TVA
EPA
Tennessee
Valley
Authority
Division of
Water Resources
Norris TN 37828
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Industrial Environmental Research
Laboratory
Cincinnati OH 45268
EPA-600/7-79-209
October 1979
Research and Development
Ecological Recovery
After Reclamation of
Toxic Spoils Left by
Coal Surface Mining
Phase I
Interagency
Energy/Environment
R&D Program
Report
-------
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.
-------
EPA-600/7-79-209
October 1979
ECOLOGICAL RECOVERY AFTER RECLAMATION OF
TOXIC SPOILS LEFT BY COAL SURFACE MINING
Phase I
A Baseline Assessment of Environmental Conditions Prior
to Application of Intensive Remedial Treatments
By
Thomas G. Zarger and Joe B. Maddox,
Division of Land and Forest Resources, and
Lynn B. Starnes and William M. Seawall
Division of Water Resources
Tennessee Valley Authority
Norris, Tennessee 37828
LAG No. D8 E721-DQ
Project Officer
Ronald D. Hill
Resource Extraction and Handling Division
Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45268
-------
DISCLAIMER
This report was prepared by the Tennessee Valley Authority and has been
reviewed by the Office of Energy, Minerals, and Industry, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, and approved for publication. Approval does not signify
that the contents necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Tennessee
Valley Authority or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, nor does any
mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or
recommendation for use.
11
-------
FOREWORD
When energy and material resources are extracted, processed, converted,
and used, the related pollution impacts on our environment and even on our
health often require that new and increasingly more efficient pollution con-
trol methods be used. The Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory-
Cincinnati (lERL-Ci) assists in developing needs both efficiently and
economically.
Reported here are the results of a study conducted as part of the Federal
Interagency Environment Research and Development Program. This report docu-
ments the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems of a coal surface mine in
Tennessee prior to reclamation. It will be followed by a second report
documenting the recovery after restorative treatments. The results of this
work should be of interest to the biologist, engineer, etc., who is planning
a reclamation project or evaluating the damages from surface mining. For
further information contact the Extraction Technology Branch of the
Resource Extraction and Handling Division.
David G. Stephan
Director
Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory
Cincinnati
iii
-------
ABSTRACT
This study involves a selected watershed in which surface mining and
unsuccessful reclamation efforts in the early 1970's resulted in adverse
environmental impacts. Work on the east Tennessee problem mine seeks to
correct reclamation deficiencies by applying land stabilization treatments and
evaluating their effectiveness by measuring the degree of recovery of the
affected terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Conditions documented during the
mining and reclamation, and those existing prior to start of restorative
treatments, are recorded to serve as baseline for measuring ecological recov-
ery. Progress on treatment implementation is reported through the 1977-1978
planting season. Evaluations on environmental effects cover the period from
start of mining to July 1976.
This report was submitted by the Tennessee Valley Authority, Division of
Land and Forest Resources, in partial fulfillment of Energy Accomplishment
Plan No. 80 BDQ under terms of Interagency Agreement No. D8 E721-DQ with the
Environmental Protection Agency. Work was accomplished as of July 6, 1978.
IV
-------
CONTENTS
Foreword iii
Abstract iv
Figures vii
Tables vii
Acknowledgement xi
1. Introduction 1
2. The Project Area 2
Location and Description 2
Chronology of Mining and Conventional Reclamation .... 4
Strip Mine Revegetation Tests 5
Mining Impacts 6
Terrestrial 6
Aquatic b
Reservoir Sedimentation 7
3. Remedial Treatment 8
Land Sectors and Treatment 8
4. Terrestrial Systems 10
Vegetation 10
Methods 10
Results and Discussion 10
Herbaceous Species 12
Trees and Shrubs 17
Spoil pH 17
Summary 17
Spoil Chemistry 20
Terrestrial Fauna 21
5. Aquatic Systems 22
Description of Sample Streams 22
Methods and Materials 22
Water Quality 23
Aquatic Invertebrates 23
Fish 23
Results and Discussion 23
Water Quality 23
Aquatic Invertebrates 25
Fish 26
Comparison with a Reference Stream
Water Quality 26
Aquatic Invertebrates 26
Fish 27
Summary 27
6. Reservoir Sedimentation 30
7. Phase II Report . . 31
v
-------
References 32
Appendices
A. Koppers Property-Proposed Contract Reclamation Provisions . .34
B. Silt Structures Built in Ollis Creek Watershed 36
C. Summary of Surface Mine Test and Demonstration
Activities in Ollis Creek Watershed 38
D. Supplemental Information on Vegetation 40
E. Supplemental Information on Water Quality 46
F. Supplemental Information on Aquatic Invertebrates 51
G. Supplemental Information on Fish 68
H. Supplemental Information on Comparisons of Water Quality
and Invertebrate Data in Affected Streams with those of
a Reference Stream 70
I. Supplemental Information on Fish Biomass in Both the
Reference and Affected Streams 74
vi
-------
FIGURES
Number Page
1 Ollis Creek Watershed with inset of No Business Creek
Watershed and in-State location 3
TABLES
Number
1 Vegetative Cover Present on Mine Site Fall 1975 11
2 Herbaceous Ground Cover by Species Category and Sectors
Fall 1975 11
3 Woody Plants Distribution by Sectors Fall 1975 12
4 Occurrence, Mean Height, and Percent Composition of Grass
Species Found on the Mine Site Fall 1975 13
5 Occurrence, Mean Height, and Percent Composition of Legume
Species Found on the Mine Site Fall 1975 14
6 Occurrence, Mean Height, and Percent Composition of
Composite Species Found on the Mine Site Fall 1975. ... 15
7 Occurrence, Mean Height, and Percent Composition of
Miscellaneous Species Found on the Mine Site
Fall 1975 16
8 Stem Density and Stocking of Woody Species by Sectors
Fall 1975 . 18
9 Comparison of Mean Height and Basal Diameter of Woody
Species by Sectors Fall 1975 19
10 Comparison of Aquatic Abundance Data Collected From
Corresponding Stations on Ollis Creek and Thompson
Creek, and No Business Creek 28
D-l Plant Species Found on the Mine Site Fall 1975 41
D-2 Occurrence, Mean Height, and Percent Composition of
Grass Species by Sectors Fall 1975 43
vii •
-------
D-3 Occurrence, Mean Height, and Percent Composition of
Legume Species by Sectors Fall 1S-75 44
D-4 Occurrence, Mean Height, and Percent Composition of
Composite Species by Sectors Fall 1975 45
D-5 Occurrence, Mean Height, and Percent Composition of
Miscellaneous Species by Sectors Fall 1975 46
E-l Comparison of Water Quality Parameters Collected at
Thompson Creek Mile 0.01 During Mining and
Conventional Reclamation and During Remedial
Treatment 48
E-2 Comparison of Water Quality Parameters Collected at
Yellow Branch Mile 0.13 During Mining and
Conventional Reclamation and Before and During
Remedial Treatment 49
E-3 Comparison of Water Quality Parameters Collected at
Ollis Creek Mile 0.78 During Mining and
Conventional Reclamation, After Partial Remedial
Treatment and During Remedial Treatment 50
E-4 Water Quality Parameters Collected at Laurel Branch
Before Remedial Treatment 51
E-5 Water Quality Parameters Collected at an Unnamed Tributary
to Ollis Creek Before and During Remedial Treatment. . 52
F-l Taxa of Benthic Invertebrates Collected by All Methods,
During Stripping, After Partial Remedial Treatment,
and During Remedial Treatment in Ollis Creek and
its Tributaries 54
F-2 Comparison of Abundance of Aquatic Invertebrates Before
and During Reclamation on Streams on the Ollis Creek
Watershed 57
F-3 Mean Numbers of Aquatic Invertebrates Collected in
Square Foot Surber Samples at Ollis Creek,
Station 1, During 1975-1976 58
F-4 Mean Numbers of Aquatic Invertebrates Collected in
Square Foot Surber Samples at Ollis Creek,
Station 2, During 1975-1976 60
F-5 Mean Numbers of Aquatic Invertebrates Collected in
Square Foot Surber Samples at Ollis Creek,
Station 3, During 1975-1976 62
viii
-------
F-6 Mean Numbers of Aquatic Invertebrates Collected in
Square Foot Surber Samples at Laurel Branch During
1975-1976 63
F-7 Mean Numbers of Aquatic Invertebrates Collected in
Square Foot Surber Samples at Yellow Branch
During 1975-1976 65
F-8 Mean Numbers of Aquatic Invertebrates Collected in
Square Foot Surber Samples at Ollis Creek,
Station 6, During 1975-1976 66
F-9 Mean Numbers of Aquatic Invertebrates Collected in
Square Foot Surber Samples at Unnamed Tributary
of Ollis Creek 1975-1976 67
F-10 Mean Numbers of Aquatic Invertebrates Collected in
Square Foot Surber Samples at Thompson Creek
During 1975-1976 68
F-ll Comparison of Benthic Invertebrates Collected in
Thompson Creek During Mining and Conventional
Reclamation and During Remedial Treatment 69
F-12 Comparison of Percentage Composition and Monthly
Occurrence of Benthic Invertebrates Collected at
Ollis Creek, Station 3, During Mining and
Conventional Reclamation and During Remedial
Treatment 70
G-l Fish Species Collected from Ollis Creek and its
Tributaries During 1970-1971 and 1975-1976 72
G-2 Common and Scientific Names of Fish Species Reported from
Ollis Creek 1970-1971 and Collected from Ollis Creek
and No Business Creek 1975-1976 73
H-l Comparison of Water Quality Parameters from Streams
Affected by Strip Mining on a Mined Watershed
(Ollis Creek) and an Unmined Watershed (No Business
Creek) 75
H-2 Comparison of Benthic Faunas Collected in Square Foot
Surber Samples, November 1975 to July 1976 in No
Business Creek and Comparable Ollis Creek
Stations 76
1-1 Numbers and Weights of Fish Collected By Electrofishing
in No Business Creek During 1975-1976 80
1-2 Numbers and Weights of Fish Collected by Electrofishing
in Ollis Creek During 1975-1976 81
ix
-------
1-3 Fish Species Collected During 1975-1976 in Ollis Creek
and No Business Creek 82
-------
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Other TVA divisions participating in various phases of this work, include
the Division of Natural Resources Services and the Division of Power Resource
Planning.
The support of the project by the Office of Research and Development,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the help provided by Ronald D. Hill
are greatly appreciated.
The review of this report by Dr. Edwin E. Herricks, University of
Illinois and Mr. Edgar A. Pash, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is grate-
fully acknowledged.
XI
-------
SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this investigation is to determine the rate of recovery of
a damaged ecosystem in response to intensive remedial treatment of a problem
surface mine. This study involves a forested watershed in which 162 hectares
(ha) (400 acres, ac) were disturbed by coal surface mining in the early 1970's.
Unsuccessful reclamation efforts resulted in adverse environmental impacts
within the 28 square kilometer (sq. km) (11 square mile, sq. mi) watershed
that includes a city water supply reservoir.
An evaluation of the mine site in spring 1974 showed only 24 percent of
the land surface stabilized and led to development and implementation of an
intensive remedial land treatment plan. Major study emphasis is on documenting
the general mined land and stream quality conditions resulting from the
problems created by mining and determining the rate of recovery of terrestrial
and aquatic life after selected reclamation.
This report describes (1) the project area and impacts resulting from the
coal surface mining, (2) efforts by the mine operator to reclaim the land by
conventional measures, (3) tests and evaluation leading to development of an
intensive land treatment, and (4) baseline terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem
conditions. Biotic and water quality data collected in the first few months
into the treatment phase are included to further establish environmental base-
line.
A later report will document the changes in terrestrial and aquatic eco-
systems and water quality as a result of the remedial land treatment.
-------
SECTION 2
THE PROJECT AREA
LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
The study area, Ollis Creek watershed, is located on land owned by Koppers
Company, Inc., 8 kilometers (km) (5 miles, mi) north of Caryville and just
east of Interstate 75 in Campbell County, Tennessee. Access is from Exit 33
by a gravel, coal haul, and logging road serving the property. Configuration
of this mined area and its proximity to LaFollette, Tennessee, is shown in
Figure 1.
Ollis Creek drains into a reservoir behind a concrete dam constructed in
1964 by the city of LaFollette. Storage water is released from this reservoir
(Reservoir No. 2) to a smaller downstream impoundment (Reservoir No. 1) from
which the city draws its needs. Upstream from the concrete dam the watershed
drainage is 28 sq. km (11 sq. mi). This includes drainage from several small
Ollis Creek tributaries which enter directly into the reservoir. Watershed
elevations range from 415 meters (m) (1,360 feet, ft) at the spillway crest to
762 m (2,500 ft) in the upper extremes.
The watershed is heavily forested with oak-hickory, the predominant
forest type. White and red oaks and hickory comprise the major hardwood
sawtimber species, mostly in tree quality grades 2, 3, and structural. Other
types present in the forest include yellow-poplar and Virginia pine. While
logging has been active for many years, the forest is still relatively well
stocked. Previous surface mining disturbed approximately 49 ha (120 ac).
Most of this orphan land remains barren because of acid spoil conditions.
There is also evidence of old deep mines along the main Ollis Creek drainage
and on Thompson Creek, arm of Ollis Creek.
The Ollis Creek area is bordered on the south by the Cumberland escarp-
ment. Soils in the watershed are of either the Ramsey-Jefferson-Hartselle
association or the Muskengum-Jefferson-Barbourville association, depending on
the amount of clay, sand, and silt present (1). The major soil type may be
Muskengum stony fine sandy loam, steep to hilly phase, or Lehew fine sandy
loam, steep to hilly phase. The majority of the area in the Ollis Creek
watershed is underlain by the Slatestone group and may occur in conjunction
with acid sandstones from the Crab Orchard and Gizzard groups (2).
Area weather station records show annual precipitation for the years 1970
through 1974 to average 132 centimeters (cm) (52 inches, in.). At the
LaFollette Water Treatment Plant, Station 325a, on Ollis Creek, the normal
yearly total precipitation is 127 cm (50 in.) to 140 cm (55 in.). Yearly
-------
LaFollette
- — Ollis Creek Watershed Boundary
THUD Orphan Land
iS^ Sector 1
K":: Sector 2
KXX2 Sector 3
f==3 Sector 4
j|c Sampling Stations
_1 KM
I FUT
location of Ottte Cr*ek Study Area
Figure 1. Ollis Creek Watershed with inset of No Business Creek Watershed
and in-State location.
-------
precipitation at the water plant exceeded these totals in most years from
1970, when stripping began, through 1975.
Individual yearly totals were as follow:
1970
1971
1972
cm
142
135
180
in.
56
53
71
1973
1974
1975
cm
193
165
157
in.
76
65
62
Estimated mass inflow at Ollis Creek Reservoir, based on actual flow
measurements of gaged area streams with similar characteristics, is estimated
at over 11.4 million kiloliters (kl) (3 billion gallons) annually.
Coal reserves underlying the watershed include the Coal Creek seam.
Luther (3) identifies it as the most important in Campbell County both from
the standpoint of past production and reserves and also, one with the largest
known recoverable reserves of any seam in Claiborne County. The Keystone Coal
Industry Manual (4) further describes the seam: "The Coal Creek seam is mined
in Anderson and Campbell Counties but is too thin for exploitation in Morgan
County. Seam thickness ranges from 102 cm to 152 cm (40 to 60 in.), with most
seams between 102 cm and 122 cm (40 and 48 in.) thick. Where the seam is 107
cm (42 in.) or more, it usually carries a parting varying from knife-edge
thickness to 10 cm (4 in.) slightly below the middle of the bed." The
Slatestone overburden is usually low in pH and fertility, and averages 18-21 m
(60-70 ft) thick.
CHRONOLOGY OF MINING AND CONVENTIONAL RECLAMATION
Surface mining of the Coal Creek and Coal Creek Rider seams in the water-
shed began in April 1970 under a contract awarded by TVA to a private operator.
TVA reclamation requirements (Appendix A) and State regulations applied to the
mining. Some 162 ha (400 ac) were mined in recovering 542,767 metric tons
(mt) (598,298 tons, t) of coal through April 1972.
Mining during the two years progressed generally along the 549 m (1,800
ft) contour from points near Thompson Creek and east of Ollis Creek. From
Ollis Creek the operator continued to Number Twelve Hollow. Then the operator
moved back to Ollis Creek proceeding northward on the east slope and to points
immediately west of Ollis Creek. After that, mining was resumed in the Flat-
woods area (Thompson Creek) and the northernmost point immediately east of
Ollis Creek. Eighteen ha (45 ac) of land were disturbed from April through
June 1970, 94 ha (233 ac) from July 1970 through June 1971, and 51 ha (127 ac)
from July 1971 through April 1972.
An account of reclamation performed by the operator is detailed here to
emphasize the repeated revegetation efforts. Hydraulic seeding equipment was
used in applying seed, fertilizer, and mulch. Tree planting was by hand labor
using planting bars. To minimize stream siltation, 41 silt-control structures
were constructed within the watershed from May 1970 through November 1974
(Appendix B).
