Catawissa Tunnel

Last updated
Catawissa Tunnel
Overview
StartSouth Green Mountain Coal Basin in East Union Township, Pennsylvania
EndCatawissa Creek in East Union Township, Pennsylvania
Operation
Opened1930s
Technical
Lengthapproximately 840 feet (260 m)

The Catawissa Tunnel is a mine drainage tunnel in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. [1] [2] The tunnel discharges into Catawissa Creek further upstream than any other mine drainage tunnel in the watershed. The tunnel was constructed in the 1930s and a passive treatment system may or may not be installed at the site of the tunnel. The tunnel is several hundred feet long.

Contents

Dissolved chemicals

The concentration of iron in the water discharged from the Catawissa Tunnel is 1.01 milligrams per liter and the daily load of iron is 6.9 pounds (3.1 kg). The iron load requires a 43 percent reduction to meet its total maximum daily load requirements. The concentration of manganese is 0.31 milligrams per liter and the load of manganese is 2.1 pounds (0.95 kg) per day. The load of manganese requires no reduction to meet its total maximum daily load requirements. The concentration of aluminum in the tunnel's waters is 1.27 milligrams per liter and the daily load is 8.7 pounds (3.9 kg). The aluminum load requires a 69 percent reduction to meet its total maximum daily load requirements. [2] The concentrations of metals in the tunnel are lower than other mine drainage tunnels in the watershed of Catawissa Creek. Construction was planned to occur some time after 2010 if at all. [3]

On April 15, 1975, the concentration of nitrogen in the form nitrates was measured to be 0.08 milligrams per liter in the waters of the Catawissa Tunnel. The concentration of organic carbon was measured to be 13.0 milligrams per liter. [4]

Other chemical hydrology

The discharge of the Catawissa Tunnel is 820,000 gallons per day. [2] The discharge of the tunnel ranges from 4,000 to 10,000 gallons per minute, although it can reach 18,000 gallons per minute during rainfall. This is fairly close to the discharges of the other mine drainage tunnels in the watershed of Catawissa Creek. [3]

The pH of the water discharged from the Catawissa Tunnel ranges from 3.8 to 4.5, with an average of 4.17. The concentration of acidity in the tunnel's water is 18.44 milligrams per liter and the daily load of acidity is 126.1 pounds (57.2 kg). The acidity load requires a 90 percent reduction to meet its total maximum daily load requirements. The concentration of alkalinity is 4.11 milligrams per liter and the daily load of alkalinity is 28.1 pounds (12.7 kg) per day. [2] The concentration of water hardness was measured to be 24.0 milligrams per liter in 1975. [4]

The water temperature of the water discharged from the Catawissa Tunnel was measured to be 7.0 °C (44.6 °F) on April 15, 1975. The specific conductance at this time was 175 micro-siemens per centimeter at 25 °C (77 °F). [4]

Description and geography

The Catawissa Tunnel is entirely in East Union Township. [1] It is approximately 840 feet (260 m) long, making it the shortest mine drainage tunnel in the watershed of Catawissa Creek. The tunnel begins in deep mines in the South Green Mountain Coal Basin and ends at Catawissa Creek in the Catawissa Creek valley. [2] The Catawissa Tunnel is relatively difficult to access. [3] The elevation of the tunnel is 1,440 feet (440 m) above sea level. [4]

The Catawissa Tunnel is approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) upstream of the Audenried Tunnel and 0.9 miles (1.4 km) upstream of the Green Mountain Tunnel. [2] [5] It discharges into Catawissa Creek further upstream than any other mine tunnel in the watershed. [2] The tunnel is less significant than the other mine drainage tunnels in the watershed of Catawissa Creek. [3]

The proposed passive treatment system for the Catawissa Tunnel would be capable of treating 3,000 gallons of water per minute. This would require 1,750 tons per year of limestone rock with high concentrations of calcium carbonate. Assuming a lifespan of 20 years, the limestone for the passive treatment system would cost $360,000. Land reclamation in the area where water enters the Catawissa Tunnel has been proposed. This would reduce the discharge of the tunnel and make it easier to treat the tunnel's water. [3]

