In 2008, DMRM actively provided support for the following watershed projects:
HUFF RUN
Two restoration projects were completed within the Huff Run Watershed in 2008.
The Belden Reclamation Project is a very large site encompassing about 20 acres. Extensive gob piles and toxic clay were reclaimed. Two steel slag leach beds were installed to boost alkalinity and raise pH. Open limestone channels were put in place to move water around the site and raise pH. A large setting pond collects all the water from the entire project. A US EPA Targeted Watershed Grant, Office of Surface Mining funding and in kind from the MRM funded the project.
Fern Hill Reclamation Project, so named for its hillside of Christman Ferns, is also know as HR-42. The site consists of a series of acid ponds left behind from strip mining and a large AMD plume that sits directly beside Huff Run itself, depositing severe amounts of acidity and iron directly into the stream. The seep originates from a deep mine source that feeds into the pond bottom and exits the pond at stream level. The project reclaimed two of the largest and nearest ponds to the stream during the summer. Limestone channels, grass-lined channels and rock check dams were also installed.
The Mineral Zoar Road Restoration Project design was completed and bid out at the end of 2008. The project, to be constructed in 2009, will install two wetlands and a reverse alkaline producing system.
The Huff Run Watershed Restoration Partnership continues to monitor health of the stream and effectiveness of the restoration projects. In 2008, more than 100 water quality samples were taken throughout the watershed and analyzed by the DMRM environmental lab in Cambridge. Studies of the fish and macroinvertebrate populations in the stream have shown a marked improvement in stream health. A study conducted with Ohio EPA showed that twelve species of fish were living in the most polluted section of Huff Run in 2008 where in 1998, there was only one species. This success is due to the efforts and partnerships between ODNR and the Huff Run Watershed Restoration Partnership.
LEADING CREEK
Plans are being finalized to reclaim the number one site of AMD in the Leading Creek Watershed, the Unnamed Tributary of Thomas Fork (TF15). A feasibility study and preliminary design has been completed for the reclamation, known as the Thomas Fork Doser Project. This project will be completed in partnership with the ODNR-DMRM, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Leading Creek Improvement Committee. Contracts and funding agreements are now being drafted to begin construction at this site in 2009.
Contracts and funding agreements are also being drafted to complete reclamation at three other top AMD sites in the watershed including Casto's Seep, Hysell Run and Bailey Run.
Proposals have been approved for funding by US Fish and Wildlife Service to reintroduce two animals into Leading Creek. A partnership is being formed with the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium / Ohio State University to establish freshwater mussels and fish, including Brindled Madtoms, in Leading Creek. The goal is to augment these populations that were eradicated by a devastating coal mine pumping in 1993.
The Little Leading Creek Sediment Study being conducted by Ohio University is in the final draft stages and expected to be completed very soon.
RACCOON CREEK
Completed in December of 2007 for a total cost of $1,001,583., the East Branch of Raccoon Creek Phase 1 AMD Treatment Project includes six steel slag leach beds, open limestone channels, strip pit drainage, and reclamation of toxic spoil in two locations in the headwaters of East Branch. The intent of the project was to reduce acid loadings in East Branch (Hocking County). Early post-construction sampling results document the project's success by reducing the acid load at the mouth of East Branch during each sampling event in 2008. Prior to construction, acid loads at the mouth averaged 98 pounds per day. Post-construction sampling events have documented net alkaline waters averaging 74 pounds per day of alkalinity. A second phase of the East Branch project is scheduled to begin in 2009 to further reduce acid loads.
The Pierce Run AMD Remediation Project is scheduled for construction in the summer of 2009. The project will consist of a steel slag leach bed to add alkalinity to Pierce Run, and wetland enhancement to prevent precipitated metals from entering Raccoon Creek. Baseline chemical and biological data was collected throughout 2008. Fifty one chemical samples were taken in the Pierce run sub watershed, macroinvertebrates were collected at six sampling sites on the mainstem of Pierce Run, and fish were samped at five sampling sites along Pierce Run. Following the completion of the project, chemical and biological sampling will be repeated to document treatment success as well as any bilolgical recovery.
