The purpose of this project was to assess mine drainage impacts and to provide a restoration plan for Little Coon Run and Walley Run, tributaries of Coon Creek. Coon Creek is a tributary of Tionesta Creek, classified as watershed 16F by the DEP. Figure 1 shows the study area. The study area is located primarily in Farmington Township, Clarion County. A small part of the western portion of the Little Coon Run watershed lies in Washington Township, Clarion County. In addition, the final 100 meters of Walley Run before the confluence with Coon Creek are located in Green Township, Forest County. Bull Run, a tributary of Coon Creek that lies between Little Coon Run and Walley Run, is not impacted by mine drainage.

No named settlements are located within the watershed, but the villages of Crown, Tylersburg, Frills Corners and Newmansville are located just outside the watershed boundaries. The North Clarion High School is located partially within the watershed. State Game Lands #24 encompasses most of the main stem of Little Coon Run, the area around the mouth of Walley Run, and the entire length of Coon Creek in the study area. Numerous permanent residences and camps are located within the watershed.

The main branch of Walley Run flows 3.7 miles. Walley Run also has 2.3 miles of tributary streams. Little Coon Run is 4.1 miles long and has 6.5 miles of tributary. Therefore, 16.6 miles of streams and tributaries are present in the study area. (Note: All stream lengths measured from blue-line streams on USGS 7.5’ Topographic Maps.)

B. Watershed Geology and History

The study area is located in the northwestern segment of Pennsylvania known as the Allegheny Plateau Section of the Appalachian Plateau Physiographic Province. The topography is typified by broad hilltops at the headwaters of streams with steeply dissected hillsides at the confluence of major tributaries.

The regional structure is controlled by the Leeper Anticline that is located within 2,000 feet of the southeast corner of the County Landfill operations, passing through the town of Leeper, with the axis of the anticline trending in a northeast to southwestern direction. The Frills Corners Syncline accompanies the Leeper Anticline and is situated to the northwest. The axis of the syncline also trends in a northeast to southwestern direction with its axis located to the northwest of Frills Corners. Little Coon Run and Lard Run originate on the northwestern flank of the Leeper Anticline and flow towards the axis of the Frills Corner Syncline, with the main drainage of Little Coon Run following the axis of the syncline closely.

Pennsylvanian age rocks outcrop in the Allegheny and Pottsville Groups in the upper portions of the watersheds, while the Mississippian age Shenango Formation outcrops in the lower reaches of the streams at Coon Creek. Total amount of relief between headwaters of the streams and Coon Creek is approximately 340 feet.

The headwaters of the streams fall near the contact between the base of the Pennsylvania Allegheny Group and the top of the Pennsylvania Pottsville Group. The Clarion coal occurs near the base of the Allegheny group and was widely mined in the study area. The clay beneath the Clarion coal serves as the base of the Allegheny Group.

The topography of the watersheds is moderately steep at their confluence with Coon Creek, while the headwater areas are gently rolling to relatively flat. Little Coon Run and Lard Run originate near the base of the Clarion coal seam. Prior to the mining of the Clarion coal seam, discharges off the coal seam likely produced good water. During the mining of the coal, overburden was placed on the outcrop of the coal seam covering up any sign of the edge of coal. Water draining off of the coal seams currently infiltrates spoil and soil, emerging down gradient of the original location of the coal outcrop. In most instances, water discharging in close proximity to these abandoned mine sites is polluted mine drainage.

Deep mining occurred in the area and was conducted around the time of World War II. Surface mining in this area started in the 1940's and continued until the 1960's. In addition, there were small "house coal" mines that were utilized by local residents for the heating of their homes. The hilltops in the upper reaches of the watersheds contained small patches of coal that were removed using a hilltop removal pattern. Coal crops may have been left in place in some areas. These small abandoned mines and their associated spoil areas appear to be the main source of pollution to these streams. The only coal that remains in the area is at coal outcrop locations and under roadways and cemeteries.

Oil and gas exploration and production has also impacted the study area. Numerous abandoned oil and gas wells are present, some of which discharge mine drainage to the streams. The abandoned wells provide a conduit for contaminated water in lower aquifers to rise to the surface.

