Over 8 tons of iron per year is eliminated from entering Blacklegs Creek! This site will be visited during the PA Watersheds Conference on September 20 - 21, Four-Points Sheraton, Greensburg

For more project photos, check out our project photo gallery.

Fast Facts

        We are particularly proud of this project because it is the first stream restoration project of significance that our organization has received. Please visit the Kolb Discharge Facility project page for an in-depth look at our treatment plan. Below are some quick facts regarding the project.

Funding Sources:    Pennsylvania Growing Greener Program
                                      Western PA Watershed Protection Program
Funding Amount:    $65,500 (GG)  $13,957 (WPWPP)
Project Manager:    Art Grguric
Project Consultant:    Skelly and Loy, Inc.
Consultant Project Manager:    Terry Schmidt
DEP Project Advisor:    George Chakot
Project Completed:    June 2001
Special Thanks:    We would like to extend a special thank you to the R&P Coal Company for the land donation, and Harry Neese for his support as a neighboring landowner.

Project Background

    The Kolb discharge project has been a long time in coming. Because it was one of the most visible problems in the watershed, it became one of our top priorities. Situated in the headwaters of Blacklegs Creek, the Kolb discharge has a flow exceeding 1,000 gallons per minute and contributes over 8 tons of iron to the substrate of the stream annually. In 1998, our organization received a small grant from the Western Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (WPCAMR) to assist us with publicizing our efforts and to begin treatment of the discharge. As we soon found out, we were in for more than we bargained for!  

The Original Idea

    Luckily, iron is the only pollutant coming from the discharge that is an immediate threat to the watershed. Knowing this, we realized that by adding aeration to the water, we would be able to drop out the iron and drastically improve Blacklegs Creek for several miles. With the assistance of the Indiana County Conservation District and WPCAMR, a plan was devised to install several splash dams throughout the channel of the discharge. This would be an inexpensive alternative to other treatment options. Lou Kopczyk of the Conservation District designed a simple treatment system, which we presented to WPCAMR for approval. Due to the limited amount of funding, we were only able to complete one in a series of seven splash dams. Although it was small, it was our first real clean-up project. Unfortunately, we were unable to complete the project as originally designed due to permitting issues. We had the right idea, but we needed another plan.

The New Idea

    Forced to come up with a new treatment option, we sought the services of Skelly and Loy, Inc. After viewing the project area and discussing various treatment options with our group, it was determined that a passive treatment system that would add aeration to the mine water would be the best method. Now all we needed was the funding to complete the project. For that, we turned to the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Program. Skelly and Loy prepared our proposal in February 2000 and we received word by June that a grant in the amount of $65,500 was headed our way! Following the announcement, R&P Coal Company donated the necessary land, approximately 500 feet below the discharge, to design and build the treatment facility. 

The Completed Project

    Completing the project wasn't exactly simple. As we began construction, there were several unforeseen problems that were not accounted for in the project budget. As it turned out, we had an approximate $15,000 shortfall. Enter the Western Pennsylvania Watershed Protection Program. They came through with the additional funding to complete the project.
   Although there are a few "tweaks" needed on the system, it is effectively lowering the amount of iron entering the stream from approximately 5 ppm to 2 ppm. Once vegetation establishes itself in the second treatment pond, we are expecting to lower iron levels to 1 ppm.