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2016 Recommended Modifications to the West Elk Mine Hydrologic Monitoring Network 33
<br />3.0 SURFACE WATER MONITORING NETWORK
<br />The existing MCC WEM hydrologic monitoring network includes a total of 23 surface water
<br />monitoring sites (Table 2). The locations of the surface water monitoring sites are shown on
<br />Map 1. Comprehensive data for all of the WEM monitoring sites are summarized in the Annual
<br />Hydrology Reports which are submitted annually to the CDRMS (HydroGeo, 2002 through
<br />2015). It should be noted that several monitoring sites have baseline data adapted from the
<br />Wright Water Engineers 2000 Annual Hydrology Report (WWE, 2001).
<br />The routine MCC WEM surface water monitoring program stipulates that instantaneous flow
<br />measurements and field water quality data (temperature, EC, and pH) be collected three times
<br />per year, corresponding to the rising limb, peak flow, and low flow sampling rounds at most of
<br />the surface water monitoring sites (Table 2). Some of the surface water monitoring sites have
<br />Parshall flumes and data loggers that record continuous flows (Table 2).
<br />In addition, a water quality sample is to be collected at each monitoring site and sent to a
<br />certified laboratory for analysis one time per year; during the peak flow sampling round. The
<br />North Fork of the Gunnison River monitoring sites are to be sampled one time per year during
<br />peak irrigation season (July -September) in addition to the peak flow sample. For sites with 5
<br />years or less data, lab parameters include TSS, TDS, EC, pH, Ca, Mg, Na, K, SAR, hardness,
<br />bicarbonate, Cl, Nitrite/Nitrate, PO4, SO4, Fe (total and dissolved), Mn (total and dissolved), Al,
<br />As (total), Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg (total), Mb, Se (total), Bo, and Zn. The lab parameters for the North
<br />Fork of the Gunnison and Middle Sylvester Gulch are expanded and include those listed above
<br />for surface water sites, plus Cr, Ni, Ag (total), CN (total), nitrite(as N), nitrate (as N), alkalinity
<br />(Total CaCOA carbonate, hydroxide, and ortho-phosphate. For sites (excluding the North Fork
<br />and Middle Sylvester Gulch) with more than five years of water quality data, lab parameters are
<br />reduced and include TSS, TDS, EC, pH, and Fe (total and dissolved).
<br />The surface water monitoring network currently includes one surface water station in the Gribble
<br />Gulch area (Lower Gribble Gulch), and two stations in Raven Gulch (Lower and Upper Raven
<br />Gulch).
<br />August 2016 HydroGeo, Inc.
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