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<br />VI, Surface Water Hydrology - Rules 2.04.5, 2.04.7, 2.05.3 (4), 2,05.6 (3 <br />and 4.05 <br />Information describing the surface water system at, and adjacent to, the <br />proposed permit area may be found in Section 2.04 of the permit application <br />and in the PAR responses. <br />Two streams are located in or near the mine permit area. Lightner Creek, a <br />perennial stream, is located near the northern portion of the permit area. <br />This stream flows east-southeast to the Animas River. No disturbance is <br />planned in this drainage and it will not be undermined. <br />Coal Gulch flows in the area currently disturbed by mining activities. The <br />intermittent stream has been diverted to the western side of the permit area <br />around disturbed areas. Coal Gulch is confluent with Lightner Creek about <br />one (1) mile downstream of the proposed permit area. <br />At the proposed mine site, Coal Gulch is an intermittent stream. Flow is <br />mainly dependent upon, 1) snowmelt in the spring; 2) base flow contributed by <br />numerous colluvial slope failures; and 3) summer rains. <br />Snowmelt contributes the greatest amount of water to the surface water <br />system. Discharge measurements were not regularly taken on Coal Gulch, but <br />water quality samples have been taken. <br />The discharge of Coal Gulch has been estimated at up to 10 cfs during spring <br />runoff. Flow in 1985 had ceased by mid-June. <br />Water quality samples were taken by the applicant in March of 1985 on Coal <br />Gulch above and below the mine, on Cherry Gulch (a stream tributary to Coal <br />Gulch confluencing downstream of mining), Lightner Creek, and at the <br />Victory No. 1 mine portal. <br />Results of this sampling indicate the following water types at each site: <br />Coal Gulch Above Mining - Calcium-Sulfate/Bicarbonate. Exceeds U.S. <br />E.P.A. drinking water limits for iron. <br />Coal Gulch Below Mining - Calcium-Sulfate. Both iron and manganese <br />exceed U.S. E.P.A. drinking water standards. <br />Cherry Gulch - Calcium/Magnesium-Sulfate. Excessive iron <br />and manganese for drinking water according <br />to U.S. E.P.A. standards. <br />Lightner Creek - Calcium-Bicarbonate. Exceeds U.S. E.P.A. <br />drinking water standards for iron and <br />manganese. <br />