Stream water quality in the coal region of West Virginia and Maryland

Abstract

This report is a compilation of water quality data for 118 small streams sampled in 27 counties of West Virginia and nine streams in two counties of western Maryland. Forty-eight of these streams drain unmined watersheds; 79 drain areas where coal has been surface mined. Most of these streams were sampled at approximate monthly intervals. The water quality data from these streams are presented in this report and should help fill the need for data from small watersheds in West Virginia and Maryland. Data reported include the common ions, alkalinity, acidity, pH, 16 trace elements, 5 nitrogen and phosphorus species, specific conductance, suspended solids, turbidity, settleable matter, water temperature, and estimated discharge. Data contained in this report should not only be useful in assessing the environmental impacts on stream water quality of old and recent surface-mining for coal, it should also provide a data base of small reference watersheds which can serve as a basis for future studies. The report covers the period June 9, 1977 to November 9, 1979.

Citation

Dyer, Kenneth L. 1982. Stream water quality in the coal region of West Virginia and Maryland. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-70. Broomall, PA: U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experimental Station. 215 p.