A landfilling operation was started on an abandoned strip mine in the headwaters of the stream in the late 1970’s. The landfill was known as the Kinnear Landfill and is located on the watershed divide between Walley Run to the northeast, Little Coon Run to the west and northwest and Toby Creek to the south and southeast. In 1987, County Environmental began operating the landfill, which continues to the present. The leachate from the site is collected and treated. The treatment plant effluent from the landfill forms the headwaters of Lard Run, a tributary to Walley Run.

In 1996, 2.8 miles of Walley Run was added to the EPA’s 303D list of impaired streams and rivers. Contamination from metals, presumably due to AMD, was the reason for the listing. Little Coon Run has not yet been assessed for inclusion on the list. Conversely, in 2001, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission investigated Walley Run. As a result of their investigation, Walley Run was reclassified as a Reproducing Trout Stream (Damariscotta, 2001).

II. Project Description

A. Scope of Work and Schedule

The primary goal of this project was to complete a mine drainage remediation and stream restoration plan for the study area. Table 1 shows major project milestones.

Table 1: Major Project Milestones

Date	Notes
March 9, 2001	Proposal submitted to Growing Greener
July 2001	DEP announced successful proposals
August – September 2001	Field investigations and reconnaissance
October 2001	Sampling Stations Established
November 2001	Monthly Sampling Started
March 21, 2002	Mid-project update meeting with all partners
September 6 and 24, 2002	Biological Sampling by Confluence Ecology
October 2002	Monthly Sampling Ended
December 5, 2002	End of Sampling update meeting with all partners
May 13, 2003	Draft Report Presented at Public Meeting
June 2, 2003	Comments on Draft Report Collected
June 27, 2003	Final Report Submitted to DEP

In August and September 2001, the study area was investigated, historical data were examined and sampling locations were selected. The stream sections were walked in their entirety to locate potential sources of pollution.

In October 2001, 54 sampling locations were established and flow-monitoring equipment was installed where practical (See Figure 2). This equipment consisted of flow measuring flumes or installed pipes to collect the flow, which was then measured with a bucket.

Most sites were sampled monthly for flow and chemistry. Some sites were sampled monthly and measured for flow quarterly using a flow velocity meter. All data were entered into an Access database. This report represents the final report for this project.

B. Sampling Period

Monthly sampling began in November 2001 and continued until October 2002. Biological sampling took place in September 2002. Figure 3 shows the monthly rainfall amounts during the sampling period, as well as the average monthly rainfall amounts. All data were taken from the Clarion weather station, located approximately 13 miles south of the study area. Standard deviation bars are also shown. A total of 48.1 inches of rain fell during the sampling period of 12 consecutive months. The average yearly rainfall is 40.18 inches with a standard deviation of 12.23 inches. Therefore, the rainfall during the sampling period falls within the standard deviation of the average rainfall.

C. Sampling Methods

Hedin Environmental personnel and Farmington Township personnel made monthly measurements of chemistry and flow rate. Biological data were collected and analyzed by Confluence Ecological. Methods used for data collection are described below.

In order to organize the sample data, a simple naming system was used for the points. Each point was given a name consisting of two letters that indicated the stream on which it was located followed by two numbers indicating its location within the watershed. Additionally, the letter “D” was added to discharge sample stations. The letters CC were used to indicate Coon Creek stations, LC was used for Little Coon Run, WR was used for Walley Run, and LR was used for Lard Run, the main tributary to Walley Run. Stations were numbered beginning at the mouth with station number 01. Not all numbers were used in sequence in order to allow the future establishment of more stations between existing points while remaining within the naming system.

Chemistry

Water samples were analyzed for mine drainage parameters. Alkalinity, temperature, and pH were measured in the field. Alkalinity was measured using a Hach digital titration kit. In this method, samples are titrated to a pH of 4.5 using 1.6 N H₂SO₄. If a sample begins at a pH of 4.5 or lower, there is no alkalinity in the sample. Temperature and pH were measured using a Hanna pH meter. The meter was calibrated with pH 4.01 and pH 7.01 buffers prior to use.

All other parameters (conductivity, total acidity, iron, aluminum, manganese, total suspended solids and sulfate) were measured in the laboratory. G&C Laboratories of Brookville, PA performed the analyses using standard methods. Samples for metals were preserved in the field using nitric acid. Field samples were unfiltered, so concentrations of metals reflect total concentrations, not dissolved concentrations. Efforts were made in the field to collect clear samples as close to discharge points as possible, so dissolved and total concentrations should be similar.

