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-4 Mine Water Quality Appendix 5 contains water quality data for the discharges from No. 1 and No. 3 Mines. The water from these mines is very low in heavy metals and most of them are non-existent (e.g. Selenium and Silver). Metals such as Copper and Lead are almost below detectable levels. During the period between October 1983 [o September 1984, none of the NPDES levels for Oil and Grease, Total Iron, Dissolved Solids, and Sus- pended Solids were exceeded. In fact, the water quality from the mines has been fairly good this year. A comparison between the Total Suspended Solids in North Thompson Creek between the upper and lower sampling sites indicate that during base flow, the level of Suspended Solids contributed by the mine is only 3.4 parts per million. During high runoff the difference is 160 parts per million. This higher solids level is not entirely due to mine water, because at this time the mine water Suspended Solids tested at 10.4 parts per million. The higher level comes from ephemiral streams which run in the spring. Anticipated Impacts Snowmass Coal Company has ceased all mining activities since July 26, 1984. The forecast for 1985 calls for operations to remain the same until a buyer is found for the coal. If any mining activities occur, it will be on a limited basis and will not cause much impact to the hydrologic balance in this area. Our main goal for 1985 is to complete construction of the flumes in Middle Thompson Creek in order to determine exactly how much water, if any, is seeping into our mines. The impact due to the streams and groundwater in this area have been for the most part favorable. The quality and quantity of the water put into North Thompson Creek has not only benefited the downstream user, but has also helped the aquatic life forms in the stream by putting a fairly good quality of flow into the stream. ~~