CHEMICAL AND FISHERY RESPONSES TO MITIGATIVE LIMING OF AN ACIDIC STREAM, DOGWAY FORK, WEST-VIRGINIA

Limestone neutralization of the acidic water of Dogway Fork in West Vi rginia resulted in significant improvements in both water quality and fish populations, Pretreatment water chemistry showed the stream to be highly acidified by acid precipitation, with pH under 5.0 and high al uminum concentrations. During treatment, tile goals for the target are a of pH 6.5 and acid-neutralizing capacity of 50 mu meq/L were met for 75.8% and 67% of the time, respectively. A pH 6.0 or above was mainta ined over 93% of the time, Monomeric aluminum concentrations were redu ced significantly, and calcium to hydrogen ionic ratios were over 10 i n the target area. Prior to treatment, no resident fish population was found in Dogway Fork. During five years of treatment, conditions were favorable for fish reproduction and survival. Eight fish species inha bited the stream, six were reproducing there, and a fishable brook tro ut population was established.