Effects of Historical Coal Mining and Drainage from Abandoned Mines
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The Conowingo Tunnel and the Anthracite Mine Flood-Control Project a Historical Perspective on a “Solution” to the Anthracite Mine Drainage Problem
The Conowingo Tunnel and the Anthracite Mine Flood-Control Project A Historical Perspective on a “Solution” to the Anthracite Mine Drainage Problem Michael C. Korb, P.E. Environmental Program Manager Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation (BAMR) Wilkes Barre District Office [email protected] www.depweb.state.pa.us Abstract Fifty-seven years ago, Pennsylvania’s Anthracite Mine Drainage Commission recommended that the Conowingo Tunnel, an expensive, long-range solution to the Anthracite Mine Drainage problem, be “tabled” and that a cheaper, short-range “job- stimulus” project be implemented instead. Today Pennsylvania’s anthracite region has more than 40 major mine water discharges, which have a combined average flow of more than 285,000 gallons per minute (GPM). Two of these average more than 30,000 GPM, 10 more of the discharges are greater than 6,000 GPM, while another 15 average more than 1,000 GPM. Had the Conowingo Tunnel Project been completed, most of this Pennsylvania Anthracite mine water problem would have been Maryland’s mine water problem. Between 1944 and 1954, engineers of the US Bureau of Mines carried out a comprehensive study resulting in more than 25 publications on all aspects of the mine water problem. The engineering study resulted in a recommendation of a fantastic and impressive plan to allow the gravity drainage of most of the Pennsylvania anthracite mines into the estuary of the Susquehanna River, below Conowingo, Maryland, by driving a 137-mile main tunnel with several laterals into the four separate anthracite fields. The $280 million (1954 dollars) scheme was not executed, but rather a $17 million program of pump installations, ditch installation, stream bed improvement and targeted strip-pit backfilling was initiated. -
Abandoned Mine Drainage Workgroup Overview
ABANDONED MINE DRAINAGE The headwaters of the Schuylkill River are located in the serene mountain valleys of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. An area rich in scenic beauty and coal mining history, the Little Schuylkill and Upper Schuylkill Rivers are designated cold-water fisheries, and the Schuylkill main stem is a State Scenic River at the confluence of these two tributary waterways. Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) is the primary cause of pollution in the Schuylkill River headwaters and the biggest source of metals downstream. AMD is created deep below the ground in abandoned mines where streams, groundwater, and stormwater fill tunnels that were once kept dry by active pumping operations. Water and oxygen react with lingering iron sulfide (pyrite) producing metal-laden and sometimes highly acidic discharges that exit the tunnels in telltale orange and silver plumes, easily visible in these regional surface waters. Abandoned mine discharge Schuylkill PottsvillPottsville River Watershed NJ S Reading ch uy Pottstown lk ill Trenton Riv e Norri r Norristown r PA e iv Philadelphia R Camden re wa N Wilmington la e DE D W E MD S Abandoned mine tunnel AMD interferes with vegetative growth and reproduction of aquatic animals by armoring the streambed with deposits of iron and other metals. Acidity and metals impair both surface and ground drinking water resources and quickly corrode pipes and industrial mechanisms. Unattractive waterways marred by AMD can hinder tourism and recreational opportunities like fishing, boating, and swimming that attract so many people to visit, vacation, and reside in this region. Passive AMD treatment system AMD treatment is expensive, but so is the economic and environmental damage that results from untreated AMD. -
Susquehanna Riyer Drainage Basin
