Geomorphology and surface hydrology applied to landscape reclamation in the strippable coal belts of northwestern New Mexico. Final report

Technical Report · Tue Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982

OSTI ID:5318368

Wells, S G

The long-term success of reclamation of surface coal mines in the strippable coal belts of northwestern New Mexico is dependent upon the relative stability of undisturbed and restored landscapes. Areas of rapid modification, or relative instability, include headwaters of high-relief watersheds and areas of active base-level lowering. Stable landscapes are characterized by high infiltration rates, low sediment yields, low relief, and relatively dense vegetation. Landscape-classification schemes incorporating modern geomorphic processes and relative landscape ages serve as guides for reclaiming landscapes to stable forms. Evaluating the success of post-mining reclamation procedures requires that both internal (within reclaimed areas) and external (outside reclaimed areas) geomorphic variables be considered. Internal geomorphic variables include hillslope gradients and areal configurations, infiltration rates, degree of drainage integration, and surface roughness. External geomorphic variables include base-level changes, gully head-cutting rates, valley-fill geometry, and the ratio of bedrock to valley fill. Engineering designs are significant to internal variables; whereas, the geomorphic history of a watershed influences the external variables. Research at the McKinley Coal Mine in northwestern New Mexico suggests that external variables may pose the greatest threat to reclaimed landscapes. This report contains base-line information for preparing environmental documents, for designing optimum reclamation procedures and realistic goals, and for evaluating post-mining effects on the reclaimed landscape. Additionally, this report contains an annotated bibliography on surface coal-mining reclamation.

• Research Organization: New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque (USA). Dept. of Geology
• OSTI ID: 5318368
• Report Number(s): NP-2905316; ON: DE82905316
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
011000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
BIBLIOGRAPHIES
COAL DEPOSITS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
EROSION
FEDERAL REGION VI
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY
HYDROLOGY
LAND RECLAMATION
MAPS
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINING
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
RESOURCES
REVEGETATION
SEDIMENTS
SLOPE STABILITY
STABILITY
SURFACE MINING
USA
WATERSHEDS