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Copyright© Geo/Environmental Associates, Inc. 1995 through 2008
| On November 26, 1996, fine coal refuse from a coal refuse disposal impoundment leaked into abandoned deep mine workings and then into downstream receiving streams. The location of the leakage was covered with as much as 35 feet of fine coal waste and the discharge was expected to continue until a barrier or seal could be installed. Initially, a cofferdam was constructed between the fine coal refuse in the impoundment and the breach. Afterwards, an excavation was made to a maximum depth of 35 feet in mine spoil and fine coal refuse to expose the breach. |   |
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The exposed mine openings were filled with rockfill, covered with filter fabric, and then backfilled with earth
fill. The emergency response activities continued on a 24-hour per day, 7 day per week basis for seven weeks until
the initial barrier construction was completed for this existing 400-foot high dam. |
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