2016-01-28_REPORT - C1981018

• Permit No: C1981018
• IBM Index Class Name: Report
• Doc Date: 1/28/2016
• Doc Name: October 2014 Thru September 2015 Annual Hydrology Report
• From: Blue Mountain Energy
• To: DRMS
• Annual Report Year: 2015
• Permit Index Doc Type: Hydrology Report
• Email Name: CCW
• Email Name: JRS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

2.2.1 Ground Water Monitoring Data Groundwater monitoring data consists of water
levels measurements. Tabulation of the data is included in Appendix C. Hydrographs for
the 16 stations (monitor holes) from which water level data were collected are included in
Appendix D.
2.2.1.1 Alluvial Water Level Data Water level data is still collected from the one
remaining original alluvial aquifer monitoring hole (Qal-5). Kenney Reservoir inundated five
other alluvial monitoring holes. A hydrograph of the water level data for Qal-5 is contained
in Appendix E. The location of Qal-5 is shown on Plate 1 in the pocket of this report. The
Qal-5 hydrograph shows a significant increase in the alluvial water level of the White River
since the second half of 1985. This rise was due to the filling of Kenney Reservoir. Since
that time, fluctuations reflect the seasonal rise and fall of the White River as it enters
Kenney Reservoir.
2.2.1.2 Alluvial Water Quality Data The water quality data for Qal-5 is contained in
Appendix E. The statistical summary of the data is also contained in Appendix E. The fifth
annual hydrology report noted that the general increase in the average TDS that started
when Kenney Reservoir was filled was beginning to slow down. There has been a
generally decreasing trend since 1992. Based on the data collected during the past water
year, the TDS value was 2580 mg/I. This compares to values for the previous two reporting
period of 3200 mg/l and 2520 mg/I indicating that the TDS level has stabilized. A graph
showing the magnesium, chloride and TDS levels for Qal-5 is also included in Appendix E.
The water quality of the White River is considerably better than that in the alluvium
indicating that permeability in the alluvium is restricted resulting in a relatively low degree of
communication between the river water and the water in the alluvium. The existence of
Kenney Reservoir decreases the groundwater gradient that may inhibit the natural tendency
for the alluvium to flush itself of the higher dissolved solids content. The potential effects,
therefore, were projected that the dissolved solids of the White River alluvium in the vicinity
of Scullion Gulch would increase initially as prior unsaturated zones become saturated.
TDS would then gradually decrease with time to near or slightly above baseline conditions
as these zones are slowly flushed of their salts.
2.2.1.3 Bedrock Water Level Data Hydrographs for the sixteen (16) bedrock monitoring
holes are contained in Appendix D. The locations of the holes are shown on Plate 1 in
the pocket of this report. As noted in the original Deserado Mine permit application, the
three zones being monitored (upper sandstone facies, siltstone and coal facies, and the
lower sandstone) identify three different stratigraphic zones which lack the characteristics
of an aquifer. The strata are too tight with little yield as demonstrated by pumping tests.
The "upper sandstone facies" holes are designated by a name ending in "U".
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