IKE-*.:'-: 

AVAILABILITY AND QUALITY OF WATER 

IFROM UNDERGROUND COAL MINES IN '-" 

JOHNSON AND MARTIN COUNTIES, KENTUCKY

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Wntrr Rriirnnrnn lnv<hLntinn p1 fiHO

Prepared in cooperation with ,. _ 

THE KENTUCKY GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY

AVAILABILITY AND QUALITY OF WATER FROM UNDERGROUND 

COAL MINES IN JOHNSON AND MARTIN COUNTIES, KENTUCKY

By D. S. Mull, U.S. Geological Survey

Steven Cordiviola and Dennis W. Risser, Kentucky Geological Survey

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Water-Resources Investigations 81-690

Prepared in cooperation with

THE KENTUCKY GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY

1981
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

JAMES G. WATT, Secretary

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

Doyle G. Frederick, Acting Director

For additional information write to:

U.S. Geological Survey 

Room 572 Federal Building 

Louisville, Kentucky 40202
CONTENTS

	Page 

Factors for converting inch-pound units to metric (SI) units....... VIII

Abstract........................................................... 1

Introduction....................................................... 2

Purpose and scope............................................. 2

Location...................................................... 3

Acknowledgments............................................... 3

Methods of investigation...................................... 3

Physiography and geology........................................... 8

Occurrence of water in underground coal mines...................... 10

Precipitation................................................. 10

Recharge area................................................. 10

Rock fractures related to depth to mining horizon............. 10

Relation of mine opening to dip of coal seam.................. 12

Effect of mine location above or below drainage............... 14

Evaluating the water-supply potential of underground mines......... 14

Mines above drainage.......................................... 19

Mines below drainage.......................................... 27

Test pumping.................................................. 29

Results of test pumping at site 5........................ 29

Results of test pumping at site 58....................... 34

III
CONTENTS--Continued

Page 

Quality of water in coal mines..................................... 34

General water quality from all mines.......................... 34

Comparison of water quality from coal mines

above and below drainage.................................... 41

Variability of mine-water quality............................. 43

Effects of flow variations on water quality.............. 43

Effects of pumping on water quality...................... 46

Development of water supply from underground mines................. 46

Summary............................................................ 48

Selected references................................................ 50

IV
ILLUSTRATIONS

(Plates are in pocket) 

Plate 1. Map showing location of coal mines, Irvine-Paint Creek

Fault, and chemical character of water from selected 

mines in Johnson County, Kentucky.

2. Map showing location of coal mines, Warfield Fault, and 

chemical character of water from selected mines in 

Martin County, Kentucky.

Page 

Figure 1. Map showing Johnson and Martin Counties within the

Eastern Kentucky Coal Field.......................... 4

2. Generalized columnar section showing major coal

seams in the study area.............................. 9

3. Graph of mean monthly precipitation at Paintsville, Ky., 1941-70.................................. 11

4. Sketch showing the occurrence of water in slope

mines, drift mines and vertical shafts............... 13

5. Hydrograph of discharge from sites 21 and 22 and 

precipitation for the period May 15, 1977 

through May 15, 1978................................. 20

6. Graph of relation of mine size to total discharge

measured from above drainage mines................... 23

7. Graph of range of average discharge for mines

above drainage....................................... 25

8. Graph of time-drawdown relation for test pumping

at site 5, Sept. 20, 1977............................ 30
ILLUSTRATIONS--Continued

Page 

Figure 9. Hydrograph of water levels at site 5 after test

pumping, Sept. 20, 1977, precipitation, and

stage of the Tug Fork at Kermit, W. Va............... 31

10. Hydrograph of water levels at site 5 after test 

pumping, March 6, 1978, precipitation, and 

stage of the Tug Fork at Kermit, W. Va............... 33

11. Graph of mean dissolved constituents concentration

in water from mines above and below drainage......... 42

12. Graph of relation between specific conductance

and dissolved solids concentration................... 44

13. Graph of relation between specific conductance

and discharge at site 21............................. 45

14. Graph showing chemical quality of water before

and after pumping at site 5.......................... 47

VI
TABLES

Page 

Table 1. Mine-water sampling sites in Martin County............. 5

2. Mine-water sampling sites in Johnson County............ 6

3. Field measurements of mine discharge, specific

conductance, and pH in Martin County................. 15

4. Field measurements of mine discharge, specific

conductance, and pH in Johnson County................ 16

5. Maximum, minimum, and mean discharges calculated as sum of discharges from all entries 

for selected above-drainage mines.................... 22

6. Calculation of mine discharge as percent of

precipitation on land surface above mine............. 24

7. Above-drainage mines with best watersupply potential..................................... 26

8. Below-drainage mines with best watersupply potential..................................... 28

9. Chemical analyses of mine water from selected

sites in Martin County............................... 35

10. Chemical analyses of mine water from selected

sites in Johnson County.............................. 36

11. Maximum, minimum, and median values of water

characteristics for all samples...................... 38

12. Source and significance of dissolved-mineral 

constituents and physical properties of 

natural waters....................................... 39

VII
Conversion of inch-pound units to metric (SI) Units

Data in this report are given in inch -pound units. To convert inch 

pound units to metric (SI) units, the following conversion factors are 

used:

Multiply inch-pound

inch (in)

foot (ft)

mile

square mile

gallon

million gallons (Mgal)

gallon per minute 

(gal/min)

cubic foot per second (ft 3 /s)

By 

25.4

yx

£J.3048

1.609

2.590 

3.785 

3.785 X 10^3

6.309 X 10~ 2

G. 02832

To obtain metric units

millimeters (mm)

meters (m)

kilometers (km)

square kilometers (km2 ) 

[liters (L) 

cubic hectometers (hm3 )

liters per second (L/s)

r^\ 

\

cubic meters per second

(m3 /s)

VIII
AVAILABILITY AND QUALITY OF WATER FROM 

UNDERGROUND COAL MINES IN JOHNSON AND MARTIN COUNTIES, KENTUCKY

By D. S. Mull, U.S. Geological Survey,

and 

Steven Cordiviola and Dennis W. Risser, Kentucky Geological Survey

ABSTRACT

This report provides water users with detailed information on the 

location, quantity, and quality of water available from underground coal 

mines in the Breathitt Formation of Pennsylvanian age in part of eastern 

Kentucky. The principal coal seams mined are the Van Lear in Johnson 

County and the Alma in Martin County. Coal mines that contained water 

were located by field inventory and coal-mine maps.

The principal factors that affect the occurrence of water in coal 

mines are the size of the recharge area overlying the mine, the intensity 

and duration of precipitation, and the altitude of the mine relative to 

that of the nearest perennial stream.

Ten above-drainage mines (that is, mines at higher elevations than 

that of the nearest perennial stream) are considered potential sources of 

water. Discharge from these mines ranged from 12 to 1,700 gallons per 

minute. The highest sustained discharge from a mine ranged from 750 to 

1,200 gallons per minute.

The water in coal mines is part of the hydrologic system and varies 

seasonally with precipitation. Annual discharge from most above-drainage 

mines ranged from 3 to 10 percent of annual precipitation on the landsurface area above the mine.

Eight below-drainage mines are considered potential sources of 

water. Two were test-pumped at rates of 560 to 620 gallons per minute for 

as long as 6 hours. After test pumping the Warfield Mining No. 1 mine 

during September 1977 and March 1978, the recovery (or recharge) rates 

were significantly different. In September, the recharge rate was about 

1,150 gallons per minute, but in March the recharge rate was 103,500 

gallons per minute. This difference reflects the seasonal variations in 

the amount of water available to the ground-water system. Estimates of 

water stored in below-drainage mines ranged from 22 to 1,462 million 

gallons. This storage represents a safety factor sufficient to provide 

water through periods of limited recharge to the mine.
Most mine water is of the calcium magnesium sulfate type. In general, 

water from below-drainage mines had lower concentrations of dissolved 

constituents and higher pH than water from mines above drainage. The 

hardness of water ranged from soft to very hard and pH ranged from 3.1 to 

8.0 units. Dissolved iron ranged from 0.01 to 64 milligrams per liter. 

Phenol concentrations in water from eight coal mines ranged from 0 to 5 

micrograms per liter.

There seems to be a significant difference in the chemical quality of 

water from above- and below-drainage mines. The concentration of most 

constituents was lower in water from below-drainage mines than it was from 

above-drainage mines.

The better quality water from below-drainage mines may reflect 

(1) lower mineralization resulting from less atmospheric oxygen available 

to react with pyrite or, (2) the result of sampling only the upper zones 

of water in below-drainage mines where the water has been diluted by less 

mineralized surface water or inflow or recharge.

INTRODUCTION 

Purpose and Scope

The resurgence of coal mining, increased commercial and industrial 

activity, coupled with a general growth in population have increased the 

demands on existing water supplies of many communities in eastern Kentucky. 

Pursuant to the need for a dependable source of water, some communities, 

industries, and individuals have turned to coal mines for their water 

supply.

The purpose of this report is to provide information on the reliability, quality, and quantity of water available from underground coal mines. 

Johnson and Martin Counties, Kentucky were selected for a pilot project to 

evaluate coal mines as a source of water because of the abundance of coal 

mines in different stratigraphic units and topographic positions. This 

investigation is part of an on-going cooperative study of the water resources of Kentucky by the Kentucky Geological Survey, and the U.S. Geological Survey.

The scope of the report is limited to a discussion of those geologic 

and hydrologic factors that affect the occurrence and chemical quality of 

water in underground coal mines in Johnson and Martin Counties, Kentucky. 

Problems related to coal mining such as sedimentation, erosion and surfacewater quality are not within the scope of this report.
Location

Johnson and Martin are adjoining counties located in the northeastern section of Kentucky's Eastern Coal Field (fig. 1). The two-county 

study area of about 495 squre miles, lies between latitudes 37°40" and 

38°00' North and between longitudes 82°20' and 83°00 T West. The Tug Fork 

of the Big Sandy River borders Martin County on the east and also forms 

the border between Kentucky and West Virginia.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the assistance of many residents in the study 

area, who allowed access to private property. Many coal mine owners and 

operators provided information on water conditions in their mines. Special thanks are extended to Mr. Roy Coleman who provided information on 

mining and furnished shelter for water-level-recording equipment near 

Warfield, Ky.

Methods of Investigation

Underground coal mines in the study area were located by field 

reconnaissance from 1975 through 1977. Initially, attempts were made to 

visit all mine openings shown on 7-1/2 minute topographic maps. However, 

these visits indicated that only the relatively large coal mines contained 

significant quantities of water. A search of mine maps at the Institute 

for Mining and Mineral Research, Lexington, Kentucky, revealed areas of 

large-scale mining activity and these areas were plotted on 7-1/2 minute 

topographic maps. The field reconnaissance then focused on these areas of 

large-scale mining. This approach shortened field time and eliminated 

visits to small, dry mines.

Access by addits, shafts, or slope entries to mines that contain 

water are located by site number on plates 1 and 2. Tables 1 and 2 list 

the site number, location, mine name, coal seam mined, and the estimated 

volume of the mine for all mines inventoried in Johnson and Martin Counties. 

Note from tables 1 and 2 that in several mines, water is accessible through 

multiple openings each of which is designated by a separate site number.

To estimate the amounts of water available, discharge and water-level 

measurements were made at each mine opening. Storage and recharge capabilities of the mines were estimated by test pumping selected mines (sites 5 

and 58).

The mine entry at site 5 was equipped with a water-stage mercury 

manometer coupled to an automatic digital recorder to record the recovery 

of water level after test-pumping and natural variations of water level in 

the mine. Continuous water-stage recorders and V-notch weirs were installed 

at entries of two mines (sites 21 and 22) to provide continuous records of 

mine-water discharge.
Eastern Coal 

Field

Study area

83 D05'

WEST VIRGINIA

^ms^^^mm^^¥Sfsf'f^f^^^w&. __*J4

'"SSiislSS? *, . iHiS5is^Bi®sSSHijBifflllB^»;

10 10 MILES

10 10

82°15' 

38°05'

37°35'

KILOMETERS

Figure 1. - Location of Johnson and Martin Counties, Eastern Kentucky Coal Field.
Table 1. Mine-water sampling sites in Martin County

Site

number

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

20a

Latitude 

longitude

375028 822542

375035 822458

375032 822504

375025 822450

375047 822518

374911 822406

374805 822239

374839 822533

374849 822507

374838 822539

375348 823529

375334 823520

375334 823529

375344 823537

375516 823200

374526 823143

374447 823217

374446 823210

374859 823900

375113 823538

374332 823017

Mine name

Buck Creek Coal Co. , Himmler .

