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

What would Rachel Carson say about roadside spraying?

January 3, 2024

An essay by guest writer and MWA member DARYLN BREWER HOFFSTOT. Daryln’s book, β€œA Farm Life: Observations of Fields and Forests” was published recently by Stackpole Books. This essay was…

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185 Acres of Mineral Rights Protected!

September 19, 2023

Mountain Watershed Association is happy to announce that it has become the new owner of a large parcel of mineral rights in Henry Clay Township, Fayette County.

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Hellbender Surveys Conducted in the Yough

June 28, 2023

Over the three days on June 20, 21, and 22, Mountain Watershed Association and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy conducted a survey of the Youghiogheny Watershed for the elusive Eastern Hellbender.…

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