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• operations in the Coal Gulch area (see Map A) were all relatively <br />dry except for a portion of one of the mines. <br />Based on information gained by recent exploratory drilling of <br />the Menefee and its coal deposits, definite piezometric surfaces <br />whether representing confined aquifers or zones of saturation pro- <br />bably do not exist in the northern part of Applicant's coal lands. <br />Water or moisture was encountered in most of the drillholes at <br />varying straigraphic positions in amounts inadequate to saturate <br />the strata. Exhibit D, which is a summary of the drillhole data, <br />shows the var}zng depths at which water vas encountered. These <br />unpredictable and varying ground water depths reflect the character <br />of the Menefee, which is described as follows in USGS publication, <br />• Geology and Coal Resources of the Durango Area, La Ylata and <br />Montezuma Counties, Colorado. OM 109, by A. D. Zapp, 1949. <br />"Menefee formation: The Menefee formation is the <br />middle member of the Mesa Verde group and consists <br />of a complex assemblage of lenticular cross bedded <br />sandstone beds, gray, brown and black shales and <br />coal beds. The formation is characterized by irregu- <br />lar bedding and rapid changes of lithology. " <br />An examination of drillhole cuttings and core samples reveal <br />that most of the thick sandstone units have fabrics of unstratified, <br />tightly packed angular or subangular grains often partially cemented <br />with clay. The lensing of sandstone units is demonstrated by com- <br />paring logs of drillholes. Some sandstone members lens or pinch, <br />-24- <br />