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RULE 2 PERMITS <br /> These are relatively low values, but the total runoff measured at the USGS gage is only 2.6% of <br /> the annual precipitation. <br /> This recharge rate includes groundwater recharged to the alluvial aquifer of Goodspring Creek and <br /> groundwater recharged to deeper sandstones below the elevations of Goodspring Creek. Because <br /> no appreciable quantities of water were observed to be discharging from the upper sandstones on <br /> the mine property and because no appreciable quantities of groundwater were observed during the <br /> drilling operations, the calculated recharge rate for the Goodspring Basin is probably closer to an <br /> estimate of recharge to the alluvium materials in the valley of Goodspring Creek. Recharge rates <br /> of the sandstones that contribute to Goodspring Creek are probably considerably less. <br /> Groundwater discharge on the property is by small seeps and springs from sandstones that overlie <br /> the impermeable shales. During the initial exploration phase and subsequent hydrologic <br /> investigations, such as the 1979 LRCWE study, no significant quantities of groundwater were <br /> observed to be flowing from the sandstones. Seeps and small springs that were observed were <br /> consumed entirely. As stated earlier, there is no significant groundwater discharge from the <br /> sandstones to the mine pit. Recharge to the spoils is minimal as evidenced by the lack of water <br /> encountered while reinstating the 6900 level water monitoring well. A discussion of this well is <br /> included in the 1986 Annual Report. <br /> Some groundwater discharge from the Trout Creek Sandstone and sandstones beneath the Trout <br /> Creek may occur to Goodspring and Taylor Creeks. Discharge from these sandstones to the creeks <br /> is a result of recharge to these sandstones near the headwaters of both creeks. Beneath Goodspring <br /> Creek,the sandstones are under artesian pressure which probably allows for minimal groundwater <br /> discharge by vertical percolation. <br /> Groundwater Quality <br /> General Area <br /> Water samples collected in the vicinity of the Colowyo Mine permit area by federal agencies and <br /> consultants for the Colowyo Coal Company indicate that the water quality is generally poor and <br /> variable. Data collected by the USES are presented in open-file Report 78-23, "Selected <br /> Hydrologic Data, Yampa River Basin and Parts of the White River Basin,Northwestern Colorado <br /> and South Central Wyoming", Giles and Brogden (1978). Examination of the data presented in <br /> this report indicates that concentrations of trace metals rarely exceed the health limits. <br /> Intermittently throughout the Yampa River Basin, concentrations of trace metals were observed to <br /> exceed the limits. However, no apparent pattern or conclusions describing their occurrence could <br /> be determined. Table 2.04.7-2 is a summary of water quality data collected from USGS <br /> observation wells completed in the vicinity of the Colowyo Mine permit area. These data are <br /> presented in the USGS Open-file Report 78-23,Giles and Brogden(1978),and have been extracted <br /> from that report. <br /> Giles and Brogden (1978) reported the results of water quality analyses of samples collected in <br /> streams, springs, and wells of the Yampa River Basin in 1974 and 1975. Approximately 27 <br /> samples were collected and analyzed for bacteria, trace elements, common ions, temperature and <br /> Rule 2 Permits 2.04-16 Revision Date: 12/20/19 <br /> Revision No.: TR-135 <br />