Channel Development on Unreclaimed Surface Mines in the Beaver Creek Watershed, Tucker County, West Virginia

Mining in the early to mid 1900’s has degraded streams within the Beaver Creek watershed in Tucker County, West Virginia. Channels have incised to bedrock and banks suffer from severe erosion. The sediment supply surpasses the stream’s transport capacity, which has resulted in channel alterations. In a preliminary study, the headwater regions of two streams within the Beaver Creek watershed were assessed geomorphologically to define similarities in channel development on disturbed mine soils. These streams were composed of primarily aggradading sections and fewer degradating sections. Channel gradient and width were the primary factors used to separate the stream into distinct geomorphic units. Channel morphologies did not correlate consistently with the Rosgen Stream Classification System. Preliminary results indicate refinements to this system are needed to delineate streams on disturbed lands. Further research that quantifies and describes primary channel alterations that have developed since mining, may reveal the natural responses these streams are taking to reestablish equilibrium. Continued work on these streams may provide further information on how streams respond to comparable alterations. ________________________________ Paper was presented at the 2004 National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation and The 25 West Virginia Surface Mine Drainage Task Force, April 18-24, 2004. Published by ASMR, 3134 Montavesta Rd., Lexington, KY 40502. 2 Wendy D. Igo is Graduate Student, Plant and Soil Science, Department, West Virginia University, Morgantown WV 26506-6300. [email protected] Jeffrey Skousen is Professor of Soil Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown WV 26506-6300.