six dry seals were constructed in Work Area 30 B-E. The
purpose of these seals was to prevent water from entering the
deep mine. Each opening was timbered and closed by a solid
block wall coated with urethane. These seals required 208 cubic
yards of excavation on the outside and 93 on the inside. They
were covered with a contour backfill.
An extremely large subsidence area not covered in the
original estimates was found during construction in Work Area
30W. A borrow area (SOU) was developed to provide fill material
for Work Area SOW. A total of 18,400 cubic yards was moved from
SOU to SOW.
Correction of subsidence in Work Area 301 required working
of almost twice the area originally estimated. In 1971 a new
subsidence hole formed.
Work Areas 29 and 30 were contour graded because of the
poor condition of the highwall. The revegetation plan called
for 2 tons per acre of limestone (applied April-May 1968), 15 Ib
per acre of Serecia lespedeza, 10 Ib per acre tall fescue, 10 Ib
per acre of tall oat grass, and 1000 Ib per acre^of 10-10-10
fertilizer. The seed and fertilizer were applied in May 1968.
Hydroseeding (14.8 acres) was used on the steep banks. In
addition, six rows of black alder followed by six rows of a grab
mixture of scotch and shortleaf pine were hand planted in this
area.
A superb growth of fescue developed the first year. By the
third year an outstanding growth of S_. lespedeza had taken over
a large section. Survival of alder was about 90 percent. By
1972 these trees were 10 to 14 feet tall. Survival of pine was
approximately 70 percent. The pines were about 2 feet tall; the
A-60
-------
slow growth is probably due to competition with the grass.
By 1976 the survival of black alder had declined from 90
percent to 50 percent because of fungus infection. Many of the
alder were over 20 feet tall. White, scotch, and shortleaf pine
had about 35 percent survival and the white and scotch were 10
to 15 feet tall. Shortleaf and Virginia pine made up 20 percent
of the stand and were 6 to 8 feet tall. Cover of the entire
area approached 100 percent (Figure A-10).
Work Area 52—
No work took place in this area because the contract was
terminated. ^
Cost of Reclamation
Records were kept of the equipment and labor used in each
work area. These data were used to determine direct costs as
reported in Table A-22. The remaining costs were then distri-
buted on a direct-cost percentage basis to the work areas. For
cleaning and grubbing, reclamation, and underground activities,
the total cost was 1.297 times the direct cost. Total revegeta-
tion costs were determined in a similar manner. Total cost for
each work area is reported in Table A-23.
Results ofReclamation
Backfilling and mine sealing has resulted in the reduction
of some of the pollution load. In 1970 and 1971, the total flow
past RT 8F-1 was substantially decreased. The vegetative cover
and tree growth may account for this reduction.
The concentration figures in Table A-24 show an improvement
in water quality due to reclamation. Acidity decreased 60
percent and sulfate decreased 66 percent from 1966 through 1970.
In 1971 the acidity load was 77 percent lower and the sulfate,
79 percent lower. Clearly, reclamation has improved the water
quality. Underground mine discharges now contribute nearly all
of the pollution (see Table A-21).
MIDDLE ROARING CREEK (R-7 TO R-5)
Area Description
The watershed draining into the R-7 to R-5 section of
Roaring Creek encompasses 4,237 acres, of which 3,397 acres lie
in the Flatbush Fork watershed (discussed earlier). The water-
shed rises from an elevation of 2,225 feet at R-5 to 2,500 feet
on the south side. Roaring Creek drops about five feet between
R-7 and R-5, a distance of 1.5 miles. The town of Mabie lies in
this watershed.
A-61
-------
a\
ru
Figure A-10. Work Areas 29 and 30, summer of 1976.
-------
Table A-22. COST OF WORK - DIRECT COST (DOLLARS)'
t
Area
number
28
29
30
28-30
Cleaning
and grubbing
Equipment
1,066
606
3,362
5,034
Labor
1,904
1,627
6,662
10,193
Reclamation
Equipment
2,393
2,598
13,777
18,768
Labor
521
1,228
2,908
4,657
Underground
Equipment
2,052
938
5,955
8,945
Labor
3,386
337
4,282
8,005
Revegetation
Equipment &
materials
b
b
b
8,283
Labor
b
b
b
3,175
Total
11,322
7,334
36,946
67,060
For clearing and grubbing, reclamation and underground, this includes only the actual cost
of equipment and labor and does not include any materials, overhead, G&A etc. Revegeta-
tion cost includes cost of labor, equipment and materials.
Cost figures not available for revegetation of individual areas.
a\
to
TABLE A-23. TOTAL COST FOR WORK AREAS (DOLLARS)
Area
number
28
29
30
28-30
Clearing &
grubbing,
reclamation,
underground
14,693
9,518
47,947
72,158
Revegetation
14,112
Total
14,693
9,518
47,947
86,270
Cost/acre
1,771
-------
TABLE A-24.
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY DATA FOR STATION RT 8F-1,
MOUTH OF SMALL TRIBUTARY
Quarter
Year
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971.
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Sulfate
Load in tons
1
0.347
1.457
0.256
0.615
0.078
2
0.201
0.258
0.233
0.336
0.068
3
0.091
0.045
0.003
0.067
0.038
4
0.149
0.295
0.240
0.053
0.056
Specific conductance
in ymhos/cm
845
710
365
425
410
252
1060
318
618
425
410
1041
490
447
446
303
622
450
338
514
316
425
Concentration in mg/1
1
2.9
3.1
3.8
3.4
3.5
2
2.9
3.7
3.4
4.3
3
2.8
3.4
3.2
3.5
4
3.1
3.3
3.7
3.3
3.6
Precipitation in inches
10.42
13.79
8.73
12.69
9.22
13.45
12.14
16.74
12.69
14.08
13.40
10.31
15.06
16.22
11.54
19.71
17.69
19.99
9.01
11.43
12.15
12.22
13.55
5.45
Acidity
Load in tons
22
56
5
30
2
2
15
4
11
2
1.3
6
0.1
1.5
0.8
3
5
28
4
2
1
5
Concentration in mg/1
258
156
81
200
85
63
298
70
141
135
61
258
112
94
81
89
137
391
75
126
80
138
Total Iron
Load in tons
3
6
1
3
0.2
0.3
2
1
3
0.1
0.1
1
0.01
0.3
0.1
0.1
5
2
0.4
0.6
0.2
2
Concentration in mg/1
31
16
12
16
9
8
34
11
19
8
5
29
11
9
9
3
14
22
7
43
11
6
(continued)
AT 6.4
-------
TABLE A-2 4 (continued).
Quarter
Year
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Sulfate
Load in tons
1
27
104
9
38
3
4
2
19
8
21
2
2
3
8
0.1
5
1
1.4
4
9
16
10
5
2
6
Concentration in mg/1
1
321
292
149
255
148
109
2
376
145
257
122
120
3
353
185
280
150
47
4
245
215
170
388
113
170
Hardness
Load in tons
11
56
6
24
2
4
8
4
17
3
4
0.1
3
1
4
8
7
3
2
5
Concentration in mg/1
132
157
96
162
119
118
168
75
209
176
168
112
156
138
117
113
120
221
164
154
Calcium
Load in tons
8
34
4
17
1
3
5
3
11
1
2
2
0.07
2
1
2
3
6
4
2
1
3
Concentration in mg/1
94
95
61
115
77
73
106
46
138
72
87
106
85
95
99
63
75
81
71
135
93
95
Aluminum
Load in tons Concentration in mg/1
1 0.8 0.3
4
0.3 0.3 0.01
1.5 0.8 0.1
0.1 0.15 0.06
0.2
0.3 16
0.7 10
0.6 5
0.3 10
0.15 7
0.14 8
17
6
10
10
14
11
7
7
9
9
10
19
11
4
A-65
-------
Mining Summary and Work Area Description
In addition to mining in the Flatbush Fork and Mabie (RT
8F-1), portions of Work Areas 27, 28, 31 and 45 drain into this
region. These are shown in Figure A-ll and discussed individ-
ually below.
Work Area 27 - Travise Strip (7 acres)—
Part of this area is in the Flatbush Run watershed
(discussed earlier).
Subarea A—An unbackfilled strip, one or two cuts wide. At
least 18 caved openings were noted along the highwall. The
highwall was broken badly because of the underground mining.
Considerable subsidence was present above the highwall.
Subarea B—A strip mine that has been backfilled nearly
level and planted in white pine and locust. Eight concealed
openings were noted along the highwall. The backfill drained
toward the highwall.
Subarea C—A partly caved opening in highwall. The entry
was in fair condition without drainage, and the bottom was dry.
Subarea A—A concealed opening in highwall.
Work Area 28 - Strip Mine (3.5 acres)—
Part of this area is in the Mabie watershed (discussed
earlier).
Subarea A—A small strip mine with many concealed openings.
Much subsidence above the highwall.
Subarea B—A discharging opening (RT 8F-5), average flow -
0.058 cfs, pH - 2.8, acidity - 245 mg/1, iron - 22 mg/1, and
sulfate - 558 mg/1.
Work Area 31 - Mabie Mine Strip (19 acres)—
Some of the stripping in this area was done before 1920 to
provide entry into the bank for deep mining. Deep mining was
completed in early 1930. During the despression, 254 seals were
constructed by the WPA. Since that time most of the outcrop has
been restripped and the seals destroyed. At present some 88
openings along the highwall are known, 10 of these have dis-
charges. Most of the area atop the highwall is badly subsided.
Part of this area is in the R-7 to R-8 area (discussed
earlier).
A-66
-------
KEY
WORK AREA BOUNDARY
© WORK AREA NUMBER
A SUBAREA
A SAMPLING STATION
x MONITORING STATION
mm UNDERGROUND MINE
WATERSHED BOUNDARY
MINE OPENING
- STREAM
SHAFT
0 200400
1966 ANNUAL LOAD
1966 ANNUAL LOAD (R-5)
FLOW- 12.69 cfsSJ
pH - 3.3
ACIDITY - 883. TONS
IRON - 62. TONS
SULFATE - 1190. TONS
FLOW - 25.9 cfs
,PH - 3.4
[ACIDITY - 2233. TONS
IRON - 159. TONS .
SULFATE - 3186. TON?!
o CLAY SEAL
• DRY SEAL
• WET SEAL
00 SPECIAL SAND SEAL (DOUBLE)
dD STRIP MINE
COMPACTION
EIE13 PASTURE BACKFILL
^^3 CONTOUR BACKFILL
SWALLOWTAIL
800 FEET
N
SCALE
Figure A-ll. Middle Roaring Creek watershed (R-7 to R-5).
-------
Subarea A—Two concealed openings. Main portal of West
Virginia Coal and Coke Company's No. 6 mine. A small discharge
(Rm-1), flow - 0.035 cfs, pH - 3.0, acidity - 256 mg/1, iron -
32 mg/1, and sulfate - 552 mg/1.
Subarea B—At least 23 concealed openings in the highwall.
Considerable subsidence atop the highwall. Discharge RM-2,
flow - 2,006 cfs, pH - 3.2, acidity - 99 mg/1, iron - 3 mg/1,
and sulfate - 163 mg/1.
Subarea C—Strip with eight or more partially concealed
openings in highwall.
Subarea D—Strip with three concealed openings in highwall.
Subarea E—Eight concealed openings along highwall.
Subarea F—Portal and three concealed openings. Main
heading of West Virginia Coal and Coke Company's No. 7 mine.
Discharge RM-3, flow - 0.060 cfs, pH - 2.8, acidity - 373 mg/1,
iron - 46 mg/1, and sulfate - 617 mg/1.
Subarea G—Nine concealed openings along highwall.
Subarea H—Five openings plus 150 feet of 36-foot auger
holes along this part of highwall.
Subarea I—Nine or more openings.
Work Area 45 - Strip mine—
There were no deep mine openings along this 3,000 feet of
stripping. The strip was on the Middle Kittanning seam of coal.
The Lower Kittanning, which is about 10 feet below the Middle
Kittanning in this area, has been opened in several areas for
prospecting only.
The western end had been adequately backfilled and planted.
The eastern half remains unbackfilled, with carbonaceous mate-
rial exposed on the spoils.
Small tributaries RM-6 and RM-7, characterized below, are
located in this area.
A-68
-------
RM-6 RM-7
flow, cfs 0.009 0.021
PH 3.4 3.1
acidity, mg/1 118.0 104.0
iron, mg/1 12.0 4.0
sulfate, mg/1 195.0 196.0
Description of Mine Drainage Problem
Station R-7 was used to monitor the quality and quantity of
water entering this watershed by way of the main stem of Roaring
Creek. These data are presented in Tables A-25 and A-26.
Station R-5 was used to evaluate water leaving the watershed
(Tables A-25 and A-26). Between these two points are several
tributaries with significant pollution contribution. Table
A-27 summarizes contributions of these tributaries for the base
year 1966. By far the greatest contribution is from Flatbush
Run. Stations RT 8G-1 and RT 8E-1 measure runoff from Work Area
31, and Stations RT 8D-1 from Work Area 45. Not all the drainage
from Work Area 31 is measured by RT 8G-1 and RT 8E-1. Because
some areas drain directly into Roaring Creek, the contributions
from Work Area 31 are greater than 50 and 86 tons per year of
acidity and sulfate respectively. Work Area 45 is a minor
contributor.
Reclamation Work Performed
Work performed in the various work areas of this watershed
is described below.
Work Area 27 - Travise Strip (7 acres)—
The subsidence in Work Area 27A-C was corrected by grading.
The surface mine was then graded to a contour backfill. Work
Area 27 was considered in more detail earlier in Appendix A (see
Flatbush Fork watershed segment). This area can be considered
stabilized.
Work Area 28 - Strip Mine (3.5 acres)—
Two seals were constructed in this area. Construction of
a wet seal at Work Area 28C required three walls because a
cross-cut was present a short distance into the mine; two were
solid walls and one was the wet seal. A clay seal was construc-
ted at 28D. The entire area 28B was then graded to a contour
backfill. The discussion of Work Area 28 in the Mabie watershed
segment of Appendix A gives further details on reclamation and
revegetation. The area can be considered stabilized.
A-69
-------
TABLE A-25. SUMMARY OF ANNUAL DATA FOR STATION R-7,
MIDDLE ROARING CREEK, AND STATION R-5, MIDDLE ROARING CREEK
Year
Station R-7
Before reclamatio
1964
1965
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970,
1971°
Station R-5
Before
reclamation
1965
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
Flow,
cfs
n
4.7
10.61
12.69
16.6
15.95
16.11
25.30
Flow,
cfs
20.64
25.90
34.86
24.06
32.98
103.72
Acidity,
tons
38a
216
883
834
775
564
614
PH
3.4
3.4
3.8
3.8
3.9
4.2
Iron,
tons
1.8a
17
62
48
36
35
22
Acidity,
tons
936
2,283
2,062
1,304
1,168
3,365
Sulfate,
tons
81a
411
1,190
1,255
770
668
560
Iron,
tons
55
154
137
68
98
136
Sulfate,
tons
1,808
3,186
3,227
1,508
1,574
2,515
Site R-5 is downstream from R-7.
5Data for only first 9 months of the year.
A-70
-------
TABLE A-26.
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY DATA FOR STATION R-7,
MIDDLE ROARING CREEK
Quarter
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
Flow in cfs
1
10.20
28.26
14.01
16.29
18.98
14.20
28.83
33.50
2
3.54
13.29
20.45
30.98
26.28
11.68
14.33
13.68
3
0.51
0.18
2.34
6.13
0.68
20.03
4.72
28.75
4
4.74
0.70
13.96
12.39
20.72
17.90
16.58
pH value
1
4.7
4.4
3.6
3.7
3.9
4.0
4.0
4.4
2
4.6
4.1
3.5
3.7
4.0
3.9
3.7
4.1
3
4.3
3.0
2.9
3.5
3.3
3.5
3.8
3.8
4
4.4
3.0
3.5
3.8
3.7
3.9
4,1
Specific conductance in ymhos/cm
50
75
243
163
177
140
115
75
66
141
219
169
129
177
200
123
138
874
964
251
533
177
236
190
112
756
229
139
222
223
155
Acidity
Load in tons
61
244
130
259
130
189
89
90
251
254
214
146
189
79
2
17
196
95
30
315
46
446
29
48
192
138
331
184
140
Concentration in mg/1
9
71
33
56
37
27
11
8
28
50
33
33
51
54
24
16
371
342
63
182
64
40
64
25
276
56
45
65
42
35
Iron
Load in tons
2
14
10
15
5
12
0.5
8
15
17
8
8
9
0.1
2
20
7
2
12
3
1.2
5
13
8
23
11
11
Concentration
0.3
4
2
3
1.5
1.6
0.6
2.3
"3
2
1.3
3
2.7
0.6
49
34
4
11
2.5
2.9
in mg/1
1.1
27
4
3
5
2.6
2.6
(continued)
A-71
-------
TABLE A-26 (continued).
