U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Reconnaissance of Stream 

Geomorphology, Low Streamflow, and 

Stream Temperature in the Mountaintop 

Coal-Mining Region, Southern West 

Virginia, 1999-2000

By Jeffrey B. Wiley, Ronald D. Evaldi,

James H. Eychaner, and Douglas B. Chambers

Water-Resources Investigations Report 01-4092

In cooperation with the WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL

PROTECTION, OFFICE OF MINING AND RECLAMATION

Charleston, West Virginia

2001
U.S. Department of the Interior

GALE A. NORTON, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Charles G. Groat, Director

Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes 

only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

For additional information write to: Copies of this report can be purchased from:

District Chief U.S. Geological Survey

U.S. Geological Survey Branch of Information Services

11 Dunbar Street Box 25286

Charleston, WV 25301 Denver, CO 80225-0286

or visit our site on the World Wide Web at

http://wv.usgs.gov
Contents I

CONTENTS

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

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Description of study area............................................................................................................................................. 2

Background ................................................................................................................................................................. 2

Data collection....................................................................................................................................................................... 4

Geomorphology........................................................................................................................................................... 7

Low streamflow measurements................................................................................................................................... 7

Continuous streamflow and stream temperature ......................................................................................................... 7

Stream geomorphology ......................................................................................................................................................... 8

Bed material ................................................................................................................................................................ 8

Channel characteristics................................................................................................................................................ 10

Low streamflow characteristics............................................................................................................................................. 11

Stream temperature ............................................................................................................................................................... 13

Summary ............................................................................................................................................................................... 16

References Cited ................................................................................................................................................................... 17

FIGURES

1-2. Maps showing:

1. Location of study basins and long-term gaging stations in the coal-mining region of

southern West Virginia .................................................................................................................................. 3

2A-B. Upper Mud River Basin (A.), Clear Fork Basin (B.), short-term gaging stations, and

small-stream sampling sites in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia....................................... 5

2C-D. Twentymile Creek Basin (C.), Spruce Fork Basin (D.), short-term gaging stations, and

small-stream sampling sites in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia....................................... 6

3-6. Graphs showing:

3. Distributions of particles less than 2 millimeters, median particle size, and particle size of

the 84th percentile, Spruce Fork and Clear Fork Basins in the coal-mining region of southern

West Virginia................................................................................................................................................. 9

4. Comparisons among bankfull cross-sectional areas and drainage areas for valley-fill and unmined

sites in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia ............................................................................ 10

5. Comparisons among the 90-percent flow durations and drainage areas for valley-fill and unmined

sites in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia ............................................................................ 12

6. Daily mean water temperatures, December 1999 through November 2000, at a valley-fill and an

unmined site in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia............................................................... 16
II Contents

TABLES

1. Low-streamflow statistics at long-term gaging stations in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia ..... 11

2. Daily mean discharges in cubic feet per second, December 1999 through November 2000, at Unnamed

Tributary to Ballard Fork near Mud (03202405) in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia................ 14

3. Daily mean discharges in cubic feet per second, December 1999 through November 2000, at Spring

Branch near Mud (03202410) in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia............................................. 15

4. Low streamflow, particle sizes, and channel characteristics for sampling sites in the coal-mining region

of southern West Virginia....................................................................................................................................... 20

5. Low-streamflow measurements at small-stream sampling sites in the coal-mining region of southern

West Virginia.......................................................................................................................................................... 25

6. Maximum, minimum, and mean water temperature in degrees Celsius, December 1999 through

November 2000, at Unnamed Tributary to Ballard Fork near Mud (03202405) in the coal-mining region

of southern West Virginia....................................................................................................................................... 29

7. Maximum, minimum, and mean water temperature in degrees Celsius, December 1999 

through November 2000, at Spring Branch near Mud (03202410) in the coal-mining region 

of southern West Virginia ....................................................................................................................................... 32

CONVERSION FACTORS AND VERTICAL DATUM

VERTICAL DATUM

Sea Level: In this report “sea level” refers to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 

of 1929)—a geodetic datum derived from a general adjustment for the first-order level nets of both the 

United States and Canada, formerly called Sea Level Datum of 1929.

Multiply By To Obtain

inch (in.) 25.4 millimeter (mm)

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)

acre 4,047 square meter (m2)

square mile (mi2) 2.590 square kilometer (km2)

acre-foot (acre-ft) 1,233 cubic meters (m3)

cubic foot per second (ft3/s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second (m3/s)

cubic foot per second per square 

mile [(ft3/s)/mi2] 0.01093

cubic meter per second per 

square kilometer [(m3/s)/ km2]

Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) can be converted to degrees Celsius (°C) as follows:

°C = (°F –32) / 1.8
Abstract 1

Reconnaissance of Stream Geomorphology, Low 

Streamflow, and Stream Temperature in the Mountaintop 

Coal-Mining Region, Southern West Virginia, 1999-2000

By Jeffrey B. Wiley, Ronald D. Evaldi, James H. Eychaner, and Douglas B. Chambers 

Abstract

The effects of mountaintop removal coal mining 

and the valley fills created by this mining method 

in southern West Virginia were investigated by 

comparing data collected at valley-fill, mined, and 

unmined sites. Bed material downstream of 

valley-fill sites had a greater number of particles 

less than 2 millimeters and a smaller median particle size than the mined and unmined sites. At the 

84th percentile of sampled data, however, bed 

material at each site type had about the same size 

particles. 

Bankfull cross-sectional areas at a riffle section 

were approximately equal at valley-fill and 

unmined sites, but not enough time has passed and 

insufficient streamflows since the land was disturbed may have prevented the stream channel at 

valley-fill sites from reaching equilibrium. The 

90-percent flow durations at valley-fill sites generally were 6-7 times greater than at unmined sites. 

Some valley-fill sites, however, exhibited streamflows similar to unmined sites, and some unmined 

sites exhibited streamflows similar to valley-fill 

sites. Daily streamflows from valley-fill sites generally are greater than daily streamflows from 

unmined sites during periods of low streamflow. 

Valley-fill sites have a greater percentage of baseflow and a lower percentage of flow from storm 

runoff than unmined sites. Water temperatures 

from a valley-fill site exhibited lower daily fluctuations and seasonal variations than water temperatures from an unmined site.

INTRODUCTION

Increased mechanization of coal mining in West 

Virginia in recent decades has led to wider-scale use of 

mountaintop-mining techniques to reach coal seams 

and the use of valleys to dispose of excess materials, 

creating what is known as “valley fills.” Mountaintop 

mining with valley fills in the coal-mining region, 

southern West Virginia, has changed forested 

landscapes with layered sedimentary rocks into grasscovered landscapes containing poorly sorted rock 

fragments with large interconnected spaces. The U.S. 

Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the 

West Virginia Department of Environmental 

Protection, Office of Mining and Reclamation, 

investigated the stream geomorphology and measured 

the low streamflow and stream temperature from 

mined and unmined areas to determine the effects of 

valley fills upon streams.

Results of this study will be used to prepare the 

Mountaintop Mining/Valley Fill Environmental Impact 

Statement (EIS). The Mountaintop Mining/Valley Fill 

EIS will assess the policies, guidance, and decisionmaking processes of regulatory agencies in order to 

minimize any adverse environmental effects from this 

mining practice. Preparation of the EIS is a voluntary 

effort among the Office of Surface Mining, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency, 2001).

This report presents comparisons of streambed 

materials, stream-channel characteristics, low streamflow, and stream temperature among sites with and 

without valley fills. A comparison of streambed materials can indicate habitat alteration for stream aquatic 

organisms if the particle-size distribution shows an 

appreciable change in the number of small particles. A 
2 Stream Geomorphology, Low Streamflow, and Stream Temperature, Mountaintop Coal-Mining Region Southern W.Va., 1999-2000

comparison of stream-channel characteristics can indicate an increase in peak discharges if bankfull area, 

width, and depth increase. A comparison of stream temperature can indicate possible effects to stream aquatic 

organisms if the magnitude of annual fluctuations are 

reduced. A comparison of low streamflow can indicate 

changes in water quantity and alterations in habitat that 

can affect the stream aquatic communities. The study 

area is in the southern coalfields of West Virginia, and 

results of this study may apply to other areas along the 

Appalachian Mountains and worldwide with similar 

geohydrology.

Description of study area

The study area is in the Appalachian Plateaus 

Physiographic Province of southern West Virginia

(fig. 1). It consists of consolidated, mostly 

noncarbonate sedimentary rocks that dip gently to the 

northwest. Streams have eroded the rocks forming steep 

hills with deeply incised valleys that follow a dendritic 

pattern and have formed uplifted plateaus because of 

resistant layers of sandstone and shale (Fenneman, 

1938; Fenneman and Johnson, 1946; and U.S. 

Geological Survey, 1970). Most ground water flows 

primarily in bedding-plane separations beneath valley 

floors and in slump fractures along the valley walls 

(Wyrick and Borchers, 1981). Generally, ground-water 

movement is greater laterally than vertically and 

decreases with increasing depth to about 100 ft, except 

in coal seams where equivalent ground water can move 

at depths greater than 200 feet (Harlow and LeCain, 

1993). The climate is primarily continental, with mild 

summers and cold winters (U.S. Geological Survey, 

1991). Mean annual precipitation is about 44 in. (U.S. 

Department of Commerce, 1960), and a 24-hour 

precipitation intensity of about 2.75 in. falls on the 

average of once every two years (U.S. Department of 

Commerce, 1961).

Background

The demand for low-sulfur coal increased during the 

1990s partly because of efforts to reduce harmful 

emissions from coal-fired power plants. This increase 

and the application of dragline mining technologies 

made it economical to extract low-sulfur coal from the 

southern coalfields of West Virginia. The draglines 

remove large quantities of material atop and between 

the low-sulfur coal seams and deposit the material in 

adjacent valleys. The number of mines using dragline 

methods has increased affecting the environment. 

These effects include alterations in streambed material, 

stream-channel characteristics, low streamflow, and 

stream temperature.

Many of the changes in the stream environment 

that potentially result from mountaintop mining affect 

biological communities in these streams. Changes in 

sediment transport and deposition, streamflows, and 

temperature alter the physical and chemical environment to which biological communities are adapted.

Deposition of fine-grained sediment often alters 

the physical habitat of streams. Changes in the physical 

habitat used for feeding, reproduction, and cover affect 

biological communities. Although all stream communities may be affected by habitat change caused by sedimentation, effects to benthic invertebrate and fish 

communities have been studied most extensively.

Increases in transport and deposition of fine sediments decreases the abundance of invertebrates and 

invertebrate species (Lemly, 1982; Nutall, 1972). Some 

taxa, such as the Heptageniid mayfly Epeorus pleuralis, 

prefer a habitat underneath large rocks in cobble substrates. Filling of the spaces underneath the large rocks 

by fine sediments reduces the availability of this habitat 

(Minshall, 1967). Some invertebrates are displaced by 

the loss of this habitat, and other invertebrates must 

modify behaviors making them more susceptible to predation (Haro and Brusven, 1994). Sedimentation can 

decrease flow through the stream substrate, decreasing 

the availability of the stream-substrate habitat, an 

important refuge for invertebrates during droughts 

(Richards and Bacon, 1994). Sedimentation can reduce 

invertebrate feeding efficiency. Malas and Wallace 

(1977) found that sediments can clog the finely meshed 

capture nets of the filter feeding caddisfly Dolophilodes 

modesta. Furthermore, sedimentation can reduce the 

quality of food resources for the benthic community 

(Graham, 1990).