-------
By October 1970 approximately 34 ha (85 ac) were seeded with perennial
ryegrass, Kentucky-31 fescue, and annual ryegrass at 17, 17, and 11 kilograms/
hectare (kg/ha) (15, 15, and 10 pound/acres, Ib/ac), respectively. The same
area was fertilized with 6-12-12 at 448 kg/ha (400 Ib/ac) and ammonium nitrate
at 112 kg/ha (100 Ib/ac) and mulched with wood fiber at the rate of 1,680
kg/ha (1,500 Ib/ac). About 78 ha (193 ac) were seeded, fertilized, and mulched
during the spring of 1971. During late winter and early spring 1970-71,
135,000 black locust and 8,000 loblolly pine seedlings were planted on 61 ha
(150 ac) of outslope. (Initially no trees were required on the bench area.)
During winter 1971-72 approximately 75,000 black locust were planted on
31 ha (77 ac). During spring 1972, 72 ha (178 ac) were seeded with Kentucky-31
fescue and annual ryegrass at 28 kg/ha (25 Ib/ac) each and fertilized with
6-12-12 at the rate of 168 kg/ha (150 Ib/ac). This hydraulic seeding included
at least 16 ha (40 ac) of previously seeded surface. Failure to establish a
suitable cover was attributed to acidity of the surface spoils.
Pyrites in the overburden were left on the surface during the grading
operation. This material formed sulfuric acid upon oxidation and hydrolysis,
causing the pH of the spoils to drop. Spoil samples collected as early as
September 1970 on the first point beyond Ollis Creek showed pH values to
average 4.6. Samples from the head of Thompson Creek ranged from 3.9 to 4.7.
In December 1970 eight pH samples taken on the second point beyond Ollis Creek
ranged from 3.0 to 4.7.
Another attempt to revegetate these areas was made by the operator in
September 1972. Recognizing the spoil problem, other acid-tolerant species
and fertilizers were used: bench areas—Kobe lespedeza and Korean lespedeza
at 28 kg/ha (25 Ib/ac) each and 0-46-0 and 33-0-0 at 112 kg/ha (100 Ib/ac)
each; outslope—weeping lovegrass at 8 kg/ha (7 Ib/ac) and 0-46-0 and 33-0-0
at 112 kg/ha (100 Ib/ac) each. Thereafter, all areas were reseeded with the
above mixture through spring 1973. Additionally, 300,000 black locust seed-
lings were planted on bare outslopes and 40.5 ha (100 ac) of bench.
Another 100,000 black locust seedlings were planted during the 1973-74
planting season. These repeated seeding and planting efforts helped in
establishing additional vegetation, but overall, the cover was inadequate to
provide needed offsite protection.
STRIP MINE REVEGETATION TESTS AND DEMONSTRATIONS
During the period of mining and conventional reclamation, a number of
tests and demonstration projects were conducted on the mine seeking solutions
to the revegetation problem (Appendix C). These included tests on wildlife
plant pH tolerance, mulching materials and soil conditioners, use of lime and
topsoil as site modifiers, and documentation of changes in soil acidity brought
by weathering and use of spoil amendments. Demonstration activities involved
revegetation with municipal compost, grass and legume seeding, and planting
wildlife shrub species for habitat improvement.
-------
The wildlife habitat improvement demonstration was initiated during the
spring of 1971 with the planting of 25,000 wildlife food and cover plants. An
additional 7,500 were planted in 1972 and over 6,800 added in 1973. The
improvement of existing habitat structure and enlargement of the food base
available to wildlife were primary objectives. A 1973 report (5) compares
1971 and 1972 planting results and subjectively evaluates wildlife usage and
native plant invasion. Five species of wildlife shrubs proved tolerant to
acid conditions of the Ollis Creek spoils. They were autumn olive, shrub
lespedeza, crabapple, European alder, and sawtooth oak.
These and other test results were used as a guide in developing remedial
land treatments. The approach followed a pattern outlined by Vogel (6)
suggesting: ". . .future revegetation research on surface-mined lands should
be concerned with establishing vegetation to minimize damage to the water
resource. . . These lands must be compatible with watershed protection."
This has been a main consideration in the search to find a remedy for the
specific Ollis Creek mine problem.
MINING IMPACTS
The mining and unsuccessful reclamation resulted in adverse environmental
impacts within the watershed—those expected to occur to a limited extent
during active mining and those unexpected which resulted from revegetation
failures. These impacts occurred despite upgrading of contract reclamation
provisions for mining on the property and extra effort by the operator to
revegetate the site. Monitoring was initiated at the onset of mining to
record operational effects on receiving stream fauna, water quality, and
sediment deposition in the city water supply reservoir.
Mining coincided with several years of above normal rainfall. Precipita-
tion at the LaFollette Water Treatment Plant, Station 325a (1970-1975),
averaged 162 cm (64 in.) annually, 30 cm (12 in.) above normal. It exceeded
the norm in 1972 by 41 cm (16 in.), in 1973 by 61 cm (24 in.), and in 1974, by
33 cm (13 in.).
Terrestrial
A spring 1974 survey and problem analysis (7) showed only 24 percent of
the mine surface had been revegetated. Phytotoxic spoils covered almost all
the remaining acreage. Steep outslopes were barren and erosion from these, as
well as bench areas, was contributing seriously to offsite damage. Equally
serious was the nonproductive state of the rained land area.
Aquatic
Monitoring of physical and chemical water quality on the Ollis Creek
drainage was first initiated in August 1970 and continued through October 1972
(8). Biological surveillance began in June 1970 and continued through October
1972 (9). During these periods there was a general deterioration of receiving
stream quality. Stations upstream from the upper reservoir were subject to
runoff water laden with silt—from both strip mine spoils and the many logging
-------
trails in the watershed. Retention dams constructed below the mining were
effective in relieving sediment problems at most stations. Some, of course,
filled and additional dams were built. However, water pH and turbidity became
stream stress factors which affected maintenance of a balanced aquatic fauna.
Stream conditions during mining and conventional reclamation are discussed
further under Aquatic Systems (Section 5).
Reservoir Sedimentation
Data on deposition of sediment in the downstream water supply reservoir
(Reservoir No. 2, Figure 1) were collected annually beginning in October 1970.
Sediment began to show up in October 1972 measurements. Rate of deposition and
its impact on water storage capacity are reported under Reservoir Sedimenta-
tion (Section 6).
-------
SECTION 3
REMEDIAL TREATMENT
Due to the serious problem of bare acid spoils and because it was
unrealistic to request additional revegetation work from the operator, TVA, in
fall 1974, assumed responsibility for needed remedial work. Many possible
remedies were evaluated. These included various combinations of treatments
that considered some regrading and even topsoiling of the most critical sites.
Selection of treatments that would effectively stabilize the surface without
accelerating the rate of reservoir siltation was a major concern.
The spring 1974 evaluation (7) showed some 39 ha (97 ac) to have adequate
vegetative cover. The solution chosen to revegetate the remaining 125 ha (308
ac), relied heavily on results from a lime and topsoil study (10). Treatments
selected and initiated on 40.5 ha (100 ac) during the fall of 1974 included
liming and disking agricultural limestone to raise spoil pH, seeding with
grasses and legumes to provide a protective ground cover, and planting trees
and shrubs the following planting season.
Specifically, cultural practices to establish herbaceous ground cover
consisted of both fall and spring treatments. Fall treatments involved liming
at the rate of 22.4 t/ha (10 t/ac) and disking; fertilizing with a 6-12-12
fertilizer at 224 kg/ha (200 Ib/ac); and seeding a mixture of half rye, or
barley, and half Kentucky-31 fescue at 67 kg/ha (60 Ib/ac). In the following
spring the same area was overseeded with a mixture of Kentucky-31 fescue,
sericea lespedeza, and weeping lovegrass at 34, 34, and 2 kg/ha (30, 30, and
2 Ib/ac), respectively. Additionally, a 6-12-12 fertilizer was broadcast
at 224 kg/ha (200 Ib/ac).
Remedial work was planned so as to complete vegetation establishment over
a three-year period by treating approximately one-third of the 125 ha (308 ac)
each year. Within certain economic constraints, this was considered the most
effective way to remedy the problem and minimize damage to the water resource.
LAND SECTORS AND TREATMENT
The mine was divided into four sectors (see Figure l)of approximately
equal land area—a control (Sector 1) with adequate vegetation and three
sectors (Sectors 2, 3, and 4) comprising the poorly revegetated problem sites.
Sector 1 contains 39 ha (97 ac) of land previously characterized as
reclaimed (70 percent or more vegetative cover). These acres were not treated,
but were sampled to provide comparisons of ecological advance between
reclaimed and unreclaimed portions of the mine.
-------
Sector 2 includes 40.5 ha (100 ac) which were limed, fertilized, and
seeded during the fall of 1974 and spring 1975. Some 40,000 autumn olive and
57,000 Virginia pine seedlings were planted during winter 1975-1976.
Sector 3 encompasses 40.5 ha (100 ac) of land which were limed, fertil-
ized, and seeded during the fall of 1975 and spring of 1976. The area was
planted with 42,000 autumn olive, 5,000 European alder, and 35,000 loblolly
pine seedlings during the 1976-1977 season.
Sector 4, the remaining 43.7 ha (108 ac), was limed, fertilized, and
seeded during fall 1976 and spring 1977. The area was planted with 13,000
black locust, 40,000 autumn olive, and 55,000 Virginia pine in the 1977-1978
season.
-------
SECTION 4
TERRESTRIAL SYSTEMS
VEGETATION
A vegetation survey was conducted in fall 1975 to provide baseline data
for measuring expected improvement in herbaceous and woody plant cover
following application of prescribed land treatments. This was the initial
effort to systematically record the kind and extent of seeded, planted, and
naturally occurring vegetation.
Methods
The four previously described mined-land sectors—Sector 1 (control) and
Sectors 2, 3, and 4 (treatment sites)—serve as areas of measurement for
documenting before-treatment conditions. They also accommodate monitoring of
treatment response.
A TVA field survey manual (11) provided guidelines on survey methodology
and sampling. Two-square-meter (4.64 x 4.64 ft) sample plots were established
at a spacing of about one-acre intervals. Their location was determined by
placing an acreage grid over a topographic map of the mined area with a scale
of 1:20,000. The grid dots of the acreage overlay were then transferred to
the project working map which has a scale of 1:6,000. Sample plots were
located on the ground by pacing 64-meter (210-foot) intervals. Direction and
position were determined by north-south orientation or by using landmarks.
Measurements included: (1) tree and shrub species growing on plots, a stem
count of each, their basal diameter and height; and (2) grass and legume
species, their height and ground cover percentage. Additional data were
collected on spoil pH and percentage of natural and reclamation vegetation
present.
Results and Discussion
The percentage of vegetative cover, both natural and that which resulted
from reclamation efforts, is summarized by sectors in Table 1. Sector 1
includes acreage previously characterized as revegetated. Sectors 2, 3, and 4
represent mined land conditions contributing heavily to offsite damage and are
the targets of intensive remedial treatment.
10
-------
TABLE 1. VEGETATIVE COVER PRESENT ON MINE SITE FALL 1975
Source of Vegetation
Natural
Reclamation
TOTAL
1
4.7
57.6
62.3
Se
2*
— pe
8.0
28.6
36.6
ctor
3
.
6.4
8.3
14.7
4
3.3
18.4
21.7
* Partial treatment (limed at 22.4 mt/ha (10 t/ac) fertilized, disked,
and seeded to grasses and legumes) applied in fall 1974-spring 1975,
or prior to initiation of "Ecological Recovery" study.
Over 42 species of herbaceous plants and 13 woody species were identified.
They are listed by their common and scientific names in Appendix D-l. The
herbaceous plants fell into four categories: grasses, 7 species, plus several
Panicurn spp.; legumes, 5 species; composites, 10 species; and miscellaneous,
20 species. Appendices D-2 through D-5 summarize the frequency, mean height,
and composition percentage of species encountered by sectors.
Grasses, the primary component in the mine operator's seeding mixture,
predominate in every sector (Table 2). The generally low percentage of ground
cover on Sectors 2, 3, and 4 was indicative of the relatively barren spoil
condition two years after the operator's last seeding effort.
TABLE 2. HERBACEOUS GROUND COVER BY SPECIES CATEGORY AND SECTOR
FALL 1975
Species Category
Grasses
Legumes
Composites
Miscellaneous*
TOTAL
1
52.2
7.4
0.4
2.3
62.3
2
28.0
3.9
0.5
4.2
36.6
Sector
3
10.6
0.5
0.6
3.0
14.7
4
19.7
-
0.6
1.4
21.7
* Characterized as miscellaneous because of the large number of species
involved and their infrequent occurrence.
11
-------
The number and distribution of forest tree and wildlife shrub seedlings
found growing on the mine in fall 1975 wer^ the result of both natural reseed-
ing and several attempts by the operator to establish forest trees and wild-
life shrubs (Table 3).
TABLE 3. WOODY PLANTS DISTRIBUTION BY SECTORS FALL 1975
Stems per hectare*
Stocking percent+
Sector
1234
1,307 1,494 2,272 2,061
21 16 26 23
* Planting at 1.8 x 1.8 m (6x6 ft) approximates 3,000 seedlings per
hectare (1,210 per ac).
+ Number of plots on which one or more woody plants occurred divided
by the total number sampled times 100.
Planting success is defined as more than 1,500 woody stems per ha (600
per ac) occurring on more than 50 percent of the area (50 percent stocking).
Since the number of living stems approached or exceeded the minimum amount
needed for success, the limiting factor is their distribution. If
established seedlings were distributed equally over the mine site, little
additional tree or shrub planting would be needed. Because they were unevenly
distributed, the actual count per hectare was much higher than required on a
few areas, while many areas had no seedlings at all.
Herbaceous Species—
Grasses comprised over 82 percent of the overall herbaceous ground cover
growing on the mine site (Table 4). The predominant species were Kentucky-31
fescue, which was present on 50 percent of the plots and comprised 60 percent
of the total vegetative cover, and weeping lovegrass, which occurred on
13 percent of the plots and comprised 12 percent of the cover.
Legumes represented slightly more than 8 percent of the vegetative cover
(Table 5). While fescue was the predominant grass, sericea lespedeza was the
predominant legume. Sericea, found on 17 percent of the plots, comprised 7
percent of the cover.
Composites made up slightly more than 1 percent of the cover with fall
and white asters accounting for three-fourths of the composite vegetation.
Windblown seed and weed seed in commercial seed lots contributed to origin
of the 10 species (Table 6).
Miscellaneous species comprised over 8 percent of the cover.
Cattails and sedges accounted for about half this vegetation (Table 7).
12
-------
TABLE 4. OCCURRENCE, MEAN HEIGHT, AND PERCENT COMPOSITION OF GRASS SPECIES FOUND ON THE MINE SITE
FALL 1975
u>
Species
Broomsedge
Fescue, K-31
Lovegrass , weeping
Millet, foxtail
Millet, wild
Panicum
Ryegrass , perennial
Switchgrass'
Occurrence"1"
(Pet)
9.8
50.2
12.8
0.2
0.2
7.5
0.2
1.4
Mean Height
(cm)
2.2
18.5
17.9
15.0
60.0
25.4
20.0
23.7
Composition"
(Pet)
4.0
60.2
12.3
0.1
0.2
4.1
*
1.3
+ The number of plots on which a species occurred divided by the total number sampled.
# Values represent the relationship of one herbaceous species to another with the total
based on 100 percent in terms of existing cover.
* Less than one-tenth of one percent.
-------
TABLE 5. OCCURRENCE, MEAN HEIGHT, AND PERCENT COMPOSITION OF LEGUME SPECIES FOUND ON THE MINE SITE
FALL 1975
Species
Clover , red
Kobe lespedeza
Korean lespedeza
Sericea lespedeza
Sicklepod
Occurrence
(Pet)
0.5
0.2
2.1
16.7
0.2
Mean Height
(cm)
8.0
23.0
15.4
52.8
25.0
Composition
(Pet)
*
0.2
1.2
6.9
*
+ The number of plots on v*iich a species occurred divided by the total number sampled.
# Values represent the relationship of one herbaceous species to another with the total based
on 100 percent in terms of existing cover.
* Less than one-tenth of one percent.
-------
TABLE 6. OCCURRENCE, MEAN HEIGHT, AND PERCENT COMPOSITION OF COMPOSITE SPECIES POUND ON THE MINE
SITE FALL 1975
Species
Aster, fall
Aster, white
Daisy, field
Dandelion
Fleabane
Goldenrod
Small ragwort
Tickseed
White snakeroot
Wild lettuce
Occurrence^"
(Pet)
3.0
1.4
0.7
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.5
Mean Height
(cm)
41.9
31.8
27.3
14.5
56.0
76.0
25.0
20.0
10.0
7.0
Composition^
(Pet)
0.7
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.1
*
*
*
*
*
+ The number of plots on which a species occurred divided by the total number sampled.