Quarter
Year
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Sulfate
Load in tons
1
182
318
196
348
163
213
179
2
16
154
392
350
303
154
238
123
3
5
17
219
128
37
289
73
258
4
60
58
261
144
567
164
144
Concentration in mg/1
1
26
92
49
75
47
30
22
2
19
47
78
46
47
54
68
37
3
41
362
380
85
222
59
63
37
4
52
334
76
48
112
37
35
Hardness
Load
147
128
113
126
138
180
203
in tons
34
81
179
169 (
168 .
142
56
73
0.7
6
72
51
L4
226
51
7
23
139
105
286
130
181
Concentration in mg/1
21
37
28
27
39
25
25
14
24
35
22
26
49
16
22
20
120
125
40
86
46
44
29
131
40
34
56
29
44
Calcium
Load in tons
80
40
69
89
101
113
18
41
97
87
98
92
51
40
0.4
3
34
35
9
120
27
126
4
13
82
51
144
75
92
Concentration in mg/1
23
14
15
26
14
14
8
13
19
11
15
32
15
12
11
63
60
23
51
25
23
18
17
75
24
17
28
17
23
Aluminum
Load in tons
19
9
36
20
23
16
0.8
8
21
23
18
15
7
7
0.02
1
L7
8
4
24
8
0.2
4
15
10
61
22
16
Concentration in mg/1
6
3
8
6
3
2
0.3
2
4
3
3
5
2
2
0.4
28
29
6
23
5
7
0.7
24
4
3
12
5
4
A-72
-------
TABLE A-27. POLLUTION CONTRIBUTION OF TRIBUTARIES TO MIDDLE
ROARING CREEK BETWEEN STATIONS R-7 AND R-5 FOR THE BASE YEAR 1966
Main stream
R-7
R-5
Tributary
Flatbush, RT9-23
RT8G-1
RT8F-1
RT8E-1
RT8D-1
Flow,
cf s
12.69
25.90
10.325
0.192
0.197
0.154
0.253
Acidity,
tons
883
2,283
687
39
47
11
11
Iron,
tons
62
154
42
6
5
0.2
1.9
Sulfate,
tons
1,190
3,186
1,046
71
63
15
13
TABLE A-28. CHARACTERISTICS OF MINE SEAL STATION RT8F-5
Year
Before
reclamation
1965
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971a
Flow,
cfs
0.031
0.058
0.080
0.087
0.097
0.183
Acidity,
tons
5
14
20
23
19
20
Iron,
tons
0.5
1.4
3
3.5
2.5
1.8
Sulfate,
tons
15
32
42
45
41
39
Data for 1st nine months of the year only,
A-73
-------
Work Area 31 - Mabie Mine Strip (19 acres)—
A limited amount of work was performed in Work Areas 31A
and K. When collapse of the highwall caused the death of a
shovel operator, Work Area 31 was re-evaluated, with the con-
clusion that fractures of the highwall made it unsafe and that
work would be discontinued. Termination of the project cur-
tailed any further work except for contour grading of 10.5 acres
already disturbed and planting of 31 acres in black alder,
cottonwood, scotch pine, shortleaf pine, Virginia pine and white
pine. The planting took place in May 1968.
Work Area 45 - Strip Mine—
This area was to have been pasture backfilled. Because the
project ended, no work was performed.
Cost
Cost figures for Work Area 27 were shown earlier in Table
A-19 and for Work Area 28 in Table A-22. Costs for the work
performed in Work Area 31 were as follows:
Direct Cost: Dollars
Cleaning and grubbing 4,991
Reclamation operation 12,215
Underground operation 574
Revegetation 344
Total 18,124
Indirect cost 5,392
Total cost 23,516
Cost/acre 2,240
Results
Any improvement in the watershed would be due to the recla-
mation in Flatbush Run, the Mabie area and Work Area 27-28,
which was only 19.6 acres. Table A-25 shows a significant
decrease (about 50%) in acidity and sulfate levels at Station
R-5. A part of this decrease is due to reduced amounts of water
entering the watershed at R-7.
The wet mine seal in Work Area 28 (RT 8F-5) has not re-
sulted in a decrease in pollution level (see Table A-28). The
flow has increased because of the reclamation. Water that
formerly"seeped out at several points along the highwall has now
been forced out through the wet seal.
A-74
-------
V
V.
MABIE - COALTON SECTION OF ROARING CREEK (R-5 TO R-3)
Area Description
The watershed draining the Mabie - Coalton section of
Roaring Creek encompasses 4,090 acres (Figure A-12). The
watershed rises from an elevation of 2,150 feet at Coalton to
3,517 at the crest of Rich Mountain on the east. Roaring Creek
drops 75 feet between Stations R-5 and R-3, a distance of 3.6
miles. The town of Coalton is located in the watershed; most of
the area, however, is sparsely populated and forest-covered.
Mining Summary and Work Area Description
A total of 210 acres or 5.1 percent of the watershed has
been surface-mined. All but 52.8 acres of this surface mining
was in the Sewell seam near the crest of Rich Mountain. This
seam produces a low level of pollution and was not included in
the reclamation plans for this demonstration project.
This watershed includes Work Areas 11 and 44. Specific
details of this watershed follow.
Work Area 11 - South Coalton Strip (42.4 acres)—
The large underground mine complex lay adjacent to this
strip area. At least 30 concealed openings were found along the
highwall and there may have been many more. No drainage from
any of the openings was noted. It was apparent that water was
directed from the strip pit into the underground workings and
subsequently drains at discharges RT 6A-1 (Work Area 53) , RT 6-5
(Work Area 13), RT 6-3 (Work Area 12), RT 6-2A (Work Area 12),
and RT 8B-3 (Work Area 44). The top of the highwall shows no
indication of subsidence. The strip has not been backfilled.
Subarea A—A mine opening beyond the end of the strip that
was sealed under WPA (WPA Seal No. 5453). A discharge of 0.009
cfs and pH 7.0 were measured. Adjacent area was subsided.
Subarea B—A mine opening sealed by WPA (Seal No. 5354).
There was no discharge from this seal. Some subsidence was
noted. t
Subarea C—A large deposit of exposed carbonaceous material,
Work Area 44 - Fisher Strip Mine (10.4 acres)—
The large underground complex lay adjacent to this strxp
area. Water directed to the underground mine from the surface
mines probably discharged at RT 6-5 (Work Area 13) and RT 6-6A
(Work Area 15).
Subarea A—WPA mine seal No. 5362. Seepage from seal had
a pH of 6.5 and flow less than 0.002 cfs.
A-75
-------
19S6 ANNUM. LOAD (R-3)
FLOW - 34.20 cfs
PH - 3.4
ACIDITY - 1811. TOMS
IRON - 65. TONS
SULFATE - 2801. TONS
ACIDITY - 42. TONS
SULFATE - 96. TONS
1966 ANNUAL LOAD (R-5)
FLOW - 25.9 cfs
3H - 3.4
ACIDITY - 2285. TONS
IRON - 154. TONS
SULFATE - 3186. TONS
AREA BOUNDARY
WORK AREA NUMBER
SUBAREA
A SAMPLING STATION
x MONITORING STATION
UNDERGROUND MINE
WATERSHED BOUNDARY
MINE OPENING
STREAM
SHAFT
° CLAY SEAL
• DRY SEAL
• WET SEAL
M SPECIAL SAND SEAL (DOUBLE)
CTD STRIP MINE
BBB COMPACTION
EffiEl PASTURE BACKFILL
gSS CONTOUR BACKFILL
1 SWALLOWTAIL
0 200400 800 FEET
SCALE
Figure A-12. Mabie-Coalton section of Roaring Creek (R-5 to R-3).
A-76
-------
Subarea B—Opening 30 feet west of Subarea A which is 14
feet wide with 1 foot of water impounded on the bottom. Local
residents use this water for drinking and stock watering.
Average discharge - 0.084 cfs, pH - 3.5, acidity - 37 mg/1,
iron - 1 mg/1, and sulfate - 219 mg/1 (RT 8B-3).
Subarea C—This area has been stripped and contour back-
filled.
Subarea D—An area of subsidence.
Subarea E—An 800-foot strip mine with all drainage di-
rected to the highwall where it entered the underground mine
opening (Subarea F).
Subarea F—A 16-foot opening received drainage from Work
Areas 44 E, H, and I. There was also a wet weather stream that
flowed over the highwall directly above this opening and into
it. There was little overburden between the tributary and the
underground mine; water probably percolated into the mine from
the tributary for an extended distance above the highwall.
Subarea G—A 16-foot opening in the highwall. Some coal
was being removed.
Subarea H—An 800-foot strip with at least 10 concealed
openings in the highwall. Spoil was level, but water still
drained to opening F.
Subarea I—Strip with 20 or more concealed openings in the
highwall. This was a level, clean backfill without indication
that water flowed into mine openings. Area above highwall was
subsided.
Subarea J—Strip with 14 or more concealed openings in
highwall.Portal of Brady Mine is located in this area. An 8-
to 10-foot parting develops in the part of the watershed between
the Middle and Lower Kittanning. Strip was fairly level but was
covered with carbonaceous material.
Work Area 53 - Coalton Area—
This outcrop has not been stripped because the underground
mine has been driven almost to the outcrop. The area showed
extensive subsidence.
Subarea A—An abandoned mine caved at portal with a dis-
charge (RT 6A-1), average flow - 0.031 cfs, pH - 2.6, acidity -
658 mg/1, iron - 80 mg/1, and sulfate - 574 mg/1. There was a
possible parallel opening 100 feet to the east.
A-77
-------
Description of Mine Drainage Problem
Sampling Station R-5 was used to monitor the quality and
quantity of water entering this watershed by way of the main
stem of Roaring Creek. These data are presented in Tables A-29
and A-31. Station R-3 was used to survey the water leaving the
watershed (Tables A-29 and A-30). The data collected before
reclamation indicated that Roaring Creek picked up little if any
additional pollution load in this stretch. To further verify
this finding, the pollution loads of the four major tributaries
were evaluated. As shown in Table A-32, these tributaries
contribute a minor amount of pollution.
To illustrate the pollution contribution of the Sewell seam
stripping operation on Rich Mountain, Laurel Run was monitored
(RT 8-1). This watershed contained the largest tract of the
Sewell strip mines, 127 acres or 6.3 percent of the watershed.
As shown in Table A-33, the contribution was small. An increase
in 1969 and 1970 was due to new stripping operations that
started in 1969.
Reclamation Work Performed
Reclamation work performed in the various work areas of
this watershed is described below.
Work Area 11 - South Coalton Strip (47 acres)—
The reclamation plan for this area was to bury the car-
bonaceous material in Work Area 11C in the strip pit, place clay
seals in the larger openings, compact the backfill along the
sections of badly fractured highwall, and grade to a pasture
backfill. The original estimate was that 264,000 cubic yards of
common excavation, 900 cubic yards of subsidence excavation, and
2,200 cubic yards of compacted backfill would be required.
Final calculations showed that common excavation amounted to
259,207 cubic yards. There was no excavation for subsidence and
7,040 cubic yards of excavation was required for compacted
backfill. Therefore, excavation was 853 cubic yards less than
originally estimated.
Three clay seals were constructed at Work Area 11B by
clearing the highwall and compacting clay into the openings.
A borrow area was developed at Work Area HE to cover the
carbonaceous material at Work Area 11C that was not buried in
the strip pit.
Approximately 1,600 feet of compacted backfill was in-
stalled at Work Area 11F.
A-78
-------
TABLE A-29. SUMMARY OF ANNUAL DATA FOR STATION R-3, MIDDLE
ROARING CREEK, AND STATION R-5, MIDDLE ROARING CREEK3
Year
Station R-3
Before
reclamation
1965
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
Station R-5
Before
reclamation
1965
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970,
1971°
Flow,
cf s
29.6
34.20
42.29
33.79
37.80
101.30
20.64
25.90
34.86
24.06
32.98
103.72
pH
3.6
3.4
3.8
3.9
4.0
4.1
3.4
3.4
3.8
3.8
3.9
4.2
Acidity,^
tons
921
1,811
1,455
1,573
925
4,766
936
2,283
2,062
1,304
1,168
3,395
Iron,
tons
47
65
52
53
92
120
55
154
137
68
98
136
Sulfate,
tons
1,848
2,801
2,546
1,621
1,433
2,700
1,808
3,186
3,227
1,508
1,574
2,515
aSite R-3 is downstream from R-5.
bData for first three quarters of the year only.
A-79
-------
TABLE A-30.
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY DATA FOR STATION R-3,
MIDDLE ROARING CREEK
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Flow in cfs
1
80.86
34.83
112.50
52.08
34.58
71.33
85.58
2
33.54
52.28
73.10
76.73
22.87
34.17
3
0.94
8.11
13.69
3.76
46.71
9.73
26.10250.00
4
3.10
40.58
43.47
36.57
31.00
35.95
43.50
pH value
1
3.8
3.5
3.7
4.0
4.1
3.9
4.2
2
3.6
3.5
3.7
4.0
3.9
3.8
4.1
3
3.5
3.0
3.5
3.7
3.7
4.0
4.2
4
3.1
3.5
3.9
3.8
4.0
4.2
4.1
Specific conductance in ymhos/cm
178
234
201
155
191
161
183
197
229
198
136
177
170
111
354
642
337
283
198
183
153
631
221
134
218
166
128
170
Acidity
Load in tons
532
476
980
419
307
525
187
244
556
536
218
223
127
11
307
346
60
829
58
3578
134
472
375
440
219
119
834
Concentration in mg/1
27
54
36
33
36
30
9
30
43
29
39
27
20
47
155
103
66
72
25
59
177
47
35
49
29
14
79
Iron
Load in tons
31
17
59
17
14
45
42
9
16
13
11
18
4
0.2
12
13
2
16
7
67
7
20
12
20
12
22
7
Concentration in mg/1
1.5
2.0
2.2
1.3
1.6
2.6
2.0
1.1
1.3
0.7
1.9
2.2
0.6
1.0
6
4
2.-
1.4
2.8
1.1
9
2.0
1.1
2.2
1.6
2.5
0.7
A-80
(continued)
-------
TABLE A-30 (continued).
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Sulfate
Load in tons
1
1,125
691
1,773
775
410
822
394
2
519
979
850
236
240
158
3
26
405
559
97
708
96
1515
4
178
726
824
267
275
633
Concentration in mg/1
1
57
79
64
61
48
47
19
2
63
76
45
42
29
25
3
111
204
164
106
62
40
25
4
234
73
156
92
35
31
60
Hardness
Load in tons
770
332
1,099
396
397
682
648
324
469
580
259
235
171
17
192
185
51
615
95
84
726
416
475
323
401
644
Concentration in mg/1
38
37
39
31
46
39
31
39
36
30
46
28
27
73
96
55
55
53
39
110
45
39
53
42
45
61
Calcium
Load in tons
202
546
226
266
405
311
212
260
354
155
172
89
10
96
119
32
363
57
1334
47
259
227
245
172
217
338
Concentration in mg/1
23
20
18
31
23
15
26
20
19
27
21
14
42
48
36
35
32
24
22
62
26
21
27
23
25
32
Aluminum
Load in tons
33
93
36
37
74
60
21
39
41
17
17
15
0.9
25
32
6
59
7
12
39
28
68
32
31
32
Concentration in mg/1
3.7
3.3
2.8
4.3
4.2
2.9
2.6
3.0
2.1
3.0
2.0
2.3
3.7
13
9
7
5
3.0
16
4
2.6
8
4.2
3.5
3.0
A-81
-------
TABLE A-31. SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY DATA FOR STATION R-5,
MABIE-COALTON SECTION OF ROARING CREEK
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Flow in cfs
1
55.68
26.43
79.61
34.52
24.14
58.83
68.75
2
24.32
36.84
56.06
58.05
18.82
25.33
22.32
3
0.35
10.98
9.59
1.66
31.63
7.93
220.08
4
2.19
29.36
23.52
45.20
21.63
39.82
pH value
1
3.8
3.5
3.6
3.8
4.0
3.9
4.2
2
3.4
3.4
3.6
4.0
3.7
3.6
4.2
3
3.1
2.8
3.5
3.3
3.5
3.8
4.1
4
3.0
3.4
3.8
3.6
3.9
4.1
Specific conductance in ymhos/cm
191
263
236
187
180
155
97
299
266
251
146
225
226
134
679
955
336
493
210
241
180
751
279
164
303
178
151
Acidity
Load in tons
447
455
891
387
266
488
233
340
550
627
520
278
312
119
15
821
184
67
524
75
3043
134
457
291
1088
236
293
Concentration in mg/1
33
70
47
46
45
34
14
57
61
46
37
60
50
22
173
305
78
165
68
39
57
250
63
51
98
45
30
Iron
Load in tons
26
23
67
23
15
39
23
17
26
34
21
16
16
6
1
77
9
2
23
5
107
11
28
19
91
14
38
Concentration in mg/1
2
4
4
3
3
3
1
3
3
2
1
3
3
1
10
29
• 4
6
3 »
2
2
20
4
3
8
3
4
(continued)
-------
TABLE A-31 (continued).