Sedimentation can reduce or eliminate the abundance of fish and fish species because of the sedimentation effects on the invertebrate communities. Particular 

fish species that feed upon benthic macroinvertebrates 

and periphyton may be reduced or eliminated because 

sedimentation reduces their food sources (Berkman and 

Rabeni, 1987). Berkman and Rabeni also found 

that particular fish species requiring clean stony or 

gravel substrates for spawning may be reduced or elim-
INTRODUCTION 3

inated because of increased sedimentation. Furthermore, 

sedimentation can eliminate or reduce deep pool 

habitats, a habitat providing cooler waters with 

increased stream depth during summer months (Waters, 

1995). 

Increases in 90-percent flow duration, the flow 

that is exceeded 90-percent of the time, and baseflow, 

the portion of flow the stream receives from ground 

water, at valley-fill sites can affect benthic invertebrate 

communities. Streams with valley fills may flow 

throughout the drought season, although before mining, 

no-flow periods may have been common. During 

droughts, invertebrates utilize various drought-survival 

strategies enabling them to persist until streamflows 

return (Feminella, 1996; Dietrich and Anderson, 2000). 

The effects to benthic communities of subtle alterations 

in streamflow are uncertain because, other than flood 

or drought effects, little attention has been given to 

studying the effect of changing streamflow in stream 

ecology. Increases in baseflow from valley fills can be 

beneficial because of increases in water availability 

and waste assimilation. However, increases in baseflow from valley fills can be detrimental because 

streamflows originating from valley fills can have 

higher specific conductance than streamflows originating from other settings (Green and others, 2000); thus, 

eliminating some sensitive species and reducing numbers of tolerant species (Green and others, 2000). 

Water temperature affects all aspects of aquatic 

invertebrate physiology and ecology (Allan, 1995). 

Timing of crucial life-cycle events such as egg hatching, emergence, and mating relies on thermal cues 
4 Stream Geomorphology, Low Streamflow, and Stream Temperature, Mountaintop Coal-Mining Region Southern W.Va., 1999-2000

(Ward and Stanford, 1982). Temperature controls the 

growth rate of most species, and interactions among 

closely related species may be reduced because different responses to temperature segregate the species in 

time (Ward and Stanford, 1982). Temperature controls 

the feeding efficiency of invertebrate species along a 

thermal gradient such that the optimal temperature for 

assimilation of food often determines the distribution 

of invertebrate species. Furthermore, temperature 

changes can increase or decrease algal food production, 

thereby affecting all higher levels in the food chain 

(Ward and Stanford, 1982). The annual range of temperatures can also affect the invertebrate communities. 

An increase in the annual range of temperature, within 

limits, can increase the number of invertebrates species 

and the abundance of many species in a stream. A 

decrease in the annual range of temperature, whether 

from natural or human factors, can decrease the 

number of species in a stream (Ward and Stanford, 

1982). 

DATA COLLECTION 

Stream geomorphology and low streamflow 

measurements were made at a network of 54 small 

stream sites with drainage areas of 26 to 1,527 acres 

(fig. 2). The 54 sites were chosen from a larger group 

of about 120 sites with similar drainage areas. A team 

of agencies determined the 120 sites as sample 

locations. The 120 sites were located in five basins, and 

the sites had an identified land use of either unmined, 

mined, or valley fill. Unmined sites were those with no 

evidence of previous coal mining in the tributary 

watersheds. Mined sites represent watersheds where 

coal has been mined but where no valley fills were 

constructed. Valley-fill sites were in tributary 

watersheds where both previous mining and valley fills 

were present. In general, the valley-fill sites represent 

recent or larger mining operations, and the mined sites 

represent older or smaller operations.

Two sites (station numbers MT67 and MT68B) 

were combined to make one of the 54 sites because 

particle size could not be measured on the individual 

stream reaches (fig. 2b). The subset of 54 sites was 

selected throughout four of the five basins where the 

USGS had active short-term (data collected for less 

than 10 years) streamflow-gaging stations: Unnamed 

Tributary to Ballard Fork near Mud (03204205), 

Spring Branch near Mud (03204210), and Ballard Fork 

near Mud (03204215) in the Upper (upstream of 

Middle Fork) Mud River Basin, (fig. 2a); Clear Fork at 

Whitesville (03198350) in the Clear Fork Basin (fig. 

2b); Twentymile Creek at Vaughan (03192200) in the 

Twentymile Creek Basin (fig. 2c); and, Spruce Fork at 

Sharples (03198690) in the Spruce Fork Basin (fig. 

2d). 

Continuous streamflow and stream temperature 

were measured at two USGS streamflow-gaging stations in the Upper Mud River Basin, Unnamed Tributary to Ballard Fork near Mud (03204205) and Spring 

Branch near Mud (03204210). Continuous data are collected at time intervals that accurately represent the 

changes among individual values. Continuous streamflow data were collected at three long-term (data collected for ten years or longer) USGS gaging stations 

(fig. 1): Cranberry River near Richwood (03187500), 

Clear Fork at Clear Fork (03202750), and East Fork 

Twelvepole Creek near Dunlow (03206600). 
DATA COLLECTION 5
6 Stream Geomorphology, Low Streamflow, and Stream Temperature, Mountaintop Coal-Mining Region Southern W.Va., 1999-2000
DATA COLLECTION 7

Geomorphology

Bed material and bankfull channel characteristics were 

measured at the 54 sites in the Clear Fork, Upper Mud 

River, Spruce Fork, and Twentymile Creek Basins

(fig. 2). Bankfull is the stream stage and discharge that 

forms the stream channel. Bankfull discharge 

transports the maximum amount of sediments over 

time resulting in bankfull-channel characteristics 

representative of the watershed (Rosgen, 1996). 

Methods described by Wolman (1954) were 

modified and used to make a quantitative analysis of 

the distribution of particle sizes on the streambed in 

this study. The method required measuring the size of 

up to 100 particles from each stream. Collecting particle-size information from multiple cross sections with 

a mixture of geomorphic features (such as riffles, 

pools, and runs) was desired, but at some sites a pooland-riffle pattern was not available or the streams were 

too narrow (less than 10 ft). The method presented by 

Wolman, therefore, was modified to collect pebbles 

from a mixture of geomorphic features on narrow 

streams. Streambed-particle sizes were surveyed 

between October 25 and November 10, 1999 (table 4, 

located at the end of this report) using the following 

method:

(1) Begin the pebble count at bankfull elevation 

on the left bank at the upstream boundary of the stream 

reach and proceed downstream toward the right bank. 

Proceed at a 45-degree angle (or less for short reaches) 

with a line along the center of streamflow (or center of 

channel if the center of streamflow is not apparent) to 

the bankfull elevation on the right bank. Proceed downstream from right bank to left bank and left bank to 

right bank until 60-100 pebbles are collected or until 

arriving at the end of the stream reach.

(2) Proceed one step at a time, with each step 

constituting a sampling point.

(3) At each step, reach down to the tip of your 

boot and, with your finger extended, pick up the first 

pebble touched by the extended finger;

(4) To reduce sampling bias, look across and not 

down at the channel bottom when taking steps or 

retrieving bed material; and,

(5) As you retrieve each pebble, measure the 

intermediate axis. If the intermediate axis cannot be 

determined easily, measure the long diameter and the 

short diameter of the pebble, and determine the average 

of the two numbers.

Bankfull channel characteristics were surveyed 

between August 31 and November 9, 2000 (table 4). A 

cross section was selected in a riffle where effects of 

exceptional features such as a large (relative to the 

stream size) rock, cliff, or fallen tree were minimal. 

The bankfull channel was located using techniques that 

include identifying bankfull indicators such as changes 

in bank slope, vegetation, and sediments. The maximum depth, width, and cross-sectional area of the 

bankfull channel were determined. 

Low streamflow measurements

Discharges at the 54 sites in the Clear Fork, Upper Mud 

River, Spruce Fork, and Twentymile Creek Basins

(fig. 2) were measured four times during low 

streamflow (table 5, located at the end of this report) 

using methods described by Rantz and others, 1982. 

The four measurement periods were October 25 

through November 10, 1999; June 6-9, 2000; August 

16-21, 2000; and August 31 through November 9, 

2000. 

Continuous streamflow and stream 

temperature

The USGS collects continuous streamflow data at 

selected locations, provides historic and real-time data 

at http://www.usgs.gov/ (real-time data are not 

available for all stations), and publishes data annually 

(see for example, Ward and others, 2000). Continuous 

streamflow data are collected following procedures 

described by Rantz and others, 1982. Streamflow data 

were collected at two gaging stations where 

temperature data also were collected. Streamflow data 

necessary to determine reliable low streamflow 

statistics for this study required a minimum of 10 years 

of unregulated continuous record. Data from 

continuous streamflow-gaging stations with drainage 

areas approximately equal to those of the 54 sites was 

preferred, but no stations were available with 10 years 

of record in the current network of gages with drainage 

areas as small as the 54 sites. Streamflow-gaging 

stations in the study area at the time of this study 

(1999-2000) that had been operating for a minimum of 

10 years drained much greater areas: Cranberry River 
8 Stream Geomorphology, Low Streamflow, and Stream Temperature, Mountaintop Coal-Mining Region Southern W.Va., 1999-2000

near Richwood (03187500), 80.4 mi2; Clear Fork at 

Clear Fork (03202750), 126 mi2; and, East Fork 

Twelvepole Creek near Dunlow (03206600), 38.5 mi2.

Continuous stream temperature was measured at 

two USGS streamflow-gaging stations established in 

Ballard Fork of the Upper Mud River Basin in November 1999. The two stations are located near two of the 

54 sites (fig. 2a). The station Unnamed Tributary to 

Ballard Fork near Mud (03202405) is near sample site 

MT10B, about 400 feet downstream of a valley fill. 

The station Spring Branch near Mud (03202410) is 

near sample site MT13, which drains an unmined 

basin. Installation of the temperature monitors followed manufacturer specifications and procedures 

described by Wilde and others (1998).

STREAM GEOMORPHOLOGY

Stream geomorphology was analyzed using 

measurements of bed materials and channel 

characteristics. Stream geomorphology for unmined, 

mined, and valley-fill sites are compared.

Bed material

Bed material data were studied using particle sizes of 

the median, 84th percentile, and percentage less than 2 

millimeters. The 84th percentile is an arbitrary particle 

size equal to two standard deviations larger than the 

mean size, assuming a normal distribution. The 

particle size of the 84th percentile has been related to 

stream roughness, and particles greater than or equal to 

the 84th percentile can be considered as large particles 

(Leopold and others, 1995). Particle sizes less than 2 

millimeters can be considered as small. 

