Geomorphic landform reclamation (GMLR) is used to return land that has been disrupted by surface mining to the natural structure that existed pre-mining.  Instead of creating a homogeneous ecosystem, as is typical of traditional reclamation techniques, GMLR creates a topology similar to surrounding undisturbed land in order to promote heterogeneous ecosystems and minimize the impact of erosion and sedimentation.

Don't believe me?  Well then, hit that button down there and let some WVU professors explain it!

GMLR stands as an attractive alternative to traditional post-mining reclamation techniques.  GMLR mimics a natural, mature landscape that is already geomorphically balanced.  This means that the effects of erosion and sedimentation due to improper drainage designs are reduced which saves mining companies money that would be spent on maintenance of sediment control systems.   My research is focused on GMLR at mountaintop removal mine sites.

Mountaintop removal mining is practiced mainly in the Appalachian region of America with the majority of the mines in Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia.  In mountaintop removal mining coal companies will reach coal seams buried underneath a mountain by removing the mountain in layers until they reach the coal seams.  The excess rock, dirt, and stone is known as spoil and this spoil is oftentimes placed into a nearby valley, a process known as valley filling.  Valley filling is bad, m'kay, because it, um, buries stream headwaters, m'kay, and often results in excessive concentrations of metals in downstream waters, m'kay?  

Current reclamation techniques attempt to restore the mountain to Approximate Original Contour.

If coal companies don't want to do this or the volume of spoil is too large to they may apply for a permit to perform Approximate Original Contour Variance aka valley filling. 

Valley fills are created by placing excess spoil at the headwaters of steams in nearby valleys.  Built for long-term stability, valley fills are constructed with a 2 to 1 slope, 20 ft. horizontal benches every 50 vertical feet, and channels along the edge to direct flow away from the valley fill face.

Valley fills are often subject to excess erosion due to the failure of the drainage ditches to re-direct flow, causing a buildup of sediment and impacting down-steam water quality.