Water Quality
Assessment for the
MONONGAHELA RIVER
BASIN West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania J
WORK DOCUMENT NO. 48
lul»
II tej
.ill	
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION III
WHEELING FIELD OFFICE
SURVEILLANCE & ANALYSIS DIVISION

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Water Quality Assessment Report
Monongahela River Basin
by
Gary Bryant and Scott McPhilliamy
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region III, Surveillance and Analysis Division
Wheeling Field Office
Wheeling, West Virginia
April 1973

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BASIN DESCRIPTION
The Monongahela River "basin has a drainage area of 7»384 square
miles, of which 4,225 square miles is in northern West Virginia,
2,736 square miles is in southwestern Pennsylvania, and 420 square
miles is in northwestern Maryland.
The basin is hounded on the west by the Ohio River mainstem
drainage, on the south by the Little Kanawha and Kanawha River drain-
age, on the east by the Potomac River drainage, and on the north by
the Allegheny River drainage. The basin is about 75 miles wide from
east to west' and about 130 miles long from north to south.
The Monongahela River is formed by the confluence of the West
Pork and the Tygart Valley Rivers at Fairmont, Marion County, West
Virginia. The Monongahela flows generally northward and is Joined
by the Cheat River at Point Marion, Pennsylvania and the Youghiogheny
River at McKeesport, Pennsylvania. The Monongahela flows 128 river
miles from Fairmont, We3t Virginia to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where
it Joins the Allegheny River to form the Ohio River.

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Water Quality Assessment Report
Monongahela River Basin
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this document is to provide answers to four
questions: (l) what is the current water quality situation; (2) why
does the situation exist; (3) what has been the trend in recent years;
(U) what will the water quality he in years to come? In so doing,
identification is made of (a) significant water bodies which, in 1973,
met the 1983 goal of water quality adequate for swimming and for the
protection and propagation of fish and wildlife and (b) water bodies
which are expected to achieve the 1983 goal by 1977, 1983 or some later
date.
The document is summary in nature and is not intended to provide
a detailed analyses of the water quality of all the streams in the
basin or to examine all the present or potential factors which act
upon the water quality of a given stream. The information contained in
the document is based on surveillance and monitoring activities carried
out by the Wheeling Field Office, Surveillance and Analysis Division,
plus appropriate data from cooperating State and Federal agencies.
The document should provide a starting point for the detailed
examination of needs, priorities, standards, load limitations and
other factors to meet the 1983 goal.

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METHODOLOGY
Streams having a drainage area less than one hundred square miles
are generallyjiot included unless they have a significant impact on the
receiving stream, have significant recreational value or include a po-
tential reservoir site under active consideration "by the Soil Conserva-
tion Service or the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. The criteria for
classifying the streams are listed in Table 1. "Put and take" trout
stocking in a stream does not qualify it for classification under cold
water fishery. The trout placed in such a stream may "be able to live
in the stream year round, but if the temperature and dissolved oxygen
criteria are not suitable for trout propagation, the stream is classi-
fied for warm water fishery. In general, there is a lack of data avail-
able for evaluation of coliform content, taste and odor content and'
effects and tot_al-<1irsn'LvfrrfisQS content with respect to the existing
atmospheric conditions. For the purpose of this report, current data
is considered as that collected from 1970 to present. For comparative
purposes and for trends, pre-1970 data were also evaluated.
THE CURRENT WATER QUALITY SITUATION
The Stream Water Quality Table (Table II) includes a total of
1,556 miles of streams. Of that amount, 9^5 miles presently do not
meet water quality standards for recreational uses. In addition,
there are many miles of smaller tributary streams which are degraded
but which are too small to be described in detail in this report.

