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Surface water quality and chemistry are highly variable reflecting the <br />diversity of conditions within the surface drainage basin. The upland <br />portion of area streams are characterized by relatively steep mountainous, <br />heavily wooded terrain and rocky well-defined stream channels. Relatively <br />high runoff and limited erosion characterizes these areas and upland <br />streams commonly have high flow volumes with relatively low levels of TDS <br />and TSS. Transitional and lowland streams are characterized by relatively <br />low stream gradients, poorly defined channels and areas of limited <br />vegetative cover. Ongoing downcutting and increased erosion and sediment <br />transport result in increased TSS levels. TDS values are highly variable <br />with elevated values potentially resulting from increased erosion and <br />dissolution of soluble minerals in upland areas, percolation of <br />precipitation through terrace deposits with subsequent discharge to the <br />surface water system, and dissolution of mineral precipitates from dry <br />stream beds. <br />Surface waters are generally slightly alkaline, with surface water in the <br />mine and adjacent area being of a strong calcium carbonate type and <br />surface water in the loadout and adjacent areas being of a weak sodium <br />sulfate type. Surface water chemistry in the loadout area is very similar <br />to groundwater chemistry within the basin and may reflect groundwater <br />discharge to the surface water system in the area of the Arkansas River. <br />Surface water resources within the general area are generally suitable for <br />agricultural, industrial and limited domestic use. Limitations on use <br />include water availability, moderate to high hardness values and elevated <br />values of certain chemical constituents including manganese, iron, sodium, <br />and sulfate, particularly in the loadout area. <br />Alternative Water Suooly Information <br />Given the limited surface and groundwater resources available in the mine, <br />loadout, and adjacent areas, the nature of ongoing operations, and the <br />limited hydrologic connection between areas to be affected by mining and <br />related operations and major surface drainages and groundwater reservoirs, <br />• no significant impacts are anticipated on surface or groundwater quality <br />or quantity. A detailed discussion of potential surface and groundwater <br />impacts and mitigation considerations is presented in Section 2.05.6, <br />2.04.7-45 <br />