Hydrogeologic analysis of streamflow in relation to underground mining in northern West Virginia

Land subsidence, caused by longwall mining, has a negative effect on overlying watersheds. Nine streams were monitored from their headwaters to their mouths for discharge, temperature, conductivity, alluvium thickness, and alluvium sediment size. Seven streams are located over undermined longwall panels, with two located over non-undermined areas. Discharge data shows that non-undermined watersheds do not experience stream dewatering, regardless of alluvium thickness or sediment size. Streams located over active or recently mined longwall panels experience water loss that ranges from slight to total. Impacted streams with overall increases in conductivity and decreases in water temperature suggest that lost streamflow travels as underflow, mixing with more conductive, cooler ground water. A thin alluvial cover and poor sorting of streambed sediments appear to prolong stream dewatering. The excavation of stream channels did not remedy dewatering impacts, but returns a positive drainage gradient to the stream channel.

Name thesis:degree_name

MS

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Geology and Geography

Year dc:date.available

2000

Author dc:creator

• Gill, David Robert

Contributors dc:contributor

• Henry W. Rauch
• J. Steven Kite.

• Geology
• Hydrologic sciences
• Mining engineering

Identifier

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/1157

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchrepository.wvu.edu:etd-2160