Post-reclamation water quality monitoring of Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine : Final report

Hamblin-Katnik, Claudia; Jones, Christian; Kelso, Donald

The reclamation of Cabin Branch Mine Site is now several years in the past. This two-year study, funded by the NPS Water Resources Division (WRD), aims to assess whether water quality and aquatic habitat improvement objectives of the reclamation and restoration program were obtained and sustained in Quantico Creek. Although this study cannot definitively answer the question of whether or not the abandoned mine reclamation was successful, it has provided promising evidence of recovery Comparisons of pre and postreclamation data generally suggest decreases in the levels of sulfates and specific conductance as well as copper, iron and zinc However, sites 3, 4, and 5 continue to have elevated levels of the above, indicative of the residual effects of acid mine drainage contnbutions All sites maintained a pH level sufficient to support biotic life. Though the pattern of diversity and abundance at sites 3, 4, and 5 do not match that of 1 and 2, invertebrate assemblages fluctuated between non-impaired and moderately impaired with only one episode of severe impairment at site 4. The fish data suggests that there are now more individuals and greater diversity of fishes inhabiting the mine-impacted area. Groundwater sources as well as overland flow should be investigated to enhance the rate and extent of reclamation. If possible, appropriate supplementary reclamation efforts that will reduce the effects ofthe acid drainage to site 4 should be explored. Water quality monitoring, invertebrate monitoring, as well as fish data collection should logically follow any additional reclamation efforts. This study provides excellent baseline data from which further actions and/or progress can be measured.