Audenried Tunnel
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Location | East Union Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania |
| Start | Jeansville Coal Basin |
| End | Upper reaches of Catawissa Creek |
| Operation | |
| Work begun | 1928 |
| Opened | 1931 |
| Technical | |
| Length | 3.05 miles |
| Tunnel clearance | 9 feet |
| Width | 12 feet |
The Audenried Tunnel (also known as the Audenried Mine Tunnel) is a drainage tunnel located in East Union Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is approximately three miles long and drains the western portion of a coal basin near Kelayres. It is among the largest sources of acid mine drainage into Catawissa Creek. It also contributes up to 80% of the acidity to Catawissa Creek. The Audenried Tunnel's pH is approximately 4. However, there have been somewhat successful attempts at treating the tunnel outflow in the 21st century. The bedrock in the vicinity of the tunnel is mostly shale and sandstone.
The Audenried Tunnel is 16,150 feet (4,920 m) long. The tunnel runs between the Audenried Mine and the watershed of Catawissa Creek. It is filled with debris and the air inside the tunnel is not breathable. The tunnel roughly follows the synclinal axis of the coal basin it is in. The tunnel drains the Jeansville Coal Basin, which is located between Hazleton and McAdoo.
The Audenried Tunnel is located approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) east of the community of Sheppton, Pennsylvania. The tunnel is 12.0 feet (3.7 m) in width and 9.0 feet (2.7 m) in height.
When the Audenried Tunnel was first built, the first 350 feet (110 m) were fully lined with timber due to the low quality of the rock in that part of the tunnel. The next 150 feet (46 m) were also supported by timber, but to a lesser extent.
In 1931, the Glen Alden Coal Company reported that 8,499 feet (2,590 m) from the mouth of the Audenried Tunnel, there was a fissure that discharged close to 800 gallons (approximately 211 liters) per minute. It is possible that there is a fault at this location.
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