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Hubberson Gulch is gaged at U. S. Geological Survey Station 09244464 as it exits the permit area downstream of its confluence with the above referenced unnamed tributary. The data submitted with the permit application from July, 1979 through September, 1981, indicated that the stream is intermittent with periods of zero flow in late summer-early fall. Baseflow is 0.1 cfs with a maximum peak flow from snowmelt observed at 30 cfs. The snowmelt generally peaks in mid-April and recedes to baseflow by July. Average flow for the 1980 water year was 1.1 cfs. Hubberson Gulch water is a calcium-magnesium sulfate type, slightly alkaline, high in salinity and very hard. The pH ranges between 7.1 and 8.9 Total dissolved solids range from 385 to 1632.2 mg/1. TDS concentration generally shows an inverse relation to streamflow. Total suspended solids (TSS) range from 5 to 606 mg/1. TSS concentration is highest during high flow periods of snowmelt runoff and after intense precipitation events. There are two existing surface water rights within the permit boundary which will be affected by mining. Both of these rights are ponds used for livestock watering. The mitigation plan for these will be discussed under the "Water Rights and Replacement" section of this document. No irrigation ditches have been identified downstream of mining. Principal water usage along Hubberson Gulch and Dry Creek downstream of their confluence is livestock watering. There are two water rights downstream of mining listed for domestic and irrigation purposes, respectively. Water extracted from the Yampa River downstream is used for agricultural, industrial, municipal, stock and domestic purposes. Probable Hydrologic Consequences of the Seneca II-W Mine A determination of the probable hydrologic consequences of the proposed mining and reclamation activities at the Seneca II-W Mine site has been made by the applicant and is found in Volume III, Tab 7, Section VI of the permit application. This section includes an evaluation of quantity and quality effects on ground and surface water systems and proposed mitigative measures both as they occur concurrent with mining and post-mining (reclamation) effects. The Probable Hydrologic Consequences section of this document is divided into two main sub-sections: Ground Water Effects and Surface Water Effects. Ground Water Effects The Seneca II-W Mine site is located along the western flank of the Sage Creek anticline. The Sage Creek anticline controls ground water movement within the Mesaverde formation at the Seneca II-W mine area. Locally, water is moving to the west and slightly south, mainly through sandstones and coal seams in the formation. -33-