I was wondering if anyone has camped/backpacked in Ohio's Wayne National Forest and drank water from on-site streams and ponds.

I ask because on page 2 of the downloadable brochure at http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/wayne/recreation_sites/camping.html , it states...

"We do not recommend filtering water in streams and ponds due to the high metal content in our water from past mining."

A few questions come to mind:

1.) Is that statement a public relations tactic to discourage folks from remaining on-site long term?

2.) If not, is the water really so poisoned that it is untreatable for human consumption?

3.) Which begs the question... is it a National Forest because the federal government believed it was the right thing to do? Or is it a National Forest because past mining has made the land unprofitable (real-estate, farming, shopping mall, etc.)?

Thanks,

Nick

I have backpacked there several times and always carried all my water. There are lots of active oil and gas wells, tanks, and lines all through the area and some leaks out. When I see a nice creek with an oil sheen on the surface, I really would rather not drink that except in an emergency. There are several places on the Wildcat Hollow trail where I have got strong oil odors.

My experience is the same as Timothy's. My wife and I lived in Ohio in the 90's and went there often. There are numerous old wells and other industrial sites around. These sites litterally have oil pooling on the ground.

We found a sulfer-like coating around one site while tracking a fox.

I would not drink the water.

Edited by jtaylor on 06/09/2009 10:54:21 MDT.