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from high topography to low. This also appears to be the case for the unconfined portions of <br />sandstones in the Dakota and Burro Canyon formations. <br />Lithology governs the aquifer characteristics including water yielding ability and the chemical <br />quality of the ground water. The lithology of the NHN Mine area is extremely variable. Shallow <br />aquifers of the area consist of unconsolidated valley deposits of the quaternary system and the <br />stratigraphically variable sandstone, shales and coals of Cretaceous Age (Dakota, and Burro <br />Canyon Formations). Deeper aquifers consist of the varicolored Morrison Formation and the <br />Entrada Formation, both of Jurassic Age. <br />Structural control on the shallow ground water in the area, i.e., upper Dakota Sandstone and <br />alluvium, appears to be insignificant. Deeper formations, such as the lower Dakota; Burro Canyon; <br />Morrison; and Entrada Formations, whose ground water is under artesian pressure, exhibit <br />piezometrie surfaces that conform to structural influence. Water table conditions commonly exist <br />in shallow alluvial aquifers along the larger streams, in principal recharge areas, and in the <br />relatively flat -lying rocks that dominate certain sections of the region. Artesian conditions occur <br />locally throughout the region but are prevalent in the bedrock aquifers of the major structural basin. <br />ERMR conducts water level and water quality monitoring at 9 groundwater hydrologic monitoring <br />wells (GW -N47 through GW -N55) at the NHN Mine. ERMR also monitors ground water at the <br />New Horizon 2 Mine (C-1981-008) which is 0.8 miles south of NHN and is operated by ERMR. <br />Springs and Seeps <br />Three springs were defined within and in close proximity to the southern part of the NHN permit <br />area by Peabody at the old Nucla Mine (see Map 2.04.7-1). These three "springs," identified as <br />SS#1, SS#2 and SS#3, were monitored from 1983 through 1987. The water quality and flow data <br />are contained in Appendix 2.04.7-2. While these areas appear to be seeps, they are totally <br />dependent on ditch irrigation and would not exist without it. According to WFC, the spoil springs <br />are still flowing. There are no naturally occurring springs within the New Horizon North permit <br />boundary. <br />Surface Water- Sections 2.04.5 and 2.04.7 of the permit <br />The permit area of the NHN Mine is divided north -south by the 2nd Park Lateral of the CCC Ditch, <br />which runs east -west across the natural drainage divide in the central portion of the permit area. <br />Within the permit area, there are three unnamed perennial draws, referred to as Glasier, Meehan, <br />and Nygren Draws. Glasier and Meehan Draws are in the northern portion of the permit area, and <br />Nygren Draw is in the southern portion. Meehan and Glasier Draws flow to the west, converge, <br />and then flow north via an unnamed draw to Coal Creek Canyon. Nygren Draw crosses the <br />southeastern corner of the permit area, draining southward to Tuttle Draw. Coal Creek Canyon <br />and Tuttle Draw, both perennial, flow west and south into the San Miguel River, which then flows <br />north-northwest to the Dolores River and ultimately to the Colorado River. About 117 acres of <br />the permit area drains into Tuttle Draw and 199 acres drain to tributaries of Coal Creek Canyon. <br />The permit area is roughly 4.5 miles upstream of the San Miguel River via Coal Creek Canyon, <br />and 2 miles upstream of the San Miguel River on Tuttle Draw. <br />5 <br />