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 ------- 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 ------- 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. ------- 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. ------- 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. ------- 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. ------- 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. ------- 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 ------- 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. ------- 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. ------- 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. ------- 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. ------- 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. ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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 . ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- PAGE NOT AVAILABLE DIGITALLY ------- 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. ------- |