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Ground-water hydrology and quality before and after strip mining of a small watershed in Jefferson County, Ohio

Water-Resources Investigations Report 83-4215
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https://doi.org/10.3133/wri834215

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Abstract

Ground-water conditions before and after surface mining of a small watershed are described as part of a study to determine the effects of mining on hydrologic systems. The watershed was underlain by stratified sedimentary rocks containing local aquifers above shaley clay beds associated with the major coal seams. Mining involved removing the overburden rocks, including most of the top aquifer, stripping the coal, and recontouring the overburden spoils to the approximate premining shape of the watershed. Replacement of the top aquifer by spoils during regrading has caused many changes in recharge and discharge rates, saturated thickness, aquifer characteristics, and water quality. In the middle aquifer there were changes in saturated thickness and water quality. Resaturation of the top-aquifer spoils during and after reclamation has been slow. Saturated thicknesses have ranged from zero initially after mining to 4 feet after 1 1/2 years. Water levels in the middle aquifer have risen from a few feet to 40 feet. Water quality generally has been degraded: concentrations of bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium , chloride, iron, manganese, sulfate, and dissolved solids have increased. Premining water types remained about the same after mining, except for some changes from bicarbonate type to sulfate type. (USGS)
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Ground-water hydrology and quality before and after strip mining of a small watershed in Jefferson County, Ohio
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 83-4215
DOI 10.3133/wri834215
Edition -
Year Published 1984
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey,
Description v, 39 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm.
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