From 2005 to 2015, nine restoration projects were completed within the Bear Run Watershed tributary of the West Branch Susquehanna River in Banks Township, Pennsylvania, returning much of the waters to a habitable status for wild trout. The final three projects, located in the South Branch, aim to remediate and restore the remaining areas impacted by abandoned mine drainage.

A Tale of Two Tributaries

Bear Run begins at the confluence of the North Branch and South Branch, which are two very different streams. The North Branch is the only Exceptional Value (EV) stream in Indiana County and contains a Class A population of native brook trout, mainly due to mine seams dipping away from the North Branch. The South Branch, on the other hand, is where many of those coal seams outcrop and were extensively deep mined and later surface mined. Prior to the nine initial remediation projects, the South Branch was mainly fish-less and had acidic pH values with elevated iron and aluminum concentrations. As a result of remediation, the entirety of the South Branch now contains fish, but not at population levels seen in the North Branch. It also still contains a section with slightly elevated iron concentrations. With the influx of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding for abandoned mine drainage (AMD) treatment and abandoned mine land (AML) reclamation, the final three prime untreated discharges can now be remediated.

Reclamation of State Game Lands 174

Much of the Bear Run Watershed is found within Pennsylvania State Game Lands 174 at 3,956 acres in size. Restoration of the waters of Bear Run and the reclamation of AMLs located within the watershed and game lands not only improve the resources for the people utilizing these public lands, but also improve the safety for visitors. The remaining AML problem areas within the watershed and game land can be reclaimed to eliminate hazards, resulting in improved quality of the environment. The lands can also be reclaimed in a way where the post-reclamation sites serve as a food plot for area hunters. Since reclamation and treatment of most of the mining impacts from 2005 through 2015, Bear Run is increasing used by anglers, particularly on the North Branch and the section of Bear Run downstream of the North and South Branch’s confluence. With these remaining projects, the South Branch has the potential to improve to a similar quality as that seen in the North Branch.

Project Results

Design and permitting of three passive treatment systems within the South Branch tributary will improve the fish habitat and stream water quality of the South Branch and Bear Run. The passive treatment systems utilize two oxic limestone drains, and one bioreactor. Using these plans, the Indiana County Conservation District will be able to submit future construction grant proposals.

Project Details

Location:
Banks Township, PA
Owner:
Indiana County Conservation District