Acid Mine Drainage Abatement and Treatment Reports (AMDATs)
The AMDAT plan is the process for selecting and prioritizing restoration projects and involves the following components:
- Identification of the Hydrologic Unit
- Identifying the extent of the AMD affect on water quality and Biologic resources
- Identifying the sources of AMD
- Identifying individual projects and methods of abatement
- Developing the cost for proposed abatement strategy
- Identifying existing and proposed funding sources
- Analyzing cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits of projects
AMDATs have been created for three areas of concern in the Raccoon Creek Watershed; Raccoon Creek Headwaters, Raccoon Creek Middle Basin, and Little Raccoon Creek. View AMDATs for the Raccoon Creek Watershed, and others, at the link below:
AMDATs for the Raccoon Creek Watershed
Raccoon Creek Headwaters AMDAT Abstract
Abstract
The Raccoon Creek Headwaters study includes all area that drains into the mainstem from river mile 111.9 (the confluence of the East and West Branches of Raccoon Creek) to river mile 80.6 (the bridge over Raccoon Creek on US route 50) covering 200 square miles. The basin extends into Athens, Hocking and Vinton Counties. According to the Biological and Water Quality Study of the Raccoon Creek Basin (1995), written by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA), the leading cause of partial or non-attainment of water quality designations is Acid Mine Drainage (AMD). From the confluence of the East and West Branches to the discharge of Sandy Run (Lake Hope) the stream is designated as Limited Resource Water due to AMD and only partially meets this OEPA designated benchmark. The OEPA Raccoon Creek basin study states that the headwaters are substantially affected by the impacts of mining in the East Branch. The remainder of the mainstem is designated as Warmwater Habitat and meets this benchmark.
The Acid Mine Drainage Abatement and Treatment Plan supports this finding along with the identification of prioritized projects in the Brushy Creek, Mainstem to Brushy Creek section, Hewett Fork and West Branch subwatersheds. It is hoped that the completion of reclamation and the application of abatement strategies at the identified locations will lead to significant and immediate response of the biologic resources and overall health of the stream. This plan attempts to reach this goal by applying strategies that provide the appropriate level of technology and are cost effective.
AMDAT Plan Raccoon Creek Headwaters
Raccoon Creek Middle Basin AMDAT Abstract
Abstract
The Raccoon Creek Middle Basin study includes all area that drains into the mainstem from River Mile 80.6 to river Mile 37.5. This report assesses 184 square miles of drainage area, encompassing two major sub-watersheds and several smaller tributaries. The basin extends into Athens, Hocking and Vinton Counties. According to several published studies, including two USGS reports and a 1996 report by the Raccoon Creek Project Partners, Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) is the leading source of impairment and aquatic habitat degradation in the Middle Basin. Pierce Run is consistently identified in these studies as a significant source of AMD. Previous biological assessment of the Middle Basin in 1981 and 1995 identified AMD-related impairments in Strongs Run, Rockcamp Run, and Pierce Run, and indicated that these streams were in partial- or non-attainment of the Warmwater Habitat (WWH) biocriteria.
The Middle Basin Acid Mine Drainage Abatement and Treatment (AMDAT) Plan supports these findings, and identifies prioritized projects in the Pierce Run and Rockcamp Run sub-watersheds. It is hoped that the completion of reclamation and the application of abatement strategies at the identified locations will lead to significant and immediate response of the biologic resources and overall health of the stream. This plan attempts to reach this goal by applying strategies that provide the appropriate level of technology and are cost effective.
AMDAT Plan Middle Basin of Raccoon Creek
Little Raccoon Creek AMDAT Abstract
Abstract
The Little Raccoon Creek Watershed (LRC) is approximately 155 square miles in area and is largest tributary to the Raccoon Creek. It represents many of the characteristics that are seen in watersheds across the Appalachian coalfields. Those characteristics cover a host of social and environmental issues including the effects of underground and surface mining that has occurred over the past century. The effect can be seen in the degradation of a streams habitat and water quality from the highly acidic and metal laden water commonly referred to as Acid Mine Drainage (AMD).
The LRC Watershed has been the focus of a restoration project since the early 1990’s. The project is the result of the shared work of a citizens group, the Raccoon Creek Improvement Committee (RCIC), and government agencies charged with managing our natural resources. Other partners include several divisions of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), Local Resource Conservation and Development Councils, and Universities. From the earliest stages of the project the partners knew that a full characterization of the watershed was needed to establish the extent AMD problem. A few small AMD abatement projects have been undertaken in the watershed. It did not take the partners long to realize the importance of and need for a plan to resolve the AMD problem. As a result the Little Raccoon Creek Acid Mine Drainage Abatement and Treatment Plan (AMDAT) has been produced.