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Sulfate
Load in tons
1
950
636
1561
631
401
467
2
667
833
1085
804
325
179
3
23
971
311
89
522
1868
4
168
746
401
1703
260
—
Concentration in mg/1
1
70
98
83
75
68
28
2
112
92
79
57
70
33
3
268
361
132
218
67
35
4
314
104
70
154
49
-
Hardness
Load in tons
586
284
872
340
322
575
634
369
408
548
441
291
211
152
13
420
170
38
417
91
""
74
463
286
842
248
513
—
Concentration in mg/1
42
43
46
40
54
39
38
61
45
39
31
63
34
28
152
156
72
93
52
46
"•"
..137
64
49
76
46
52
«
Calcium
Load in tons
—
165
449
195
208
332
306
271
238
291
266
180
263
105
8
200
93
23
228
57
L250
41
263
154
434
145
263
-
Concentration in mg/1
_
25
24
23
35
23
18
45
26
21
19
39
42
19
89
74
40
57
29
29
23
77
37
27
39
27
27
~
Aluminum
Load in tons
_
39
84
37
35
62
67
43
40
57
43
25
19
16
1
66
17
7
43
9
-
12
37
33
178
29
50
—
Concentration in
-
6
4
4
6
4
4
7
4
4
3
5
3
3
14
24
7
18
6
5
",._
mg/1
22
5
16
6
5
A-83
-------
TABLE A-32. POLLUTION CONTRIBUTION OF TRIBUTARIES TO MABIE-
COALTON SECTION OF ROARING CREEK, STATIONS R-3 TO R-5
(BASE YEAR 1966 YEARLY AVERAGES)
Main stream
R-5
R-3
Tributary
RT 8B-1
RT 8A-1
RT 8-1
RT 7-1
Flow,
cf s
25.899
35.201
0.119
0.046
4.423
2.165
Acidity,
tons
3,181
2,520
11.9
1.9
41.9
22.9
Iron,
tons
249
93
1.7
0.09
1.8
0.6
Sulfate,
tons
4,169
3,629
.
25
5.8
102
12.8
TABLE A-33.
CHARACTERISTICS OF STATION RT 8-1,
LAUREL RUN RUNOFF
Flow, cfs
PH
Acidity, mg/1
Acidity, tons
Iron, mg/1
Iron, tons
Sulfate, mg/1
Sulfate, tons
1965
4.422
4.5
6
21
0.38
2.6
25
81
1966
4.423
4.9
9
42
6
1.8
24
96
1967
6.957
5.1
5
30
0.3
2.2
14
94
1968
5.545
5.4
5
25
0.3
1.1
15
76
1969
5.312
4.8
12
61
3
15
25
133
1970
3.632
5.2
12
44
1.6
6
32
207
A-84
-------
Except for the borrow in Work Area HE, which was contour
backfilled, the remainder of the disturbed area was pasture
backfilled.
The entire area received between 2 and 3.5 tons per acre of
agricultural lime in May and June of 1968. In June 1968, 1,000
pounds of 10-10-10 fertilizer, 18 Ib/acre of birdsfoot trefoil,
5 Ib/acre of sweet clover, 10 Ib/acre of tall fescue, 8 Ib/acre
of Kentucky bluegrass, and 1 Ib/acre of reed canary grass were
applied. An outstanding growth of grass developed. A good
stand of trefoil, sweet clover, and fescue, with lesser amounts
of bluegrass, was still present in 1971. This area may be
considered stabilized.
Work Area 44 - Fisher Strip Mine (26.7 acres)—
Although the strip mine covered only 10.4 acres, a total of
26.7 acres was disturbed during reclamation. Most of the extra
acreage was in subsidence areas.
The reclamation plan was to stop the drainage into opening
F by regrading the strip mines and constructing a concrete
channel over the highwall and across the spoil to prevent the
small stream from entering the underground mine. In addition,
the subsidence areas would be corrected, the carbonaceous mate-
rial buried, and a wet seal constructed at Work Area 44B (RT
8B-3). The spoil was to be graded to facilitate rapid runoff
and prevent water from entering the underground mine. The
following figures represent the estimated and actual excavation.
Estimated Performed Difference
Common, cu. yd. 36,000 50,877 +14,877
Subsidence, cu. yd. 14,000 25,903 +11,903
Compaction, cu. yd. 6,400 7,413 +1,013
Total, cu. yd. 56,400 84,193 +27,793
Five dry seals, two clay seals, and one wet seal were
constructed. In Work Area 44J, two clay seals were constructed
to plug the Brady Mine openings. One dry seal was installed in
the opening at Work Area 44G. It was of standard construction
(see Upper Kittle Run segment of Appendix A). Three additional
dry seals were constructed in the openings at Work Area 44F. A
wet seal was constructed at Work Area 44B. This seal was dif-
ferent from the standard wet seals constructed because instead
of building an outly wall to create a water seal, two 20 foot
lengths of 4-inch-diameter plastic pipe were placed through the
wall. Two 90 degree elbows were placed at the ends of the pipes
to serve as air locks. This type of construction was used
because insufficient room was available to build the front wall.
A-85
-------
Following the construction of the dry seals at Work Area
44F, 600 feet of compacted backfill was placed against the
highwall in Work Areas 44 F-H. The subsidence was then cor-
rected and a contour backfill installed. The original plan was
to construct 500 feet of concrete-lined channel to carry the
stream over Work Area 44F. With termination of the project, it
was necessary to develop a modified plan. The stream channel
was lined with compacted clay and covered with crushed limestone.
The subsidence in Work Area 44D was not corrected because
of the project termination. A large pile of carbonaceous mate-
rial was moved from Work Area 44E to 441 and buried in the pit.
In Work Area 44J a large subsidence area was backfilled. A
contour backfill was installed in Work Areas 44 J and E and a
pasture backfill in Work Areas 44 H and I.
In May 1968, 2 tons per acre of agricultural limestone was
applied to the reclaimed areas. On the steep areas, such as
Work Area 44J, and along the reconstructed channel, 10 Ibs/acre
of Serecia lespedeza, 5 Ib/acre of love grass, 10 Ib/acre of
Kentucky bluegrass, 5 Ib/acre of orchard grass, 1,000 Ib/acre of
mulch, and 1,000 Ib/acre of 10-10-10 fertilizer were hydroseeded
in May 1968. The area was then overplanted with six rows of
black alder, followed by six rows of a grab mixture of tulip
poplar, cottonwood, and white oak. On the level areas the same
amount of fertilizer was used and the following grasses were
planted: tall fescue - 4 Ib/acre, Kentucky bluegrass - 24
Ib/acre, £. lespedeza - 4 Ib/acre, and orchard grass - 5 Ib/acre.
No trees were planted.
A vigorous growth of love grass developed in the hydro-
seeded area the first year. An excellent stand of fescue and
orchard grass also took over the level areas. The stand was so
good that a local farmer turned in farm animals, whose grazing
almost destroyed the grass. By 1971 the love grass had died out
and had been replaced by a very heavy stand of S_. lespedeza.
Visual observations of the rock channel have revealed no
washing deterioration.
Work Area 53 - Coalton Area—
The only work conducted in Work Area 53 was the construc-
tion of a standard wet seal at Subarea A (RT6A-1).
Cost of Work
Direct costs are shown in Table A-34 and total costs for
each work area are reported in Table A-35.
A-86
-------
TABLE A-34. COST OF WORK - DIRECT COST
Area
No.
11
44
53
Clearing & grubbing
Equipment
284
1,515
-
Labor
2,066
1,909
-
Reclamation
Equipment
54,564
8,163
493
Labor
8,712
4,153
70
Underground
Equipment
1,000
7,298
860
Labor
399
6,274
940
Revegetation
Equipment & material
5,500
6,052
-
Labor
1,901
1,266
-
Total
74,426
37,630
2,363
For clearing and grubbing, reclamation, and underground, this includes only the actual cost of
equipment and labor and does not include any materials, overhead, G&A, etc. Revegetation cost
includes cost of labor, equipment and materials.
oo
TABLE A-35. TOTAL COST FOR WORK AREAS
Area
Number
11 •
14
53
Clearing &
reclamation,
86
39
3
grubbing
underground
,982
,338
,067
Revegetation
9,177
8,973
-
Total
96,159
48,311
3,067
Cost/Area
2,046
1,809
-
-------
Results of Reclamation
As indicated earlier, the mining operations in this water-
shed had only a minor effect on Roaring Creek; therefore, the
reclamation work cannot be expected to make a significant change
in water quality. From Table A-29, it can, indeed, be concluded
that this was the case. Since a significant amount of the
reclamation was performed in Work Area 44, an evaluation of the
water quality and quantity of water discharging from the area
should indicate the effectiveness of reclamation. In Work Area
44, the mine water had been directed into the underground mine,
thus, the pollution from the area appeared small. Reclamation
to prevent this water from entering the mine should result in an
increase in flow. As shown in Table A-36, flow did increase in
1968 and 1969, and possibly in 1971. The low flow in 1970
cannot be explained.
As shown in Table A-37, the wet seals were not effective in
reducing the pollution load.
UPPER KITTLE RUN WATERSHED (RT6-21)
Area Description
The Upper Kittle Run drainage basin contains 399 acres. It
is a pear-shaped watershed, bordered on the southwest by State
Routes 4 and 17 (Figure A-13). Kittle Run flows easterly into
Roaring Creek at Coalton, West Virginia. The gaging station for
the Upper Basin, RT 6-21, is 0.72 miles upstream from the mouth.
Elevations range from 2,185 feet at the mouth of Upper Kittle
Run to 2,470 feet on the hilltops. The mainstem of the stream
is 1.07 miles long, falling at the rate of 0.019 ft/ft from the
headwaters. The entire basin measures 1.05 by 0.77 miles.
Mining Summary and Area Description
Strip mines of the 1940's and 50's account for 71 acres or
18 percent of the surface area. During these stripping opera-
tions, 18,500 feet of highwall were exposed. As work continued
on the demonstration project, all of the land was reclaimed.
Working of the large strip mine complex in the area intercepted
and destroyed the original channel of Kittle Run. Part of the
reclamation work was aimed at reforming the stream bed.
The whole watershed was underlaid by part of the large
drift mine (3,000 acres) extending to Norton. These old workings
were intercepted by the strip mines in several locations. At
one point, two shafts lead to three hallways, which cross under
Kittle Run and carry water northward to Grassy Run (GT 6-1).
These shafts were once used for transporting the strip mine coal
by mine car through the deep mine to the tipple at Norton to
reduce transportation costs. At another point, water drained
A-88
-------
TABLE A-36. CHARACTERISTICS OF RUNOFF FROM AREA 44 (RT 8B-1)
Year
Before
reclamation
1965
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971a
Flow, cfs
0.081
0.119
0.303
0.311
0.074
0.143
Acidity, tons
1.6
11.9
26
8
0.5
1.3
Iron, tons
1.5
1.7
4.7
2.0
0.1
0.3
Sulfate, tons
8
25
60
37
7
12.6
00
us
Data are for first half of the year only.
-------
TABLE A-37.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MINE SEALS
RT 6A-1 AND RT 8B-3
Year
Station RT 6A-1
Before
reclamation
1965
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
Year
Station RT 8B-3
Before
reclamation
1965
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970
Flow,
cfs
0.017
0.031
0.026
0.017
0.020
Flow
cfs
0.051
0.084
0.122
0.074
0.086
Acidity,
tons
7
20
12
8
8
Acidity
Tons
2.1
3
2.5
2.5
2.2
Iron,
tons
0.4
2.5
1.1
0.9
0.7
Iron
Tons
0.06
0.05
0.1
0.2
0.3
Sulfate,
tons
9
18
13
9
11
Sulfate
Tons
11
18
18
23
9
A-90
-------
>
VJ3
1966 ANNUAL LOAD (RT6-21)
FLOW - 0.65 cfs
pH - 2.5
ACIDITY - 990 TONS
IRON - 226 TONS
SULFATE - 1,089 TONS
1966 ANNUAL LOAD (RT6-23)
FLOW - 0.16 cfs
pH - 2.5
ACIDITY - 270 TONS
IRON - 61 TONS
SULFATE - 304 TONS
0 200 400 800 FEET
KEY
WORK AREA BOUNDARY
WORK AREA NUMBER
SUBAREA
SAMPLING STATION
MONITORING STATION
UNDERGROUND MINE
WATERSHED BOUNDARY
MINE OPENING
STREAM
° CLAY SEAL
DRY SEAL
WET SEAL
SPECIAL SAND SEAL (DOUBLE)
CTD STRIP MINE
COMPACTION
PASTURE BACKFILL
ESE3 CONTOUR BACKFILL
SWALLOWTAIL
Figure A-13. Upper Kittle Run watershed (RT6-21).
-------
from the strip pit on the north side of the subwatershed into
exposed underground mines (RT6-24) and eventually discharged to
White's Run (RT-5-2).
The watershed contains only one work area, number 10. This
is one of the largest and most complex. Four acres of Work Area
10 are actually in the Lower Kittle Run watershed, but will be
included in this discussion. Subareas are shown on Figure A-13
and described below.
Work Area 10 - Upper Kittle Run—
Subarea A—Twenty or more concealed openings along the
highwall, which was used as a garbage dump.
Subarea B—A 3-foot opening draining impounded water from
the strip into the deep mine.
Subarea C—A strip with 16 openings allowing possible
drainage into the mine.
Subarea D—A clean strip with no indications of concealed
openings.
Subarea E—A 20-foot shaft into the deep mine.
Subarea F—2,500 feet of stripping. There were no apparent
openings in the highwall.
Subarea G—A 16-foot caved opening impounding 2 feet of
water in the mine. Average discharge (RT6-23) - 0.157 cfs, pH -
2.5, acidity - 1887 mg/1, iron - 430 mg/1.
Subarea H—A concealed opening with seepage discharge (RT
6-16), flow less than 0.06 cfs, pH - 2.5, acidity - 1700 mg/1,
iron - 390 mg/1.
Subarea I—A 2,000-foot strip with at least two concealed
openings. Several tributaries have been intercepted and there
is considerable subsidence.
Subarea J—A concealed opening.
Subarea K—A 1,000-foot strip with several openings and
pools along the highwall.
Subarea L—An extreme subsidence area, which had not been
stripped.
Subarea M—A 3,500-foot strip with no apparent openings in
the highwall. Maps indicated that there may be many concealed
openings.
A-92
-------
Subarea N--A 16-foot-wide entry in the highwall issuing an
average discharge (RT 6-9) of 0.033 cfs, pH - 2.3, acidity -
2000 mg/1, and iron - 470 mg/1.
Subarea 0—400 feet of stripping with at least five con-
cealed openings in the highwall.
Subarea P—A 1,500-foot strip with at least 19 highwall
openings.
Subarea Q—A 16-foot opening with a concrete block wall
constructed halfway across. Water was impounded 2 feet deep.
Subarea R--A large swamp.