# Values represent the relationship of one herbaceous species to another with the total
based on 100 percent in terms of existing cover.
* Less than one-tenth of one percent.
-------
TABLE 7. OCCURRENCE, MEAN HEIGHT, AND PERCENT COMPOSITION OF MISCELLANEOUS SPECIES FOUND ON THE MNE
SITE FALL 1975
Species
Blackberries
Buckwheat: Knotweed
Smartweed, Penn.
Sorrel, red
Cattails
Fern & Fern allies:
Club moss
Fern, bracken
Fern, Hartford
Fireweed
Fungi: Puff ball
Mushroom
Greenbrier
Lichen, fructicose
Loosestrife, whorled
Moss
Pokeweed
Purslane, common
Sedges: Nutsedge
Bulrush
Occurrence+
(pet)
1.6
0.2
1.6
1.1
1.8
0.2
0.2
0.4
1.1
0.5
0.7
2.7
0.9
0.2
3.7
0.9
0.2
2.1
1.8
Mean Ht.
(cm)
34.1
5.0
28.7
3.0
63.5
1.0
13.0
15.0
25.6
7.0
5.7
19.6
0.8
25.0
1.7
69.8
23.0
6.8
94.2
Composition//
(pet)
0.5
0.4
1.3
0.2
1.8
*
*
*
0.5
*
0.1
0.2
0.1
*
0.7
0.5
*
0.5
1.5
+ The number of plots on which a series occurred divided by the total number sampled.
# Values represent the relationship of one herbaceous species to another with the total based
on 100 percent in terms of existing cover.
* Less than one-tenth of one percent.
-------
Trees and Shrubs—
Of 13 tree and shrub species (Table 8), loblolly pine and black locust
were most abundant in Sectors 1 and 4. The pines—loblolly, shortleaf, and
Virginia—predominated in Sector 2. Loblolly and shortleaf pine and black
locust were most abundant in Sector 3. No inferences can be drawn from the
occurrence of these species by sectors. Their incidence is probably a reflec-
tion of planting preferences by the operator in a particular season.
Sectors with the most ground cover had a fewer number of trees and shrubs
per hectare than sectors with least ground cover. For example, Sector 1
(control) had 62 percent herbaceous ground cover and only 1,307 seedlings per
ha (529 per ac), while Sector 3 had only 15 percent ground cover, but 2,272
seedlings per ha (920 per ac).
Mean heights and basal diameters of woody plants growing on the mine site
in fall 1975 are compared by species in Table 9. The ability of autumn olive
and shrub lespedeza to grow well on acid strip mine sites is reflected in
their initial growth performance. In some instances these two shrub species
outgrew earlier planted loblolly pine and black locust. While the forest tree
species should eventually dominate because of their silvicultural character-
istics, the exhibited fast growth rates of the two shrubs indicate their value
as erosion control species.
Spoil pH—
Core samples 10-15 cm (4-6 in.) deep were taken on each plot and pH was
determined in the laboratory on<60 mesh samples (1:1 soil to water ratio on
a weight basis). A comparison of spoil pH values by sectors fall of 1975 was
as follows:
Sector
12 34
Range 3.0-7.2 2.8-6.1 2.9-4.8 2.6-5.1
Mean 4.9 3.8 3.5 3.6
Sector 3 with the lowest mean pH (3.5) had the lowest percent ground
cover (14.7) while Sector 1, with the highest mean pH (4.9), had the highest
percent ground cover (62.3).
Summary
A survey was conducted in fall 1975 to record the kinds and amount of
vegetation, both natural and that which resulted from the mining operator's
reclamation efforts. Baseline data show:
1. Only 39 ha (97 ac) of the approximatel-y 162 ha (400 ac) compris-
ing the mine site had been satisfactorily revegetated.
17
-------
TABLE 8. STEM DEHSITY AMD STOCKING OF WOODY SPECIES BY SECTORS FALL 1975
CO
Sector
Spec les
Autumn olive
Filbert
Locust, black
Maple, red
Oak, sawtooth
Pine, loblolly
Pine, shortleaf
Pine. Virginia
Shrub lespedeza
Sourvood
Sumac , stagborn
Sweetgum
Yellow-poplar
1
Stems* Stocking* Stems
per ha Percent per ha
212 4.2
-
423 5.7 170
101
52
494 10.0 204
203
106 2.1 559
36 0.7
36 0.7 52
-
-
153
2
Stocking
Percent
-
-
3.1
2.1
1.0
3.1
4.1
3.1
-
1.0
-
-
1.0
Stems
per ha
-
49
593
-
49
445
741
198
-
-
99
49
49
3 4
Stocking Stems Stocking
Percent per ha Percent
49 1.0
1.0
10.0 587 8.9
_
1.0
3.0 887 12.8
10.0 147 1.9
4.0 342 1.9
_
4.0 49 1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
Mean, all
Stems
per ha
79
11
439
23
45
462
246
293
11
102
45
11
45
. Sectors
Stocking
Percent
1.6
0.2
6.8
0.5
0.5
7.5
3.7
2.7
0.2
1.8
0.2
0.2
0.5
+ A 6 x 6 spacing equals approximately 3.000 stems per hectare.
t The number of plots on which a species occurred divided by Che total number sampled.
-------
TABLE 9. COMPARISON OF MEAN HEIGHT AND BASAL DIAMETER OF WOODYSPECIES BY SECTORS FALL 1975
Sectors
1
Height Diameter
Species (meters) (cm)
Autumn olive 1.5 4.0
Filbert
Lespedeza, shrub 1.5 2.0
Locust, black 1,3 2.6
Maple, red
Oak, sawtooth
Pine, loblolly 1.4 4.9
Pine, short leaf
Pine, Virginia 0.4 1.0
Sourwood 0.1 1.0
Sumac, staghorn
Sweet gum
Yellow-poplar - -
2
Height
(meters)
-
-
0.6
0.2
0.1
1.7
0.4
0.6
0.3
-
-
0.2
Mean for all Sectors
3 4
Diameter
(cm)
-
-
1.7
1.0
1.0
5.3
1.8
1.7
1.0
-
-
1.0
Height
(meters)
0.2
-
0.8
-
0.6
0.3
0.4
0.7
0.3
0.1
0.2
0.1
Diameter Height Diameter Height
(cm) (meters) (cm) (meters)
1.8 5.0 1.6
3.0 - - 0.2
1.5
1.6 1.6 3.7 1,2
- - 0.2
4.0 - - 0.4
5.3 0.5 1.9 1.0
1.1 0.1 0.1 0.4
2.6 0.3 0.6 0.5
0.8 0.2 0.1 0.3
1.0 - - 0.1
1.0 - - 0.2
0.2 - - 0.1
Basal
Diameter
(cm)
4.1
3.0
2.0
2.5
1.0
2.5
3.8
1.1
1.6
0.8
1.0
1.0
0.6
-------
2. The 39 ha (97 ac) judged to be reclaimed had 62 percent herba-
ceous cover; the remaining 125 ha (308 ac) had an average
herbaceous cover of 24 percent.
3. In terras of total vegetation growing on the mine site, only 17
percent was from natural sources; the other 83 percent resulted
from reclamation.
4. Some 55 species of plants were found. These included four
categories of herbaceous plants—grasses, legumes, composites,
and miscellaneous—and forest tree and wildlife shrubs.
5. Predominating species were those seeded or planted in the
revegetation efforts. Kentucky-31 fescue comprised 60 percent
of the herbaceous vegetative cover; weeping lovegrass, 12
percent; and sericea lespedeza, 7 percent. Loblolly pine and
black locust were the predominant forest tree species.
6. The ability of autumn olive and shrub lespedeza to grow well on
acid strip mine sites is reflected in their initial growth
performance.
7. Mine sectors with lesser amounts of herbaceous ground cover
tended to have more woody plants per hectare.
8. Tree and shrub seedlings established per hectare approached minimum
numbers needed for reclamation success. If they were evenly
distributed over the mine site, little additional planting
would be needed.
9. Vegetative cover percentage decreased with decrease in spoil
pH.
SPOIL CHEMISTRY
A separate study (12) initiated in 1974 before start of remedial treat-
ment involved an analysis of soils from selected areas on the mine site.
These investigations were conducted to determine why vegetation became
established on some areas and not on others.
Study areas included the Thompson Creek drainage which contains some
"orphan" banks from past mining. Spoils on this area were sampled along seven
transects running from the highwall to the edge of the mine outslope. Fifty
plots were also established at random on seven sites at scattered locations
from the entrance to the far end of the mine. On these, plot centers were
located on boundaries of vegetated and nonvegetated areas. Spoils were
sampled at three points on each side of the boundary with samples taken at the
surface and at depths of 10 cm (3.9 in.) and 30 cm (11.8 in.).
20
-------
Samples were analyzed for pH, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus,
iron, aluminum, manganese, zinc, compaction, moisture content, surface
temperature, and color. Analyses indicated all spoils contained low
concentration of nutrients. Potassium, phosphorus, manganese, and zinc were
in the deficiency range of most plants. The solubility of aluminum and iron
increased with low pH, thus increasing the probability of their interactions
with and decreased availability of other plant nutrients. Nonvegetated areas
had lower values than vegetated areas for pH and potassium, and higher values
for exchangeable magnesium, calcium (four of seven areas), iron, aluminum (on
unlimed, unfertilized areas) and penetration resistance (compaction).
TERRESTRIAL FAUNA
The study provides an opportunity to determine the response of terres-
trial fauna (small mammals and songbirds) to remedial spoil treatments.
Accordingly small mammal and avifauna censuses were begun in May and June
1976. Counts of bird populations are scheduled to continue through four
successive winters and breeding periods—to 1980. Small mammal censuses,
conducted during the months of May and November are scheduled through 1981.
Very few studies have been reported in the United States that quantify bird
population successional patterns on coal strip rained areas in comparison
with natural habitats. Likewise, very few studies of small mammal
succession have been made on lands stripped for coal. Data collected
will be correlated with changes in mined land conditions expected from
application of prescribed revegetation treatments.
Since collection of terrestrial fauna data did not begin until after
treatments were initiated on two-thirds of the area, results will be presented
in a Phase II report.
21
-------
SECTION 5
AQUATIC SYSTEMS
Surveillance of conditions in Ollis Creek and its tributaries began in
August 1970 and continued periodically through October 1972—the period of
mining and conventional reclamation (8, 9). Sampling was resumed in August
1975 to provide further environmental baseline and have data for evaluating
effects of the intensive reclamation on the aquatic ecosystem. This section
documents historical conditions and those occurring from August 1975, when
monitoring was resumed, to July 1976.
DESCRIPTION OF SAMPLE STREAMS
Ollis Creek has been generally described in a previous section. Length
of the stream is approximately 15 km (9.4 mi). Substrate is mainly boulder
and bedrock. Ollis Creek drops about 20 m in elevation per km (105 ft per mi)
No Business Creek, a nearby watershed, was also sampled as a reference
area to compare potential water quality, fish, and aquatic invertebrates with
Ollis Creek. No Business Creek differs somewhat from Ollis Creek. It is a
much smaller watershed area—704 ha (1,740 ac) compared to 2,798 ha (6,912 ac)
for Ollis Creek—of shorter length—3.5 km (2.2 mi), compared to 17.4 km
(9.4 mi)—has less fluctuation in streamflow, and different substrate (more
gravel, rubble). Alkalinity and hardness for unaffected portions of the two
streams are similar. No Business Creek flows into Hickory Creek (Cumberland
River drainage) while Ollis Creek flows into Big Creek (Tennessee River
drainage), and consequently a slightly different fish species assemblage is
present. No Business Creek has a gradient of about 28 m per km (150 ft/mi);
however, the gradient in the area sampled is much lower with 15 m/km
(80 ft/mi).
A limited amount of remedial treatment of stripped land was carried out
during late 1974 and early 1975 on mined areas in the Thompson Creek and Ollis
Creek watersheds (Land Sectors and Treatment, Sector 2). This partial treat-
ment may have influenced early monitoring data to some extent, although its
impact on the main drainage is expected to be slow. However, since no aquatic
monitoring was done on any of the drainages between 1972 and the remedial
treatment, it is difficult to assess the immediate effects of the treatment.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
Aquatic systems baseline data are those collected "during mining and
conventional reclamation," and for most stations include data collected from
August 1975 through July 1976. Since some limited remedial reclamation was
applied to rained areas on Thompson Creek and a minor part of Ollis Creek
22
-------
during late 1974 and early 1975, these data are also identified and included
in tables and discussion. Data for the specific drainage are identified as
collected "before remedial treatment" or "during remedial treatment." Methods
employed in the recent monitoring are described below.
Water Quality
Water quality samples were taken monthly at each of the stations shown in
Figure 1. Alkalinity and acidity were determined within a few hours by titra-
tion (13). Dissolved oxygen and pH were determined in the field with portable
meters. A portion of the sample was preserved for laboratory analyses. Water
analysis was performed by the TVA Division of Natural Resources Services
Laboratory Branch, Chattanooga.
Aquatic Invertebrates
Aquatic invertebrates were sampled monthly with square foot Surber
samplers at each station on Ollis Creek, its tributaries, and No Business
Creek. Four samples were collected at each sample site. Surber samples were
preserved in 10 percent formalin and returned to the laboratory. Qualitative
samples were also collected in the vicinity of each station to complete a
species list. Samples were picked by hand and all organisms were placed in 65
percent ethanol. All invertebrates were identified to the lowest possible
taxon and weighed (blot dry weight) to the nearest 0.1 milligram on a Mettler
Balance. Samples during the 1970-1972 period were collected with a sweep net
and cannot be considered as quantitative.
Fish
All stations on Ollis Creek and its tributaries and No Business Creek
were sampled monthly with a battery-powered, pulsed d.c. backpack electro-
fishing unit. A 30 m (100 ft) section of stream with both a pool and riffle
was fished at each station. Electrofishing began at the lower pool end of
each stream section and proceeded upstream toward the riffle. All fish that
were stunned by the current were picked up with a dip net. Fish taken within
the sample area were identified to species, measured, weighed, and returned
to the water alive. Fish of uncertain taxonomic status were preserved in
10 percent formalin and returned to the laboratory for identification.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Water Quality
Water quality in Thompson Creek, Station 8, the stream which drains one
of the worst problem areas, was apparently degraded during mining. On
July 25, 1972, approximately three months after the end of mining, pH
readings reached a low of 3.6. On the same date sulfates totaled 230 milli-
grams/liter (mg/1). Manganese values as high as 31 mg/1 and iron values as
high as 1.5 mg/1 were recorded (Appendix E-l). Data from Yellow Branch,
another stream in close proximity to mining activity, showed the same general
trends, although the results were not as dramatic (Appendix E-2). On
23
-------
September 8, 1971, the pH dropped to 5.0 from a previous pH average of 6.9
while iron reached a peak value of 4.8 mg/1, manganese 5.4 mg/1, and sulfates
200 mg/1.
The same pattern was evident near the mouth of Ollis Creek. The lower
Ollis Creek station, Station 1, (Mile 0.78) was apparently degraded during
mining (Appendix E-3). Total alkalinity and pH generally decreased, while
total acidity, sulfate, iron, manganese, total hardness, and conductivity
increased. A low pH of 4.5 was recorded on October 25, 1972. This poor water
quality indicated that the entire stream was impacted by acid drainage.
Water quality at the lower Ollis Creek station showed little improvement
after partial remedial treatment. The pH dipped to a low of 4.5 in October
1975 as it did in October 1972. Sulfate, iron, and manganese concentrations
remained high, but they did not reach the levels measured during mining.
Water quality apparently continued to degrade after raining and conventional
reclamation on Yellow Branch, Station 5 (Appendix E-2). The pH reached a low
of 4.7 on October 30, 1975. Total iron concentrations reached 25 mg/1 and
manganese, 16 mg/1 on September 17, 1975. No baseline data prior to remedial
treatment were collected on Thompson Creek (Station 8) or on Unnamed Tributary
(Station 7) of Ollis Creek.
Laurel Branch, Station 4, had only a small part of its lower watershed
affected by surface mining and conventional reclamation during 1970-1972.
This area has received no remedial treatment to date. The stream is subject
to other watershed abuses (particularly road construction) that are complicat-
ing factors in assessing the potential recovery of Laurel Branch which had
fluctuating water quality during 1975-1976. Laurel Branch (Appendix E-4)
has shown high turbidity during the sampling period. The pH showed a slight
improvement, with the lowest value of 4.2 in October 1975. There was a
general upward trend in the following months with values up to 6.8 recorded.
Iron values remained relatively high during 1975-1976, with the highest
value of 4.9 mg/1 recorded in February 1976. Manganese showed some downward
trends, but concentrations remained at unacceptably high levels (1.3 mg/1
in May). The lowest pH (3.4) on Unnamed Tributary (Station 7) was recorded
before remedial treatment (Appendix E-5). Lowest value during remedial
treatment was 4.7 with one reading up to 6.6 (December 1975). Iron concen-
trations remained high during remedial treatment (29 mg/1 in February 1976).
