Download AGO_Semi-Annual_Report__September_2014

“Morris Creek Monitoring Equipment“
Morris Creek Watershed Association
FY 2014 Semi-Annual Report
February 2014-September 2014
Grant #1494
Amount Requested
Match
Total
$4,000
$1,600
$5,600
Mike King
346 Morris Drive
Montgomery, WV 25136
P: 304-545-6116
E: [email protected]
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Project Summary
Water monitoring is ongoing at the lower mainstem AMD treatment site. WVDEP has
partnered with MCWA by allowing them use their YSI unit to install the pH, temperature, and
conductivity probes purchased with this grant. Additional grab samples are scheduled to occur
at the discharge and above the discharge in Morris Creek this fall.
Continuous Flow Electrolysis
A senior project was completed by Harless and Gunnoe at the lower mainstem. Their project
looked at the use of continuous flow electrolysis to reduce the acidity of AMD water. Their
research showed that the AMD pH was raised from 5.4 to 7.8 over about an eight minute
period. A list of improvements was compiled to make continuous flow electrolysis a more
practical treatment method at the lower mainstem treatment system. This project is in the
process of being uploaded to the MCWA’s website and is shared within the WVUIT community.
Figure 1. Harless and Gunnoe ‘s installed continuous flow electrolysis at the lower mainstem site.
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Figure 2. A diagram from Harless and Gunnoe senior project
shows how the AMD would lose acidity as it moves through
the system.
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The hydro-generator that was powering the continuous flow electrolysis is being disconnected
to be analyzed for damages and to do required manufacturing maintenance as required by the
DOE grant. The monitoring of lower mainstem is still continuous at the discharge point (#4) via
the DEP YSI and MCWA probes. This data is being collected by Rob Jackson and Deborah
Beutler.
Concrete Dying
Bailes and Bailey presented on their senior project involving the removal of iron floc from
passive AMD treatment systems. The module they created displays a maintainable treating
process while keeping the cost of maintaining low.
Figure 1. Bailes and Bailey module (left) and dyed concrete after a pressure test (right).
Bailes and Bailey designed the maintainable treatment facility in an attempt to use the iron floc
removed from the bottom of the ponds to color products such as concrete, grout, pottery, etc.
Their data showed that the concrete showed significant color change to a desirable state, but
could only withstand half the compression of normal uncolored concrete. This project is
currently being undertaken by a junior student at WVUIT who will continue to analyze this
treatment method. The junior taking over this project intends to follow a different mixing
procedure to obtain more desirable pressure test results.
Accomplished Goals and Objectives
The main goal of this project is to benefit the watershed by reducing the impacts of the AMD
seeps flowing into Morris Creek. The project has helped to identify the quality of water that is
being discharged from the lower mainstem treatment system. As the system’s treatment
design is being changed, results can be quickly interpreted.
Anticipated Load Reduction Goals: Due to the ongoing monitoring, MCWA can see that the
current state of the treatment system is not meeting the load reduction goal as outlined in the
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2005 TMDL of 79% or 8008lbs/year and aluminum by 73% or 5323lbs/year. They were working
towards meeting the goals when the electrolysis system was installed. The ponds are filling up
quicker than normal from the additional floc precipitating out of the water. On October 14,
2014 the discharge of the treatment system had a pH of 2.84.
Educational Outputs: MCWA is meeting their goal to perform the on-ground research and
develop treatment methods to share with other watersheds that are treating AMD. So far two
senior projects have resulted from this grant, allowing students from WVUIT to complete
research with an active treatment system.
Restoration Benefits
This project has allowed MCWA to monitor the pH leaving the lower mainstem treatment
system. The overlaying focus of this project and others like it on Morris Creek was to perform
the on-ground research and develop treatment methods to share with other watersheds that
are treating AMD.
Map and Location of Project Sites
Figure 3. Projects were conducted at the lower mainstem treatment site.
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Figure 1. Map of Morris Creek from the 2005 TMDL Assessment, showing its tributaries, sub
watersheds, and impaired sections of the watershed.
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Milestone Schedule
Monitoring efforts will continue at lower mainstem by Deb Beutler and Rob Jackson. Another
set of grab samples will be collected this fall and also in the spring of 2015. A senior project
continuum regarding the use of iron floc as a concrete coloring agent is currently underway.
Casting and pressure tests will be initiated in the spring of 2015.
Expenditures
Semi-Annual 319 Financial Report
Project:
NPS #:
Fiscal Year:
E-mail:
Grantee:
Contact:
Morris Creek Stream Monitoring
1494
Phone:
2014
Fax:
304-545-6116
N/A
[email protected]
Morris Creek Watershed Association
Mike King, Stream Monitoring Coordinator
Reporting period:
05/01/14
10/31/14
To
From
319 Grant Funds Awarded:
Items for match
YSI Software
WVUIT Volunteer Time (5 x $17.76 x 20hrs)
NCCC Volunteer Time (10 x $7.25 x 1200hrs)
Totals
Request for reimbursements during period
YSI (Ph, Temp, Conductivity)
Grab samples (Total and Dissolved Iron and Aluminum)
Totals
Remaining Balance
Please list any businesses used in the project that qualify as disadvantaged
business enterprises (DBE)
DBEs
Totals:
Match $
$87.00
$1,767.00
$3,000.00
$4,854.00
Spent $
$2,493.19
$72.00
$2,565.19
($1,437.81)
$
$0.00
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