Laserfiche WebLink
Wash plant output water will enter the new recirculation pond from the end of the pond furthest <br /> from any water ways in order to maximize effectiveness of the pond as a sediment trap. <br /> Sediment will drop out of the output water flow in the pond, eventually settling on the bottom. <br /> The recirculation pond will be dug deep enough that the buildup of sediment within the pond <br /> over time will not necessitate clean out of the pond. Over time,the recirculation pond will be <br /> filled with sediment and clean fill as part of reclamation. This will necessitate new excavation of <br /> recirculation pond area to maintain capacity. The pond area will be limited as appropriate to <br /> ensure that applicable water rights are satisfied but not exceeded. <br /> 1_1 Water Quantity <br /> All water usage at the Trout Valley Ranch operation is covered by a Substitute Water Supply <br /> Plan. This existing and approved plan covers water exposure in lake/pond surfaces, water used in <br /> dust control, water used in processing, and water from first fill. Through the available water <br /> rights at the site and the water purchased from local reservoirs, Brannan has sufficient water to <br /> preserve the prevailing hydrologic balance. <br /> 1.1.1 Water Ex op sure <br /> The recirculation pond will be expanded over time based on the availability of water exposure <br /> within the existing water rights and the approved SWSP. <br /> In addition to water leased and applied to the site through a SWSP, a decree of certain surface <br /> water rights owned by Brannan currently provides for an area of surface lakes on the property. In <br /> 2019, Brannan confirmed with the area's Water Commissioner, that the decree allowed Brannan <br /> to fully use and relocate evaporative water losses of up to 40 acres associated with mining on the <br /> TVR property: <br /> "So long as no more than 40 acres are exposed on the property identified on the decree[W- <br /> 7538]1 think the decree will cover the evaporation." <br /> Based on pre-mining conditions,there are 36.2 acres of pond across the property. As ponds are <br /> filled in, or mined through, exposed water surface will become available to Brannan to expand <br /> the recirculation pond. The Colorado Division of Water Resources (DWR) makes this <br /> interchange clear in the approval of the Trout Valley Ranch SWSP in October 2019: <br /> As indicated above, evaporative depletions from the exposed surface area of the ponds will be <br /> replaced under the augmentation plan decreed in case no. W-7538. Case no W-7538 covers <br /> evaporative depletions from up to 40 acres of exposed water surface in placer ponds on <br /> property located in parts of Sections 2, 3, 4, 10, and 11, Township 10 South, Range 77 West of <br /> the 6th P.M. Evaporative depletions are replaced under case no. W-7538 using 100 acre-feet of <br /> developed water issuing from the lower tunnel of the London Mine. Based on a letter from <br /> Quantum Water&Environment dated July 31, 2019, the current surface area of the fishing <br /> (former placer)ponds is 36.2 acres. So long as the total exposed water surface area of all the <br /> placer ponds does not exceed 40 acre-feet, evaporative depletions from Brannan's ponds may <br /> be covered under case no. W-7538. <br /> Trout Valley Ranch TR <br /> May 2020 2 Gnu LcwicAi and:lssociatcs YI.L(' <br />