Long-Term Effects of Surface Coal Mining on Ground-Water Levels and Quality in Two Small Watersheds in Eastern Ohio

摘要

The report describes changes in ground-water conditions in two watersheds representative of small watersheds of the region over periods of 8 and 10 years since mining and reclamation ended. Specifically, the report describes the (1) occurrence of ground water in and beneath the overburden spoil, (2) resaturation rates of the spoil material, (3) chemical changes in the water quality of the aquifers and ground-water discharge, and (4) the equilibrium state of ground water in each watershed. The report is based on data obtained by measurement of hydraulic head and water-quality sampling in each watershed. Data were collected from October 1985 through July 1989. These data were analyzed in concert with the data collected in the previously mentioned studies to describe the long-term changes within each watershed.