Aaron's Run acid mine drainage mitigation project
Prepared by Ken Pavol

Aaron’s Run is a tributary to the Savage River tailwater area. It enters the Savage less than a mile from the confluence of the Savage and the North Branch Potomac.  Water quality in Aaron’s Run is affected by acid mine drainage (AMD) pollution from old abandoned strip mines, and it’s flow affects water quality in the Savage downstream of the mouth of Aaron’s Run.  The result is a measurable reduction in trout standing crops in the affected area of the Savage. Aaron’s Run has long been a priority for AMD mitigation efforts. Improved water quality in Aaron’s Run will benefit wild trout populations in the Savage, and may also permit trout to establish a population in Aaron’s Run as well.

The Maryland Bureau of Mines (BOM) has obtained a 100K grant from the Eastern Joint Brook Trout Venture for use in an AMD mitigation project on the Aaron’s Run watershed. 75K will be used for stream restoration and 25K for passive AMD treatment systems.  Passive AMD treatment systems are a category of AMD mitigation methods that include systems like anoxic drains and SAPS (successive alkaline producing systems). The work supported by the EBTJV grant will be part of a larger effort to address AMD problems in the Aaron’s Run watershed that will cost about $1,000,000.  Two of the worst AMD sources are located on the Owens’ property.  Construction design is complete and work may proceed on the Owens’ North component this fall. Owens’ South will be completed in 2008.  Both projects will utilize passive AMD treatment systems to treat AMD seeps that the BOM describes as “hot”, or highly acidic.

The other component of the restoration effort in the Aaron’s Run watershed is located on the Wassle property.  This work will include stream stabilization on Aaron’s Run, passive AMD treatment, as well as a lime doser. Lime dosers dispense a slurry of a neutralizing agent (usually a form of calcium carbonate) and water into the AMD affected stream to neutralize the AMD pollution and raise pH.  Dosers are an active form of treatment in that they require continuing maintenance and materials. Construction is planned for fall 2008.