'M, General Hydrographic Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 109 Series -j Investigations, 13 .N, Water Power, 9 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CHARLES D. WALCOTT, DIRECTOR HYDROGRAPHY OF THE SUSQUEHANNA RIYER DRAINAGE BASIN BY JOHN C. HOYT AND ROBERT H. ANDERSON WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1 9 0 5 CONTENTS. Page. Letter of transmittaL_.__.______.____.__..__.___._______.._.__..__..__... 7 Introduction......---..-.-..-.--.-.-----............_-........--._.----.- 9 Acknowledgments -..___.______.._.___.________________.____.___--_----.. 9 Description of drainage area......--..--..--.....-_....-....-....-....--.- 10 General features- -----_.____._.__..__._.___._..__-____.__-__---------- 10 Susquehanna River below West Branch ___...______-_--__.------_.--. 19 Susquehanna River above West Branch .............................. 21 West Branch ....................................................... 23 Navigation .--..........._-..........-....................-...---..-....- 24 Measurements of flow..................-.....-..-.---......-.-..---...... 25 Susquehanna River at Binghamton, N. Y_-..---...-.-...----.....-..- 25 Ghenango River at Binghamton, N. Y................................ 34 Susquehanna River at Wilkesbarre, Pa......_............-...----_--. 43 Susquehanna River at Danville, Pa..........._..................._... 56 West Branch at Williamsport, Pa .._.................--...--....- _ - - 67 West Branch at Allenwood, Pa.....-........-...-.._.---.---.-..-.-.. 84 Juniata River at Newport, Pa...-----......--....-...-....--..-..---.- -
Upper Susquehanna River Basin Flood Damage Reduction Study
Final Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Report Upper Susquehanna Comprehensive Flood Damage Reduction Study Prepared For: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Prepared By: Department of the Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service New York Field Office Cortland, New York Preparers: Anne Secord & Andy Lowell New York Field Office Supervisor: David Stilwell February 2019 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Flooding in the Upper Susquehanna watershed of New York State frequently causes damage to infrastructure that has been built within flood-prone areas. This report identifies a suite of watershed activities, such as urban development, wetland elimination, stream alterations, and certain agricultural practices that have contributed to flooding of developed areas. Structural flood control measures, such as dams, levees, and floodwalls have been constructed, but are insufficient to address all floodwater-human conflicts. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is evaluating a number of new structural and non-structural measures to reduce flood damages in the watershed. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) is the “local sponsor” for this study and provides half of the study funding. New structural flood control measures that USACE is evaluating for the watershed largely consist of new levees/floodwalls, rebuilding levees/floodwalls, snagging and clearing of woody material from rivers and removing riverine shoals. Non-structural measures being evaluated include elevating structures, acquisition of structures and property, relocating at-risk structures, developing land use plans and flood proofing. Some of the proposed structural measures, if implemented as proposed, have the potential to adversely impact riparian habitat, wetlands, and riverine aquatic habitat. In addition to the alternatives currently being considered by the USACE, the U.S. -
Shoup's Run Watershed Association
11/1/2004 Shoup Run Watershed Restoration Plan Developed by the Huntingdon County Conservation District for The Shoup Run Watershed Association Introduction Watershed History The Shoup Run, locally known as Shoup’s Run, watershed drains approximately 13,746 acres or 21.8 square miles, in the Appalachian Mountain, Broad Top region of the Valley-Ridge Physiographic Province. Within this province, the area lies within the northwestern section of the Broad Top Mountain Plateau. This area is characterized by narrow valleys and moderately steep mountain slopes. Shoup Run is located in Huntingdon County, but includes drainage from portions of Bedford County. Shoup Run flows into the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River near the community of Saxton at river mile 42.4. Shoup Run has five named tributaries (Figure 1). Approximately 10% of the surface area of the Shoup Run basin has been surface mined. Much of the mining activity was done prior to current regulations and few of the mines were reclaimed to current specifications. Surface mining activity ended in the early 1980’s. There is currently no active mining in the watershed. Deep mines underlie approximately 12% of the Shoup Run watershed. Many abandoned deep mine entries and openings still exist in the Shoup Run Basin. Deep mining was done below the water table in many locations. In order to dewater the mines, drifts were driven into the deep mines to allow water to flow down slope and out of many of the mines. The bedrock in this area is folded and faulted. Tunnels were driven through many different lithologies to allow drainage. -