The distribution (median, 84th percentile, and 

percentage of particles less than 2 millimeters) of particle sizes among unmined sites located within an individual basin are similar (table 4). The distribution of 

particle sizes for unmined sites among all basins, however, may or may not be similar. Particle sizes from 

streams draining unmined areas in Spruce Fork and 

Clear Fork have a similar distribution, but these particle-size distributions are different from those of 

streams draining unmined areas of both Upper Mud 

River and Twentymile Creek. The similar and dissimilar particle-size distributions among basins indicate 

that natural factors, such as localized geology and land 

slope, may have some affect on particle sizes.

The bed material of mined and unmined sites can 

have similar distributions of particle sizes when the 

land surface of the mined site is not appreciably disturbed, and the bed material of mined and valley-fill 

sites have similar distributions of particle sizes when 

the land surface of the mined site is disturbed. For 

example, streams at sites MT82, MT83, and MT84 

(table 4), located on and tributary to Sycamore Creek in 

the Clear Fork Basin, drain areas of approximately the 

same size. The land upstream of MT82 and MT84 is 

mined. The land upstream of MT83 is unmined. The 

percentage of particles less than 2 millimeters at site 

MT82 (mined) is about three times the percentage of 

particles less than 2 millimeters at site MT83 

(unmined). Additionally, the median particle size at site 

MT82 (mined) is about 100 millimeters smaller than 

the median particle size for site MT83 (unmined). Particle-size distributions at the mined site MT84, however, are similar to those at the unmined site. 

Data for Spruce Fork and Clear Fork were combined on the basis of the assumption that the similar 

distributions of particle sizes between the basins indicated that the same natural factors, such as localized 

geology and land slope, were affecting the basins. The 

combined basins provided 8 unmined sites, 8 mined 

sites, and 14 valley-fill sites for further analysis. The 

minimum, 75th percentile, median, 25th percentile, and 

maximum particle sizes with outliers indicated as horizontal lines are shown in box plots (fig. 3). Particle 

sizes less than 2 millimeters are analyzed as equal to 2 

millimeters. Valley-fill sites have a greater number of 

particles less than 2 millimeters, a smaller median particle size (11 sites out of the total 14 sites have median 

particle sizes less than 2 millimeters), and about the 

same 84th-percentile particle size as the mined and 

unmined sites (fig. 3). The percentage of particle sizes 

less than 2 millimeters increases appreciably at the 

valley-fill sites compared to the mined and unmined 

sites.

Data for Upper Mud River and Twentymile 

Creek were insufficient for analysis similar to that done 

with the combination of Spruce Fork and Clear Fork 

data. There are a sufficient number of valley fill sites 

(8) in the Upper Mud River Basin, but there are no 

mined sites and only three unmined sites. A sufficient 

number of unmined sites (7) are available in the Twentymile Creek Basin, but only one mined site and three 

valley-fill sites are available. 
STREAM GEOMORPHOLOGY 9
10 Stream Geomorphology, Low Streamflow, and Stream Temperature, Mountaintop Coal-Mining Region Southern W.Va., 1999-2000

Sites with an increase in the percentage of particles less than 2 millimeters could return to the particlesize distributions that were present before the land disturbance. A sediment-load study (Ward and Appel, 

1988) in relation to highway construction in southern 

West Virginia indicated that sediment loads decreased 

after revegetation and stabilization of the disturbed 

land. The report also indicated a trend of decreasing 

magnitudes of sediment loads, but the time required for 

the sediment loads to return to magnitudes of the preconstruction loads was not measured. Particle-size distributions measured in this study could follow a similar 

trend as the decreasing sediment loads in the previous 

report and return to the pre-disturbed distributions.

Channel characteristics

The maximum depth, width, and cross-sectional area 

of the bankfull channel at a riffle section were compared among valley-fill and unmined sites. Mined sites 

were not considered in this analysis because there were 

only nine, which is an insufficient number of sites to 

develop a regression curve. Comparisons among maximum depths, maximum widths, and drainage areas did 

not indicate any difference between valley-fill and 

unmined sites. Comparisons among cross-sectional 

areas and drainage areas (fig. 4) show the similarity 

between the valley-fill and unmined sites. The linear 

regression equation for the valley-fill sites

(R-squared = 0.48; standard error = 47 percent) is
LOW STREAMFLOW CHARACTERISTICS 11

XS-Afill = 0.379 (DA) 0.385,

where

XS-Afill is the bankfull cross-sectional area for a 

valley-fill site, in square feet;

and

DA is the drainage area, in acres.

The linear regression equation for the unmined sites 

(R-squared = 0.27; standard error = 54 percent) is

XS-Aunmined = 0.388 (DA) 0.360,

where

XS-Aunmined is the bankfull cross-sectional area for 

unmined sites, in square feet;

and 

DA is the drainage area, in acres.

The approximately equal bankfull cross-sectional areas of valley-fill and unmined sites suggests 

the bankfull discharges between the two groups are 

approximately equal. This conclusion may be inaccurate if bankfull indicators are not representative of 

land-use changes. Bankfull indicators at valley-fill sites 

may be biased toward the pre-disturbed condition (an 

unmined condition) if the elapsed time and peak 

streamflows since the land was disturbed have been 

insufficient to bring the channel (thus, the bankfull 

indicators) to equilibrium. 

LOW STREAMFLOW CHARACTERISTICS

Low streamflow characteristics were investigated by 

comparing 90-percent flow durations (the streamflow 

expected to be equalled or exceeded at the site 90 

percent of the time), daily streamflow records, basestreamflows (streamflow from ground-water 

discharge), and stormflows (streamflow from over-land 

runoff) among all valley-fill and unmined sites. 

Ward and others (2000) published the 90-percent 

flow durations for the selected continuous streamflowgaging stations (table 1). The discharge measurements 

made at the 54 sites were compared to concurrent discharges at the continuous streamflow stations. These 

data were used to estimate the 90-percent flow duration 

at the 54 sites (table 4), using methods described by 

Riggs (1972). 

Low streamflows in relation to drainage area 

were compared among all valley-fill and unmined sites 

(fig. 5). Mined sites were not considered in this analysis because only 9 sites were available, which is an 

insufficient number of sites to develop a regression 

curve. Sites with 90-percent flow durations of no 

streamflow were omitted (six sites), because the data 

were log10 transformed. The valley-fill sites can have 

about a 6-7 times greater 90-percent flow duration than 

unmined sites (fig. 5). The linear regression equation 

for the valley-fill sites (R-squared = 0.60; standard 

error = 115 percent) is

Table 1. Low-streamflow statistics at long-term gaging stations in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia

Station number Station name 90-percent flow duration, in 

cubic feet per second

03187500 Cranberry River near Richwood 16

03202750 Clear Fork at Clear Fork 12

03206600 East Fork Twelvepole Creek near Dunlow 1.3
12 Stream Geomorphology, Low Streamflow, and Stream Temperature, Mountaintop Coal-Mining Region Southern W.Va., 1999-2000

D90fill = 0.000161 (DA) 1.098,

where

D90fill is the 90-percent flow duration for a 

valley-fill site, in cubic feet per second;

and

DA is the drainage area, in acres.

The linear regression equation for the unmined sites (Rsquared = 0.29; standard error = 155 percent) is

D90unmined = 0.0000209 (DA) 1.129,

where

D90unmined is the 90-percent flow duration for 

an unmined site, in cubic feet per second; and

DA is the drainage area, in acres.

Three of the valley-fill sites (MT74, MT87, and 

the combination of MT67 and MT68B) exhibited

90-percent flow durations similar to those of unmined 

sites, and three of the unmined sites (MT41, MT92, and 

MT97) exhibited 90-percent flow durations similar to 

those of valley-fill sites (fig. 5). The site MT41 is on 

Oldhouse Branch in the Spruce Fork Basin. Another 

site on Oldhouse Branch, MT42, has a larger drainage 

area and smaller 90-percent flow duration than MT41. 

Field observations indicated some of the streamflow 

measurements from MT41 were made where the streambed was a rock outcrop. These measurements at the 

rock outcrop suggest it restricts ground-water flow, and 

the outcrop was forcing water to the surface into the 

stream. The water forced to the surface and into the 

stream may have produced a greater discharge than typically is at an unmined site with that drainage area. 

Other unmined sites that exhibit 90-percent flow durations similar to 90-percent flow durations from valleyfill sites may have similar field conditions. This conclusion, however, is speculative and not definitive. 
STREAM TEMPERATURE 13

Valley-fill sites exhibiting 90-percent flow durations similar to unmined sites suggest the fill is not 

retaining water, as is typical of other fills. Water may 

not be retained because the fill is relatively small compared to the rest of the drainage area or because of 

some difference in the design of the fill, but data collected for this study are insufficient to determine a specific cause.

Daily streamflows determined for the valley-fill 

site, Unnamed Tributary to Ballard Fork near Mud 

(03202405), and the unmined site, Spring Branch near 

Mud (03202410), for the period December 1999 

through November 2000 are presented in tables 2 and 

3, respectively. Spring Branch had no streamflow for 

several days in October and November, but Unnamed 

Tributary to Ballard Fork had streamflow for the entire 

period. Greater streamflows may be expected at Spring 

Branch than at Unnamed Tributary to Ballard Fork for 

these days in October and November because the drainage area at Spring Branch (0.53 mi2) is 2.8 times 

greater than the drainage area at Unnamed Tributary to 

Ballard Fork (0.19 mi2). The most probable reason that 

streamflow is not greater at Spring Branch than at 

Unnamed Tributary to Ballard Fork is because 

Unnamed Tributary to Ballard Fork is a valley-fill site, 

and the valley-fill sites can have about a 6-7 times 

greater 90-percent flow duration than unmined sites 

(fig. 5).

The daily streamflow data from Spring Branch 

and Unnamed Tributary to Ballard Fork gaging stations 

were analyzed using a technique of streamflow partitioning. Streamflow partitioning separates streamflow 

data into estimates of base-streamflow and stormflow 

components using the Rorabaugh streamflow model 

(Rutledge, 1998). For this report, streamflow data were 

partitioned for the period December 1999 through 

November 2000. The estimated unit-mean base streamflow was 0.98 cubic foot per second per square mile of 

drainage area [(ft3/s)/mi2] for Unnamed Tributary to 

Ballard Fork and 0.42 (ft3/s)/mi2 for Spring Branch. 

Streamflows were about 84-percent base streamflow 

and 16-percent stormflow for Unnamed Tributary to 

Ballard Fork, and streamflows were about 59-percent 

base streamflow and 41-percent stormflow for Spring 

Branch. The most probable reason the unit-mean base 

streamflow and percentage of base streamflow are 

greater for Unnamed Tributary to Ballard Fork than 

Spring Branch is because Unnamed Tributary to Ballard Fork is a valley-fill site, and the valley-fill sites can 

have about a 6-7 times greater 90-percent flow duration 

than unmined sites (fig. 5).