For some discharges, ALKast tests were performed by incubating discharge water in limestone. This method was developed by Hedin Environmental and has been shown to accurately predict the alkalinity generating capacity of each unique discharge.

Flow Rate

Several flow measurement techniques were used. At locations where flow could be collected to a common point and was not expected to be above 100 gpm, the flow was directed to a pipe. Flow rate was measured at these sites by capturing the flow in a bucket and timing how long it took to collect a known volume of water. This is called the “timed volume” method.

At sites with higher flow rates where flow could be directed to a single point, H-flumes were installed to measure the flow rate. After installation, flow was determined by measuring the depth of water in the flume and converting the depth to a flow rate using the appropriate flume chart.

At in-stream stations where flow rates were desired, a Swoffer Model 3000 flow velocity meter was used. A cross-section was established and the velocity was measured at several locations along the cross-section. The flow meter automatically calculated the flow rate from these measurements.

At some stations, it was not practical to measure flow rate, so only chemistry was measured.

Fish

Fish surveys were conducted at five locations in the Coon Creek watershed after Confluence Ecological received a permit from the Pennsylvania Game Commission to gain access to State Game Lands #24. Surveys were conducted at the mouths of Little Coon Run (LC01), Bull Run, and Walley Run (WR01). Two samples were taken on Coon Creek, one above the mouth of Walley Run (CC16) and one below the mouth of Little Coon Run (CC10). These stations are shown on Figure 2. Fish samples were located to coincide with water sample locations to maximize the utility of both data sets.

Fish were sampled during base flow conditions in September 2002 to maximize visibility and capture efficiency. Sample stations were approximately 75 - 100 meters in length depending on the size of the stream being sampled. All sampling took place between 10 AM and 6 PM. Electrofishing was conducted with a Smith-Root POW backpack unit (pulsed DC) with 2 hand-held electrodes mounted on fiberglass poles. The sample crew consisted of one member carrying the backpack, operating one electrode, and one dip net and a second crewmember operating the other electrode and a dip net. A third crewmember followed with a net to capture drifting fish that may have eluded forward personnel and a bucket for specimen transport and care. All fish were identified to species in the field and recorded on data sheets. Voucher specimens were retained when appropriate.

Bull Run, Little Coon Run, Walley Run, and Coon Creek were sampled on September 6, 2002. A follow-up survey was conducted on Coon Creek on September 24, 2002. Most of these samples were done on a qualitative basis only (no distinct counts) and dominate species were determined based on observations only. At CC16 (Coon Creek upstream of Walley Run), counts were performed that allow some quantitative analysis (See Appendix B).

Macroinvertebrates

Nine stations were surveyed for macroinvertebrates as part of this project. They included the five stations that were sampled for fish species (CC16, WR01, Bull Run mouth, LC01 and CC10), plus four additional stations. These stations were the mouth of Lard Run (LR01), and three stations at various locations on the main stem of Little Coon Run above the mouth (LC30, LC21 and LC09). These stations are shown on Figure 2.

Macroinvertebrate community surveys were conducted following the benthic macroinvertebrate protocols described in the EPA’s Rapid Bioassessment Protocols for Use in Wadeable Streams and Rivers (Barbour et al. 1999). Three samples were taken at each station from one riffle using a D-frame net (500 m screen). The D-frame was randomly placed in the selected riffle and all substrate 18 inches upstream of the net was disturbed for approximately one minute. Large cobble and boulders were placed in the net and removed to the streams’ edge where they were brushed into a collection pan. The D-frame net was inverted and all contents were placed into the collection pan. Following the initial transfer of material the net was washed into the pan and inspected for specimens clinging to the mesh. Samples were placed in individual containers, labeled, and preserved with 95% ethanol. Preserved samples were delivered to the laboratory for processing and identification. Laboratory procedures also followed EPA protocols (Barbour et al. 1999).

All portions of the sample were carefully examined and organisms were picked from the debris in the laboratory. The picked organisms were transferred to a specimen vial and preserved with 70% ethanol. The contents of the vials were examined under a stereoscopic microscope for identification and enumeration to the lowest taxonomic level practically achievable by experienced biologists practicing in the field.

