2014-02-05_REPORT - C2009087 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

identify the sources of selenium. PSCM is in the process of evaluating the data collected this year, and will forward it to the CDRMS when complete. Surface Water Summary. Water discharged from the PSCM is not used directly for irrigation. No irrigation exists on Grassy Creek or Cow Camp Creek below the PSCM. Indirectly, although, water discharged from the mine is significantly diluted by water from either Fish Creek or the Yampa River before it is diverted and used for irrigation. Due to the relative amount of dilution by additional water from both sources, the ambient water qualities of Fish Creek and the Yampa River are the dominant factors in determining their suitability for irrigation. Water discharged from the PSCM is, however, used for livestock watering. TDS values at NPDES3 are decreasing. TDS values at NPDES4 appear to be stabilizing. At lower Grassy Creek Site YSG5 and NPDES2, TDS trends are increasing. Of the nine spoil springs monitored, six are exhibiting decreasing TDS trends, one displays an increasing trend and one displays a stable TDS trend. Spoil Spring 6A does not have enough data to determine a TDS trend. NPDES discharges are normally suitable for livestock and irrigation, but exceeded water quality standards (selenium only) for aquatic life this year. TDS values at NPDES2 were above the PHC predicted value. However, TDS values at lower Grassy Creek Site YSG5 were below the PHC predicted value. The winter snowpack (as estimated from data at the NCDC's Hayden Station) for this year was 11% below the average. All NPDES Sites exhibited annual average flows below the historic averages, except for NPDES2, which was above average. American Public Health Association (Ed.) . 1989. "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater ", 17th Edition, Washington, D.C. Brakensieh and others. 1979. "Field Manual for Research in Agricultural Hydrology ". 21