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<br /> <br /> <br /> 10 <br /> <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 />piezometric 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 /> <br />ERMR currently conducts water level and water quality monitoring at 12 groundwater hydrologic <br />monitoring wells (GW-N47 through GW-N58). ERMR also monitors ground water within the <br />Mine 2 area at the New Horizon Mine (C-1981-008), which is 0.8 miles south of NHN and is <br />operated by ERMR. <br /> <br />Springs and Seeps <br /> <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 spoil springs, identified <br />as SS#1, SS#2 and SS#3, were monitored from 1983 through 1987. The water quality and flow <br />data are contained in Appendix 2.04.7-2. These springs are totally dependent on ditch irrigation <br />and would not exist without it. According to ERMR, these spoil springs are still flowing. There <br />are no naturally occurring springs within the NHN permit boundary. <br /> <br />Surface Water- Sections 2.04.5 and 2.04.7 of the permit <br /> <br />The permit area of the NHN 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 /> <br />Peak flows for the draws within the permit area are 0.8 cfs in Glasier Draw, 2.65 cfs in Meehan <br />Draw, and 1.5 cfs in Nygren Draw. Average flows are 0.55 cfs for Meehan Draw and 0.3 cfs for <br />Nygren Draw. Flows to these draws are primarily due to seepage and subsurface flow from <br />irrigation water, with peak flows being attributed to thunderstorm activity. <br /> <br />Tuttle Draw averages 2.0 cfs, with peak flows of 9.35 cfs. Coal Creek Canyon averages 0.9 cfs. <br />Peak flows on Tuttle Draw and Coal Creek Canyon are primarily in response to irrigation return <br />flows during the latter part of irrigation season.