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magnesium in 2014. The data is variable but suggests there is no adverse impact of the Sanborn <br />Creek mine to Sanborn Creek. <br />C-1 — Lower Coal Gulch <br />Surface water monitoring point C-1 - Lower Coal Gulch, an ephemeral drainage, is monitored to <br />verify that the Sanborn Creek mine does not have an adverse effect on the quality of runoff in <br />this drainage. During 2016 there was, again, minimal flow in Coal Gulch during spring <br />snowmelt, and no flow after snowmelt was completed. An elevated level of chloride is noted in <br />2016, but is lower than levels noted in 2010 and 2011. An analysis of the data suggests there is <br />no adverse impact of the Sanborn Creek mine to Lower Coal Gulch. <br />NF -1 and NF -3 — North Fork of the Gunnison River <br />Surface water monitoring points NF -1 (North Fork upstream) and NF -3 (North Fork <br />downstream) were selected to monitor the water quality in the North Fork of the Gunnison River <br />above and below the disturbed surface mine site of the Sanborn Creek and Elk Creek Mines. <br />Monitoring point NF -3 was established in September 1997 to monitor for any mining -related <br />water quality impacts from the West Valley coal refuse pile. It should be noted that NF -3 is also <br />downstream from the town of Somerset and monitoring results for this station most likely <br />include impacts from domestic water use, possible leakage from sanitary sewers, the Bear Mine <br />discharges, and other factors that are not related to the Sanborn Creek or Elk Creek Mines. <br />Similarly, both sample locations are located downstream of the adjacent Mountain Coal <br />Company, West Elk Mine discharge points and potentially other less distinct historic mine <br />discharges scattered along the river. <br />Flow in the river reflects natural seasonal flows from upland drainages plus regulated flows from <br />Paonia Reservoir and significant other upland irrigation water storage facility releases during the <br />summer irrigation season. During 2016, flows appear to be consistent with flows measured in <br />2015. During September of 2016 river flows contained significant amounts of sediment from <br />sediment scouring activities of the Paonia Reservoir. Summer and early fall flows reflect <br />discharges from upland storage reservoirs used downstream by the water rights holders. <br />Irrigation water return from upstream agriculture activities does also occur. <br />Charted cyanide levels are related to the Lab MDL. No significant changes were noted, however, <br />in the analytical data with nothing to suggest adverse impact by the Elk Creek Mine or Sanborn <br />Creek Mine to the River. <br />The water flows for the North Fork are obtained from the USGS Gauging station located on the <br />river upstream of the mine. Discussion took place with USGS regarding the future of the station <br />in light of funding challenges. If the data from the station becomes unavailable, some other <br />mechanism may have to be employed for flow data. <br />HN -1 — Lower Hawk's Nest Creek <br />Surface water monitoring site HN -1 Lower Hawk's Nest Creek, is monitored to verify that the <br />Sanborn Creek Mine does not have an adverse effect on the quality or quantity of runoff from <br />this ephemeral drainage. During 2016 there was, again, minimal flow in Hawk's Nest Creek <br />during spring snowmelt, and no flow after snowmelt was completed. Higher sulfate levels seen <br />10 <br />