Aerial view of sludge impounded on Brushy Fork

The capacity of this sludge pond is projected at seven billion gallons, with the level of the sludge rising to 2,250 feet above sea level. At the time of this photo, the impoundment contained about 500,000 gallons of sludge, rising to a level of 1,850 feet above sea level. Concerned over the possibility of leakages and spills into the underground mines beneath the impoundment, Communities downstream requested that the impoundment be closed.
Event: Coal River Mountain Watch flyover.