Description of Mine Drainage Problem
The drainage problem in Upper Kittle Run was compounded by
the fact that both sides of the hollow were stripped and the
spoil deposited in the center, thereby destroying the stream
channel. Water from the upper portions of the watershed was
diverted and partly drained into the deep mine workings. This
flow in turn increased the pollution load in White's Run and
Grassy Run. At Station RT 6-21, the acidity, iron, and sulfate
concentrations averaged 1,300 mg/1, 306 mg/1, and 1,563 mg/1
respectively in 1966. Total loads of 990 tons, 226 tons, and
1,089 tons were recorded. Rainfall for the year was 47.14
inches (Table A-38 gives complete yearly data). Two major deep
mine openings, RT 6-9 and RT 6-23 were discharging 335 tons of
acid or 34 percent of the total. The prereclamation figure for
measurable surface mine acid production was thus 655 tons.
For the base year of 1966, the deep mine drainage contri-
buted almost one-third of the measurable flow, with high con-
centrations of acid, iron, and sulfate. Station RT 6-9 yielded
yearly average values of 1,998 mg/1 acidity, 472 mg/1 iron, and
2,709 mg/1 sulfate. The effluent at Station RT 6-23 yielded
1,888 mg/1 acidity, 435 mg/1 iron and 2,097 mg/1 sulfate (see
Tables A-39, 40, and 41).
Reclamation Work Performed
The work performed in this watershed (includes Work Area 10
only) is described below.
Work Area 10 - Upper Kittle Run—
On the north side of the watershed in Work Area 10, a
contour-type backfill was established by reducing the heavily
fractured highwall and moving material from the center of the
hollow to complete the backfilling operation. On the south side
of the hollow, a pasture-type backfill was established. Prior
to backfilling, drainage ditches were established in both
A-93
-------
TABLE A-38. SUMMARY OF ANNUAL DATA FOR STATION RT 6-21,
UPPER KITTLE RUN, STATION RT 6-23, DEEP MINE DISCHARGE, AND
STATION RT 6-9, DEEP MINE DISCHARGE
Year
Rainfall,
inches
Station RT 6-21
Before
reclamation
1965
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
37.77
47.14
41.46
42.58
42.60
37.92
Station RT 6-23
Before
reclamation
1965a
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970.
1971b
Station RT 6-9
Before
reclamation
1965a
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970,
1971b
Flow,
billion
gallons
0.116
0.153
0.168
0.142
0.118
0.296
Flow,
billion
gallons
0.045
0.038
0.043
0.036
0.037
0.037
0.010
0.008
0.042
0.036
0.029
0.038
Acidity,
tons
684
990
730
686
458
861
Acidity,
tons
312
270
244
199
186
165
53
65
265
243
181
173
Iron,
tons
149
226
205
212
143
236
Iron,
tons
69
61
72
60
52
46
13
15
69
69
48
53
Sulfate,
tons
849
1,089
765
882
685
965
Sulfate,
tons
379
304
232
242
248
190
60
93
249
251
216
256
Values of last three quarters of the year only.
Values of first three quarters of the year only.
A-94
-------
TABLE A-39. SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY DATA FOR STATION RT 6-21
UPPER KITTLE RUN '
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Flow in cfs
1
1.17
0.78
1.84
0.72
0.91
0.81
1.40
2
0.17
1.36
0.70
0.96
0.55
0.48
0.81
3
0.06
0.04
0.42
0.18
0.33
0.20
0.10
4
0.03
0.04
0.44
0.99
0.61
0.51
0.71
pH Value
1
2.5
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.7
2.6
2.8
2
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.8
2.6
2.7
2.6
3
2.4
2.5
2.7
2.7
2.5
2.5
2.6
4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.6
2.7
2.6
Specific Conductance in ymhos/cm
2,367
2,602
2,166
1,655
1,633
1,636
933
2,378 2,751
2,667 2,698
2,153 1,881
1,435 2,233
1,966 1,858
1,633 2,183
1,780 1,783
2,417
2,099
1,715
1,516
1,813
1,600
1,700
Acidity
Load in Tons
435
338
559
183
260
164
143
218
541
218
223
175
99
168
21
12
90
64
74
58
366
10
99
133
260
177
137
137
Concentration in mg/1
1,520
1,762
1,242
1,036
1,161
823
569
1,253
1,618
1,273
944
1,298
833
853
1,433
1,262
865
1,458
909
1,174
719
1,439
906
1,217
1,067
1,195
1,100
796
Total Iron
Load in Tons
96
81
150
56
79
43
61
47
121
54
59
53
25
42
4
2
25
16
19
16
92
4
22
46
74
61
59
41
Concentration in mg/1
335
435
333
318
352
216
180
268
361
316
248
393
208
218
276
230
235
363
235
332
181
298
210
423
304
408
473
241
(continued)
A-95
-------
TABLE A-39 (continued).
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Sulfate
Load in Tons Concentration in
1
531
341
605
207
294
236
239
2
282
619
220
214
174
146
215
3
25
15
109
65
100
101
319
4
11
114
158
279
214
202
192
1
1,858
1,780
1,344
1,172
1,313
1,187
706
2
1,625
1,851
1,283
907
1,292
1,235
1,094
3
1,721
1,520
1,050
1,475
1,222
2,035
626
mg/1
4
1,505
1,102
1,445
1,147
1,440
1,620
1,117
Hardness
Load in Tons
115
82
152
59
112
83
113
70
128
58
78
74
54
72
8
5
35
21
38
30
347
4
46
43
110
83
82
75
Concentration in mg/1
391
426
338
337
499
419
332
400
381
337
329
548
458
370
521
457
331
478
466
604
683
488
441
391
450
557
657
433
Calcium
Load in Tons
_
50
89
37
72
49
67
49
81
36
48
50
28
49
5
3
20
13
29
19
105
2
25
26
66
47
47
45
Concentration in mg/1
_
258
198
209
320
245
198
284
241
210
203
368
238
250
322
266
194
303
290
392
207
315
238
242
272
317
375
260
Aluminum
Load in Tons
—
12
29
8
15
11
13
15
23
11
16
11
5
10
1
1
4
4
5
4
51
1
4
22
16
13
11
10
Concentration in mg/1
_
65
63
45
65
57
40
87
68
64
67
83
38
49
77
64
39
97
57
76
100
78
39
203
67
85
86
62
A-96
-------
TABLE A-40. SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY DATA FOR STATION
RT 6-9, DEEP MINE DISCHARGE
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1
-
0.037
—
0.329
0.169
0.224
0.28
*
Flow
2
0.092
0.032
—
0.216
0.155
0.163
0.18
in cf s
3
0.019
0.019
—
0.046
0.119
0.055
0.18
4
0.013
0.042
-
0.113
0.166
0.058
-
pH Value
1
-
2.2
-
2.6
2.5
2.4
2.6
2
2.4
2.3
—
2.6
2.5
2.5
2.6
3
2.4
2.3
_
2.5
2.4
2.5
2.6
4
2.3
2.3
_
2.4
2.5
2.5
-
Specific Conductance in ymhos/cm
-
3,710
-
2,166
2,266
2,533
1,566
3,125
3,186
-
2,243
2,400
2,116
1,980
3,530
3,865
-
2,683
2,450
2,550
2,066
3,290
3,942
-
2,553
2,600
2,300
—
Acidity
Load in Tons
_
20
—
116
67
84
76
37
14
—
77
56
48
52
9
10
-
19
50
24
45
7
21
-
53
70
25
—
Concentration in mg/1
—
2,133
-
1,433
1,610
1,523
1,125
1,617
1,773
—
1,450
1,465
1,204
1,194
1,842
2,125
—
1,680
1,700
1,768
1,052
2,043
1,960
—
1,901
1,715
1,715
"
Total Iron
Load in Tons
_
5
•KF
33
18
20
24
9
3
_
16
17
12
14
2
3
—
5
12
8
15
2
4
-
15
22
8
—
Concentration in
_
503
—
413
435
363
355
402
407
—
302
447
310
330
452
535
—
402
415
565
346
mg/1
517
415
""
532
527
586
M*
(continued)
A-97
-------
TABLE A-40 (continued).
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Sulfate
Load in Tons
1
-
27
-
113
71
81
106
2
41
25
-
68
57
66
98
3
11
12
-
17
45
35
52
4
8
29
-
51
78
34
Concentration in mg/1
1
-
2,890
-
1,393
1,697
1,477
1,575
2
1,805
3,237
-
1,283
1,497
1,655
2,250
3
2,298
2,445
-
1,465
1,535
2,568
1,186
4
2,563
2,265
-
1,837
1,920
2,380
—
Hardness
Load in Tons
-
4
-
29
22
29
35
9
3
-
19
23
23
20
2
2
-
5
14
8
31
1
-
-
14
23
11
—
Concentration in mg/1
—
394
-
361
521
523
522
393
336
-
356
592
573
459
430
418
-
393
481
572
716
416
—
—
498
567
760
-
Calcium
Load in Tons
—
2
-
19
14
17
21
5
2
-
12
14
11
14
1
1
-
3
9
5
12
1
-
-
9
13
7
—
Concentration in mg/1
_
264
—
231
330
317
315
205
237
—
228
367
372
330
396
280
_
273
305
365
276
301
—
s imm
327
313
452
-
Aluminum
Load in Tons
_ l:
1
-
5
4
6
5
2
1
-
5
4
2
3
1
0.3
-
1
3
2
6
0.3
1
-
3
5
2
—
Concentration in mg/1
—
79
—
56
85
109
79
110
66
—
90
101
52
75
119
57
_
106
90
118
140
99
92
_
110
113
140
-
A-98
-------
TABLE A-41.
SUMMARY OP QUARTERLY DATA FOR STATION RT 6-23,
DEEP MINE DISCHARGE
Quarter
Tear
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1
0
0.16
-
0.26
0.16
0.22
0.22
Flow in cfs
2
0.69
0.12
-
0.23
0.17
0.17
0.16
3
0.05
0.04
—
0.13
0.11
0.07
0.25
4
0.02
0.32
0.19
0.10
0.17
0.16
0
pH Value
1
_
2.4
_
2.7
2.6
2.5
2.7
2
2.5
2.5
2.7
2.5
2.5
2.6
3
2.5
2.5
2.6
2.4
2.5
2.5
4
2.5
2.5
2.6
2.6
2.6
Specific conductance in ymhos/cm
—
3,218
-
2,105
1,866
2,016
1,233
2,485
2,583
-
1,841
2,216
2,050
1,840
2,821
3,125
-
2,500
2,191
2,283
2,566
3,080
2,490
2,321
1,858
2,070
1,808
•~
Acidity
Load in Tons
— m
90
_
89
50
62
48
276
50
—
69
53
48
48
22
18
—
54
33
25
77
4
112
73
32
63
51
-
Concentration in mg/1
_
2,275
-
1,407
1,281
1,183
895
1,637
1,783
-
1,244
1,255
1,136
1,021
1,850
2,065
-
1,637
1,187
1,395
1,266
2,337
1,428
1,560
1,317
1,450
1,267
w
Total Iron
Load in Tons
22
24
14
13
14
60
11
«•
19
19
12
10
5
4
_
11
7
7
22
4
24
19
18
20
19
Concentration
-
553
—
375
365
255
260
357
400
—
343
447
298
258
453
485
—
350'
282
428
356
in mg/1
610
300
418
359
462
458
(continued)
A-99
-------
TABLE A-41 (continued).
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Sulfate
Load in Tons
1
-
119
-
104
54
62
64
2
331
45
-
73
67
73
53
3
29
19
-
51
40
38
73
4
19
121
82
37
81
75
-
Concentration in mg/1
1
-
3,013
-
1,653
1,400
1,185
1,195
2
1,967
1,583
-
1,313
1,576
1,818
1,354
3
2,503
2,245
-
1,550
1,462
2,100
1,200
4
3,210
1,545
1,770
1,552
1,890
1,851
-
Hardness
Load in Tons
_
23
-
28
20
27
23
74
40
-
24
26
18
16
8
5
-
17
16
11
44
4
164
23
13
27
29
—
Concentration in mg/1
_
579
-
473
524
521
438
438
1,411
-
430
630
460
418
657 1 704
570 2,090
-
515
553
657
733
501
546
615
708
-
Calcium
Load in Tons
_
14
-
18
13
16
14
40
8
-
15
18
13
11
5
3
-
11
10
8
21
3
-
15
8
15
15
-
Concentration in mg/1
-
343
-
292
335
305
263
239
277
-
268
427
320
290
435
370
-
351
352
440
346
483
-
326
343
352
430
-
Aluminum
Load in Tons
„_
3
-
4
3
5
3
9
2
-
4
3
1
2
1
1
-
3
2
1
7
1
6
2
2
5
3
—
Concentration in mg/1
_
81
-
61
69
98
59
110
65
-
68
86
36
57
127
95
—
103
76
98
120
137
74
47
101
113
93
A-100
-------
hollows to allow proper drainage during surface reclamation A
considerable difference between the contracted and actual yard-
age moved was due to modification of the contract in 1967
Subareas 10D, F, H, I, J, K, M, and N were not completed as
originally planned. In fact, many of these subareas required
additional grading by bulldozer and road grader before they
could be planted with grass and trees under the revegetation
contract.
Plans to line the established stream channels for a dis-
tance of 500 feet with a concrete liner to prevent water from
infiltrating into the underground mine were abandoned because of
contract modifications.
Clay was compacted against six mine openings that had
fractured overburdens. These openings were considered to be
dangerous and impractical for installing masonry seals. Four
dry masonry walls were installed in the mine portals to form an
air seal and to divert water to other openings in which wet
seals were installed. It was necessary to excavate approxi-
mately 276 cubic yards of material on the outside of the portals
and 233 cubic yards of material on the inside before the seals
could be constructed. Two dry masonry seals were built in the
main headings of old Proudfoot mine at the entrance to Work Area
10 (Subarea A). Two subsidence holes developed because of
improper backfilling of the area in front of the seals. This
was a result of the contract modification.
Three masonry wet seals were constructed. One is located
at the mouth of the Upper Kittle Run subwatershed (RT6-25) and
the other two are installed at the head of two hollows (RT6-9
and R6-23). The mine portals were shored with creosote-treated
timbers prior to installation of masonry seals. The seals were
treated with either bitumastic coating or urethane foam to
protect the blocks from acid attack.
In Subareas 10 A - F (Figure A-13) a contour backfill was
established by reducing the fractured highwall and moving soil
from the center of the hollow. Clay-compacted backfill was done
on Subareas A-l, B-l, and C-l to seal one deep mine opening and
fractures in the highwall. Two dry seals were constructed in
the easterly portion of the subarea to act as an air seal in the
mine. Before a contour backfill could be established, it was
necessary to remove a garbage dump. The material was buried in
the outer slope of the backfill. In Subarea 10E an old aban-
doned shaft was uncovered to provide additional access to the
three hallways below. The construction of two dry and one wet
seal was proposed to act as an air seal. The proposal was not
approved and the shaft was again sealed off. The other shaft
was not disturbed; it was used to obtain water samples from
RT6-26.
A-101
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In Subarea 10F, a contour backfill was established but was
modified considerably because of termination of the contract. A
portion of the highwall adjacent to Subarea 10MF was used as a
clay borrow pit.
In Subarea 10MG, a masonry wet seal was placed in the main
heading to allow drainage of mine water that had originated in
the Flatbush watershed.
Four clay seals were placed in Subareas 10H and I to
divert water to the wet seal at Station RT6-23. A contour
backfill completed the work in this area. A mine opening in
Subarea 10-0 was sealed by normal pasture backfill.
In Subareas 10ML and M, a pasture backfill was used to
complete surface reclamation since there was minimum fracturing
in the highwall.
In Subarea ION a clay seal was constructed, with a pasture
backfill completing the reclamation. Originally, plans were
made to construct a wet seal, which was instead constructed at a
low point in the mine in Subarea 10-0. One wet seal and one dry
masonry seal was placed in the portal at RT6-25. These seals
were treated with urethane foam to protect the block from acid
attack and also to relieve the block walls of any bearing pres-
sure from the roof.
The swampy area in Subarea 10R was not completely drained
because of the contract modifications. A drainage channel was
established above the swampy area in the left fork of Upper
Kittle Run, but the entire channel was not completed as origi-
nally planned.
Revegetation of Work Area 10 was completed in May 1968.
Table A-42 shows grass and tree species and methods of applica-
tion. Total area revegetated was 140.3 acres.