Pine Knot Mine Drainage Tunnel –
QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF STREAM WATER DRAINING MINED AREAS OF THE UPPER SCHUYLKILL RIVER BASIN, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, USA, 2005-20071 Charles A. Cravotta III,2 and John M. Nantz Abstract: Hydrologic effects of abandoned anthracite mines were documented by continuous streamflow gaging coupled with synoptic streamflow and water- quality monitoring in headwater reaches and at the mouths of major tributaries in the upper Schuylkill River Basin, Pa., during 2005-2007. Hydrograph separation of the daily average streamflow for 10 streamflow-gaging stations was used to evaluate the annual streamflow characteristics for October 2005 through September 2006. Maps showing stream locations and areas underlain by underground mines were used to explain the differences in total annual runoff, base flow, and streamflow yields (streamflow/drainage area) for the gaged watersheds. For example, one stream that had the lowest yield (59.2 cm/yr) could have lost water to an underground mine that extended beneath the topographic watershed divide, whereas the neighboring stream that had the highest yield (97.3 cm/yr) gained that water as abandoned mine drainage (AMD). Although the stream-water chemistry and fish abundance were poor downstream of this site and others where AMD was a major source of streamflow, the neighboring stream that had diminished streamflow met relevant in-stream water-quality criteria and supported a diverse fish community. If streamflow losses could be reduced, natural streamflow and water quality could be maintained in the watersheds with lower than normal yields. Likewise, stream restoration could lead to decreases in discharges of AMD from underground mines, with potential for decreased metal loading and corresponding improvements in downstream conditions. -
The Nanticoke Valley Historical Society of Maine, NY Presents
The Nanticoke Valley Historical Society of Maine, NY Presents: An Introduction to the Baldwin Family of Nanticoke, NY The Who, What, Why and Where of the Town of Nanticoke, NY June 21, 2021 “When the township of Lisle was set off from Union in 1801, Nanticoke went with it and remained a part of that township until April 18, 1831, when by an act of the Legislature a new township to be known thereafter as Nanticoke, an Indian name, was erected. In compliance with the act establishing the township, the first town meeting was held at the house of Philip Councilman” Seward, William Foote 1829 1855 Map of Nanticoke “The only villages in the town of Nanticoke are Glen Aubrey and Nanticoke. These hamlets grew YEAR POP. up around lumber and flour mills, and as long as the deep 1835 295 forests in the township afforded 1850 576 material, people continued to 1860 797 collect about them. The time 1870 1058 came, however, when the 1880 999 timber supply was practically 1890 728 exhausted, the mills fell into 1900 666 decay and population deteriorated. We shall be 1910 536 , interested in following the 1920 444 figures which record this 2010 1672 gradual decay.” Seward, William 2018 1591 Foote Lamb’s Corners Glen Aubrey General Timeline Referring to Some Facts Concerning Nanticoke NY – Starting 1700 -1921 Prior to 1700 the New York State region was the home to the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois and the Algonquian tribes) which formed an alliance called the Five Nations (Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga and Seneca) The Tuscarora joined later and it began the Six Nations. -
Enacts As Follows: Section 1. Shorttitle. This Act Shall Be Known And