Buck Creek Coal Co., Coleman....

Buck Creek Coal Co., Earlston

Collins Creek Coal Co., Sluss .,

Warfield Mining Co. No. 1.......

Wolf Creek Collieries No. 3.....

do

Wolf Creek Collieries No. 4.....

Wolf Creek Collieries No. 2 . . . . ,

Peter Cave Coal Co. No. 1.......

-

-

-

-

Martin County Coal Co. No. 1,

Coalburg.

Martin County Coal Co. No. 1,

Stockton.

Martin County Coal Co. No. 1,

Coalburg.

-

-

Pontiki Coal Co. No. 1..........

Seam mined

i . Alma

. . ..... do .......

.. .....do.......

.. .....do.......

.. .....do.......

.. .....do.......

,. .....do.......

,. .....do.......

.. .....do.......

.. . ....do.......

Unnamed

.... .do. ......

.... .do. ......

..... do .......

Broas

Peach Orchard

Broas

Peach Orchard

Peach Orchard

..... do .......

Pond Creek

Mine volume3-' 

(million cubic feet)

195b/

195b/

195b/

19 5^/

5.7

103

103

17

31

85

-

-

-

-

22

3.0

22

-

-

6.0

Date 

abandoned

1951

1930

1930

1961

1963

1977

1977

1965

Active

Active

?

?

7

?

?

Active

1972

Active

?

?

Active

_a/ Volume of mine available for water storage calculated assuming a 5-foot thickness of coal

removed over 50 percent of the areal extent of the mine, 

b/ Himmler, Earlston, Coleman, and Sluss mines reportedly all interconnected.
Table 2. Mine-water sampling sites in Johnson County

Site 

number

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

Latitude 

longitude

375024 824737

375035 824734

375101 824654

375056 824643

375059 824634

375030 824734

375043 824613

375029 824600

375038 824605

375027 824605

375025 824614

374944 824634

374951 824633

375052 824543

375052 824506

375055 824454

375104 824457

375102 824455

375122 824443

375035 824501

375032 824431

375129 824552

375130 824539

375129 824401

375133 824401

375158 824355

375212 824208

375112 824337

375032 824352

375002 824215

Mine name3-'

North East Coal Co. No. 1.........

North East Coal Co. No. 3.........

North East Coal Co. No. 4. ........

.........do......................

.........do......................

North East Coal CO.NO 2

....... ..do.. ....................

.........do......................

.........do......................

.........do......................

.........do....... ...............

-

-

North East Coal Co. No. 5.........

.........do......................

.........do......................

......... do ......................

.........do......................

.........do......................

-

Tutor Key Coal Co. No 1. .........

Stambaugh Coal Co. No 1 and No. 2

.........do........ ..............

White Ash Coal Co . No 4. .........

White Ash Coal Co. No. 3........

White Ash Coal Co. No. I. .......

Miller's Creek Co-op Inc., Whitehouse mine.

Royal Collieries, Offutt mine....

-

_

Mine volume^-' Date 

Seam mined (minion cub ic feet) abandoned

Van Lear

......do......

......do......

......do......

......do......

.....do......

......do......

......do. .....

. . ....do. .....

... ...do......

......do. .....

...... do ......

...... do ......

......do......

......do......

......do......

......do......

......do......

......do. .....

..... .do. .....

......do......

..... .do. .....

......do......

......do......

......do......

......do......

..... .do. .....

...... do ......

..... .do. .....

..... .do. .....

30

146£/

146

146

146

59

59

59

59

59

59

-

-

34

34

34

34

34

34

-

17

3.2

3.2

.6

.8

46

38

30(est.)

-

_

1930

1951

1930

1930

1930

1923

1923

1923

1923

1923

1923

?

?

1951

1951

1951

1951

1951

1951

?

1964

1964

1964

Active

1976

Active

1956

1938

?

?
Table 2. Mine-water sampling sites in Johnson County Continued

Site 

number

51

52

53 

54

55

56

57 

58

59 

60

61

62

63

64

65 

66

67 

68

69

70

71 

72

73

74 

75

76

77

78

Latitude 

longitude

375122 824724

375125 824720

375655 824807 

375244 824925

375258 824923

375257 824919

375308 824900 

375144 824937

375138 825007 

375129 825024

375102 825001

375054 825002

374552 825212

374700 824928

374753 824546 

374756 824525

374747 824503 

374751 824444

374748 824431

374752 824411

374638 824609 

374638 824544

374610 824531

374444 824410

^7A45Q S9i9 ci4

374636 824328

374943 824814

374458 824324

Mine name Seam mined Mine volume 

(million cubic feet)

Meade & Castle Coal Co. No. 1... Van Lear .1

- ...... do ...... 

......do......

Goose Fork Coal Co. No. 1. ...... ......do...... .9

.... ..do.. ....

...... do ...... -

- ...... do ...... - 

M & P Coal Co. No. 1. ........... ......do...... 8.3

Hagar Hill Mining Co. No . 1 and ..... do. ...... 9.5

No. 2.

............... .do. .............. .....do....... 9.5

- .... .do. ...... -

.....do.......

- .... .do. ...... -

.....do.......

William's Mining Co. No. 1. ....... .....do....... 3.2

.....do....... 

Fitch Coal Co. No. 3. ............. .....do....... 2.6

............... .do.. .............. .....do....... 2.6

Buffalo Creek Coal Co. No. 1...... .....do....... .9

 .....do....... 

Consolidation Coal Co. 151 - 155.. .....do....... 510

Consolidation Coal Co. 151 - 155.. Van Lear 510 

......... .......do.. .............. .....do. ...... 510

................do................ .....do....... 510

North East Coal Co. No. 1. ........ .....do....... 30

North East Coal Co. No. lld/'...... .....do....... 510

Date 

abandoned

1955

?

? 

1971

?

?

? 

1963

1954 

1954

?

?

?

?

? 

1953

?

1955

1955

1961

? 

1949

?

1949 

1949

1949

1930

1949

a/ Small truck mines which connect with large mines are listed under the mine name, size, and

abandonment date of the major working. 

b_/ Volume of mine available for water storage calculated assuming a 5-foot thickness of coal

removed for 50 percent of the areal extent of the mine. 

cj North East Coal Company's No. 3 and No. 4 mines are connected, 

d/ Reportedly connected with Consolidation Coal Company's mines 151-155.
At each site where water could be collected, field measurements of pH, 

specific conductance, and temperature were made. Field measurements for pH 

were made with Hach* narrow-range colorimetric kits. Specific electrical 

conductance was measured with a Beckman* RB-3 meter. Forty-one water samples 

were collected for more complete chemical analysis from 27 sites. Repeat 

samples were collected at several sites to define the variation of chemical 

quality with seasonal changes in discharge. Eight samples were analyzed for 

phenol concentrations. Standard analytical methods of the U.S. Geological 

Survey (Brown, Skougstad, and Fishman, 1970) were used for all analyses.

PHYSIOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY

Johnson and Martin Counties are located in Kentucky's Eastern Coal Field 

within the Kanawha Section of the Appalachian Plateaus physiographic province. 

The Kanawha Section is a highly dissected plateau characterized by narrow 

valleys, irregular steep-sided ridges, and generally rugged terrain [McFarlan, 

1943). Maximum relief in the two-county area is 1,056 feet according to 

McGrain and Currens (1978).

The area is drained by a well integrated, dendritic system of small 

streams which flow into the Levisa and Tug Forks of the Big Sandy River. The 

drainage divide between Levisa Fork and Tug Fork is the boundary between 

Johnson and Martin County. Thus Johnson County is drained by Levisa Fork and 

Martin County is drained by Tug Fork.

The rocks which crop out in Johnson and Martin Counties are Pennsylvanian 

in age and consist primarily of coal-bearing rocks of the Breathitt Formation 

and the underlying Lee Formation. Rocks of the Lee Formation crop out only in 

the stream valleys of northern Johnson County.

The Breathitt Formation is about 1,800 feet thick, contains all the major 

coal seams in the study area, and consists of sandstone, siltstone, shale, 

coal, and underclay. Limestone is relatively rare in the Breathitt Formation. 

It occurs in shale as nodules and concretions 2-3 feet in diameter and locally 

forms discontinuous beds or lenses less than 2 feet thick in the Magoffin 

Member (Outerbridge, 1976).

The Lee Formation is about 300 feet thick and consists mainly of clean 

orthoquartzite sandstone with thin beds of shale, siltstone, and coal.

The relative position of major coal seams and lithology of rocks which 

crop out in the area are shown in the generalized stratigraphic column 

(fig. 2). Detailed stratigraphic columns and lithologic descriptions are 

given on each 7-1/2 minute geologic quadrangle map listed in the references.

*The use of brand names in this report is for identification purposes 

only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey.
oo «c z ju

s i o = LITHOLOGY LLj O -f Cl'

00 u_ i±

OJ 

Q_

300- 

350

40- 

90

140- 

280

100- 

400

ISO450

;^2.

COAL SEAM OR ZONE

EXPLANATION

Sandstone

Richardson coal zone

Broas coal zone (Stockton)

Peach Orchard coal zone (Coalburg)

Winifrede coal bed

Magoffin member 

Taylor coal bed 

Fire Clay Rider coal bed 

Fire Clay coal bed 

Whitesburg coal zone

Kendrick Shale member 

Williamson coal beds

Elkins Fork Shale of Morse (1931)

Van Lear coal bed (Miller's Creek, Elkhorn # 3)

Alma coal bed (Warfield, Elkhorn til)

Pond Creek coal bed (Lower Elkhorn)

(Modified from Huddle and Englund, 1966)

Figure 2. -- Generalized columnar section showing major coal seams in the study area.
Structurally, rocks of the Breathitt Formation are affected by the 

Irvine-Paint Creek Fault in central Johnson County and the Warfield Fault in 

eastern Martin County. The Irvine-Paint Creek Fault is a normal fault and 

downthrown on the south (plate 1). The Warfield Fault also is a normal 

fault, downthrown on the north, and extends about two miles into the area 

near Lovely (plate 2). Although the rocks of the area are folded into broad 

anticlines and synclines, the dip of the rocks is very gently except in the 

vicinity of the faults where the dip is as much as eight degrees.

The coal seams of major economic importance in the study area are the 

Van Lear and Alma. The Van Lear seam has been mined extensively in Johnson 

County near Paintsville and the Alma has been mined primarily in Martin 

County near Warfield. Coal production was first reported from both counties 

in 1879. The total production from underground mines through 1975 exceeded 

32 million tons for Johnson County and 25 million tons for Martin County 

(Currens and Smith, 1977).

OCCURRENCE OF WATER IN UNDERGROUND COAL MINES

The occurrence of water in underground coal mines is controlled by many 

factors. The principal factors are: (1) precipitation, (2) recharge area 

of the mine, (3) rock fractures (both natural and caused by roof collapse) 

related to depth to mining horizon, (4) relation of mine openings to dip of 

the coal seam and (5) position of the mine above or below drainage. The 

influence of these factors on the occurrence of water in underground mines 

is discussed below.

Precipitation.--All water in underground mines originates as precipitation which percolates downward to the mined-out areas. Only a small portion 

of water from a given rainfall percolates directly into an underground mine 

because some water runs off into streams, some evaporates, and some is used 

by plants. Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year 

(fig. 3), but high evapotranspiration rates in spring and summer months 

reduce the volume of water available to percolate into the mines. Most 

precipitation percolates to the mines from about October to May, when most 

vegetation is dormant.

Recharge Area.--The recharge area to an underground mine is the land 

surface above the mine which acts as a catchment and infiltration area for 

precipitation. During the ground-water recharge season the amount of precipitation which can potentially infiltrate into a mine is largely a function of the size of the mine's recharge area. The recharge area of a mine 

may be larger than the areal extent of the underground workings, but generally the recharge area is approximately equal to the mine size.

