The abandoned Brinkerton Mine and Hecla #1 mine produce the hallmark discharges of the Sewickley Creek Watershed.
This site is located in the upper Sewickley Creek Watershed in Mt. Pleasant Township.
Discharge from the mine pool at this site has been emanating approximately 4,000 gpm for
nearly four decades, severely degrading downstream water quality. This discharge has naturally
improved to a net alkaline discharge over the past three decades.
The Sewickley Creek Watershed Association has purchased 52 acres in this area, including
a 25-year lease on wetlands, designed a treatment system, procured funding, delineated the
site, and began building a system. The discharge level has been raised and moved from its
original channel into a series of diked channels. An aeration system is currently being
installed at the site to increase the oxidation of the discharge water to speed up the
deposition of the iron oxide. Work continues.
The long term goal of the Association at this site is to reduce pollution to the stream,
and develop an environmentally sensitive recreational area.