The Catawissa Tunnel is near the community of Sheppton. [6]

History

Mining in the North Green Mountain Coal Basin and the South Green Mountain Coal Basin began in the middle of the 1800s. The construction of the Catawissa Tunnel was completed in the early 1930s. It was one of five mine drainage tunnels in the Catawissa Creek watershed to be constructed during this time (the others being the Audenried Tunnel, the Green Mountain Tunnel, the Oneida Number One Tunnel, and the Oneida Number Three Tunnel). [2] Its purpose is to drain water from deep mines in the South Green Mountain Coal Basin via gravity. [2]

Data on the discharge of the Catawissa Tunnel was collected continuously between July 1974 and September 1976. [6] A total maximum daily load for various substances was set for the Catawissa Tunnel in the total maximum daily load document for Catawissa Creek, which was completed in 2003. [2] There are plans to develop a treatment system for the tunnel, although this such plans are not considered to be high-priority. The treatment system for the tunnel is planned to be the last treatment system installed on any mine drainage tunnel in the watershed of Catawissa Creek and the construction of the treatment system is not definite. [3]

The Catawissa Tunnel is not on the Pennsylvania Section 303(d) list of streams that are impaired due to pH. [2]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catawissa Creek</span> Tributary of the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania

Catawissa Creek is a 41.8-mile-long (67.3 km) tributary of the Susquehanna River in east-central Pennsylvania in the United States. Its watershed has an area of 153 square miles (400 km2).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mahanoy Creek</span> Creek in Pennsylvania

Mahanoy Creek is a 51.6-mile-long (83.0 km) tributary of the Susquehanna River in Northumberland and Schuylkill counties, Pennsylvania. There are at least 35 sources of acid mine drainage in the creek's watershed. Anthracite was mined in the upper part of the Mahanoy Creek watershed in the 19th and 20th centuries. Mahanoy Creek's tributaries include Schwaben Creek, Zerbe Run, Little Mahanoy Creek, Shenandoah Creek, and North Mahanoy Creek. Little Mahanoy Creek and Schwaben Creek are two streams in the watershed that are unaffected by acid mine drainage. Schwaben Creek has a higher number and diversity of fish species than the main stem.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeddo Tunnel</span>

The Jeddo Tunnel is a drainage tunnel at water level in Pennsylvania. It is one of the Coal Region's biggest discharges of mine water. The tunnel is five miles long and was constructed between 1891 and 1894, and at the time of its construction, was reputed to be the largest mine drainage tunnel in the world. It consists of major tunnels A and B, and minor tunnels C, D and X.

The Audenried Tunnel, also known as the Audenried Mine Tunnel, is a drainage tunnel located in East Union Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately three miles long and drains the western portion of a coal basin near Kelayres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tomhicken Creek</span> Tributary of Catawissa Creek in Pennsylvania, US

Tomhicken Creek, also known as Tomhickon Creek, is a stream in Luzerne County and Schuylkill County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 11 miles (18 km) long and is the largest tributary of Catawissa Creek. Named tributaries of the creek include Little Crooked Run, Little Tomhicken Creek, Raccoon Creek, and Sugarloaf Creek. The watershed of the main stem has an area of 20.6 square miles. A number of mine tunnels discharge into the creek and its tributaries.

Sugarloaf Creek is a tributary of Tomhicken Creek in Luzerne County and Schuylkill County, in Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 3.5 miles (5.6 km) long and flows through Hazle Township and Black Creek Township in Luzerne County and North Union Township in Schuylkill County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Tomhicken Creek</span> River

Little Tomhicken Creek is a tributary of Tomhicken Creek in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 1.0 mile (1.6 km) long and flows through East Union Township and North Union Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 4.31 square miles (11.2 km2). The creek is considered to be a Coldwater Fishery. However, it is devoid of fish life and is impaired by acid mine drainage. It also has low water quality. The main rock formations in the creek's watershed are the Mauch Chunk Formation and the Pottsville Formation and the main soil is the Hazleton soil. Nearly all of the creek's length is fairly close to a road.