Rock Fractures Related to Depth to Mining Horizon.--The character of 

the bedrock overburden and the depth to the mined zone below land surface 

control the quantity of water available to underground mines. In general, 

rocks of the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field have very low primary permeability,

10
tt

PRECIPITATION, IN INCHES

so

I

O

o

rt 

V»

o

rt

n

GO

m

O 

o
thus most ground-water movement occurs in secondary fractures in the rocks 

(Price, Mull, and Kilburn, 1962). Secondary permeability is enhanced in rocks 

overlying coal mines because roof collapse in mined-out areas causes fractures 

in the overlying rock which may extend to land surface. The extent of roof 

collapse and resulting fracturing is controlled to a large extent by the type 

of mining. All underground mines in Johnson and Martin Counties were worked 

by the room and pillar methods in which coal is removed from rooms on a grid 

pattern and pillars of coal are left intact to support the roof and prevent 

land-surface subsidence. Prior to abandonment, pillars are usually removed 

and the roof is allowed to collapse.

Secondary fractures related to roof collapse are especially significant 

to vertical flow of water into the mined area and are controlled in part by 

the depth of the mine below land surface. If roof failure occurs within 150 

feet of land surface, the amount of surface subsidence is approximately 50 

percent of the thickness of the material removed from the mine (Davis, 1968). 

However, surface subsidence is only 25 to 30 percent of the thickness when 

roof failure is approximately 300 feet in depth.

In some mines the roof is supported by backfilling as the mining progresses. This technique reduces the likelihood of roof collapse and also 

reduces the space available for the storage or movement of water. However, it 

is likely that the mined areas continue to function as collection galleries 

because the backfill material is usually more permeable than the undisturbed 

rock.

Relation of Mine Openings to Dip of Coal Seam.--The relation between the 

location of the mine openings, and the dip of the coal beds and the occurrence 

of water in three different types of underground mine entries is shown on 

figure 4.

Coal mines can be classified as drift, slope, or shaft mines based upon 

the type of entrance used to access the coal. A drift mine is used where a 

coal seam crops out on a hillside and the mine is worked directly into the 

outcrop. Water will discharge naturally or accumulate in the mine depending 

upon whether the mine was worked up or down the dip of the coal seam (fig. 4, 

examples 1 and 2). The drift mine is the most common type of coal mine in 

Johnson and Martin Counties because the hilly topography affords easy access 

to many coal seams. In cases where a coal seam is relatively close to the 

land surface, but cannot be reached by a drift mine, an inclined shaft which 

slopes down to the coal bed is used. This is called a slope mine (fig. 4, 

examples 4 and 5). When the coal bed lies some distance below the surface, a 

vertical shaft is used (fig. 4, examples 3 and 6). Although only one shaft 

mine was found in the study area, water samples were frequently collected from 

vertical ventilation shafts. Shaft and slope mines are typically used to mine 

coal below drainage. During active mining, water that accumulates in underground mines is removed by pumping or natural drainage. After abandonment, 

the water that fills the mine may drain from the mouth depending upon the 

position of the mine entrance relative to the dip of the coal seam.

12
EXPLA

1. Drift mine - w

2. Drift mine - w3. Air shaft - no 

4. Slope mine flo

5. Slope mine flo

6. Air shaft - wat

Not to 

Unmined coal

Figure 4- Occurrence of water in slope mines, drift mines and vertical shafts.
Effect of Mine Location Above or Below Drainage.--The location of mines 

relative to drainage is of major importance to the occurrence of water in 

the mines. For this report, mines are classed as below drainage if the mine 

galleries are at lower elevations than the nearest perennial stream. Mines 

worked below the level of perennial streams are usually below the regional 

water table. Thus, mines below drainage receive recharge from the surface 

and from ground water in the surrounding saturated rocks. The mines below 

drainage are almost always flooded because water accumulates in the mine. 

Usually there is no water discharge from the slope or shaft openings Cfig. 

4, examples 3 and 4). Under certain conditions however, water will flow 

from a shaft or slope opening provided the hydraulic head is great enough to 

cause the water in the mine to rise to land surface (fig. 4, examples 5 and 

6).

EVALUATING THE WATER-SUPPLY POTENTIAL OF UNDERGROUND COAL MINES

The quality and quantity of water should be evaluated when planning to 

use a coal mine as a water supply. Although the quality of raw mine water 

may be undesirable, modern treatment procedures can usually produce water of 

acceptable quality for almost any use. Because the chemical quality of mine 

water usually can be improved by treatment, the primary factor is usually 

the quantity of water which the mine can dependably supply throughout the 

year.

The two most important hydrologic factors that must be known to evaluate a mine as a potential water supply are the water in storage and recharge 

rate. The volume of water in the mine is water in storage; the rate which 

water replenishes storage is the recharge rate. Obviously, a mine having 

both a large storage volume and rapid recharge rate will provide the most 

reliable water supply. A large storage volume provides a margin of safety 

against sudden increases in demand or seasonal fluctuations of recharge rate 

or both, and a rapid recharge rate will allow water to be replenished to the 

mine as it is used.

To define the seasonal variation of mine discharge, the discharge from 

selected mines in Johnson and Martin Counties shown on plates 1 and 2 was 

measured during the wet and dry season throughout the study period. These 

measurements are listed by site number and date of observation on tables 3 

and 4.

Accurate evaluation of the storage and recharge characteristics of coal 

mines will vary considerably depending upon whether the mines are located 

above or below drainage. The water-supply characteristics of above-drainage 

mines can be determined in part by simply measuring water flowing from mine 

openings. However, below-drainage mines usually have no natural surface 

drainage and are more difficult to evaluate. The water-supply potential of 

below-drainage mines is discussed separately from mines above drainage in a 

following section.

14
Table 3. Field measurements of mine discharge, specific conductance and pH, Martin County

Site Date

1 8-12-75

6- 9-76

7-27-76

8-31-77

11-10-77

2 9- 3-75

4-27-76

6- 9-76

5-18-77

12- 5-77

12-21-77

3 11-21-77

12-21-77

1-24-78

4 3-10-76

5 8-12-75

6- 9-76

4-27-77

9-20-77

11-10-77

3- 6-78

3- 6-78

Discharge 

(gal/min)

NFNFNFNFNF-76

89

63

215

125

2334

53

3

NF

NFNFNF

NF

NF

NF

Specific conductance 

(micromhos per cm 

at 25°C)

100

280

280

83

125

1,500

2,000

1,900

2,8001,600

1,875

1,820

1,790 -900

260350320

925

310

510

810

pH 

(units)

6.46.1

6.2

6.56.5

4.85.0

4.94.0

4.94.7

5.8

5.7- 5.1

6.9

4.5

5.0

6.4

6.36.4

6.3

Site

6

78

9

10

1112

13

14

1516

1718

1920

20A

Date

6- 4-75

6- 4-75

6- 4-75

5-21-757-14-76

11-10-77

6- 4-75

6-18-756-18-75

6-18-75

6-18-756-18-75

10- 6-77

11-17-77

3-10-76

7-14-76

3-10-767-14-767- 9-76 - 3-31-78

Discharge 

(gal/min)

-a/

-V-NF

NF

NF_NF

NFNFNF

NF90

150----NF

NF

750 £/

a/ Total pumpage from sites 6 and 7 during mining was 

~~ estimated at 800,000 gal/d. Mine presently being

filled with sludge. 

b_/ Mine pumped 15-20 minutes daily. NF No flow.
Table 4. Field measurements of mine discharge, specific conductance and pH, Johnson County

Site Date

21 3-10-76

4-27-76

6-10-768-11-768-31-76

10-26-7611-10-77

12- 5-7712- 7-77

12-20-77

1-23-78

1-25-781-25-781-26-78

1-27-781-27-78

22 4-13-76

4-28-76

6-30-76

8-31-76

10-26-76

11-10-77

12- 5-7712- 7-77

12-20-77

1-23-78

Discharge 

(gal/min)

45

73

40

27244040

64

645382

180

200

1,700

600430

2565

50

29

31

23

37

36

47

51

Specific conductance 

(micromhos per cm 

at 25°C)

615800820

800

900760805805

750805740715

760

535

495

520

560

660600

850845

910

930

930

910

880

(unPits)

7.5

7.07.4

7.2

7.1

7.5

6.36.26.4

6.46.66.56.56.36.3

6.35.0

5.0

5.75.24.5

5.5

5.6

5.5

5.55.6

Site Date

23 4- 9-76

4-27-766-10-768-11-768-31-76

10-26-7611-16-77

24 4-28-76

4- 9-76

11-16-77

12- 8-77

12-20-77

1-25-76

25 4- 9-7626 4-28-76

6-10-768-31-76

11-10-77

12-20-77

27 4- 9-76

4-27-76

8-11-76

11-16-7712-20-77

1- 5-78

Discharge 

(gal/min)

60

441411

2

15

NF

3

10

1633

18

6010

6

423

4

12

18

17

2029

27

Sp

(

NF No flow.
Table 4. Field measuraents of mine discharge, specific conductance and pH, Johnson County Continued

Site

28

293031

323334

3536373839

4041

42

Date

4- 9-76

6-10-76

11-11-7712-20-77

4- 9-76

11-11-77

11-11-77

4-13-76

12- 8-77

3-11-76

12- 8-7712- 8-7712- 8-7712- 8-77

4- 5-78

12- 8-7712- 8-77

12-21-77

1- 5-78

1-24-78

3-11-76

4-27-76

9-29-76

11-14-7712-19-77

Discharge (gal/min)

9 -10

12

9

32

1

NF

361

25

35

4

35

19

174020

1

10

1815

Specific conductance 

(micromhos per cm 

at 25°C)

560825

1,000

950

1,000

890

1,420

510540875

810480

1,000

520

980

450

1,180

1,385

1,340 -750

850700770740

PH 

(units)

3.9

4.06.9

6.95.0

4.6

3.2

4.7

6.5

5.1

4.84.24.84.55.96.7

4.0

3.83.9-3.7

4.8

3.7

3.8

4.0

Site

43

444547

49505152

5354

555657

58

59

Date

3-11-76

3- 8-783- 8-78

9- 1-77

11-17-77

4- 7-764- 8-764- 9-764- 9-76

6-30-76

11- 9-77

4-13-76

3-17-76

6-29-76

11-21-77

3-11-763-11-763-11-76

6-29-769-21-77

11- 9-7712-19-77

6-29-76

11- 9-77

12-19-77

Discharge 

(gal/min)

3

NF

NF

NFNF

10

NF

<1

3

NF

3

2

NF

NF

NF

8

25 -10

5

2010

6

9

NF No flow.
Table 4. Field measurements of mine discharge, specific conductance and pH, Johnson County Continued

00

Site

60

61

62

63

64

6566

67

68

69

70

Date

3-17-76

6-29-76

11- 9-77

3-17-76

3-17-763-30-76

4-27-766- 7-77

3-31-76

4- 7-76

12- 7-77

4- 7-76

7-15-76

11-11-77

12-21-77

4- 7-76

12- 7-77

4- 7-76

12- 7-7712- 7-77

4- 8-764- 8-76

Discharge 

( gal/min)

NF

NF

NF

44

60

3

NFNF

<1

<1

6

8-8

NF

2

1

NF

5

6

10

Specific conductance 

(micromhos per cm 

at 25 °C)

310318330

850

940

900

1,100 - 2,900

340

420520

760

785

730

800800440280

790

1,400

1,200

PH 

(units)

5.5

5.9

5.5

6.3

5.2

5.0

4.0-3.15.45.2

4.0

4.2

4.34.1

3.33.6

4.0

3.83.9

3.43.8

Site Date

71 4- 1-76

72 4- 1-76

73 8-12-76

11-11-7712-21-77

74 6- 8-76

5-27-769- 1-76

11-11-7712-21-77

1- 4-78

75 5-27-76

7-15-76

11-17-77

76 5-27-76

8-11-76

11-11-77

77 3-10-76

78 11-11-77

Discharge 

(gal/min)

1

3

NF

NF

NF-- 750-- 1,200

NFNFNF

NF

NF

NF

10

_a/

a/ Water is pumped from airshaft to supply 11 houses. 

