2018-09-04_PERMIT FILE - C1980007 (18)

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sk 4 MCC West Elk Mine Sunset Trail Lease Modifications 2011 Hydrology Survey 7 3.1.2 Ponds A total of ten ponds/ponds with wetlands were identified in the Lick Creek drainage (Figure 2). Most of the pond sites had associated wetlands. In some cases, sites 38 and 43 for example, there were connected wetland and pond complexes. In some areas, site 44 for example, there appear to be historic man-made berms with stock ponds (breached today) and diversion ditches. The largest pond (with wetland vegetation around edges) was site 27 which was approximately 19,836 ftz (0.45 acres) in size. The ponds and associated wetlands at sites 38 (3 connected ponds and wetlands) and 40 were also relatively large, and covered approximately 15,444 ftz (0.35 acres) and 15,000 ftz (0.34 acres), respectively. The areal extent of the remaining ponds ranged from about 49 to 12,600 ftz. The field pH at the pond sites ranged from 6.31 to 8.0 s.u.; temperatures ranged from 4 to 15.3° C; and electrical conductivities ranged from 36 to 329 gS/cm. 3.2 North Prong Creek Drainage The North Prong Creek drainage encompasses an area of about 0.62 square miles (-395 acres). The drainage ranges from about 9,000 to 7,720 feet amsl with an overall average gradient of 775 feet per mile. Approximately 0.37 square miles (-240 acres) lies in the STLM study area (Figure 2). North Prong Creek was flowing at the time of the survey. Data collected at the various survey sites in the STLM study area in the North Prong Creek drainage are summarized in Table 2. Seven sites were identified in this area during the survey (Figure 2) including 4 springs or spring complexes with ponds and wetlands and 3 ponds with associated wetland areas. The site summary sheets and photos for the North Prong Creek drainage are presented in Appendix B. 3.2.1 Springs and Seeps The locations of the North Prong Creek spring and seep sites are depicted on Figure 2. The elevations for the four springs or springs with ponds and/or wetlands mapped ranged from 8,088 to 8,650 feet amsl. The average spring flows ranged from a trickle at site 3 to 1 gpm at site 2. Site 1 was a relatively large spring and wetland area about 14,850 ftz (0.34 acres). The field pH values ranged from 7.42 to 7.78 s.u.; electrical conductivity ranged from 159 to 350 µS/cm; and temperatures ranged from 13.9 to 15.8'C (Table 2). Due to a pH meter malfunction, no pH values were recorded for site 28. 3.2.2 Ponds Three ponds with wetlands were mapped in the North Prong drainage (Figure 2). The ponds and associated wetlands were relatively large at sites 4 and 5, covering areas of February 2012 HydroGeo, Inc.