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The wide distribution of the larger degraded streams is illustrated on
the maps of the basin which identify streams which meet standards for
various recreational uses in past» at present, and projected to the
years 1977 and 1983.
All streams in the "basin are potentially suitable for warm water
fish and wildlife as well as for primary water contact recreation. A
few of the headwater tributaries have potential for a cold water fish-
ery. Most streams are not cold enough year round to be suitable for
cold water fish propagation» but may sustain put-and-take trout stocking.
Many of the streams in the eastern two-thirds of the basin have
excessively low pH values because of acid mine drainage and the deli-
cate chemical balance of the stream. Dissolved and suspended solids
pollute many streams over the entire basin in areas where the land
surface has been disturbed through mining, road construction or other
activities. Wastes from steel mills, coke ovens, chemical plants, power
plants and other industries degrade the Monongahela River from mile
point kO near Monessen, Pennsylvania to its mouth. Excessive coliform
densities have been noted in streams throughout the basin except for a
few unpopulated areas. These unpopulated areas are the only areas where
stream water quality is presently suitable for recreation. These areas
are: West Fork River upstream of Hackers Creek, the Middle Fork River,
Shavers Fork, Dry Fork, Black Fork, the Blackwater River upstream of
Beaver Creek, and Big Sandy Creek upstream of Little Sandy Creek.

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FACTORS AFFECTING WATER QUALITY
The soils in much of the eastern two-thirds of the "basin are
lacking in alkaline material. Only a small amount of acidity or
other pollutants can be added to the very soft water in these areas
before the natural chemical balance of the stream is upset. The
streams are especially easy to degrade. The Youghiogheny River
basin, the Cheat River basin and the Tygart Valley River basin have
streams of this type. The limestone deposits in the West Fork River
basin and along the main stem of the Monongahela River provide a more
stable chemical- balance in the streams in that area.
Coal mining activities have been the most significant factor
f
affecting water quality. Acid mine drainage is formed in many coal
mines when minerals existing with the coal seam react with air and
water to form a mixture of sulfuric acid, iron and other dissolved
and undissolved minerals. This mixture, known as acid mine drainage,
flows from the coal mine to streams where its acid kills plants and
animals living in the stream. The minerals are changed by chemical
reactions in the streams and usually produce a red-orange fluffy
material known as yellow-boy. This material settles to the stream
bed and smothers plant life or chokes fish life.
Untreated acid water from deep mines and acid water carrying
sediment from surface mines and refuse piles continue to be the most
significant sources of pollution in the entire Monongahela basin.

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Many miles of stream channels have been filled with a mixture of coal
refuse, iron floe (yellow-boy), and sediment from surface mines.
Exeessive amounts of dissolved minerals in these streams cause prob-
lems for vater users.
The Monongahela River Mine Drainage Remedial Project identified
7,002 mining sites in the Monongahela River basin. There vere 3,OU5
sites which discharged mine drainage. There were 6,^1 sites which
were not active at the time of the inventory and 2,7^0 of those sites
had a discharge of mine water.
Domestic gwwgp is the second most important factor affecting
water quality. Untreated or poorly treated human waste discharges
to the streams in the basin have long been masked or disinfected by
acid mine drainage. As the sources of acid mine drainage are elim-
inated, the widespread problem of inadequate sewage treatment facili-
ties becomes more apparent.
Industrial waste sources, other than those from coal mining
activities, are located along the first HO miles of the Monongahela
River from Pittsburgh upstream. These heavy industries discharge
taste and odor producing materials, oils, heat, solids and toxicants
which have caused problems for water users for many years.
WATER QUALITY TRENDS
Most industries, including coal mining, have been making steady
progress in reducing water pollution- A massive effort to seal aban-
doned mines and stop water pollution was carried out in the 1930's