There was an apparent downward trend in manganese with a high of 23 mg/1
during remedial treatment, but the concentrations were still unacceptable
(10 mg/1 in February 1976). Sulfate levels ranged from 210 to 790 mg/1 with
an average of 440 mg/1 during the monitoring period.
Water quality remained substandard at the lower Ollis Creek station,
Station 1, during remedial treatment (Appendix E-3). Although pH did not fall
below 5.1, total iron and manganese continued at high levels reaching peaks
of 0.78 and 1.4 mg/1, respectively (February 1976). The same pattern emerged
during remedial treatment on Thompson Creek, where pH usually remained below
5.0 with a low reading of 3.8 (Appendix E-l). Iron (maximum 3.1 mg/1) and
manganese (maximum 2.4 mg/1) remained at unacceptably high concentrations,
although they showed some improvement during remedial treatment. On Yellow
24
-------
Branch the pH remained above 5.0, with one reading as high as 6.9. Sulfate,
iron, and manganese concentrations decreased. These data suggest an improving
trend in the water quality of Yellow Branch and possibly Thompson Creek during
remedial treatment. Future sampling will determine whether this change is
permanent or temporary due to the lime applications.
The precipitation data did not document the occurrence of any unusually
heavy storms during the August 1975 to July 1976 sampling period. Average
annual water quality parameter measurements can be inordinately affected by
storm-associated samples (i.e., turbidity and some constituents which
normally occur in trace or undetectable amounts will markedly increase).
Without flow data, water quality data as well as biotic data will be more
difficult to interpret because they are so strongly influenced by flow regime.
Aquatic Invertebrates
Species of aquatic invertebrates collected in Ollis Creek and its tribu-
taries during mining, after partial remedial treatment, and during remedial
treatment are listed in Appendix F-l. The data collected during mining were
qualitative, therefore, the only valid comparisons that can be made are on
species occurrence. Number of taxa declined drastically from 71 collected
during mining to 40 after partial remedial treatment. Some increase in
diversity was noted during remedial treatment (49 taxa collected); however,
this difference may be at least partially due to the greater number of months
sampled during mining and conventional reclamation. Most of the declines
between mining and reclamation were in taxa of ephemeropterans, plecopterans,
odonates, and dipterans. Mean numbers of aquatic invertebrates collected
during 1975-1976 at three Ollis Creek stations, Yellow Branch, Unnamed
Tributary, and Thompson Creek, are given in Appendix F-2. Mean number of
invertebrates collected after remedial treatments were much higher during the
following nine months at all stations except Laurel Branch (same) and Thompson
Creek (higher during remedial treatment). An inadequate number of samples
was taken during the partial treatment period to make conclusions about
trends, and some of the apparent fluctuations in number may be due to
"natural" seasonal fluctuations in abundance or to scouring effects associated
with heavy precipitation and resultant high flows. Further sampling will
delineate the relationships involved. Data on the monthly abundance of
aquatic invertebrates and complete species lists at individual sample stations
are in Appendices F-2 through F-10.
Examination of data from Thompson Creek, Station 8, which was heavily
impacted by mining, indicated dramatic increases in the number of species
collected (Appendix F-ll). Number of taxa increased from 13 during mining to
26 during remedial treatment. Most dramatic increases were in the odonates,
dipterans, and coleopterans.
Thompson Creek began to show some increases in the number of species
collected in later months. These increases indicate some natural recovery as
well as some possible changes due to initial remedial treatments on Thompson
Creek. Number of taxa collected declined at Ollis Creek mile 3.37, Station 3,
25
-------
from 17 during mining to 14 during remedial treatment (Appendix F-12). Most
dramatic declines were in the number of odonate species. The number of
dipteran taxa increased in the later samples.
Fish
Taxa of fish collected in Ollis Creek and its tributaries during 1970-71
and 1975-76 are in Appendix G-l. Common and scientific names are presented in
Appendix G—2. Number of taxa collected declined from seven during mining to
four during remedial treatment. Fish collected during 1970-71 were identified
only to genera in some cases, and there is doubt about the identification of
at least one species (least darter). Stonerollers, Campostoma anomalum;
Pimephales sp.; and least darter, Etheostoma microperca, were absent from the
1975-76 collections. The least darter is not known to occur in the Tennessee
River drainage and probably represents a misidentification. However, the
occurrence of one or more species of darters could be expected in a stream the
size of Ollis Creek. Species occurrence data, therefore, indicated a decline
since mining. Fish species are generally slower to recover than water quality
or benthic invertebrates, and a reintroduction of more tolerant native species
may be desirable after continued improvement of the ecosystem.
COMPARISON WITH A REFERENCE STREAM
Water Quality
Comparisons of selected water quality parameters from Ollis Creek and
Thompson Creek with those from corresponding stations on No Business Creek are
shown in Appendix H-l. Both streams have naturally soft water due to the
similar geology in the two watersheds. However, the pH was consistently lower
at Thompson Creek (minimum of 4.3) than at the No Business Creek upper station
(minimum of 5.8). Sulfate, iron, and manganese concentrations were relatively
high in Thompson Creek. Although these parameters were measured on only one
date at the upper No Business Creek station, the values were several orders of
magnitude lower than on Thompson Creek.
The same type of indication of acid mine drainage was evident on the
lower Ollis Creek station. A minimum pH value of 5.1 was recorded for Ollis
Creek while No Business Creek Station 1 recorded 5.8. Sulfate, iron, and
manganese were always higher in Ollis Creek. No Business Creek did have one
relatively high iron concentration (0.56 mg/1). This value indicated that
there may be high "natural" iron concentrations in softwater streams draining
watersheds similar to Ollis Creek.
Aquatic Invertebrates
Comparisons of benthic fauna collected in Ollis Creek and Thompson Creek
and at corresponding stations on No Business Creek were made to detect
differences in the biota of an affected and unaffected or "control" watershed
(Appendix H-2). There were some differences in substrate, watershed size, and
flow characteristics between the two streams. Ollis Creek has a much larger
watershed with the stream more susceptible to drastic flow fluctuations. No
26
-------
Business Creek has a more rubble and gravel substrate while Ollis Creek more
boulder and bedrock; however, these comparisons are useful to examine
differences in biotic potential of the two streams. A total of 44 taxa was
collected from Station 1 (Mile 0.78) on Ollis Creek. Almost twice as many
(83) taxa were collected from the comparable station on No Business Creek.
This difference in number of species was most evident in the Ephemeroptera and
Plecoptera (4 taxa from Ollis Creek, 14 from No Business Creek). Total biomass
of all organisms collected from No Business Creek was almost double that of
Ollis Creek. Total numbers were almost seven times greater at the No Business
station. Species diversity (Table 10) was higher at No Business Creek Station
1 (6.29) than at Ollis Creek Station 1 (4.24).
The middle station on No Business Creek (Station 2) also showed much
greater diversity than Station 6 on Ollis Creek. Eighteen taxa were taken
from Ollis Creek, 53 from No Business Creek. Four taxa of Ephemeroptera and
Plecoptera were collected from Ollis Creek, and 17 from No Business Creek.
Total biomass collected was almost 10 times greater in No Business Creek than
in Ollis Creek. Species diversity was much greater on No Business Creek with
No Business Creek Station 2 recording 7.54 while at the corresponding Ollis
Creek station species diversity was 3.36 (Table 10).
The differences in number of taxa persisted in the upper stations (Table
10) on the two streams (57 for No Business Station 3 as compared with 29 for
Thompson Creek). However, the total biomass was greater for the organisms in
Thompson Creek. These differences in biomass were due mainly to the large
biomass of organisms such as crayfish, odonates, and trichopterans
(Diplectrona). The number of species of ephemeropterans and plecopterans was
much higher in No Business Creek (4 species as compared with 20). The total
number of organisms collected was more than three times as great at the No
Business Creek station. Diversity was higher in No Business Creek (7.8b)
than in the Thompson Creek station (4.55).
Fish
A total of seven species was collected in No Business Creek (Appendix
1-1) while four species were collected in Ollis Creek during 1975-1976
(Appendix 1-2). Creek chub was the only species common to both streams
(Appendix 1-3). Emerald shiner, white sucker, and bluegill were unique to
Ollis Creek, while stoneroller, bluntnose minnow, blacknose dace, northern hog
sucker, stripetail darter, and arrow darter were collected only in No Business
Creek. The absence of darters from Ollis Creek is an indicator of environ-
mental problems. The emerald shiners, white suckers, and bluegills in Ollis
Creek were restricted to the reservoirs. Differential land use of the water-
sheds, size of the two streams, and blockage of immigration by the reservoirs
on Ollis Creek probably contributed to the differences in species occurrence
in the two streams.
SUMMARY
Long-term effects of remedial treatment on the water quality and the
aquatic communities of Ollis Creek are yet to be determined; however, some
27
-------
TABLE 10. COMPARISON OF AQUATIC ABUNDANCE DATA (SQUARE FOOT SURBER SAMPLES) COLLECTED FROM
CORRESPONDING STATIONS ON OLLIS CREEK AND THOMPSON CREEK, AND NO BUSINESS CREEK FROM
NOVEMBER 1975 THROUGH JULY 1976
00
Total Number
Range
Mean
Total Biomass (m)
Total Taxa
Species Diversity*
01 Us Creek
Station 1
142
1-29
35.5
11.2
22
4.2
No Business
Station 1
932
1-509
233.0
25.9
44
6.3
Ollis Creek
Station 6
117
1-53
29.2
8.5
17
3.4
No Business
Station 2 Thompson Creek
1,126
1-206
281.5
42.7
54
7.5
304
1-116
76.0
27.6
27
4.6
No Business
Station 3
1,095
1-122
273. 8
20.0
56
7.9
* According to Marglef (14).
-------
initial changes are noted in this baseline report. Upper Ollis Creek,
Thompson Creek, Yellow Branch, and Unnamed Tributary have shown increases in
pH, and decreases in alkalinity, sulfate, iron, and manganese. These changes
were small; however, in all cases, at least one water quality parameter
remained at unacceptable levels. The level of water quality parameters at
Station 1 indicated the entire length of Ollis Creek was affected by acid
mine drainage. Laurel Branch was relatively unaffected by surface mining,
but other activities (road construction) contributed to water quality
problems. Water quality parameters on Laurel Branch remained generally
constant, with some change during the 1975-1976 sampling.
Water quality of Ollis Creek and its tributaries was different from that
of an undisturbed watershed, No Business Creek. On Ollis Creek, there was
evidence of concentrations of water quality parameters associated with acid
mine drainage (low pH, high sulfates, iron, and manganese). These parameters
indicated a degradation that began shortly after surface mining and has
continued. Some preliminary changes appear to be taking place in treated
portions of Ollis Creek (e.g., an increase in pH), but only additional
monitoring will be able to determine whether these trends will continue.
The total number of taxa of aquatic invertebrates in Ollis Creek and its
tributaries declined drastically from 71 during mining to 40 after conventional
treatment and increased to 49 during remedial treatments. These increases
were most evident in Thompson Creek, which was heavily impacted by mining.
Seasonal fluctuations would appear to account for the lowered mean numbers of
invertebrates collected in Ollis Creek and its tributaries from August through
October 1975. During this period streamflows were low and water temperatures
elevated. Mean numbers increased in the nine months following October.
Future planned monitoring should provide data to more accurately assess benthic
community changes and help evaluate which changes are seasonal and which are
responses to remedial treatments.
At least three species of fish have disappeared from Ollis Creek since
1970. When compared with No Business Creek, Ollis Creek had only half as many
species present during early remedial treatment monitoring. These differ-
ences are probably due to the direct or indirect impacts of acid mine drainage.
The species collected on Ollis Creek could be considered relatively tolerant
of environmental stresses. It appears from collection localities that the
species present are living in the reservoirs and not in the flowing portions
of Ollis Creek.
29
-------
SECTION 6
RESERVOIR SEDIMENTATION
Beginning in October 1970 surveys of sediment deposition in Reservoir
No. 2 (Figure 1) were taken annually by TVA's Division of Natural Resources
Services to monitor effects of the mining.
From closure-of the dam in 1964 until 1970, sediment deposition totaled
14,796 meters (m ) (12 acre-feet) resulting in a storage loss of 1.8 percent
and leaving a storage capacity of 800,217 m (649 acre-feet). Between October
1970 and October 1§74, sediment deposition totaled 36,990 m (30 acre-feet)
ranging from 617 m 90.5 acre-feet) in 1971 to 160,029 m (13 acre-feet) in
1973. Reservoir storage loss for the four-year period amounted to 3.6 percent
and left a storage capacity of 763,227 m (619 acre-feet).
The low rate of sediment deposition the first year after mining was
attributed to the slow movement of sediment down the outslopes and into small
drains below mined areas. In 1972 and 1973, with rainfall averaging some
45.7 cm (18 in.) above normal, this sediment, plus additional contributions,
was deposited in the reservoir. Intense storms in the spring of these two
years resulted in heavy washing of watershed logging roads and in washing out
of small sediment traps in drains below mined areas. The rate of deposition
in 1974 was less than half the rate of 1973 even though rainfall during the
year was 189.5 cm (74.6 in.)—58.4 cm (23 in.) above normal.
These annual surveys are continuing and provide a basis for measuring
improvements following remedial treatment of the affected mine acreage.
30
-------
SECTION 7
PHASE II REPORT
This Phase I report establishes baseline and initial treatment condi-
tions. Phase II will evaluate early effects of remedial reclamation
treatments through continued monitoring of the terrestrial and aquatic
ecosystems.
Except for some followup land treatment required by vegetation establishment
failures, all remedial work scheduled on the affected 162 ha (308 ac) through
the 77-78 planting season has been completed. Results of the intensive
treatment applied over the three-year period will be evaluated in terras of
vegetation establishment, water quality, aquatic invertebrate and fish changes,
and reservoir sedimentation rate. Response of terrestrial fauna (small mam-
mals and songbirds) will also be reported.
31
-------
REFERENCES
1. USDA Soil Conservation Service. 1959 (Rev. 1972). General Soil
Survey Map of Campbell County, Tennessee. I.D. 4-R-22617.
Nashville, Tennessee.
2. Wilson, C. W., Jr., and J. W. Jewell, E. T. Luther. 1956.
Pennsylvania Geologic Survey of the Cumberland Plateau. State
of Tennessee Department of Conservation, Division of Geology.
Nashville, Tennessee.
3. Luther, E. T. 1959. The Coal Reserves of Tennessee. State of
Tennessee Department of Conservation and Commerce, Division of
Geology Bulletin 63, Nashville, Tennessee.
4. Keystone Coal Industry Manual. 1976. A McGraw-Hill Publication,
New York, New York 10020.
5. Fowler, D. K. 1973. Wildlife Habitat Improvement Demonstration,
Ollis Creek Coal Strip Mine, Campbell County, Tennessee. Progress
Report No. 1, Ident. No. 885-43-01.02. FF&WD, TVA, Norris,
Tennessee. January.
6. Vogel, W. G. 1971. Needs in Revegetation Research on Surface-
mined Land. Proc. Revegetation and Economic Use of Surface-
mined Land and Mine Refuse Symposium. Pipestem State Park, West
Virginia. December.
7. Maddox, J. B. and D. K. Fowler. 1974. Ollis Creek Coal Strip
Mine Reclamation: Problem Analysis and Proposed Solution. Campbell
County, Tennessee. Report No. 999-43-10. FF&WD, TVA, Norris,
Tennessee.
8. TVA Water Quality Branch. 1972. Water Quality Data on Ollis
Creek, Summary Tables, TVA Division of Environmental Planning,
Chattanooga, Tennessee.
9. TVA Environmental Biology Branch. 1972. Biological Surveillance
of Ollis Creek. Internal Report TVA Division of Environmental
Planning, Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
10. Maddox, J. B. 1973. Influence of Lime and Topsoil on Vegetation
Establishment of Acid Spoils. FF&WD, Internal Report, TVA, Norris,
Tennessee.
32
-------
11. McCarthy, Dennis. 1975. Field Survey Manual for the Vegetation
of the Tennessee Valley. FF&WD, TVA, Norris, Tennessee.
12. Ott, Donald Wesley. 1978. Comparative Analyses of Adjacent
Vegetated and Bare Strip Mine Spoils. Ph.D. Dissertation,
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee. 70 pp.
13. American Public Health Association. 1960. Standard Methods
for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, Including Bottom
Sediment and Sludges. New York.
14. Margalef, R. Diversidad de Especies en las Communidas Naturales.
Proc. Inst. Biol., Apl. 9, 5. 1951.
