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The Wolf Creek coal seam, which lies 150 to 170 feet below the Wadge coal seam, is the first significant aquifer below the mined seam. This seam, which is up to 12 feet thick, appears to be saturated in this area. Due to the dip of the uni[ and the confining nature of the over and underburden, the Wolf Creek has as much as 770 feet of artesian head in a well. It should be noted that the amount of head is aerially variable as the aquifer conditions change from water table (unconfined) near outcrops to confined conditions at depth. Due to mining methods and the thickness and type of interburden between [he Wolf Creek and Wadge, pit inflows from upward movement of the Wolf Creek are not expected. If fracturing of the interburden and/or the Wolf Creek coal, due to blasting or unloading of materials (overburden and Wadge coal seam), were to occur, it is estimated that 80% of the Wolf Creek head would be lost to friction, leaving a maximum total head of about 155 feet, which could potentially result in minor inflow. The aquifer characteristics of the Wolf Creek (low transmissivity and storativiry values) indicate that very little water is available for upward movement. Due to the distance between the Wadge and Wolf Creek, fracturing of the Wolf Creek due to mining is improbable. Inflow from the Wolf Creek coal seam into the open or reclaimed pits is not expected to occur. The Wadge coal and its overburden, which may locally contain the Lennox coal seam, generally stores and transmits water. While mining, water will be induced to flow into active and reclaimed pits. This water will flow mainly from the Wadge coal, but also from the overburden. The operator estimated the following values for aquifer characteristics in the Wadge Coal and Wadge Overburden: * Hydraulic conductivity of overburden = .Ol fr./day * Hydraulic conductivity of coal = 0.02 fr./day (north pit), .O1 ft. day (south pit) * Storativity = 10' for both aquifers * Transmissiviry = 4.5 fr. ''/day for overburden * Transmissivity = 0.12 fr. '/day for coal * Hydraulic gradient of overburden = .165 (north pit), .085 (south pit) * Hydraulic gradient of coal = .15 (north pi[), .11 (south pit) The preceding estimated values for hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity are somewhat lower than most values reported for these aquifers by mines in the area. Tables 5 and 6 in Robson and Stewart's (1990) report indicates ranges in hydraulic conductivity from 0.1 to 0.6 fr./day for the overburden aquifer and two values of .02 and .4 fr./day for the Wadge Coal. Seneca II-W Findings Document 28 June 15, 2001 Permi[ Renewal No. 3