Laserfiche WebLink
The consolidated aquifers of Twentymile Park basin aze generally recharged at their outcrops near <br />the edge of the basin. Flow direction from the recharge area is toward the center of the basin <br />probably dischazging into the Fish Creek alluvial aquifer. Locally, some smaller, laterally <br />discontinuous aquifers discharge into the alluvium of Trout Creek, Middle Creek, and Foidel Creek. <br />The alluvial aquifers are locally recharged from the bedrock aquifers, as well as by direct infiltration <br />from precipitation,irrigation return flows, and swface runoff. The alluvial water is discharged into <br />the adjacent stream or consolidated aquifers, or may flow out of the basin via the Trout Creek <br />alluvium which in turn discharges into the Yampa River alluvial system. <br />The Trout Creek Sandstone, thought to be a regionally significant sowce of ground water, is <br />characterized by sodium-sulfate type water with an average total dissolved solids (TDS) <br />concentration of about 1040 mg/1. <br />The Wadge Coal and overbwden units are marginally acceptable as aquifers at the Edna Mine site; <br />however they are included in this discussion because this unit as a whole is considered to be an <br />aquifer at other mine sites within Twentymile Pazk. <br />Aquifer properties were determined from single-hole aquifer tests. These tests indicate that the <br />trarumissivity ofthe coal and overbwdenvariesfrorn 0.7 ftZ/day to 39 ft /day. These values indicate <br />that the aquifer is marginally useful as a water sowce in this area. The Wadge Coal water chemistry <br />is calcium magnesium bicazbonate to sodium sulfate, with TDS values varying between 490 mg/1 <br />and 570 mg/l. The vertical migration of water between these units is not anticipated because of the <br />thick sequence of relatively impermeable interbwden. <br />Groundwater quality in the Wadge overbwden deteriorates in the downdip direction. Up-gradient <br />monitoring locations indicate that the water is of moderately good quality, characterized by low <br />Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) values and moderate levels of total dissolved solids. The <br />down-gradientmonitoring wells, however, show increasingly higher levels of total dissolved solids, <br />demonstrating that longer residence time in the bedrock aquifer results in greater dissolution of <br />sulfate and total salts and leads to the degradation of water quality. <br />The two alluvial aquifer systems within the Edna permit area are the Oak Creek and Trout Creek <br />alluvial aquifers. Both are indirect hydraulic communicationwith each associated stream. Baseline <br />water quality data from the Trout Creek alluvial aquifer indicates that the water is suitable for <br />agricultwal purposes. It is moderately low in TDS levels (less than 350 mg/1) and exhibits a low <br />SAR. The water quality of the Oak Creek alluvial aquifer is generally lower than that of the Trout <br />Creek alluvium (TDS levels ranging from 400 to 1700 mg/1). This is probably attributable to the <br />greater levels of distwbance and activities present along the Oak Creek valley, including roads, <br />railroads and historic coal mining activity on the alluvium. <br />Edna Mine 5 permit Renexal No. 3 <br />