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but the effort did not give the needed reduction in pollution. In
the 19^0's the coke plants associated with the steel mills began to
reduce the amount of chemical wastes they were discharging to the
streams as a result of complaints from cities using the river for a
water supply. Conservationists began to move against pollution from
coal industry in the early 1950's. The "black water" discharges from
coal washeries were the first mine discharges to be cleaned up. In
the mid 1960's, mines began to install treatment facilities at the
acid mine drainage discharges. Pennsylvania led the way in requiring
active mines to treat all discharges that did not meet requirements;
Treatment facilities were being operated by active mines at all their
discharges requiring treatment in Pennsylvania by 1970. The active
mines in West Virginia have been slowly installing treatment facilities
at their acid mine discharges. A recent EPA survey of active mines
discharges stimulated the construction of several more facilities in
Vest Virginia. Other industries have made efforts to reduce water
pollution in a time schedule similar to that for mines. The day is
soon coming when active industries will be a minor source of most
water pollution in the Monongahela River basin.
The fish populations of streams have been used to measure water
quality. Fishery studies on the Monongahela River during the period
from 1957 through 1970 reflect a definite improvement in water quality
during that period. However, the present fish populations are still
poor in both quality and quantity.

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Water from abandoned mines is a continuing problem which is
expected to remain the dominant factor affecting water quality for
many years to come. The probi ens of inadequate sewage treatment
will also remain for many years. Regional sewage treatment faci-
lities are difficult to build because of the low income and intense
provincialism of most residents.
In predicting water quality in the years to come, as was done
in Table II and maps accompanying this report, it was assumed that
a great effort will be undertaken to improve water quality by 1983.
Active and abandoned mine drainage sources will be reduced through
government..and citizens actions. Sewage treatment facilities will
be built and well operated throughout the basin. Existing water
quality will not be degraded. However, it should be noted that
the time period for attainment Gf these goals may vary significantly
in future years.
A partial list of the resources used in compiling this report
and mftking projections is included in the bibliography.

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Table 1
WATER QUALITY REQUIREMENTS FOR
RECREATIONAL AND FISHERY USES
PRIMARY RECREATION	Swimming, diving, water skiing, wading and dabbling
& COLD WATER FISHERY - by children. Involves considerable risk of ingesting
water in quantities sufficient to pose a significant
health hazard. Protection and propagation of cold
water fish species (Trout).
Fecal Coliform - geometric mean not over 200/100 ml
pH - 6.5 to 8.3 standard units
Dissolved Oxygen - minimum 6.0 mg/1 daily average
Temperature - maximum of 68°F or 5°F rise over natural temperature.
Color and - minimum to allow Secchi disc to be visible at one meter or
Turbidity maximum of ten (10) Jackson Turbidity Units.
Dissolved Solids - maximum of 500 mg/l or 1/3 above characteristics of
natural conditions whichever is lesser.
Taste & Odor - none present in such amount which will interfere with
water contact use or in amount which will impart taste
to fish flesh.
Total Dissolved Gases - not to exceed 110 percent of existing atmos-
pheric conditions.
PRIMARY RECREATION	- Swimming, diving, water skiing, wading and dabbling
6 WARM WATER	by children. Involves considerable risk of ingesting
FISHERY	water in quantities sufficient to pose a significant
health hazard. Protection and propagation of warm
water fish species, i.e. Jsasses, catfish, etc.
Fecal Coliform - geometric mean not over 200/100 ml
pH - 6.5 to 8.3 standard units
Dissolved Oxygen - minimum 5.0 mg/l as daily average
minimum k.Q mg/l
Temperature - maximum 90°F or 5°F rise over natural conditions.
Color and - minimum to allow Secchi disc to "be visible at one meter or
Turbidity marimum of (10) Jackson Turbidity Units.
Dissolved Solids - maximum of 500 mg/l or 1/3 above characteristics of
natural conditions whichever is lesser.

