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.
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.
| FAYETTE COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT |
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| Watershed Information |
The Ohio River Basin is approximately 164,000
square miles in size and drains eleven states
including Pennsylvania. This basin covers 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.
square miles in size and drains eleven states
including Pennsylvania. This basin covers 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.
| Re-produced from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Web-site (www.dep.state.pa.us) |
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.
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.
| Fayette County State Water Plans |
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.
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.
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.
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.
| What is Groundwater? |
|
| The Top Ten Ways to Protect and Conserve Groundwater |
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.
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.
| What is a Passive Treatment System? |
The information provided in this article was taken from:
Groundwater: The Hidden Resource
by the United States Geological Survey
The Ground/Surface Water Connection: Drinking water source protection involves both
by River Network, 503-241-3506
Top Ten Ways to Protect and Conserve Groundwater
by The Groundwater Foundation
Groundwater: The Hidden Resource
by the United States Geological Survey
The Ground/Surface Water Connection: Drinking water source protection involves both
by River Network, 503-241-3506
Top Ten Ways to Protect and Conserve Groundwater
by The Groundwater Foundation
| 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.
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.
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.
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.
| Figure 1: Diagram of V-Notch Weir |
| Photo 1: Weir being installed on discharge at 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 Township.
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!
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 Township.
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!
| VOLUNTEERS HELP CONSERVATION DISTRICT INSTALL WEIRS ALONG MORGAN RUN |
| Photo 2: Members of Chestnut Ridge Trout Unlimited Working Hard |