Mine

Deckers Creek is a scenic tributary to the Monongahela River in north central West Virginia. From its headwaters outside the historic town of Arthurdale, Deckers Creek meanders through Preston County into Monongalia County where it descends through a steep scenic gorge. This beautiful section of Deckers Creek is filled with waterfalls, boulders, and rock slides, contains world class kayaking, and is frequented by kayakers, rock climbers, bikers, and swimmers. From here, Deckers Creek passes through several communities and into Morgantown, where it empties into the Monongahela River.

Over the years, Deckers creek has been degraded by numerous pollutants. These pollutants include, but are not limited to, acid mine drainage (AMD), bacteria from combined sewage overflows, heavy metals, sediment, trash, and general abandonment, which negatively impact the 64-square mile watershed. The biggest threat to the watershed is AMD. This product, of abandoned coal mines, destroys the environmental quality of Deckers Creek and its tributaries, turns the waters red-orange, and creates acid conditions in which fish and macroinvertebrates cannot live.

(courtesty of www.deckerscreek.org)


It's sad when you think about how the rocks got so orange, though they contrast nicely with the greens in the water and foliage. Efforts are being made to clean up this beautiful creek, but it's still dirty and foul smelling, and its banks are lined with trash.

Upper falls of Deckers Creek
Masontown, WV


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