Progress Continues on New Mine Drainage Treatment System for North Fork
When our engineering team temporarily drained the old Wetland Anoxic Limestone Drain (WALD) system that was designed to improve water quality on the North Fork of the Blackwater River, they got some good news.
The overwhelming majority of the existing limestone is in excellent condition and there appears to be no problem in recycling it to use in a more modern replacement treatment system, saving both time and money while reducing waste. With any luck we may even have some extra limestone that can be used to repair the potholes along the rail-trail!
Friends of Blackwater will be working with the US Forest Service and our contracted engineers to finalize the design of the replacement system over the remainder of the spring. As an added bonus, Bob Hedin – lead designer of the new system – has been invited to present our project at the WV Mine Drainage Task Force conference in Morgantown on March 26th and 27th. Hopefully, the extra spotlight will bring some added attention to the restoration work being done on the North Fork and the importance bringing it back to life. Thank you to all the FOB supporters who enable this important work!
