Soon after Montgomery County started developing the Coal Mining Heritage Park, it became evident that there was a problem with a portion of Lick Run Creek, the stream bisecting the park. One hundred yards north of the southern boundary, rust-colored liquid was steadily pouring into the creek from three separate locations. Initial tests on the water suggested that the seeps had a high level of No.2 Iron Oxide. Given the proximity to the Merrimac Mine and the location of some of the upper tunnels, the county was concerned that the rust might be masking something more serious, namely acid mine drainage (AMD) rather than a naturually occuring phenomenon.

During the summer of 2001, Montgomery County contracted with Draper Aden to run full water test of Lick Run Creek in the Coal Mining Heritage Park. The initial proposal called for eight locations, although, in the end, only seven locations were tested. The eighth location was at the confluence of a periodic seep. The ongoing draught in the area had virtually dried up the seep, so testing wouldn't have given a reading of the level or quality of the seep.

The materials included in this report include the initial proposal, the water quality report from Draper Aden, and all of the available data.