Abandoned Mine Land Program

Pleasant View AML Reclamation Project, a.k.a. "Ketsup Lake"

Location: Central Hopkins County just west of Madisonville, Kentucky.
 
 

Description: It encompasses 250 acres consisting of scattered coal refuse deposits and numerous impoundments, the largest being 30 acres of highly acidic water, locally known as "Ketsup Lake." The acidic drainage from the area drains into Greasy Creek, a tributary of Clear Creek, a natural wetland. This photo is a view of one of the shallow coves of the lake. It shows the red stained water and heavy iron precipitate from which the lake got its local name, "Ketsup Lake."

Ongoing/planned Reclamation: The Pleasant View AML Reclamation Project was authorized by OSM in October 1997 for reclamation under the Kentucky state AML program. The low bid for the project was about $3.9 million. Reclamation activity involves grading the site to eliminate impoundments and refuse/spoil piles, covering coal refuse with mine spoil and providing positive drainage. The project is scheduled for completion in October 1999.

 Enlarged Photo (173 KB file)
 

This photo is a view of the refuse which produces runoff with the lake in the background.
 
 
 
 

Enlarged Photo (158 KB file)
 
 

Jones Branch Watershed

Location: South west McCreary Co. about 4.7 miles west of the confluence of Rock Creek and the South Fork of the Cumberland River.

Description: The photo depicts one of the discharges of Jones Branch within the silt delta at its confluence with Rock Creek. The mountains around Jones Branch contain extensive underground coal mines which produce acid mine drainage (AMD). The Jones Branch watershed collects the AMD and empties into Rock Creek. The upper 24 mile section of Rock Creek is a trout stream, extending about 8 miles into the state of Tennessee. The lower 4.7 mile section of Rock Creek is severely degraded by the AMD from Jones Branch and several other streams which average 3.0 pH and have high heavy metal concentrations. These conditions severely degrade the lower Rock Creek fishery. Rock Creek then emptys into the upper section of the South Fork of the Cumberland River within the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.

Ongoing/planned Reclamation: During the 1980's the State of Kentucky used AML funds to fund construction of an artificial wetland in the mid section of Jones Branch to treat AMD discharge from underground mines. This met with some success, but due to the small area available for wetland construction it has not proven to be a solution to the problem. Currently OSM is studying the area and soliciting other funding sources under the Clean Streams Initiative to identify and implement a solution to the AMD problem and restore the lower Rock Creek fishery.
Enlarged Photo (54 KB file)
 

Caney Creek Site

Location: In Kentucky's western coalfield.

Description: This site is one of about thirty (30) that were identified in a 1983 study of the Pond Creek watershed, of which Caney Creek is a tributary. The problems at this site result from a 70- acre coal refuse disposal area that was created in the 1940's and 1950's. The refuse is so toxic that no vegetation has been established, even though four decades have passed since it was deposited. Throughout the years, the site has been a constant source of sediment and toxic drainage.

Ongoing/planned Reclamation: Much of the surrounding area has been remined in recent years and as a result has been adequately reclaimed. This site was such a liability that it couldn't be included in any of these recent operations. Some of the other problem sites in the watershed were reclaimed in the mid 1980's by the AML program when more funds were available. Like the Caney Creek site, the other unreclaimed areas will continue to create problems until additional funding is made available.
Enlarged Photo (158 KB file)
 
 
 
 
 

Enlarged Photo (57 KB file)