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A groundwater-modeling study has indicated there could be impacts to wells in the area surrounding a 649-acre limestone mine set to begin operating this year.

“Based on Martin Marietta Materials’ pumping, their model predicted a ’10-to-30-foot drop in head’ in the Castle Hayne Aquifer, which basically means a decrease of water pressure and elevation that could impact local wells,” Katey said.

The mine is located in Vanceboro, however the discharge from the mining process will release up to 12 million gallons of fresh water per day into the headwaters of Blounts Creek, a tributary of the Pamlico River.

The study, however, also showed that there could be little flooding or erosion impact from discharge in Blounts Creek.

“Their model was showing there would not be a lot of flooding downstream from the increased flow; that it would all, essentially, stick around the headwaters and recharge the aquifer from there,” Katey said.

Department of Geological Sciences professor Dr. Stephen Moysey led the advanced elective class for groundwater modeling and analysis class and the project to study how the withdrawal of that much water per day will impact aquifer.

Moysey said the results of the study may not be completely accurate and that more study is needed.

Want to know more about Sound Rivers’ 13-year battle to save Blounts Creek from mining impacts? Read the history here or listen to “The Story of Blounts Creek” podcast here.