TABLE A-42. TYPES OF GRASSES AND TREES
PLANTED AND METHODS OF APPLICATION
Revegetation
Grass only
Trees only
Grass and trees
Hydromulch
Acres
17.3
8.3
115.0
28.1
Grasses
Lespedeza
Love grass
Ky. bluegrass
Tall fescue
Per. rye grass
Ib/acre
10
5
5
5
10
Trees3
Black alder
Tulip poplar
Cottonwood
White oak
Species Applied - Six rows of black alder followed by four
rows of tulip poplar followed by two rows of white oak and
cottonwood mixture. 890 trees/acre applied.
A-102
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Prior to planting, lime was applied to the entire area at
an average rate of 2.4 tons/acre. Lime requirements were
determined by soil samples (two samples/acre) , which were
analyzed for total acidity based on a potassium chloride ex-
tract.
Hydroseeding was accomplished by mixing grass seed, fer-
tilizer (0.43 ton/acre) and metroganic mulch (1 ton/acre) with
water and discharging it under high pressure through a nozzle.
All areas immediately adjacent to a waterway or stream were
hydroseeded. Grasses on the areas eventually died off. Hydro-
seeding and trees were also applied in Subareas 10A, H, I, J,
and M. Hydroseeding only was completed in Subarea 10R, a swampy
site at the mouth of the hollow. Grasses have stabilized the
area; S_. lespedeza, tall fescue, and rye grass are the predomi-
nant species.
Only trees were planted on Subareas 10F and H. Nearly all
of the trees have died in Subarea 10F. Black alder and cotton-
wood have grown fairly well in 10H, with more than 50 percent
survival of each species. Grass and trees were planted on all
steep slopes that were hydroseeded. Some trees were planted
with conventional grass planting in Subareas 10B-D, K, L, 0, P
and Q.
Love grass was still the predominant plant in Subarea 10A
for the first two years. Survival of love grass and tall fescue
has been good, with over 50 percent cover on most areas. In
1971, the predominant grass in most of the subareas was Serecia
lespedeza. This legume has been especially successful where
there is little or no competition from other grasses.
An evaluation of the area in 1976 revealed that S_. lespedeza
and tall fescue had outstanding growth on all areas except
extremely acid spots. Black alder trees have variable survival
(20 to 30 percent) with the average being 50 percent. Most
trees were 5 to 8 feet tall. Trees on the northeast slope were
more vigorous then those on the southwest. Survival was poor
for white oak, cottonwood, and yellow poplar.
Cost of Work
Records were kept of equipment and labor used in each work
area. These data were used to determine the direct cost as
reported in Table A-43. The remaining costs were distributed on
a direct-cost percentage basis to the work areas. For clearing
and grubbing, reclamation and underground activities, the total
cost was 1.297 times the direct cost. Total revegetation costs
were determined in a similar manner. Total cost for each work
area is reported in Table A-44.
A-103
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TABLE A-43. COST OF WORK - DIRECT COST (DOLLARS)
Area
No.
10
Cleaning and
grubbing
Equipment
5,502
Labor
21,113
Reclamation
Equipment
118,092
Labor
30,669
Underground
Equipment
10,843
Labor
11,840
Revegetation
Equipment
and
materials
16,916
Labor
7,681
Total
222,656
For cleaning & grubbing, Reclamation and Underground, this includes only the actual
cost of equipment and labor and does not include any materials, overhead, G&A, etc.
Revegetation Cost includes cost of labor, equipment & materials.
ff
TABLE A-44. TOTAL COST FOR WORK AREA 10 IN UPPER KITTLE RUN (DOLLARS)
Area
No.
10
Cleaning and
grubbing,
reclamation,
underground
257,033
Revegetation
30,510
Total
287,543
Cost/acre
2,049
-------
The high cost per acre, $2,049, is attributed to extensive
surface mining on both sides of the hollow and deposition of
spoil in the center of the hollow, blocking the normal stream
channel. Costs of developing a new drainage channel were
extremely high.
Results of Reclamation
The reclamation work has effected a definite improvement in
water quality (Figure A-14). Even though the deep mine dis-
charges have increased and the new channel for Kittle Run pre-
vented partial drainage into the underground workings, the
concentrations and total load of acidity, iron, and sulfate have
decreased. For 1970, the acidity, iron and sulfate concentra-
tions were 983 mg/1, 307 mg/1, and 1,519 mg/1 respectively at
Station RT 6-21. Values for 1971 were 734 mg/1, 205 mg/1 and
886 mg/1. In 1970, the two deep mine discharges contributed
nearly half the total flow of the watershed. The concentration
of pollutants in the discharges is lower, but in the case of
Station RT 6-9, the postreclamation load is 2 to 3 times the
1966 value. Subtracting the deep mine contribution does, how-
ever, indicate a sizeable decrease in the pollutants from the
strip mine. Surface contributions of acidity for the years
1968, 1969, and 1970 were 221 tons, 244 tons, and 91 tons
respectively, as compared to the 1966 value of 655 tons. The
combined total loads of acidity, iron, and sulfate for the year
1970 were 458 tons, 143 tons, and 685 tons. These may be com-
pared to the 1966 values of 990 tons, 226 tons, and 1,089 tons.
The load values for 1971 were much larger than for 1970.
This was the result of the extremely high flow, especially in
September. The concentration of pollutants was lower, but the
total yearly flow was more than twice that of 1970.
KITTLE RUN WATERSHED (RT6-1)
Area Description
The complete Kittle Run watershed consists of 874 acres,
including the upper Kittle Run basin, which accounts for nearly
half the area (Figure A-15) . The watershed is oblong, 1.8 miles
by 1.1 miles. Kittle Run is 1.7 miles long, falling at an
average rate of 0.015 ft/ft from its headwaters. Kittle Run
flows into Roaring Creek at Coalton, at Station RT6-1. The
highest elevation in the watershed, 2,470 feet, is located in
the upper portion (see the Upper Kittle Run segment of Appendix
A).
Mining Summary and Work Area Description
The 108 acres of strip mines represents 12 percent of the
land area. There were 29,900 feet of highwall exposed in the
A-105
-------
V
H
:
-.
Figure A-14. Work Area 10, summer of 1976
-------
^ SHWT
o »ow worm
suu
Figure A-15. Kittle Run (RT6-1), Lower Roaring Creek
(R-2 to R-2A), and Whites Run (RT5-1) watersheds.
A-107
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surface work, and as in the upper portions, the watershed has
been extensively deep mined.
A description of Work Area 10 and the upper half of the
watershed were considered earlier. The other work areas are
described below.
Work Area 12 - Coalton School strip (7.5 acres)—
Subarea A—A caved portal, 16 feet wide, with no drainage.
This was the Coalton No. 1 portal (RT6-2). Mean yearly dis-
charge for 1966 was 0.12 cfs, pH - 2.9, acidity - 219 mg/1, and
iron concentration - 7.6 mg/1.
Subarea B;—A concealed opening in the highwall with little
discharge.
Subarea C—A concealed opening in the highwall with a
slight seepage.
Work Area 13 - Coalton No. 2 Strip—
Subarea A—A 1,200-foot strip with at least 13 concealed
openings.
Subarea B—A drainage entry with a yearly discharge of
about 0.89 cfs in 1966 (RT6-5), pH - 2.8, acidity - 304 mg/1 and
iron - 26 mg/1.
Subarea C—Three concealed openings in the highwall.
Subarea D—A concealed opening.
Subarea E—A concealed portal.
Subarea F—A 16-foot portal in fair condition (RT6-4).
Mean yearly flow rate in 1965 was 0.024 cfs, pH - 3.0, acidity -
191 mg/1, and iron - 58 mg/1.
Work Area 14 - Coalton No. 2 Strip—
Subarea A—Three concealed openings in the highwall.
Subarea B—A 16-foot opening in the highwall with a slight
discharge.
Subarea C—A caved and partially concealed opening.
A-108
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Work Area 15—
Subarea A—A 4-inch pipe and a 2-inch pipe have been
driven through the highwall into the deep mine.
Subarea B—A 5-foot corrugated steel pipe escapeway through
the highwall into the mine. No drainage was evident.
Subarea C—A 16-foot portal (RT6-6A) filled with debris.
Mean yearly flow in 1966 was 0.032 cfs, pH - 2.8, acidity - 262
rag/1, and iron - 23 mg/1.
Work Area 16—
A large coal refuse pile adjacent to tipple.
Work Area 17—
A large subsidence area between strips 18 and 15.
Work Area 18 - Coalton Curve Strip (1 acre)—
A 200-foot strip leveled and planted in pines. Mean
yearly discharge for 1966 was 0-13 cfs from a flooded deep mine
opening (RT6-12), acidity - 941 mg/1 and iron - 217 mg/1,
respectively.
Work Area 19 - Coalton Swamp—
A large acid-water swamp with refuse piles around the
perimeter.
Work Area 20 - Proudfoot Strip (8 acres)—
Subarea A—Area of limited subsidence.
Subarea B—Area of limited subsidence.
Subarea C—A partly concealed mine opening.
Subarea D—Coalton No. 3 portal. There was drainage from
the portal, but some water discharged into the abandoned work-
ings.
Subarea E—A portal for Proudfoot Mine.
Description of Mine Drainage Problem
The lower section of the basin was greatly affected by deep
mine drainage. Subtracting the contribution of RT6-21 from
RT6-1 approximates the drainage characteristics of Lower Kittle
Run (Table A-45). For the prereclamation years of 1965 and
1966, the deep mine discharges at RT6-3, RT6-5, and RT6-20
showed a total yearly flow average of 0.325 billion gallons of
water with 405 tons of acidity, 49 tons of iron, and 466 tons of
sulfate (Table A-46). This deep mine discharge was equal to or
A-109
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TABLE A-45. SUMMARY OF ANNUAL DATA FOR STATION RT 6-1,
MOUTH OF KITTLE RUN, AND STATION RT 6-1 MINUS RT 6-21,
LOWER KITTLE RUN
Year
Station RT 6-1
Before
reclamation
1965
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
Station RT 6-1
Station RT &•
Before
reclamation
1965
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
Rainfall,
inches
37.77
47.14
41.46
42.58
42.60
87.72
Minus
-21
Flow,
billion
gallons
0.49
0.39
0.75
0.53
0.36
0.92
0.374
0.237
0.582
0.388
0.242
0.624
Acidity,
tons
943
847
1,343
1,058
633
1,359
259
-143
613
372
175
495
Iron,
tons
167
136
296
255
143
303
18
-90
91
43
0.0
67
Sulfate,
tons
1,449
I,a64
1,957
1,435
1,048
1,999
600
-25
1,192
553
363
1,034
A-110
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TABLE A-46. SUMMARY OF ANNUAL DATA FOR STATIONS RT 6-3,
RT 6-5 AND RT 6-20, UNDERGROUND MINE DISCHARGES
Year
Station RT 6-3
Before
reclamation
1965
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971a
Station RT 6-4
Before
reclamation
1965
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970
197ia
Station RT 6-20
Before
reclamation
1965
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970
Flow,
billion
gallons
0.028
0.028
0.038
0.030
0.037
0.232
0.210
0.185
0.190
0.125
0.206
0.07
0.08
0.097
0.061
0.086
0.200
Acidity,
tons
25
25
29
25
17
219
254
159
178
116
119
113
169
17
199
211
381
Iron,
tons
1
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
17
22
12
14
11
9
21
35
57
62
76
106
Sulfate,
tons
47
47
57
45
28
427
410
322
338
281
184
152
195
253
228
329
373
a Data for first 9 months of the year only.
A-lll
-------
greater than the measured discharge for Lower Kittle Run in 1965
at RT6-1. This was a result of mine water going into storage in
a swamp in Work Area 19. In 1966, deep mine discharges contri-
buted more than 90 percent of the flow in Kittle Run (for
quarterly data for Station RT6-1, see Table A-47).
Reclamation Work Performed
All disturbed land in the Kittle Run watershed was re-
claimed, with the exception of Work Areas 12 and 20. These work
areas were not completed as originally planned because of con-
tract modifications.
A new channel, 2,000 feet long, was constructed from Work
Area 19 to Station RT6-1. The Kittle Run swamp was then allowed
to drain so that Work Area 19 could be reshaped. Since the
highwall was highly fractured in Work Areas 12-15, it was
necessary to reduce it and construct a contour backfill. Actual
yardage moved during construction was not computed except for
that in Work Area 18.
Work Area 12 - Coalton School Strip (7.5 acres)—
Work Area 12 was heavily subsided, with large boulders and
rocks in the outcrop and spoil areas. This material was even-
tually buried and covered with unconsolidated material. A
contour backfill was constructed by reducing a portion of the
highwall. During construction, interception of an old drainway
(RT6^-2A) caused a temporary flood in the vicinity of the Coalton
High School below. A wet seal with four 4-inch plastic drain
pipes was placed in the hole and a wooden shelter constructed
over it.
A masonry wet seal was constructed in old Coalton No. 1
portal at RT6-3. The seal was a double-block wall treated with
bitumastic material to retard acid attack.
Work Area 12 was revegetated by planting 5 acres of grass
and trees on the steep slope with a hydromulcher and 8 acres of
grass with conventional farm equipment. Prior to planting, the
soil was treated with 2-1/2 tons per acre of lime and 0.85 tons
per acre of 10-10-10 fertilizer. A grab mixture of scotch pine,
white pine, shortleaf pine, Virginia pine and black alder was
planted at a density of 500 trees per acre. The following
seeding mixture was applied to the area:
Kentucky bluegrass 8 Ib/acre
Birdsfoot trefoil 13 Ib/acre
Perennial rye grass 3 Ib/acre
Tall fescue 5 Ib/acre
Survival of all species planted has been excellent; trefoil,
fescue, and rye grass are predominant. Some rill erosion has
A-112
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TABLE A-47. SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY DATA FOR STATION RT 6-1
MOUTH OF KITTLE RUN '
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Flow in cfs
1
4.920
1.802
8.982
5.023
4.005
2.190
4.670
2
2.809
3.025
3.218
4.436
2.133
2.199
2.280
3
0.368
0.570
0.744
0.533
1.376
0.838
6.050
4
0.276
1.242
3.563
2.776
1.476
0.861
2.630
pH Value
1
2.8
2.7
2.8
2.9
2.9
2.8
3.0
2
2.7
2.7
2.8
2.9
2.9
2.9
2.9
3
2.7
2.7
2.9
2.9
2.7
2.8
3.0
4
2.7
2.7
2.9
2.9
2.8
2.9
2.8
Specific conductance in ymhos/cm
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1,382
1,445
1,238
1,185
1,068
1,131
750
1,309
1,485
1,266
1,125
1,233
1,016
1,060
1,582
1,589
1,218
1,500
1,200
1,410
1,166
1,493
1,209
1,153
1,020
1,283
1,056
1,233
Acidity
Load in tons
576
266
864
533
501
246
332
291
412
322
459
240
188
196
41
66
61
76
125
102
440
35
103
401
295
192
97
263
Concentration in mg/1
477
601
392
432
510
458
293
423
555
408
404
458
348
354
455
477
332
580
372
496
300
516
337
459
433
530
460
412
Iron
Load in tons
111
44
157
122
111
53
88
46
67
57
91
69
34
37
5
8
12
13
25
22
90
5
17
92
70
50
34
62
Concentration in mg/1
92
100
71
99
113
98
78
66
90
72
84
131
63
67
53
57
65
98
74
106
61
70
57
106
103
138
162
97
A-113
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occurred on the steeper slopes but the area is fairly well
stabilized.
Work Areas 13 and 19 - Coalton No. 2 Strip and Coalton Swamp—
In Work Area 13, a contour backfill was achieved by re-
ducing a portion of the fractured highwall and using this
material to complete the backfill. Later, two large subsidence
holes developed between the highwall and the backfill. These
required additional work. One large subsidence area was re-
claimed under the revegetation contract. A clay seal was con-
structed at 13-F and masonry wet and dry seals were constructed
in Old No. 2 Mine Portal at RT6-5. Site preparation required
625 cubic yards of outside excavation and 259 cubic yards of
excavation in the portal. In Work Area 19 a drainage channel
for Kittle Run was constructed by dynamiting the old channel to
allow proper drainage after the swampy area had drained. Only
minimal material was moved because of the unstable condition of
the marshy area. A good drainage channel was developed.
