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i Revision February 1982 the summer and fall months. A minimum is reached in January and February. From old USGS records on Muddy Creek and Anthracite Creek, it appears that Anthracite Creek contributes about two-thirds of the flow in the river. The surface water quality sampling of the river shows that the water is a soft alkaline water of a calcium-bicarbonate-sulfate type. Dissolved metals concentrations are very low, but total metals concentrations are high during the snowmelt period due to the high levels of total suspended solids. The alluvium along the North Fork of the Gunnison River is the major • aquifer in the watershed with reported yields of up to 500 gpm (U.S. Department of Interior 1978) with similar water quality to the river itself. The Rollins sandstone Member of the Mesaverde Formation is the only other aquifer of importance since the underlining Mancos shale Formation is too thick for drilling and too saline for use (U.S. Department of Interior 1978). Domestic and agricultural uses for these aquifers are known (Price and Arnow 1974, Iorns et al. 1965). Domestic uses are the only known in the vicinity of the mines (Appendix XXIV). The Hawk's Nest Mine permit area is located on the north side of the • North Fork of the Gunnison River Valley. The permit area is underlain by the Meseverde Formation (Exhibit 2.04.5-B from U.S. Department of Interior 1978). The strata crops out in elongated bands which form an eastward pointing V-shaped pattern intersecting the North Fork of the Gunnison River at the easternmost extent and fanning up on the steep valley walls downstream. The highest coal to be mined, the E Seam, intersects the North Fork River near the southeasternmost part of the lease. The Wild Seam and D Seam outcrop sequentially downstream to the west. 2.04-11~ ~~~~- -