STREAM TEMPERATURE

Daily water-temperature data measured at Unnamed 

Tributary to Ballard Fork near Mud (03202405) and at 

Spring Branch near Mud (03202410), for the period 

December 1999 through November 2000, are presented 

in tables 6 and 7, respectively (located at the end of this 

report). The temperature monitor at Unnamed 

Tributary to Ballard Fork is approximately 400 ft. 

downstream from a valley fill. The daily fluctuations of 

temperatures at Unnamed Tributary to Ballard Fork are 

less than the daily fluctuations at Spring Branch. The 

minimum water temperature observed at Unnamed 

Tributary to Ballard Fork was 3.3°C on January 28, 

2000, which indicated above freezing conditions. The 

minimum water temperature observed at Spring Branch 

was –2.4°C on January 28, 2000, which probably 

indicated frozen water conditions. The minimum water 

temperatures at Unnamed Tributary to Ballard Fork and 

Spring Branch differ because water at Unnamed 

Tributary to Ballard Fork was mixed with warmer 

water discharging from the valley fill. The water 

temperature at Unnamed Tributary to Ballard Fork 

showed a lesser seasonal range than the seasonal range 

observed at Spring Branch. The daily-mean water 

temperature at Unnamed Tributary to Ballard Fork was 

greater than the daily-mean water temperature at 

Spring Branch during winter, and the daily-mean water 

temperature at Unnamed Tributary to Ballard Fork was 

less than the daily-mean water temperature at Spring 

Branch during summer (fig. 6). 
14 Stream Geomorphology, Low Streamflow, and Stream Temperature, Mountaintop Coal-Mining Region Southern W.Va., 1999-2000

Table 2. Daily mean discharges in cubic feet per second, December 1999 through November 2000, at Unnamed Tributary to 

Ballard Fork near Mud (03202405) in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia

[e, estimated; --, no value; Acre-ft, quantity of water required to cover 1 acre to a depth of 1 foot; CFSM, cubic foot per second per square mile; In., depth 

to which the drainage area would be covered by the indicated runoff]

 Day Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov.

1 0.27 0.26 e0.22 0.31 0.10 0.20 0.28 e0.21 0.20 0.11 0.11 0.12

2 .23 .25 e.20 .29 .10 .20 .25 e.21 .19 .12 .10 .11

3 .20 .27 e.19 .26 .12 .19 .22 e.24 .19 .11 .10 .13

4 .20 .31 e.18 .26 .32 .17 .20 e.27 .17 .13 .10 .14

5 .19 .27 e.17 .25 .37 .16 .17 e.26 .15 .13 .10 .13

6 .20 .28 e.17 .25 .31 .15 .16 e.24 .15 .12 .10 .12

7 .17 .26 e.17 .18 .26 .14 .15 .22 .17 .11 .10 .12

8 .14 .26 e.16 .15 .30 .14 .13 .21 .23 .11 .10 .09

9 .14 .25 .16 .13 .30 .13 .12 .19 .34 .11 .10 .10

10 .17 .26 .15 .11 .26 .13 .11 .28 .54 .15 .10 .10

11 .18 e.25 .17 .21 .24 .13 .11 .55 .51 .17 .10 .10

12 .17 e.24 .16 .25 .21 .11 .11 .53 .40 .19 .10 .10

13 .22 e.23 .17 .25 .19 .13 .10 .43 .33 .16 .10 .10

14 1.3 e.22 .59 .20 .18 .10 .10 .41 .26 .14 .10 .10

15 .99 e.21 .53 .17 .17 .10 .11 .52 .24 .12 .10 .09

16 .70 e.21 .42 .14 .15 .10 .10 .51 .21 .11 .10 .09

17 .52 e.21 .32 .15 .17 .10 .21 .40 .20 .11 .10 .09

18 .43 e.21 .59 .15 .19 .09 .41 .34 .19 .11 .11 .09

19 .37 e.21 e1.8 .15 .18 .10 e.41 .34 .19 .11 .11 .09

20 .34 e.21 e1.1 .16 .17 .09 e.42 .31 .18 .11 .11 .09

21 .30 e.21 .77 .20 .19 .10 e.58 .31 .17 .11 .11 .09

22 .32 e.22 .58 .21 .22 .09 e.58 .28 .15 .11 .10 .09

23 .34 e.23 .48 .18 .21 .11 e.46 .25 .15 .10 .11 .09

24 .31 e.24 .42 .16 .23 .10 e.32 .23 .15 .10 .11 .10

25 .31 e.24 .38 .13 .35 .09 e.32 .22 .15 .14 .11 .10

26 .30 e.22 .34 .13 .39 .09 e.30 .21 .15 .14 .11 .10

27 .28 e.20 .35 .12 .34 .36 e.28 .19 .15 .15 .12 .10

28 .27 e.20 .32 .14 .29 .90 e.29 .19 .15 .13 .14 .10

29 .27 e.22 .31 .13 .25 1.2 e.26 .20 .15 .11 .14 .10

30 .26 e.25 -- .11 .21 .49 e.23 .19 .14 .11 .13 .10

31 .26 e.24 -- .11 -- .34 -- .19 .13 -- .13 --

Total 10.35 7.34 11.57 5.64 6.97 6.53 7.49 9.13 6.68 3.73 3.35 3.07

Mean .33 .24 .40 .18 .23 .21 .25 .29 .22 .12 .11 .10

Maximum 1.3 .31 1.8 .31 .39 1.2 .58 .55 .54 .19 .14 .14

Minimum .14 .20 .15 .11 .10 .09 .10 .19 .13 .10 .10 .09

Acre-ft 21 15 23 11 14 13 15 18 13 7.4 6.6 6.1

CFSM 1.76 1.25 2.10 .96 1.22 1.11 1.31 1.55 1.13 .65 .57 .54

In. 2.03 1.44 2.27 1.10 1.36 1.28 1.47 1.79 1.31 .73 .66 .60

Total=81.85 Mean=0.22 Maximum=1.8 Minimum=0.09 Total Acre-ft=162 Total CFSM=1.18 Total In.=16.03
STREAM TEMPERATURE 15

Table 3. Daily mean discharges in cubic feet per second, December 1999 through November 2000, at Spring Branch near 

Mud (03202410) in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia

[e, estimated; --, no value; Acre-ft, quantity of water required to cover 1 acre to a depth of 1 foot; CFSM, cubic foot per second per square mile; In., depth 

in inches to which the drainage area would be covered by the indicated runoff]

Day Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov.

1 0.13 0.11 0.12 0.35 0.31 0.47 0.25 0.12 0.18 0.09 0.00 0.07

2 .13 .10 .12 .32 .31 .43 .20 .10 .15 .08 .00 .00

3 .12 .11 .13 .30 e.6 .34 .16 .13 .11 .08 .01 .01

4 .11 .18 .15 .29 e3.1 .29 .13 .17 .10 .09 .01 .02

5 .11 .14 .14 .27 e2.1 .26 .12 .13 .09 .07 .01 .05

6 .12 .14 .14 .25 e1.6 .23 .10 .11 .08 .08 .01 .07

7 .10 .14 .15 .25 e1.1 .21 .09 .09 .14 .07 .01 .02

8 .09 .14 .16 .26 e1.6 .18 .07 .07 .30 .08 .00 .00

9 .09 .17 .17 .30 e1.5 .16 .06 .07 .32 .06 .01 .03

10 .20 .18 .19 .26 e1.4 .14 .05 .35 .64 .32 .03 .08

11 .16 .17 .23 .53 e1.2 .11 .04 .87 .33 .10 .00 .03

12 .15 .15 .23 .92 e1.1 .09 .03 .44 .24 .03 .01 .02

13 .29 .14 .25 .90 e.9 .18 .03 .29 .20 .02 .02 .03

14 4.8 .12 2.2 .79 .67 .11 .04 .39 .16 .02 .03 .04

15 1.1 .12 1.4 .66 .60 .08 .11 .36 .13 .02 .00 .04

16 .54 .13 .95 .64 .53 .07 .06 .33 .12 .01 .01 .04

17 .37 .12 .62 .73 .55 .07 .29 .28 .12 .01 .01 .06

18 .29 .12 2.5 .68 .51 .06 .37 .22 .18 .01 .03 .08

19 .24 .12 e14 .68 .49 .20 .37 .36 .13 .01 .00 .10

20 .22 .13 e3.5 .74 .48 .20 .31 .36 .12 .01 .01 .10

21 .18 .11 e1.7 .95 .60 .13 1.8 .30 .12 e.01 .01 .11

22 .17 .10 e1 .94 .64 .10 6.3 .25 .11 e.01 .01 .13

23 .15 .11 .68 .89 .70 .27 1.1 .21 .11 e.01 .02 .14

24 .14 .11 .59 .76 .77 .17 .48 .20 .13 e.01 .02 .17

25 .12 .10 .49 .66 1.5 .13 .32 .17 .10 e.01 .00 .07

26 .13 .10 .41 .59 1.8 .10 .25 .14 .10 e.01 .01 .04

27 .12 .09 .43 .54 1.4 2.6 .23 .11 .14 e.01 .01 .04

28 .12 .08 .38 .49 1.0 2.0 .25 .12 .10 e.01 .01 .04

29 .11 .10 .35 .41 .76 .88 .20 .13 .09 e.01 .01 .05

30 .11 .15 -- .37 .56 .53 .16 .16 .08 e.01 .03 .08

31 .11 .13 -- .33 -- .34 -- .12 .08 -- .06 --

Total 10.82 3.91 33.38 17.05 30.38 11.13 13.97 7.15 5.00 1.36 0.40 1.76

Mean .35 .13 1.15 .55 1.01 .36 .47 .23 .16 .045 .013 .059

Maximum 4.8 .18 14 .95 3.1 2.6 6.3 .87 .64 .32 .06 .17

Minimum .09 .08 .12 .25 .31 .06 .03 .07 .08 .01 .00 .00

 Acre-ft 21 7.8 66 34 60 22 28 14 9.9 2.7 .8 3.5

 CFSM .66 .24 2.17 1.04 1.91 .68 .88 .44 .30 .09 .02 .11

 In. .76 .27 2.34 1.20 2.13 .78 .98 .50 .35 .10 .03 .12

Total=136.31 Mean=0.37 Maximum=14 Minimum=0.00 Total Acre-ft=270 Total CFSM=0.70 Total In.=9.57
16 Stream Geomorphology, Low Streamflow, and Stream Temperature, Mountaintop Coal-Mining Region Southern W.Va., 1999-2000

SUMMARY

Mining coal by removing mountaintops and disposing 

of the overburden in valleys, creating valley fills, has 

changed the landscape in the coal-mining region of 

southern West Virginia and affected stream 

geomorphology, low streamflow, and stream 

temperatures. The USGS, in cooperation with the West 

Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, 

Office of Mining and Reclamation, investigated these 

mining effects by comparing data collected between 

1999 and 2000 in four basins at valley-fill, unmined, 

and mined sites. Information from this study will assist 

in the preparation of an Environmental Impact 

Statement to assess the policies, guidance, and 

decision-making processes of regulatory agencies in 

order to minimize any adverse environmental effects 

from this mining practice.

Particle sizes were measured at 54 small stream 

sites in the Clear Fork, Upper Mud River, Spruce Fork, 

and Twentymile Creek Basins, using a modification to 

the procedure described by Wolman (1954). A comparison of all unmined sites indicated that distribution of 

particle sizes can differ among unmined basins. The 

different distributions among basins suggests that natural factors may have some effect over particle sizes. 

Valley-fill sites had a greater number of particles less 

than 2 millimeters in size, a smaller median particle 

size, and about the same 84th percentile particle size, as 

compared to the mined and unmined sites. 

