Acid Mine Drainage to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed - Literature Synthesis

Published:

July 1, 1998

Originator:

Chesapeake Bay Program

EPA Number:

903-R-98-007

Categorized in:

Report

Land use activities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed are diverse and contribute significantly to water quality. Because of the long history of coal mining in the upper reaches of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, much concern has been generated regarding the impact of acid drainage from active and abandoned coal mines. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has singled out acid drainage from abandoned coal mines as the number one water quality problem in Appalachia. Acid mine drainage from abandoned coal mines is the most severe and extensive water pollution problem in western Maryland, West Virginia, and northern, central and western Pennsylvania. Within the Chesapeake Bay Basin, drainage from abandoned coals mines poses a significant threat to water quality in the Susquehanna. West Branch Susquehanna, and Juniata River basins in Pennsylvania, as well as North Branch Potomac River and its tributaries in West Virginia and Maryland.