HELEN, W.Va. — The Office of Abandoned Mine Lands and Reclamation at the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection is investigating discolored water discharging from an abandoned mine in southern West Virginia.
The discharge originates near the community of Helen in Raleigh County. The receiving stream is Berry Branch of Winding Gulf. Black discoloration has been observed in the Guyandotte River, downstream to the community of Allen Junction, approximately seven miles from the point of origin.
According to WVDEP, water flow through underground mines can change due to geologic failures or fluctuations in amount of water in the mine, and changes in flow patterns can cause stagnant portions of a pool within the mine to move, resulting in flushing of accumulated material.
Water samples have been collected for laboratory analysis. The discoloration reportedly has decreased, since first being reported on Saturday.
WVDEP staff at the scene have investigated adjacent permitted mining operations, and do not believe those mines are contributing to the discoloration.