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Table 1 continued
Taste & Odor - none present in such amount which will interfere with
water contact use, or in an amount which will impart
taste to fish flesh.
Totcl Dissolved Gases - not to exceed 110 percent of existing atmos-
pheric conditions.
SECONDARY RECREATION - All other recreational uses except for Primary
& COLD WATER FISHERY	Recreation. Protection and propagation of cold
water fish species (Trout).
Total Coliform - maximum geometric mean of 10,000 per 100 ml.
pH - 6.0 to 9-0 standard units
Dissolved Oxygen - minimum of 6.0 mg/l daily average.
Temperature - maximum 68°F. or 5°F rise over natural temperature.
Color and - maximum of ten (10) Jackson Turbidity Units.
Turbidity
Dissolved Solids - 1/3 above characteristics of natural conditions.
Taste & Odor - none which will impart taste to fish flesh.
Total Dissolved Gases - not to exceed 110 percent of existing atmos-
pheric conditions.
SECONDARY RECREATION - All other recreational uses except for Primary
& WARM WATER FISHERY	Recreation. Protection and propiagation of warm
water fish species i.e. basses, catfish, etc.
Total Coliform - maximum geometric mean of 10,000 per 100 ml.
pH - 6.0 to 9.0 standard units
Dissolved Oxygen - minimum 5.0 mg/1 daily average.
minimum U.O mg/1
Temperature - maximum 90°F or no more than 5°F rise over natural conditions.
Color and - maximum of fifty (50) Jackson Turbidity Units.
Turbidity
Dissolved Solids - 1/3 above characteristics of natural conditions.

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Table 1 continued
Taste and Odor - none of which will Impart taste to fish flesh.
Total Dissolved Gases - not to exceed 110 percent of existing
atmospheric conditions.

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KEY TO TABLE II
Primary Recreation and Cold Water Fishery
Primary'Recreation and Warm Water Fishery
Secondary Recreation and Cold Water Fishery
Secondary Recreation and Warm Water Fishery
Not suitable for recreation and/or Fishery
SYMBOL
EPA	U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
WV	West Virginia Department of natural Resources
Division of Wildlife Resources
Pennsylvania Fish Commission
SYMBOL

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Table II
Stream Water Quality Table
STREAM
[DRAINAGE
AREA
IrSa. Mil

MEETING STANDARDS FOR RECREATIONAL
USES 1
PROBLEMS AND -0
COMMENTS y^°-Y ¦
j Sef7.
j LENGTH
(Miles)
Pre-
1970
Presefifr
	197J_

1983 1
Mononsahela River Mainstem





from mouth to Monessen

1 110 1
I ^
-

® . iTemp., Coliform.Taste & Odor from



U.of Pgh
& EPA,
EPA*

gsteel, power & chemical plants.
from Monessen to Cheat R.

50
-EPA
-EPA*

. ® . SpH, acidity, temperature






from Cheat R. to Fairmont

• 39
-EPA
-EPA*

® SpK» acidityiColiform.T & 0, temp.






gfrom industry (coal & coke) & munici
Turtle Creek
lU7
21
-EPA
®*EPA &
A
A B
BpH. iron, some industrial wastes tips



Pa. Fish
Commi3si<
in

jmouth. Trout stocked near headwaters





Jvarmwater classification.
Toughioffheny River Mainstem






from mouth to Confluence

73
-EPA
A*EPA
A «.
A

A I
pWj t.pmp. J +.n-r>>)4 «r»i^i+y («>w»nr




Pa. Pish
Commissi!
>n

led rnirifR^ (r»n1 rlwflt.Pr M nncn* f*i nst.irm





¦from Confluence to Indian Creek).
from Confluence to head-
\ k3k
. £q J
I EPA
" T^PA* fe
4

A
SdH & temp, onlv problemsa no buffer
water 8 11
Pa. Pish
Commassic
n

gfor acidity of abandoned mines (site




|of demonstration project).
Sewickley Creek
168
28
"EPA
*EPA
-


•AMD. temp* (active now. abandoned

I II fi|


Slater)(coldwater classification fron



iJack8 Run to source) site of ARC



^demonstration project.


