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redaimed pits except near the northern (down-dip) end of the mined area, where levels <br />may be limited by the elevation of backfill springs from the northern pits in this area. <br />Significant drawdown has developed adjacent to the p'~ts but the extent of these <br />drawdowns is very limir~d due to the small tiansmissivity in these aquifers. Recovery of the <br />water levels has occurred over a few years as the pits have moved away from an area. <br />Some water levels will likely not recover to their pre-mine levels due to the different flow <br />characteristics developed wdh the backfill aquifer and the controlling of the maximum head <br />by bacldll springs. <br />Variations in natural recharge to the 2nd White Sandstone affect this aquifer greatly. <br />Mining effects on the system have not been detected. <br />The TDS of water in baddill welts GD-3 and GF5 are somewhat higher but similar <br />to those of the native aquifers in these areas. TDS for GF5 is approximately 1.5 times the <br />pre-mine value but is within natural variability of this aquifer. TDS values for badcfill wells <br />GF7 and GFll are much higher than the naturally observed concentrations. TDS in well <br />GF7 has shown some decline from the peak values in the early 1990's and has been fairly <br />steady for the last six years at a slightly lower level. The TDS in well GFil is lower and <br />may have reached its peak in 2001. It is likely that the TDS will remain higher for many <br />years before returning to pre-mine concentrations in these two wells. The change in major <br />constituent concentration in water in these two wells will likely gradually decline as readily <br />soluble constituents are removed. The water quality in QR wells GD-2 and GF6 has been <br />only slightly atTected, if at all, by the upgradient mining. The 2003 TDS values for well GE-1 <br />increased after declining to its pre 1990's values. These changes are within natural <br />variations and may or may not be caused by mining. The remainder of the QR wells are <br />6-3 <br />