Bankfull maximum depth, width, and cross-sectional area at a riffle section were measured at the 54 

small-stream sites. No differences in the bankfull measurements could be determined between valley-fill and 

unmined sites. Bankfull indicators at valley-fill sites 
REFERENCES CITED 17

may not represent the valley-fill condition if there has 

not been enough time and if peak streamflows since the 

land was disturbed have been insufficient to bring the 

channel to equilibrium. 

Low streamflows were investigated by comparing 90-percent flow durations, daily streamflow 

records, base-streamflows, and stormflows. Generally, 

the 90-percent flow durations at valley-fill sites were

6-7 times greater than the 90-percent flow durations at 

unmined sites. Some valley-fill sites, however, exhibited 90-percent flow durations similar to unmined sites, 

and some unmined sites exhibited 90-percent flow 

durations similar to valley-fill sites. Daily streamflows 

from valley-fill sites generally are greater than daily 

streamflows from unmined sites during periods of low 

streamflow. Valley-fill sites have a greater percentage 

of base-streamflows and lower percentage of stormflows than unmined sites.

Stream temperature was recorded at a valley-fill 

site and at an unmined site. Water temperatures from a 

valley-fill site exhibited lower daily fluctuations and 

lesser seasonal variations than water temperatures from 

an unmined site. Water temperatures from the valleyfill site were warmer in the winter and cooler in the 

summer than water temperatures from the unmined 

site. 

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TABLES
20 Stream Geomorphology, Low Streamflow, and Stream Temperature, Mountaintop Coal-Mining Region, Southern W.Va., 1999-2000 Table 4. Low streamflow, particle sizes, and channel characteristics for sampling sites in the coal-mining region of southern West Virgini

[--, no value; <, less than] Station number Stream name Latitude Longi- tude Drain -age area, in acres Mining class 90-per- cent flow dura- tion, in cubic feet per second Median parti- cle size, in milli- meters Parti- cle size of the 84th per- cen- tile, in milli- meters Parti- cles smaller than 2 milli- meters, in per- cent Bank

full cross

sec- tion width

in fee

Clear Fork Basin MT64 Buffalo Fork 37o53’58” 81o19’52” 758 Valley fill 0.3 <2 205 62 9.1 

MT65C Unnamed tributary to Buffalo Fork 37o53’48” 81o19’38” 65 Valley fill .03 <2 225 57 5.8 MT66 Buffalo Fork 37o53’47” 81o19’09” 373 Valley fill .1 <2 43 56 13.5 MT67 and MT68B Unnamed tributary to Buffalo Fork Unnamed tributary to Buffalo Fork 37o53’47” 37o53’46” 81o18’55” 81o18’53” 46 221 Valley fill Valley fill .008 2 48 70 9.9 MT69 Ewing Fork 37o54’50” 81o19’30” 708 Mined .2 10 145 41 10.5 MT70 Toney Fork 37o54’38” 81o19’33” 1,221 Valley fill .5 <2 21 72 6.0 MT71 Toney Fork 37o54’19” 81o18’07” 81 Valley fill .04 <2 176 56 6.0 MT72 Unnamed tributary to Toney Fork 37o54’17” 81o18’11” 107 Valley fill .04 30.5 184 34 7.0 MT73 Toney Fork 37o54’21” 81o18’17” 207 Valley fill .08 - - - - - - 7.0 MT74 Unnamed tributary to Toney Fork 37o54’25” 81o18’40” 55 Valley fill .001 67.5 300 29 5.0 MT76 Reeds Branch 37o54’28” 81o18’46” 296 Valley fill .06 <2 97 60 4.3 MT78 Raines Fork 37o55’11” 81o24’26” 524 Mined 0 - - - - - - 6.6 
Table 4 21

MT79 Davis Fork 37o54’55” 81o24’10” 448 Mined 0.005 41 431 25 11.8 MT80 Lem Fork 37o54’28” 81o24’08” 689 Unmined .01 26.5 142 38 8.4 MT82

Unnamed tributary 

to Sycamore Creek

37o54’08” 81o24’26” 294 Mined 0 <2 72 56 8.7 

MT83

Unnamed tributary 

to Sycamore Creek

37o53’44” 81o24’11” 261 Unmined 0 98.5 197 20 5.5 

MT84 Sycamore Creek 37o53’42” 81o24’15” 222 Mined 0 99.5 217 26 3.8 

Mud River Basin

MT03 Lukey Fork 38o03’18” 81o57’31” 717 Unmined .01 <2 164 53 13.0 MT08 Sally Fork of Ballard Fork 38o03’47” 81o54’58” 98 Unmined .004 <2 81 61 5.9 MT09B Sally Fork of Ballard Fork 38o03’58” 81o55’09” 39 Valley fill .008 <2 269 59 4.6 MT10B Ballard Fork 38o04’08” 81o55’18” 152 Valley fill .06 <2 <2 95 4.1 MT11B Left Fork of Ballard Fork 38o04’11” 81o55’20” 157 Valley fill .07 <2 <2 86 - - MT12 Unnamed tributary to Ballard Fork 38o04’10” 81o55’29” 26 Valley fill .004 <2 <2 87 3.7 MT13 Spring Branch of Ballard Fork 38o04’02” 81o56’16” 335 Unmined .003 <2 26 69 6.4 

Table 4. Low streamflow, particle sizes, and channel characteristics for sampling sites in the coal-mining region of southern West Virgini[--, no value; <, less than]

Station 

number Stream name Latitude Longi- tude

Drain

-age 

area, 

in 

acres

Mining 

class

90-percent 

flow 

duration, in 

cubic 

feet per 

second

Median 

particle 

size, in 

millimeters

Particle size 

of the 

84th 

percentile, in 

millimeters

Particles 

smaller 

than 2 

millimeters, 

in percent

Bank

full 

cross

section 

width

in fee
22 Stream Geomorphology, Low Streamflow, and Stream Temperature, Mountaintop Coal-Mining Region, Southern W.Va., 1999-2000 MT14 Ballard Fork 38o04’20” 81o56’49” 1,527 Valley fill 0.4 <2 42 63 12.7 

MT16B Unnamed tributary to Stanley Fork 38o04’55” 81o56’23” 516 Valley fill .4 <2 8 83 15.3 MT18 Sugartree Branch 38o05’26” 81o57’04” 479 Valley fill .4 <2 84 52 12.4 MT20B Sugartree Branch 38o05’29” 81o56’53” 383 Valley fill .3 <2 <2 90 6.0 

Spruce Fork Basin MT25B Rockhouse Creek 37o56’01” 81o50’26” 997 Valley fill .2 69.5 149 7 10.4 

MT26 Beech Creek 37o54’25” 81o52’30” 920 Mined .002 13 260 44 2.9 MT27 Unnamed tributary to Beech Creek 37o54’34” 81o52’39” 266 Mined .001 <2 63 53 15.0 MT29B Unnamed tributary to Beech Creek 37o54’42” 81o51’28” 81 Valley fill .1 <2 <2 92 6.0 MT30B Unnamed tributary to Beech Creek 37o54’35” 81o51’24” 169 Valley fill .06 <2 16 66 3.2 MT31B Unnamed tributary to Beech Creek 37o54’39” 81o51’10” 141 Valley fill .03 - - - - - - - - MT33B Unnamed tributary to Beech Creek 37o54’34” 81o50’39” 69 Valley fill .01 <2 109 61 4.5 MT36B Hurricane Branch 37o55’05” 81o50’18” 286 Valley fill .1 <2 42 59 8.0 MT37 White Oak Branch 37o51’42” 81o47’23” 320 Unmined .007 60.5 127 6 5.9 

Table 4. Low streamflow, particle sizes, and channel characteristics for sampling sites in the coal-mining region of southern West Virgini[--, no value; <, less than] Station number Stream name Latitude Longi- tude Drain -age area, in acres Mining class 90-per- cent flow dura- tion, in cubic feet per second Median parti- cle size, in milli- meters Parti- cle size of the 84th per- cen- tile, in milli- meters Parti- cles smaller than 2 milli- meters, in per- cent Bank

full cross

sec- tion width

in fee
Table 4 23

MT38

Unnamed tributary 

to White Oak Branch

37o51’45” 81o47’23” 84 Unmined 0 35.5 147 27 6.2 

MT39 White Oak Branch 37o51’46” 81o48’14” 669 Unmined .02 54.5 120 21 11.3 MT41 Oldhouse Branch 37o52’18” 81o48’44” 226 Unmined .04 15 71 33 8.6 MT42 Oldhouse Branch 37o52’24” 81o49’20” 447 Unmined .02 67 172 8 11.6 MT43 Pigeonroost Branch 37o52’48” 81o47’46” 470 Mined .04 <2 103 63 10.6 MT44

Unnamed tributary 

to Pigeonroost Branch

37o52’47” 81o47’47” 294 Unmined .003 <2 74 67 7.2 

Twentymile Creek Basin

MT87 Neff Fork 38o20’41” 80o57’21” 752 Valley fill .03 <2 135 61 12.4 MT88 Unnamed tributary to Neff Fork 38o20’36” 80o57’04” 179 Mined .07 <2 70 54 7.7 MT89B Unnamed tributary to Neff Fork 38o20’45” 80o56’34” 108 Valley fill .04 42.5 128 34 7.1 MT90 Neff Fork 38o20’41” 80o56’33” 297 Valley fill .1 14 164 45 7.9 MT91 Rader Fork 38o20’39” 80o57’30” 1,302 Unmined .2 <2 81 79 17.8 MT92 Unnamed tributary to Radar Fork 38o20’19” 80o57’28” 213 Unmined .06 34.5 82 28 10.4 MT93 Laurel Run 38o20’18” 80o57’41” 343 Unmined .01 <2 146 57 10.1 

Table 4. Low streamflow, particle sizes, and channel characteristics for sampling sites in the coal-mining region of southern West Virgini[--, no value; <, less than]

Station 

number Stream name Latitude Longi- tude

Drain

-age 

area, 

in 

acres

Mining 

class

90-percent 

flow 

duration, in 

cubic 

feet per 

second

Median 

particle 

size, in 

millimeters

Particle size 

of the 

84th 

percentile, in 

millimeters

Particles 

smaller 

than 2 

millimeters, 

in percent

Bank

full 

cross

section 

width

in fee
24 Stream Geomorphology, Low Streamflow, and Stream Temperature, Mountaintop Coal-Mining Region, Southern W.Va., 1999-2000 MT94 Rader Fork 38o20’16” 80o57’41” 601 Unmined 0.03 <2 23 81 12.9 

MT95 Neil Branch 38o17’51” 81o05’10” 968 Unmined .1 73.5 184 19 11.6 MT96 Unnamed tributary to Neil Branch 38o18’22” 81o05’14” 58 Unmined 0 <2 110 65 11.6 MT97 Neil Branch 38o18’19” 81o05’10” 654 Unmined .2 52 141 35 6.2 

Table 4. Low streamflow, particle sizes, and channel characteristics for sampling sites in the coal-mining region of southern West Virgini[--, no value; <, less than] Station number Stream name Latitude Longi- tude Drain -age area, in acres Mining class 90-per- cent flow dura- tion, in cubic feet per second Median parti- cle size, in milli- meters Parti- cle size of the 84th per- cen- tile, in milli- meters Parti- cles smaller than 2 milli- meters, in per- cent Bank

full cross

sec- tion width

in fee
Table 5 25

Table 5. Low-streamflow measurements at small-stream sampling sites in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia[--, no value, <, less than]

