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Water Wells: Water levels monitored in the Twentymile Wadge Overburden wells remained stable and <br />comparable to previously collected data, and no significant water quality influences were evident from data <br />obtained during 2015. <br />Twentymile Sandstone wells remained stable and comparable to previously collected data, and no significant <br />water quality influences were evident from data obtained during 2015. Localized dewatering of the Trout Creek <br />Sandstone appears evident in the vicinity of the TC potable water well 001-83-106 (Figure 18), although the level <br />stabilized in 2000, and continues to be stable through 2015. The historical declining water level trend at well <br />001-83-107 (Figure 19), continued in 2015. This decline may be attributable to the pumping of well 001-83-106. <br />Well monitoring at 95M001 (Figure 20) indicated a continuing decline in water levels which began in 1997, and <br />appears to have stabilized in 2003. No significant inflows from the Trout Creek formation into the mine <br />workings have been encountered to explain this difference in water level or to suggest that dewatering of the <br />formation is directly attributable to mining activities. No readily apparent water quality impacts associated with <br />mining are noted for the Trout Creek Sandstone aquifer based upon data collected during 2015. <br />Mining related dewatering impacts were noted for the Fish Creek sandstone wells 91M001 and 91M004 (Figure <br />26), and the Ashley well (Figure 27). Wells 91M00l and 91M004 were undermined in 1995 and exhibited <br />historic water level declines corresponding to mining activity. Water levels in these wells subsequently stabilized, <br />exhibiting only seasonal fluctuations. Two springs (SW -1 and SW -2) are monitored in the same vicinity as <br />91M00l and 91M004, although neither of the springs flowed in 2015. The Ashley well was undermined in 1999 <br />and exhibited water level declines corresponding to mining activity. This well appeared to be recovering in 2000, <br />continuing through 2015. <br />No unusual observations are noted with respect to Foidel Creek alluvium groundwater levels. The historical <br />increasing conductivity trend in well 001-5-5 (Figure 32) stabilized in 2004, and appears to be increasing again <br />through the end of 2015. <br />No unusual observations are noted with respect to Fish Creek alluvium groundwater levels. The general water <br />level decline noted in well 006 -AY -1 (Figure 34) since 1995, appears to continue in 2015. Overall, fluctuations <br />at this well are insignificant. No other notable water level observations are apparent based upon review of the <br />2015 data. Field conductivity readings at this well appear stable over the last few years. <br />Surface Water: 2015 was a decent snow melt year for Routt County and Colorado. Flows on Foidel Creek, <br />Fish Creek, and Trout Creek were relatively normal in comparison to the 2012 drought. Several stream gage <br />studies were performed throughout 2015. Stream rating curves will be re-evaluated in 2015. Additional <br />installation of flow meters will occur in 2015. <br />Conductivity concentrations at site 301, 69, and 1005 on Trout Creek appeared somewhat elevated during the <br />spring runoff season in April. This may be the result of upgradient spring runoff flushing through the old P & M <br />mine area. Fish exhibited some short term spikes in total recoverable iron in the spring. This may be related to a <br />erosion from a precipitation event or a quick rise in snow melt. No other water quality impacts of concern were <br />evident at any surface water sites monitored during 2015. <br />18 <br />