Hydrology of the abandoned coal mines in the Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania

Jerrald R. Hollowell

doi:10.3133/ofr74237

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Hydrology of the abandoned coal mines in the Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania

Jerrald R. Hollowell

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Abstract

Mine-water discharge, into the Susquehanna River degrades the river's quality during periods of low flow to a point critical for subsistence of aquatic life. To determine what measures are required to provide a better quality mine-water discharge in the Wyoming Valley, mine hydrology and mine-water quality are related to mine-pool management. The addition of mine-pool outlets at several locations would increase the rate of discharge and reduce interpool flow, which would reduce the total mineral load discharged to the river. Additional outlets would act as relief overflows to reduce the maximum fluctuation of mine-pool levels, decrease related mine-surface instability, and eliminate surface flooding.

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Jerrald R. Hollowell. 1974. Hydrology of the abandoned coal mines in the Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania. https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr74237

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