-

•Estimated

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Table II
Stream Water Quality Table (continued)
STANDARDS FOR RECREATIONAL
USES
MEETING
RAINAGEI LENGTH
STREAM
AREA g (Miles)i Pre*


A
Jacob3 Creek
& Pa. Fii
Coram s
W
Indian Creek
*
% *EPA
-»aurel Hill Creek
- EPA
& Pa. Fi£
h Coramis

Peters Creek
Pigeon Creek
Pa. Fish
Commissic n
Redstone Creek
&
®*EPA
A
enmile Creek (Pa.)
Pa. Fish
©
Tenm^le
«gPA ft
Whitfely Creek
Pa. Fish
PROBLEMS AND
COMMENTS
irmrn \j,m *iHrTiTT^BTiminifm'X"T'TWTOF"rw^mTTTOCTTwIir iftY"nrr
«, Coliform, temp* (abandoned mine)
sattk atogjuag.
» acidity (abandoned mines) cold-
water classification
minor pH nroblem-no buffer anjd from
abandoned mines. Coldvater class.
AMP, temp* (fifranfloaefl.ffiinefOyftrm-
jwater classification
PS. (faU.f,nrm». temp.. > t.rput. ntonfring
in headwaters.
Soli form f temp, (si i ght) trout stock-
ing in headwaters.
pH. acid, fecal Coliform. temp, (altAt
.bandoned AMD.
»(Marianna Mine active now treati
discharge)trout stocking in places,
Occasional oil spills.
Coliform, warmwater classification.
Occasional pll spills
AMD,, temp, (abanrtonpfl mines),
Onnaa-i nnal n-M gp-i 11 a .


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Table II
Stream Water Quality Table (continued)

1 MEETING STANDARDS FOR RECREATIONAL
	 | USES
PROBLEMS AND
COMMENTS
diKCAM I
[DKAJLIVAUfcl
AREA
i
(Miles)
Pre-
1970

19^7
1983
Georges Creek
66
17
' EPA
® *EPA
A
A
AMD (abandoned mines).




Pa. Fi sh
CrtTmrti Kf?ii
>r>

Dunkard Creek
2?h
k7
~ TWA
® *vtpa
©
A
AMD from active mines in cast now
i
.



Pa.&VTVa :
'ish Coram
SBions
being treated, varmwater class.






¦
Frequent oil spills.
' '
Cheat River Mainstem


. .


¦

from mouth to Prin&le Run


				
EPA
~ *
-
E
AMD, temp, from active h. e/hfl.nrlr>ned




EPA & W.
Va.

mines.
... i
. from Princle Run to Parsm
'
Ul
^*EPA
A *
&
• A
Temu. sliffht. onnaRlnnsI AMD-




EPA & W..1
a.


(tribs. to Cheat River)
>
.






3ig Sandy Creek upstream of
116
15
$ *
Jfr *
a
*
Stocked with trout.
Little Sandy Creek


EPA & WV
EPA & WV



Big Sandy Creek downstream
Q 6
30
" EPA
_
EPA & WV
-

AMn.i temp® abandoned surfH.ee mines &
of Little Sandy Creek





'
^oliform from Brandonville.
Muddy Creek
3h
.
16
'EPA
~ EP# &
—
—
AMD temp* (abandoned mines).

'


WV



Shavers Fork
21S
fu
pTPA
® #
©

AMD at times f CoT i fnrm , -hemp. (.net.-I.v




RpA Xf WV

>
and abandoned mines).
Black Pork

h
® TiTPA
•® EPA*

ft 1 AMD frqm Blackvatf»r River* •




& WV






-

• !"_•
^Estimated

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Table II
Stream Water Quality Table (continued)
I
STREAM iORAINAGE
1 AREA
—	„.i£§a: Mil
8 MEETING STANDARDS FOR RECREATIONAlB
§ USES § PROBLEMS AHD
liCHUXn H
(Miles)i Pre-
i 1970