Taxonomic composition, number of taxa, individual counts, and other metrics for the benthic macroinvertebrate assessment were derived directly from identification and enumeration of macroinvertebrates collected in the three replicate D-frame samples from each station. These metrics have been developed and tested by the USEPA and other agencies and researchers to relate benthic macroinvertebrate community structure to the overall water quality of the aquatic system and as a means of evaluating the nature and magnitude of disturbances to aquatic systems (USEPA 1990a and Barbour et al. 1999).

The following metrics were used to analyze the benthic macroinvertebrate data for this study:

(1) total number of individuals;

(2) richness measures, such as the total number of taxa;

(3) composition measures, such as percent (% EPT); and

(4) tolerance/intolerance measures, including percent of intolerant taxa and percent total numbers of intolerant .

The following section discusses these measures in detail.

Richness, Composition and Tolerance / Intolerance Measures

The total number of individuals was derived from the total count of individuals identified in the three replicate D-frame samples collected from each station. The total number of taxa was derived from the total number of genera identified in the replicate samples. Increasing taxa diversity is correlated with increasing health of the benthic community, and suggests that adequate habitat is available to support the survival and the propagation of many species (Barbour et al. 1999).

The EPT measure is the number of distinct taxa within the orders Ephemeroptera (mayflies), Plecoptera (stoneflies) and Trichoptera (caddisflies) compared to the total number of taxa present. The three orders of insects are typically comprised of pollution-sensitive species. The number of EPT taxa increase with improving water quality (USEPA 1990a and Barbour et al. 1999).

The percent total EPT and their individual percentages provide information on the relative contribution of these pollution-intolerant taxa to the total fauna. Generally, increasing abundance and diversity among the taxa are associated with increasing water quality (USEPA 1990a).

The Shannon-Weiner diversity (H) index and Evenness (E) were calculated for each station. Diversity is affected both by the richness of taxa and the distribution of individuals among taxa. Evenness is the component of diversity related to the distribution of individuals among the taxa. Evenness is sensitive to slight physical differences between sample locations (USEPA 1990a). USEPA (1990a) states that evenness values greater than 0.5 are indicative of water not affected by oxygen demand wastes.

Percent intolerant taxa and percent total numbers intolerant taxa provide information on the benthic community’s relative sensitivity to environmental stress. The number of intolerant taxa was determined using regional tolerance values obtained from the PA DEP Bureau of Watershed Conservation’s Tolerance Values for Pennsylvania Macroinvertebrate Taxa. A community dominated by relatively few species or that is dominated by pollution-tolerant species may indicate environmental stress (USEPA 1990a).

III. Problem Identification

A. Chemistry of Walley Run and Tributaries

Table 2 lists and describes the stations on Walley Run and its tributaries. A total of 24 stations were established on Walley Run and its tributaries. Walley Run has one main tributary in the study area, Lard Run. Of the 24 total stations, 17 were on Lard Run. Of these 17 stations, 3 measured in-stream chemistry and 14 measured discharges (stations ending in “D”). Of the 7 stations on Walley Run, 3 measured in-stream chemistry and 4 measured discharges. In addition to chemistry measurements, the mouth of Walley Run (WR01) was also sampled for macroinvertebrates and fish. The mouth of Lard Run (LR01) was sampled for macroinvertebrates. Points are listed beginning in the headwaters and working towards the mouth. See Appendix C for more information on each point.

Table 2: Water Sampling Stations on Walley Run and Tributaries

Name	Description
WR21D	4" Pipe near WR20D
WR20D	36" Pipe Discharge to Walley Run Headwaters from Fuelheart Property
WR12	Walley Run Above Confluence with Lard Run
WR11D	Orange seep to Walley Run just upstream of confluence with Lard Run
WR10	Walley Run Below Confluence with Lard Run
WR05D	Seep alongside small tributary to Walley Run
WR01	Mouth of Walley Run (also sampled for fish and macroinvertebrates)
LR45D	Treatment plan discharge to the headwaters of Lard Run
LR40D	Intermittent orange seep area to Lard Run just north of TP discharge
LR35D	Intermittent seep to Lard Run emerging from northeast corner of landfill spoil
LR33D	Intermittent seep at the corner of Walley and Mealy Roads
LR30D