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Hydrology of area 3, Eastern Coal Province, Pennsylvania

Open-File Report 81-537
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr81537

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Abstract

Hydrologic data are presented for area 3 of the Eastern Coal Province, 4,077 square miles of the lower Allegheny River basin in western Pennsylvania. Seventy-three streams were sampled three times during the 1979 and 1980 water years for specific conductance, pH, acidity, alkalinity, dissolved and total iron, dissolved and total manganese, dissolved sulfate, and dissolved solids. Benthic invertebrate populations were determined and botom material samples were analyzed for metals. Sixteen streams had pH, acidity, alkalinity, total iron, total manganese, and dissolved sulfate indicative of acid-mine drainage. These streams were most common in the Redbank and Blacklick Creek basins and in the Conemaugh and lower Kiskiminetas River basins. Benthic invertebrates were not found in 11 of 64 streams sampled. An additional 13 streams had low benthic invertebrate diversity indices. Low diversity indices were most common in the southern part of area 3. Low flow, mean flow, peak flow, and flow duration data are presented for gaging stations in area 3. Techniques for estimating these data for ungaged sites are presented and referenced. The functions of, and access to, the National Water Data Exchange, National Water Data Storage and Retrieval System, and Office of Water Data Coordination are explained. (USGS)

Suggested Citation

Herb, W.J., Shaw, L.C., and Brown, D.E., 1981, Hydrology of area 3, Eastern Coal Province, Pennsylvania: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 81-537, v, 60 p. :ill., col. maps ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr81537.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Hydrology of area 3, Eastern Coal Province, Pennsylvania
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 81-537
DOI 10.3133/ofr81537
Year Published 1981
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Contributing office(s) Pennsylvania Water Science Center
Description v, 60 p. :ill., col. maps ;28 cm.
Additional publication details