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Applied Geomorphology Hydrologic Design Considerations to theStabilization and Reclamation ofMining Disturbed Lands

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30 Years: Changes in GeomorphicThought Applied to the Reclamation ofDisturbed Lands

A Continuum of Changes Engineering approaches and hard fixes

Riprap

Concrete

Steel

To a pure Geomorphic approach, coupled with

soft bio-fixes Vegetation retardance

Template design

Large Woody Debris

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Permanent ChannelDiversion: Use of

Culverts as Grade Controls

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Failure of 1968 ChannelDiversion: Little Medicine

Bow River

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Downstream Impact ofFailed Channel

Diversion

Depth of Downcutting30 to 40 feet

Two Deaths

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Channel Breach into Mine Pit-Failed Levee

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Revegetation Efforts to StabilizeFailed Breach

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Three Phase Approach - Reclamationof Mining Disturbed Lands

1. Qualitative Geomorphology

2. Quantitative Engineering Analysis

3. Final Design and Construction

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Three Phase Approach - Reclamationof Mining Disturbed Lands-Phase 1

1. Qualitative Geomorphic Evaluation of thePremining Landscape and Hydrologic Features

Establish Design Basis for Channel Stability

Controlling Variables in Slope Stability Define Your Mines Physical Position Within the

Landscape

Define Morphometric Parameters Which will beImportant in Predictive Modeling

Consider Impact of Mining on Defined Variables

Consider Opportunities

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Drainage Pattern Analysis

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Second Order Basin ReclamationCordero Mine

(courtesy of Rio Tinto)

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Field Data Collection

Geomorphic Observations

Existing Channel Geometry

Natural Grade Controls and GeologicInformation

Material Quality (overburden drilling)

Topsoil Characteristics and Handling Flow Gaging and Rating

Sediment Sampling (Bars and Banks)

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SEDIMENT SAMPLINGArmor and Subarmor AnalysisWolman CountParticle Size Analysis

Sediment Routing by Size FractionAtterberg Limits of Bank Material

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Understanding the Importance ofSlope Morphology toErosion and Sedimentation

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Acidic Spoils Slope OverlookingFailed Reclamation

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Office Analysis of Data

Historical Air Photograph Interpretation

Base Mapping and Photogrammetry

Horton Analysis of Basins

Morphometric Analysis of Watershed

Landform Stability Correlations to Gradient, SlopeAspect and Slope Shape

USGS and Baseline Gaging Data (water andsediment)

Soils Mapping Data

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Historical Air Photo

Analysis

Review of HistoricalPatterns

Planform

Sinuosity, Length,Width

Channel Geometry

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Hydraulic GeometryCharacteristics

Upstream (or Template)Reach

Downstream Reach

Reconstructed Reach

Leopold and Maddock,

1953 relationsVelocity vs. Discharge

Top Width vs. Discharge

Depth vs. Discharge

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Three Phase Approach - Reclamationof Mining Disturbed Lands-Phase 2

2. Detailed Engineering Analysis IntegratingGeomorphology with Hydraulic and SedimentTransport Analysis

Hydrology and Geomorphic Models

Integrate Previously Developed Baseline and GeomorphicTrend Data into Modeling Effort

Earthwork Models (Digital Terrain Model) Balance Landscape and Land Feature Design with Mining

Economics (earthworks, slope stability, haul distances andcost)

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There is an Abundance ofCOMPUTER MODELS Out There!!

Dont Let Your Pre-Occupation withImprovements in Numerical Methods, UserFriendliness or Other Peripheral Considerations

Allow You to Lose Sight of REALITY

REALITY IS THE PHYSICAL PROCESS OF

LANDFORM DEVELOPMENT and ALLUVIALCHANNEL FORMATION

Calibrate Your Model to Your PhysicalObservations!

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Reality Check

Calibration Use the baseline data, which you collected

Compare hydrology against regional regressions, historicgaging

Compare hydraulics to field or gaging data, known floodlevels or field observations

Sensitivity Analysis

Adjust select parameters like CN, mannings n, channelgrade or baselevel

Vegetation retardance (early reclamation versus latereclamation)

Verification Use monitoring data (sediment yield, profile changes)

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Develop WatershedHydrology

Example: 160 square mile basin Shirley Mountains to Shirley

Basin

Q100= 4721 cfs Q10=1438 cfs Q5= 783 cfs Q2=319 cfs

Compared results to

regional regressions andgage/basin area reductionmethods

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Basin Delivery:Water and Sediment

HEC RAS H d li St d

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HEC-RAS Hydraulic StudyComparison of Reach

Hydraulics

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Three Phase Approach - Reclamationof Mining Disturbed Lands-Phase 3

3. Final Engineering Design andConstruction

Earthwork balance with defined balancepoints

Simplicity

Operator (contractor) buy-in Revegetation

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Slope Shaping and Reclamation

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Revegetation Efforts:Scarifying, Pitting and Seeding

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Upper Reach West Fork Kicken Draw

Caballo Rojo Mine, Powder River Basin

Final Reclamation of Mine

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Final Reclamation of MinePit Impoundment

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Reconstructed Wetlands-Cordero MinePowder River Basin

Little Medicine Bow

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Little Medicine BowAbove Reclamation Area

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Reconstructed Little Medicine Bow River

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Little Medicine Bow River5 Years Later

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Little Medicine Bow River12 Years Later

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Questions??

Develop Design Concept: Sediment Transfer andPressure Relief

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Pressure Relief

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