NF No flow.
Mines Above Drainage

Mines are classified in this report as "above drainage" if the mine 

galleries are at higher elevations than the nearest perennial stream. The 

quantity of water available from above-drainage mines can best be estimated by 

measuring the range of discharge from each mine for a period of at least one 

year. The flow from the mine represents the maximum quantity of water available unless additional water is available from storage within the mine. 

Because mine-discharge changes seasonally, the amount of water available for 

use is highly variable. A water supply from above-drainage mines can be made 

more dependable by sealing the mine openings allowing wet-weather flows to be 

impounded within the mine for use during low-flow periods.

The seasonal variability of flow from above-drainage mines is illustrated 

in figure 5. Entrances to two mines, North East Coal Company Mines No. 1 and 

No. 3 Csites 21 and 22), were equipped with V-notch weirs and water-level 

recorders to monitor seasonal variability of mine-water discharge. Other 

entrances discharge water from these mines but were not monitored on a continuous basis. The 1-year period of record from May 15, 1977, through May 15, 

1978, shows that discharge from both mine entries was variable, although 

discharge from the portal of the North East Coal Company Mine No. 3 at site 22 

was less variable than discharge from the Mine No. 1 portal at site 21. 

Discharge from site 21 was in fact the most variable of any mine entry measured 

in Johnson or Martin County during this investigation. Discharge from this 

mine entry responded rapidly to precipitation and ranged from 23 to 1,700 

gal/min during the period of record. Discharge from the larger North East 

Coal Company No. 4 Mine at site 22 was less but considerably more uniform, 

ranging between 23 to 80 gal/min. The difference in response of the two sites 

can be explained in part by the character of the openings from which the water 

discharges. The mine entry at site 22 has collapsed, thereby impounding water 

behind the fallen debris. Water bubbles up as a spring in front of the dam. 

However, the portal at Number 1 Mine (site 21) is open and water flows freely 

from it.

The hydrograph in figure 5 shows that base flow from both mines begins to 

increase in early November. With the exception of the series of storms from 

August 11-14, the intense summer rains of 1977 did not significantly affect 

the discharge of either mine. Apparently, the precipitation during August 

exceeded evapotranspiration demands and recharge to the mines was sufficient 

to increase discharge. The hydrograph for each mine shows peaks in midJanuary and March with lesser peaks in late April of 1978. These peaks show 

the effect of relatively heavy rainfall preceded by periods of average precipitation in winter months while vegetation was dormant.

The difference in mine discharge during summer and winter months can be 

quantified by analyzing discharge as a percentage of precipitation falling 

on the mined-out area. During the recharge months November 1977 to May 1978, 

precipitation totalled 601 acre-feet on the 275 acre surface area of the 

North East Coal Company Mine No. 1. Mine discharge measured from the entry 

at site 21 was 168 acre-feet for the same period. This site is the only

19
to

o

2000

1000

500

QC<C

C£ 

O

100

50

20

oo 2.0

1.0

O

 a:

t 0Q_oLLJ QC 

Q_

SITE 22

SITE 21

: 1

f .,i.in MAY 1 JUNE 111 ULY

1

it

1 1

J

1 1 

Note Precipitation 

except for shaded

1 ll , 11,1 1,1

AUG 1 SEPT 1 OCT ! HOY 1

1 

data from US. Weal 

areas which is frorr

III 1 ,L

1 

ther Bureau 

the gage

1

DEC 1 JAN | FEB

gag

at 

M

1977 1

Figure 5. - Hydrograph of discharge from mine entries at skes 21 and 22 and precipkatkxi for the period of record Ma
outlet for water from the mine other than the small flow measured at site 74. 

If only discharge from site 21 is considered, discharge from the North East 

Coal Company Mine No. 1 was 28 percent of incident precipitation during the 

recharge season. During the period June-September, 1977, precipitation 

totaled 517 acre-feet but discharge from the mine at site 22 was only 24 

acre-feet which was less than 5 percent of the total precipitation during 

the period.

The potential of a coal mine to provide large quantities of water 

throughout the year is dependent to a great extent upon the size of the 

mine. Obviously a large mine should be able to supply more water than a 

small mine. Since many of the large mines discharge water through several 

openings, the range of discharge from an individual mine was estimated by 

summing the flows for all points of discharge from that mine (table 5). The 

estimates are subject to potentially large error because the mine-discharge 

was sampled with varying frequencies and at different times of the year.

The quantitative relation between the amount of water discharging from 

a mine and the size of mined area is illustrated on figure 6. This graph 

shows the relation between the total discharge from a particular mine 

(table 5) and the mined area as calculated from mine maps on file at the 

Institute for Mining and Mineral Research, Lexington, Kentucky. The highest 

and lowest totaled discharges from all openings from a particular mine were 

plotted to show a range of total discharge from each mine (fig. 6). The 

figure illustrates the strong correlation between mine size and discharge. 

This relation was expected because large mined areas have large recharge 

areas. Although this relation was developed only for above-drainage mines, 

a similar relation probably exists between mine size and recharge rates for 

mines below drainage. It is the large mines therefore, both above and below 

drainage, which have the greatest potential as sources for water supply.

The total, annual discharge from selected mines was calculated as a 

percentage of the total amount of precipitation falling on the surface area 

of the mine during the year (table 6). The annual discharge of all mines 

analyzed varied from 3 to 10 percent of annual, incident precipitation with 

the exception of North East Coal Company Mine No. 1 and Stambaugh Coal 

Company Mines No. 1 and 2. The variation in discharge as a percent of 

precipitation is probably controlled by many factors including: duration 

and intensity of precipitation, depth to mining horizon, degree of fracturing, and degree of hydrologic connection within the mine. If discharge 

is 3 to 10 percent of incident precipitation for most mines, then the expected range of average discharge from mines of various sizes is shown on 

figure 7 based on an annual precipitation of 43.6 inches.

Based upon discharge rates measured during the study period, the 

above-drainage mines with the best water-supply potential in the study area 

are listed in table 7. The post-mining volume of each mine is listed as an 

estimate of the maximum potential water-storage capacity. It is likely that 

only a small percentage of the post-mining volume contains water in abovedrainage mines because water is generally free to drain from the mine. Thus

21
Table 5. Maximum, minimum, and mean mine discharges calculated as sum of 

discharge from all entries for selected above-drainage mines

Mine name

Stambaugh Coal Co.

Mines No. 1 and

No. 2.

William's Mining

Co. No. 1

M & P Coal Co.

No. 1

Hagar Hill Mining

Co. No. 1 and No. 2

Tutor Key Coal Co.

No. 1

North East Coal Co.

No. 1

North East Coal Co.

No. 5

North East Coal Co.

No. 2

North East Coal Co.

No. 3 and No. 4

Buck Creek Coal

Co . , Hlmmler and

Earls ton Mines

and Collins Creek

Coal Co. Sluss

Mine (connected)

Consolidated Coal

Co. No. 151-155

Site number

of mine

entry where

water discharges

42

A3

Total of all sites

66

Total of all sites

58

Total of all sites

59

60

Total of all sites

41

Total of all sites

21

77

Total of all sites

34

35

36

37

38

39

Total of all sites

26

27

28

29

30

31

Total of all sites

22

23

24

25

Total of all sites

2

3

4

Total of all sites

74

Total of all sites

Minimum

discharge

measured

at site

(eal/mln)

1

3

4

6

6

5

5

6

0

6

17

17

25

10

35

3

6

1

2

5

35

52

2

12

9

9

3

2

37

23

0

3

10

36

76

23

3

102

750

750

Maximum

discharge

measured

at site

(gal/mln)

20

3

23

8

8

20

20

10

0

10

40

40

1700

10

1710

3

6

1

2

5

35

52

6

29

12

9

3

2

61

74

60

60

10

195

215

54

3

272

1200

1200

Mean

discharge

(gal/min)

13

3

16

7

7

12

12

8

0

8

28

28

120

10

130

3

6

1

2

5

35

52

4

21

10

9

3

2

49

45

21

23

10

99

108

37

3

148

975

975

Number of

discharge

measurements

5

1

6

3

3

3

3

3

3

6

4

4

Continuous gage

1

-

1

1

1

1

1

1

6

5

6

3

1

1

1

17

Continuous gage

7

6

1

-

4

3

1

8

2

2

22
DISCHARGE, IN GALLONS PERMINUTE

ISK- 

§ < t cCD CD C> 

i

1

A

- 

-X- f

-

J -

 

i

 Maximum discharge

- Mean discharge 

 Minimum discharge

10 100

AREA OF MINE, IN MILLION SQUARE FEET

1000

Figure 6.-- Relation of mine size to total discharge measured from above-drainage mines.

23
Table 6.--Calculation of mine discharge as percent of 

precipitation on land surface above mine.

Mean, annual 

Areal precipitaAverage mine extent tion at 

discharge from of Paintsville 

all entries mine 1975-77 

Mine name (gal/min) (M ft 3 /yr) (M ft 2 ) (ft/yr)

Stambaugh Coal Co. 

Mines No. 1 and No. 2

William's Mining Co. 

No. 1

M § P Coal Co.

No. 1

Hagar Hill Mining Co. 

No. 1 and No. 2

Tutor Key Coal Co. 

No. 1

North East Coal Co.

No. 1

North East Coal Co.

No. 5

North East Coal Co.

No. 2

North East Coal Co.

No. 3 and No. 4

Buck Creek Coal Co . ,

16 1.12 1.3 3.66

7 .49 1.3 3.66

12 .84 3.3 3.66

8 .56 3.8 3.66

28 1.97 6.8 3.66

130 9.13 12 3.66

52 3.65 13.6 3.66

49 3.44 23.6 3.66

99 6.96 58.4 3.66

148 10.4 78 3.66

Total incident pre- Mine 

cipitation discharge 

on mine per as percent 

year of incident 

(M ft 3 /yr) precipitation

4.8

4.8

12.1

13.9

24.9

43.9

49.8

86.4

213

285

23

10

7

4

8

21

7

4

3

4

Himmler and Earlston 

Mines; Collins Creek 

Coal Co., Sluss Mine

Consolidated Coal Co. 975 68.5 204 3.66 747 

No. 151-155

24
2000

1000

s 100

oc.

UJ

o_

CO

z 

o

10

Based on the average 

annual precipitation of 

43.6 inches, at Paintsville

10 100 

AREA OF MINE, IN MILLION SQUARE FEET

Figure 7. -- Range of average discharge (totaled from all discharge points)

for mines above drainage.

25
Table 7.--Above-drainage mines with best water-supply potential

Site 

number of 

mine opening Name

Estimated 

storage 

volume 

(M ft 3 )

Range of discharge from 

single opening 

(gal/min)

Coal seam 

mined 

(SJ O\

21

2224

27

39

41

74

Buck Creek Coal Co., 195 

Coleman Mine

Buck Creek Coal Co., 195 

Coleman Mine

Martin County Coal 22

Co., Coalburg Mine

No. 1 

North East Coal Co., 30

Mine No. 1 

North East Coal Co., 146

Mine No. 3

North East Coal Co., 146 

Mine No. 4

North East Coal Co., 59 

Mine No. 2

North East Coal Co., 34

Mine No. 5 

Tutor Key Coal Co., 17

Mine No. 1

Consolidation Coal 510 

Co., Mines 151-155

63- 215

17- 40

Alma

Alma

90- 150

24-1,700 

23- 65

16- 60

12- 27

35

17- 40

750-1,200

Peach 

Orchard

Van Lear 

Van LearVan Lear 

Van LearVan Lear 

Van Lear

Van Lear

Repor

Him

Slu

fre

Repor

lar

and 

dis

not 

Water 

min

Water 

fro

N.E.C

por

chaadi

N.E.C

por

cha

adi

Water 

col

use

for 

Repor

Flows 

min

den

pur

Repor

N.E

pro

cal 

hom
the mine volume is an indication of the storage potential which could be 

utilized if the mines were sealed and allowed to flood.

All the mines listed in table 7 were discharging more than 10 gal/min 

from at least one opening when they were field-checked. The range of discharge listed is from a single mine opening identified by site number. 

Additional entries of the same mine which discharge less than 10 gal/min are 

summarized on tables 3 and 4. The greatest measured discharge was 1,700 

gal/min from the North East Coal Company No. 1 Mine portal at site 21. 

