Surface and Groundwater management
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Photo Library: Surface and Groundwater management |
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At this Alabama mine after the land was stabilized, the mine operator reclaimed sediment ponds in a manner that aided development of artificial wetlands. To accomplish this the spillway material was removed to the level of impounded sediment, then heavy stone riprap was placed on the water control section to eliminate downstream sedimentation. The result was the creation of small artificial wetlands that provide a more diverse natural environment. Enlarged Photo (96 KB file)
Southern Indiana is losing thousands of acres of wetlands each year, part of a disturbing national trend. At the turn of the century, this reclaimed coal mine site was wetlands. It was drained, than farmed until the mid-1950's. Before mining, seasonal floods were caused by railroad construction, a channelization project, and a blocked drainage tributary. Today, following completion of the mining, the reclamation has renewed some of Indiana's lost wetlands. An existing cattail monoculture has been mined and then reclaimed, improving both the quality and quantity of wetlands. Birds, good indicators of habitat quality, are abundant, and this site is now a regional wetland attraction. Enlarged Photo (87 KB file)
This rich wetland is the result of coal mine reclamation that included both an active and abandoned mine site. Heavy spring rain caused subsidence on land adjacent to the active mine. This resulted in a large creek changing its course and flowing into a subsidence crater. Working with the West Virginia Natural Resources personnel, the company redirected the stream flow to its natural course and agreed to add the abandoned site to its permit area for long-term corrective work. Today, this reclamation has resulted in an enhanced wetland and wildlife habitat and is an excellent example of the potential reclaimed land has for wetlands. Enlarged Photo (103 KB file)
The vegetation found on wetlands constructed during reclamation of coal mines is as diverse as that found in natural occurring wetlands. These "islands" of vegetation maximize the transition zones for wildlife living in this aquatic habitat. The diverse growth shown here can be attributed to the care and proper construction methods used by the mine operator during reclamation. Enlarged Photo (145 KB file)
Sedimentation control is an important aspect of reclamation because large amounts of sediment can clog streams, increase the risk of flooding, damage irrigation systems, and destroy fish habitats. Before the Surface Mining Law went into effect, many streams were severely degraded by sediment from mines that did not have adequate sediment control. At this reclaimed Ohio mine site the operator has created a permanent impoundment from a sedimentation pond. Throughout its 5-year function as a sedimentation pond, there were no adverse impacts downstream. Now as a permanent pond, the impoundment receives clear drainage from the reclaimed site and has been stocked with fish. Enlarged Photo (80 KB file)
Sedimentation ponds are designed to hold water and allow sediment to fall to the bottom. After much of the sediment has been deposited in the pond, the water flows out over a rock-lined spillway at the top of the pond. This pond under construction on a mine in West Virginia, will drain a large, level portion of a mountaintop removal mine. The pond will be removed after reclamation is complete. Enlarged Photo (102 KB file)
Chemical treatment
The outstanding compliance record at this Texas mining operation is partially the result of chemical treatment that increases the efficiency of the sedimentation pond. Mine drainage is pumped from a sedimentation pond into a sump pond, shown here, where a polymer is injected to increase flocculation, or the clumping together of suspended solids. Records at this operation indicate that pumping and treating the water was 40 percent more economical than traditional drip-feed water treatment systems. Enlarged Photo (121 KB file)
At this Kentucky mine site the operator has planted a grass cover all around the sedimentation pond to prevent soil erosion. In addition, this pond collects drainage form nearby mining through riprap drains that carry the water to the pond without causing gullies or erosion. The muddy appearance of the water is caused by a recent rainstorm that has carried in sediment. Enlarged Photo (110 KB file)
Working together, the Kentucky Department of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement and the Office of Surface Mining approved the Stone Mining Company Experimental Practice that transformed a coal slurry impoundment into the Grants Branch Lake...a fishing lake/mountain resort facility in Pike County, Kentucky. The Experimental Practice allowed alternative requirements of the Surface Mining Law so the slurry impoundment could be left as a permanent structure. Under the Experimental Practice, the company created a recreational lake in lieu of covering the slurry impoundment with the required four feet of non-toxic earth material..
Enlarged Photo (40 KB file) 
The Stone Mining Company began using the impoundment in 1968. Coal refuse generated at an adjacent cleaning plant was deposited behind the large embankment. The original permit required that the slurry pond be reclaimed to a post-mining land use of forest land and industrial/commercial use. The success for this post-mining land use was based on completely filling the impoundment with slurry, and when the plant supplying slurry to the impoundment ceased operation other reclamation alternatives were examined. Working with the county government, a plan was developed to reclaim the site into a recreation area that would directly benefit the community. The Experimental Practice was approved in 1997 and work began converting the coal slurry impoundment into a water resources recreational facility. Enlarged Photo (21 KB file) Photo Credit: Stone Mining Company
The elevation of the spillway was raised and the height of the embankment lowered in order to create usable flat land at the top and reduce the down stream slope of the dam. The entire face of the dam was covered with more than two feet of soil and grass was planted. Today the lake is approximately 21 acres and has 6,200 feet of shoreline. Stocked with more than 10,000 fish, it's a serene, peaceful setting complete with paved roads, parking, and picnic areas. When final bond is released, the land will be transferred to the county as a permanent public reclamation area.
Enlarged Photo (35KB file) Photo Credit: Stone Mining Company
The Grants Branch Lake and Recreation Facility has been recognized as a unique solution to the reclamation of a slurry pond. It has received the 1999 Governor's Environmental Excellence Award in Mining Reclamation- Eastern Kentucky, the 1999 Best Reclamation Award from the Pikeville Regional Office (jointly presented by the Kentucky Division of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement and the Kentucky Coal Association), an Honorable Mention Award from the Interstate Mining Compact Commission, and a National Reclamation Award from the Office of Surface Mining.
Enlarged Photo (46KB file)
Innovative planning resulted in improving conditions
When a final pit was being reclaimed as a pond, engineers designed a 30-acre two-tier flood plain that provides both flood storage and a forested wetland. The upper tier, 18 acres in size, has a slight slope that drains into the pond. Its water source is overland flow from precipitation that drains from adjacent land. The lower tier is 12 acres in size and is flat. It provides storage for the periodic flooding of the pond and is a wetland habitat similar to bottom land found throughout this part of Texas.
Enlarged Photo (21 KB file)
Use of native plants provided excellent cover on the reclaimed land
Trees have resulted in quickly establishing the natural landscape
Native vegetation planted on the lower tier provided a fast growing cover that prevents erosion and a root structure that stabilized the soil. The native oaks and other trees are rapidly becoming established and will eventually become the dominant tree cover. The forested land adjacent to the water provides a unique wildlife habitat that is integrated into the natural East Texas flooding that occurs during periods of high rainfall. Enlarged Photo (16 KB file)
Machine planting of containerized seedlings resulted in a 77 percent survival rate and a dense stand of trees and shrubs. Today, established wetland oaks, pecan, sweetgum, blackgum, persimmon, and red maple cover the upper tier, and bald cypress, water tupelo, and water hickory cover the depressions and wet areas. This innovative reclamation practice has resulted in a site that looks as natural as the native wetlands.
Enlarged Photo (20KB file)
