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The quality of Wolf Creek coal water is slightly acidic, very hard and saline. Based <br />on data presented, the water type changes from calcium/sulfate to <br />sodium bicarbonate down gradient. We113WC displayed the only case of elevated <br />iron levels within the Wolf Creek coal. Wel12WC located down gradient has the <br />lowest levels of TDS and sulfate, indicating that the sulfate is being precipitated <br />from the water as it moves down gradient. <br />Two wells were established to monitor water levels and quality in the seam within <br />the south extension area, down-gradient of mining areas (4WC and WWC24). <br />Water levels at 4WC are generally over a hundred feet deeper than the adjacent <br />Wadge Coal Well 4W, indicating no hydraulic communication between the two <br />units. 4WC was sampled 1983 to 1985 to establish baseline conditions, and <br />sampling was resumed in 1997 for monitoring purposes. The well displays a <br />MgCa-HCO,SO, type water with average TDS value of 812 mg/1. Due to safety <br />concerns because of proximity to the highwall, the well was abandoned in 2003. <br />Well WWC24 was drilled in August 2001 but was damaged by landslide in the <br />spring of 2003, and subsequently abandoned. A replacement well (WWC25) was <br />drilled in the summer of 2004. WWC24 was a flowing well. Initial samples <br />displayed a Na-HCO, type water with TDS values of 640 and 820 mg/1. <br />Wolf Creek/Wadge Interburden <br />Seneca installed one well (3EI) to monitor the Interburden within the original <br />permit area. The Interburden consists of 165 to 215 fee[ of interbedded sandstone, <br />shale, siltstone and coal, thus forming a relatively impermeable zone between the <br />underlying Wolf Creek coal and the overlying Wadge coal. <br />Monitoring data for the well were presented in the permit application. Depth to <br />water measurements at this well were made for about 22 months. This data not <br />only shows very little seasonal fluctuation, but that the Interburden at this site is <br />under unconfined or water table conditions. This is not an expected characteristic <br />because both the Wolf Creek coal and the Wadge coal, at least seasonally, exhibit <br />artesian head. at this site. It is possible that this well was not properly completed, <br />or that a perched aquifer was intercepted by the well. Seneca Coal Company has <br />subsequently abandoned this well. Based on analysis of the Wolf Creek and Wadge <br />coal, it is expected that water within the Interburden, as in the other units, will <br />exhibit confined conditions downdip of the Sage Creek anticlinal axis. <br />No water quality sampling was done in the Interburden, in the original permit area. <br />Refer to discussion related to Sage Creek overburden and Wolf Creek overburden <br />regarding sampling of strata below the Wadge seam within the south extension <br />area. <br />Seneca II-W Findings Document 34 June l2, 2006 <br />Petmit Renewal No. 5 <br />