INSPEC27703

• Permit No: M1983030
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Date: 10/26/2000
• Doc Name: MINERALS PROGRAM INSPECTION REPORT
• Inspection Date: 10/16/2000
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

..- Dnited States Forest San Juan 701 Camino Del Rio, #301
Department of
riculture
A • Service rtationa~
Foust Durango, CD 81301
303-247-4814
g Car;rta for th P Land and Srrvin9 ~{,~le
Reply to: 2540/2810 Date: January 4, 1988
Stibject: Water Quality Analysis, East Fork of Mancos River
7.b: Mancos District Ranger
On November 9, 1987, Mark Story and Chuck Bentzen sampled water from the East
Mancos River to determine the extent of water quality degration apparently
associated with mining activity in the East Marcos River watershed. The East
Marcos River has had sane acidification from mining effects in the past but the
problems have recently accelerated. During mid-August, 1986 (exact date
unknown) the Gold Dollar Mine was opened up with a D7 Cat, releasing consider-
able sediment from the mine portal, which contaminated the East Mancos River.
Dave Dauber of the Colorado State Health Department in Durango, gathered samples
from the portal outflow on August 22, 1986. Stan May, Department of Health in
Denver, reported that arsenic concentration in Dauber's samples was 6.5 mg/1 on
August 22, but drop to .012 mg/1 on August 29. The Marcos Times published an
article on August 2 1986 which reported "a mining accident at the old Gold
Dollar Mine late last week" which caused Water Commissioner Glen Humiston to
temporarily close water ditches in the Marcos River. Marl: Ott of Marcos, who is
familiar with the water quality, fishery, and biological characteristics of the
river, said that extensive fish kill occurred from the spill throughout the East
Marcos River. Mark said that the East Marcos was impacted by acid mine drainage
above the RQd Arrow Mine prior to the Gold Dollar spill, but now was "dead" to
1.5 miles below the Red Arrow Mine, to a rock outcrop called "white rocks".
During 1987, Mark observed chemical and biological impacts below the "white
rocks" for several miles that may be caused by mine acid drainage.
The.objectiv
several spot
sources. we
e of the November 9, 1987 sampling was to check the water quality at
s on the river and if possible, identify specific pollution
were able to cartplete the first objective but not the second.
Samples were collected at the
Forest Boundary, F52 above the
the watershed near Ib~sh Basin,
crosses the Fast Marcos River.
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z
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three sites on November
Gold Dollar Mine but 2
and.FS3 where the road
Maps of same}i~glsite
i i i t!" I
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9 including FS1 near the
5 miles below the head of
bcy,ow the Red Arrow Mine
locations are enclosed.
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