HYDRO23461

• Permit No: M1982090
• IBM Index Class Name: Hydrology
• Doc Name: RATIONALE CAMP BIRD MINE CHIPETA MINING CORP OPERATOR OF THE CAMP BIRD VENTURE AND CAMP BIRD COLO IN
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, Water Quality Control Division
Rationale - Page 2. Permit No. CO-0026981
RECEIVING WATERS; SEGMENT, CLASSIFICATION:
Discharges 001, 002, 003, 004 and 005 all to to Canyon Creek, as shown in
figure 3. Canyon Creek is in Segment 9, Region 10 of the Uncompahgre River
basin (and subbasin). Segment 9 is classified for:
Recreational, Class 2
Aquatic Life, Class 2 (Cold)
Agricultural Use
The Q7_10 stream low flow value for Canyon Creek in the vicinity of Discharge
Point 001 is 1.9 cfs or 1.23 MGD.
DISCHARGE POINTS AND DISCHARGE FLOWS:
Discharge point 001 is the only location where any discharge flows are expected
to occur. Discharge point 001 in this renewal permit is a combination of two
previous discharges, the old 001 and the old 004, from the previous permit. Of
these two previous locations, the old 001 is being diverted and combined with
the old 004. A settling pond prior to 001 has been recently installed during
October 1986. This pond should contain 1.5 MG at maximum flow (4 MGD). Flows
at 001, 002 and 003 are measured by sharp crested rectangular weirs. No
discharge has occurred from 002 and 003, the tailing pond decant pipes, for at
least the last six years. No discharges are expected to occur from 004 and
005, the decant pipes from the seep water berm of the evaporation pond.
From the 1986 permit application form, Federal Resources Corporation personnel
indicated average and maximum combined flows for 001 of, respectively, 2.25 and
4.6 P1GD. However, from discharge monitoring report data for the period of the
first quarter (1Q) 1983 through the 1Q 1986, the maximum reported flow for both
discharge points was 6.636 MGD during the third quarter of 1984. Thus, the
maximum discharge flow used in the later mass balance effluent limitations is
6.636 MGD or 10.27 cfs.
FACILITY DESCRIPTION:
The Camp Bird Mine, which was originally founded in 1896 and sold in 1902, was
purchased by Federal Resources Corporation in 1962. The existing froth
flotation mill which contains a mechanical circuit was built in 1960 and first
operated in 1962. Since 1981 the mine and mill have been inactive, although
dewatering discharge flows continued to occur and were reported. Recently mare
personnel have been hired at the facility; up to 50 people will probably be
hired during the next two years. The mining operation started up on September
10, 1986, and it is estimated that the mill will begin operation within 2 to 5
months.