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• with relatively high levels of sodium and sulfate, and TDS and TSS levels <br />of 826 and 20 mg/1 respectively. The elevated sodium, sulfate and TDS <br />levels are believed to be a reflection of upstream agricultural and <br />municipal water use which results in concentration of these chemical <br />species as well as leaching of soluble salts from surficial materials as <br />a result of irrigation activities. Variations of TDS and TSS with flow <br />rate appear to be consistent with anticipated patterns with elevated flows <br />resulting in increased TSS and decreases in TDS levels as illustrated by <br />Figure 11, Oak Creek Flow Rate vs TDS and TSS. <br />Water chemistry characterization for Oak Creek and the loadout area <br />results in a weak sodium sulfate chemical type. Surface water chemistry <br />for Oak Creek is consistent with the observed elevated values of sodium <br />and sulfate in surface water samples. It is also interesting to note that <br />water chemistry for Oak Creek is almost identical to groundwater chemistry <br />in the mine area. This similarity may be a reflection of groundwater <br />transmission to the surface water system which is known to occur in the <br />• vicinity of the Arkansas River. Characterization of surface water <br />chemistry for Oak Creek and the loadout area is graphically illustrated <br />by Figure 12, Trilinear Diagram - Oak Creek. <br />Surface Water Summarv <br />Surface water resources in the mine, loadout, and adjacent areas are <br />limited to ephemeral streamflows in the Magpie, Newlin, Second Alkali, <br />Oak and Chandler Creek drainages. Due to either limited drainage areas <br />or upstream diversion, the ephemeral drainages typically flow only in <br />response to runoff from spring snowmelt and major thunderstorm events. <br />Except for sporadic flow occurrences, the ephemeral stream channels are <br />typically dry throughout much of the year. When flow does occur, •a <br />significant portion of surface flow is lost to the groundwater system <br />through relatively porous streambed materials, with remaining flow <br />progressing northeastward to the Arkansas River, the major perennial <br />drainage in this area. <br />2.04.7-42 <br />