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2016. During September of 2017 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. There is nothing in the data to suggest adverse impact by the Elk Creek <br />Mine or Sanborn 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 2017 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 />in 2011 appeared to return to normal in 2013. In 2018, the creek was dry before May and no <br />laboratory samples were collected. An analysis of the data suggests there is no adverse impact of <br />the Sanborn Creek Mine to Lower Hawk's Nest Creek. <br />11 <br />