The Oneida Number One Tunnel is a mine drainage tunnel in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is one of five major mine tunnels in the watershed of Catawissa Creek. The tunnel discharges into Sugarloaf Creek near Lake Choctaw and Lake Susquehanna. The water quality of the tunnel's discharge has improved significantly since the installation of a treatment system at the site of the tunnel in 2001.

The Oneida Number Three Tunnel is a mine tunnel in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is one of five major mine tunnels in the watershed of Catawissa Creek. The tunnel discharges into Tomhicken Creek downstream of the mouth of Little Tomhicken Creek. The tunnel was constructed in the 1930s and a passive treatment system was installed at the site of the tunnel in 2009. The tunnel is more than a mile long.

The Green Mountain Tunnel is a mine drainage tunnel in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is one of five major mine drainage tunnels in the watershed of Catawissa Creek. The tunnel discharges into Catawissa Creek near the Audenried Tunnel and the Catawissa Tunnel. The tunnel was constructed in the 1930s and is slightly less than one mile long.

The Catawissa Tunnel is a mine drainage tunnel in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Its properties include the discharge, the pH, the chemical hydrology, and the water temperature. A total of 30 different metals and metalloids have been observed in the tunnel's waters. The hydrological data comes from a gauge on the tunnel at a location of 40°54'39" north and 76°03'59" west and an elevation of 1,440 feet (440 m) above sea level. Some of the most abundant metals in the waters of the tunnel include iron, aluminum, and manganese. These metals have concentrations on the order of several milligrams per liter. A number of other metals have concentrations on the order of micrograms per liter and some metals are found in even lower concentrations. Nonmetals such as nitrates, sulfates, fluorides, chlorides, and silica are also present in the tunnel. The concentrations of such nonmetals range between several micrograms per liter and several milligrams per liter.

The Quakake Tunnel is a mine drainage tunnel in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The tunnel is several thousand feet long and has a discharge of thousands of gallons per minute. It was the subject of an Operation Scarlift report. The tunnel is a major contributor of acid mine drainage to the watershed of the Lehigh River.

Stony Creek is a tributary of Black Creek in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 3.7 miles (6.0 km) long and flows through Hazle Township and West Hazleton. Its named tributaries include Cranberry Creek and Wolffs Run. Stony Creek is considered to be impaired by acid mine drainage and also has measurable concentrations of iron, aluminum, and manganese. The Llwellyn Formation and the Mauch Chunk Formation can be found near the creek. Land uses in its watershed include forested land and barren land. A reservoir has been constructed in the watershed and at least one bridge has been built over the creek. The creek is considered to be a coldwater fishery and a migratory fishery.

Cranberry Creek is a tributary of Stony Creek in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 4.4 miles (7.1 km) long and flows through Hazle Township. The creek is affected by acid mine drainage. It also contains metals such as iron, manganese, and aluminum. It is in the drainage basin of the Jeddo Tunnel. Major roads in the creek's watershed include Pennsylvania Route 924, Pennsylvania Route 309, and Interstate 81. At least one bridge has been built over it. The creek has undergone restoration and there are plans to construct an area known as the Cranberry Creek Gateway Park in its vicinity.

Spring Run is a tributary of Solomon Creek in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 2.1 miles (3.4 km) long and flows through Wilkes-Barre and Hanover Township. The watershed of the stream has an area of 4.34 square miles (11.2 km2). The stream is considered to be impaired by abandoned mine drainage. It is designated as a Coldwater Fishery, but is devoid of fish life. However, it does have some macroinvertebrates. Coal was mined in the stream's watershed in the past. At least one bridge crosses the stream.