33
-------
APPENDIX A
KOPPERS PROPERTY
Proposed Contract Reclamation Provisions
Contractor agrees to perform in accordance with the following standards
and to the satisfaction of TVA reclamation and conservation work upon all
lands which are affected by the strip mining (including surface auger) of any
coal supplied under this contract.
a. Contractor shall, as closely as practicable following the raining
operation, cover coal faces and bury all toxic materials including
coal wastes and strongly acid shales.
b. Contractor shall seal off any breakthrough to former underground
mines.
c. Contractor shall conduct the mining in such a manner as to keep
the drainage free of spoil. This will include no mining activities
(except building roadways) within 100 feet of any stream channel.
d. Contractor shall control water from the mines and haul roads by:
(1) Channeling runoff into drainages either naturally noneroding
or made that way through construction of checks, or
(2) by impoundments, or
(3) a combination of (1) and (2).
e. Contractor shall cover all holes at the face that have been made
by augers.
f. Contractor shall grade the spoil banks as necessary to provide
for the reestablishment of vegetation.
g. Contractor shall conduct raining and reclamation so that any spoil
placed on the slope below the bench will be handled with the
objective of preventing landslides. This provision will require
that all organic material in the proposed cut and fill sections be
removed and windrowed just below the calculated toe of the fill
material. It will also control the bench width of the first cut
in relation to the steepness of slope as follows:
34
-------
APPENDIX A (continued)
28°+ No surface mining
26.1° - 28° 80'
24.1° - 26° 105'
22.1° - 24° 125'
20.1° - 22° 145'
18.1° - 20° 165'
0 - 18° No restrictions
In special instances where slope reduction is permitted, the bench
widths may be exceeded as determined by TVA.
No materials from second or subsequent mine cuts will be placed
anywhere on outer one-third of the fill bench created by first
mine cut.
h. Contractor shall seed, mulch, and fertilize by hydroseeder all
spoil material on all outslopes and other critical areas as
determined by TVA within one week of final placement. All other
areas will be seeded and fertilized on the same schedule. Immediate
reseeding, remulching, and refertilization will be required in case
of all failures. During the first winter planting season, deep-
rooted trees and wildlife food and cover plants will be planted on
all outslopes and other areas designated by TVA.
i. To the maximum extent practicable, the foregoing work shall be
performed at the same time the mining operation is taking place,
and all the above work shall be completed no later than 24 months
after the delivery of all the coal supplied under this contract,
unless TVA agrees to a longer period of time.
j. To help develop improved mining and reclamation techniques,
Contractor shall cooperate with TVA in conducting selected
tests and demonstrations in conjunction with the contract
mining operation. All costs of this work will be borne by
TVA, based on accurate records maintained by the Contractor.
TVA shall have the right to inspect the Contractor's mining operation
and the lands involved from time to time to determine the Contractor's
compliance with the foregoing standards. TVA shall at all times be the
sole judge as to whether Contractor is complying with the standards set out
above. TVA, in its discretion, may accept as fulfillment of the requirements
of this contract compliance by the Contractor with applicable reclamation laws
having standards comparable to the foregoing.
35
-------
APPENDIX B
SILT STRUCTURES BUILT
IN OLLIS CREEK WATERSHED
Number of Silt Control
Structures
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
4
4
1
2
5
Location
Below the road on Ollis Creek
Below the road on Ollis Creek
Below the road on Ollis Creek
Below the main road near the
Flatwoods section
Rock structure off the haul
road - Ollis Creek
Rock structure in head of
Ollis Creek
Rock structure on Ollis Creek
Structure completed on
Yel low Branch
Rock structure on Ollis Creek
Rock structure on Thompson Creek
Rock structures on Thompson Creek
Rock structures on Number Thirteen
Hollow
Rock structures in the head of
Ollis Creek
Silt structures in a small
tributary off Ollis Creek
Silt structures built in Number
Twelve Hollow
Date
5-22-70
5-28-70
6-19-70
7-24-70
9-25-70
9-25-70
10-9-70
10-9-70
10-23-70
10-23-70
5-4-71
10-5-71
12-20-71
1-18-72
10-27-71
36
-------
APPENDIX B (Continued)
Number of Silt Control
Structures Location Date
Rock structure below haul road
in 01 Us Creek 1-18-72
Both rock structures on Ollis
Creek were rebuilt on Ollis Creek 2-17-72
One additional rock structure
was built on Ollis Creek 2-17-72
Silt basins were built below
the three basins which were
constructed in April and May
1970 near the old road leading
to the lake
Earthern silt structures were
built and/or rebuilt between
April and November 1974: One
each in Number Twelve Hollow,
Number Thirteen Hollow, and
Yellow Branch; three in small
Ollis Creek tributaries west
of Yellow Branch 11-8-74
37
-------
APPENDIX C
SUMMARY OF SURFACE MINE TEST AND DEMONSTRATION
ACTIVITIES IN OLLIS CREEK WATERSHED
Establishment Date
Description
December 1970
March 1971
April 1971
October 1971
November 1971
April 1972
April 1972
April 1972
June 1972
October 1972
Revegetation demonstration with
municipal compost.
Grass and legume seeding test
demonstration.
Demonstration of wildlife habitat
improvement—initial planting of
wildlife food and cover plants.
Mulching materials soil conditioning
test—pine bark, hardwood shredded
bark, municipal compost, lime.
Neutralization of Ollis Creek acid
spoils—greenhouse pot experiment,
Soils and Fertilizer Branch, Muscle
Shoals, Alabama.
Wildlife habitat improvement
demonstration—5,700 plants added.
Wildlife plant pH tolerance and
screening studies—seven species.
Lime and topsoil as site modifiers.
Documentation of improvement in soil
acidity brought by weathering and use
of spoil amendments.
Effect of various fertilizer concen-
trations on germination of grass
and legume seed applied to Ollis
Creek spoils—greenhouse pot
experiment, Norris, Tennessee.
38
-------
APPENDIX C (Continued)
Establishment Date Description
April 1973 Wildlife habitat improvement
demonstration—6,850 plants added,
April 1973 Wildlife plant pH tolerance and
screening test—11 species.
April 1973 Tests of selected woody and
herbaceous plants to grow on
acid spoils.
39
-------
APPENDIX D
(Supplemental information on vegetation)
TABLE D-l. PLANT SPECIES FOUND ON THE MINE SITE FALL 1975
Grasses
Common name
Broomsedge
Fescue, K-31
Lovegrass, weeping
Millet, foxtail
Millet, wild
Panicum
Ryegrass, perennial
Switchgrass
Legumes
Clover, red
Kobe lespedeza
Korean lespedeza
Lespedeza sericea
Sicklepod
Composites
Aster, fall
Aster, white
Daisy, field
Dandelion
Fleabane
Goldenrod
Wild lettuce
Small ragwort
Tickseed
White snakeroot
Miscellaneous
Blackberries
Buckwheat
Knotweed
Smartweed, Pennsylvania
Sorrel, red
Cattails
Scientific name
Andropogon virginicus L.
Festuca arundlnacea Schreb., (var.)
Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees
Setaria italica (L.) Beauvois
Echinochloa crusgalli (L) Beauv.
Panicum spp.
Lolium perenne L.
Panicum virgatum L.
Trifolium pratense L.
Lespedeza striata (Thunb.) H.
Lespedeza stipulacea Maxim.
Lespedeza cuneata (Dumont) G.
Cassia tora L.
Aster spp.
Aster spp.
Chrysanthemum spp.
Taraxacum officinale Wiggers
Erigeron spp.
Solidago spp.
Lactuca scarlola L.
Senecio smallii Britton
Coreopsis spp.
Eupatorium rugosum Houtt.
Rubus allegheniensis Porter
Polygonum spp.
Polygonum pennsylyanlcum L.
Rumex acetosella L.
Typha latifolia L.
& A.
Don
40
-------
TABLE D-l. (continued)
Fern and Fern Allies
Club moss
Fern, bracken
Fern, hartford
Fireweed
Fungi
Puff ball
Mushroom
Greenbrier
Lichen
Moss
Pokeweed
Sedge
Nutsedge
Bulrush
Purslane, common
Whorled loosestrife
Woody species
Autumn olive
Filbert
Locust, black
Maple, red
Oak, sawtooth
Pine, loblolly
Pine, shortleaf
Pine, Virginia
Shrub lespedeza
Sourwood
Sumac, staghorn
Sweetgum
Yellow-poplar
Lycopodium spp.
Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn.
Lygodium palmaturn (Bernh.) Swartz
Epilobium angustifolium L.
Calvatia spp.
Amanita spp.
Smilax rotundifolia L.
Cladonia spp.
Polytrichum spp. Roth
Phytolacca americana L.
Cyperus spp.
Scirpus spp.
Portulaca oleracea L.
Lysimachia quadrifolia L.
Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.
Corylus americana Walt.
Robinia pseudoacacia L.
Acer rubrum L.
Quercus acutissima Corruthers
Pinus taeda L.
Pinus echinata Mill.
Pinus virginiana Mill.
Lespedeza bicolor Turcz.
Oxvdendrum arboreum (L.) DC.
Rhus typhina L.
Liquidambar styraciflua L.
Liriodendron tulipifera L.
41
-------
TABLE D-2. OCCLRRcNCE, MEAN lEIGHF, AHD PERCENT COMPOSITION OF GRASS SPECIES BY SECTORS FALL 1975
Occurrence
Species (pet)
Broomaedge
Fescue, K-31
Love grass, weeping
Millet, foxtail
Millet, wild
Panicum
Rye grass, perennial
SvltchgraM
12.1
8S.1
7.1
-
-
U.2
0.7
l.U
Sector 1
Mean
Ht. Coamoaition*
(cm) (pet)
50.2 2.7
20.1 75.1
2U.1 3.3
-
-
U2.0 1.1
20.0 0.1
26.5 1-3
Sector 2
Mean
Occurrence Ht. Composition
(pet) (em) (pet)
7.2 52.3 3.3
U.5 12.9 28.0
1*.2 15.6 40.7
1.0 15.0 0.5
_
8.2 17.6 1.4
-
2.0 29.5 2.4
Sector 3
Mean
Occurrence Ht. Composition
(pet) («) (pet)
13.1 31.5 11.6
15.1 25.5 33.8
5.0 25.5 6-3
.
1.0 60.0 2.1
lU.l 25.5 17.0
.
1.0 10.0 1.0
Sector k
Mean
Occurrence Ht. Composition
(pet) (em) (pet)
6.0 Ul.8 2.7
U6.0 17.7 81.1
.
-
_
5.0 17.1* 6.7
.
1.0 20.0 0.1
+ The number of plots on which a species occurred divided by the total number sampled.
' Values represent the relationship of one herbaceous species to another with the total based on 100 percent in terms of existing cover.
*Leas than one-tenth of one percent.
-------
TABLE D-3. OCCURRENCE. MEAN HEIGHT. AMD PERCENT COMPOSITION OF LEGUME SPECIES BY SECTORS F4LL 1975
Species
Clover, red
Kobe lespedeza
-ts
U> Korean lespedeza
Serlcea lespedeza
Sicklepod
Occurrence''"
(pet)
-
-
2.8
25.0
-
Sector
Mean
Ht.
(on)
-
-
15.25
88.5
-
Composition'
(pet)
-
-
0.9
11.0
-
Occurrence
(pet)
2
-
5.1
3^.0
-
Sector
MBU
Ht.
8.0
-
15.6
19.8
-
Composition
(pet)
0.1
-
3.3
7.3
—
Sector 3
Mean
Occurrence Ht.
(pet) (c.)
-
1.0 23.0
-
5.0 19.8
- -
Conposition
(pet)
-
2.1
-
0.8
-
Sector U
Mean
Occurrence Rt.
(pet) (e.)
-
-
-
-
1.0 24.7
Composition
(pet)
-
-
-
-
*
* The number of plots on which • species occurred divided by the total number sasipled.
* Values represent the relationship of one herbaceous species to another with the total based on 100 percent In terns of existing cover.
*Less than one-tenth of one percent.
-------
TABLE D-4. OCCURRENCE, MEAD HEIGHT. AMD PERCENT COMPOSITION OF COMPOSITE SPECIES BY SECTORS FALL 1975
Species
Aster, fall
Aster, white
Daisy, field
Dandelion
Fleabane
Goldenrod
Small ragwort
Tickseed
White snakeroot
Wild lettuce
Occurrence
(pet)
2.1
0.7
0.7
-
-
0.7
-
-
-
0.7
Sector
+ Ht.
(cm)
53.3
18.0
37.0
-
-
61.0
-
-
-
1.0
1
Composition'
(pet)
0.6
0.1
*
-
-
0.1
-
-
-
*
Occurrence
(pet)
3.1
3.1
2.1
-
1.0
-
-
-
-
-
Sector
Ht.
(cm)
23.0
40.0
22.5
-
51.0
91.0
-
-
-
-
2
Composition
(pet)
0.5
0.2
0.6
-
0.1
0.1
-
-
-
-
Occurrence
(pet)
4.0
1.0
-
-
-
-
1.0
1.0
1.0
-
Sector 3
Ht. Composition
(cm) (pet)
29.8 0.8
23.0 *
-
-
-
-
25.0 *
20.0 *
10.0 *
-
Occurrence
(pet)
3.0
1.0
-
2.0
1.0
-
-
-
-
1.0
Sector
Ht.
(cm)
65.7
30.0
-
14.5
61.0
-
-
-
-
13.0
it
Composition
(pet)
0.9
1.3
-
0.6
0.3
-
-
-
-
*
+ The number of plots on which a species occurred divided by the total number sampled.
* Values represent the relationship of one herbaceous species to another with the total based on 100 percent in terms of existing cover.
•Less than one-tenth of one percent.
-------
TABLE D-5. OCCURRENCE, MEAN HEIGHT. AND PERCENT COMPOSITION OF MISCELLANEOUS SPECIES BY SECTORS FALL 1975
-O
Ul
Species
Blackberries
Buckwheat
Knotveed
Saar tweed, Fenn.
Sorrel, red
Catcalls
Fern & Fern allies
Club moss
Fern, bracken
Fern, hartford
Flreweed
Fungi
Puffball
Mushroom
Creenbrler
Lichen, fructlcose
Loosestrife, whorled
Moss
Pokeweed
Purslane, common
Sedges
Mutsedge
Bulrush
Sector 1
+ Mean
Occurrence Ht. Composition
(pet) (cm) (pet)
0.7
_
1.4
-
2.1
-
-
-
-
1.4
-
2.1
1.4
-
3.5
0.7
-
1.4
2.1
30.0 *
_
45.0 0.7
-
87.0 0.9
_
-
-
-
7.0 *
-
17.0 0.1
0.5 0.2
-
0.8 0.1
152.0 0.1
-
5.5 0.1
131.7 1.5
Sector 2
0 Mean
Occurrence Ht. Composition
(pet) (cm) (pet)
5.1
_
1.0
2.1
3.1
-
-
-
1.0
_
1.0
3.1
1.0
-
2.1
1.0
-
4.1
3.1
38.8
_
1B.O
5.0
34.0
-
-
-
25. U
-
8.0
19.3
1.0
-
7.0
76.0
-
5.2
77.3
1.9
_
0.9
0.8
3.9
--
-
-
*
-
0.4
0.1
0.2
-
0.6
*
-
1.4
1.3
Sector 3
Mean
Occurrence Ht. Composition
(pet) (cm) (pet)
1.0
1.0
2.0
2.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
2.0
4.0
-
1.0
6.1
1.0
1.0
4.0
-
1.0
1.0
1.0
15.0
5.0
30.0
2.0
23.0
1.0
13.0
15.0
25.8
-
1.0
21.0
1.0
25.0
1.0
-
23.0
3.0
5.0
0.6
3.3
4.6
0.5
2.1
0.2
0.5
0.5
4.1
-
*
1.7
*
*
3.8
-
0.2
*
2.4
Sector 4
Mean
Occurrence Ht. Composition
(pet) (cm) (pet)
-
_
2.0 16.5
1.0 1.0
1.0 122.0
-
-
- -
-
-
1.0 8.0
-
-
-
5.0 1.0
2.0 25.5
-
2.0 13.0
1.0 122.0
-
-
1.0
*
1.0
-
-
-
-
-
*
-
-
-
0.4
2.0
-
0.6
1.3
•»• The number of plots on which a species occurred divided by the total number sampled. nn „„„„_, .„ ..-,„.,, Of pxlstlne cover.
t Values represent the relationship of one herbaceous species to another with thVtotal based on 100 percent In terms of existing cov
• Less than one-tenth of one percent.
-------
APPENDIX E
(Supplemental information on water quality)
TABLE E-l.
