Remediation

Since the organization began in 1994, Mountain Watershed Association has restored 70% of Indian Creek, reducing the length of impaired stream miles in the watershed from 47 miles to 14. The first abandoned mine discharge treatment system was developed in the Indian Creek watershed in 2001. Since then, we have developed 5 treatment systems to divert contaminated mine water, filter out pollutants, and direct the cleaned water back into the stream.

A Brief Explanation of Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD)

Coal extraction from both surface and deep mines exposes rock layers that contain minerals, such as iron, aluminum, and manganese. When these minerals are exposed to water and air, they can become dissolved in water and create a chemical reaction, sometimes coloring the water red (iron), white (aluminum), or have no effect on the water clarity and color.Β 

This metal-rich water can flow from runoff on surface mines and seeps from abandoned underground mines that fill with water over time. The Indian Creek watershed is impacted by dozens of abandoned underground coal mines that leach contaminated water from the mine pool into the mainstem and tributary streams of Indian Creek. We typically refer to this as abandoned mine drainage, or AMD. If left untreated, chronic pollution from AMD will impair or kill much of the aquatic life within streams.

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Our Abandoned Mine Discharge Projects

Abandoned coal mines, some taken out of commission over 100 years ago, are a major source of pollution impacting stream health in the Indian Creek watershed. MWA has developed a number of projects to implement treatment systems that remediate areas impacted by abandoned mine discharges. Click on the pictures to learn more about each remediation project.

News & Updates

Gross! Rock snot in the Yough?

September 6, 2024

Didymo (colloquially called β€œrock snot”) is an aquatic diatom native to cool-water regions of northern Europe and North America. It can grow into thick, brown mats that cover rocks and…

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MWA Collaborates on New Purple Lizard Map!

July 24, 2024

MWA and Purple Lizard Maps has collaborated on a new map of the Deep Creek Lake and Western Maryland area! This map will offer insight on the headwaters area of…

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Rasler Run Stewardship Project Expands!

July 24, 2024

Last year, MWA conserved nearly 200 acres of land along Rasler Run, a tributary to Indian Creek. This spring, we added 55.7 adjacent acres to this property, a purchase made…

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