Discharge from the mine at this site usually ranged from 25 to 200 gal/min. 

Discharge from the Buck Creek Coal Company, Coleman Mine at site 2 in Martin 

County exceeded 200 gal/min periodically, but flow was generally less than 

100 gal/min. The highest sustained flow was measured at a discharge pipe 

which reportedly drains the abandoned galleries of the Consolidated Coal 

Company Mines 151-155 at site 74 in Johnson County. During the study period 

these mines continuously discharged between 750 and 1,200 gal/min into 

John's Creek near Van Lear.

Mines Below Drainage

The volume of water in an abandoned below-drainage mine is usually 

large because all openings are filled with water. Mines below drainage 

generally do not discharge water from slope or shaft entries. Thus the 

recharge characteristics and water-supply potential of these mines can best 

be estimated by test pumping. In addition, valuable information on the 

water conditions in the mine during mining can be supplied by coal operators 

and miners. Based on information from miners and limited test pumping, the 

below-drainage mines with the best water-supply potential in the study area, 

are listed in table 8. The site numbers indicate the principal points of 

access to water in each mine. The post-mining volume of each mine is listed 

as an estimate of the maximum water-storage capacity. The estimated storage 

volume is based on mine maps and the assumption that 50 percent of a 5-foot 

coal bed was removed from the mine.

A simplified model of the hydrologic system is proposed for belowdrainage mines based on results of two pumping tests. After a rainfall, 

water infiltrates into an abandoned mine mainly through cracks and fractures 

in the rocks. The mine and fractures in the rock are saturated to the level 

of the potentiometric surface. When water is pumped from the mine the 

pressure in the mine is reduced allowing fractures to dewater vertically 

into the mine. Horizontal permeability of rocks above the coal mine is 

probably low so lateral ground-water flow to the mine is restricted. In the 

summer months when most precipitation is used by plants or evaporated, the 

mine is recharged only very slowly through vertical fractures. During the 

late fall and spring months, when vegetation is dormant and precipitation 

quickly replenishes fractures, mine recharge is relatively rapid.

27
Table 8.--Below-drainage mines with best water-supply potential

Site

number of 

mine opening Name

Estimated 

storage 

volume 

(M ft 3 )

Estimated 

water in 

storage 

(M sal)

Coal seam 

mined 

NJ

OO

18

46

47

48

58

Buck Creek Coal Co., 

Himmler Mine

195 1,462 Alma

Warfield Mining Co., 

No. 1 Mine

5.7 42.7 Alma

Martin County Coal, 

No. 1 Stockton

White Ash Coal Co., 

No. 1 Mine

Millers Creek Co-op, 

Inc., Whitehouse 

Mine

22.5 Broas

46 345 Van Lear

38 285 Van Lear

Royal Collieries, 

Offutt Mine

M § P Coal Co., 

No. 1 Mine

30

8.3

225

62.3

Van Lear

Van Lear

Conne

Slus

Wat

entcoldur

very 

Mine 

dew

qui

10,

pum

eme

Water 

mon

dur

lev

aft

Active 

ing 

Dewquiday 

Mine 

5 h

draw

wat

1 m

pre

rep

Mine 

and 

fac

Mine 

cha
Test Pumping

Two small below-drainage mines were tested with a centrifugal pump 

capable of pumping 800 gal/min. The pump was positioned at the flooded air 

shaft of one mine and slope entry of another. The pump could not be lowered 

into either mine, thus drawdown was limited to the lift capacity of the 

pump, or about 15 feet below land surface. The water level was observed on 

staff gages installed at each site. A flow meter on the discharge line 

measured the discharge rate and recorded the total water pumped from each 

mine. Water pumped from the mines was discharged into William's Branch 

during one test and Tug Fork in the other test.

Test pumping illustrates the difficulty of evaluating the dependability 

of a water supply from a below-drainage mine. Tests conducted in dry summer 

months may indicate little water-supply potential, but pumping the same mine 

during the wetter spring months might suggest that greater water supply is 

possible. The seasonal variation in recharge rates shown by test pumping of 

below-drainage mines is analogous to the seasonal changes in flow observed 

from above-drainage mines.

Results of Test Pumping at Site 5

The abandoned Warfield Mining Company Mine No. 1 (site 5) was testpumped on September 20, 1977, and again on March 6, 1978. The slope entry 

is about 300 feet west of Tug Fork and is reportedly 56 feet above the Alma 

(Warfield) coal seam. Coal was removed by conventional room and pillar 

methods and mine maps indicate that mine pillars were removed in only a few 

sections. During active mining, the mine was dewatered by pumping at a 

reported rate of 5,000-10,000 gal/d (gallons per day). After mining ceased 

in 1963 the mine reportedly flooded overnight following the blasting of a 

nearby gas well.

The first pumping test was conducted September 20, 1977, at the slope 

entry of the mine. During the 6-hour test, the pumping rate was 560 gal/min. 

Water-level drawdown in the slope is shown on the time-drawdown curves on 

figure 8. Note that at least 34,000 gallons of water had to be pumped to 

cause 1 foot of drawdown. Removal of water from storage in the slope entry 

accounted for only about 1,500 gallons per foot of drawdown. Larger storage 

was being tapped or water was rapidly recharging the mine as pumping continued. The 77-day recovery data shown on figure 9 tends to discount the 

possibility of rapid recharge because recovery to the mine from September 20 

to November 3 amounted to only 1.16 foot or a rate of 1,150 gal/d. Thus, 

most of the water pumped was from storage in the main body of the mine and 

from fractures which were dewatered as pumping progressed.

There is a break in the time-drawdown curve for the time when pumping 

stopped. When pumping resumed, the slope of the drawdown curve was not as 

steep as during the first part of the test. This suggests that either the 

inclined shaft is larger at this level or that a larger section of the mine

29
620

619

Pumping rate = 560 ga

33,600 gallons/ /1 foot drawdown

618

UJ CDoUJ CD

 I

 a:o a:

617616

(pump off 20 minutes)

, 43,700 

-r 615

614 I I

60 120 180 240 

TIME AFTER PUMPING BEGAN, IN MINUTES

Figure 8 -- Time-drawdown relation, test pumping at site 5, September 20, 1
CSJ 

CT)

622

621

620

619

618

617

616

615

610

Warfield Mining No. 1 

(site 5)

/-Test pumping 

/Sept. 20, 1977

,©- -© '

(Dashed where record discontinuous)

._ © -

3

to

g 605

o

tii

600

595

590

585

Tug Fork at Kermit, W. Va. 

(03214000)

580

1.3

z~

1= 1.0

a^ 0.5 Q± 

Q_

0

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 H

-

~

___

= n Pi

Daily precipitation at Kermit, W. Va. :

J

n

-

n A 0

 fl n n ^ n n^i J n

20 

1 30 1 10 1 20 1 31 III!

10 20 30 1

September October November

1977

December

Figure 9--- Hydrograph of water levels at site 5 after test pumping September 20, 1977, precipitation 

and stage of the Tug Fork at Kermit, West Virginia.

31
galleries was being dewatered. Whatever the cause, when the water reached 

616.9 feet, more pumpage was required to lower the free water surface in the 

mine than during the first part of the test and the slope of the timedrawdown curve decreased. It is likely that the slope of the time-drawdown 

curve would decrease even more during dewatering if the estimated storage 

volume of 5.7 M ft 3 (million cubic feet) (table 8) is reasonably accurate. 

This volume would contain about 42.7 Mgal of water. Based on this volume 

and about 56 feet of available drawdown, a withdrawal rate of 760,000 gallons per foot of drawdown would be required to dewater the mine.

Therefore, the water in storage represents a safety factor sufficient 

to provide water through periods of limited recharge to the mine. Although 

the pumping tests indicated that the yield per foot of drawdown was increasing with time, it would take additional pumpage to verify the quantity of 

water in storage and the shape of the time-drawdown curve. However, the 

recovery data from this short test does indicate the recharge rates to the 

mine.

Water-level recovery in the mine was monitored by an automatic waterlevel recorder. The rate of recovery began to increase around November 3 

(fig. 9) and reflects the seasonal ground-water recharge when plants are 

dormant. The average recovery rate of 1,150 gal/d prior to November 3 was 

probably due mainly to slow, horizontal movement of water from the regional 

ground-water body. Direct infiltration of precipitation was probably of 

minor importance. After November 3, however, the increased recovery rate is 

probably the result of an increase in recharge from precipitation. For 

example, during the period November 3-17, the average recovery rate was 

6,630 gal/d. If the component from the regional ground-water body (1,150 

gal/d) is subtracted, recharge from precipitation amounts to 5,480 gal/d. 

For the entire mined-out area (2.28 x 106 ft 2 ) this recharge rate is 0.0039 

in/d or 3.6 percent of the 1.5 inches of precipitation during the 14-day 

period. The recovery period from November 21 - December 5 can be analyzed 

in a similar manner. Average recovery rate (5,260 gal/d) minus the regional 

ground-water component (1,150 gal/d) equals a recharge rate of 4,110 gal/d 

which represents 0.0029 in/d or 1.4 percent of the 2.9 inches of precipitation during the period.

A second pumping test was run at Site 5 on March 6, 1978, to observe 

recharge to the mine during the wetter spring months. Drawdown and recovery 

data are shown for this test on figure 10. The water level drawdown in the 

slope was approximately the same as in the September 20th test. Unlike the 

previous test, however, the water level recovered rapidly as water from a 

series of rains, which closely followed the test, recharged the mine. The 

water level in the mine recovered to pre-pumpage levels in 2 days, which 

corresponds to an average recovery rate of 103,500 gal/d. If the recovery 

rate is attributed only to recharge from precipitation moving vertically 

from the surface, the average recharge rate for the 2 days following the 

March 6 pumping test was 0.073 in/d. The total recharge of 0.15 inches 

equals 21 percent of the 0.7 inches of rain falling on March 7 and 8.

32
622

621

620

619

cr>

2 618

617

616

615

Testing pumping 

March 6, 1978 Warfield Mining No. 1 

(site 5)

CJ

S 605 o

LLJ 

CD

<C 

Z 

O

<c

o

00

600

595

590

585

580

Tug Fork River at Kermit, W. Va. 

(03214000)

1.5

0.5

n n

Daily precipitation at Kermit, W. Va.

H

10 20 

February

28 10 20 

March

31

1978

10 20 

April

Figure 10.- Hydrograph of water levels at site 5 after test pumping March 6, 1978, 

precipitation and stage of the Tug Fork at Kermit, West Virginia.

33
Results of Test Pumping at Site 58

The M and P Coal Company Mine No. 1 (site 58) was pumped from a flooded 

air shaft on September 21, 1977. The shaft reportedly extends 18 feet below 

the surface to the Van Lear coal seam. The mine was abandoned in 1963. At 

the time of the test, water was flowing from the air shaft at about 10 gal/min 

and was being used to water livestock. Thus the duration of the pump test 

was limited so that mine-discharge would be interrupted for only a short 

time.

Water was pumped at 580 gal/min for the first 30 minutes of the test 

which lowered the water level in the shaft 0.15 feet. Discharge was increased to 620 gal/min for the remaining 80 minutes which resulted in 

lowering the water level an additional 0.73 feet. A total of 67,000 gallons 

was pumped during the test. Water level in the shaft recovered to the prepumping level 4 days after pumping stopped. The recovery represents the 

addition of 67,000 gallons of water to the mine from regional ground-water 

flow. The average recharge rate to the mine is about 16,750 gal/d which 

corresponds closely to the natural discharge of approximately 10 gal/min 

observed prior to the test.

QUALITY OF WATER IN COAL MINES

The chemical quality of ground water is directly related to the type of 

material through which it flows and the period of time the water is in 

contact with the material. Water percolating downward from the land surface 

reacts with soil and rock to dissolve organic and inorganic matter. This 

percolating water is commonly of a calcium-magnesium bicarbonate composition 

and is slightly alkaline. As the water seeps into coal mines it comes in 

contact with coal and associated rocks and minerals. Thus the chemical 

quality of water in the mines reflects the chemical character of the rock 

and soil and the changes in water quality caused by chemical reactions 

within the coal mine.

