Cresson Acid Mine Drainage Abatement Project

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Conservation and Restoration contracted GAI Consultants, Inc. to design an Acid Mine Drainage Treatment Facility located in Cresson Township, Cambria County.  The purpose of the project was to mitigate pollution from abandoned mine discharge and provide additional capacity during periods of reduced stream flow. Sci-Tek performed a geotechnical exploration and provided hydrologic and hydraulic engineering and flood analysis.

For the geotechnical exploration , Sci-Tek:

• Observed that the drilling work was in general conformance with applicable standards.
• Visually described and logged the soil and rock samples obtained noting subsurface conditions relative to the type, depth, and distribution of materials encountered.
• Selected representative samples of soil and rock recovered for laboratory testing.
• Developed typed logs of the subsurface data obtained at the test boring locations.
• Estimated the soil engineering parameters for the materials encountered.
• Evaluated foundation considerations based on the data obtained.
• Prepared a geotechnical report, which contained conclusions and recommendations.

For the hydrologic and hydraulic engineering and flood analysis Sci-Tek provided:

• A flood analysis of Clearfield Creek and local tributaries which included a 100 Year floodplain analysis of approximately 9,200 linear feet of Trapp Run, a 100 Year flood plain analysis of approximately 1,800 linear feet of Clearfield Creek, and analysis of alternatives of approximately 1,000 linear feet from the treatment facility to the main channel of Trapp Run for the conveyance of treatment discharge.
• Hydrologic calculations to estimate peak flow rates for the design and 100 year frequencies at 7 points of hydrologic interest.
• Hydraulic analysis including a hydraulic field reconnaissance and documentation of site conditions with photographs of the downstream structures, main channels and floodplains. The analysis will evaluate existing and proposed flood water surface elevations, velocities, and the potential impacts to the three structures located in the analysis.
• A Hydrologic and Hydraulic Evaluation Report