Land and Water Reclamation of the Copper Basin of Tennessee

Abstract.  In its voluntary remediation of the Tennessee Copper Basin, Glenn Springs Holdings commenced operation in January, 2005 of a hydrated lime chemical treatment plant with perhaps the world’s largest capacity (436,000 gpm/970 cfs/1650 cubic meters/minute) for treatment of acid flow. Meeting its objective of protecting the Ocoee River from acidity and metal contaminants while the North Potato Creek Watershed is being ameliorated by remedial actions, the plant treats the base flow and storm flow from the entire 15 square mile (3900 hectare) watershed.  The process employs a novel approach of adding highly mineralized mine pit water to the relatively mild acidic creek flow to improve neutralization and metal flocculation efficiency. Once neutralized, the combined flow enters a 20 acre (8 hectare) mine pit for retention and clarification before flowing to the Ocoee River. Davis Mill Creek is also neutralized by a separate, conventional lime plant. Together, these chemical treatment plants protect the Ocoee as cleanup efforts in the Copper Basin progress. With this protection in place, Glenn Springs continues to implement its adaptive water management strategy: characterize drainage and influences, divert unaffected drainage, capture and treat affected drainage, sequester acid producing materials, mitigate remaining problems with passive systems, and evaluate with biologic indicators.  

Additional Key Words:  Ducktown TN, acid mine drainage, Ocoee River, chemical neutralization, passive treatment systems.