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Published byDana McLaughlin Modified over 9 years ago
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PRODIGIOUS STREAM RESTORATION, REHABILITATION AND RECLAMATION NEEDS IN THE APPALACHIAN COAL FIELDS J. Steven Kite, Jocelyn Smith & Jennifer Walker West Virginia University Mountain-Top Removal & Valley Fill, Kayford Mountain, 1997 Presentation Complete with Images is Available at http://www.geo.wvu.edu/~kite/2004SENEGSA.htm
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100 0 See Image from: Hooke, R. L., 1999, Spatial distribution of human geomorphic activity in the United States; comparison with rivers: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, v. 24, p. 687-692. Where is Stream “Restoration” Need Greatest? Human Earth Movement: Million Tons/Year for 1° Longitude by 1° Latitude Grid Cells
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2000 Production Employment West Virginia Coal Mining Production (Million Tons) & Employment (Thousands) Modified from Charleston Sunday Gazette-Mail SMCRA
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Potomac Mine, Elk Run, Grant Co. WV, June 1999 AOC is Far Removed from Original Landscape Form and Function. Surface Mine Control & Reclamation Act (SMCRA, 1977) Requires Reclamation to Approximate Original Contour (AOC)
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Gullies Downslope of Truncated Stream, North-Central WV
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Pre-Mining Drainage Network
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Post- Reclamation Drainage Post- Reclamation Drainage 1 st and 2 nd Order Streams Decapitated from Rest of Drainage Network.
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Pre-Mining vs. Post-Reclamation Drainage for Three Surface Mine Sites in Northern WV Pre-Mining (Map Based) Post- Reclamation (Field Based) Net Change Total Channel Lengths 3 Sites11,623 m7384 m- 36.4 % Control1866 m1882 m- 0.1% 1 st Order: 2 nd Order Bifurcation Ratios 3 Sites 3.387.89 +133.4 % Control2.603.17+ 22% Decrease in Drainage Density and Integration
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1 st Order Stream Bed Mobilization on Reclaimed Mine Wastes Minden AML Site, after 115 cm Rainfall, July 2001 NPS Photo
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Oversized Rock-Lined Slope-Orthogonal 2 nd Order Channel Incapable of Most Stream Functions
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Unlined Sub-Horizontal Anthropogenic 1 st Order “Stream” Designed NOT to Transport Sediment
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“ Deranged” Drainage Streams Sub-Parallel to Contour Huge (Rock Lined?) Streams Orthogonal to Slope Straight Channels, 90º Intersction Angles Permit Area #80-80, 2002, North Central WV
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Stream “Restoration” Issues Related to Reclaimed Contour Surface Mines Ecological Integrity Drainage Integration –Bank-Full and Flood Flows? Sediment Supply & Transport Natural Stream Design Cost-Benefits vs. Currently Used Structures –Over What Time Frame?
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Mountain-Top Removal More Prodigious Stream “Restoration” Needs: Mountain-Top Removal and Valley Fill Valley Fill
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End-Dump Produces Internal Drainage System Without Chimney Drain Cost “Durable” Rock Valley Fill
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Some Fills Exceed 100 m in Depth (large dump truck for scale ) Amherst, WV
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Completed Durable Rock Valley Fill >1700 Valley Fills in WV Up to 195 hectares (480 acres) each >1600 km of Streams Filled in WV
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Scour of Unmined Colluvial Slope in Valley Fill “Groin,” July 2001 Photo: K. Paybins, USGS Unfinished Valley FIll Colluvial Slope
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Scoured Colluvium Valley Fill Groin July 2001 Valley Fill Colluvium J.S. Kite Photo
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Cyprus Kanawha Mine Valley Fills: Completed & Under Construction Photo by Lawrence Pierce, Charleston Gazette, 1998 “Natural” Valley Fill Design? Materials:Materials: –“Durable” Rock May Not Be Available in Quantity –Wrong Geology Yields Bad Fill –Channels & Toeslopes Must Be Armored to Avoid Run-Away Incision Slope Stability = Critical to Stream DesignSlope Stability = Critical to Stream Design –Landslides & Debris Flows Exacerbate Floods Water Flow Must Be Carefully RoutedWater Flow Must Be Carefully Routed –Groins = Vulnerable
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Stream “Restoration” Issues Related to Valley Fills Habitat Loss & Ecological Integrity Flood & Baseflow Hydrograph Enhancement or Attenuation? Sediment Supply & Transport Selection of Appropriate Analogs? Pre-SMCRA Mining in Most Watersheds USGS Photo
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