The control of erosion and sedimentation from disturbed lands is a subject of increasing interest, particularly in the area of surface mining. Because of the hydrologic conditions and steep terrain in Appalachia, a large share of the eroded material comes from surface mines, largely controlled through the use of sedimentation ponds. With the passage of the 1977 Clean Water Act which has a specific effluent limitation of total suspended solids from surface mine sedimentation basins, the Environmental Protection Agency has mandated that sediment basins be designed to achieve a specific effluent quality. Two methods for achieving this goal have been investigated during this study: physical modifications to sediment basin design parameters and the use of chemical coagulants. As a result of this study, methods have been determined for upgrading sediment pond efficiencies by physical modifications and coagulant usage.

"Skelly and Loy." "Resource Extraction and Handling Division, Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory." Apr. 1980. Contract no. 68-03-2677." Includes bibliographical references (pages 109-111).