2025-08-01_PERMIT FILE - C1981019

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RULE 2 PERMITS South Taylor – Rule 2, Page 23 Revision Date: 7/21/25 Revision No.: MR-267 tributary to Wilson Creek (WCS-1), one on the eastern tributary to Wilson Creek (WCS-3), and two on tributaries to Good Spring Creek (WFS-2, JCS-1). The seeps and springs were monitored for field parameters on a monthly basis, and a single full-suite sample was collected at each location in May 1985. The monitoring data illustrate that springs contribute up to 1.9 cfs to surface flows in the West Fork of Good Spring Creek, and about 1 cfs to surface flows in the mainstem of Good Spring Creek during peak flow periods (CDM, 1985b). Contributions to surface flows from spring discharge during baseflow periods were much less, ranging from 0.03 cfs to 0.06 cfs in the West Fork of Good Spring Creek, and 0.03 cfs in the mainstem (CDM, 1985b). Springs were also inventoried by JBR (1997). JBR identified 29 seeps and springs within areas that could be impacted by mining. Some of these correspond with springs identified by CDM. Colowyo identified several additional springs in the mining impact areas. The spring information from all sources was consolidated and 21 spring sampling locations were identified to the Division for the South Taylor impact area. The Division approved of the selected spring locations in 1999. Surface Water Quality – Water quality data for streams and springs that is relevant to this permit revision are summarized in tables 2.04.7-30, 2.04.7-34, and 2.04.7-35. Several surface water investigations have been performed in the general area. These are discussed in the following paragraphs. Engineering Science measured parameters in area streams and springs from 1978 through 1982 (ES, 1982). The report concluded that Taylor, Good Spring, and Wilson creeks all have variable water quality that depends on season. Background levels of metals indicate acute and chronic toxicity to aquatic life in all drainages. It further concluded that levels of metals in surface water may affect agricultural uses, and that high metal and sulfates may preclude the use of surface water for potable water supplies. CDM investigated surface water quality of the streams in the general area covering a 12-month span from August 1984 through July 1985. Surface water monitoring locations were established in Good Spring Creek, Wilson Creek, and Taylor Creek as part of these studies. Generally, the surface water in Good Spring Creek is a magnesium-sulfate type with calcium and bicarbonate also occurring in significant concentrations. The TDS ranges from 713 mg/L to 1,500 mg/L (CDM, 1985b). TDS concentrations were inversely proportional to flow; TDS was highest during low flow conditions in the stream, primarily occurring during the winter months. Most of the springs sampled in the Good Spring Creek drainage by CDM were a magnesium-sulfate water type. TDS values ranged from less than 1,000 mg/L to nearly 5,000 mg/L (CDM, 1985b). Springs sampled in the Wilson Creek drainage were lower in TDS, and had higher proportions of calcium and bicarbonate. Water quality in Wilson Creek is a mixed cation, mixed anion type, with sodium and chloride the dominant ions in the fall and winter months, and calcium, magnesium, and sulfates the dominant ions in the spring. TDS ranged from 554 mg/L to 2,130 mg/L (CDM, 1985b). TDS concentrations were also inversely related to stream discharge. Water quality in Taylor Creek is characterized by generally low concentration of major ions. The water is primarily a calcium-bicarbonate type, with low TDS ranging from 472 to 500 mg/L (CDM, 1985b). TDS concentrations measured at USGS gaging stations in the in Good Spring, Taylor, Wilson, and Jubb Creeks near Axial, Colorado in 1999 and 2000 ranged from 167 mg/L in Taylor Creek to 1,660 mg/L in Jubb Creek (Table 2.04.7-32). Mean TDS concentrations range from 590 mg/L in upper Wilson Creek to 1089 mg/L in lower Good Springs Creek. The USGS has discontinued monitoring at most of these stations.