During 2008, the Raccoon Creek Partners, with the assistance of ODNR-DMRM and Ohio EPA, collected over 360 water quality samples throughout the watershed. Analysis of this data is used to determine the effectiveness of completed treatment projects, prioritize future AMD treatment sites, and to document long term trends on the mainstem of Raccoon Creek. Biological sampling (macroinvertebrate and fish) was also conducted at many of the long term monitoring sites. Many fish and invertebrate species serve as crucial indicator species--mirroring water quality improvements throughout the watershed. Results of all chemical and biological sampling can be view at www.watersheddata.com.
SUNDAY CREEK
The Rodger’s Hollow Stream Capture Project (major construction finished in December 2007) was completed in the first quarter of 2008 with erosion control landscaping in place and the planting of approximately 8,000 tree seedlings provided by ODNR-DMRM. Consisting of willow, buttonbush, silky dogwood, swamp white oak, and a few American Chestnut, the trees on site have shown a remarkable survival rate (>80%). Sunday Creek Watershed Group along with ODNR-DMRM, the project landowners, Rural Action’s Forestry Team, and a team of volunteers hand-planted the trees over the course of three weeks.
In November 2008, the Congo Run-11/Little Hocking Stream Capture Project entered pre-bid status and is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2009. The stream capture will close a subsidence feature within the Congo Run Subwatershed and will be the fourth stream capture project to be completed within the Sunday Creek Watershed. The drainage area currently captured by the subsidence is approximately 256 acres, which captures an estimated 94 million gallons of surface water annually. The water entering the subsidence is net alkaline and it is estimated that 219 lb/day of alkalinity is being lost through this stream capture, thus reducing Congo Run’s buffering capacity while increasing the amount of AMD being produced underground. The ODNR-DMRM will contribute a total of $137,866 towards the completion of this project.
In the first quarter of 2009, work will begin on the West Branch Headwaters Project. This project was selected as a 319 Grant recipient in 2008 and includes several sites that are in close proximity to each other including; four stream captures, one gob pile reclamation (WBHW-99) and four AMD discharge treatment systems (WBHW 16, WBHW 17, WBHW 06 and WBHW 19). These sites are adjacent to the West Branch Headwaters main stem, which is located in the northwestern part of the Sunday Creek watershed at Section 23 of Saltlick Township, Perry County. The main goal of the West Branch Headwaters Sunday Creek Restoration Project is to reduce acidity and metal loadings. A best case scenario would be removing all acid and metal loadings from the furthest downstream sample site (WBHW-03) related to the project. This would equate to annual acid and metal reductions of 10,731 (lb/year) and 59,787 (lb/year) respectively. Phase I of this project involves installation of four monitoring wells, sealing of four stream captures and reclaiming gob pile (WBHW 99). Phase I will allow for deep mine discharge stabilization, quantifying discharge reduction due to stream closures and establishing a treatment concept. AMD treatment will occur in Phase II of this project to allow for the possible reduction in size of treatment scenarios due the elimination of the stream captures. The ODNR-DMRM will contribute $280,080 to the $505,478 total project cost.
YELLOW CREEK
In July of 2008 the Acid Mine Drainage Abatement and Treatment study was completed for the Yellow Creek watershed. The AMDAT focused on four sources of acid mine drainage and listed treatment options for each. The report included abandoned and underground mine sources at Wolf Run, Salisbury Run, Roach Run and a source at County Road 53 that feeds directly into the mainstem of Yellow Creek via a roadside ditch. Working with the Yellow Creek Watershed Restoration Coalition and the Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District, the DMRM is moving forward and focusing on restoration at the Jensie Mine site.
In June of 2008 thirteen ground water monitoring wells were drilled at the Jensie Mine Site in the Wolf Run subwatershed of Yellow Creek. Ground and surface water is being monitored monthly for one year and information gathered will be used for project design. Due to mine drainage discharging from a large culvert near the headwaters, Wolf Run is non-attaining of its aquatic life use with an IBI score of 12 as indicated in the 2005 MBI survey. Field measurements indicate that Wolf Run turned from net acidic to net alkaline at river mile 2.5, a point approximately 1.5 miles downstream from the culvert source. As stated in the AMDAT, reclamation scenarios for Wolf and Roach Runs appear to be viable for partial or full restoration of aquatic life uses. |