Three Fork Creek Restoration

Overview

Looking for more effective means of treating AMD and achieving an established goal of full stream restoration to a fishery quality, the WV AML program elected to move in a new direction and utilize in-stream active treatment. Instead of treating one source with passive treatment, WV AML would treat an entire watershed using in-stream dosers placed on tributaries impacted by AMD. A pilot project known as Three Forks Watershed Restoration was initiated with the construction of four (4) dosers in the spring of 2011.

See the results of these innovative approach to the AMD problem caused by Abandoned Mine Sites:

In-Stream Dosing Presentations

• In-Stream Dosing Presentation

  Presentation of WV AML In-Stream Dosing for Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage

• WV AML In-Stream Dosing for Treatment of AMD

  West Virginia has historically attempted to abate Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) through passive treatment. Since the inception of the West Virginia Abandoned Mine Lands and Reclamation (AML) program, dozens of passive treatment systems have been constructed throughout the state. Constantly looking for an effective means of treating AMD, the WV AML program constructed numerous variations of passive treatment systems, which varied from a simple limestone channel to combinations of Anoxic Limestone Drains (ALD) and Successive Alkaline Producing Systems (SAPS). While the majority of these systems initially improved water quality, these sites often reverted to pre-treatment conditions after just a few years.