COMPARISON OF WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS COLLECTED AT THOMPSON CREEK MILE 0.01 DURING MINING AND CONVENTIONAL RECLAMATION AND DURING
REMEDIAL TREATMENT
Water
Date Temp. °C
Turbidity
JTU
Total
Alkalinity
CaCo3
pH mg/1
Total
Acidity
CaCo,
mg/1
Sulfate
mg/1
Iron
Fe
mg/1
Manganese
Mn
mg/1
Total
Hardness
n.R/1
During Mining and Conventional Reclamation
02/10/71
03/09/71
04/13/71
05/03/71
06/07/71
07/07/71
08/10/71
09/08/71
11/02/71
12/01/71
02/09/71
04/18/72
07/25/72
10/25/72
During Remedial Treatment
10/30/75
11/20/75
12/18/75
01/21/76
02/18/76
03/16/76
04/07/76
05/19/76
06/15/76
0.3
2.8
11.7
11.5
21.1
21.7
18.6
16.9
15.0
5.0
_
10.8
21.4
10.8
_
9.5
_
1
5
7.2
11.7
13.3
20.0
5
3
4
5
1
2
1
2
10
1
_
5
1
1
-------
TABLE E-2
COMPARISON OF WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS COLLECTED AT YELLOW BRANCH MILE 0.13 DURING MINING AND CONVENTIONAL RECLAMATION AND BEFORE
AND DURING REMEDIAL TREATMENT
Dace
Water
Temp. "C
Turbidity
JTU
Total
Alkalinity
CaCo3
PH mg/1
Totalf .
Acidity
Ca&>3
mg/1
Sulfate
S04
mg/1
Iron
Fe
mg/1
Manganese
Mn
mg/1
Total
Hardness
Bg/1
Cond.
25C
Micromho
During Mining and Conventional Reclamation
C2/10/71
03/09/71
04/13/71
05/03/71
06/07/71
07/07/71
08/09/71
09/08/71
10/04/71
11/02/71
12/01/71
02/09/72
04/18/72
05/23/72
07/25/72
10/25/72
Before Remedial
08/25/75
09/17/75
10/30/75
During Remedial
11/11/75
12/18/75
01/21/76
02/18/76
03/16/76
04/07/76
05/19/76
06/15/76
.0
5.0
13.6
11.8
21.4
21.9
21.1
16.7
18.3
17.0
5.0
_
13.9
-
21.7
10.8
Treatment
23.3
15.6
12.5
Treatment
10.0
4.0
_
10.0
7.2
13.9
12.8
20.6
20
10
10
20
20
20
70
100
50
20
10
_
30
_
20
15
37
400
2
22
8
3.000
30
27
-
-
6.6
6.7
6.2
7.4
7.2
6.7
7.2
5.0
6.5
6.6
6.9
6.0
6.7
6.6
6.8
6.4
5.3
5.4
4.7
5.7
6.9
6.4
5.0
6.6
6.0
6.2
6.1
7
8
5
12
20
31
24
_
23
9
26
_
7
_
20
12
5
-
0
12
11
11
0
7
6
6
8
4
4
3
1
5
4
4
19
15
8
7
_
5
-
_
5
13
82
90
6
6
_
-
-
_
-
-
45
35
35
30
140
_
60
130
100
75
90
_
80
-
200
160
320
220
160
210
32
180
180
160
180
-
-
1.10
0.52
0.68
1.00
1.70
2.80
3.20
4.80
3.00
2.00
1.10
_
2.80
-
1.80
1.50
3.00
25.00
1.30
3ctf\
.00
2.30
3.00
14.00
2.30
2.10
-
-
0.24
0.06
0.26
0.08
0.14
0.21
0.38
1.20
0.80
2.50
1.30
_
1.90
-
4.60
5.40
14.00
16.00
7.70
67/1
• iU
3.50
8.00
5.80
-
-
-
-
39
26
34
26
92
99
77
110
110
150
90
_
no
-
220
150
-
-
—
_
-
-
-
—
-
-
-
-
120
80
260
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
240
-
460
350
-
-
~
-
-
-
—
—
—
—
-------
TABLE E-3.
COMPARISON OF WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS COLLECTED AT OLLIS CREEK (STATION 1) DURING MINING AND CONVENTIONAL RECLAMATION, AFTER
PARTIAL TREATMENT, AND DURING REMEDIAL TREATMENT
CO
Date
Hater
Temp, "a
Turbidity
JTU
Total
Alkalinity
CaCO3
PH mg/1
Total
Acidity
CaCO,
mg/I
Sulfate
S°4
mg/1
Iron
Fe
mg/1
Manganese
Mn
mg/1
Total
Hardness
mg/1
Cond.
25C
Micromho
During Mining and Conventional Reclamation
02/10/71
03/09/71
04/13/71
05/03/71
06/08/71
07/07/71
08/09/71
09/08/71
10/04/71
11/02/71
12/01/71
02/09/72
04/18/72
05/23/72
07/25/72
10/25/72
After Limited Remedial
07/21/75
08/25/75
09/17/75
10/30/75
3.0
5.5
14.0
13.0
23.3
24.4
23.3
23.3
22.5
18.0
6.0
_
15.6
-
26.1
12.8
Treatment
_
21.7
16.1
14.0
10
9
3
3
6
5
5
9
1
7
4
_
5
_
1
5
3
2
1
<1
5.8
5.8
6.0
7.6
6.8
6.2
6.3
6.7
4.9
6.0
6.9
5.0
5.5
5.3
5.5
4.5
_
5.4
7.0
4.5
2
2
2
7
5
9
6
6
_
3
14
-
3
-
2
0
_
28
31
0
5
6
4
<1
3
5
3
2
13
4
4
-
6
-
8
16
_
32
22
70
25
35
23
25
24
_
40
40
95
70
80
_
27
-
120
100
42
56
40
56
0.25
0.28
0.23
0.41
0.48
0.55
0.29
0.47
0.37
0.46
0.31
-
0.29
-
0.22
0.70
0.86
0.32
0.08
0.16
0.56
0.45
0.42
0.40
0.35
0.56
0.71
0.41
1.90
1.80
1.40
-
0.85
-
2.80
2.90
0.98
0.10
0.05
1.30
15
20
18
21
24
41
35
46
74
80
71
-
42
-
46
86
-
-
-
~
_
_
65
100
80
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
110
-
260
230
-
-
-
~
Durlne Reaedlal Treatment
11/20/75
12/18/75
01/21/76
02/18/76
03/16/76
04/07/76
05/19/76
06/15/76
9.0
4.0
_
8.9
10.0
11.7
13.9
21.7
1
2
-
2
2
2
-
-
6.8
6.2
5.4
5.4
5.2
5.2
5.1
5.8
1
<1
1
1
1
<1
0
4
3
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
62
54
-
60
57
43
-
-
0.14
0.32
-
0.78
0.28
0.43
-
-
1.00
1.40
-
1.40
1.20
0.74
-
-
-
-
—
-
-
-
—
-
-
-
~
—
—
-
"
"~
-------
TABLE E-4. WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS COLLECTED AT LAUREL BRANCH BEFORE REMEDIAL TREATMENT
Date
Before Remedial
Treatment
08-25-75
09-17-75
10-30-75
11-20-75
12-18-75
01-21-76
02-18-76
03-16-76
04-07-76
05-19-76
06-15-76
Water
Temp.
°C
22.8
15.6
12.0
9.0
4.0
-
10.0
7.2
10.0
-
20.6
Turbidity
JTU
10
44
150
4
2
5
120
7
7
30
4
PH
5.1
5.9
4.2
6.0
6.8
5.8
5.4
6.0
5.4
5.9
5.8
Total
Alkalin .
mg/1
2
4
0
<1
2
2
1
2
1
2
3
Total
Acidity
mg/1
10
36
7
23
12
2
5
2
7
3
1
Sulfate
mg/1
220
130
59
72
62
42
77
45
59
40
92
Iron
mg/1
.7
2.0
.4
1.0
.4
.6
5.0
.6
.6
.8
.5
Man-
ganese
mg/1
4.1
3.5
1.8
1.2
.7
1.2
1.9
.9
1.3
1.0
2.6
Susp.
Solids
mg/1
10
36
1
23
12
-
-
-
-
-
-
-------
TABLE E-5. WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS COLLECTED AT AN UNNAMED TRIBUTARY TO OLLIS
CREEK BEFORE AND DURING REMEDIAL TREATMENT
Ol
o
Date
Before Remedial
Treatment
10-30-75
During Remedial
Treatment
11-20-75
12-18-75
01-21-76
02-18-76
03-16-76
04-07-76
05-19-76
06-15-76
Water
Temp.
°C
14.4
11.5
4.0
-
10.6
7.2
18.9
13.3
20.0
Turbidity
JTU
7
14
9
14
7000
21
28
12
5
PH
3.4
5.4
6.6
5.8
4.7
6.1
5.0
5.3
5.3
Total
Alkalin.
mg/1
0
11
8
2
0
2
0
1
2
Total
Acidity
mg/1
150
36
26
28
46
26
27
18
18
Sulfate
mg/1
600
790
440
420
210
250
400
310
540
Iron
mg/1
4.0
12.0
12.0
9.4
29.0
8.6
5.4
4.7
3.9
Man- Susp .
ganese Solid;
mg/1 mg/1
23 3
2.0 34
16.0 25
14.0
10.0
12.0
8.5
10.0
12.0
-------
APPENDIX F
(Supplemental information on aquatic invertebrates)
TABLE F-l. TAXA OF BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES COLLECTED BY ALL METHODS
DURING STRIPPING, AFTER PARTIAL REMEDIAL TREATMENT, AND
DURING REMEDIAL TREATMENT IN OLLIS CREEK AND ITS TRIBUTARIES
During
Stripping
1970-71
After partial
Rem. Trmt.*
Aug.-Oct. 1975
During
Rem. Trmt.
Nov. 1975-
July 1976
Platyhelminthes
Planariidae
Nematomorpha
Nematoda
X
X
X
X
Annelida
Oligochaeta
Arthropods
Crustacea
Lirceus
Ascellus
Hyalella
Cambarus bartonii
Insecta
Collembola
Plecoptera
Peltoperla
Brachyptera
Taeniopteryx
Nemoura.
Leuctra
Paraleuctra
Isoperla
Chloroperla
Acroneuria
Ephemeroptera
Ephemera
Caenis
Pseudocleon
Neocleon
Centroptilum
Baetls
Ephemerella
Ameletus
Isonychia
Paraleptophlebia
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
51
-------
TABLE F-l. (continued)
Leptophlebia
Cinygma
Stenonema
Epeorus
Odonata
Micromia
Tetragoneuria
Libellulidae
Boyeria
Cordulegaster
Ophiogomphus
Gomphus
Aeschna
Agrion
Argia
Anax
Ischnura
Coenagrion
Hemiptera
Gerris
Mlcrovelia
Rhagovelia
Notonecta
Gyrinus
Corixidae
Megaloptera
Sialis
Nigronia
Corydalus
Chauloides
Trichoptera
Rhyacophilia
Hydropsyche
Cheumatopsyche
Diplectrona
Chlmarra
Trentonius
Polycentropus
Mystacides
Lepidostoma
Ptilostomls
Neophylax
During
Stripping
1970-71
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
After partial
Rem. Trmt.*
Aug. -Oct. 1975
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
During
Rem. Trmt.
Nov. 1975-
July 1976
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
52
-------
TABLE F-l. (continued)
Pycnopsyche
Llmnophila
Diptera
Chronomidae
Slmulidae
Slmulium
Heleidae
Palpomyia
Tipula
Pedicia
Hexatoma
Eriocera
Antocha
Llmnophila
P liar la
Chrysops
Atherix
Tabanus
Dixa
AdeTphomyia
Coleoptra
Psephenus
Ectoparla
Elmidae
Stenelmis
Optioservus
Dryopidae
Hellchus
Dineutus
Bldessus
Helophorus
Empididae
Dytiscidae
Hydrophllidae
Hydraenldae
Mollusca
Psidium
Total Number of Taxa
During After partial
Stripping Rem. Trmt.*
1970^71 Aug. -Oct. 1975
X
X X
X X
X
X
X X
X X
X X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
71 40
During
Rem. Trmt.
Nov. 1975-
July 1976
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
49
*011is Creek and Thompson Creek received some remedial treatment in fall
1974 and spring 1975.
53
-------
TABLE F-2. COMPARISON OF ABUNDANCE OF AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES BEFORE AND DURING RECLAMATION ON
STREAMS ON THE OLLIS CREEK WATERSHED
Ln
After Limited Remedial
Ollis Creek Mile 0.78
Ollis Creek Mile 1.3
Ollis Creek Mile 3.37
Ollis Creek Mile 4.15
Laurel Branch//
Yellow Branch
Unnamed Tributary
////
Thompson Creek
No.
Mean
20.25
14.90
14.90
10.00
3.10
10.75
1.40
1.50
Treatment*
Per Sq. Foot
Range-H-
4.25
0.75
2.75
2.75
1.00
7.25
1.25
- 45.50
- 25.00
- 31.75
- 22.50
- 6.00
- 22.25
- 1.50
1.50
During Remedial Treatment
No.
Mean
4.00
2.75
2.60
3.40
3.10
3.60
1.00
8.50
Per Sq. Foot
Range
1.50 -
0.25 -
1.00 -
0.25
0.25
0.75 -
0
2.00 -
14.00
7.00
4.50
11.25
7.00
8.50
2.50
35.50
*August - October, 1975
+November, December, 1975; January - July 1976
++Ranges of mean of four samples per month.
//No reclamation yet performed.
////Only one month sampled after limited remedial treatment.
-------
TABLE F-3. MEAN NUMBERS OF AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES COLLECTED IN SQUARE FOOT SURBER SAMPLES AT OLLIS CREEK,
STATION 1, DURING 1975-1976. VALUES REPRESENT MEANS OF FOUR SAMPLES EACH MONTH
Ul
After
Nematomorpha
Annelida
Oligochaeta
Arthropods
Asellus
Cambarus bartonii
Insecta
Plecoptera
Brachyptera
Leuctra
Acroneuria
Ephemeroptera
Stenonema
Epeorus
Isonychia
Baetis
Odonata
Boyeria
Hemiptera
Gerris
Microvelia
Rhagovelia
Mega lopt era
Sialis
Nigronia
Trlchoptera
Hydropsyche
Cheumatopsyche
Chlmarra
Po lye ent ropus
Rhyacophila
Diptera
Chironomidae
Limited
Aug.
0.50
1.75
0.25
2.00
0.50
11.50
0.25
1.25
2.50
12.25
1.50
6.00
1.25
2.50
Remedial Treatment
Sept. Oct.
0.50 0.25
2.50 1.75
2.00
0.25
0.75
0.75
0.50
0.25
0.50 1.50
3.00 0.50
During Remedial Treatment
Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July
- 0.25 -
0.25 - 3.00 1.50 0.50 - - 0.25
- - - 0.25 -
- 1.50 0.50 - 0.25 0.50
0.25 -
0.25 - - - - - 0.25
0.25 -------
-------- 0.25
0.50 -
____---- 0.25
0.25 ----- 0.25 0.25
------- 1.25 6.00
____--- 0.75
0.25 - - - -
_____--- 0.25
0.50 - 0.50 0.50 0.50 2.25 0.50 1.75 0.50
-------
TABLE F-O. (continued)
After Limited Remedial Treatment
Aug . Sept . Oct .
Simulidae - - -
Simulium 0.50
Heleidae - - -
Palpomyia - 0.25
Pedicia - - -
Tipula - - -
Coleoptera
Dryopidae 1.00
Hydrophilidae - - 0.25
Elmidae
Stenelmis - - -
Mollusca
Sphaeriidae - - -
Mean Number of Organisms 45.50 11.00 4.25
Grand Mean - 20.25
During Remedial Treatment
Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July
------ 0.50 0.25
-------- 6.00
0.25 - 0.25
0.50 -----
----- 0.25 -
- - - - 0.25
0.25 -
1.50 - 4.50 3.25 2.75 3.00 1.50 5.00 14.25
- 4.00 -
-------
TABLE F-4. MEAN NUMBERS OF AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES COLLECTED IN SO.UARE FOOT SURBER SAMPLES AT OLLIS CREEK,
STATION 2, DURING 1975-1976. VALUES REPRESENT MEANS OP FOUR SAMPLES EACH MONTH
After
Neaatoda
Annelida
Oligochaeta
Arthropoda
Lirceus
Cambarus bartonii
Insecta
Collembola
Plecoptera
Peltoperla
Brachyptera
Leuctra
Acroneuria
Ephemeroptera
Isonychia
Baetis
Odonata
Agrion
Megaloptera
Sialis
Nlgronia
Corydalus
Trichoptera
Hydropsyche
Cheumat opayche
Diplectrona
Polycentropus
Ptilostomis
Chlmarra
Pycnopsyche
Chironomidae
Slmulidae
Simulium
Palpomyia
Tipula
Limited
Aug.
5.50
0.75
1.50
4.75
0.50
0.50
6.50
0.25
0.25
1.50
2.50
Remedial Treatment
Sept. Oct.
0.50
0.25
0.50 0.25
0.25
0.25
6.00
0.50 0.25
0.25
3.00
1.75
0.25
2.50 0.25
2.00
During Remedial Treatment
Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May
2.00 5.50 - 0.25
------ 0.25
0.25 - - 0.25
0.25 ------
----- 0.25 0.25
0.25 -----
0.25 - - 0.25
0.25 -
- 0.25 - - -
0.25 -
0.50 -
0.25 -
0.25 _ - - -
0.25 3.50 0.25 0.25 - 0.50
0.25 -
0.25 0.25 -
June July
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25
1.00
0.25
2.75
0.75
0.25
-------
TABLE F-4. (continued)
oo
After
Antocha
Eriocera
Coleoptera
Dryopidae
Dytiscidae
Hydrophilidae
Empididae
Elmidae
Mean Number of Organisms
Grand Mean
Limited Remedial Treatment
Aug.
