using weep berms to control water quality by richard warner and greg higgins
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
SME/ARIESENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS IN
ENERGY PRODUCTION
RICHARD WARNERUNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
GREG HIGGINS MANAGER - MIDDLEFORK DEVELOPMENT
CORP.
SEPTEMBER 23 , 2015
Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality
![Page 2: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Briefing Outline
Overview of Current Mining Methods Cost-effective and Environmentally-protective
Innovative Methods Utilized in OSM Experimental Practice Drill Core Strata & Screening-level Assessment Isolation of Problem Strata Design and Construct Weep Berms Re-establish Hardwood Forest (FRA) Environmental and Community Protection
![Page 3: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
MFDC – Weep Berm
![Page 4: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Profitability and Sustainability
Companies that Successfully Implement a High-Level Sustainable Mining Operation are More Profitable than those that don’t* Be protective of your communities Be protective of your environment
Yes, cost savings and environmental and community protection can all be achieved
Investing now in such measures generates opportunities to have a license to operate in the future.
*Harvard Business School study 1992 - 2010
![Page 5: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Completely Change Engineering Design Philosophy
Current: Gather Runoff to Central Locations Passive treatment Discharge
Needed Change: Mimic Nature - Keep Runoff Spatially Distributed Passive treatment Discharge at multiple locations Incorporate the natural environment as a secondary
passive treatment system
![Page 6: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
PROFITABLECOST SAVINGS
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
COMMUNITY PROTECTION
A Case Study: Incorporating U.S. OSM Experimental Practice on a Appalachian Surface Coal Mine
![Page 7: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Current Mining Methods - Appalachia
Insert Greg’s 877-0179
![Page 8: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
PRESENT METHOD : Valley Fill
![Page 9: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
OSM Experimental Practice Mining Innovations
X
X
XX
X
X
X
X
![Page 10: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Attributes Disposition
6 Valley Fills 6 Sediment Ponds 40 Bench Ponds 13,000 ft Stream Covered by
Spoil 252 ac Bonded 46 KPDES Monitoring Locations ACOE 404 Permit Water Quality Liabilities Flooding Liability Substantial Reclamation Cost Compacted Spoil with Grass
100 % Eliminated 100 % Eliminated 100 % Eliminated Zero ft Stream Loss
Reduced to Bonding 190 ac 2 KPDES Monitoring Locations Not Needed ~Forest Water Quality No Flooding Potential Minimal Reclamation Cost Multi-use Forested/Grass
Watershed
Cost Savings and Environmental Protection
![Page 11: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
$7 TO $9/COAL TON
Cost Savings
![Page 12: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Weep Berm US OSM Experimental Practice
Weep BermEngineered Earthen Berm with Multiple
OutletsPassively Slowly Discharges to Down-gradient
Forest
![Page 13: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
StreamForest
Check Dam
Check Dam
OutletStructures
Watershed Area SedimentDitch
WeepBerm
Check Dam
L
Sediment Laden Runoff
Weep Berm
Forest
![Page 14: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Advantages of a Weep Berm
Cost Effective to ConstructSlow Passive Seepage into Forest through Multiple
Outlets (660 – MFDC)Sedimentation in Weep Berm and Close Proximity
Forest Zero Sediment Transported to Stream
Hydrology – Mining and Reclamation Sustainability Attenuates peak flow - eliminates flooding Complete storage and infiltration of small rainfall
events (less than 1 in – design depended) Increases base flow
Water Quality - Mining and Reclamation SustainabilityReduction of specific conductivity to pre-mining levels
Reduction of selenium to pre-mining levels
![Page 15: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Weep Berm Performance
Georgia (USA) – Construction Site - Storm Water and Sediment Control (GA DNR funded)
Georgia – 2 Construction Sites, Comparison of Weep Berm and Silt Fence ( US EPA Region IV funded)
Peru (copper and zinc mines) – Treatment of Sediment and Metals (several mines) (Newmont (2) and Antamina)
Ghana ( 2 gold mines) –Sediment and Metals (Newmont)Panama (copper) –Sediment (Minera Panama)Democratic Republic of the Congo – Sediment (Freeport
McMoran - copper)Philippines – Sediment (Xstrata – coal)KY – Passive Water Treatment (sediment, pathogens and
nutrients) – horse muck composting facility (KY USDA funded)
KY – Passive Water Treatment (sediment, pathogens and nutrients) – horse muck storage facility (privately funded)
![Page 16: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
August 2000
© Surface Mining Institute
![Page 17: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
![Page 18: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Weep Berm - Panama
![Page 19: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Runoff – Panama (5.5 to 6 m/yr Rainfall)
![Page 20: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
![Page 21: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
![Page 22: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
![Page 23: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
TFM – Democratic Republic of the Congo
![Page 24: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
TFM – DRC – Demonstration Weep Berm
![Page 25: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Combination Contour Weep Berm – Grass Filter25
![Page 26: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Excavator Weep Berm Construction(Middle Fork Development Corp.)
![Page 27: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Weep Berm – No Rock Lens
![Page 28: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Weep Berm with Rock Lens
![Page 29: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Storm Containment
![Page 30: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Seepage Through Rock Lens
![Page 31: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
![Page 32: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
MFDC – Weep Berm
![Page 33: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
MFDC – Weep Berm
![Page 34: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
MFDC – Weep Berm
![Page 35: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
EarthWorks Weep Berm Design Steps
AutoCAD drawing with 3-D polylines (topography) and mine plan
Define working areaGenerates TIN and GIS gridSelect Weep Berm control structureStart point and end point (or length)Input weep berm and rock lens parametersGenerates AutoCAD drawing and catchment
(area, Tc),cut/fill, stage-area-capacity-dischargeSeamless export to SEDCAD
![Page 36: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
Contour Weep Berm Design Using Rock Outlets for Discharge
![Page 37: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
Schematic of EarthWorks Discharge Options
![Page 38: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
EarthWorks Weep Berm Inputs
![Page 39: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
EarthWorks Rock Outlet Input Options
![Page 40: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
EarthWorks Automatic Design
![Page 41: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
Contour Weep Berm Design with Excavation - Inputs
![Page 42: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
EarthWorks Automatic Design
![Page 43: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
Seamless Export to SEDCAD
Area and TcStage-Area-Capacity-DischargeAdd CN and UHSAdd sedimentologic parametersDesign CompletedPeak flow in/outPeak stageSediment depositionTSS in/outSettleable solids in/out
![Page 44: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
How Well Do Weep Berms Work?
HydrologicalSedimentologicStabilityConductivity
![Page 45: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
Current Valley Fill - Conductivity
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
0.00
500.00
1,000.00
1,500.00
2,000.00
2,500.00
10/17/2012 11/6/2012 11/26/2012 12/16/2012 1/5/2013 1/25/2013 2/14/2013 3/6/2013
Rain
fall
(inch
)
Cond
uctiv
ity
Date
Daily Rainfall
Instantaneous Conductivity
Avg Daily Conductivity
![Page 46: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/46.jpg)
Middle Fork – Monitoring Locations
![Page 47: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/47.jpg)
Maximum Depth of Water – Period of Monitoring Record
![Page 48: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/48.jpg)
Weep Berm % Time Water Discharged over Entire Monitoring Period
![Page 49: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/49.jpg)
Weep Berm - Average EC Discharged
![Page 50: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/50.jpg)
Middle Fork - Hydrology
![Page 51: Using Weep Berms to Control Water Quality by Richard Warner and Greg Higgins](https://reader031.vdocuments.us/reader031/viewer/2022030310/58f0b4a81a28ab9e078b45fd/html5/thumbnails/51.jpg)