Oxygen and water react with the pyrite to form iron sulfate and sulfuric acid. The quantities of ifon, acids, and sulfate present in mine 

water are dependent upon the amount and type of pyrite in the coal and 

overlying rocks, the amount of oxygen available to react with the pyrite, 

and the length of contact time for the reactions. The chemical quality of 

the ground water which infiltrates into a coal mine from overlying rocks is, 

as mentioned; commonly slightly alkaline, and thus has a high capacity to 

neutralize the acid being produced by pyrite oxidation in the coal mine. 

Formation of acid-mine water is often prevented naturally in this manner.

General Water Quality from all Mines

Analyses of mine water sampled in Johnson and Martin Counties are 

listed in tables 9 and 10 and illustrated by Stiff diagrams on plates 1 and 

2. The Stiff diagram provides a quick comparison of the chemical character

34
Table 9. -Chemical analyses of mine water from selected sites in Martin County 

(Chemical constituents are in milligrams per liter except where noted)

DisSite Date of charge Silica 

number c°Hec- (gal/min) (SiO,) tion ^

Calcium 

(Ca)

Magnesium 

(Mg)

Sodium 

(Na)

Po- Distas solved Total 

sium iron ^rc? 

(K) (Fe) (Fe >

Dissolved 

manganese 

(Mn)

Total 

manganese 

(Mn)

Bicarbonate

(HCOg)

Acidity 

(H+)

Sulfate

(so4 )

Chloride 

(Cl)

Fluoride 

(F)

Dissolved

(Res

N

ca

a

1 6- 9-76

1* 8-31-77.2/

2* 6- 9-76

2 12-21-773* 12-21-77

5 6- 9-76

5* 9-20-77^7

9* 7-14-76

17* 7-14-7618* 7-14-76

NF

NF

75

125

34

NFNFNF-- 138.7 1722159.6 11198.2 6.1 277.3 70847632 110407099 6.6 2.4 2934321336142631 262.3 310 300 26013271731 110 3.5 1.7 3.2 1.4 .08 .54 13 32. 33. 10 51. 51. 10 63. 63. 3.3 .26 32. 8.2 - 16. 2.0 13. 13 .03 16 .57 0.50 .00 1.1 1.6 1.3.41 .04 .69 .20 .72 0.50 .04 1.4 1.6 1.3.60 1.5--- 8017130 4282 140 160 101 360 0000000000 5419 760 870 78092 33055 260 320 181.5 17016 1504.2 4.1 2.9 1413 0.2.1.2.2.1.6.2.2.3.3 18451 1,440 1,530 1,360 222 608 236 488 758 2

1

2835

29

6

31

2

20

8

a/ Sampled after pumping 9 hours at 10 gal/min. 

b_/ Sampled after pumping 6-1/2 hours at 560 gal/min. 

* Stiff diagram for these analyses shown in Plate 2. 

NF No flow.
Table 10. Chemical analyses 

(Chemical constituents

of mine water from selected sites in Johnson County 

are in milligrams per liter except where noted)

Site 

number

21*

2122*

22

23*

24*

26*

2627*

27

28*

28

41*

42*

47*52*

54*

58

58*58

59*

59

60*

66*6673*73

74*

74

75*

76*

DisDate of charge Silica

c°^-e °- (gal/min) (Si02 ) tion ' 

6-10-76

12-20-77

6-30-76

12-20-77

6-10-76

12-20-77

6-10-76

12-20-77

8-11-76

1- 5-78

6-10-76

12-20-77

1- 5-786-29-769- 1-77

6-30-766-29-76

6-29-76

9-21-77*/

12-19-77

6-29-76

12-19-77

6-29-76

7-15-76

12-21-77

8-12-76

12-21-77

6- 8-76

12-21-77

7-13-76

8-12-76

40

49

50

47

1318

44

17

27

9

12

17

9

NF

NFNF--20

10

9

NF

8

8

NF

NF--NF

NF

15

14

15

162224

9.4

1811

14

1611

41

1917

33

3811

9.8

11

11

11192523

8.19.2

99.6

16

11

Calcium 

(Ca)

90

857183

67

666168

190

210

88

110

140

50

32

93

100

393632

5255246966

30

205751

23

48

Magnesium 

(Mg)

47

43

32

38

32

36

4042

89

92

46

5373

3111

563617171425

2418

3735

6.1

6.8

2118

7.8

15

Sodium 

(Na)

28

26

4568

55

34

10

13

120

100

183019

20

58

140

6.6

3729

20

36

42

7.0

1111

27

10

440

390180

8.2

Potassium 

(K)

7.3

7.6

6.0

7.7

5.5

5.0

4.4

5.49.0

9.2

5.0

7.4

6.0

7.0

5.8

5.5

3.38.0

7.6

6.09.0

10

2.7

7.5

7.0

15

3.1

12

10

4.8

4.3

Dissolved

iron 

(Fe)

0.02

.04

.12

.11

1.2

2.5

.34.30.01

.02.14

.02

9.7

7.01.8

11.

64.

.23

.03.08

.01.04

.01

14,

5.4

.69.03

.03.42

.11.05

Total 

iron 

(Fe) - 0.26

5.7

.32

8.0

2.5

6.4

.43

.76

.17

3.4

.47

9.7

7.91.8

12.

69.24.

.21

.17

2.0

.45

.11

15.

7.3

31.36.

.70

.67

.49

61.

Dissolved 

manganese 

(Mn)

0.04

.14.33

.36

1.4

3.2

.26

.58

.13

.51

4.0

.26

4.0

2.0

.57

1.7

2.8

.05

.01.03.08

.12

.56

1.3

1.3

.04

.02

.18

.14.05

.38

Total 

manganese 

(Mn) - 0.14

.58.36

1.4

3.2

.30

.58.27

,51

5.0

.44

4.0

2.0

.57

1.42.8

.20.01

.03.28.32.60

1.4

1.3

.08

.30

.18

.14.05

1.3

Bicarbonate

(HCOg)

48

2910

20

0

0

00

42

34

3

120

0

0

160

0

0

99

75

54

4155

2

0

0

84

21

616

620

375

91

Aci- Suldity fate 

(H+) (S04 )

000

01.02.2

000

0

0

0

3.0

1.701.07.1

0

0

00001.11.2

0

0

0

0

00

420420

410

480460

460

320

380

1,000

1,000

460

440

760

360

60

910

770

170

160

140290

280

140

380350

64

49

320

280

34

110

Chloride 

(Cl)

2.3

1.91.8

2.21.61.4

2.92.8

2.7

2.3

1.0

2.4

1.4

2.0

17

2.41.8

2.61.52.1

2.12.4

1.5

2.7

1.9

19

11

230

220110

3.3

Fluoride 

(F)

0.3

.2.3.2

.5

.3

.3

.2

.2

.2

.6

.2.3

.4.3.8.8.3.1

.1

.3.2.3.5.2

.2

.0

.6

.4

.5

.2

Dissolved 

solids 

(Residue at 

180° C)

664

628

634749704

677

518571

1,5601,350

680759

1,120

556

312

1,380

1,180

249300

350460

455

216584509256

138

1,380

1,250

558

262

N

car

a33

3

33333

8

8

4

3

62

44

21

133

1

a/ Sampled after pumping 2 hours at 600 gal/min.

~* Stiff diagrams for these analyses shown in Plate 1.

NF No flow.
of mine waters; the shape of the diagram indicates chemical composition 

while the size of the diagram represents the ionic strength of the principal 

anions and cations in solution. Dissolved calcium, magnesium, and sulfate 

are predominant in most of the mine waters in the study area. The calciummagnesium-sulfate water is the product of pyrite dissolution coupled with 

the neutralizing action of the calcium and magnesium bicarbonates in the 

natural ground-water system.

Most of the mine waters are similar chemically; that is, the relative 

proportions of dissolved constituents are similar between different mines 

(note the similarity of shapes of Stiff diagrams, plates 1 and 2). The 

absolute concentrations of dissolved constituents, however, vary significantly between sites (note size variations of Stiff diagrams, plates 1 

and 2).

The maximum, minimum, and median values of the dissolved constituents 

and chemical quality characteristics for all mine waters sampled are listed 

in table 11. The source and significance of dissolved-mineral constituents 

are discussed on table 12. Note that concentrations of hardness, sulfate, 

iron, and manganese found in some mine waters may render the water objectionable for some uses if not treated.

Mine waters having a different chemistry from the calcium magnesium 

sulfate type were sampled from sites 2, 3, 74, and 75. Water from these 

mines clearly shows a sodium chloride overprint on the basic calcium magnesium sulfate chemistry. The sodium chloride water is probably from deeper 

aquifers saturated with brackish water. The brackish fluids may have migrated 

upward in oil and gas wells which penetrate both the Consolidation Coal 

Company's mines (sites 74, 75) and the Himmler-Earlston Mines (sites 2, 3).

In addition to the major inorganic elements, samples from selected 

sites were analyzed for phenols. The maximum allowable concentration of 

phenols in drinking water is 1 yg/L (microgram per liter). (Kentucky 

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, 1977). 

Results of analyses are listed below:

Site Phenols 

yg/L

3 0

5 5

21 1

22 2

24 0

27 0

41 0

58 1

Although phenolic compounds arise from a number of naturally occurring 

sources and substances, in this case the phenolic compounds are assumed to 

indicate the level of coal-derived constituents in mine waters. Phenolic

37
Table 11.--Maximum, minimum, and median values of water 

characteristics for all samples

Parameter

Specific conductance 

(micromhos per cm at 

25°C)

pH (units)

Temperature °C

Calcium

Magnesium

Sodium

Potassium

Dissolved iron

Total iron

Dissolved manganese

Total manganese

Acidity (as H+)

Bicarbonate

Sulfate

Chloride

Fluoride

Calcium magnesium 

hardness (as CaC03)

Non-carbonate hardness (as CaCOj)

Dissolved solids 

(residue at 180 °C)

Silica

Median

859

6.1

13.8

61

25

27

7.1

0.25

3.0

0.34

0.39

0

38

310

2.8

0.25

225

192

608

13

Maximum

2,210

8.0

24

210

92

440

16

64

69

4.0

5.0

7.1

620

1,000

230

0.8

900

880

1,560

41

Minimum

84

3.1

9

7.3

2.4

2.3

1.4

0.01

0.11

0.00

0.01

0

0

19

1.0

0.0

28

0

51

6.1

Concentrations in milligrams per liter unless noted

38
Table 12.--Source and significance of dissolved mineral constituents 

and physical properties of natural waters

Constituent or 

physical property Source or cause Significance

Bicarbonate (HCOr) and 

Carbonate (C03J

Calcium (Ca) and

Magnesium (Mg)

Chloride (Cl)

Fluoride (F)

Iron (Fe)

Manganese (Mn)

Silica (Si02 )

Action of carbon dioxide in water 

on carbonate rocks such as limestone and dolomite.

Dissolved from practically all 

soils and rocks, but especially 

from limestone, dolomite, and 

gypsum. Calcium and magnesium 

are found in large quantities 

in some brines. Magnesium is 

present in large quantities in 

sea water.

Dissolved from rocks and soils. 

Present in sewage and found in 

large amounts in ancient brines, 

sea water, and industrial brines.

Dissolved in small to minute 

quantities from most rocks and 

soils.

Dissolved from practically all 

rocks and soils. May also be 

derived from iron pipes, pumps, 

and other equipment. More than 

1 or 2 mg/L of soluble iron in 

surface waters usually indicates 

acid wastes from mine drainage 

or other sources.

Dissolved from some rocks and 

soils. Not so common as iron. 

Large quantities often associated with high iron content 

and with acid waters.

Dissolved from practically all 

rocks and soils, usually in 

small amounts from 1 to 50 mg/L. 

High concentrations, as much as 

100 mg/L, generally occur in 

highly alkaline waters.

Bicarbonate and carbonate produce alkalinity. Bicarbonates of calcium and 

magnesium decompose in steam boilers 

and hot water facilities to form scale 

and release corrosive carbon dioxide 

gas. In combination with calcium and 

magnesium cause carbonate hardness.

Causes most of the hardness and scaleforming properties of water; soap consuming (see hardness). Waters low in 

calcium and magnesium desired in electroplating, tanning, dyeing, and in 

textile manufacturing.

