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Linkages between acid and metal load reductions from AMD attenuation to ecological recovery in Little Raccoon Creek, Ohio. Raccoon Creek Partnership www.raccooncreek.org. Contributing authors: Jen Bowman, Brett Laverty, Kelly Capuzzi, and Mitch Farley. Author: Ben McCament Ohio University.
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Linkages between acid and metal load reductions from AMD attenuation to ecological recovery in Little Raccoon Creek, Ohio. Raccoon Creek Partnership www.raccooncreek.org Contributing authors: Jen Bowman, Brett Laverty, Kelly Capuzzi, and Mitch Farley Author: Ben McCament Ohio University Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs at Ohio University
Little Raccoon Creek AMD Treatment Projects Mulga Run Middleton Run (Salem Road) State Route 124 Seep Flint Run and Lake Milton Buffer Run
Little Raccoon Treatment Projects Totals $ 4,952,358 4065 683
Purpose and Goals • To evaluate mainstem chemical and biological water quality changes over time • Determine limiting factors of full biological recovery • Look at potentials for full recovery of mainstem with future AML projects
Data Sources Biological • ODNR Division of Wildlife (1951-1952) • Ohio EPA (1984, 1995, 2005-7) • USGS (1990,1999) Chemical • ODNR Division of Wildlife (1951-1952) • Ohio EPA (1970’s – 1995) • USGS (1972 – 2004) • ODNR Division of Mineral Resources Management (1996 – 2008)
1952 Division of Wildlife Study pH 3.9 Fish Population Poor Fair Good no fish pH 4.3 no fish suckers, bullhead catfish suckers, crappie, bluegill bullhead - channel catfish pH 5.5
LRC Mainstem Water Chemistry Little Raccoon Creek river mile 24.55 • Consistent net-alkaline conditions and pH between 6 & 8
LRC Mainstem Water Quality Little Raccoon Creek river mile 12.71 • Trend of decreasing Net-Acidity and increasing pH over 30+ year period
Aluminum IBI
Conclusions • Over past 3 decades water quality has improved in Little Raccoon Creek due to natural attenuation, surface reclamation, and AMD treatments • Little Raccoon Creek has the potential to fully recover with future restoration focus on aluminum reduction.