The North Fork of the Blackwater River is
located in the highlands of West Virginia in Tucker County. It is
heavily impacted by acid mine drainage (AMD) and metal deposits caused by
abandoned deep mines and strip mines. This degrades the quality of
water used for drinking and for recreation, as well as the scenic potential
of the river. The problem affects towns and communities adjacent to
the river, but it also affects aquatic life and towns down stream.
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The North Fork of the Blackwater River is impacted by Acid Mine Drainage
(AMD), and
associated metal deposits caused by runoff from abandoned deep and surface mines
from the early 1900s. The North Fork Watershed Project, established in the
summer of 2002, is working to find creative community-based solutions, taking
into consideration the rich historic and cultural resources of the North Fork
watershed. Water treatment systems combined with historic preservation and
interpretation will restore and enhance the beauty and recreational potential of
the North Fork and adjacent land.
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The North Fork Watershed Project, established in August of 2002, is committed to working
with the community to find creative solutions to this problem. Solutions to the
water pollution will take into account the rich cultural resources in the
watershed. The area boomed in the early part of the 1900’s with the coal mining
and timber industries. These industries are gone leaving these adverse
environmental impacts as well as many historical landmarks. Some of the
watershed project’s goals include coordinating historical and educational
projects and working with state and federal agencies to improve water quality in
the North Fork and the amount of life the river can sustain.
The North Fork Watershed Project was created by Judy Rodd, executive
director for Friends of Blackwater Canyon to clean up the acid mine drainage
in the North Fork of Blackwater River.
This project is sponsored by the
Office of Surface Mining's Clean
Streams Initiative and the Friends of Blackwater
Canyon.
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