Efforts to fill a mine subsidence in Luzerne County continue for a fourth day. The subsidence at Toby Creek, is raising concerns for people who live across the Wyoming Valley. Since Monday, water has bubbled up in other locations, including Tripp Street Park in Forty Fort, in Kingston between Sharpe and Poplar Streets and in Wilkes-Barre on Northampton Street behind the 109th Armory. The DEP is also investigating foul odor complaints in Duryea Borough, which smell a bit more during the day. Colleen Connolly of the DEP sent the following statement on a number of concerns in the Wyoming Valley on Wednesday night (4/17/2024)
DEP continues to oversee the work at the subsidence on Toby Creek in Luzerne County. The hole is plugged and staff is continuing to grout smaller cracks that are opening between the material (rock and clay), which is an expected occurrence. The water continues to flow freely on Toby Creek. Work will continue tomorrow at the site with inspections happening as well.
On Monday, DEP received reports of mine subsidence or water runoff/pooling at several areas located within a 5 mile radius of the Toby Creek subsidence:
-A separate mine subsidence opened near 399 Hughes Street, Swoyersville. DEP BAMR responded immediately. The opening measured 12 ft by 12 ft at the surface and was open to a depth of 11 feet, undercutting a property line fence. DEP BAMR crews filled the subsidence within the hour with R-3 and R-4 rock to eliminate the hazard. Finishing work such as topsoil and seeding will occur at a later date.
-DEP BAMR received a report of water coming out of a manhole behind the old Nesbitt Hospital in Kingston Borough about 3 miles away from Toby Creek. DEP BAMR visited the site this morning. The water comes out of a manhole lid and then flows not far into a storm inlet, so there’s no flooding issue or hazard. The source of the water is not immediately known.
-DEP received a report of some runoff/water with an orange tint running down Simpson Street in Swoyersville , DEP is investigating. However, this runoff has been reported previously to DEP and typically occurs every 5-6 years, but the water usually recedes after a few days.
-DEP received a report of water puddling in a large field off of Wyoming Avenue in Forty Fort in front of the Little League field. That area has seen water pooling before and DEP is aware of that history.
-DEP received a report of water bubbling up from the ground behind Kirby Park near the Kingston Armory. The water also has an orange tint to it. That area is above an abandoned mine and runoff from that has been reported previously to DEP.
It is unclear at this time if all of these incidents are related to the mine subsidence on Toby Creek. DEP is monitoring those situations and asks the public to continue to notify the department of any issues. Some of the water/runoff at these locations have already stopped, but DEP will continue to monitor.