In large amounts in combination with 

sodium gives salty taste to drinking 

water. In large quantities increases 

the corrosiveness of water. Drinking 

water standards recommend that the 

chloride content should not exceed 250 

mg/L on the basis of taste preferences.

Fluoride in drinking water reduces the 

incidence of tooth decay when the water 

is consumed during the period of enamel 

calcification. However, it may cause 

mottling of the teeth depending on the 

concentration of fluoride, the age of 

the child, amount of drinking water 

consumed, and susceptibility of the individual. (Maier, F. J., 1950, Fluoridation of public water supplies: Journal American Water Works Association, 

v. 42, pt. 1, p. 1120-1132J

On exposure to air, iron in ground water oxidizes to reddish-brown sediment. 

More than about 0.3 mg/L stains laundry 

and utensils. Objectionable for food 

processing, beverages, dyeing, bleaching, ice manufacture, brewing, and 

other processes. Federal drinking Water standards recommend that soluble 

iron and manganese together should not 

exceed 0.3 mg/L. Larger quantities 

cause unpleasant taste and favor growth 

of iron bacteria.

Same objectionable features as iron. 

Causes dark brown or black stain. Federal drinking water standards recommend 

that soluble iron and manganese together should not exceed 0.3 mg/L.

Forms hard scale in pipes and boilers. 

Carried over in steam of high-pressure 

boilers to form deposits on blades of 

steam turbines. Inhibits deterioration 

of zeolite-type water softeners.

39
Table 12.--Source and significance of dissolved mineral constituents 

and physical properties of natural waters--Continued

Constituent or 

physical property Source or cause Significance

Sodium (Na) and 

Potassium (K)

Sulfate (S04)

Dissolved solids

Hardness as CaCOs

Hydrogen-ion concentration (pH)

Specific conductance 

(micromhos per cm 

at 25°C)

Temperature

Dissolved from practically all 

rocks and soils. Found also in 

ancient brines, sea water, some 

industrial brines, and sewage.

Dissolved from rocks and soils 

containing gypsum, iron sulfide, 

and other sulfur compounds. 

Usually present in mine waters 

and in some industrial Wastes.

Chiefly mineral constituents dissolved from rocks and soils. Includes any organic matter and 

some water of crystallization.

In most waters nearly all the 

hardness is due to calcium and 

magnesium. All of the metallic 

cations other than the alkali 

metals also cause hardness.

Acids, acid-generating salts, 

and free carbon dioxide lower 

the pH. Carbonates, bicarbonates, hydroxides and phosphates, 

silicates, and borates raise 

the pH.

Mineral content of the water.

Large amounts, in combination with chloride, give a salty taste. Moderate 

quantities have little effect on the usefulness of water for most purposes. Sodium salts may cause foaming in steam 

boilers and a high sodium ration may 

limit the use of water for irrigation.

Sulfate in water containing calcium forms 

hard scale in steam boilers. In large 

amounts, sulfate in combination with other 

ions gives bitter taste to water. Transients using water having more than 250 

mg/L of sulfate usually experience laxative effects.

Waters containing more than 1,000 mg/L of 

dissolved solids are unsuitable for many 

purposes.

Consumes soap before a lather will form. 

Deposits soap curd on bathtubs. Hard 

water forms scale in boilers, water heaters, and pipes. Hardness equivalent to 

the bicarbonate and carbonate is called 

carbonate hardness. Any hardness in excess of this is called noncarbonate hardness. Waters of hardness up to 60 mg/L 

are considered soft; 61-120 mg/L, moderately hard; 121-180 mg/L, hard; more 

than 180 mg/L, very hard.

A pH of 7.0 indicates neutrality of a solution. Values higher than 7.0 denote 

increasing alkalinity; values lower than 

7.0 indicate increasing acidity. pH is a 

measure of the activity of the hydrogen 

ions. Corrosiveness of water generally 

increases with decreasing ph. However, 

excessively alkaline waters may also 

attack metals.

Specific conductance is a measure of the 

capacity of the water to conduct an electric current. Varies with concentration 

and degree of ionization of the constituents. Varies with temperature; reported 

at 25°C. Multiplied by 0.6 approximately 

equals the dissolved solids.

Affects usefulness of water for many purposes. For most users, a water of uniformly low temperature is desired. Shallow wells show some seasonal fluctuations 

in water temperature. Ground waters from 

moderate depths usually are nearly constant in temperature, which is near the 

mean annual air temperature of the area. 

In very deep wells the water temperature 

generally increases on the average about 

1°F with each 60-foot increment of depth. 

Seasonal fluctuations in temperatures of 

surface waters are comparatively large depending on the depth of water but do not 

reach the extremes of air temperatures.

40
compounds can cause aesthetic problems in drinking-water supplies because 

phenol is not removed efficiently by conventional water treatment, and the 

chlorination process can produce persistent odor-producing compounds.

Comparison of Water Quality from Coal Mines 

Above and Below Drainage

A significant difference in water chemistry occurs between water in 

underground mines which are above or below the level of perennial stream 

drainage. In general, the water from below-drainage mines had lower concentrations of dissolved constituents and higher pH than water from abovedrainage mines.

The mean of the dissolved constituents concentration of water from 

mines above drainage (sites 2, 3, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 41, 

42, 52, 54, 59, 60, 66, 74) is compared to the mean dissolved constituents 

concentration of water from mines below drainage (sites 1, 5, 10, 47, 58, 

75, 76) on figure 11. Because chemical concentrations appear to differ 

between the two groups, the significance of these differences was tested 

statistically using the Kruskal-Wallis analysis-of-variance test (Sokal and 

Rolf, 1969). The Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance tests the hypothesis 

that the two sampled groups come from populations having the same distribution or, as in this case, that there is no difference in water samples 

from mines above or below drainage. However, the Kruskal-Wallis test indicated that there is a significant differrence in quality of water from 

mines above or below drainage. The two groups differed significantly at the 

99 percent confidence level for bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, and sulfate. At a slightly lower level of confidence (95 percent), dissolved 

solids, fluoride, total manganese and dissolved manganese also tested 

significantly different between groups.

There are at least two possible reasons why mines below drainage 

yielded water with lower concentrations of dissolved constituents and higher 

pH than water from mines that are above drainage:

(1) After abandonment, mine galleries below drainage usually flood. 

The flooding limits the amount of atmospheric oxygen which is available to 

react with pyrite. The lower rate of pyrite oxidation lessens the amount of 

sulfate, iron, and acidity in solution.

(2) Below-drainage coal mines were sampled from slope and shaft 

openings where precipitation and surface runoff could easily enter the mine. 

The introduction of surface runoff dilutes the ground water in the mine. 

Thus, the water samples collected from some openings might not be representative of the quality of water deeper within the mine. In addition, the 

techniques used in sampling the below-drainage mines produced samples from 

only the upper zones within the shaft or slope. Thus, if waters were layered 

or zoned with the more highly mineralized water at lower levels, the samples 

would not reflect the chemical character of the deeper water.

41
oc. \ 

UJ 

CJ

o

13 -

12 -

II -

10 -

9 -

8 -

7 -

5 -

4 -

I -

MINES ABOVE DRAINAGE -

Note 

~ Analyses marked with asterisks

in tables 9 and 10 were used

in comparison except for sites

9 and 73 which are water wells.

-

- MINES BELOW DRAINAGE

-

_

-

-

No 

K

Mg

Co

Cl

HCO3

S04

H'

No

K

Mg

Co

Cl

HCO3

SO4

_

-

.

-

-

Figure 11. - Comparison of mean dissolved constituents concentration in water from mines above and below drainage

42
Variability of Mine-Water Quality

The chemical quality of water from a coal mine does not remain constant, but changes in response to seasonal variations in ground water 

inflow or to pumping. Changes in chemical quality of water may be monitored 

by a simple field check of its specific conductance. Specific conductance 

measures the ability of water to conduct an electric current and is directly 

related to the quantity and type of ions in solution. Because mine waters 

in the study area generally have the same types of ions in solution, variations in conductance reflect variations in the quantity of ions, the dissolved solids that are in solution. The relation between dissolved solids 

and specific conductance in the study area is based on 27 samples of mine 

water and is illustrated on figure 12. The relation may be expressed 

analytically as:

dissolved solids concentration = 0.68 (specific conductance) + 30.2.

The regression of these data has a correlation coefficient of 0.98. Based 

on this relation, field measurement of the specific conductance can be used 

to estimate the dissolved solids concentration of mine water of unknown 

quality.

Effects of Flow Variations on Water Quality

The chemical quality of water from underground mines usually varies 

with the volume of mine discharge. The rate of flow from a mine usually is 

related to the rapidity of infiltration of water into the mine. The greater 

the infiltration rate, the greater the flow. Thus the water that passes 

through the mine at high flow has less contact time for dissolution of the 

reactive materials within the mine and also dilutes the water already present. To illustrate the changes in water quality which occur as mine discharge varies, specific conductance was measured at various discharges from 

the North East Coal Company Mine No. 1 at Thealka (site 21). The relation 

between 16 specific conductance measurements and discharge for site 21 is 

shown on figure 13. Note the dilution effects at high flows.

A dramatic short-term change of water quality in both surface and 

underground mines is referred to as a flushout (Corbett and Agnew, 1968). 

During the dry summer and early fall months, the ground water that seeps 

into underground mines typically has a relatively long residence time in the 

mine. Thus the dissolved solids content is high. During the spring months 

(or after a hard rain) the inflow of ground water to the mine can flush out 

a slug of the highly mineralized water. Although the flushout phenomenon 

was not observed during this study, the possibility that water quality can 

change quickly in this manner should be considered when evaluating a potential water supply from a coal mine.

43
2400

LO 

Osl

<c 

ce

2200

2000

E 1800CJcc.UJCL.

O 0£ CJ

Q_ 00

1600

14001200

1000

800

600400200

0

200

I

400

I I

600 800 1000 1200 1400 

DISSOLVED SOLIDS, IN MILLIGRAMS PER LITER

Figure 12. -- Relation between specific conductance and dissolved solids concentration.

1600 1800
Sfr

25°C AT CENTIMETER PER MICROMHOS IN CONDUCTANCE, SPECIFIC 

.

8

o 

o 

o

a!

o

§o

o

8

I

o

00

en

_m

z 

en

o 

co

I

NJ

O

8
Effects of Pumping on Water Quality

Changes in water quality can occur when water is pumped from a mine. 

Pumping may lower the water level in a mine and expose reactive pyrite to 

atmospheric oxygen. The byproducts of the oxidized pyrite can in turn 

degrade the mine water by increasing its acidity and dissolved solids content. Over a long period of pumping, the cyclic wetting and reexposure of 

pyrite to oxygen could alter the water quality significantly.

Changes in water quality will also be observed as water is drawn from 

successively deeper sections of a mine. In most below-drainage mines which 

do not have free drainage, water is probably stratified with respect to 

water quality. That is, the water that lies in the deeper sections of the 

mine is more highly mineralized due to its longer residence time in the 

mine. For example, during pumping the Warfield Mining Company Mine No. 1 

(site 5) the pumping of more mineralized water at depth probably caused the 

changes in water quality shown on figure 14 and listed on table 9.

DEVELOPMENT OF WATER SUPPLY FROM UNDERGROUND MINES

The utilization of water from coal mines depends on a number of factors. Probably the single most important factor is the location of the 

mine. The cost of constructing a long pipeline may preclude the use of 

water from mines that are long distances from the point of use.

Water in mines located below drainage can be tapped by drilled wells, 

but water flowing from above-drainage mines may simply require a pipe from 

the mouth of the mine.

Wells drilled into below-drainage mines probably offer the safest 

method of utilizing water from coal mines because sanitary conditions are 

relatively easy to maintain. In addition below-drainage mines generally 

yield water of better chemical quality than above-drainage mines that are 

open to atmospheric oxygen. In mines that are below drainage or in which 

all openings have been sealed, the limited supply of oxygen tends to lessen 

the acid and sulfate that is produced when pyritic materials oxidize. The 

shortage of oxygen may be especially beneficial in the case of wetting and 

drying of pryitic materials caused by cyclic pumping.

