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<br /> <br />Six alluvial completion wells are used to monitor depth to water in the <br />alluvium, while two of these are used as water quality sample sites. Depth to <br />water data indicates that these wells may vary from semi-confined to water <br />table conditions. <br />The amount of head, if any, is generally less than 5 feet. Water quality <br />analyses of two alluvial wells indicate that these calcium-bicarbonate type <br />waters do not meet U.S EPA drinking standards. Manganese, sulfate, TDS, and <br />chromium are found to be in excess of standards. Those waters do meet stock <br />watering criteria, and may be used for irrigation dependent upon crop and soil <br />characteristics. <br />Springs and Seeps <br />An initial spring survey in July, 1979, located 49 springs and seeps in and <br />near the proposed permit area. The majority of these springs and seeps occur <br />in valley bottoms. The recharge to these valley bottom springs may be from a <br />discontinuous alluvial aquifer, from colluvial slumps, or from perched <br />aquifers draining to stream sediments. Several springs issue from the <br />Williams Fork formation, while two others issue from the overlying Twenty Mile <br />Sandstone. Some of the springs are used to fill stock ponds in the area, <br />while the majority either contribute flow to the creeks or provide recharge to <br />down gradient alluvium. <br />Olson Spring which is an adjudicated domestic water right, issues from the Dry <br />Creek Alluvium about 20 feet from Dry Creek. This spring is located about <br />9,000 feet downstream from mining. <br />Both Hubberson Gulch and Dry Creek may potentially be impacted by mining, <br />specifically by spoils discharge recharging the streams. Dependent upon the <br />time of year, Dry Creek may be recharging its alluvium, or the alluvium may be <br />adding water to the creek. Furthermore, dependent upon local conditions, <br />discharges from the spoils aquifer may infiltrate the Hubberson Gulch <br />alluvium. This water may flow through the alluvium downgradient to recharge <br />the Dry Creek alluvium from which Olson Spring issues. <br />It is projected by the applicant that, due to dilution, there will be no <br />impact to Olson Spring quality which may be attributed to mining. An alluvial <br />cross-section of wells in Hubberson Gulch up gradient of the spring will help <br />monitor the advance of any plume in that gulch. A water quality monitoring <br />plan was initiated at Olson Spring to provide baseline data of this spring. <br />If the quality or quantity of the spring is adversely impacted by mining, <br />Peabody Coal Company may be required to provide an acceptable alternative <br />water supply. For further discussion of this, see Section VII - Water Rights <br />and Replacement. <br />-20- <br />