HYDRO29620

• Permit No: C1981025
• IBM Index Class Name: Hydrology
• Doc Date: 1/9/1986
• Doc Name: 1985 Annual Hydrologic Report
• Permit Index Doc Type: OTHER GROUND WATER
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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Introduction
HYDROLOGY REPORT

This hydrology report covers the period between October, 1984 to Sep-
tember, 1985. During this period the North Thompson Creek Mines were com-
pletely idle with no coal production at all.
Although no coal was produced, Snowmass has continued to monitor the
surface and ground water here at the mine site. This year Snowmass made some
major changes in the type and quality of water monitoring. These changes have
shown to be very successful. The major changes have been the construction of
of continuous flow recorder flumes in North and Middle Thompson Creeks and
more water removal from the ground water monitoring wells before a sample
is taken.
The amount of precipitation that fell here at the mine (Appendix I) re-
turned to normal levels. The rain gage recorded a total amount of 21.80 inches
of precipitation as compared to the 28.76 inches of precipitation which fell
during the same period last year. As a result of this normal precipitation,
Snowmass did not experience any site drainage problems.
Surface Water Quality
• Appendix II contains all the water quality data and field parameter data
for North Thompson Creek and the Roaring Fork River. As will be noted, the
quality of water upstream from our loadout facility is identical to the down-
stream quality. Our loadout is having no impact on the Roaring Fork River.
By comparing the water quality upstream and downstream on North Thompson
Creek with the pre-permit mean data and standard deviation data it is apparent
that the quality of water being discharged is similar to the pre-permit mean
data. The only exception to this is the downstream sample analysis on Aug-
ust 8, 1985. The levels of Bicarbonate, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium
and Dissolved Solids are slightly increased. This increase is not~due to the
mine discharges. These elements are coming from the experimental peat bog
near the abondoned ~2 mine. This increase of elements did not~show up in
December 1984 because the bog was not yet constructed. Also, the difference
did not show up in June of 1985 because of the high runoff flow in North
Thompson Creek which tended to dilute the bog drainage.
With the exception of the above elements it can be seen by comparing the
upstream and downstream North Thompson Creek results that the water quality
Changes very little when it passes over the mine site.
Surface Water Quanti
Appendix III contains stream flow data from the North and Middle Thompson
Creek flumes. Because Snowmass has an agreement with the Division to collect
data from these flumes for one year before any conclusions can be made;
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