 Copper was identified as the main pollutant of the river, but other contaminants that caused degradation of water quality include iron, zinc, cadmium, mercury, lead, and acidic water.Other inactive mines have contributed to the degradation of water quality at Keswick Dam.Although laws such as the Clean Water Act and agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency are dedicated to improving the quality of drinking water by treating the contaminants, uncontrolled acid mine drainage still poses a great threat to the quality of water in the area.