Laserfiche WebLink
Surface Water <br />The Seneca II Mine is located within two adjacent drainage basins: Grassy Creek and Fish <br />Creek. Both of these are sub-basins of the upper Yampa River basin in northwestern Colorado. <br />A discussion of surface water conditions at the Seneca II Mine is provided in the Probable <br />Hydrologic Consequences discussion of this document. The current Wadge mining area lies in <br />the Fish Creek drainage, while the Wolf Creek mining area lies within the Grassy Creek <br />drainage. Both of these drainages are tributary to the upper Yampa River. <br />Tributaries to Fish Creek have historically exhibited ephemeral chazacteristics, but <br />mining-related flow may change these to perennial streams. <br />Climate <br />Annual precipitation at the mine site is 16.11 inches. The precipitation is consistent throughout <br />the year with no significant dry periods. The average temperature in January is 17.1 of and is <br />65.9~F in July. Regionally, wind directions run east-west following the Yampa River Valley. <br />More localized wind patterns trend along the side valleys. <br />Land Use <br />Current and historic land use in the vicinity of the operation has been mining, grazing for <br />livestock, and wildlife habitat. Irrigated cropland in the area is limited to portions of the Fish <br />Creek alluvial body and to the Yampa River floodplain. Non-irrigated crops are grown on <br />sloping upland areas, as well as on alluvial flats. No cropland will be disturbed by mining. <br />Soils <br />The soils found within and adjacent to the mine plan area are typical of soils found in the cold, <br />semi-arid regions of the Western United States. The soils are moderately deep (20 to 40 inches) <br />to shallow (10 to 20 inches). Soils were developed in weathered, interbedded fine sandstone, <br />siltstone, and shale, and in Jocal slopewash ana coJluvium. <br />Vegetation <br />Vegetation in the vicinity of the operation is characterized by three vegetative types; mixed <br />brush, sagebrush grassland, and aspen. Because of livestock grazing, shrubs have increased in <br />density while fortis and grasses have decreased. <br />Fish and Wildlife <br />Numerous wildlife species inhabit the general azea of the mine site. The most predominant big <br />