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office showed higher levels of zinc than the crusher well and is also above the • recommended drinking water quality limits. Monitoring of sediment ponds (Tables 2.04.7-8, 2.04.7-9, and 2.04.7-10) was also performed by Sun Coal personnel. At this time monitoring lower sedimen- tation pond has been discontinued because a pond was reclaimed. Water quality in these ponds is acceptable in relation to drinking water standards with the exception of iron and total dissolved solids. Anew pond was constructed near the crusher (crusher pond) (Table 2.04.7-9) in October 1984 and was monitored weekly during the spring of 1985 along with another pond at the south end of the permit area (south pond) (Table 2.04.7-10). These two ponds are now being moni- tored on a quarterly monitoring schedule and in accordance with NPDES permit stipulations. Concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead, and selenium in both the • crusher pond and the south pond are at or below detection levels and below recorded concentrations in the Yampa River. Total volatile solids concentra- tions are approximately the same in the ponds and the river. The crusher pond, however, does exhibit parameters that average three times higher than the Yampa River. Parameters that appear to be elevated include calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium, sodium, sulfate, zinc, and total dissolved solids; whereas, iron, manganese, phosphorus, and total suspended solids are less. The water quality characteristics for the south pond (Impoundment No. 11 (Table 2.04.7-10), when compared to the Yampa River TDS concentrations, are six times larger. Although the wells and the ponds exhibit elevated levels of many parameters tested, the water quality of the Yampa River has remained constant. It does not appear that the drainage from the permit area is having any adverse effect on . the water quality of either the ground water or the Yampa River. - 103 - (Rev. 5/86)