Effects of reclamation on sedimentation and water quality of the West Branch Shade River
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Date
1994-12
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
From the mid-1940s until the early 1960s, coal was extensively strip mined in southeastern Ohio. Due to poor reclamation efforts, the West Branch Shade River has been exposed to a high accumulation of sediments. The result of this accumulation is a loss in channel conveyance. This increased sedimentation caused more frequent, and larger scale flooding, which raised considerable concern for local residents. In October 1994, measurements were taken from two areas of study to help provide information of the effectiveness of reclamation. A comparison to a similar study completed between October 1983, and September 1984 will be used as a control. The water quality of the West Branch Shade River was found to have a pH level from 6.1 at station 1 to a level of 4.9 at station 2. Specific conductance ranged from 435 microohm per centimeter at station 1 to 565 microohm per centimeter at station 2. Sediment thickness on the stream bottom ranged from 1.8 centimeters to 25 centimeters. A concentration of coal fragments was evident in the stream.