| WATERSHEDS |
Pennsylvania is commonly divided into five major and two minor river basins. The five major basins are the
Delaware, the Great Lakes, the Ohio, the Potomac and the Susquehanna. The two minor basins are the Elk and
Northeast and the Gunpowder.
The largest portion of Pennsylvania lies within the Susquehanna River Basin (20,960 square miles) while the
Gunpowder River Basin contains the smallest portion (11 square miles). Fayette County lies within Pennsylvania’s
second largest river basin, the Ohio.
Delaware, the Great Lakes, the Ohio, the Potomac and the Susquehanna. The two minor basins are the Elk and
Northeast and the Gunpowder.
The largest portion of Pennsylvania lies within the Susquehanna River Basin (20,960 square miles) while the
Gunpowder River Basin contains the smallest portion (11 square miles). Fayette County lies within Pennsylvania’s
second largest river basin, the Ohio.
The Ohio River Basin is approximately 164,000 square
miles in size and drains eleven states including
Pennsylvania. This basin covers 15,614 square miles in
Pennsylvania and drains more than a third of the state!
According to the Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection, the Ohio River Basin is home to
approximately 3.5 million Pennsylvanians and more than
20 million people total. That’s approximately 10 percent of
the United States population. The basin not only covers a
portion of Pennsylvania, but also sections of New York,
Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, Indiana,
Tennessee, Illinois and North Carolina.
In Pennsylvania, the Ohio River Basin is divided into five
major sub-basins. These are the Upper Allegheny, the
Central Allegheny, the Lower Allegheny, the Monongahela
and the Ohio. All of Fayette County is located in the
Monongahela sub-basin.
miles in size and drains eleven states including
Pennsylvania. This basin covers 15,614 square miles in
Pennsylvania and drains more than a third of the state!
According to the Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection, the Ohio River Basin is home to
approximately 3.5 million Pennsylvanians and more than
20 million people total. That’s approximately 10 percent of
the United States population. The basin not only covers a
portion of Pennsylvania, but also sections of New York,
Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, Indiana,
Tennessee, Illinois and North Carolina.
In Pennsylvania, the Ohio River Basin is divided into five
major sub-basins. These are the Upper Allegheny, the
Central Allegheny, the Lower Allegheny, the Monongahela
and the Ohio. All of Fayette County is located in the
Monongahela sub-basin.
In addition, the Monongahela sub-basin is divided into seven smaller watersheds. Four of these smaller watersheds
encompass the entirety of Fayette County. These four watersheds are the Middle Monongahela, the Upper
Monongahela, the Lower Youghiogheny and the Upper Youghiogheny. In turn, each of these four watersheds can
be divided up further. For example, the Middle Monongahela may be divided into the Redstone Creek Watershed
and the Peters Creek Watershed.
encompass the entirety of Fayette County. These four watersheds are the Middle Monongahela, the Upper
Monongahela, the Lower Youghiogheny and the Upper Youghiogheny. In turn, each of these four watersheds can
be divided up further. For example, the Middle Monongahela may be divided into the Redstone Creek Watershed
and the Peters Creek Watershed.
Watersheds are not confined to
county, state or international
boundaries. They may be quite
large or quite small and often one
may find smaller watersheds
contained within larger watersheds.
In short, watersheds interconnect
not only with each other but also
with everything that exists within
them, including humans.
Remember, we all live downstream.
county, state or international
boundaries. They may be quite
large or quite small and often one
may find smaller watersheds
contained within larger watersheds.
In short, watersheds interconnect
not only with each other but also
with everything that exists within
them, including humans.
Remember, we all live downstream.
| Fayette County State Water Plans |
| WHAT IS GROUNDWATER? |
Groundwater is water underground in saturated zones beneath the land surface. Contrary to popular belief,
groundwater does not form underground “rivers.” It fills the pores and fractures in underground materials such as
sand, gravel, and other rock.
An aquifer is a porous layer of underground rock in which groundwater is stored. Groundwater brought to the
surface via a well is pumped from an aquifer.
Groundwater moves slowly, typically at rates of 7 to 60 centimeters per day in an aquifer. As a result, water could
remain in an aquifer for hundreds or thousands of years.
Groundwater comprises more than 97 percent of available fresh water supplies. It is the source of about 40
percent of water used for public supplies and about 38 percent of water used for agriculture in the United States.
Groundwater also supplies about 40 percent of the stream flow in the United States. However, in some parts of the
country and during certain times of the year, groundwater can account for 90 – 100 percent of stream flow.
groundwater does not form underground “rivers.” It fills the pores and fractures in underground materials such as
sand, gravel, and other rock.
An aquifer is a porous layer of underground rock in which groundwater is stored. Groundwater brought to the
surface via a well is pumped from an aquifer.
Groundwater moves slowly, typically at rates of 7 to 60 centimeters per day in an aquifer. As a result, water could
remain in an aquifer for hundreds or thousands of years.
Groundwater comprises more than 97 percent of available fresh water supplies. It is the source of about 40
percent of water used for public supplies and about 38 percent of water used for agriculture in the United States.
