Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) is primarily a non-point source pollution problem, since acidic water drains out of above-ground or under-ground coal or metal mines. Acid mine drainage impacts stream and river ecosystems by increasing acidity, depleting oxygen, and releasing heavy metals. Acid mine drainage may occur during mining operations or long after a mine has been abandoned. There are three abandoned mines in our region that contribute AMD to rivers and streams in the Ompompanoosuc River Basin: Elizabeth Mine, Pike Hill Mine and Ely Mine.
Additional information about acid mine drainage and the Elizabeth Mine can be found at the links below.
US Geological Survey Mine Drainage FAQ - To help prevent acid mine drainage and answer some commonly asked questions, USGS hosts a website simply entitled Mine Drainage.
EPA Elizabeth Mine Cleanup - The Waste Site and Clean Up section of the EPA’s website contains information on The Elizabeth Mine in Strafford. As part of the various studies, one or more samples of mine tailings, surface water, sediment, fish tissues, ground water, and drinking water have been collected and analyzed for metals. The results indicated the presence of metals that exceeded background levels. The entire length of Copperas Brook and several miles of the West Branch of the Ompompanoosuc River fail to meet Vermont Water Quality Standards based on both numerical and biological criteria.
The Legacy of the Elizabeth Mine - This site presents information about the history of the Elizabeth Mine and the cleanup process, and is intended to provide the public with information about the Elizabeth Mine Community Advisory Group's activities and meeting schedule as well as access to reports related to the cleanup.
In This Section
Acid Mine Drainage
Bank Erosion & Sediment
Basin Planning
Fisheries
Floodplain Management
Good Road Maintenance
Grants
Invasive Species
Mercury
Non-Point Source Pollution
Organizations
Permits
Riparian Buffer Zones
Wastewater Treatment
Water Quality Studies
Water Supply Protection
Wetlands