SESSION OF2002 Act 2002-223 1815 No. 2002-223 A SUPPLEMENT HB2741 To the act of December 8, 1982 (P.L.848, No.235), entitled “An act providing for the adoption of capital projects related to the repair, rehabilitation or replacement of highway bridges to be financed from current revenue or by the incurring of debt and capital projects related to highway and safety improvement projects to be financed from current revenue of the Motor License Fund,” itemizing additional local and State bridge projects. The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as the Highway-Railroad and Highway Bridge Capital Budget Supplemental Act for2002-2003. Section 2. Definitions. The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: “Account.” The Highway Bridge Improvement Restricted Account within the Motor License Fund. “Capital project.” A capital project as defmed in section 302 of the act of February 9, 1999 (P.L. 1, No.1), known as the Capital Facilities Debt Enabling Act, and shall include a county or municipal bridge rehabilitation, replacement or improvement project as set forth in this act. “Department.” The Department of Transportation of the Commonwealth. “Secretary.” The Secretary of Transportation of the Commonwealth. Section 3. Total authorization for bridge projects. (a) Total projects.—The total authorization for the costs of the projects itemized pursuant to this act and to be fmanced from current revenue or by the incurring of debtshall be $1,563,530,000. -
Elite Migration and Urban Growth: the Rise of Wilkes-Barre in the Northern Anthracite Region, 1820-1880
EdwardJ. Davies II UNIVERSITY OF UTAH ELITE MIGRATION AND URBAN GROWTH: THE RISE OF WILKES-BARRE IN THE NORTHERN ANTHRACITE REGION, 1820-1880 HISTORIANS HAVE recently begun to devote considerable at- tention to the study of urban elites. In particular, these scholars have examined elites during the rapid economic growth of early industrial America, and have attempted to gauge the im- pact of these economic changes on their character. For the most part, the upper class has been studied as an indicator of the fluidity in urban society. The upper class provides an effective means to investigate this issue both because of the elite's visibility and the high socio-economic status of its members in local society. Accordingly, historians have studied the ethnic composition of the elite as well as the class origins of urban leaders to determine to what degree birth or talent has influenced access to a city's upper class.' 1. Richard S. Alcorn, "Leadership and Stability in Mid-Nineteenth Century America: A Case Study of an Illinois Town," Journal of American History, 61 (1974): 685-702; E. Digby Baltzell, Philadelphia Gentlemen (Chicago: Quadrangle Books, 1971); Stuart Blumin, "The Historical Study of Vertical Mobility," Historical Methods Newsletter, 1 (1968): 1-13; Gunther Barth, "Metropolitanism and Urban Elites in the Far West," in The Age of Industrialism in America, ed. Frederic C. Jahner (New York: The Free Press, 1968), pp. 158-87, Clyde and Sally Griffen, Natises and Newcomers: the Ordering of Opportunity in Mid-Nineteenth Century Poughkeepsie (Cambridge, Massa- chusetts: Harvard University Press, 1978), see Chapter 4, "Men at the Top."; Herbert Gutman, "The Reality of Rags to Riches Myth," in Nineteenth Century Cities, eds. -
Luzerne County, PA
Earth Conservancy South Valley Corridor Lands, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania DRAFT FINAL REUSE ANALYSIS AND SUSTAINABLE REDEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Through support provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the SRA Team (SRA International, Inc. and Vita Nuova) conducted several research tasks to develop a regional analysis to support potential development of Earth Conservancy property. The SRA Team conducted a regional analysis to identify opportunities and constraints and to present a regional framework which would support redevelopment of the South Valley Corridor lands owned by Earth Conservancy. In addition, the SRA Team developed preliminary draft development concepts to showcase redevelopment opportunities which are supported by the regional market as well as the site location and opportunities. This analysis is one component of a comprehensive project to understand the economic history and trends of the region, market competition and potential for the area, and physical opportunities and constraints of the site. This analysis will 1) help the Earth Conservancy Board of Directors make informed decisions regarding the implementation of the 1999 Master Plan and the phasing of development and 2) provide the preliminary data