Cheat River in middle of a “rebirth”

Cheat Canyon near High Falls, photo credit Kent Mason

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — More than a decade of efforts, along with federal funding, have contributed to what’s being called a rebirth of the Cheat River.

“A lot of folks at the state level and local level in cooperation with the EPA have really focused on the Cheat to turn the story around,” explained Jon Capacasa, Director for Water Protection Division of EPA’s Mid Atlantic Region. “Their efforts are paying off.”

Parts of the goals of the non-profit Friends of the Cheat are being met through Clean Water Act funds.

“Cheat River restoration efforts have received more than $5.1 million in support. $2.6 million of that is from EPA’s non point source program. It’s a Clean Water Act program that funds projects to reduce pollution from area sources,” Capacasa added.

Friends of the Cheat released an update that detailed the toll acid mine drainage took on the river.

“The recovery has been dramatic since 1994 when, in the first of two incidents, torrents of polluted water from an illegally-sealed underground mine blew out a hillside and poured into Muddy Creek and then the Cheat River, turning the river orange for 16 miles on the way to Cheat Lake, killing everything in its aquatic path, and bringing greater attention to a history of AMD problems affecting the Cheat.”

Capacasa said funding has helped pay for a passive treatment system.

“Limestone rocks are used to neutralize the acid coming out of these abandoned mines so that before they hit the stream they are made more minimal to aquatic life and the health of the stream.”

Significant changes are noticeable from the work that was underway from 2000 to 2013.

“Restoration work there has reduced acid mine drainage related pollution more than 1.7 million pounds,” Capacasa noted. “More neutral water is more amenable wildlife and aquatic life to survive in.”

Today, the Cheat is host to bass fishing tournaments, a healthy perch population and even pollution-sensitive walleye, according to Friends of the Cheat.

All the while, outdoor enthusiasts are coming back to the Cheat for the thrill of the rapids.

“It means a lot of local outfitters are and small businesses are benefitting with huge numbers of recreational users that are coming back to the river, Capacasa said. “It’s a great economic engine not just a clean water story.”