Some hydrologic aspects of proposed coal mining in the north fork of the Flathead River headwaters area, northwest Montana and southeast British Columbia. Completion report

Technical Report · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6410146

Noble, R A; Van Voast, W A; Sonderegger, J L

The proposed Cabin Creek coal mine in Canada, just north of the Montana-British Columbia border, has caused considerable concern in Montana because of its potential impact on the North Fork of the Flathead River. The objective of the project was to assess the impact of mining activity at the Cabin Creek site on water quality in the Flathead River. The results of the project indicate that acid mine drainage from the Cabin Creek mine should not be a problem. Analysis of the coal samples indicated that the acid-neutralizing potential exceeded the acid producing potential. Mineralization of waters entering the North Fork could result in some degradation of water quality, as could sediment from soil disturbances. The extent of degradation will depend on mining practices and on the location of retention facilities for water and other residual materials extracted from the mine.

• Research Organization: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, Butte (USA); Montana State Univ., Bozeman (USA). Water Resources Research Center
• OSTI ID: 6410146
• Report Number(s): PB-86-101268/XAB; MWRRC-146
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010900* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
012000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Mining
BRITISH COLUMBIA
CANADA
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
COAL MINING
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FEDERAL REGION VIII
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MINING
MONTANA
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SEDIMENTS
USA
WATER
WATER POLLUTION