Laserfiche WebLink
PERMIT #: M-2016-076 <br />INSPECTOR'S INITIALS: ECS <br />INSPECTION DATE: May 1, 2018 <br />OBSERVATIONS <br />This was a joint inspection of the Bestway Lupton Meadows site conducted by DRMS representative Eric <br />Scott. DRMS was also accompanied by State Engineer's Office Division of Water Resources District 2 <br />representatives Jorge Vidal and Justin Bieri. Between April 20 and April 23, 2018 DRMS received 4 <br />complaints alleging that several domestic wells and one irrigation well along Weld County Road 23 had either <br />gone totally dry, or that water levels had dropped enough that they were struggling to produce. The Division <br />of Water Resources received similar complaints. The complaints to DRMS were submitted by the residents <br />against the Bestway site, as it is the closest in proximity to the impacted wells. Please refer to the attached <br />map for the locations of the nearby DRMS permitted sites, and the locations of the properties that have <br />reported impacted wells to -date. During this inspection DRMS and DWR visited the four properties and <br />collected well depth and static water level depth information where possible. The data collected as well as <br />additional observations are summarized below: <br />Wagner Property, irrigation well installed in 1958 but reported to be more recently reworked. <br />Irrigation Well- TD = 50' SWL = 31' depths measured from port approx. 18" above ground <br />level. Well produces, but not at historic rate — currently surging. <br />Domestic Well- Not accessible, but reported to be "running dry" <br />Rethke Property, well installed in 1964 <br />Domestic Well- TD = 30' SWL .. 28' depths from TOC of well, within 12" of ground level <br />Tretter Pro ert, well installation date unknown <br />Domestic Well- TD � 37.5' SWL = 30' <br />Depth information reported by owner who recently lowered pump approximately 7` (to within 1 ` of well <br />bottom) to maintain well use <br />Duffy Property, well installed in 1964 <br />Domestic Well- TD = 31' SWL = 28.9' <br />Depth from TOC of well located in approximately 6' deep, below ground pit <br />All of the impacted wells visited during this inspection are older, shallow alluvial wells, Iocated above the <br />flood plain on the western historic Platte River terrace (higher surface elevation). Based on drilling <br />information from the Wagner irrigation well, shale bedrock is at approximately 50' bgs, but this could vary <br />from property to property based on ground surface and bedrock surface elevations. <br />Both of the permitted mine sites in the area (Bestway and Pioneer Sand and Gravel Heit Pit) are operating <br />within slurry walls, and are located below the terrace elevation in the Platte River floodplain area. The Pioneer <br />slurry wall has been approved by the SEO since June 2009, and the Bestway site is currently conducting its 90 <br />day leak test of the slurry wall to obtain SEO approval. Therefore groundwater pumping associated with these <br />sites is minimal. <br />Recent groundwater monitoring data provided by the permitted operations does not show any unusual drop in <br />groundwater levels in the area of the mines. SEO pumping data was also reported as consistent. <br />Little Dry Creek is located between the complainant's wells and the permitted sites, and was flowing at the <br />time of the inspection. <br />Page 2 of 3 <br />