1977
-g 1 O
1983 1
Blackwater River dowx- 1
66
?6
WPA

9
Al S
H AMD- t.pmp (ahfinrinrxad minps).
stream of Beaver Creek (irl
ludinp)


& WV


__Blackvnt.er Rivpr lipKt.-rpp^
7l»
21
#*WV
* *WV

* !
Stocked with trout.
of Beaver Creek







pry PnrV
3^5

*«wv

&
* !
Storks with .t.vnut
Robinson Run
7
5 .
-EPA
, -EPA

A I
AMD - active mines.
Scotts Run
15

-EPA
-EPA

©
AMD - active mines, bacteria.
Dents Run
1U
9
-EPA
-EPA

©
AMD - ColiformT si+.f ctf H^mnnRtrn-







tion project (active mine problem).
Deckers Creek
65
2b
-EPA
-EPA-

©
AMD - Coli form t Riisppndpri snllrts







(-inB.ot.ivfi rainp pr»nh1 f»m ) .
Booths Creek
22
9
-EPA
-EPA

©
AMD (innftivp mlnp prnMf>m).
Indian Creek
21
8
J -EPA
-EPA

O
AMD (ftf+.Svp mi riF> prKhl pm ) _
Buffalo Creek

PQ
-EPA
-EPA*

©
Hnli fni«ni. tpinri. nnnrl v trontod cou.







age. Occasional oil spills.
West Fork River mainstem

57
-EPA
-EPA*

©
Coliform. moderate pH & tenro mostly
from mouth thru Hackers






inadequate sewage treatment. Fre-
Creek





.
quent oil spills.
from Hackers Greek to Roa:
:>ke
25 I -EPA
@ EPA*

@
|Mi nrvr «r>i li ft tpmp prciM puis _
from Roanoke to headwater
kk
1 16 |AKPA*
A liTPA*
&
• A |
Temp too varm for trout reproducticu

1 75 1
I 28 1 -VTPA
-fTPA*
-
- J
AMD (abandoned sources).

| f}-- &


• I

^Estimated

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Table II
Stream Water Quality Table (continued)
STREAM
DRAINAGE
AREA
8 MEETING STANDARDS FOR RECREATIONAL
|	1 USES i
PROBLEMS AND
COMMENTS
ijEmtiri
(Miles)
Pre-
--12ZSL.

^JSZL.
1983
Tenmile Creek (W. Va.)
125
30
"EPA
"EPA*

® "1
AMD- CoUfnrm* Fr^rjii^irfc nil spillc.
Elk Creek
1P1
32
~EPA
"epa*

@ |
AMD. (inactive sonrfPRl rtpmnna-h-rn-







tion area, Coliform*, some parts






'
stocked with trout for cut & take







fishinR,
Tygart Valley River main-
1






stem from mouth thru Roar-

fio
~KPA
~KPA*
-
©
AMD (abandoned sourcfts) nnUfnrm
ing Creek






temp* (slight)
_ from Roarine: Cr. tp head-
32h
61
"EPA
~EPA*
@
©
Coliform, temp* (slight) meets warm-
waters (tribs to Tygart


*



water fish requirements.
Valley River).


11




Threefork Creek
106
S6
EPA*
1ZPA#
-
-
AMD ) 	
" ' 1 		 		—
Sandv flrppV
52
lh
"EPA

-
-
AMD (abandoned sources).
Riy^r .
309
61
~EPA
EPA*
-

AMD (m-i n#»R. rlncH n£r^ fnl 1 fnmn*







stocked with put & take trout near







headwaters.
Middle Fork River
1 1S1 __
. ^9 ...
% *TiTPi

t
*
Moderate aeid.; d i ff¦i nilt.-i m at.	


wv
WV


times but ^stocked with trout.
a











*















^Estimated

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PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY

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BIBLIOGR A PHY
1.	"CONFERENCE in the Matter of Pollution of the Interstate Waters
of the MONONGAHELA RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES," Dec. 17, 1963.
2.	"Summary Report, MONOKGAHELA RIVER MINE DRAINAGE REMEDIAL PROJECT",
1971.
3.	"The Status of Active Deep Mines In The Monongahela River Basin",
January 1973.
It. Stream water quality data from State and Federal studies available
from STORET.
5.	Report in preparation "by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission.
6.	Report in preparation by the West Virginia Department of Natural
Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife.
7.	Unpublished data from special enforcement surveys of plants in the
basin.

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