Dawson Daylight Refuse is located in southwestern Hopkins County, just outside of the city of Dawson Springs. The area had seen considerable coal mining activity with the Dawson Daylight Mine operating at this site until 1961.

AML personnel investigated the site and found an open slope entry remained from the Daylight operation. Additionally, large amounts of mine refuse were deposited from the deep mine and ensuing tipple operations. The refuse was extremely acidic and virtually sterilized nearly 20 acres of the project site. To compound the problem, the lack of vegetation caused accelerated erosion, allowing large quantities of silt to flow into tributaries that feed directly into the Tradewater River.

The Mine Equipment and Mill Supply Co., an explosives supply company, used the site for equipment storage and placed powder magazines around the perimeter of the property. Water runoff was poor, and the Kentucky Division of Water cited the company. Attempts to control the silt and treat the water were not successful. The company contacted Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) requesting funds to help reclaim the site.

Madisonville AML office staff developed a cost estimate and a reclamation plan.  Reclamation work began Sept. 28, 2000, by the contractor, Rust of Kentucky. Initial reclamation consisted of excavating silt basins and grading mine refuse. Due to the concern that children could access the site, a reinforced steel grate was installed. Agricultural limestone from local quarries was incorporated into the refuse to form a barrier between the cover material and the refuse. Special attention was paid to protect the cover material from erosion since the site had only two areas where cover material could be borrowed.

Drainage calculations and experience allowed the AML inspector and the contractor to place and install the proper number of armored channels and diversion ditches to restrict water velocity.

Rust of Kentucky completed the seeding and installation of erosion control materials. Within a few months, the site was covered with vegetation. With the help of the AML, the finished site speaks for itself. An environmental eyesore is reclaimed and 75 jobs at the Mine Equipment Co. remain for the good of this western Kentucky community.