Station 

number Stream name Date

Time, 

in 

hours

Discharge, 

in 

cubic 

feet per 

second

Date

Time, 

in 

hours

Discharge, 

in cubic 

feet per 

second

Date

Time, 

in 

hours

Discharge, 

in cubic 

feet per 

second

Da

Clear Fork Basin

MT64 Buffalo Fork 10/27/99 1420 0.249 06/08/00 1100 0.948 08/16/00 1330 0.815 10/1MT65C Unnamed tributary to Buffalo Fork 10/27/99 1340 .027 06/08/00 1025 .161 08/16/00 1250 .102 10/1MT66 Buffalo Fork 10/27/99 1225 .146 06/09/00 1128 .338 08/16/00 1115 .050 10/04MT67andMT68B

Unnamed tributary 

to Buffalo Fork

Unnamed tributary 

to Buffalo Fork

10/27/99 1135 .008 06/09/00 1455 .446 08/17/00 1150 .338 10/1

MT69 Ewing Fork 10/26/99 1055 .212 06/08/00 1408 .901 08/16/00 1730 .906 10/04MT70 Toney Fork 10/26/99 1150 .007 06/08/00 1325 .943 08/16/00 1635 .787 10/04MT71 Toney Fork 10/26/99 1505 .042 06/08/00 1156 .063 08/06/00 1430 .046 10/04MT72 Unnamed tributary to Toney Fork 10/26/99 - - .046 06/08/00 1135 .290 08/16/00 1400 .126 10/04MT73 Toney Fork 10/26/99 1540 .087 06/08/00 1215 .261 08/16/00 1505 .204 10/04MT74 Unnamed tributary to Toney Fork 10/26/99 1335 .001 06/08/00 1235 .026 08/16/00 1525 .029 10/04MT76 Reeds Branch 10/26/99 1240 .069 06/08/00 1250 .368 08/16/00 1550 .247 10/04MT78 Raines Fork - - - - - - 06/08/00 - - 0 08/22/00 - - 0 10/05MT79 Davis Fork 10/28/99 - - .004 06/08/00 1000 .411 08/22/00 1210 .181 10/24MT80 Lem Fork 10/28/99 - - .012 06/08/00 1030 .359 08/22/00 1045 .092 10/27
26 Stream Geomorphology, Low Streamflow, and Stream Temperature, Mountaintop Coal-Mining Region, Southern W.Va., 1999-2000 MT82 Unnamed tributary to Sycamore Creek 10/28/99 - - 0 06/08/00 - - 0 08/22/00 - - 0 10/05

MT83 Unnamed tributary to Sycamore Creek 10/28/99 - - 0 - - - - - - - - - - - - 10/05MT84 Sycamore Creek 10/28/99 - - 0 - - - - - - - - - - - - 10/05

Mud River Basin MT03 Lukey Fork 10/26/99 - - .014 06/06/00 1350 .194 08/17/00 1550 .103 08/3

MT08 Sally Fork of Ballard Fork 10/25/99 - - .004 06/06/00 - - .006 08/17/00 1353 .009 09/0MT09B Sally Fork of Ballard Fork 10/25/99 1610 .008 06/06/00 1230 .016 08/17/00 1442 .099 09/0MT10B Ballard Fork 10/25/99 1500 .059 06/06/00 1130 .186 08/17/00 1131 .323 09/0MT11B Left Fork of Ballard Fork 10/25/99 1438 .075 06/08/00 1115 .093 08/17/00 - - .109 - MT12 Unnamed tributary to Ballard Fork 10/25/99 1336 .004 06/08/00 1100 .007 08/17/00 1155 .024 09/0MT13 Spring Branch of Ballard Fork 10/25/99 1125 .004 06/06/00 1030 .110 08/17/00 - - .073 10/12MT14 Ballard Fork 10/25/99 1000 .375 06/06/00 0930 .781 08/17/00 1000 .082 9/13MT16B Unnamed tributary to Stanley Fork 10/25/99 - - .414 06/06/00 1500 .719 08/17/00 1834 1.26 09/0MT18 Sugartree Branch 10/25/99 - - .376 06/06/00 1600 .672 08/17/00 1652 1.62 9/28MT20B Sugartree Branch 10/25/99 - - .266 06/06/00 1535 .612 08/17/00 1709 1.28 10/05

Table 5. Low-streamflow measurements at small-stream sampling sites in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia—Continued [--, no value, <, less than] Station number Stream name Date Time, in hours Dis- charge, in cubic feet per second Date Time, in hours Dis- charge, in cubic feet per second Date Time, in hours Dis- charge, in cubic feet per second Da
Table 5 27

Spruce Fork Basin

MT25B Rockhouse Creek 11/01/99 1545 0.089 06/07/00 1555 1.10 08/17/00 1730 1.81 10/1MT26 Beech Creek 11/09/99 1050 .413 06/07/00 1140 .055 08/17/00 1030 4.97 10/0MT27 Unnamed tributary to Beech Creek 11/09/99 - - <.001 06/07/00 1105 1.63 08/17/00 1115 .277 10/0MT29B Unnamed tributary to Beech Creek 11/09/99 1100 .109 06/07/00 0945 .333 08/17/00 1425 .611 10/0MT30B Unnamed tributary to Beech Creek 11/09/99 1138 .069 06/07/00 1220 .245 08/17/00 1450 .492 10/0MT31B Unnamed tributary to Beech Creek 11/09/99 - - .042 06/07/00 - - .188 08/17/00 1515 .372 10/0MT33B Unnamed tributary to Beech Creek 11/09/99 - - .015 06/07/00 1355 .046 08/17/00 1600 .039 10/0MT36B Hurricane Branch 11/09/99 1340 .172 06/07/00 1455 .320 08/17/00 1645 .658 10/0MT37 White Oak Branch 11/01/99 1240 .005 06/07/00 1225 .023 08/21/00 1610 .050 10/0MT38

Unnamed tributary 

to White Oak Branch

11/01/99 1300 0 06/07/00 1240 .035 08/21/00 1600 .057 10/1

MT39 White Oak Branch 11/01/99 1405 .014 06/07/00 1315 .057 08/21/00 1510 .246 10/1MT41 Oldhouse Branch 11/01/99 1005 .024 06/07/00 1050 .216 08/21/00 1250 .195 10/0MT42 Oldhouse Branch 11/01/99 1100 .010 06/07/00 1110 .190 08/21/00 1330 .245 10/0MT43 Pigeonroost Branch 11/09/99 1330 .081 06/07/00 0950 .426 08/17/00 1245 .778 10/1

Table 5. Low-streamflow measurements at small-stream sampling sites in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia—Continued[--, no value, <, less than]

Station 

number Stream name Date

Time, 

in 

hours

Discharge, 

in 

cubic 

feet per 

second

Date

Time, 

in 

hours

Discharge, 

in cubic 

feet per 

second

Date

Time, 

in 

hours

Discharge, 

in cubic 

feet per 

second

Da
28 Stream Geomorphology, Low Streamflow, and Stream Temperature, Mountaintop Coal-Mining Region, Southern W.Va., 1999-2000 MT44 Unnamed tributary to Pigeonroost Branch 11/09/99 1335 0.003 06/07/00 1000 0.090 08/17/00 1315 0.402 10/1

Twentymile Creek Basin MT87 Neff Fork 11/10/99 1345 .402 06/06/00 1912 3.33 08/21/00 1253 .704 11/09

MT88 Unnamed tributary to Neff Fork 11/10/99 1340 .089 06/06/00 1903 .30 08/16/00 - - .193 11/09MT89B Unnamed tributary to Neff Fork 11/10/99 1450 .056 06/06/00 1816 .420 08/16/00 1357 .232 10/04MT90 Neff Fork 11/10/99 1455 .201 06/06/00 1829 1.60 08/16/00 1428 .478 11/09MT91 Rader Fork 11/10/99 1235 .358 06/06/00 1941 4.84 08/21/00 1237 .667 11/09MT92 Unnamed tributary to Radar Fork 11/10/99 1230 .089 06/06/00 1634 .510 08/21/00 1402 .061 10/04MT93 Laurel Run 11/10/99 1125 .018 06/06/00 1605 1.26 08/21/00 1524 .285 10/04MT94 Rader Fork 11/10/99 1135 .077 06/06/00 1542 2.07 08/21/00 1449 .302 10/04MT95 Neil Branch 10/29/99 1150 .002 06/06/00 1016 .670 08/16/00 1155 .735 10/04MT96 Unnamed tributary to Neil Branch 10/29/99 1315 .0002 06/06/00 1122 .044 08/16/00 1105 .196 10/04MT97 Neil Branch 10/29/99 1355 .180 06/06/00 1131 .510 08/16/00 1130 .803 10/04

Table 5. Low-streamflow measurements at small-stream sampling sites in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia—Continued [--, no value, <, less than] Station number Stream name Date Time, in hours Dis- charge, in cubic feet per second Date Time, in hours Dis- charge, in cubic feet per second Date Time, in hours Dis- charge, in cubic feet per second Da
Table 6 29

Table 6. Maximum, minimum, and mean water temperature in degrees Celsius, December 1999 through November 2000, at 

Unnamed Tributary to Ballard Fork near Mud (03202405) in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia

[ --, no value]

