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<br />-26- <br />dissolved solids concentration was found to range from 216 mg/1 to 1350 <br />mg/1 for fish Creek (CYCC, 1982, Toole 12), and from 380 mg/1 to 3460 <br />mg/1 for Foidel Creek (CYCC, 1982, Table 2). Total dissolved solids <br />concentration in the two streams was generally highest during low flow <br />conditions in the winter and summer, and lowest during snowmelL runoff <br />periods in spring. Total suspended solids concentration varied from 0 <br />mg/1 to 866 mg/1 for Fish Creek (CYCC, 1982, Table 12), and from 0 mg/1 <br />to 586 mg/1 for Foidel Creek (CYCC, 1982, Table 2) during the hydrologic <br />monitoring period. Highest values for total suspended solids <br />concentration occurred during spring snowmelt runoff and the lowest <br />values occurred during low flow conditions in summer and fall. <br />Discharge of shallow ground water occurs at two springs within the permit <br />area of the proposed Foidel Creek Mine. The two springs were inventoried <br />and sampled in 1975 by the OSGS and the applicant has included periodic <br />monitoring of these two springs in their proposed hydrologic monitoring <br />program. One spring issues from shallow aquifers in the Holderness <br />member of the Williams Fork Formation (a sequence of shale and siltstone <br />layers which overlies the Twentymile sandstone Member), and the other <br />spring issues from the Twentymile sandstone. Both springs are ephemeral, <br />and do not contribute significant amounts of flow to streams (CYCC, 1982). <br />Irrigation ditches, occurring both upstream and downstream from the <br />proposed Foidel Creek Mine, divert water from Fish and Foidel Creeks to <br />facilitate farming of forage crops such as grass, hay and alfalfa. The <br />ditches are utilized primarily in the late growing season (August and <br />September) when otherwise dry conditions exist. <br />Water rights records from the State Engineer's Office were reviewed to <br />determine current surface water useage in the area. Water rights records <br />as of duly 1, 1978 indicate that the primary use for water from Fish <br />Creek outside of any permitted mine area is for irrigation. There are <br />several domestic water users along the Fish Creek drainage, but these are <br />all upstream from the proposed Foidel Creek Mine. <br />Foidel Creek water is used solely for irrigation purposes. There are no <br />surface water rights along the reach of Middle Creek downstream from its <br />confluence with Foidel Creek. Water use along Trout Creek is also <br />principally agricultural. <br />Water extracted from the Yampa River downstream from its confluence with <br />Trout Creek is used for agricultural, industrial, municipal, domestic and <br />stock purposes. <br />Probable Hvdrolooic Consequences of the Foidel Creek Mine <br />A. Ground Water <br />The proposed Foidel Creek Mine may impact the quantity and quality of <br />ground water during and after mining. Possible ground water impacts are: <br />