AMDAT Plan Little Raccoon Creek Watershed
Publications
Many reports, publications, and newsletters have been written about Raccoon Creek watershed. Visit the links below to read these publications!
The following reports and documents have been published by the various partners and affiliates of Raccoon Creek.
The AMDAT plan is the process for selecting and prioritizing restoration projects and involves the following components:
AMDATs have been created for three areas of concern in the Raccoon Creek Watershed; Raccoon Creek Headwaters, Raccoon Creek Middle Basin, and Little Raccoon Creek. View AMDATs for the Raccoon Creek Watershed, and others, at the link below:
AMDATs for the Raccoon Creek Watershed
The Raccoon Creek Headwaters study includes all area that drains into the mainstem from river mile 111.9 (the confluence of the East and West Branches of Raccoon Creek) to river mile 80.6 (the bridge over Raccoon Creek on US route 50) covering 200 square miles. The basin extends into Athens, Hocking and Vinton Counties. According to the Biological and Water Quality Study of the Raccoon Creek Basin (1995), written by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA), the leading cause of partial or non-attainment of water quality designations is Acid Mine Drainage (AMD). From the confluence of the East and West Branches to the discharge of Sandy Run (Lake Hope) the stream is designated as Limited Resource Water due to AMD and only partially meets this OEPA designated benchmark. The OEPA Raccoon Creek basin study states that the headwaters are substantially affected by the impacts of mining in the East Branch. The remainder of the mainstem is designated as Warmwater Habitat and meets this benchmark.
The Acid Mine Drainage Abatement and Treatment Plan supports this finding along with the identification of prioritized projects in the Brushy Creek, Mainstem to Brushy Creek section, Hewett Fork and West Branch subwatersheds. It is hoped that the completion of reclamation and the application of abatement strategies at the identified locations will lead to significant and immediate response of the biologic resources and overall health of the stream. This plan attempts to reach this goal by applying strategies that provide the appropriate level of technology and are cost effective.
AMDAT Plan Raccoon Creek Headwaters
The Raccoon Creek Middle Basin study includes all area that drains into the mainstem from River Mile 80.6 to river Mile 37.5. This report assesses 184 square miles of drainage area, encompassing two major sub-watersheds and several smaller tributaries. The basin extends into Athens, Hocking and Vinton Counties. According to several published studies, including two USGS reports and a 1996 report by the Raccoon Creek Project Partners, Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) is the leading source of impairment and aquatic habitat degradation in the Middle Basin. Pierce Run is consistently identified in these studies as a significant source of AMD. Previous biological assessment of the Middle Basin in 1981 and 1995 identified AMD-related impairments in Strongs Run, Rockcamp Run, and Pierce Run, and indicated that these streams were in partial- or non-attainment of the Warmwater Habitat (WWH) biocriteria.
The Middle Basin Acid Mine Drainage Abatement and Treatment (AMDAT) Plan supports these findings, and identifies prioritized projects in the Pierce Run and Rockcamp Run sub-watersheds. It is hoped that the completion of reclamation and the application of abatement strategies at the identified locations will lead to significant and immediate response of the biologic resources and overall health of the stream. This plan attempts to reach this goal by applying strategies that provide the appropriate level of technology and are cost effective.
AMDAT Plan Middle Basin of Raccoon Creek
The Little Raccoon Creek Watershed (LRC) is approximately 155 square miles in area and is largest tributary to the Raccoon Creek. It represents many of the characteristics that are seen in watersheds across the Appalachian coalfields. Those characteristics cover a host of social and environmental issues including the effects of underground and surface mining that has occurred over the past century. The effect can be seen in the degradation of a streams habitat and water quality from the highly acidic and metal laden water commonly referred to as Acid Mine Drainage (AMD).
The LRC Watershed has been the focus of a restoration project since the early 1990’s. The project is the result of the shared work of a citizens group, the Raccoon Creek Improvement Committee (RCIC), and government agencies charged with managing our natural resources. Other partners include several divisions of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), Local Resource Conservation and Development Councils, and Universities. From the earliest stages of the project the partners knew that a full characterization of the watershed was needed to establish the extent AMD problem. A few small AMD abatement projects have been undertaken in the watershed. It did not take the partners long to realize the importance of and need for a plan to resolve the AMD problem. As a result the Little Raccoon Creek Acid Mine Drainage Abatement and Treatment Plan (AMDAT) has been produced.
