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For the proposed 44 acre-lake the applicant would occur a water loss, 1584 acre-inches <br />lost annually to evaporation minus the replacement input of only 1218 acre- inches <br />annually. Actual net water losses are likely to be much greater. Calculations do not <br />consider that the 36 acre-inch evaporation loss is very conservative for the Animas <br />Valley location, and likely suffers a greater annual evaporation. Nor aze any losses <br />considered for seepage from ground loss other than the 36 inch Vallacito figure used. <br />If the proposed lake were dug beneath ground water levels then the lake would maintain a <br />surface level consistent with fluctuating ground water levels. Normal water seepage into <br />the lake would maintain the water level despite evaporation losses. But it is ow <br />understanding that mining permit limits the applicam to digging only down to water <br />level. The applicant's own OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE description clearly states, <br />"Upon reaching the east lake boundary, removal of the sand arrd gravel to about one foot <br />above the groundwater table would progress back to the west lake boundary". <br />The area consists of porous sand and gravel, soil that is unable to hold water and suffers <br />immediate percolation losses. With any lake water above ground water surface level, the <br />applicant's well water must compensate for both evaporation and seepage losses. The <br />applicant may be able to obtain temporary elevated lake water levels only during periods <br />of high water tables. <br />The artist's depiction of a filled blue lake is a misrepresentation. Most likely the lake <br />will be only a played out gravel pit with long slopes extending down to water levels far <br />beneath the surrounding terrain. Like many of the ponds and low lands within Animas <br />Valley the proposed lake will have water secondary to irrigation and elevated ground <br />water levels. As irrigation and water levels fall the lake will become a stagnant, muddy <br />hole, nothing like the aesthetic vision that many Dillon supporters envision. <br />Some supporters consider 25 years temporary and "short term" until this lake is <br />completed, meanwhile many will suffer the nuisances of noise, sight and air pollution. <br />For many this "short term" is their lifetime, and it appears that the consequences for their <br />patience may likely be a `lake" that fails to satisfy anyone's expectations and hopes. <br />Again, we wge you to take very seriously the consequences of this proposal by billion. <br />Sincerely, <br />Patricia A Loe Dina M. O'Brien <br />Linda Ferrell <br />