December January February March

Day Maximum

Minimum

Mean Maximum 

Minimum

Mean Maximum

Minimum

Mean Maximum

Minimum

Mean

1 -- -- -- 12.5 9.0 10.8 8.2 6.6 7.5 13.7 10.9 12.2

2 -- -- -- 13.3 10.9 12.0 9.0 6.6 7.5 13.3 10.2 11.5

3 -- -- -- 14.1 12.5 13.2 9.8 6.6 8.1 12.1 9.4 10.6

4 -- -- -- 13.3 9.8 12.2 9.4 7.8 8.3 13.3 10.2 11.3

5 -- -- -- 10.2 7.0 9.6 9.0 6.6 7.9 14.4 9.8 11.4

6 -- -- -- 10.6 8.2 9.1 9.4 6.6 7.7 15.2 10.2 12.0

7 -- -- -- 10.6 8.6 9.4 10.6 7.0 8.3 15.6 10.2 12.3

8 -- -- -- 10.9 7.4 9.2 12.5 6.6 8.1 15.9 10.9 12.9

9 -- -- -- 11.7 9.4 10.5 10.9 7.0 8.5 15.6 12.0 13.3

10 -- -- -- 12.1 9.8 10.9 11.7 7.8 9.5 14.4 10.6 12.3

11 -- -- -- 10.9 9.0 10.4 10.9 9.4 10.4 12.1 10.2 11.4

12 -- -- -- 11.3 8.2 9.7 9.4 7.8 8.9 11.7 9.7 10.3

13 -- -- -- 11.7 8.6 10.5 11.7 8.2 10.2 12.5 9.0 10.5

14 -- -- -- 8.6 7.0 7.6 11.0 7.8 9.8 14.1 9.8 11.3

15 -- -- -- 10.2 6.6 8.4 12.1 10.6 11.1 15.2 10.2 12.3

16 -- -- -- 11.7 8.6 10.6 13.3 10.6 11.9 13.3 12.1 12.6

17 -- -- -- 8.6 7.0 7.8 11.7 9.8 10.8 12.1 9.4 10.8

18 -- -- -- 8.6 7.4 8.1 12.9 9.4 11.6 12.9 8.6 10.5

19 -- -- -- 9.8 8.2 8.7 12.1 9.4 11.3 13.3 10.6 11.7

20 -- -- -- 8.6 7.0 8.1 12.1 11.7 11.9 12.9 11.3 11.9

21 -- -- -- 7.4 5.3 6.5 12.9 10.9 11.6 12.5 10.9 11.8

22 -- -- -- 7.4 4.9 6.3 12.9 10.9 11.9 14.8 10.9 12.4

23 10.9 9.4 10.2 9.4 7.4 8.5 14.1 12.1 12.9 15.9 10.6 12.6

24 10.2 9.0 9.8 8.6 7.0 8.2 14.1 12.1 13.0 16.7 10.9 13.1

25 9.4 7.8 8.5 7.4 5.3 6.3 15.2 12.1 13.2 16.3 12.5 13.8

26 10.2 8.2 9.5 7.8 6.2 6.8 15.2 12.1 13.3 -- -- --

27 10.2 9.4 9.7 6.6 4.1 5.3 13.7 12.1 13.0 14.1 10.9 12.1

28 9.4 9.0 9.2 7.0 3.3 4.8 13.7 10.6 11.7 12.9 10.6 11.3

29 10.6 9.4 9.7 8.6 4.9 6.5 14.1 9.8 11.3 15.2 10.2 12.0

30 11.7 9.4 10.3 8.2 7.0 7.7 -- -- -- 15.6 10.2 12.1

31 11.7 9.4 10.5 8.2 6.6 7.2 -- -- -- 15.6 9.4 11.9

Month -- -- -- 14.1 3.3 8.7 15.2 6.6 10.4 -- -- --
30 Stream Geomorphology, Low Streamflow, and Stream Temperature, Mountaintop Coal-Mining Region Southern W.Va., 1999-2000

Table 6. Maximum, minimum, and mean water temperature in degrees Celsius, December 1999 through November 2000, at 

Unnamed Tributary to Ballard Fork near Mud (03202405) in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia—Continued

[--, no value]

April May June July

Day Maximum

Minimum

Mean Maximum 

Minimum

Mean Maximum

Minimum

Mean Maximum

Minimum

Mean

1 15.9 9.4 12.2 17.4 11.7 13.9 16.7 14.1 15.0 16.7 14.1 15.1

2 14.1 12.5 13.3 17.4 12.5 14.6 17.4 14.1 15.2 17.1 14.1 15.2

3 15.6 12.9 13.9 17.8 11.7 14.3 16.3 14.4 14.9 17.1 14.4 15.4

4 13.3 11.3 12.1 17.1 13.7 14.8 16.7 12.9 14.5 16.3 15.2 15.7

5 14.8 10.9 12.3 17.1 13.3 14.9 17.1 13.7 14.8 15.9 15.2 15.4

6 15.6 11.7 13.2 17.1 13.3 15.0 15.2 13.7 14.1 17.1 15.2 15.5

7 16.7 12.1 13.8 18.6 13.7 15.3 17.1 12.1 14.1 17.4 14.8 15.7

8 13.3 10.8 12.0 18.2 14.1 15.3 17.4 12.5 14.6 17.8 14.1 15.5

9 14.1 10.6 11.9 17.8 14.1 15.3 18.2 13.3 15.1 17.8 14.4 15.7

10 15.6 10.9 12.9 17.1 12.9 14.9 18.2 14.1 15.5 19.8 15.2 16.6

11 13.3 12.1 12.7 17.4 12.1 14.3 18.6 14.4 15.9 18.6 15.2 16.1

12 12.9 10.6 11.9 -- -- -- 17.8 14.8 16.0 16.7 15.2 15.6

13 16.3 10.2 12.0 17.4 14.4 15.4 18.6 14.8 16.1 16.3 14.8 15.4

14 17.1 10.9 13.3 17.1 12.5 14.2 18.2 14.8 16.1 18.6 14.8 15.9

15 15.9 12.5 14.0 16.3 11.7 13.5 17.1 14.8 15.7 16.7 14.8 15.7

16 16.3 13.3 14.3 16.7 11.3 13.5 17.8 14.8 15.7 16.3 14.8 15.2

17 15.6 12.9 13.8 17.1 13.3 14.4 17.5 15.2 15.9 16.7 14.8 15.4

18 12.9 12.5 12.7 17.8 13.7 15.1 19.4 15.2 16.6 16.3 14.8 15.4

19 15.6 12.1 13.3 15.9 14.4 15.0 16.1 14.8 15.2 17.1 15.2 15.6

20 15.9 11.7 13.7 15.6 14.4 14.9 15.9 14.4 14.9 16.7 14.8 15.5

21 14.1 11.7 12.9 15.9 14.1 14.7 18.0 14.4 15.5 17.1 14.4 15.5

22 12.5 11.7 12.0 16.3 13.7 14.7 20.5 14.6 16.1 17.1 14.8 15.6

23 16.3 10.9 13.0 17.1 14.1 14.9 15.6 14.1 14.6 16.7 14.4 15.3

24 13.3 11.7 12.6 16.7 14.1 15.1 16.3 14.4 14.9 15.9 14.8 15.3

25 13.7 12.1 12.6 16.7 14.4 15.0 16.3 14.4 15.0 16.7 14.4 15.4

26 15.6 11.3 12.9 16.7 12.5 14.4 16.7 14.4 15.2 17.1 14.8 15.7

27 15.9 10.9 12.9 18.2 14.1 15.0 15.4 14.8 15.0 17.8 14.8 15.9

28 15.6 11.3 13.1 17.6 14.1 14.8 15.6 14.8 15.0 17.4 15.2 15.8

29 15.6 12.1 13.4 14.4 13.7 14.0 16.7 14.8 15.3 16.7 15.2 15.8

30 17.1 11.3 13.5 16.3 13.3 14.5 16.7 14.1 15.0 17.1 15.2 16.0

31 -- -- -- 16.7 13.3 14.6 -- -- -- 17.1 15.6 15.9

Month 17.1 9.4 12.9 -- -- -- 20.5 12.1 15.2 19.8 14.1 15.6
Table 6 31

Table 6. Maximum, minimum, and mean water temperature in degrees Celsius, December 1999 through November 2000, at 

Unnamed Tributary to Ballard Fork near Mud (03202405) in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia—Continued

[--, no value]

August September October November

Day Maximum

Minimum

Mean Maximum 

Minimum

Mean Maximum

Minimum

Mean Maximum

Minimum

Mean

1 17.4 15.6 16.1 17.4 15.6 16.2 15.6 12.9 14.1 13.3 9.4 10.9

2 17.4 15.2 16.1 17.4 15.6 16.3 18.6 13.3 14.5 14.1 10.2 11.7

3 17.4 15.6 16.2 17.1 15.9 16.4 17.1 14.4 15.1 14.8 12.5 13.4

4 16.7 15.6 15.9 17.1 15.6 16.1 16.7 14.4 15.2 14.1 12.5 13.5

5 17.4 15.2 16.0 16.1 15.6 15.8 17.1 14.4 15.4 12.5 10.2 11.4

6 17.1 15.2 16.1 17.1 14.4 15.5 15.6 14.8 15.2 13.3 9.0 10.8

7 18.6 15.6 16.7 17.4 14.4 15.4 14.8 12.5 13.1 14.8 12.9 13.7

8 19.0 15.6 16.8 16.7 15.2 15.7 12.9 10.2 11.6 15.2 12.5 13.7

9 18.2 15.6 16.6 17.4 15.2 16.1 12.1 10.2 11.3 15.2 14.1 14.7

10 18.2 15.6 16.5 19.4 15.6 16.4 13.7 10.6 11.6 14.1 11.7 12.5

11 16.3 15.2 15.6 17.1 15.9 16.3 14.1 10.2 11.5 12.5 11.3 11.8

12 16.3 14.8 15.3 16.7 15.6 15.9 14.4 10.2 11.7 12.5 9.4 10.9

13 16.7 14.4 15.3 17.1 15.6 16.0 14.4 10.2 11.9 12.9 10.2 11.4

14 17.1 14.4 15.4 17.1 15.2 15.9 14.8 10.9 12.3 12.5 10.6 11.4

15 17.1 14.8 15.7 16.1 14.4 15.5 15.2 12.1 13.2 11.3 9.8 10.5

16 17.4 15.2 16.0 14.9 12.9 13.9 15.6 12.1 13.6 11.3 9.0 10.1

17 16.3 14.8 15.5 15.6 12.1 13.5 15.6 14.1 14.5 11.7 9.8 10.9

18 16.3 15.6 15.8 15.6 12.9 14.2 15.6 14.1 14.8 9.8 9.0 9.4

19 17.1 15.2 15.9 16.7 14.1 15.0 14.8 11.7 13.0 9.8 8.6 9.1

20 17.1 14.8 15.8 17.1 14.4 15.3 15.2 11.3 12.8 9.8 7.8 8.8

21 17.1 14.8 15.7 16.7 14.8 15.5 15.2 12.9 13.8 8.6 7.4 8.1

22 17.4 15.2 16.0 16.3 13.3 14.6 15.9 13.7 14.5 8.6 5.8 6.8

23 -- -- -- 17.1 14.8 15.6 15.9 12.9 14.2 9.4 5.8 7.2

24 16.3 15.2 15.8 16.3 15.6 15.9 15.6 13.3 14.3 10.6 6.6 8.0

25 17.1 15.6 16.0 15.9 14.8 15.1 15.6 13.7 14.7 11.7 9.0 10.3

26 17.1 15.2 16.0 14.8 13.7 14.1 16.3 14.4 15.0 11.7 10.9 11.3

27 17.4 15.6 16.2 15.6 12.5 13.8 15.9 13.3 14.4 11.3 9.4 10.7

28 17.1 15.6 16.1 15.6 12.5 13.8 14.8 13.3 14.2 10.9 8.6 9.4

29 17.4 15.2 15.9 15.9 12.9 14.2 13.7 10.2 11.8 10.9 7.4 8.9

30 17.4 14.8 16.0 15.9 12.9 14.1 12.9 9.4 10.9 9.8 9.0 9.2

31 17.4 15.2 16.1 -- -- -- 13.3 9.4 10.8 -- -- --

Month -- -- -- 19.4 12.1 15.3 18.6 9.4 13.4 15.2 5.8 10.7
32 Stream Geomorphology, Low Streamflow, and Stream Temperature, Mountaintop Coal-Mining Region Southern W.Va., 1999-2000

Table 7. Maximum, minimum, and mean water temperature in degrees Celsius, December 1999 through November 2000, at 

Spring Branch near Mud (03202410) in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia

[ - - , no value]