Sugar Notch Run is a tributary of Solomon Creek in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 3.0 miles (4.8 km) long and flows through Hanover Township, Sugar Notch, and Ashley. The watershed of the stream has an area of 2.33 square miles (6.0 km2). The stream is considered to be impaired by abandoned mine drainage for its entire length. Brook trout and various macroinvertebrate taxa inhabit portions of the stream and it is designated as a Coldwater Fishery. Coal mining has historically been done in the watershed and a small intake dam was on the stream in the early 1900s. Recreational opportunities in the watershed include the Sugar Notch Trail System and Pennsylvania State Game Lands Number 207.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nanticoke Creek</span> River in the United States of America

Nanticoke Creek is a tributary of the Susquehanna River in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 4.4 miles (7.1 km) long and flows through Hanover Township and Nanticoke. The watershed of the creek has an area of 7.57 square miles (19.6 km2). The creek has one named tributary, which is known as Espy Run. Nanticoke Creek impaired by pH and metals due to abandoned mine drainage. Abandoned mine drainage discharges in the creek's watershed include the Truesdale Mine Discharge and the Askam Borehole. The creek is located in the Northern Middle Anthracite Field and is in the Anthracite Valley Section of the ridge and valley physiographic province. The main rock formations in the watershed include the Mauch Chunk Formation, the Pottsville Group, and the Llewellyn Formation. The surficial geology consists of coal dumps, surface mining land, alluvium, Wisconsinan Outwash, Wisconsinan Till, urban land, and bedrock.

Hans Yost Creek is a tributary of Deep Creek in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 3.4 miles (5.5 km) long and flows through Foster Township and Barry Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 3.52 square miles (9.1 km2). The creek is designated as an impaired waterbody, with the causes being metals and pH and the probable source being abandoned mine drainage. It has no named tributaries, but two abandoned mine discharges flow into it. The creek's watershed was extensively mined in the late 1800s and early 1900s, but the only remaining active mining permits are for remining.

Rausch Creek is a tributary of Pine Creek in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately 1.7 miles (2.7 km) long and flows through Hegins Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 9.55 square miles (24.7 km2). The creek has two named tributaries: East Branch Rausch Creek and West Branch Rausch Creek. Rausch Creek is designated as an impaired waterbody, with the cause of the impairment being metals and the probable source being abandoned mine drainage.

West Branch Rausch Creek is a tributary of Rausch Creek in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. It is approximately 3.7 miles (6.0 km) long and flows through Hegins Township. The watershed of the creek has an area of 4.78 square miles (12.4 km2). The creek is designated as an impaired waterbody due to metals from abandoned mine drainage. It has no named tributaries.

References

  1. 1 2 Pennsylvania Environmental Council (December 9, 2010), Catawissa Creek Watershed Rivers Conservation Plan (PDF), archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2015, retrieved October 17, 2014
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (March 1, 2003), CATAWISSA CREEK WATERSHED TMDL Carbon, Columbia, Luzerne, and Schuylkill Counties (PDF), archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2014, retrieved October 17, 2014
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Catawissa Creek Watershed Restoration Plan Update Addressing the TMDL (PDF), archived from the original (PDF) on November 9, 2013, retrieved October 17, 2014
  4. 1 2 3 4 United States Geological Survey (April 15, 1975), Water Quality Samples for the Nation: USGS 405439076035901 CATAWISSA TUNNEL , retrieved October 17, 2014
  5. ↑ The Top 20 Plan (PDF), Susquehanna River Basin Commission, p. 7, archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016, retrieved October 17, 2014
  6. 1 2 Douglas J. Growitz; Lloyd A. Reed; Mark M. Beard (1985), Reconnaissance of Mine Drainage in the Coal Fields of Eastern Pennsylvania, p. 15

40°54′39″N76°03′59″W / 40.9108°N 76.0664°W / 40.9108; -76.0664

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.