Physical-Chemical Recovery of a Montane Stream After Remediation of Acid Mine Drainage: Timing and Extent After Turning off the Tap.

We monitored physical-chemical conditions in the North Fork of Clear Creek in Colorado (USA) before, during, and after the start of remediation (lime treatment) to remove metals from two major inputs of acid mine drainage (AMD) water. In addition, we analyzed historical monitoring data that extended back more than two decades. Concentration-discharge (C-D) and load-discharge (L-D) plots accounted for discharge dependence in concentrations and loads of metals, major ions, and other water chemistry parameters.