_
-
0.25
-
-
-
0.25
25.00
-
Sept. Oct.
_
-
-
-
0.25
0.25
0.50
19.00 0.75
14.90
During
Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb.
0.25
- 0.25
_
- - - -
_ _
_
- - - -
0.25 1.00 7.75 7.00
_
Remedial Treatment
Mar. Apr. May
• « «.
_
- - -
0.25
_
_
— — —
0.75 0.75 1.25
2.75
June July
_ _
-
-
- -
-
-•
— —
3.00 3.25
-
-------
TABLE F-5. MEAN NUMBERS OF AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES COLLECTED IN SQUARE FOOT SURBER SAMPLES AT OLLIS CREEK,
STATION 3, DURING 1975-1976. VALUES REPRESENT MEANS OF FOUR SAMPLES PER MONTH
Ui
After Limited Remedial Treatment
Aug. Sept. Oct.
Platyhelmintbes
Flanariidae - - -
Annelida
Oligochaeta - - -
Arthropoda
Cambarus bartonii 0.25 - 0.25
Insecta
Colleabola
Pleloptera
Brachyptera - - 0.25
Ephemeroptera
Baetia 0.50
Odonata
Boyeria - -
Age ion - - -
Hemiptera
Gerris - - 0.25
Megaloptera
Corydalus 0.25
Sialis - - -
Trichoptera
Hydropsyche 29.50 3.00 1.25
Cheumatopsyche - - -
Polycentropus 1.00 0.25 0.25
Pycnopgyche - - -
Diptera
Chironomidae - 6.50 0.25
Simulidae
SiBulium 0.25 0.50
Palpomyia - -
Eriocera - -
Tipula
Coleoptera
Gyrinus - -
Mean Number of Organisms 31.75 10.25 2.75
Grand Mean - 14.90
During Remedial Treatment
Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July
0.25 - 1.50 0.25 - 1.25 -
- 0.50 - 0.25 -
0.25
0.50 ________
----- 0.25 0.25
1.50 0.50 0.50 - - 1.25 - - 0.50
0.25 -
0.50 0.25 0.25 - 0.50 0.25 0.25 1.25 0.75
0.25 - 0.25 -
0.25 - 0.50 0.25 1.25 0.50
___-_--- 0.25
0.25 --------
_ 0.25 - 0.50 0.25
4.50 4.00 1.25 4.50 1.25 3.75 1.00 3.75 2.25
- - - - 2.60 -
-------
TABLE F-6. MEAN HUMBERS OF AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES COLLECTED IN SQUARE FOOT SURBER SAMPLES AT LAUREL BRANCH
DURING 1975-1976. VALUES REPRESENT MEANS OF FOUR SAMPLES EACH MONTH
Platyhelminthes
Planariidae
Nematoda
Annelida
Oligochaeta
Arthropods
Lirceus
Cambarus bartonii
Insecta
Collembola
Plecoptera
Peltoperla
Brachyptera
Nemoura
Leuctra
Chloroperla
Acroneuria
Ephemeroptera
Ephemera
Ephemerella
Leptophlebia
Hemiptera
Gerris
Rhagovelia
Megaloptera
Sialis
Nigronla
Trichoptera
Hydropsyche
Cheumatopsyche
Polycentropus
Pycnopsyche
Aug.
0.75
0.25
0.25
0.25
1.00
1.75
1.00
2.00
0.25
Before Remedial Treatment
Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July
0.25 --------
0.25 ----------
1.50 - - 1.00 0.25 5.75 0.25 0.25 2.00 1.50
------- 0.25 -
1.25 - - 0.25 - - 1.25 - - 1. 00
0.25 0.50 0.50 -------
0.75 -
- - - 0.25 - 0.25 - - - -
----- 0.25 - - - -
0.50 -
0.25 --------- 0.25
------- 0.25 0.25
- - - - 0.25 ------
0.15 ----------
0.15 ----------
_____--- 0.25 0.50
-____---- 0.25
0.25 ----------
- 0.25 ------
0.50 0.25 0.25 0.25 -
Limnephila
-------
TABLE F-6. (continued)
Before Remedial Treatment
Dipt era
Chiron omidae
Heleidae
Palpomyia
Eriocera
Bexatooa
Tipula
Coleoptera
Dryopidae
Dytiscidae
Uydrophilidae
Eapididae
Elmidae
lean Number of Organisms
irand Mean
Aug.
1.40
0.25
_
—
_
-
-
-
-
0.50
0.25
2.25
_
Sept. Oct. Nov.
0.75 0.75
_ _ —
0.25
0.25
_ _ _
_
0.25
_ _
_
_ _
— - -
6.00 1.00 0.75
3.10
Dec. Jan.
- -
- -
— _
- -
— -
0.25
-
-
0.25
-
— —
3.50 1.75
_ _
Feb. Mar.
-
0.25
- -
-
0.25
0.50
-
-
-
- -
— —
6.75 2.50
3.10
Apr. May
0.50
_ -
— -
0.25
- -
0.25
0.25
-
-
- -
— •
1.75 3.50
-
June
2.00
-
-
-
0.25
-
-
0.50
-
—
~
7.00
-
July
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
—
~
0.25
-
-------
TABLE F-7. MEAN NUMBER OF AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES COLLECTED IN SQUARE FOOT SURBER SAMPLES AT YELLOW BRANCH
DURING 1975-1976. VALUES REPRESEST MEANS OF FOUR SAMPLES PER MOSTH
Before Rei
Aug.
Platyhelminthes
Planar iidae
Annelida
Oligochaeta -
Arthropoda
Cambarus bartonii 0.25
Insecta
Collembola
Plecoptera
Peltoperla 0.25
Brachyptera
Nemoura -
Leuctra
Hemiptera
Corixidae -
Gerris
Megaloptera
Sialis 0.25
Chauloides
Trichoptera
Hydropsyche 3.00
Cheumatopsyche -
Diplectrona
Pycnopsyche -
Chimarra
Dipt era
Chlronomidae 2.00
Sinu Iidae
Heleidae
Eriocera
Hexatoma 1.50
Pedicia
Ttpula
Coleoptera
Dryopidae -
Dytiscidae —
Mean Number of Organisms 7.25
Grand Mean
nedial Treatment
Sept. Oct.
0.25
0.25
0.75
0.25
0.25
0.25 0.25
0.25 0.50
0.25
19.25 0.50
0.50
1.25
0.25
22.25 2.75
10.75
During Remedial Treatment
Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July
2.0 - 0.25 - 0.25 - - 0.75
___-__- 0.50
------- 0.25
0.25 0.25 - 0.25 - 0.25 _ - -
0.75 ____----
0.25 -------
------- 0.25
0.75 - 0.25 -
------ 0.50
0.25 ------ 2.00
0.50 - 0.50 -
------- 0.50 1.75
- - - 0.25 - - - - -
2.75 - 0.75 0.75 1.50 0.25 - - 0.25
0.25 ------
------ 0.25
- - - - 0.25 -
0.25 --------
0.25 ------
2.50 1.75 2.50 ].25 2.00 1.25 - - 0.25
____--- 0.25
8.50 2.50 5.25 2.50 4.75 1.75 0.75 2.50 3.75
- 3.60 -
-------
TABLE F-8. MEAN NUMBERS OF AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES COLLECTED IN SQUARE FOOT SURBER SAMPLES AT OLLIS CREEK
STATION 6, DURING 1975-1976. MEAN VALUES REPRESENT MEANS OF FOUR SAMPLES PER MONTH
After Limited Remedial Treatment
Annelida
Oligochaeta
Arthropoda
Cambarus bartonii
Insecta
Pleloptera
Feltoperla
Brachyptera
Leuctra
Acroneuria
Hemlptera
Gerris
u> Mlcrovelia
Megaloptera
Slalis
Nigronia
Trichoptera
Hydropsyche
Cheuaatopsyche
Diplectrona
Polycentropus
Pycnopsyche
Dipt era
Chironomldae
Heleidae
Palpomyia
Hexatoma
Pedicia
Tipula
Coleoptera
Dryopidae
Dytiscidae
Hydrophilidae
Mean Number of Organisms
Grand Mean
Aug.
-
0.50
-
1.25
—
-
0.75
1.00
_
-
0.25
-
0.50
-
-
0.50
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4.75
-
Sept. Oct.
-
-
-
0.50
_ _
0.75
— -
-
0.25 1.00
0.75
0.25 0.25
6.75
-
1.25 0.25
-
9.00 0.75
2.75
-
0.25
During Remedial Treatment
Nov. Dec. Jan,
0.25
_
_
0.5
0.25
0.25
_
_
1.00
_
0.25 -
0.50
_
_ _
0.25 - - .
_ -
_
0.25
- - -
_ _ - -
0.25 i 0.75 -
!!
ji -
1: ^_
0.25
22.50 2.75
_ — —
2.75 0.25 1.25
10.00 ! -
Feb.
0.25
-
-
-
0.25
-
-
-
-
0.25
-
0.75
-
-
-
0.25
-
-
-
-
0.25
-
-
-
2.00
-
Mar . Apr . May
0.25 -
0.25
0.50
0.75
0.25
_
_ _ -
_
0.25 - 0.25
_
_
0.75 -
_
_
0.25
0.25
-
_ _ -
- - -
— - -
— — —
0.25
0.25
— ~ ""
1.25 2.25 0.75
3.40
June July
- -
-
-
-
1.25 1.00
-
-
-
0.25
0.75
0.75
- -
2.0
— —
— —
8.75 4.50
- -
0.25
™ ~
0.25
0.25
~ ~
™ "•
~
11.25 9.25
— —
-------
TABLE F-9. MEAN NUMBERS OF AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES COLLECTED IN SQUARE FOOT SURBER SAMPLES AT UNNAMED
TRIBUTARY OF OLLIS CREEK 1975-1976. VALUES REPRESENT HEANS OF FOUR SAMPLES PER MONTH
Before Remedial Treatment
Aug. Sept. Oct.
Annelida
Oligochaeta -
Arthropoda
Insecta
Collembola 0.25
Plecoptera
Peltoperla -
Brachyptera - 0.75 -
Leuctra - -
Ephemer op t era
Epeorus - -
Hemiptera
Corixidae - -
Mega lopt era
Slalis 0.25 - 0.25
Nigronia - -
Trtchoptera
Cheuaatopsyche - -
Trentonius -
Po lye entr opus -
Diptera
Chironomidae 1.00 0.25 0.25
Simulium - - 0.25
Heleidae - 0.25
Hexatoma - - 0.50
Pedicia - 0.25
Tipula -
Tabanus -
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae -
Hydrophilidae -
Hydraenidae -
Mean Number of Organisms 1.50 1.50 1.25
Grand Mean - 1.40
During Remedial Treatment
Nov. Dec. Jan, Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July
0.25 --------
0.25 -------
------- 0.25
0.25
0.25 --------
0.75 - 0.25 ------
0.25 - 0.25 - 0.25
0.25
------- 0.25
0.25 -
0.25 - 0.25 0.75 0.25 0.25 - 1.25
__ — — — — — — —
--------
0.?: - 0.25 0.25 - 0.25
___---- 0.25
... . _ 0.25 -
i - - - - 0.25 -
: - - C.50 ------
2.00 0.25 i.25 0.75 1.00 0.75 0 2.50 0.50
!
' - - - - 1.00 - - - -
I
-------
TABLE F-10. MEAN NUMBER 0? AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES COLLECTED IN SQUARE FOOT SURBER SAMPLES AT THOMPSON CREEK
DURING 1975-1976. VALUES REPRESENT MEANS OF FOUR SAMPLES PER MONTH
After Limited Remedial Treatment
Aug. Sept. Oct.
Annelida
Oligcchaeta -
Arthropoda
Cambarus bartonii -
Insecta
Plecoptera
Peltoperla -
Brachyptera - - 0.25
Leuctra - - -
Acroneuria - - 0.50
Odonata -
Boyeria -
Aeshna - - -
Cordulegaster -
Anax - - -
Hemiptera
Corixidae
ft Gerris -
Rhagovelia -
Megaloptera
Sialis - - 0.25
Nigronia -
Trichoptera •
Cheumatopsyche - - 0.25
Diplectrona -
Polycentropus - - 0.25
Lepidostoma - -
Pycnopsyche - -
Diptera
Chironomidae -
Simulidae -
Eriocera -
Tabanidae -
Empididae -
Coleoptera -
Gyrinidae
Gyrinus -
Dytiscidae -
Hydrophilidae - -
Mean Number of Organisms No Samples 1 . 50
Grand Mean - 1.50
During Remedial Treatment
Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June
- - - 1.00 0.25 0.25 - 0.25
0.50 - 0.25 - 0.25
0.25 - 1.25
------ 0.75 4.25
0.25 ------
----- 0.25 0.25
0.25 0.50 -
- fl 7S
------ 0.25
0.25 ______
- - 0 25
1.00 0.50 0.50 2.00 0.75 - - 0.75
0.25 - 0.25 - - 0.25
0.75 - 0.25 0.25 - - 0.25
----__- 0.25
0.25 - 0.50 - - 1.50
1.75 0.25 1.00 0.25 0.75 1.75 - 9.00
------ 0.25
- 0.25 - - 0.25
------- 0.25
------- 1.25
0.25 - 0.50 - 0.75
____-_- 0.25
4.70 1.50 3.00 4.00 2.00 5.50 2.00 18.00
- - - - 8.50 - - -
July
1.50
3.25
0.25
0.25
0.75
0.75
14.00
14.25
0.50
35.50
-------
TAHLE F-1J. COMPARISON OF BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES COLLECTED IN
THOMPSON CREEK DURING MINING AND CONVENTIONAL RECLAMATION
AND DURING REMEDIAL TREATMENT
During Mining & Conventional Reclamation During Remedial Treatment
Species List
Annelida
Oltgochaeta
Arthropoda
Cambarus bartonii
Insects
Plecoptera
Peltoperla
Brachyptera
Leuctra
Acroneuria
Ephemeroptera
Epeorus
Odonata
Boyerla
Aeshna
Co r d ulegaster
Anax
Hemiptera
Corixidae
Gerris
Gyrinus
Khagovelia
Megaloptera
Sialis
Nigronia
Trichoptera
('heuroa tppsyche
Diplectrona
Polycentropua
Lepidostotna
Pycnopsyche
Diptera
Chironomidae
Simulidae
Tabanidae
Hexatoma
Eriocera
Coleoptera
Dytiscidae
Hydrophllidae
Empldldae
Total Number of Taxa
Percent
Composition
-
4.8
3.6
-
32.7
1.2
0.4
-
-
-
-
2.0
-
-
14.9
7.2
21.0
0.4
4.4
-
-
6.8
-
_
0.4
-
-
-
-
13
Percentage of
Monthly Occurrence
-
50
50
-
80
10
10
-
-
-
-
10
-
-
50
70
90
10
20
-
-
50
-
-
10
-
-
-
-
-
Percent
Composition
2.3
1.3
2.0
2.0
11.0
0.3
-
0.3
1.0
0.3
0.3
0.7
0.7
0.3
8.3
2.0
-
18.6
2.0
0.3
2.7
38.5
0.3
0.3
-
0.7
2.0
0.3
1.7
26
Percentage of
Monthly Occurrence
50
37
12
25
37
12
-
12
25
12
12
25
12
12
87
50
-
12
50
12
50
100
12
12
-
25
37
12
12
-
*Qualitative samples collected by sweep net.
^Quantitative samples collected with surber samples.
66
-------
TABLE F-12. COMPARISON OF PERCENTAGE COMPOSITION AND MONTHLY OCCURRENCE BENTHIC
INVERTEBRATES COLLECTED AT OLLIS CREEK,STATION 3, DURIHG MINING AND
CONVENTIONAL RECLAMATION AND DURING REMEDIAL TREATMENT
*
During Mining & Conventional Reclamation
Species List
Platyhelminthes
Planariidae
Annelida
Oligochaeta
Arthropoda
Crustacea
Hyalella
Lirceus
Percent
Composition
-
-
0.7
0.7
Percentage of
Monthly Occurrence
-
-
10
10
During Remedial Treatment
Percent
Composition
14.0
3.2
-
-
Percentage of
Monthly Occurrence
50
25
-
-
Cambarus bartonii
Insecta
Collembola
Plecoptera
Brachyptera
Ephemeroptera
Baetis
Ephemera
Odonata
Boyeria
Agrion
Argia
lahnura
f)ptiinonmphn«
Libellulldae
Hemiptera
Gerris
Gyrinus
Velildae
Mega lop t era
Sialis
Nigronia
Corydalus
Trichoptera
Hydropayche
Cheumatopsyche
Polycentropus
Pycnopayche
Diptera
Chironomidae
Palpomyia
Eriocera
Tipula
Total Number of Taxa
2.8
-
4.2
3.5
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.7
-
2.1
0.7
2.8
4.2
51.8
11.3
8.5
-
-
3.5
_
-
-
17
20
-
40
30
10
10
10
10
-
10
10
30
30
60
50
40
-
-
30
-
-
-
-
-
1.1
2.1
-
-
-
-
-
4.3
-
2.1
-
-
18.3
1.1
17.2
2.1
11.8
-
1.1
1.1
20.4
14
-
12
12
-
-
-
-
-
12
-
25
-
-
62
12
100
25
62
-
12
12
75
-
* Qualitative samples collected by sweep net.