Although a pipe laid into the mouth of a self-draining above-drainage 

mine may be adequate for a small supply, this method may be inadequate 

during dry weather. In mines with low flow a dam across the mouth can 

impound water in the mine and sustain flow during dry weather. Abovedrainage mines are usually located high on hillsides, thus water drains by 

gravity. Obviously, care must be taken to protect the mouth of the mine 

from contamination.

46
10

9

OS

UJ 1 

 ' 8

DC 

LU 

Q_

g 7

UJ

$

B 6

o>

UJ

_ i

3E S

z

O 4

CONCENTRAT

O N W 

SAMPLED AFTER PUMPING 192,000 GALLONS

SE

-

-

-

_ SAMPLED JUNE 9, 1976

-

No 

K

Mg

Co

HCO;

SO4

Cl

PTEMBER 20, 1977

Na 

K

Mg

Ca

/Cl

HCO,

SO4

"

_

Figure 14, - Chemical quality of water before and after pumping at site 5.

47
SUMMARY

The water in underground coal mines represents a major ground-water 

resource in Johnson and Martin Counties. If properly developed, water from 

these mines could provide dependable supplies for various water needs. The 

quality and quantity of water available in underground coal mines in the 

study area may be summarized as follows:

(1) The water-supply capabilities of mines developed above the level of 

perennial stream drainage can be best estimated by monitoring the seasonal 

variation of discharge from the mines. Annual discharge from most abovedrainage mines ranged between 3-10 percent of precipitation falling on the 

mine area during the year. Most above-drainage mine openings which were 

inventoried were dry or discharged less than 10 gal/ min. The highest 

discharge rate measured from a mine was 1,700 gal/min from site 21. The 

highest sustained rate of discharge was from site 74 which continually 

discharged between 750 and 1,200 gal/min. Nine other sites provided a yearround flow greater than 10 gal/min (sites 2, 3, 16, 21, 22, 24, 27, 39, and 

41).

(2) Mines with the greatest water-supply potential are large mines 

which were developed below the level of perennial stream drainage. Large, 

below-drainage mines have extensive recharge areas and contain large quantities of water trapped in storage below drainage. Five large below-drainage 

mines are located in the study area (sites 1, 46, 47, 76, 78).

(3) The amount of water available from mines below drainage can best be 

estimated by test pumping. For this study two below-drainage mines (sites 5 

and 58) were tested with a high-capacity pump. Although the mines at sites 

5 and 58 have limited potential as high-capacity water supplies due to their 

slow recharge rates in the summer months (less than 10 gal/min), these mines 

could be pumped at a somewhat higher rate than the summer recharge rates 

indicate. The higher rate would need to be based on the volume of water in 

storage and the rate of replenishment by the higher recharge rates in the 

winter months. Water-level fluctuations recorded for site 5 revealed a 

rapid recharge rate to the mine after fall and spring rains. Most mines 

probably recharge rapidly in this manner as water quickly moves into the 

mines through fractures in the rock.

Based on the volume of water in storage these mines would be adequate 

for many small uses or short-term emergency supplies. For example, water 

from site 5 was used as an emergency supply for the city of Warfield after 

the flood of April 6, 7, 1977. Water was reportedly pumped 65 minutes per 

day at 50 gal/min for a period of 3 weeks. Little drawdown was observed in 

the mine.

(4) Unless treated, the quality of raw mine water will be objectionable 

for some uses. The mine waters sampled were typically high in calcium, 

magnesium, and sulfate with pH ranging from 3.1 to 8.0 units. High concentrations of iron and manganese were also present in most mine waters.

48
(5) Water in below-drainage mines appeared to be less mineralized and 

less acidic than water from above-drainage mines.

(6) Water from coal mines represents a usable water resource. However, 

the difficulty of predicting the reliability of the resource may preclude 

its use in some cases.

49
SELECTED REFERENCES

Alvord, Donald C., and Trent, Virgil A., 1962, Geology of the Williamson 

Quadrangle in Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geological Quadrangle Map GQ-187, scale 1:24,000.

___, 1971, Geologic Maps of parts of the Naugatuck and Delbarton Quadrangles, Eastern Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-879, scale 1:24,000.

Baker, John A., 1955, Geology and ground-water resources of the Paintsville area, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 

1257, 123 p.

Cassidy, Samuel M., 1973, Elements of practical coal mining: Baltimore, 

Maryland, American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum 

Engineering, Inc., 614 p.

Corbett, Dan M., 1965, Water supplied by coal surface mines, Pike County, 

Indiana: Bloomington, Indiana, Water Resources Research Center Report of Investigations No. 1, 67 p.

Corbett, Dan M., and Agnew, A. F., 1968, Coal mining effect on Busseron 

Creek watershed, Sullivan County, Indiana: Bloomington, Indiana, 

Water Resources Research Center Report of Investigation No. 2.

Currens, James C., and Smith, Gilbert E., 1977, Coal production in

Kentucky, 1790-1975: Lexington, Kentucky Geological Survey, Series X, 

Information Circular 23, 66 p.

Davies, W. H., 1968, Engineering geology in Mineral resources of the

Appalachian Region: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 580, 

p. 91-93.

Hayes, Philip T., 1977, Geologic map of the Sitka Quadrangle, Johnson 

and Lawrence Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic 

Quadrangle Map GQ-1398, scale 1:24,000.

Hem, John D., 1970, Study and interpretation of the chemical characteristics of natural water: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 

1473, 2nd edition, 363 p.

Huddle, J. W., and Englund, K. J., 1962a, Geology of the Kermit Quadrangle, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-178, scale 1:24,000.

___, 1962b, Geology of the Varney Quadrangle, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-180, scale 1:24,000.

___, 1966, Geology and coal reserves of the Kermit and Varney area, 

Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 507, 83 p.

Jenkins, Evan C., 1966, Geologic map of the Milo Quadrangle KentuckyWest Virginia and the part of the Webb Quadrangle in Kentucky: 

U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-543, scale 

1:24,000.

Jillson, W. R., 1919, The Kendrick Shale, a new calcareous fossil

horizon in the coal measures of Eastern Kentucky: Kentucky Department Geology and Forestry, series 5 (of Kentucky Geological 

Survey), Mineral and Forest Resources Kentucky, v. 1, no. 2, 

p. 96-104.

Kentucky Department of Mines and Minerals, 1977-78, Annual reports: 

Kentucky Department of Mines and Minerals.

50
Kentucky Department for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, 

Bureau of Environmental Protection, 1977, Kentucky public and semipublic water supplies regulations, (401 KAR 6-015): Division of 

Sanitary Engineering, Frankfort, Ky.

McFarlan, Arthur C., 1943, Geology of Kentucky; Lexington, Kentucky, 

The University of Kentucky, 531 p.

McGrain, Preston and Currens, James C., 1978, Topography of Kentucky:

Kentucky Geological Survey, Series X, Special Publication 25, 76 p.

Morse, W. C., 1931, Pennsylvanian invertebrate fauna: Kentucky Geological 

Survey, series 6, v. 36, p. 293-348.

Outerbridge, William F., 1963, Geology of the Inez Quadrangle, Kentucky:

U.S. Geologicay Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-226, scale 1:24,000.

___, 1964, Geology of the Offutt Quadrangle, Kentucky: U.S. Geological 

Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-348, scale 1:24,000.

___, 1966, Geologic map of the Paintsville Quadrangle Johnson and Floyd 

Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map 

GQ-495, scale 1:24,000.

, 1967, Geologic map of the Oil Springs Quadrangle, Eastern Kentucky: 

I.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-586, scale 1:24,000. 

_1976, The Magoffin Member of the Breathitt Formation in Changes in

stratigraphic nomenclature by the U.S. Geological Survey, 1975: U.S.

Geological 1422-A, p. 64-65. 

Price, W. E., Jr., Mull, D. S., and Kilburn, Chabot, 1962, Reconnaissance

of ground-water resources in the Eastern Coal Field region, Kentucky:

U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1607, 56 p. 

Rice, Charles L., 1963, Geology of the Thomas Quadrangle Kentucky: U.S.

Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-227, scale 1:24,000. 

___, 1964, Geology of the Lancer Quadrangle, Kentucky: U.S. Geological

Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-347, scale 1:24,000.

1967, Geologic Map of the Prestonsburg Quadrangle, Floyd and Johnson Counties, Kentucky: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle 

Map GQ-641, scale 1:24,000.

_, 1968, Geologic Map of the Redbush Quadrangle, eastern Kentucky: U.S. 

Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-708, scale 1:24,000. 

1969, Geologic map of the Ivyton Quadrangle, eastern Kentucky: U.S.

Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQ-801, scale 1:24,000. 

Sokal, R. R., and Rohlf, F. J., 1969, Biometry: W. H. Freeman $ Company,

776 p. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1971: Acid mine drainage formation

and abatement. Water Pollution Control Research Series, Dast-42,

14010FPR 04/71, 67 p. 

_____, 1975, National interim primary drinking water regulations: Federal

Register, v. 40, no. 248, p. 59566-59588. 

U.S. Weather Bureau, 1977-78, Climatological data, annual summary for

Kentucky: U.S. Department of Commerce.

51 <»USGPO: 1982 560-555/56

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 55'

PREPARED IN COOPERATION WITH 

THE KENTUCKY GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 50

UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY 

Donald C. Haney. Director and State Geologist

WATER RESOURCES INVESTIGATION 

OPEN-FILE REPORT 81-690 82 :40' PLATE 1

38°00

37°45'

Observation well

Site number (listed in Tables 1 and 2)

Well or discharge pipe tapping mine. P indicates dewatering 

pumpage. Tail indicates water flowing from well or pipe.

Dntt Character of mine entries which contain water.

47 Slope Tail indicates water flowing trom mine and direction

Shatt ot flow. Tick indicates direction of slope entry.

Approximate boundaries ot underground coal mine 

Dashed where mine maps not available.

Fault, approximately located.

U , upthrown side: D , downthrown side.

Chemical analyses of mine water

Geologic quadrangle maps tor Johnson County

LO 861202468 10

(milliequivalcnts per liter)

^J^&

 |wt^

n V?-<"^>- "%. - ,. 

^-^'^.-vJ

37"45'

83°00'

BASE SOURCE:

U5. Geological Survey Planimetric 7.5' quadrangles, 

scale 1:24,000, Ivyton (1962), Lancer (1954), Offurt (1954), 

Oil Spnngs,(1962), Pamtsvillc (1971), Rcdbush (1962), 

Richardson (1971), and Sitka (1971).

SCALE 1:48000 

2

82 C 40'

5 MILES

5 KILOMETERS

Location of coal mines, Irvine-Paint Creek Fault, and chemical character of water from selected mines in Johnson County, Kentucky.
82°40'

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

PREPARED IN COOPERATION WITH 

KENTUCKY GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

30'

UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY 

Donald C. Haney, Director and State Geologist

WATER-RESOURCES INVESTIGATION 

OPEN FILE REPORT 81-690 PLATE 2

37°55' 37=55

50

EXPLANATION

Well or discharge pipe tapping mine. 

P indicates dewatenng pumpage.

Site number (listed in Tables 1 and 2)

Character of mine entries which contain water Tail 

indicates water flowing from mine and direction of 

flow. Tick indicates direction of slope entry.

3 3

1

Slope

Continuous-record gaging station 

Precipitation station

Approximate boundaries of underground

Chemical analyses of mine water

10 86-4 2024 68 10

(milliequivalents per liter)

Fault, approximately located 

U, upthrown side, D, downthrown side

GQ-543 

lenkins r~

'1966

Outerbridge, j Outerbridge,

GQ-347 S

Huddle ancT \

Englund, 

1962

Geologic quadrangle maps for Martin County

82 °40' BASE SOURCE:

US. Geological Survey Planimetric 7.5' quadrangles, 

scale 1:24,000, Inez (1954), Kermit (1963), Lancer (1954), 

Milo (1954), Offutt (1954), Naugatuck (1963), Thomas (1954), 

Varney (1954), Wcbb (1963), Williamson (1964).

82~20

SCALE 1:48000 

2 5 MILES

~F=1 F

5 KILOMETERS

Location of coal mines, Warfield Fault, and chemical character of water from selected mines in Martin County, Kentucky.