Assessment of water quality in streams draining coal-producing areas in Ohio

Water quality in the coal-producing areas of eastern Ohio was studied in a two-phase investigation between May 1975 and August 1976. Results of phase one, a reconnaissance of water quality at 150 sites, indicated that acid mine drainage generally occurred where abandoned drift or strip mines were located, whereas areas characterized by reclaimed or active strip mines showed few instances of acid drainage. Phase two was a detailed study of four small basins: One contained abandoned drift mines; the second, abandoned strip mines; the third, reclaimed strip mines; the last, active strip mines. Results of phase two were similar to those of phase one. (USGS)