Hydraulic Fracturing (Frack) Permits in West Virginia by Watershed, January 2005 - November 2011

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Data is sourced from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. Map is designed to illustrate which watersheds in West Virginia have experienced the highest amount of hydraulic fracturing (frack) related to the oil and natural gas drilling industry. Permits issued stipulating frack operations are joined to watersheds to provide a number of permits per each area of interest Data is provided as one record for each well drilled.

The color gradient ending in dark red depicts watersheds with the highest number of frack permits issued. The year 2005 is used as a baseline as this period represents the beginning of widespread natural gas drilling in the Marcellus shale formation.