Brubaker Run:
Acid and iron from Brubaker Run inhibits fish and other biota in Clearfield Creek for about 11 miles down to about Flinton. About 30% of the Brubaker watershed has been surface mined for several coal seams, mainly in large areas in the upper watershed, but also strips along the lower watershed. In addition, 3 large underground clay mines lie beneath the coal mines, so that much of the acid water emerges from the clay mines. All mines are now abandoned.
In 2004-6, CCWA conducted a $205,000 project funded by the US Corps of Engineers to understand the location and character of the Harbison-Walker #1 Clay Mine (The Clay Mine) in hopes that it might be sealed or otherwise controlled in a simple way. The extent of the mine was determined but sealing was not feasible. Since then we have sampled many sites in the upper watershed to identify and characterize all the many discharges, but complexities related to incomplete treatment by the 2 company treatment systems have precluded a complete answer. We are working toward treatment for the Clay Mine and several other discharges in the upper watershed so that the severe effects on Clearfield creek will cease.
