The Old Forge Bore Hole, drilled in 1961 by the Army Corps of Engineers, has been pouring anywhere from 100 to 150 million gallons of polluted coal mine runoff daily into the Lackawanna River, and ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay. This outfall, the largest abandoned mine drainage in the Northern Field, has brought attention to the iron and sulfur-stained waters visible from the Fort Jenkins Bridge in Pittston, looking north at the east side of the Susquehanna River.
Considered a necessary evil, the bore hole was strategically placed in the lowest area of the Keyser Valley to prevent flooding of local homes and businesses due to rising water in abandoned mines. While it relieved the pressure buildup in the mines and prevented water from seeping into basements from Blakley to Duryea, the environmental cost has been significant. “The aquatic habitat in the last 3 miles is nonexistent due to acid mine drainage from the Old Forge Borehole, which discharges 100 million gallons of acid mine drainage into the river every day.”
Despite the Lackawanna River’s designation as an American Heritage River in 1997, and federal, state, and private efforts to improve water quality, the iron oxide contamination has left the lower 3 miles with a striking yellow-orange hue. The river, once a bustling center for anthracite coal mining and an industrial hub around Scranton, now grapples with the largest point source of pollution in Chesapeake Bay.
This pollution has manifested in an aquatic dead zone – devoid of macroinvertebrates, vegetation, and even minnows. Remarkably, just 100 feet upstream from the bore hole outfall, trout can be seen feeding, a stark contrast to the sterile conditions below. Additionally, “deteriorate considerably more degraded downriver of Scranton,” further highlighting the dichotomy within the river’s ecosystem.
The potential remedy comes in the form of a mineral harvesting plant, discussed but not yet realized, that could alleviate the water systems of this acidic burden. Not only would it restore some semblance of health to the river’s waters, but it also offers economic potential through the revenue generated from harvested minerals. A comprehensive water treatment facility has been proposed, aiming to remove the iron before its discharge into the river.
Relevant articles:
– Old Forge Bore Hole