GENERAL43393

• Permit No: C1981022
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 9/8/1983
• Doc Name: PROPOSED DECISION AND FINDINGS OF COMPLIANCE
• Permit Index Doc Type: FINDINGS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

-15-
The mine inflows adjacent to Hubbard Creek do not show any measurable
seasonal variation in flow. This woulu indicate that they are not
hydrologically connected directly to the surface water system. !f the
inflows were tributary to the Hubbard Creek one would expect the flows to
increase during spring runoff and decrease during low flow in early fall
which is not the case.
For the purposes of a worst case analysis the Division assumed that mine
inflows adjacent to the Hubbard Creek could be tributary to surface
water. The total mine inflows wider and adjacent to the Huboard Creek
valley is approximately U.29cfs. The purpose of the analysis was to
determine whether any impacts to downstream water users could be
identified until such time as monitoring data affirmatively demonstrated
that mine inflows were nut tributary to surface water. The following
indicates that downstream water users will be protected.
There are two ditch owners downstrean from the mine on Hubbard Creek. The
ditches are the Mays and Deertrail diversions that are used for
agricultural irrigation on the North Fork of the Gunnison near the town
of Bowie. The ditches have a combined capacity of 3.9 cfs although the
actual amount of water consumption is less than capacity. Ten years of
water use included in the application shows that the diversion use is
variable. In general, water use is highest during the high flow ,nonths of
May and June. The State Engineers Uffice indicates tPrat Hubbard Creek is
not an over-appropriated basin (i.e. water users on the creek have never
requested that a 'call' be placed on junior avatar rights holders). A low
flow of record in 19ttu produced an estimates 3.0 cfs of water available
to the Hubbard Creek water users with no shortage of water being reported
and no calls fur water from either the U. S. Steel mine or the Blue Ribbon
Mine in Hubbard Creek.
The North Fork of the Gunnison River is however, an over-appropriated
oasin. Any depletions ~o the North Fork could be significant to
downstream water users. U. S. Steel only consumes an estimated LU/ of mine
inflows under a'well pernrit issued by the Colorado SEU. Tire remainder of
excess mine water is pumped out of tine mine and returns to the North Fork
of the Gunnison. The discharge from the mine averages U.24 cfs.
The well permit which covers the 20`/ of mine inflows conswned at the
operation was issued in 19713. This is a junior water right that could oe
suoject to calls during a dry year. U. S. Steel has identified two water
rights tributary to the North Furk of the Gunnison that are owned by the
mine that could ue used to mitigate any impacts to downstream water
rights holders. The two water rights are each for 404 gallons per minute
or a total of dU8 ypm. The water rights were issued in 19UL and 194;1
which makes them senior water rights which would (rave priority even
during ury years. ibis information shows that if an impact to a
downstream water right holder is identified in the future as a result of
the operation, U. S. Steel has sufficient water rights that could be used
to mitigate the impact.
Based on this information the operation was found to be in compliance
with the requirements of this section.