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_P7_ <br />Cumulative Hvdroloaic lmoact <br />The worst case impact of mining at the Eastside Mine was a predicted increase <br />in TDS during the non-irrigation season from a baseline of 755 mg/1 to 1054 <br />mg/1 with a flow of 0.7 cfs. The low-flow on record for the Colorado River at <br />Glenwood Springs is 870 cfs. The mean level of TDS in the Colorado River <br />during the 83 water year was 427 mg/1. Loading of the worst-case level of TDS <br />in Harvey Gap into the low-flow of the Colorado River gave a rise in TDS of <br />0.5 mg/1. This rise is insignificant and would not affect the quality of the <br />Colorado River. No other Significant impacts to the hydrologic balance were <br />predicted due to mining at the Eastside Mine. <br />No impacts to quality of the Colorado River or associated alluvium were <br />projected from mining at Coal Ridge No. 1 Mine. Use of water for the <br />hydraulic mining process was projected to consume 600 acre feet from the <br />Colorado River system. This equals an average flow of 0.83 cfs. The average <br />flow of the Colorado River during 1983 was 4,969 cfs. Therefore, the impact <br />of the consumptive water used at the mine site is insignificant. <br />In conclusion, based on information currently available, mining at the <br />Eastside and Coal Ridge No. 1 operations is not projected to cumulatively <br />impact the quality or quantity of ground water or surface water within the <br />Colorado Basin. <br />The assessment of the probable cumulative impacts of all anticipated coal <br />mining in the general area of the Coal Ridge No. 1 on the hydrologic balance <br />has been made by the Division, and the operations proposed under this <br />application have been designed to prevent material damage to the hydrologic <br />balance outside of the proposed permit area. <br />Reference <br />Tremain, Carol M. 1983. Coal Bed Methane Potential of the Piceance Basin, <br />Colorado. Colorado Geological Survey, Department of Natural Resources, <br />Denver, Colorado 80203. Open - File Report 82-1. <br />X. Alluvial Valley Floors - Rules 2.06.8 and 4.24 <br />Information on alluvial valley floors reviewed by the Division is contained in <br />Section 5.1 of Volume I and figures 5.1-1, 5.1-2, 5.2-1, and 5.2-2 of Volume V <br />of the application. <br />The applicant identified unconsolidated streamlaid deposits along the Colorado <br />River, Alkali Creek, and South Canyon Creek. South Canyon Creek is not <br />hydrologically adjacent to the proposed mine for this permit term, therefore, <br />it will not be considered in this alluvial valley floor (AVF) determination. <br />Alkali Creek and the Colorado River will be discussed separately below. <br />