Groundwater also supplies about 40 percent of the stream flow in the United States. However, in some parts of the
country and during certain times of the year, groundwater can account for 90 – 100 percent of stream flow.
| WHAT IS A PASSIVE TREATMENT SYSTEM ? |
To understand the basics of a passive treatment system for abandoned mine drainage (AMD), we must first
understand the basics of AMD. As a Fayette County resident, you are undoubtedly familiar with streams impacted by
AMD. You know the ones, sometimes referred to as “sulfur” creeks, the ones where everything is covered in “yellow
boy” (that funky stuff ranging in color from yellow to orange to red), the ones where the water has a bluish-white cast.
These strange and offensive impacts on our streams are caused by water flowing from or through surface mines,
deep mines or coal refuse piles (a.k.a. Gob Piles or Boney Piles). When water comes into contact with pyrite (a
mineral found in coal) and oxygen, a complex chemical reaction occurs. This reaction results in metals (aluminum,
iron and manganese) and, often times, acidity being added to the water. The metals and changes in pH are harmful,
even deadly to aquatic life.
So, how can AMD be cleaned up? Well, there are many ways to treat AMD including active and passive treatment
systems.
Active treatment usually consists of an intricate mechanical system that uses chemicals to remove the metals and, if
needed, increase the pH to a neutral level. These systems are often expensive to operate over a long period of time
and use a good deal of energy to run but can be fit into relatively small spaces. A good example of an active
treatment system in Fayette County can be found along Ice Pond Run on the property of Friendship Hill National
Historic Site.
Passive treatment systems have many variations covering a wide range of options from basic to complex. Some
basic treatments include alkaline sand addition and anoxic limestone drains (ALD). Alkaline sand addition is simply
the strategic placing of quantities of alkaline limestone sand along a stream’s floodplain, allowing the water to slowly
mix with the sand over time and disperse through-out the stream. An ALD consists of creating an underground
drain/channel filled with limestone rock and allowing the stream to flow through the drain, over the rock and then,
after treatment, to re-enter the stream channel. Placing the drain/channel underground prevents oxygen from mixing
with the AMD thereby preventing the heavy metals from “dropping out.” Good examples of each type of these
treatment systems can be found along Glade Run in Dunbar Township. Both systems are sponsored by the Chestnut
Ridge Chapter of Trout Unlimited in conjunction with their project partners.
More complex passive treatment systems consist of a series of ponds and wetlands, varying in size and shape, which
help to “capture” the metals and, if needed, raise the pH. The ponds are usually lined with layers of lime-stone,
mushroom compost and sometimes piping (to drain the pond if necessary). Examples of these types of treatment
systems can be found along Indian Creek in Melcroft (Sagamore Site), sponsored by the Mountain Watershed
Association, and along Laurel Run in Ohiopyle State Park. Passive treatment systems have significant upfront costs
for installation and less long-term expenses, require little or no man-made energy to operate, are relatively easy to
maintain, and, in the case of ponds and wetlands, provide habitat for wildlife. It should be noted that ponds and
wetlands systems often have large space requirements.
There are many different kinds of AMD treatment systems. For a detailed look into the different types of both active
and passive treatment systems, check out www.amrclearinghouse.org/Sub/AMDtreatment/index.htm.
understand the basics of AMD. As a Fayette County resident, you are undoubtedly familiar with streams impacted by
AMD. You know the ones, sometimes referred to as “sulfur” creeks, the ones where everything is covered in “yellow
boy” (that funky stuff ranging in color from yellow to orange to red), the ones where the water has a bluish-white cast.
These strange and offensive impacts on our streams are caused by water flowing from or through surface mines,
deep mines or coal refuse piles (a.k.a. Gob Piles or Boney Piles). When water comes into contact with pyrite (a
mineral found in coal) and oxygen, a complex chemical reaction occurs. This reaction results in metals (aluminum,
iron and manganese) and, often times, acidity being added to the water. The metals and changes in pH are harmful,
even deadly to aquatic life.
So, how can AMD be cleaned up? Well, there are many ways to treat AMD including active and passive treatment
systems.
Active treatment usually consists of an intricate mechanical system that uses chemicals to remove the metals and, if
needed, increase the pH to a neutral level. These systems are often expensive to operate over a long period of time
and use a good deal of energy to run but can be fit into relatively small spaces. A good example of an active
treatment system in Fayette County can be found along Ice Pond Run on the property of Friendship Hill National
Historic Site.
Passive treatment systems have many variations covering a wide range of options from basic to complex. Some
basic treatments include alkaline sand addition and anoxic limestone drains (ALD). Alkaline sand addition is simply
the strategic placing of quantities of alkaline limestone sand along a stream’s floodplain, allowing the water to slowly
mix with the sand over time and disperse through-out the stream. An ALD consists of creating an underground
drain/channel filled with limestone rock and allowing the stream to flow through the drain, over the rock and then,
after treatment, to re-enter the stream channel. Placing the drain/channel underground prevents oxygen from mixing
with the AMD thereby preventing the heavy metals from “dropping out.” Good examples of each type of these
treatment systems can be found along Glade Run in Dunbar Township. Both systems are sponsored by the Chestnut
Ridge Chapter of Trout Unlimited in conjunction with their project partners.
