The use of coal is increasing as a source of fuel for small, industrial boilers with exhaust gases vented to relatively short stacks. Conversions by gas or oil users to coal fired boilers, increase the amount of pollutants that are emitted to the air and enhance the importance of adequately predicting the ground level pollutant concentration due to the source. Accounting for the rise of the plume and the presence of stack aerodynamic effects on the plume has become critical. This paper discusses the history of the development of analytical techniques for determining the rise of a plume after its release, particularly when the physical stack structure inhibits the rise of the plume. Also, an algorithm is presented that represents state-of-the-art methodologies for determining the plume rise. The methodology uses parameters which are generally available to the air quality scientist.