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Natural Soda LLC 2024 Project Status Report& Annual Plan of Development <br /> 27 January 2025 <br /> <br />NS data indicated a precipitation increase at the NS location in 2024 (10.60”) compared <br />to 2023 (9.81”). The 2024 precipitation at NS was similar to 2022 (10.35”), 2021 (10.09”), <br />and 2020 (9.79”) values, and approximately half that of 2019 (20.8”). A similar pattern of <br />annual total precipitation (2019 WY through 2024 WY) can be observed throughout <br />Piceance Creek Basin. Decreases and increases in precipitation and/or changes to <br />irrigation diversions may be affecting stream flow discharge at some level. The 2024 WY <br />decrease in discharge is likely attributable to the measured snowpack levels (Snow Water <br />Equivalent (Inches)) found in the Yampa-White-Little Snake Basin and the Colorado <br />Headwaters Basin to the East and Northeast of NS. The snowpack measurements for <br />WY 2024 in these two basins decreased notably in comparison to the 2023 WY but was <br />above the 2022 WY level. Figure 8 and Figure 9 (Pg. 28) show the difference between <br />2023 WY and 2024 WY with regards to snowpack levels in the two basins and the <br />discharge rates in the four stream locations. The maximum snowpack for the basins were <br />recorded in 1984, 1985, and 1986 WY’s, this also corresponds to the maximum stream <br />discharge rates for all four stream locations. The minimum snowpack for the basins were <br />recorded in 1977, 2002, and 2021 WY’s which corresponds to the minimum historic <br />stream discharge rates. <br />The 2024 Specific Conductance data from USGS for the four stations were all within the <br />maximum & minimum range values for the period of record, and all four stream stations <br />were near the PR average value. The 6200 (Piceance Creek below Ryan Gulch) and <br />6222 (Piceance Creek at White River) both had increases in Max Specific Conductance <br />in 2024 compared to 2023. The other two stream locations along Yellow Creek (6242 <br />and 6255) had decreases in Max Specific Conductance from 2023 to 2024 WYs. The <br />2024 water temperature for all streams was below the associated Max PR temperature. <br />Analysis of the USGS data shows no effect on stream water quality or quantity as a result <br />of the NS mining operations.