8/9/2019 Sediment Challenges for Wild Mountains

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8/9/2019 Sediment Challenges for Wild Mountains

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WWHEREHERE DDOESOES IITT CCOMEOME FFROMROM??The main sourceThe main source

of pollution thatof pollution that

enters the riversenters the rivers

and streams ofand streams of

West Virginia isWest Virginia is

sediment due tosediment due to

roadroad

construction.construction.

Large, small,Large, small,

access, and recreation roads, asaccess, and recreation roads, as

well as growth and development,well as growth and development,

all contribute to the sedimentall contribute to the sediment

challenges in West Virginia.challenges in West Virginia.

CCONSTRUCTIONONSTRUCTION

The main sources ofThe main sources of

sediment in West Virginia comesediment in West Virginia come

from new development, updatingfrom new development, updating

and building of new highways,and building of new highways,

roads used for various purposes,roads used for various purposes,

and agriculture.and agriculture.

Where Does It Come From?Where Does It Come From?Where Does It Come From?IIITTTSSSJUSTJUSTJUSTAAALITTLELITTLELITTLEDIRTDIRTDIRT!!!

Why isWhy isWhy is muddymuddymuddy

water a problem?water a problem?water a problem?

QQUALITYUALITYOFOF WWATERATER

* Once sediment

enters the stream,toxins, nutrients, and

other pollutants can degrade the water

quality of the stream. This has impacts

on plants, animals, and humans.

FFISHISH HHABITATABITAT

* Turbidity (mud) in water can clogfish gills and cover benthic (bottom)

habitat, both of which can reduce fish

populations.

FFLOODINGLOODING

* Loss of

vegetation alongstreams and steep banks

allow sediment to flow

directly into streams.

* Vegetation on

slopes slow water

flow, decreasingflooding.

FACTSFACTSFACTSRRUNOFFUNOFF NNUMBERSUMBERS

By Volume, Sediment is

the largest water pollutant in

West Virginia. Lack of

vegetation, steep slopes andincreased runoff can cause a

thousand fold increase in the

rate of erosion.

On construction sites,

erosion rates can run into

hundreds of tons per acre. A

specific example of soil loss

within a particular watershed is

an estimated 4100 tons per year

from 155 miles of abandoned

resource extraction roads .