Postmine drainage reconstruction and erosion control at Trapper Mine in northwest Colorado
- Trapper Mining, Inc., Craig, CO (United States)
- Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Division, Denver, CO (United States)
Portions of five major drainageways and their tributaries were regraded and appropriately treated to reduce the erosion rate and assist in permanent channel stabilization at Trapper Mine (surface coal mine) in 1987, 1988, and 1989. A wide variety of erosion control materials, methods and sediment reducing measures were used in reconstructed drainageways and on adjacent sideslopes. Vegetation response, decreased flow rates and reduced gully formation were the primary factors in assessing the success of drainage reconstruction projects. Postmine herbaceous cover, above-ground primary production and woody stem density were evaluated in reconstructed drainage channels and compared to sample data from undisturbed premine drainage locations. As expected, vegetation measurements were lower in postmine drainages than in undisturbed drainages. However, considerable vegetation growth was reported in all reconstructed drainages at the conclusion of the initial growing season and during the second growing season. The mean herbaceous cover in postmine drainages was 39% compared to 71% in undisturbed sites in 1988. In 1989, canopy cover had increased to 60% in postmine drainages and decreased on undisturbed drainage segments to 69% cover. Herbaceous primary productions was severely limited in 1989 due to severe drought conditions. Flow rates were significantly reduced following the establishment of water harvesting techniques. Following treatments, the estimated erosion rate was reduced 24 times the pre-treatment erosion rates.
- OSTI ID:
- 56916
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9003298-; TRN: 95:000425-0008
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 5. Billings symposium on disturbed land rehabilitation, Billings, MT (United States), 25-30 Mar 1990; Other Information: PBD: 1990; Related Information: Is Part Of Fifth Billings symposium on disturbed land rehabilitation. Volume II: Hazardous waste management; wildlife; hydrology, drainages, erosion and wetlands; soils, minesoils and overburden; linear disturbances; oil and gas; PB: 397 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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