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Red Creek Quarry Baseline Water Investigation Section 6 <br /> <br /> <br />6-8 <br />DRAFT for review purposes only. Use of contents on this sheet is subject to the limitations specified at the end of this docu ment. <br />Surface water samples likely reflect the water chemistry combination of a groundwater source from <br />multiple seeps or springs, interactions with sediments within the drainage, direct precipitation, runoff <br />from the surrounding landscape, and evaporation. The shape of the SW SEEP stiff diagram <br />resembles a combination of the groundwater quality for Well 3 and Well 4. The shape of SW RC1 <br />resembles the SW SEEP stiff with a higher proportion of sodium and sulfate. The close proximity of <br />the SW RC1 and SW SEEP location and similar shape indicate these two sampling locations are likely <br />groundwater sources discharging at the surface either along fracture/fault planes or due to the <br />erosion of the limestone leading to exposed water-bearing Codell Sandstone at the surface. <br />Surface water location SW RC2 has a slightly narrower shape than SW RC1 indicating lower TDS and <br />likely is the result of dilution from either a different groundwater source or from precipitation/runoff <br />within the drainage contributing flow with less dissolved solids between the two surface water <br />stations. Additionally, surface water sample SW RC2 from the 1Q 2023 sampling event resulted in <br />slightly narrower Stiff diagrams, indicating decrease in TDS, in particular, a decrease in sulfate and <br />chloride (Figures 6-4 through 6-7). This difference in the surface water sample could be an indication <br />of dilution by direct precipitation or seasonal surface runoff from other portions of the drainage <br />diluting the surface water flow at the furthest downstream surface water location. <br />Surface water locations have slightly higher proportions of chloride and sodium than the <br />groundwater wells. Evidence of mineral deposition in the sediments within Red Creek were observed <br />on multiple sampling events (Photo 6-1) and could be contributing to the water quality of the surface <br />water in Red Creek. Additionally, visually observed naturally occurring salts within the sandstone unit <br />could be contributing chloride and sodium in areas where the groundwater is reaching the surface. <br />For example, mineralized faults or fractures could convey groundwater and allow for the dissolution <br />of the mineralization as the groundwater flows towards the surface. <br /> <br />Photo 6-1. Surficial mineralization within the Red Creek drainage <br />