Hydrology of Area 5, Eastern Coal Province, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia

Abstract

The Eastern Coal Province is divided into 24 separate reporting areas. The divisions are based upon hydrologic factors, location, size, and mining activity. Hydrologic units (drainage basins) or parts of units are combined to form each area. Area 5, in the northern part of the Eastern Coal Province, is comprised of the 7,384 square-mile Monongahela River basin. Recent streamflow data have been collected at 50 continuous-record gaging stations, 4 crest-stage partial-record stations, and 13 low-flow partialrecord stations in addition to 126 miscellaneous sites. Low-flow, mean-flow, peak-flow, and flow-duration data are presented for gaging stations in Area 5. Techniques and sources of information are presented to enable estimates of these flow characteristics at ungaged sites. Water levels in observation wells in Area 5 fluctuate throughout the year. Levels are generally lowest during late summer and early fall and highest during early spring. The U.S. Geological Survey identifies and improves access to existing water data through: the National Water Data Exchange, the National Water Data Storage and Retrieval System, and the Office of Water Data Coordination.

Use of Acid-Base Accounts in Premining Prediction of Acid Drainage Potential: A New Approach from Northern West Virginia

“…Rainfall ranges from 42 to 52 inches (Herb et al 1981). All ground water that is eventually discharged from the study area is generated by the infiltration of precipitation except for minor amounts being flushed from deep saline aquifers.…”