Quantitative samples collected with surber samples.
67
-------
APPENDIX G
(Supplemental information on fish)
TABLE G-l. FISH SPECIES COLLECTED FROM OLLIS CREEK AND
ITS TRIBUTARIES DURING 1970-71 AND 1975-76
Common Name
Stoneroller
Emerald shiner
Minnow sp.
Creek chub
White sucker
Bluegill
Least darter
* Identified
** Identified
# Identified
1970-71
X
X*
X**
X
X
X
//#
X
as Notropis sp.
as Pimephales sp.
as Lepomis sp.
1975-76
X
X
X
X
#// This fish is not known to occur in the Clinch River drainage and
probably represents a misidentification.
68
-------
TABLE G-2. COMMON AND SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF FISH SPECIES REPORTED FROM
OLLIS CREEK 1970-1971 AND COLLECTED FROM OLLIS CREEK AND
NO BUSINESS CREEK 1975-1976
Scientific Name
Common Name
Campostoma anomalum (Rafinesque)
Notrapis atherinoides Rafinesque
Pimephales notatus (Rafinesque)
Rhinichthys atratulus (Hermann)
Semotilus atromaculatus (Mitchill)
Catostomus commersoni (Lacepede)
Hyjpentelium nigricans(Lesueur)
Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque
Etheostoma kennicotti (Putnam)
Etheostoma microperca Jordan and Gilbert *
Etheostoma sagitta (Jordan and Swain)
Stoneroller
Emerald shiner
Bluntnose minnow
Blacknose dace
Creek chub
White sucker
Northern hog sucker
Bluegill
Stripetail darter
Least darter
Arrow darter
*This fish was reported from Ollis Creek in 1970-1971. It is not known
to occur in the drainage and possibly represents a misidentification
of E. flabellare.
69
-------
APPENDIX H
(Supplemental information on comparisons of water quality
and invertebrate data in affected streams
with that of a reference stream)
TABLE H-l. COMPARISON OF WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS FROM STREAMS AFFECTED BY STRIP MINING ON A
MINED WATERSHED (OLLIS CREEK) AND AN UNMINED WATERSHED (NO BUSINESS CREEK)
MINED WATERSHED
Date
01-21-76
02-18-76
03-16-76
04-07-76
05-19-76
06-15-76
02-18-76
03-16-76
04-07-76
05-17-76
06-15-76
Sulfate Iron Manganese
pH mg/1 mg/1 mg/1
Ollis
5.4
5.4
5.2
5.2
5.1
5.8
Thomj
4.3
4.8
4.5
4.7
4.5
60 0.78 1.4
57 0.28 1.2
43 0.43 .7
_
100 1.4 2.4
65 3.2 1.6
69 2.8 1.7
_
_ _ _
Date
No
01-21-76
02-18-76
03-16-76
04-07-76
05-19-76
06-15-76
No
02-18-76
03-16-76
04-07-76
05-19-76
06-15-76
UNMINED WATERSHED
Sulfate Iron Manganese
pH mg/1 mg/1 mg/1
Business
6.3
5.8
6.2
5.8
6.0
6.1
Business
5.8
6.2
6.0
6.0
6.2
ocation -L —
4 0.08
6 0.56
6 0.19
8 0.13
-
5
6 0.10
6
6
- -
0.01
0.03
0.01
0.03
-
^
0.01
-
-
-
-------
TABLE H-2.
COMPARISON OF BENTHIC FAUNAS COLLECTED IN SQUARE FOOT SURBER SAMPLES
OLLIS -CREEK STATIONS
NOVEMBER 1975 TO JULY 1976 IN NO BUSINESS CREEK AND COMPARABLE
Ollis Creek
^Station 1
Total
No.
Platyhelaenthes
Planariidae
Nematoda
Nematomorpha 1
Annelida
Oligochaeta 22
Arthropoda
Ascellus 1
Lirceus
Cambarus bartonil 11
Insects
Collembola
Plecoptera
Peltoperla
Nenoura
Leuctra 2
Brachyptera 2
Taeuiopteryx
Isogenus" -
Isoperla -
Chloroperlldae -
Chloroperla -
Aerpneuria
Ephemeroptera
Ephemera
Stenonema 1
Epeorus 1
Heptagenla
Habroplebia
Ephemera lla
Isonychia -
Total*
Biomass
-
-
0.001
0.1203
0.0057
_
8.9952
_
_
_
0.0077
0.0027
-•
_
-
-
-
-
_
0.0179
0.0121
_
-
™
No Business Creek
Station 1.
Total
No.
-
-
-
57
_
509
8
-
34
17
20
4
-
1
13
—
2
7
1
85
52
-
-
16
Total
Biomass
-
-
-
0.4765
_
1.6514
12.5086
_
0.5589
0.0229
0.0173
6.0027
-
0.0118
P. 0443
-
0.0067
0.4327
0.0043
1.8534
1.2120
-
-
0.0885
Ollls Creek
Station 6
Total
Ho.
-
-
-
3
_
_
1
-
2
_
12
5
-
_
-
-
—
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
Total
Biomass
-
-
-
1.3279
_
_
2.7148
-
0.0214
_
0.0977
0.0806
-
_
-
—
-
0.0806
-
-
-
-
-
:
Mo Business Creek
Station 2
Total
No.
2
1
-
11
_
84
32
-
20
17
33
2
-
3
8
-
4
31
3
90
72
4
-
8
2
Total
Biomass
0.006
0.009
-
0.0341
—
2.5023
22.3090
-
0.1145
0.0237
0.0641
0.0042
-
0.0112
0.0326
-
0.0026
1.1787
0.0343
1.8477
2.2051
0.0345
-
0.0285
0.0465
Thompson
Total
No.
-
-
-
7
_
-
Creek
Total
Biomass
-
-
-
0.4638
_
-
4 12.4123
-
6
-
33
6
-
-
-
-
-
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.5017
-
0.5285
0.0018
-
-
-
-
-
0.2073
-
-
-
-
-
-
No Business Creek
Station 3
Total
No.
1
-
-
15
—
122
22
1
73
79
31
3
1
5
15
-
4
66
3
60
12
11
1
98
2
Total
Biomass
0.001
-
-
0.1377
—
0.3020
9.8491
0.0001
0.7468
0.2926
0.0188
0.0068
0.0116
0.0084
0.0539
—
0.0599
1.8688
0.0684
1.3986
0.5693
0.0795
0.0078
0.1720
0.0274
-------
TABLE H-2. (continued)
OUls Creek
• Station 1
Total
No.
Aneletus
Baetis
ParaleotoDhlebia
Odonata
Gomphldae
Boyerla
Aeahna
CorduleRaater
Anax
Hesdptera
Corlxldae
Cerris 2
Microvelia
Rhagovella
Megacoptera
Chauloides
Stalls I
Mlgronla 3
Trlchoptera
RhyacoDhila 1
Glossosoaa
Cheuaatopsyche 3
Hydropsvche 29
Plplectrona
Dolophilus
Chiaarra
Sortosa
Neureclioaii
Polycentropus 1
Brachvcentcus
Micrasema
Goera
Lepidostoma
Neophytax
Pycnopsyche
Total*
Bionass
0.0880
0.0078
0.4986
0.0185
0.1674
0.9390
0.0059
No Business Creek
Station 1
Total
Be.
4
5
3
3
6
15
15
11
3
2
3
18
8
1
6
1
Total
Bionass
0.0114
0.0124
0.0029
0.1559
0.0489
O. 0548
0.0331
0.0620
0.0212
0.0031
0.0051
0.0169
0.0149
0.0190
0.0200
0.0705
•qilt* Creek
Station fc
Total
Ho.
7
4
8
4
8
1
Total
Bloaaas
0.0238
1.1923
0.2071
0.3285
1.0825
C.C21
No Business Creek
Station 2
Total
Ho.
8
17
8
2
1
1
1
37
9
34
35
8
4
2
68
11
1
2
22
Total
Bionass
0.2554
0.0398
0.0402
0.0023
0.0032
0.4737
0.0013
0.7743
0.0357
0.1606
0.1510
0.0170
0.0365
0.0160
0.2676
0.0362
0.0079
0.0093
1.9474
Tbonpson
Total
Ho.
1
3
1
1
1
2
1
25
6
56
6
1
8
Creek
Total
Blomaae
_
3.1784
0.6603
0.0144
0.5741
0.1139
0.0392
0.0049
0.5262
1.9179
5.5395
0.0195
0.0044
0.9590
No Business Creek
Station 3
Total
Ho.
12
16
13
1
2
23
22
64
50
13
1
37
2
15
1
2
4
8
Total
Biomass
0.0116
0.0267
0.0350
0.0352
0.4169
0.3419
0.0805
0.5584
0.1246
0.1038
0.0037
0.1672
0.0221
0.1057
0.0015
0.0085
0.1252
0.1478
-------
TABU Jl'2. (continued)
Ollla Creek
Ration 1^
Tool
No.
Diptera
ChironoBidae 28
Tlpula l
Hexatoaa
Kriocera
Pedlcla 2
totocha
Dicranota —
SiBulidae 3
SlauliuB 24
Bq>ldidae
Tabanidae
Atherlx
Protoplaaa fltctii
Beleidae 2
Palpoayia
Coleoptera
Paephenua
Ectoparia
Oryopidae
Pryopa
Scaphyllnidaa
Elmldae 1
Hydroptllldae
Dytiachldae
Gyrinldae
Gyrinus -
Mollusc*
Spaeridae
Total*
Bloaaas
0.0128
0.1472
_
-
0.0062
-
—
0.0054
0.1326
-
-
-
0.0017
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.03S2
-
-
"
0.0012
Total Mean per Sample 142 11.2071
Ho Bualaeaa Creek 0111* Creejc Mo Bualneia Creek Mo Bu*lneaa Creek
Station 1 _^tation 6 Station 2 Thoapeoa Creek Station 3
Total Total Total Total Total Total Total Total Total Total
Mo. BlOMM Mo. Bio«aM Mo. BIOMM Mo. Bloaaae Mo. Blomui
149 0.0881 S3 0.2176 206 0.1750 116 0.1274 103 0.0422
19 S.1878 5 0.186S 20 7.6187 - 6 0.0809
7 0.1430 - 10 0.0224 - 10 0.0920
59 0.3335 - - 160 0.5597 2 0.0280 17 0.1629
19 0.3818 - 1 0.0006 - - 4 0.0516
- - 1 0.0037 - i 0.0164
2 0.0063 - 4 0.0093 - - 1 0.0139
1 0.0009 - 5 0.0082 1 0.0019 3 0.0070
2 0.0004 - 1 0.0006 - 1 0.0002
- - - 1 0.0005 5 0.3074
- - - - 1 0.0349
1 0.0048 - - - - 1 0.0097
1 0.0240 - - - 3 0.0021
- - - 1 0.0032 - - 1 0.0049
- 2 0.0005 - - -
31 0.2146 - 8 0.0099 - 3 0.0386
- - 3 0.0038 - 7 0.0082
- 1 0.0091 - - - -
9 Q.0809 - 5 0.0236 - 3 1.4873
- — | _ - - - - - 2 —
4 0.0012 - 2 0.0069 - 7 0.0043
- - 1 0.0039 1 0.0112
- 1 0.0953 - 6 0.0611
- - - - 2 0.0079
-- __'-_ --
932 25.9114 117 8.5200 1,126 42.6963 304 27.6171 1,095 20.0187
•Total bloBaaa if expressed lo grans.
-------
APPENDIX I
(Supplemental information on fish biomass
in both the reference and affected streams)
TABLE 1-1. NUMBERS AND WEIGHTS OF FISH COLLECTED BY ELECTROFISHING IN NO BUSINESS CREEK DURING 1975-1976
Northern hog sucker
Creek chub
Bluntnose minnow
Stoneroller
Blacknose dace
Arrow darter
Stripetail darter
Total wt. in grams
m m
ON ON
^ .-(
r-t CM
iH i-t
1
11 12
4 -
4 3
1
1
-
104.4 35
Station 1
V0 vO vO
CO CO ON
CM CM O
rH CM .»
0 O O
_
15 20 6
— . 1 _
51-
_
2 1
_
48 38 79
Station 2
VO VO
in «*
CM CM
in co
O O
-
7 3
-
1
4
3
1
51 3
m NO
ON m
iH CM
CM —1
•H O
-
9 6
2 6
-
-
1
-
73 74
vO
to
CM
CM
O
-
28
1
1
1
-
-
18
VO VO VO
ON" in ^*
O CM CM
** in GO
o o o
- - -
N 9
0
-
F
I
S
U
3
3
51 - 36
Station 3
m vo vo
>^ «^ ^»
,-1 CM CM
CM i-H CM
r-l O O
16
1 5
- - -
_
125
2
- - 2
82 16 80
vO vO
O CM
O O
-
6 N
0
-
F
I
S
H
-
-
80
vO
--
CM
00
o
-
3
-
-
2
-
1
114
-------
TABLE 1-2. NUMBERS AMD HEIGHTS OF FISH COLLECTED BY ELECTROFISHIHG IN OLLIS CREEK DURING 1975-1976
Bnerald shiner
White sucker
Blueglll
Total wt. (gas)
Mile .78
•rt r- c*v o\ i-o
£J ^ r< o -I
s s s a s
9 11 - 1 N
0
F
I
S
2 B
47 53 3 4 -
Mile 1.3 Mile :
89> t-t •* P- 0 O* ^
O O O O S O O
00000 0
S S S S S S
H H B H R R
-----47 2-
},37
s
0
F
I
S
R
_
o
0
F
I
S
N
_
Laurel Branch
£ Cj " ° d Yellow Mile Unnamed
ooooo Branch 4.15 Tributary
N12-N R N N
0 0000
1
F F F F F
I - 5 13 I I * I
S S S S S
B R R R H
4 52 68 -
Thompson
Creek
H
0
F
S
B
-
-------
TABLE 1-3. FISH SPECIES COLLECTED DURING 1975-1976 IN OLLIS CREEK
AND NO BUSINESS CREEK.
Common Name
Ollis Creek
No Business Creek
Stoneroller
Emerald shiner
Bluntnose minnow
Blacknose dace
Creek chub
White sucker
Northern hog sucker
Bluegill
Stripetail darter
Arrow darter
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
76
-------
TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read Instructions on the reverse before completing)
REPORT NC.
EPA-600/7-79-209
2.
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSIOI*NO.
.TITLE ANDSUBTITLE TCOTOGICAL RECOVERY AFTER RECLAMATION
OF TOXIC SPOILS LEFT BY COAL SURFACE MINING, Phase I -
A Baseline Assessment of Environmental Conditions Prior
to Application of Intensive Remedial Treatments
5. REPORT DATE
October 1979 issuing date
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
. AUTHOR(S)
Thomas G. Zarger, Joe Maddox, Lynn B. Starnes, and
William M. Seawell
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Tennessee Valley Authority
Division of Land and Forest Resources
Norris, Tennessee 37828
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
1NE623
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
IAG No. D8 E721-DQ
2. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
Industrial Environmental Research Lab. - Cinn, OH
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cincinnati, OH 45268
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Baseline July 1975-July 1976
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
EPA/600/12
5. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
16. ABSTRACT
This study involves a selected watershed in which surface mining and
unsuccessful reclamation efforts in the early 1970's resulted in adverse
environmental impacts. Work on the east Tennessee problem mine seeks to correct
reclamation deficiencies by applying land stabilization treatments and evaluating
their effectiveness by measuring the degree of recovery of the affected terrestrial
and aquatic ecoystems. Conditions documented during the mining and reclamation, and
those existing prior to start of restorative treatments are recorded in this report
to serve as baseline for measuring ecological recovery, which will be documented in
a later report
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
b.lDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS C. COS AT I Field/Group
Ecology
Hydrology, Limnology
Surface Mines
Terrestrial
Aquatic
Mining
.Soils
Ecological Effects
Coal
Tennessee
Reclamation
Water Quality
Sedimentation
68D
18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
Release to the Public
19. SECURITY CLASS (This Report)
Unclassified
21. NO. OF PAGES
89
20. SECURITY CLASS (This page)
Unclassified
22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (9-73)
77
« US GOVBUMBITPflWTimOFFICE: 1979-657-U6/5488
------- |