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• REGIONAL GROUND WATER HYDROLOGY <br />The proposed Helen Mine Project is situated on the eastern <br />flank of the Trinidad-Raton Basin syncline. This synclinal <br />structure is composed of folded sedimentary rocks which regionally <br />are classified as aquifers. Involved beds are the Trinidad <br />sandstone, the Vermejo Formation, the Raton Formation and the <br />Poison Canyon Formation. The western side of the basin rises <br />steeply from the north - south trending axis. The eastern flank <br />of the syncline slopes much more gently. The coal bearing Vermejo <br />Formation has a western dip of less than one degree near the per- <br />mit area. <br />The regional hydrologic gradient is from west to east for <br />the basin aquifers. As evidence, the Trinidad sandstone is open <br />to recharge at an elevation of 8000 feet on the western basin <br />boundary. This same sandstone outcrops at elevations of 6300 to <br />. 6500 feet to the east. A hydrostatic head of approximately 1500 <br />feet is produced, resulting in regional ground water movement <br />towards the east. The same is true for the overlaying aquifers. <br />Recharge to the aquifers is primarily to the western uplifted <br />outcrops. This may be supplemented locally in the east through <br />infiltration in exposed beds. Where stream channels cut into <br />saturated sandbeds, seasonal recharge and outflow may occur. It <br />is also note worthy that the quality of water deteriorates as it <br />crossed the basin. <br />A study of the regional hydrology which includes the Trinidad <br />and Vermejo - Raton aquifers has recently been completed by the <br />Water Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey. Mr. Arthur L. <br />Geldon of the Pueblo, Colorado office was generous enough to <br /> <br />FISHER, HAROEN 8 FISHER <br />48 <br />