Water, Geological & Geospatial Branch (WGGB)
The Water, Geological & Geospatial Branch (WGGB) provides technical assistance to our customers: OSMRE Headquarters and Field Offices, other Federal agencies, State Regulatory Authorities, local governments, non-Government organizations, academia, professional organizations, and the public. WGGB is composed of scientists and technical experts of varying backgrounds. WGGB technical expertise is available in the following fields: acid and toxic mine drainage and remediation, geographic information system (GIS), geochemistry, geology, geomorphology, geotechnical, hydrology, remote sensing, and imagery processing.
WGGB also provides technical advice to its customers, teaches technical classes under the National Technical Training Program (NTTP), provides technical support to the Technical Innovation and Professional Services (TIPS) program, performs special studies, and oversees research contracts.
Scientific investigations
WGGB staff conducts scientific investigations in:
Hydrologic Assessment
An abandoned underground mine discharge in Pennsylvania where a hydrologist is using a flume to measure the open channel flow.
A hydrologist measuring and monitoring a well.
- Barnes & Tucker Lancashire 15
- Brandy Camp
- Fairmont Mine Pool
- North Branch Potomac River Mine Pool
- Upper Little Conemaugh River Basin
Acid Mine Drainage
The outflow of acidic water from metal mines or coal mines.
Geology
Rockfall Event - Technical assistance was provided to the Federal Reclamation Program (FRP) in the assessment and reclamation of a rock fall that posed a hazard to students waiting for a school bus.
Refuse Material Mitigation - Refuse pile was re-processed by the PA Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation to remediate acid mine drainage.
Assistance to the AML Program
AML Emergency Project Assistance - Technical assistance was provided by OSMRE engineers to the Federal Reclamation Program in a landslide caused by an underground mine discharge near Pittsburgh, PA.