The following types of grasses and trees were planted on
Work Areas 13 and 19:
Grass Trees
S_. lespedeza 20 Ib/acre Japaneses larch)
Tall fescue 15 Ib/acre Scotch pine ) Hand planted
Tall oat grass 15 Ib/acre Shortleaf pine ) 641 trees/acre
Virginia pine )
White pine )
Black locust - Hydroseeded
Twenty seven of the 42 acres were hydromulched. The mulch
included grass seed, fertilizer (1/2 ton/acre), locust seed, and
metroganic mulch mixed with water and sprayed on the surface
under high pressure. Lime was applied at an average of 2 tons
per acre. Except for rill erosion at the bottom of the back-
fill, revegetation has completely covered the area. The upper
and steeper parts of the contour backfill were densely covered
with S_. lespedeza, fescue, larch and black locust. Hydroseeding
unscarified locust seed on this area was highly successful.
Larch was a predominant tree in the area.
An evaluation of the area in the summer of 1976 revealed
that the survival of white, scotch and Virginia pine was good to
excellent and tree height was 8 to 15 feet high. Survival of
shortleaf pine was poor. Larch survival was good to excellent
and tree height was 10 to 12 feet. Black locust were spotty and
6 to 14 feet tall. In Work Area 19, S_. lespedeza growth was
outstanding. Tall oat grass and fescue appear to have been
crowded out by vigorous growth of S_. lespedeza. Oat grass was
dominant under pines and locust. Growth of S_. lespedeza ap-
A-114
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geared to have depressed encroachment of hardwood volunteers
There was much weed encroachment on parts of this area.
Work Area 14 - Coalton No. 2 Strip—
A combination contour backfill and pasture backfill was
constructed in Work Area 14. A dry masonry seal was placed in
Subarea 14A. All other openings were sealed by earthen material
during the normal backfilling operation.
Tall fescue (15 Ib/acre), tall oat grass (13 Ib/acre), S_.
lespedeza, and black locust were hydroseeded on 1.2 acres of"the
12.2-acre area. Lime was applied prior to revegetation at the
rate of 1/2 ton per acre. Except for stream channel erosion,
the surface has been stabilized by grasses and trees. Growth
from locust seed applied by the hydroseeder has been successful.
Serecia lespedeza is the predominant plant in this area.
Work Area 15—
In Work Area 15, a pasture backfill was constructed in
Subareas C and D in the vicinity of wet seal RT6-6A. Two dry
masonry seals and a wet masonry seal were constructed in the old
mine portals. The dry seal acts as an air seal and as a water
diversion. Approximately 590 cubic yards of outside earthen
material and 188 cubic yards of debris inside the portals were
removed before the seals were built. A contour backfill was
affected on the remaining part of the area. All concealed
openings were sealed with backfill material.
Work Areas 16 and 17—
Reclamation of Roaring Creek in Work Area 16 to allow water
to drain was done by dynamiting a 600-foot ditch from Work Area
16 through Work Area 15 to Work Area 18. The remaining portion
of Work Area 16 received a pasture backfill which formed both
sides of the stream channel. In Work Area 17, subsidence holes
were filled and the stream channel was opened for surface drain-
age above the strip mined area.
Work Area 18 - Coalton Curve Strip tl acre)—
In Work Area 18, a contour backfill was constructed. In
the process of preparing the area for backfilling, a piece of
heavy equipment broke through into the deep mine workings. The
old workings were cleaned out with a high-lift shovel and clay
was compacted into the old mine. These operations required
7,800 cubic yards to fill the subsidence area and 7,400 cubic
yards of clay-compacted backfill.
Two dry masonry seals and one wet masonry seal were con-
structed in the portals at RT6-12. 1,130 cubic yards of earthen
material were moved from the entrance of the portals and about
140 cubic yards of unclassified material were removed from the
inside of the portal before construction of the seals. About 41
percent more material was required to complete the contour
A-115
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backfill than was originally estimated in the contract (36,000
cubic yards).
The same type of soil treatment and planting was used in
Work Areas 15-18. Approximately 2 tons of lime per acre were
applied to these areas by conventional methods. Fertilizer (10-
10-10) was applied at the rate of 0.7 tons per acre either by
hydromulcher or conventional farm equipment. The same type of
grasses and trees were planted as in Work Area 13. Grass and
trees were planted on 5.2 acres, and 5.2 acres were hydroseeded.
Practically all these areas have good vegetative cover, with
tall fescue and S_. lespedeza being the predominant grasses and
black locust and~Japanese larch the predominant trees. Tree
survival is estimated at more than 60 percent in all the areas
that were planted. Except for a few sheep pastured in the area
in the spring of 1969, no grazing has taken place in the entire
Kittle Run watershed.
Cost of Work
Records were kept of equipment and labor in each work area.
These data were used to determine the direct cost, as reported
in Table A-48. The remaining costs were then distributed on a
direct-cost percentage basis to the work areas. For the clear-
ing and grubbing, reclamation, and underground activities, the
total cost was 1.297 times the direct cost. Total revegetation
costs were determined in a similar manner. Total cost for each
work area is reported in Table A-49.
High cost per acre in Work Area 20 was caused by the
highly fractured highwall; considerable time and equipment were
required for completion of the pasture backfill. High equipment
costs can also be attributed to long downtime of heavy equipment
in the area. High cost per acre in Work Areas 14 - 18 was due
to the heavily subsided areas requiring use of equipment over
long periods.
Results of Reclamation
The effects of reclamation on water quality in the water-
shed are slight. Comparison of the 1966 and 1970 values at RT6-
1 shows that the iron content has increased slightly and the
flow, acidity, and sulfate loads have decreased. In 1971, heavy
rains in September account for the high flow and load values.
The deep mine loads for the lower basin have shown no particular
trends differing from those of the prereclamation year of 1966
(see Table A-46). The total values of flow for the years 1966,
1968, 1969, and 1970 were 0.32, 0.31, 0.29, and 0.24 billion
gallons. Acidity loads were 449, 398, 406, and 352 tons for the
same years. The positive effects of strip mine reclamation by
the year 1970 were overshadowed by the large percentage (86
percent) of the deep mine contribution to the total flow.
A-116
-------
TABLE A-48. COST OF WORK - DIRECT COST (DOLLARS)'
Area
No.
12
13-19
14
15-18
Cleaning and
grubbing
Equipment
1,965
1,918
2,076
874
Labor
2 921
4,917
2,741
2,591
Reclamation
Equipment
7,441
25,156
19,579
13,527
Labor
2,595
4,580
2,701
2,758
Underground
Equipment
2,113
3,812
287
5,069
Labor
3,704
3,676
558
7,232
Revegetation
Equipment
and
materials
2,544
10,073
1,440
2,740
Labor
569
1,542
558
678
Total
23,786
55,674
29,940
35,469
a For cleaning and grubbing, Reclamation and Underground, this includes only the actual
cost of equipment and labor and does not include any materials, overhead, G & A, etc.
Revegetation Cost includes cost of labor, equipment & materials.
TABLE A-49. TOTAL COST FOR WORK AREAS IN
LOWER KITTLE RUN (DOLLARS)
No.
12
13-19
14
15-18
20
Cleaning and
grubbing ,
reclamation,
underground
26,829
57,177
36,262
41,595
40,883
Revegetation
3,828
14,133
2,473
4,197
1,411
Total
30,657
71,310
38,735
45,792
42,294
Cost/acre
2,358
1,686
3,175
4,089
4,699
-------
LOWER ROARING CREEK (STATIONS R-2A TO R-3)
Area Description
The watershed drains the area of Kittle Run (RT-2 to R-2A)
and 54 acres in the vicinity of Coalton (see Figure A-15). It
encompasses a total of 928 acres, and the watershed rises from
an elevation of 2,150 to 2,470 feet in the upper portion of the
Kittle Run watershed.
Mining Summary and Work Area Description
With the exception of the Kittle Run area (RT6-1), only one
strip mine, Work Area 21, containing 5.8 acres, is located
between Stations R-3 and R-2A. Five caved openings were located
on the western side of the strip pit. The underground working
was dry and in good condition except for a few local roof falls.
Because of lack of backfill material, a pasture backfill was
recommended.
Description of Mine Drainage Problem
Station R-2A was used to monitor the quality and quantity
of water draining from this area. Station R-3 shows the water
quality and flow entering this section of Roaring Creek. These
data are presented in Tables A-50 and A-51.
The main contribution to water pollution in this area comes
from the Kittle Run watershed (RT6-1), reported earlier in this
report. Since there were no significant discharges from the
strip mine area, only natural runoff flowed from a small drain-
age area above the mine. Increases in iron, acidity, and sul-
fate concentration were attributed to Kittle Run subwatershed.
Except for sulfates, no appreciable change in water quality was
found for the period of record.
Reclamation Work Performed
Only exploratory work was performed in Work Area 21. All
five mine openings were excavated but, owing to contract modi-
fications, these entries were later covered with soil to form a
modified swallowtail backfill. Before revegetation, 2 tons per
acre of lime and 0.5 tons of 10-10-10 fertilizer per acre were
applied. Approximately an acre of disturbed land was revege-
tated with Kentucky bluegrass (17 Ib/acre), perennial rye grass
(10 Ib/acre), Japanese larch, and black alder (500 trees/acre).
Survival of all species has been good. Tree survival is esti-
mated at 75 percent or better.
A-118
-------
TABLE A-50.
SUMMARY OF ANNUAL DATA FOR STATION R-3
AND STATION R-2A
Year
Station R-3
Before
reclamation
1965
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
Station R-2A
Before
reclamation
1965
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
Flow, cfs
29.6
34.2
42.3
33.8
37.8
101.3
Flow, cfs
32.0
38.7
45.2
34.2
39.9
PH
3.6
3.4
3.8
3.9
4.0
4.1
Acidity,
tons
920
1,810
1,460
1,570
920
4,726
Acidity,
tons
2,670
3,520
3,180
2,550
2,510
Iron,
tons
47
65
52
53
92
120
Iron,
tons
281
304
507
328
334
Sulfate,
tons
1,850
2,800
2,550
1,620
1,430
3,700
Sulfate,
tons
4,480
5,110
4,990
3,560
3,550
A-119
-------
TABLE A-51.
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY DATA FOR STATION R-2A,
LOWER ROARING CREEK
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Flow in cfs
1
86.37
43.83
128.86
59.40
35.70
73.83
93.00
2
36.85
58.77
78.10
77.25
21.33
36.83
28.40
3
1.52
9.36
15.04
4.37
46.85
10.58
—
4
3.43
43.00
48.49
39.85
32.92
38.23
—
pH Value
1
3.4
3.2
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.8
2
3.1
3.1
3.3
3.6
3.3
3.2
3.5
3
2.8
2.8
3.3
3.1
3.2
3.4
™
4
3.0
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.4
3.6
"""
Specific conductance in yrahos/cm
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1979
1970
1971
326
399
320
312
356
279
160
537
424
362
268
396
370
286
1,189
877
449
750
311
455
—
781
294
262
340
333
243
—
Acidity
Load in tons
1,288
1,036
1,919
1,008
665
1,035
1,353
1,092
1,319
1,347
1,216
517
721
400
107
510
363
220
751
229
—
180
652
809
736
618
527
—
Concentration in mg/1
60
96
61
69
76
57
60
121
91
70
64
99
80
58
286
222
98
205
65
88
—
214
62
68
75
77
56
—
Iron
Load in tons
140
106
221
148
100
144
113
118
121
143
234
68
66
41
9
35
41
29
81
29
—
14
42
107
96
79
95
—
Concentration in mg/1
7
10
7
10
11
8
5
13
8
7
12
13
7
6
25
15
11
28
7
11
—
17
4
9
10
10
10
—
(continued)
A-120
-------
TABLE A-51 (continued).
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Sulfate
Load in tons
1
2,165
1,436
3,278
1,554
1,004
1,388
879
2
1,869
1,914
2,189
1,803
602
905
461
3
•
181
710
645
298
1,090
276
—
4
263
1,053
1,130
1,334
864
980
—
Concentration in mg/1
1
102
133
104
107
115
77
39
2
207
133
115
95
115
100
67
3
485
309
175
278
95
106
-
4
312
100
95
137
107
105
-
Hardness
Load in tons
1,069
583
1,732
806
668
1,071
1,038
920
941
951
890
492
488
282
97
316
386
153
864
197
-
130
613
749
731
603
725
-
Concentration in mg/1
50
54
56
55
76
59
46
101
65
49
47
94
54
41
259
137
104
142
75
75
—
154
58
63
74
74
77
—
Calcium
Load in tons
_
362
930
486
428
643
519
771
539
523
584
302
388
213
59
177
213
100
517
148
-
78
359
428
414
351
377
—
Concentration in mg/1
-
34
29
33
49
36
23
85
37
27
31
58
43
31
159
77
58
94
45
57
—
93
34
36
42
44
40
"*•"
Aluminum
Load in tons
68
161
64
63
83
90
107
83
95
88
36
36
21
8
37
28
17
73
16
—
15
49
59
110
57
59
*•
Concentration in mg/1
_
6
5
4
7
5
4
12
6
5
5
7
4
3
21
16
7
16
6
6
18
5
5
11
7
6
A-121
-------
Cost of Work
Total cost for underground investigation, reclamation, and
revegetation was $4,534, as shown on Table A-52. About half the
cost was for reclaiming the area for disturbances during under-
ground exploration.
TABLE A-52. RECLAMATION COSTS FOR WORK AREA 21
Direct cost
Clearing and grubbing
Reclamation operation
Underground
Revegetation
Indirect cost
Total cost
Total
$ 24
2,119
1,116
235
$3,494
$1,040
$4,534
Results of Reclamation
Revegetation has been very successful in this watershed.
Water quality, however, has shown no definite improvement as
indicated in Table A-50.
WHITE'S RUN WATERSHED (RT 5-1)
Area Description
The White's Run watershed is 2.2 miles long and 0.8 miles
wide; the total area is 760 acres. The basin is adjacent to and
just north of Kittle Run (see Figure A-15). White's Run flows
eastward into Roaring Creek downstream from Coalton. The
stream is about 2.15 miles long and is peculiar in that the
channel completely disappears at about its midpoint. The water
enters a subsidence area and drains into the mine workings
below. Approximately 287 acres drain to this area.' A quarter
mile downstream, the channel forms again and continues to
Roaring Creek. The headwaters of White's Run are at elevation
2,320 feet, and the mouth is at 2,140 feet. The average gradi-
ent is 0.016 ft/ft. Except for a few houses along Route 53 and
in the northwestern corner, the basin is unpopulated.
Mining Summary and Work Area Description
The White's Run basin contained only 19 acres of surface
mines, accounting for 2.5 percent of the total area or 4 percent
of the area draining to RT 5-1. Nine hundred feet of exposed
highwall were left by the mining operation. Two strip mines
A-122
-------
(Work Areas 22 and 37) extend in part into the lower end of the
watershed.
As with the Kittle Run watershed, deep mining in the area
was extensive. The large Norton drift mine (3,000 acres) under-
lies most of the basin. Although most of the underground mine
drains in a northwesterly direction to Station GT6-1, a localized
dip near Work Area 22A carries some water to the entry at RT5-2,
which has a continual flow of acid water (Table A-53). Quarterly
data are presented in Table A-54.
Two work areas are partially included in the basin and they
are described below.
Work Area 37 - North White's Run Strip (11 acres)—
Only part of this area lies in this watershed and the
remainder lies in the area of the mouth of Roaring Creek which
is discussed later.
Work Area 22 - South White's Run Strip (7.7 acres)—
Only part of this area lies in this watershed and the
remainder lies in the area of the mouth of Roaring Creek which
is discussed later.
Subarea A—A 16-foot partially caved entry discharging (RT
5-2). Average flow - 0.188 cfs, acidity - 844 mg/1, iron - 106
mg/1, pH - 2.7.
Subarea B—Six or more concealed openings along the high-
wall.
Subarea C—A 16-foot caved opening to the old workings.
Subarea D—Six or more concealed openings along the high-
wall.
Description of Mine Drainage Problem
Most of the pollution load carried by White's Run is
picked up in the lower reaches from the underground mine (RT
5-2) and the strip mine area. In 1966 the upper portion of the
stream, above any mining, had a pH value of 5.2 and carried 5.8
mg/1 acidity, 0.62 mg/1 iron and 9.7 mg/1 sulfate (Station RT 5-
3). At its mouth, the concentrations were 425 mg/1 acidity,
80.5 mg/1 iron, and 592 mg/1 sulfate, with a pH value of 2.8.
