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colluvial deposits are found along the base of the main hogback between <br />the terrace material and exposed bedrock and blanketing much of the <br />bedrock along the south facing portion of the hogback. <br />Surface Water <br />The Coal Ridge No. 1 Mine is located along the southern side of the Colorado <br />River in the Upper Colorado River Basin, three miles east of New Castle, <br />Colorado. <br />The permit area is contained within three watersheds: the Colorado River, <br />Alkali Creek, and South Canyon Creek. Underground mining operations may be <br />conducted in all three watersheds during the life of the mine; however, the <br />surface facilities will be located only in the Colorado River Basin. <br />The mine facilities will be constructed and operated on the souther side of <br />the Colorado River above the active channel. These facilities include <br />portals, preparation plant, and support facilities. Mining will occur within <br />the Grand Hogback and follow the hogback east and west from the portal. The <br />Colorado River will not be undermined during operations. <br />Water from the Colorado River is of good quality and is used for domestic and <br />irrigation purposes. Salinity concerns have resulted in the establishment of <br />standards for the upper and lower Colorado River basin tincluding the Colorado <br />River and Alkali Creek). Water has been monitored since 1981 on Alkali Creek <br />and 1983 on the Colorado River. The Colorado Department of Health receiving <br />stream standards for some metals have occasionally been exceeded in both the <br />Colorado River and Alkalai Creek. <br />Elevated copper, zinc and lead levels predominate in the Colorado River, while <br />nitrates and selenium are elevated in Alkali Creek. High nitrate levels are <br />attributed to local agricultural practices, while selenium is due to the coal <br />outcrops in the valley which have historically been mined since the early <br />1800's. <br />The elevated metal concentrations in the Colorado River are due to upstream <br />contact with ore-bearing rocks and possible mineral mine drainage. There is <br />no mine water discharge approval for the Colorado River nor Alkali Creek <br />waters. All surface water on the site will be routed via a ditch to the <br />Sediment Pond A where in the settling and separation process, the excess water <br />will be decanted off and returned back into the hydraulic circuit. <br />Alkali Creek is a tributary to the Colorado River and flows on the south side <br />of the Grand Hogback and mine site. Irrigated pasture lands are found along <br />Alkali Creek. This agricultural use significantly affects the quantity and <br />quality of the water in Alkali Creek. <br />Flows on Alkali Creek are greatly affected by impoundments and diversions. <br />Porter Reservoir, in the headwaters of the drainage, provides a somewhat <br />uniform flow year round. Several impoundments have been constructed in the <br />main channel of Alkali Creek which regulate flow. Diversion structures below <br />these impoundments are used to flood irrigate the pasture lands. The entire <br />flow of Alkali Creek has been diverted for irrigation during certain times of <br />the year. <br />-8- <br />