PERMFILE44470

• Permit No: C1981022
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 1/27/2003
• Doc Name: Elk Creek Coal Lease Area ‎(COC 61357)‎ Hydrology Information
• From: put back in by TR45
• Section_Exhibit Name: Exhibit 2.04-E4 Part 11
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

February 2000 Chapter 3 Paae 3-75
Spring water quality is similar throughout the area and is calcium/sodium bicarbonate type,
typically with high concentrations of aluminum, iron, and manganese. Several springs had lead
concentrations slightly above laboratory detection limits. Spring S-18 was the only site with
sodium sulfate type water.
Elk Creek Coal Lease Tract -Site specific groundwater quality infornlatinn is ii...ited for the Elk
Creek Coal Lease Tract area. The following discussion is based on groundwater quality data
from the Sanbom Creek Mine area (Oxbow, 1999). It is assumed that the groundwater quality
in the Sanbom Creek Mine area is similar to the Elk Creek Coal Lease Tract.
Monitoring sites include weNs, springs and mine discharge. Groundwater zones are separated
by geologic units inGuding alluvial/colluvial, perched (elastic beds and coal seams in the
Wasatch and Mesa Verde formations), D coal seam, B coal seam, and Rollins Sandstone. The
alluvial/colluvial groundwater is collected from the Oxbow infilVation field installed in the North
Fork of the Gunnison River alluvium. The groundwater from this site is calcium sulfate type with
low concentrations of trace constituents. Generally, the quality of the alluvial/colluvial
groundwater is good and suitable for domestic use with only minimal treatment (chlorination).
The perched water quality data is derived from eleven springs (EC-1, SP-1 through 7, and SP-9
through 11), and two monitoring wells (TC-1, and TG2). The perched water quality is generally
calcium sulfate to sodium bicarbonate type with moderately high concentrations of TDS, iron,
and manganese.
Two wells (SG3 and EG6) and the Oliver Mine discharge spring are used to monitor D coal
seam water quality. Water quality from the D coal seam is sodium bicarbonate type with high
concentrations of TDS, iron, and manganese and sometimes sulfate. Water quality from wells
(B-6 and H-10) installed in the historic Somerset Mine workings (B seam) and mine water inflow
sites (MWM-1, MWS-A through D) is sodium bicarbonate type with high concentrations of TDS,
iron, manganese, and sometimes chloride and sulfate.
The water quality from the two wells installed in the Rollins Sandstone (SC-1 and SC-2) is
sodium bicarbonate type with high concentrations of TDS, iron and manganese.
3.6.2.4 Seasonal Trends in Groundwater Quality
Iron Point Exploration License Area and Coal Lease Tract -Review of Bowie water quality
data from monitoring wells and springs does not reveal any general seasonal trends in
groundwater quality at the study area. This is likely due to the relatively short period of record
for most sampling sites. Alluvial well data has been collected quarterly since 1997. Bedrock
monitoring well data has been collected since 1995, and spring data has been collected
sporadically since late 1997. Seasonal groundwater quality trends will likely become more
defined when more consistent water quality data becomes available. Typiglly, seasonal trends
include increased concentrations of TDS and dissolved constituents and high groundwater
levels in the spring.
Elk Creek Coal Lease Tract - No site specific groundwater quality data is available for the Elk
Creek Lease Tract.
3.6.2.5 Influence of Past and Current Activities on Groundwater Quality
iron Point Exploration License Area and Coal Lease Tract - Past and current mining
activities have affected groundwater quantity and quality. Current mining activities at the Bowie
No. 2 Mine do not utilize any groundwater for operations. Fresh water for the operation comes