A large and rather consistent contributor to the pollution
load is the deep mine discharge at Station RT 5-2. For the base
year 1966, RT 5-2 provided 0.047 billion gallons, 11 percent of
the total flow. Acidity, iron, and sulfate were carried in
concentrations of 844 mg/1, 105 mg/1, and 1,153 mg/1. The total
load carried out of the mine was 158 tons of acidity, 32 tons of
A-123
-------
TABLE A-53. SUMMARY OF ANNUAL DATA FOR STATION RT5-1,
MOUTH OF WHITE'S RUN, AND STATION RT5-2, DEEP MINE DISCHARGE'
Year
Station RT5-1
Before
reclamation
1965
1966
After
reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
Station RT5-2
Before
reclamation
1965
1966
After
reclamation
1968
I969a
1970
1971
Rainfall,
inches
37.77
47.14
41.46
42.58
42.60
37.92
-
Flow,
billion
gallons
0.407
0.419
0.544
0.342
0.405
0.047
0.049
0.025
Acidity,
tons
392
649
463
314
131
158
132
73
Iron,
tons
90
115
102
70
34
32
42
26
Sulfate,
tons
691
894
690
426
215
212
163
83
First three quarters only.
September 1969.
Entrance was bulkhead-sealed
A-124
-------
TABLE A-54. SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY DATA FOR STATION RT5-1
MOUTH OF WHITE'S RUN '
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1
5.01
1.56
4.28
2.37 .
1.76
2.88
4.00
Flow in cfs
2
1.66
2.81
3.79
3.95
1.53
1.74
0.65
3
0.11
0.21
0.98
0.39
1.48
0.79
5.21
4
0.13
2.53
1.71
2.52
0.933
1.47
—
pH value
1
3.1
2.9
2.8
3.0
3.1
4.2
5.0
2
2.9
2.8
2.9
3.2
3.0
3.9
5.8
3
2.7
2.7
2.9
2.9
3.1
3.8
5.8
4
2.7
2.8
3.1
3.1
4.2*
5.2
-
Specific conductance, ymhos/cm
799
875
1,003
765
636
268
128
1,091
1,059
858
500
856
430
186
1,784
1,904
1,452
1,148
648
728
145
1,569
1,423
461
591
431a
115
-
Acidity
Load in tons
225
96
368
151
103
39
5
131
223
217
142
140
47
3
16
34
121
39
63
36
0
20
296
51
131
8a
9
—
Concentration in mg/1
183
252
351
259
239
55
5
322
324
234
147
371
109
20
594
648
502
408
175
187
0
609
476
121
212
35a
25
—
Iron
Load in tons
224
69
157
71
76
38
31
107
142
120
84
85
6
1
13
24
80
22
73
18
—
13
210
41
99
39a
21
—
Concentration in mg/1
182
181
150
122
174
54
32
262
206
128
86
226
13
12
505
460
330
227
201
93
~*
401
338
98
161
171a
59
^
(continued)
A-125
-------
TABLE A-54 (continued).
Quarter
1965
1966
1967
-1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Sulfate
Load in Tons
1
413
146
489
227
143
53
18
2
225
301
320
201
148
83
7
3
26
48
176
49
106
31
—
4
27
399
81
213
29a
48
—
Concentration in mg/1
1
336
383
466
391
331
75
15
2
552
436
344
208
393
195
42
J
999
906
731
505
2!92
161
~
4
844
642
193
345
127a
132
—
Hardness
Load in Tons
224
69
157
71
76
38
31
107
142
120
84
85
6
1
13
24
80
22 '
73
18
f
13
210
41
99
39a
21
-
Concentration in mg/1
182
181
150
122
174
54
32
262
206
128
86
226
13
12
505
460
330
227
201
93
—
401
338
98
161
171a
59
—
Calcium
Load in Tons
_
49
96
45
50
26
16
96
96
73
55
56
38
6
9
16
80
15
46
18
—
10
135
23
63
26a
10
—
Concentration in mg/1
_
127
92
78
116
37
17
236
140
79
57
148
89
39
339
312
210
151
128
91
—
293
216
55
102
114a
29
—
Aluminum
Load in Tons
«.
4
16
7
5
5
2
8
8
10
6
6
0.5
0.2
1
1
7
2
3
1
—
1
9
4
10
la
0.5
—
Concentration in mg/1
_
11
16
12
12
7
2
21
11
11
6
16
1
1
26
26
31
19
8
8
-
24
14
9
16
5a
1
-
Bulkhead mine seal in place.
A-126
-------
iron and 212 tons of sulfate. As shown in Table A-53 these
quantities amounted to 24 percent, 28 percent, and 24 percent of
the total load for each pollutant respectively.
Reclamation Work Performed
The work performed in the various work areas within this
watershed is described below.
Work Area 37 - North White's Run Strip (11 acres)—
Because the project was terminated, no work was performed
in the portion of Work Area 37 in the White's Run watershed.
Work Area 22 - South White's Run Strip (7.7 acres) —
No surface mine reclamation was performed in this area.
Four seals were constructed at Subarea 22A. Two dry seals and
a clay seal were constructed to force water out the wet seal at
Station RT 5-2. To the west of RT 5-2 another portal was pre-
sent that contained a WPA air seal (it was discovered later that
this seal had been breached) . The four seals required 236 cubic
yards of outside excavation and 39 cubic yards inside. At a
later date new experimental type seals were constructed (see
Special Studies section). Following construction of the seals,
some cleanup work was performed in the area.
Cost of Work
The direct cost of building the seals was $2,652. Total
cost including indirect cost was $3,442.
Results of Reclamation
Since a special mine sealing program was undertaken in
1969, only the data through 1968 are comparable to the data for
prereclamation years. The data in Table A-53 indicate that no
definite imnrovement occurred. This conclusion was further
verified by the deep mine discharge.
MOUTH OF ROARING CREEK (R-2A TO R-l)
Area Description
The watershed contributing to Roaring Creek between R-2A
and R-l contains 4,612 acres, including the White's Run drainage
basin (Figure A-16). Most of the land lies to the east of the
creek. The length of the stream between R-2A and R-l is 3.66
miles. Elevation of the watershed ranges from 1,864 feet at the
mouth of Roaring Creek to 3,400 feet along the eastern divide.
This last reach of Roaring Creek falls 279 feet for an average
descent of 0.014 ft/ft.
A-127
-------
1966 ANNUAL LOAD (R-l
FLOW - 50.1 cfs
ph - 3.1
ACIDITY - 3928. TOMS
IRON 280. TONS
SULFATE - 5842. TONS
966 ANNUAL LOAD (R-2A)
- 38.7 cfs
pK - 3.1
ACIDICITY - 3520. TONS
IRON - 304. TONS
SULFATE - 5110. TONS1
KEY
; AREA BOUNDARY
@ WORK AREA NUMBER
A SU8AREA
A SAMPLING STATION
X MONITORING STATION
UNDERGROUND MINE
CD WATERSHED BOUNDARY
t MINE OPENING
=» STREAM
SHAFT
o CLAY SEAL
• DRY SEAL
• WET SEAL
x SPECIAL SAND SEAL (DOUBLE)
C^> STRIP MINE
I COMPACTION
UTTmi PASTURE BACKFILL
CONTOUR BACKFILL
E5S5I SWALLOWTAIL
0 200400 800 FEET
SCALE'
Figure A-16. Mouth of Roaring Creek (R-2A to R-l)
A-128
-------
Mining Summary and Work Area Description
This watershed contained 55 acres of surface mines, which
constitute 1.2 percent of the watershed. The surface mines,
except for those on Rich mountain, were located far to the east
and out of the study area, on the updip of the coal and there-
fore the underground mine drainage was away from the surface
mines and toward the northwest to Grassy Run. Discharge was at
GT1-1, GT1-2, and GT1-3 in Work Area 33 of Grassy Run.
Most of the strip mines had been graded so that the surface
waters drained to the highwall and eventually to the underground
mine, which eventually discharged at GT1-1, GT1-2, and GT1-3 in
Work Area 33. No underground discharges were present in the
watershed.
The surface mine on Rich Mountain in the Sewell seam (5
acres) had little if any effect on this watershed.
Details of the work areas within this watershed follow.
Work Area 34 (8 acres)—
Subarea A—A small area of subsidence.
Subarea B—A 150-foot prospect strip with no openings.
Subarea C—A caved opening.
Subarea D—A subsidence area. WPA possibly did some
reclamation work here.
Subarea E—A 1,200-foot strip with at least three partially
concealed openings along highwall. No discharge noted. Water
may enter mine from this strip during wet weather. Very high
spoil bank. Final cut has not been backfilled.
Work Area 35 - DDE No. 2 Strip (3.2 acres)--
Subarea A—A 16-foot partially caved opening with 3 feet of
water on bottom and a large sink hole on the surface above the
entry.
Subarea B—A long-abandoned strip with at least two con-
cealed openings along highwall. A township road has been
constructed across the spoil. A road above the highwall di-
rected drainage to the strip area.
Work Area 36 - Bruno Rey Strip (29.7 acres)--
Subarea A—Two parallel openings along road, one of which
was concealed. Entries were blocked by falls 100 feet from the
A-129
-------
outcrop. Openings were dry, and it did not appear that any
water was entering the mine at this point.
Subarea B—An area of subsidence corrected by WPA.
Subarea C—Seventeen or more openings in highwall. The
spoil was clean and drains to north.
Subarea D—A series of 25 or more concealed openings along
face of highwall. Dirty spoil drained to the highwall.
Subarea E--A series of 24 or more concealed openings along
highwall. Spoils were graded but poorly drained.
Subareas C, D, and E—This area was stripped and backfilled
between 1960 and 1964. Although the strip had been well graded,
the coal seam remained exposed, drainage was directed toward the
highwall with inadequate ditching to the toe of the spoil, and
excessive carbonaceous material remained exposed and was spread
indiscriminately over the spoil area. Water drained into the
underground workings from many points along the highwall.
Work Area 37 - North White's Run Strip (14 acres)—
Three partially concealed openings were noted along the
highwall. The strip had been backfilled partially and was
fairly clean, except for the northern end.
Description of the Mine Drainage Problem
This watershed, although large, is a small contributor to
the pollution load at Roaring Creek. In the base year 1966, the
average flow of Roaring Creek increased by 11.4 cfs from Station
R-2A to R-l. Acidity and sulfate were increased by 408 tons and
731 tons, respectively. These contributions represented 10 to
12 percent of the entire pollution load. The iron load de-
creased by 24 tons.
Most of acid and sulfate being added comes from White's Run
and the strip mine areas adjacent to the creek. Tables A-55,
56 and 57 summarize the water quality data of Roaring Creek as
it enters (Station R-2A) and leaves (Station R-l) the watershed.
Data on the quality of White's Run as it enters Roaring Creek
were presented earlier in Appendix A.
Reclamation Work Performed
The only reclamation in this watershed was in Work Areas 37
and 36.
Work Area 37 - (14 acres)—
At Work Area 37A, 1,666 cubic yards of refuse material was
placed in the strip pit and buried. Work Area 37B was then
A-130
-------
TABLE A-55. SUMMARY OF ANNUAL DATA FOR STATION R-l, MOUTH OF
ROARING CREEK, AND STATION R-2A, LOWER ROARING CREEK
Year
Station R-l
Before reclamation
1965
1966
After reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971
Station R-2A
Before reclamation
1965
1966
After reclamation
1968
1969
1970
1971a
Flow,
cf s
43.9
50.1
51.9
52.5
52.2
133.3
32.0
38.7
45.2
34.2
39.9
131.2
Acidity,
tons
2,920
3,928
3,728
3,474
3,383
11,806
2,670
3,520
3,180
2,550
2,510
7,428
Iron,
tons
204
280
279
252
244
468
281
304
507
328
334
550
Sulfate,
tons
5,002
5,842
5,046
3,949
3,495
4,898
4,480
5,110
4,990
3,560
3,550
4,246
Data for first nine months only.
A-131
-------
TABLE A-56.
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY DATA FOR STATION R-l,
MOUTH OF ROARING CREEK
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Flow in cfs
1
117.31
55.52
169.77
52.27
64.17
95.50
133.83
2
52.76
81.24
108.06
99.83
35.85
51.00
33.52
3
1.71
9.89
17.15
6.72
65.50
13.23
320.47
4
3.65
53.75
69.42
48.75
44.38
49.18
45.53
pH Value
1
3.4
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.4
3.8
2
3.1
3.1
3.3
3.6
3.3
3.0
3.7
3
2.8
2.8
3.2
3.1
3.1
3.4
3.7
4
3.0
3.2
3.4
3.2
3.3
3.6
3.6
Specific conductance in ymhos/cm
330
431
349
325
418
308
195
481
452
358
279
460
425
274
1,045
869
448
640
381
422
283
845
350
241
458
406
288
357
Acidity
Load in Tons
1,536
1,091
2,429
875
903
1,343
2,164
1,113
1,498
1,520
1,356
757
1,051
481
92
492
341
244
953
237
7,928
179
847
1,111
1,253
861
752
1,233
Concentration in mg/1
54
81
59
69
58
58
67
87
76
58
56
87
85
59
223
205
82
150
60
74
102
202
65
66
106
80
63
112
Iron
Load in Tons
142
94
288
101
109
116
127
51
99
131
73
52
62
17
2
22
25
10
48
6
298
9
65
84
95
43
60
26
Concentration in mg/1
5
7
7
8
7
5
4
4
5
5
3
6
5
2
6
9
6
6
3
2
4
10
5
5
8
4
5
2
(continued)
A-132
-------
TABLE A-56 (continued).
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Sulfate
Lc
1
2,732
1,549
3,911
1,230
1,307
1,529
914
lad in r
2
1,868
2-, 305
2,490
1,768
809
1,076
401
'ons
3
156
698
919
393
1,144
234
2,876
4
46
1,290
1,330
1,655
689
656
707
Concentration in ma/1
1
96
115
95
97
84
66
28
2
146
117
95
73
93
87
49
3
376
291
221
241
72
73
37
4
278
99
79
140
64
55
64
Hardness
Load in: Tons
1,337
646
2,141
710
965
1,205
1,330
934
1,143
1,206
969
730
495
298
89
357
403
187
937
199
—
129
769
926
958
646
740
758
Concentration in mg/1
47
48
52
56
62
52
41
73
58
46
40
84
40
37
214
149
97
115
59
62
—
146
59
55
81
60
62
69
Calcium
Load in Tons
_
417
1,071
443
700
718
682
755
650
681
678
469
445
221
53
202
225
137
445
141
2,617
78
482
505
532
388
394
387
Concentration in mg/1
_
31
26
35
45
31
21
59
33
26
28
54
36
27
128
84
54
84
28
44
34
88
37
30
45
36
33
35
Aluminum
Load in Tons
67
165
76
78
93
119
90
99
157
97
43
37
17
7
36
29
21
64
16
622
15
52
67
130
65
72
64
Concentration in mg/1
_
5
4
6
5
4
4
7
5
6
4
5
3
2
17
15
7
13
4
5
8
17
4
4
11
6
6
6
A-133
-------
TABLE A-57. SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY DATA FOR
STATION R-2A, LOWER ROARING CREEK
" ~
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Flow in cfs
1
86.37
43.83
128.86
59.40
35.70
73.83
93.00
2
36.85
58.77
78.10
77.25
21.33
36.83
28.40
3
1.52
9.36
15.04
4.37
46.85
10.58
272.11
4
3.43
43.00
48.49
39.85
32.92
38.23
—
pH Value
1
3.4
3.2
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.8
2
3.1
3.1
3.3
3.6
3.3
3.2
3.5
3
2.8
2.8
3.3
3.1
3.2
3.4
3.6
4
3.0
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.4
3.6
—
Specific conductance in ymhos/cm
326
399
320
312
356
279
160
537
424
362
268
396
370
286
1189
877
449
750
311
455
300
781
294
262
340
333
243
-
Acidity
Load in tons
1288
1036
1919
1008
665
1035
1353
1092
1319
1347
1216
517
721
399
107
510
363
220
751
229
5676
180
652
809
736
618
527
—
Concentration in mg/1
60
96
61
69
76
57
60
121
91
70
64
99
80
58
286
222
98
205
65
88
86
214
62
68
75
77
56
-
Iron
Load in tons
140
106
221
148
100
144
113
118
121
143
234
68
66
41
9
35
41
29
81
29
396
14
42
107
96
79
95
—
Concentration in mg/1
7
10
7
10
11
8
5
13
8
7
12
13
7
6
25
15
11
28
7
11
6
17
4
9
10
10
10
-
(continued)
A-134
-------
TABLE A-5 7 (continued).
