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ARCADIS <br />wells, and two mine water stations were utilized (Figure 1). Data used in this assessment were collected <br />from the following sampling stations: <br />• PRS -1: A surface water monitoring station on the Middle Fork of the Purgatoire River upstream of <br />mining activities at the New Elk Mine facility. Data collected between 1984 and 2012 were <br />included in the assessment of water quality at this station. <br />• PRS -4: A surface monitoring water station on the Purgatoire River downstream of the New Elk <br />Mine surface facilities. Data collected between 1992 and 2011 were included in the assessment of <br />water quality at this station <br />• PAW -1: An alluvial groundwater monitoring well located adjacent to PRS -1, upgradient of mining <br />activities. Data collected between 1984 and 2012 were included in the assessment of water <br />quality at this station. <br />• PAW -2: An alluvial groundwater monitoring well located north of the Purgatoire River, <br />approximately 200 yards downstream of PAW -1 and downgradient of the underground coal <br />development refuse pile. Data collected between 1984 and 2012 were included in the assessment <br />of water quality at this station. <br />• PAW -8: An alluvial groundwater monitoring well located on the north bank of the Purgatoire River <br />installed with the purpose of monitoring the Refuse Disposal Area. Data collected between 1994 <br />and 2012 were included in the assessment of water quality at this station. <br />• PAW -9: An alluvial groundwater monitoring well installed on the south bank of the Purgatoire <br />River, downgradient of mining activities, near surface water monitoring station PRS -4. Data <br />collected between 1994 and 2012 were included in the assessment of water quality at this station. <br />• NEW -2: A mine water monitoring station located at the East Portal shaft of the New Elk Mine. <br />Data collected between 1995 and 2012 were included in the assessment of water quality at this <br />station. <br />• NEW -4: A mine water monitoring station located in a known flooded portion of the mine (near the <br />conveyor belt). Data collected between 1995 and 2012 were included in the assessment of water <br />quality at this station. <br />Water quality data from each of these stations was examined to determine if mining activities appear to <br />influence water quality of the Purgatoire River. <br />3. Geochemical Characterization of Water Types <br />Piper diagrams were created to graphically classify waters based on their ionic compositions. These <br />diagrams are a common tool used for comparing and classifying waters, and for assessing potential <br />mixing between water types. Piper diagrams are created by: (1) calculating the ternary proportions of <br />cations (calcium, magnesium, and sodium plus potassium) and anions (carbonate plus bicarbonate, <br />sulfate and chloride) in millequivalents per liter; (2) plotting the resulting compositions on two ternary <br />diagrams; and (3) projecting these compositions onto a diamond shaped chart. For this analysis, the <br />Page. <br />c WsersVDftm psm4,VoatWDcaMnxaosorwndowsWmporay nbmet fiLslconOsntoutmk*6uithMemkcoabWacewaWmflsviceassemnwtnemo d= 3/8 <br />