Brubaker Run enters Clearfield Creek at Dean, about 5 miles north of Ashville. This tributary is the largest acid source entering the southern half of Clearfield Creek. Above Brubaker Run, Clearfield Creek has some fish and a moderate level of stream "bugs" or macroinvertebrates. Below Brubaker Run for about 12 miles to at least Flinton, Clearfield Creek is nearly dead. For these reasons, the Clearfield Creek Watershed Association regards Brubaker Run as its highest priority for remediation.
The Brubaker Run drainage has been extensively mined both at the surface and underground for coal and clay. Three abandoned clay mines are the major sources of acid, but many smaller sources exist. Currently, acid from two abandoned clay mines is being treated by E.P. Bender Coal Co., and several small acid discharges are being treated by Cooney Bros. Coal Co., but one major abandoned discharge from the underground Dean Clay Mine flows untreated into Brubaker Run. Watershed volunteers have monitored the Clay Mine discharge since 2002. The flow from the abandoned underground clay mine is 200 to 300 gal/min with pH 3.1 and 180 mg/L iron, 13-25 mg/L aluminum and an acidity of 300 to 700 mg/L as CaCO3.
In 2005, the Clearfield Creek Watershed Association received a contract from the Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation of PA DEP to investigate methods of remediating the Clay Mine discharge. We acquired a detailed map of the mine through the generosity of Sam Lansberry of Woodland, PA. This map showed a previously unknown branch of the mine, the 'D Stope'.
In 2006 we conducted extensive drilling and sampling to investigate the exact position of the mine, the possibility of mine sealing, and the source of the water. The report on the project recommends a small amount of further work to verify the source of water from the D Stope, leading to treatment of the water.
Further studies in 2012-14 showed that an active treatment plant had about the same long-term cost as a passive system, so in 2015 we are planning to select an engineering firm to design and permit such a plant.
In 2015, a proposal for design of a treatment system was submitted.
We look forward to the day that this acid can be stopped and Clearfield Creek can recover.