More complex passive treatment systems consist of a series of ponds and wetlands, varying in size and shape, which
help to “capture” the metals and, if needed, raise the pH. The ponds are usually lined with layers of lime-stone,
mushroom compost and sometimes piping (to drain the pond if necessary). Examples of these types of treatment
systems can be found along Indian Creek in Melcroft (Sagamore Site), sponsored by the Mountain Watershed
Association, and along Laurel Run in Ohiopyle State Park. Passive treatment systems have significant upfront costs
for installation and less long-term expenses, require little or no man-made energy to operate, are relatively easy to
maintain, and, in the case of ponds and wetlands, provide habitat for wildlife. It should be noted that ponds and
wetlands systems often have large space requirements.
There are many different kinds of AMD treatment systems. For a detailed look into the different types of both active
and passive treatment systems, check out www.amrclearinghouse.org/Sub/AMDtreatment/index.htm.
| WHAT IS A WEIR? |
A weir is basically a sheet of wood, metal or concrete with an opening of fixed dimensions cut in its top edge
(Smajstrla, A. G. and D. S. Harrison, University of Florida Cooperative Extension Web-Site). The opening at the top
of the weir is called a notch and it may be a 90° V-notch, a rectangular notch or a trapezoidal notch. The weir
allows water to back up behind it and flow through the notch of specific dimensions. The water flowing through the
notch is then measured and run through a mathematical calculation to determine its flow in terms of gallons per
minute.
(Smajstrla, A. G. and D. S. Harrison, University of Florida Cooperative Extension Web-Site). The opening at the top
of the weir is called a notch and it may be a 90° V-notch, a rectangular notch or a trapezoidal notch. The weir
allows water to back up behind it and flow through the notch of specific dimensions. The water flowing through the
notch is then measured and run through a mathematical calculation to determine its flow in terms of gallons per
minute.
| WHY USE A WEIR? |
Weirs are used to measure the flow
of an area of moving water and are
often used in the preliminary stages
of cleaning-up a polluted stream.
Weirs can be placed across the
width of the stream itself and/or
across an area discharging polluted
water into the environment (for
example: water seeping and/or
flowing from an abandoned mine
site).
Data is gathered from a weir over the
course of a year to document the
changes in flow of the polluted water.
This information is then used to help
design the type and size of a system
to clean-up the polluted water.
of an area of moving water and are
often used in the preliminary stages
of cleaning-up a polluted stream.
Weirs can be placed across the
width of the stream itself and/or
across an area discharging polluted
water into the environment (for
example: water seeping and/or
flowing from an abandoned mine
site).
Data is gathered from a weir over the
course of a year to document the
changes in flow of the polluted water.
This information is then used to help
design the type and size of a system
to clean-up the polluted water.
| Photo 1: Weir being installed on discharge at Morgan Run. |
Figure 1: Diagram of V-Notch Weir
| VOLUNTEERS HELP CONSERVATION DISTRICT INSTALL WEIRS ALONG MORGAN RUN |
On Saturday April 6th, 2002, members of the Trout
Unlimited – Chestnut Ridge Chapter and Mark Killar from
the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s Watershed
Assistance Center helped the conservation district install
five 90° V-notch weirs on abandoned mine drainage (AMD)
discharges along Morgan Run in Dunbar Town-ship.
The weir installation was completed as part of the
conservation district’s Growing Greener grant to conduct
watershed assessments on Morgan Run in Dunbar
Township and Jonathan Run in Stewart Township. Flow
measurements will be taken monthly from the newly installed
weirs and the data gathered will aid in the development of a
treatment system to remediate (clean-up) the stream.
The conservation district would like to thank all of the hard
working volunteers who gave up time on a precious
Saturday to install the weirs. It was a long day filled with lots
of mud, digging and some fun too!
Unlimited – Chestnut Ridge Chapter and Mark Killar from
the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s Watershed
Assistance Center helped the conservation district install
five 90° V-notch weirs on abandoned mine drainage (AMD)
discharges along Morgan Run in Dunbar Town-ship.
The weir installation was completed as part of the
conservation district’s Growing Greener grant to conduct
watershed assessments on Morgan Run in Dunbar
Township and Jonathan Run in Stewart Township. Flow
measurements will be taken monthly from the newly installed
weirs and the data gathered will aid in the development of a
treatment system to remediate (clean-up) the stream.
The conservation district would like to thank all of the hard
working volunteers who gave up time on a precious
Saturday to install the weirs. It was a long day filled with lots
of mud, digging and some fun too!
Photo 2: Members of Chestnut
Ridge Trout Unlimited Working Hard
Ridge Trout Unlimited Working Hard
| Re-produced from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Web-site (www.dep.state.pa.us) |
| The Top Ten Ways to Protect and Conserve Groundwater |
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