2022-09-06_REPORT - C1982056 (3)

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Foidel Creek Mine C-82-056 2021 Annual Hydrology Report well 008-AV-2 has continued to decline since the early 2000's and meets the agricultural use groundwater quality standard. Fish Creek Alluvial Groundwater: Seven Fish Creek alluvial wells are monitored. Monitoring wells 006-AY-1, 006-AZ-3, 008-AU-3 and 008-AW-3 have been monitored since the 1980's. Wells AVF-13, AVF-14, and AVF-15 were installed in the early 2000's per PR99-05. Water levels at the Fish Creek alluvial wells in 2020 remained consistent with the historic range and showed typical seasonal variability, with elevated water levels occurring in the spring in response to recharge from the snowmelt season. Conductivity measured at all wells in 2021 was within the historic range. TDS measured at point of compliance well 008-AU-3, with results of 778 and 880 mg/L, met the agricultural use groundwater standard. In late 2016 someone destroyed well 006-AZ-3, possibly by mistake, as other historic alluvial wells that are not monitored were also removed. Note that localized mining subsidence along Fish Creek occurred in the area of well AVF-15 during the summer of 2004. The general location area of AVF-15 was subsequently permanently ponded. Per the mine's subsidence plan, alluvial well 008-AU3 replaced AVF-15 as the downstream monitoring well until 2014 when AVF-15 was replaced in the same general vicinity. Trout Creek Alluvial Groundwater: Two Trout Creek alluvial monitoring wells, 008-AT-1, and a privately owned well (Jones well) are monitored. Well 008-AT-1 was destroyed sometime in 2013 and subsequently replaced in 2014. The water levels in the replaced well are about 3 feet higher than historical, which may relate to the new well's proximity to Trout Creek. Both the water levels and conductivity measured in 2021 fall within the historic range. Note that the Jones well has historically been monitored to access potential mine impacts to their potable water well. In the fall of 2008, TC provided the Jones family with underground water storage tanks, a new plumbing system, and imported water, so that they could discontinue use of the well. At that time, the old plumbing system to the Jones well was decommissioned eliminating alluvial water sampling access and the Jones well was not monitored during the report period. In 2019 TC supplied Jones with a deep fresh water well and a filtration system in place of long-term haulage of potable water. TC will discuss this situation with DRMS. 14