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wells may not still be good indicators of natural recharge impacts on these aquifers due to the <br />upgradient mining. Water levels in well GC -1 have been overall steady from 2003 to 2009. In 2010 <br />and 2011 the water level rose while a decline was observed in 2012 through 2015. Water levels in <br />well GC -3 show some seasonal effects. Water levels in well GC -2 were overall steady from 1999 to <br />2005, while gradually increasing 2006 through 2011 prior to becoming steady in 2012 and 2013 and <br />a decline in 2014 and 2015 after an early rise in 2014. Changes in these three wells are probably <br />natural. The alluvial aquifer response indicates continuation of above average recharge in 2011 from <br />higher precipitation for the previous six years and a gradual decline in 2012 due to less recharge and <br />fairly normal recharge for the last three years. <br />Figure A-3 presents the static water -level elevations for wells GD -2, GD -3 and GP -9. <br />These wells are completed in the QR, QR backfill and 3rd White Sandstone aquifers. In 2006, water <br />levels in wells GD -2 and GD -3 declined sharply the first quarter of 2006 and then became fairly <br />steady with a large increase in water level in 2008. Water levels overall gradually rose in 2009 into <br />2011 in wells GD -2 and GD -3 before declining in the last four years in well GD -3 and overall steady <br />in well GD -2. The earlier large water level declines are thought to be due to drilling for deeper coal <br />in this area. Water levels in 2011 and 2012 are higher than any historical level in this backfill well. <br />Backfill well GD -3 is approximately 1200 feet upgradient of well GD -2. Well GD -3 is located <br />topographically higher in the northern side of the D pit than the GD -2 location. Water -level changes <br />in well GD -3 have been more gradual than changes in well GD -2. The unconfined backfill aquifer's <br />storage parameter would be much larger than the storage coefficient for the confined aquifer at GD -2 <br />and, therefore, would be expected to dampen responses. <br />Water levels in well GP -9 have been overall steady the last few years. This water -level <br />change is likely natural in this well. <br />Trapper Mining Company 2-5 <br />2015 Annual Report <br />