AMDAT Plan Little Raccoon Creek Watershed
Under the Clean Water Act of 1972 the purpose of watershed plans is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of stream segments that do not currently meet water quality standards. The Raccoon Creek partners have developed a long-term strategy for restoring the creek and educating the community about water quality. This plan addresses restoration efforts for impaired stream segments in the watershed as well as issues that local citizens have identified through an extensive public involvement process. Download the most recent management plans and appendices by clicking the links below. The Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view and print these documents.
Click on the project name below to view the 2016 NPS AMD project report:
2017-2018 Stream Health Report
2016 Stream Health Report
2015 Stream Health Report
2014 Stream Health Report
2013 Stream Health Report
2012 Stream Health Report
2011 Stream Health Report
2010 Stream Health Report
2009 Stream Health Report
2008 Stream Health Report
2007 Stream Health Report
2006 Stream Health Report
2005 Stream Health Report
To view past Comprehensive Non-point Source monitoring Reports, Click Here
To view past issues of our Raccoon Creek Newsletter please visit our News and Events page!
Welcome to Raccoon Creek Explorers!
What is Raccoon Creek Explorers? Raccoon Creek Explorers is a brand new environmental education program. The main focus will be encouraging youth to interact with the natural world around them. Different activities will be posted here and can be worked on whenever you want! Raccoon Creek Explorers isn’t limited to just the Raccoon Creek watershed. Anyone from Ohio and surrounding states can become an Explorer,
When are activities posted? One to three different activities will be posted on the first Monday of each month right here on our website and on our Facebook page. You can request for activities to be directly emailed to you by emailing us at raccooncreekpartnership@gmail.com.
Explorer Activities
Click on the activity you are interested in doing below!
Raccoon Creek Explorers December 2020 – What is a Watershed?
Raccoon Creek Explorers January 2021 Act. 1 – Follow Those Tracks!
Raccoon Creek Explorers January 2021 Act. 2 – What’s the pH?
Raccoon Creek Explorers February 2021 Act. 1 – Finding Your Way!
Raccoon Creek Explorers February 2021 Act. 2 – How to Identify Trees Without Leaves
Raccoon Creek Explorers March 2021 – Mapping Out Adventures
Raccoon Creek Explorers March Map Example
Raccoon Creek Explorers April 2021 – How to Measure Rainfall
Raccoon Creek Explorers May 2021 – Backyard Birding
Raccoon Creek Explorers June 2021 – Rain Garden
Raccoon Creek Explorers July 2021 – Moth Night!
Raccoon Creek Explorers August 2021 – Soil’s Part in the Rain Cycle
Raccoon Creek Explorers September 2021 – Salt Dough Fossils
Raccoon Creek Explorers October 2021 – Exploring Erosion
Raccoon Creek Explorers November 2021 – Why Do Leaves Change Color?
Raccoon Creek Explorers December 2021 – Freezing and Melting
Raccoon Creek Explorers January 2022 – Hockey Science
Raccoon Creek Explorers February 2022 – Ice Caps and Climate Change
Raccoon Creek Explorers March 2022 – Frog Calls
Raccoon Creek Explorers April 2022 – Decomposers
Raccoon Creek Explorers May 2022 – Dyed Flowers
Raccoon Creek Explorers June 2022 – Pollinators
Raccoon Creek Explorers July 2022 – Candy Core Samples
Raccoon Creek Explorers August 2022 – Ecosphere
Raccoon Creek Explorers September 2022 – Sound Science
Raccoon Creek Explorers October 2022 – Seed Dispersal
Raccoon Creek Explorers November 2022 – Bird Nests
Raccoon Creek Explorers December 2022 – Staying Warm
Raccoon Creek Explorers January 2023 – Snow Science
Raccoon Creek Explorers February 2023 – Fish buoyancy
Raccoon Creek Explorers March 2023 – Prism Power
Raccoon Creek Explorers April 2023 – Acid Rain
Raccoon Creek Explorers May 2023 – Surface Tension
Raccoon Creek Explorers June 2023 – Moths
Raccoon Creek Explorers July 2023 – Soda Bottle Compost
Raccoon Creek Explorers August 2023 – Bubble Science
Raccoon Creek Explorers September 2023 – DIY Centrifuge