Quarter
Year
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
.1970
1971
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Calcium
Load in tons
1
-
362
930
486
428
643
518
2
771
539
523
584
302
388
214
3
59
117
213
100
517
148
2904
4
78
359
428
414
351
377
—
Concentration in mg/1
1
—
34
29
33
49
36
23
2
86
37
27
31
58
43
31
3
159
77
58
94
45
57
44
4
93
34
36
42
44
40
-
Aluminum
Load in tons
_
68
161
64
63
83
90
107
83
95
88
36
36
28
8
37
28
17
73
16
-
15
49
59
110
57
59
—
Concentration in mg/1
_
6
5
7
7
5
4
12
6
5
5
7
4
4
21
16
7
16
6
6
-
18
5
5
11
7
6
—
Sulfate
Load in tons
2165
1436
3278
1554
1004
1388
880
1869
1914
2189
1803
602
905
462
181
710
645
298
1090
276
2904
263
1053
1130
1334
864
980
0
Concentration in mg/1
102
133
104
107
115
77
39
207
133
115
95
115
100
67
485
309
175
278
95
106
44
312
100
95
137
107
105
—
Hardness
Load in tons
1069
583
1732
806
668
1071
1037
920
941
951
890
492
488
282
97
316
386
153
864
197
—
130
613
749
731
603
725
WO
Concentration
50
54
56
55
76
59
41
101
65
49
47
94
54
41
259
137
104
142
75
75
in mg/1
154
58
63
74
74
77
A-135
-------
graded to a pasture backfill. In October 1967, agricultural
limestone was applied at a rate of 2 tons/acre. The area was
"frost seeded" in March 1968. The seed mixture (10 Ib birdsfoot
trefoil, 10 Ib orchard grass, 10 Ib Kentucky bluegrass, and 5 Ib
sweet clover) and fertilizer were broadcast on the surface of
the frozen ground. Freezing and thawing action then moved the
seed into the soil surface. The outslope was hydroseeded in May
1968.
All the plants show vigorous growth. A large number of
locust trees have volunteered into the area. The area may be
considered stabilized.
Work Area 36 (21 acres)—
No regrading took place. In the spring of 1968, the area
was prepared and seeded with 1 Ib tall fescue, 9 Ib perennial
rye grass, 10 Ib weeping love grass and 1 Ib alsike clover.
The area also received 1000 Ib of 10-10-10 fertilizer and
3 tons/acre of limestone. The growth was spotty, good in some
areas and poor in others. The situation was complicated by the
owner turning cattle loose during the first year. This area is
only partially stabilized.
Cost of Work
Records were kept of equipment and labor used in each work
area. These data were used to determine the direct cost as
reported in Table A-58. The remaining costs were then distri-
buted on a direct-cost percentage basis to the work areas. For
the cleaning and grubbing, reclamation, and underground activi-
ties, the total cost was 1.297 times the direct cost. Total
revegetation costs were determined in a similar manner. Total
cost for each work area is reported in Table A-59.
Results of Reclamation
Water quality data for 1970 showed the pollution contribu-
tion of the watershed to be 873 tons of acid with sulfate and
iron load decreases of 55 tons and 90 tons (Table A-55). The
flow contribution remained nearly the same (12.3 cfs average) as
for the base year 1966. No decrease in acidity was realized as
a result of the grading, revegetation and mine sealing, but the
contribution of sulfate had been cut significantly. Data for
1971 showed an extremely high pollution load as a result of
severe flooding in September 1971.
A-136
-------
TABLE A-58. COST OF WORK - DIRECT COST (DOLLARS)'
Area
No.
36
37
Cleaning and
grubbing
Equipment
0
Labor
1,504
Reclamation
Equipment
8,723
Labor
2,303
*
Underground
Equipment
0
Labor
575
Revegetation
Equipment
and
materials
4,011
1,369
labor
1,980
124
Total
5,991
14,598
For Cleaning and Grubbing, Reclamation and Underground, this includes only the actual
cost of equipment and labor and does not include any materials, overhead, G & A, etc.
Revegetation Cost includes cost of labor, equipment and materials.
U)
-J
TABLE A- 59. TOTAL COST FOR WORK AREAS IN THE LOWER
ROARING CREEK WATERSHED (DOLLARS)
Area
No.
36
37
Cleaning and
grubbing ,
reclamation,
underground
-
17,007
Revegetation
7,776
1,863
Total
7,776
18,870
Cost/acre
370
1,348
-------
APPENDIX B
LEASE AGREEMENT
WITNESSETH: That in consideration of the benefits which may
accrue to the Grantors from the Acid Mine Drainage Demonstration
Project in Roaring Creek District, Randolph County, West Vir-
ginia, the Grantors do hereby grant and convey unto the Grantee
the right to enter upon that certain tract of land with full
rights of ingress, egress and regress upon said land for the
purpose of performing such work as may be required for planning
completing said demonstration project, and do hereby grant and
convey to said Grantee the following rights, rights of way and
easements pertaining to the surface of said land:
a. To construct access roads to sites where work will be
performed by man and equipment.
t
b. To remove garbage, debris, and obsolete mine buildings
and equipment from areas where work is to be performed
to a place of disposal as agreed upon by the parties
hereto.
c. To backfill, grade, and ditch in strip mine areas with
the understanding that vegetation and trees will be
planted on reclaimed areas.
d. To divert surface drainage to prevent its percolating
underground; to build lined channels; and to build
ponds for purposes of testing water treatment methods,
effects on fish, etc. (Prior to completion of the
work under this paragraph, the State will notify the
grantors in writing of said completion date, and at
that time the said grantors will have the right if
they so desire and so state in writing within 15 days
after receipt of said notice, to have any ponds con-
structed under this project to be left intact for the
use of said grantors. In the event the grantors do
not elect to have any ponds remain intact of if such
election is not exercised as aforesaid, the pond will
be drained, backfilled with earth and revegetated).
e. To cut trees, remove stumps, and borrow earth in
vicinity of strip mine areas where such must be done
B-l
-------
to complete backfilling and seal rock cracks in the
highwall, with the understanding that trees are to be
cut in suitable lengths and piled at a location read-
ily accessible to the Grantors for trucking.
f. To chemically grout with suitable equipment rock
cracks within surface subsidence holes, and, as in
item d, cut trees, remove stumps within surface
subsidence holes, and backfill and compact the holes
to obtain satisfactory drainage over the fill material.
g. To conduct an experiment to determine the effective-
ness of chemically grouting surface subsidence holes
within wooded areas using a core drill, truck and
other portable equipment.
h. To reconstruct or cap gob piles to prevent or minimize
water entry into them.
i. To seed in a cover crop of grass and legume, and to
plant brush and trees to provide soil stabilization.
j. To apply soil amendments to promote growth of vegeta-
tion; substances which may be used include agricul-
tural fertilizers, digested sewage sludge, distillery
wastes, sawdust, wood chips, limestone, and fly ash.
k. To drill test holes and conduct pumping and other
tests to gain information on subsurface rock forma-
tions and on groundwater movement; with the under-
standing that these holes will be filled or sealed or
capped at the end of the study period.
For the consideration aforesaid, the following rights, rights of
way and easements are hereby granted with relation to the sub-
surface of said land:
a. To conduct an experiment in construction of masonry
air seals in mine openings using cinder blocks mor-
tared and faced for sealing with rigid urethane foam
to determine the cost and effectiveness.
b. To seal mine openings within to-be-reclaimed strip
areas by layer compaction of suitable soil against
openings filled with collapsed and crushed rock, prior
to totally backfilling and grading of these areas.
c. To do the same as in item b, but using masonary for
seals, where it is practical to clean out the caved
rock in the openings and in the entries to the point
in the mine where the roof, ribs, and bottom are
reasonably firm.
B-2
-------
d. To construct masonry seals in certain mine openings
with or without water traps outside of strip mine
areas.
All rights, rights of way and easements herein granted are for
the purpose of permitting the Grantee to do the things herein-
before set forth, all for the purpose of planning, developing,
monitoring, completing and demonstrating the project for a
period of ten years. It is covenanted by the Grantors that they
will not voluntarily do any act or permit any act to be done
that will destroy any portion of the complete demonstration
project until the rights, rights of way and easements herein
granted have terminated as aforesaid.
B-3
-------
APPENDIX C
ANALYTICAL PROCEDURES
SOIL
Specific conductance and pH were performed on a 1:1 soil-
distilled water paste. Aluminum, manganese, and iron were
determined on a KC1 extract using atomic absorption. Potassium
was determined on a H2S04 extract by atomic absorption. Ex-
change acidity was determined on a KC1 extract titrated with
NaOH to pH 8. Phosphorous was determined on a H2SO4 extract by
the method outlined by Black, et al., (1965-P. 1,040). Sulfate
was determined on a KC1 extract by American Public Health
Association (1965-P. 291) method.
WATER
Acidity was measured by the hot method to an end point of
pH 8.2. Iron, aluminum, calcium, and magnesium were determined
by atomic absorption. Hardness was the summation of calcium and
magnesium. Sulfate was determined by the American Public Health
Association (1965-P. 291) method.
C-l
-------
APPENDIX D
ASSOCIATED REPORTS
A number of reports (both published and unpublished) were
generated as a result of the Elkins Mine Drainage Pollution
Control Demonstration Project. Appendix D presents a list of
these associated reports:
1. Committee of Public Works, U.S. House of Representatives.
1962 Acid Mine Drainage. House Committee Print No. 18,
87th Congress, Second Session. U.S. Government Printing
Office: Washington, D.C., p. 24.
2. Hill, Ronald D. The Effectiveness of Mine Drainage Pollu-
tion Control Measures, Elkins, West Virginia. U.S. Depart-
ment of Interior. Federal Water Pollution Control Adminis-
tration. ACS Division Fuel Chemical Preprints, 13(2),
103-15. 1965.
3. Joint Federal-State Acid Mine Drainage Pollution Control
Program. Annual Progress Report Fiscal 1965. U.S. Depart-
ment of Interior - Bureau of Mines, Geological Survey,
Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife.
4. Bullard, W.E., "Acid Mine Drainage Pollution Control
Demonstration Program," Uses of Experimental Watersheds.
International Assocation of Scientific Hydrology, Symposium
of Budapest. Extract of Publication No. 66. Budapest,
Hungary, 1965.
5. Burner, C.C. Progress Report - Fishery Management Program.
Roaring Creek-Grassy Run, Randolph Co., West Virginia
(Mimeo). p. 10. 1967.
6. Hill, R.D., "Reclamation and Revegetation of 640 Acres of
Surface Mines-Elkins, West Virginia," Proceedings, Inter-
national Symposium on Ecology and Revegetation of Drasti-
cally Disturbed Areas. Pennsylvania State University,
August 1969 (released 1970).
7. Hill, Ronald D. Limestone Mine Seal. Mine Drainage
Pollution Control Branch. U.S. EPA, Cincinnati, Ohio.
March, 1970.
D-l
-------
8. Hill, Ronald D., Elkins Mine Drainage Pollution Control
Demonstration Project. Proceedings Third Symposium on Coal
Mine Drainage Research. Mellon Institute, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania. May, 1970.
9. Scott, Robert B., Ronald D. Hill, and Roger C. Wilmoth.
, Cost of Reclamation and Mine Drainage Abatement, Elkins
Demonstration Project. Water 'Quality Office. U.S. EPA.
Robert A. Taft Research Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. 1970.
10. Warner, Richard W. Distribution of Biota in a Stream
Polluted by Acid Mine-Drainage. Ohio J. Science.
71(4) -.202-215. 1971.
11. Hill, Ronald D. and John F. Martin. Elkins Mine Drainage
Pollution Control Demonstration Project - An Update.
Proceedings Fourth Symposium on Coal Mine Drainage Research.
Mellon Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. April, 1972.
12. Wilmoth, Roger C., Robert B. Scott and Ronald D. Hill.
Combination Limestone-Lime Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage.
Proceedings 4th Symposium on Coal Mine Drainage Research.
Mellon Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 1972.
13. Plass, Wm., and Vogel, Willis. Demonstration and Experi-
mental Plots on Rich Mountain, a series of unpublished
progress reports from 1965 thru 1967. U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Northeast Forest Experiment Station.
14. Itek Optical Systems Division. Toxic Soil Photoanalysis
Investigation, final report for FWPCA. P.O. No. 67-2-108,
January, 1968.
15. Findlay, Charles. Grouting Surface Subsidence Areas Over
Abandoned Deep Mines Above Drainage. U.S. Bureau of Mines.
In-House Report, May, 1966.
16. Johns-Manville Research and Engineering Center. Precoat
Filtration of Neutralized, Settled Mine Drainage Underflow
at Norton, West Virginia. USBM Contract No. 14-09-0050-
2931, Johns-Manville Report No. 412-8014, December, 1966.
17. Halliburton Company. New Mine Sealing Techniques for Water
Pollution Abatement. Federal Water Quality Adminstration
Contract No. 14-12-453, March, 1970.
18. Burner, Charles. Fishery Management Program-Acid Mine
Drainage Pollution Control Demonstration Project No. 1.
Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. Progress Report,
July 1967.
D-2
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19. Treatment and Revegetation of Test Plots on Reclaimed
Surface Mines. In-Hoiise Report. U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio.
D-3
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TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read Instructions on the reverse before completing)
1. REPORT NO.
EPA-600/7-77-090
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION-NO.
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
Elkins Mine Drainage Pollution Control Demonstration
Project
5. REPORT DATE
August 1Q77 issuing date
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7. AUTHOR(S)
Staff, Resource Extraction and Handling Division
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Industrial Environmental Research La"boratory-Cin., OH
Office of Research and Development
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cincinnati, Ohio ^5268
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
EHE 623
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
68-02-1321
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Same as No. 9 above.
• ' I II f^. I .- ^ ^T * I *•» ^™ _J_ ^F t|_|l f
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
EPA/600/12
15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
Edited by PEDCO Environmental, Inc., 11^99 Chester Road, Cincinnati, Ohio
16. ABSTRACT
In 1964 several federal agencies in cooperation with the State of West
Virginia initiated a project to demonstrate methods to control the pollution from aban*
doned underground and surface mines in the Roaring Creek-Grassy Run Watersheds near
Elkins, West Virginia.
The Roaring Creek-Grassy Run watersheds contained UOO hectares of disturbed
land, 1200 hectares of underground mine workings and discharged over 11 metric tons pe:
day of acidity to the Tygart Valley River. The reclamation project was to demonstrate
the effectiveness of mine seals, water diversion from underground workings, burial of
acid-producing spoils and refuse, surface mine reclamation, and surface mine revegeta-
tion. Following a termination order in 196?, major efforts were directed away from tto
completion of the mine sealings and toward surface mining reclamation and revegetation,
In July 1968 the reclamation work was completed with the reclamation and revegetation
of 28i| hectares of disturbed land and the construction of 101 mine seals.
Results of an extensive monitoring program revealed that some reduction in
acidity load (as high as 20 percent during 1968 and 1969), and little if any in iron
and sulfate loads and flow have occurred in Grassy Run. Roaring Creek had an insignif
icant change in flow as a result of water diversion, and a decrease of 5 to l6 percent
in acidity and sulfate load. Biological recovery in both streams has been nonexistent
except in some smaller subwatersheds. Good vegetative cover has been established on
gree survival and growth has
i DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
b.lDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS
c. COS AT I Field/Group
Reclamation
Coal Mines
Surface Mining
Underground Mining
Water Quality
Abandoned Mines
West Virginia
Demonstration Project
Mine Sealing
Revegetation
Acid Mine Drainage
Cost
8G
81
13B
8. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
Release to the Public
19. SECURITY CLASS (ThisReport)'
21. NO. OF PAGES
316
20. SECURITY CLASS (Thispage)
22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (9-73)
*U.S. GOVERNMENT PRIIITIIIGOfFICt 1977-757-056/6527
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