December January February March

Day Maximum

Minimum

Mean Maximum 

Minimum

Mean Maximum

Minimum

Mean Maximum

Minimum

Mean

1 -- -- -- 4.5 1.1 2.8 .2 -.1 .0 10.9 5.3 8.2

2 -- -- -- 7.0 3.7 5.3 .7 -.1 .1 9.4 5.1 7.2

3 -- -- -- 9.4 6.6 8.1 .7 -.1 .2 7.8 3.3 5.6

4 -- -- -- 10.2 4.9 8.6 1.1 .2 .4 9.8 4.5 6.4

5 -- -- -- 4.9 2.0 3.8 1.6 -.1 .5 10.9 3.7 6.8

6 -- -- -- 3.3 .7 1.8 1.1 -.1 .3 12.5 4.9 8.1

7 -- -- -- 3.7 1.1 2.0 2.8 -.1 1.0 13.7 5.3 9.0

8 -- -- -- 2.8 .2 1.6 3.3 -.1 1.0 15.2 7.0 10.4

9 -- -- -- 5.3 2.4 3.7 4.5 -.1 1.6 14.8 9.4 11.4

10 -- -- -- 7.0 3.7 5.0 5.3 .7 2.9 12.5 7.4 9.8

11 -- -- -- 6.2 3.1 4.5 5.3 3.7 4.8 9.4 7.8 8.6

12 -- -- -- 4.5 1.6 3.2 3.7 2.0 2.9 7.8 4.9 6.3

13 -- -- -- 6.2 2.2 4.8 6.8 2.4 4.6 8.2 3.7 5.8

14 -- -- -- 2.2 .2 .7 7.0 5.3 6.4 10.2 4.5 7.0

15 -- -- -- 1.8 -.1 .6 6.6 4.9 5.4 12.9 6.2 9.0

16 -- -- -- 5.3 1.8 3.7 9.0 5.3 6.8 10.6 9.0 9.6

17 -- -- -- 2.6 .2 .8 7.0 4.1 5.5 9.4 4.9 7.1

18 -- -- -- .7 .2 .5 9.0 5.8 7.5 8.6 3.7 6.2

19 -- -- -- 2.4 .7 1.4 8.2 5.8 6.7 10.6 6.6 8.2

20 -- -- -- 1.1 -.1 .8 6.6 5.8 6.0 10.2 8.2 8.9

21 -- -- -- -.1 -1.0 -.5 5.8 5.3 5.5 9.8 8.2 9.0

22 -- -- -- -.1 -1.4 -.6 7.8 4.9 6.1 12.5 7.4 9.3

23 2.8 .7 1.7 -.1 -.1 -.1 10.6 6.6 8.3 14.1 6.6 9.6

24 2.0 .2 1.1 .2 -.1 .1 10.9 7.0 8.9 15.2 7.4 10.7

25 .7 .2 .3 -.1 -.6 -.4 13.3 7.8 10.0 15.2 9.8 12.0

26 1.1 .2 .5 -.1 -.6 -.5 13.7 7.8 10.2 -- -- --

27 1.1 .2 .8 -.6 -1.9 -1.0 10.6 8.8 10.0 11.7 7.8 9.4

28 .7 .2 .6 -.1 -2.4 -1.2 10.6 5.5 7.7 10.2 7.0 8.0

29 2.0 .7 1.0 -.1 -1.0 -.5 10.6 3.7 6.6 12.5 6.2 8.5

30 3.3 .2 1.7 .2 -.1 -.1 -- -- -- 13.7 6.2 9.0

31 4.5 1.8 2.7 .2 -.1 .0 -- -- -- 14.1 5.3 8.9

Month -- -- -- 10.2 -2.4 1.9 13.7 -.1 4.8 -- -- --
Table 7 33

Table 7. Maximum, minimum, and mean water temperature in degrees Celsius, December 1999 through November 2000, at 

Spring Branch near Mud (03202410) in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia—Continued

[ - - , no value]

April May June July

Day Maximum

Minimum

Mean Maximum 

Minimum

Mean Maximum

Minimum

Mean Maximum

Minimum

Mean

1 4.8 4.9 9.3 16.3 9.0 12.4 18.9 15.5 16.8 -- -- --

2 12.9 10.6 11.6 17.1 12.5 13.9 15.5 11.6 13.6 -- -- --

3 15.6 11.3 13.1 17.4 10.2 13.4 18.6 10.9 14.8 -- -- --

4 12.1 8.2 10.2 17.4 13.7 15.0 19.8 14.8 16.9 -- -- --

5 12.5 7.4 9.4 18.2 13.7 15.6 20.9 15.9 17.7 -- -- --

6 14.4 8.6 10.8 15.6 6.2 9.6 20.9 17.1 18.1 -- -- --

7 16.3 9.4 12.2 14.1 5.3 8.9 -- -- -- 19.0 17.4 18.1

8 11.3 7.8 9.8 14.8 4.9 9.3 -- -- -- 17.8 15.6 16.8

9 12.1 6.6 8.8 12.9 10.6 11.6 -- -- -- 18.2 15.9 17.1

10 14.4 7.8 10.5 15.6 11.3 13.1 -- -- -- 20.2 17.4 18.3

11 11.3 9.4 10.3 12.1 8.6 10.3 -- -- -- 18.6 17.8 18.2

12 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 19.4 17.4 18.4

13 -- -- -- 19.0 16.7 17.4 -- -- -- 18.6 17.1 18.0

14 16.7 7.4 11.2 17.3 12.5 14.5 -- -- -- 18.6 17.1 18.0

15 15.9 10.6 12.7 15.2 10.2 12.5 -- -- -- 18.6 16.3 17.8

16 15.9 11.7 13.5 14.8 9.8 12.1 -- -- -- -- -- --

17 15.6 11.7 13.0 15.9 12.5 13.6 -- -- -- -- -- --

18 12.1 10.6 11.1 18.2 14.1 15.3 -- -- -- -- -- --

19 14.4 10.6 11.6 17.4 15.6 16.3 -- -- -- -- -- --

20 15.9 9.4 12.6 17.0 15.9 16.2 -- -- -- -- -- --

21 13.7 9.8 11.7 16.7 14.8 15.6 -- -- -- -- -- --

22 9.8 9.0 9.5 16.3 14.8 15.4 -- -- -- -- -- --

23 15.2 7.8 11.0 16.3 14.4 15.2 -- -- -- -- -- --

24 11.3 9.4 10.6 18.2 14.8 16.1 -- -- -- -- -- --

25 11.7 10.2 10.7 17.7 16.3 16.8 -- -- -- -- -- --

26 13.7 8.6 10.7 17.0 12.9 15.0 -- -- -- 19.8 18.6 19.2

27 14.1 7.8 10.6 16.7 14.8 15.4 -- -- -- 19.0 18.2 18.5

28 13.7 8.6 11.0 15.7 14.4 14.8 -- -- -- 19.0 17.8 18.3

29 14.1 9.8 11.6 14.8 13.7 14.1 -- -- -- 19.0 18.2 18.6

30 15.6 8.6 11.6 18.2 13.7 15.4 -- -- -- 20.5 18.6 19.5

31 -- -- -- 19.4 15.6 17.1 -- -- -- 20.2 19.0 19.4

Month -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
34 Stream Geomorphology, Low Streamflow, and Stream Temperature, Mountaintop Coal-Mining Region Southern W.Va., 1999-2000

Table 7. Maximum, minimum, and mean water temperature in degrees Celsius, December 1999 through November 2000, at 

Spring Branch near Mud (03202410) in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia—Continued

[ - - , no value]

August September October November

Day Maximum

Minimum

Mean Maximum 

Minimum

Mean Maximum

Minimum

Mean Maximum

Minimum

Mean

1 20.9 19.0 19.9 20.9 18.6 19.2 14.4 14.1 14.2 10.2 8.2 9.2

2 19.8 18.2 19.0 20.5 19.0 19.6 15.9 14.1 14.4 10.9 8.2 9.4

3 19.4 17.4 18.5 20.5 19.4 19.9 15.6 14.1 14.6 11.7 10.2 10.8

4 18.6 16.7 17.8 20.9 19.4 19.8 15.6 14.1 14.8 11.7 10.9 11.3

5 18.6 17.1 17.7 20.3 18.2 19.0 15.6 14.4 15.0 11.0 8.6 9.5

6 18.6 17.1 17.9 18.6 16.3 17.4 15.3 14.8 15.1 10.2 7.0 8.4

7 19.0 17.4 18.5 18.6 15.9 16.9 14.8 12.5 13.2 11.3 10.2 10.7

8 19.4 17.1 18.3 18.2 17.1 17.6 12.6 10.6 11.6 12.1 10.6 11.2

9 19.0 17.4 18.5 18.2 17.4 17.9 11.4 10.2 10.9 12.8 11.7 12.0

10 19.8 18.2 18.9 20.2 17.8 18.2 11.7 10.6 11.0 12.9 9.0 10.6

11 19.4 17.1 18.1 19.1 18.2 18.7 11.7 9.4 10.5 10.2 9.0 9.4

12 19.0 16.3 17.8 19.0 18.6 18.7 11.7 9.0 10.1 10.2 7.4 8.7

13 19.0 16.7 17.9 19.0 18.2 18.6 11.3 9.0 10.1 10.6 8.2 9.1

14 19.8 17.4 18.4 18.6 17.8 18.1 11.7 9.4 10.3 9.8 8.2 8.9

15 -- -- -- 18.6 17.1 17.7 11.7 10.2 10.9 9.0 8.2 8.4

16 -- -- -- 17.1 15.6 16.2 12.1 10.6 11.3 9.4 7.8 8.4

17 -- -- -- 15.9 14.8 15.4 12.9 12.1 12.3 9.4 7.4 8.6

18 -- -- -- 15.9 15.2 15.5 14.4 12.5 13.5 7.4 7.0 7.2

19 -- -- -- 15.9 15.6 15.7 13.0 10.9 11.8 7.8 7.0 7.4

20 -- -- -- 15.9 15.2 15.6 12.5 10.6 11.5 7.4 6.6 7.0

21 -- -- -- 15.9 15.6 15.7 12.9 11.3 12.0 6.7 5.8 6.3

22 -- -- -- 15.6 14.8 15.3 13.3 12.5 12.7 5.8 4.5 5.1

23 -- -- -- 15.9 15.6 15.7 13.3 12.1 12.7 6.2 4.5 5.4

24 19.4 18.2 18.7 16.3 15.9 16.1 13.3 12.5 12.9 7.0 4.9 5.7

25 20.5 18.6 19.2 16.3 14.8 15.8 13.7 12.9 13.3 7.4 6.2 6.6

26 19.9 18.2 19.0 15.2 14.1 14.4 14.1 13.3 13.7 7.0 7.0 7.0

27 20.5 18.2 19.1 14.4 13.3 13.8 14.1 12.9 13.5 7.4 6.2 7.0

28 19.9 18.6 19.1 14.4 13.3 13.8 14.1 12.9 13.5 7.4 5.3 6.3

29 20.2 17.4 18.5 14.8 13.7 14.1 13.4 10.6 11.3 7.4 5.3 6.3

30 19.8 17.4 18.6 14.4 13.7 14.1 10.9 9.0 10.0 6.7 5.8 6.3

31 19.4 18.2 18.8 -- -- -- 10.6 8.6 9.5 -- -- --

Month -- -- -- 20.9 13.3 16.8 15.9 8.6 12.3 12.9 4.5 8.3