and analysis from which developers/investors will make decisions. The following analysis reviews the greater Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) region for economic history and trends and market competition. The market potential focuses on the viability of developing the South Valley Corridor lands in the Wyoming Valley. This information was collected through qualitative (regional visit, interviews) and quantitative (data searches) approaches. PROJECT LOCATION/STUDY AREA AND PRINCIPLES The area considered in the reuse planning framework includes areas of the City of Nanticoke, Hanover Township, and Newport Township of the Wyoming Valley, which runs northeast to southwest in eastern Pennsylvania and which includes the cities of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. -
Guide-Book of the Lehigh Valley Railroad And
t.tsi> GUIDE-BOOK OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY RAILROAD AND ITS SEVERAL BRANCHES AND CONNECTIONS; WITH AN ACCOUNT, DESCRIPTIVE AND HISTORICAL, OF THE PLACES ALONG THEIR ROUTE; INCLUDING ALSO A HISTORY OF THE COMPANY FROM ITS FIRST ORGANIZA- TION. AND INTERESTING FACTS CONCERNING THE ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF THE COAL AND IRON TRADE IN THE LEHIGH AND WYOMING REGIONS. HANDSOMELY ILLISTEATED FROM RECENT SKETCHES, PREFIXED TO WHICH IS A MAP OF THE ROAD AND ITS CONNECTIONS. PHILADELPHIA: A J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. 1873. flS^ Cn Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by WILLIAM H. SAYRE, In the OfBce of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by WILLIAM H. SAYRE, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. RELIABLE CONNECTIONS FREIGHT. QUICK TIME Tlic facilities of the Lehigh Valley Double Track Uailroad LAST HXPRLSS TRAINS, for the prompt dispatch of all kinds iif Merchandise Krciglils are iHU'i|ualed. NEW YORK, Fast PHILADKLlMllA, DOUBLE TRACK SHORT LINE, Frhigi IT Trains BALTIMUKK, WIN n.Ml.V liKTWKKN AND RUNNING TO ANU FROM ALL POINTS IN TlIK New WASHINGTON, York, Mahanoy City, Philadelphia, Wilkes-Marrc, DAILY (Suiidi y» ox.,o,)U)cJ) for Belhlohein, Pittslon, Allcntown, Auburn, .MIdUowii, Maiich CliunU, Rodu-St.T, MAHAIOY,BEAyER MEADOW, HAZLETON &WYOMING I'iiiilra, Glen Onoko, and tlu Buffalo, Mauch Clumk, Ithaca, Switch-back, Niagara Falls, Hazleton, Owego, Catawissa, The Canadas, COAL FIELDS, Catawissa, Auburn, Sunbui^, Dunkirk, Danville, Rochester, Wilkcs-Ban-e, Erie, . Pittston, Oil Regions, AND THROUGH THE .Sunbury, Buffalo, Hazleton, Cleveland, Danville, Toledo, ,\Ni) Al.l, I'OIN-IS IN Till'; Mahanoy City, 1 )etroit. -
Regional Chesapeake Bay Pollutant Reduction Plan for Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority (Wvsa)
369 East Park Drive Harrisburg, PA 17111 (717) 564-1121 www.hrg-inc.com August 2017 REGIONAL CHESAPEAKE BAY POLLUTANT REDUCTION PLAN FOR WYOMING VALLEY SANITARY AUTHORITY (WVSA) PREPARED FOR: WVSA LUZERNE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA HRG Project No. R005655.0426 ©Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc., 2017 REGIONAL CHESAPEAKE BAY POLLUTANT REDUCTION PLAN FOR WYOMING VALLEY SANITARY AUTHORITY, LUZERNE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary Introduction Section A – Public Participation Section B – Maps Section C – Pollutants of Concern Section D – Existing Pollutants of Concern Loading D.1 Baseline Pollutant Load Calculation D.2 Baseline Adjustment Section E – Select BMPs to Achieve the Minimum Required Reductions in Pollutant Loading E.1 Pollutant Reduction Requirements E.2 Proposed BMPs E.3 Partnerships E.4 Reportable BMPs Section F – Funding Mechanism Section G – BMP Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Appendices Appendix I – MS4 Permittee Participant List Appendix II – Public Comment Documentation Appendix III – Impaired Sewershed Maps Appendix IV – MS4 Municipal Requirements Appendix V – Existing Pollutant Loading Calculations Appendix VI – Pollutant Load Reduction Requirements BMP Strategy Pollutant Load Reduction Calculations Appendix VII – BMP Schematic Construction Details Regional Chesapeake Bay Pollutant Reduction Plan Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania Page 1 Executive Summary The Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority (WVSA) has expanded their purpose and powers to include stormwater management. This