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Whirlwind Mine Groundwater Characterization Report <br /> to Packrat Mine have also been one of the sources of water to PR Spring, long before sampling <br /> and analysis was conducted. No pre-mining water chemistry data exist for PR Spring that allows <br /> for a suitable assessment of potential mining impacts to the spring. It should also be noted that <br /> common laboratory detection error could easily contribute significant uncertainty into such an <br /> analysis (laboratory error may be as much as 20%). <br /> Water chemistry information assimilated for this report provide other considerations that support <br /> minimal mixing between the Packrat Mine and PR Spring and include: <br /> • PR Spring water and Packrat Mine water show distinct chemical differences: <br /> concentrations of radium-226 and vanadium are both consistently greater and uranium <br /> concentrations are lower in the mine water. <br /> • Average calcium/magnesium ratios for PR Spring water and Packrat Mine water are <br /> 1.85 and 2.31, respectively, and the spring has proportionally less sodium and slightly <br /> less chloride than Packrat Mine water. These constituents can be relatively conservative <br /> in groundwater systems where no ion exchange is occurring. <br /> Since both PR Spring and Packrat Mine are water source features that are hosted by the Salt <br /> Wash Top Rim unit, within a relatively short physical distance, it should be expected that their <br /> water chemistries are similar, however, some differences are noted above. It is assumed that <br /> the spring existed long before mining began. Unfortunately, no pre-mining water chemistry data <br /> are available from the spring to evaluate the potential effects of mining on spring chemistry and <br /> flow rates. It is probable that the spring water is isolated within a fracture network, but it cannot <br /> be assured that such a network is not connected to Packrat Mine. Fractures that are likely <br /> responsible for PR Spring could also be associated with overlying aquifers. In addition, it is <br /> possible that the intervening mudstone within the Top Rim sandstone unit influences the spring <br /> water chemistry. <br /> 6.2.4 Other Water Sources <br /> There are several water samples shown in Figure 8 that exhibit unique chemistry. These include <br /> samples BM00-1 (1), Willow Spring, Lumsden Spring, Lumsden Canyon Mouth, PR Spring, and <br /> Packrat Mine Pool. <br /> Western Water& Land, Inc. 46 <br />