Laserfiche WebLink
affected by the Foidel Creek Mine. The following wells serve as the Foidel Creek Mine's ground <br />water points of compliance: 97013TH (Twentymile sandstone), 008-77-58 (Wadge overburden), <br />008-AU3 (Fish Creek alluvium), and 008-AT-1 (Trout Creek alluvium). The mine's annual hydrology <br />reports contain long-term data from these wells. These data show the Foidel Creek mine is in <br />compliance with the Basic Standards for Ground Water at the ground water points of compliance. <br />Surface water <br />Several possible effects on the surface water system have been identified. <br />Dischazge of mine inflow water to surface water drainaees <br />Mine water discharged to the surface water system will increase the conductivity, total dissolved solids <br />(TDS), sulfate, and iron concentrations in the streams receiving the discharge. Total suspended solids, <br />SAR, and pH could also increase due to these dischazges. SAR may reach up to 6.2 in Fish Creek and <br />3.0 in Trout Creek. Sulfate and conductivity impacts are predicted for various segments of the stream <br />system to be affected. TR-32 approved a plan that will allow the mine to dischazge considerable <br />volumes of degraded water during high flow (great dilution capacity) and lesser or no dischazge during <br />periods of low flow (minimal dilution capacity). <br />Lower Middle Creek -Impacts in this segment will be pronounced due to relatively small instream <br />flows. There is no sulfate or irrigation standard over this reach. However, due to standazds on Trout <br />Creek immediately below this segment, impacts will be minimized during most times of the yeaz. <br />Lower Fish Creek- The mine pumps underground mine water into Fish Creek at site 115. This <br />pumping may significantly degrade water in Fish Creek and the water in Trout Creek, downstream <br />from Fish Creek. The degradation would be high dissolved solids, mainly sulfate. The Division <br />applies a material damage standard to the Fish Creek alluvial valley floor of 1500 umhos/cm. This <br />standard is based on the salinity level in irrigation water that would cause a 3% drop in crop yield. <br />Modeling indicates that during low flow periods, the instream conductivity limit of 1500 umhos/cm <br />could be exceeded. Therefore, the applicant has committed to limiting mine water dischazge to a rate <br />that does not cause Fish Creek water to exceed 1500 umhos/cm. <br />Lower Trout Creek -The mine does not affect Trout Creek waters above the confluence with Middle <br />Creek, but the flow rate and quality of Trout Creek is affected by site 109 (Portal area) dischazge into <br />Foidel Creek. Foidel Cteek flows into Middle Creek upstream of the confluence of Middle Creek and <br />Trout Creek. Modeling submitted during TR-32 review indicates the potential for significant impact <br />over the lower Trout Creek reach due to mine water dischazges. Conductivity over this reach should <br />not be a problem, as the highest modeled value was 970 umhos/cm, which would not preclude <br />irrigation usage. The sulfate limit of 250 mg/1 over the period of June to February could be exceeded. <br />Therefore, the mine will adjust dischazge levels to prevent exceedance during this period in the same <br />way conductivity levels will be regulated on Lower Fish Creek. The mine demonstrated that sulfate <br />levels could be accurately determined by the existing relationship with conductivity <br />(sulfate/conductivity = 0.32). When conductivity at the upstream site (site 301) equals or exceeds 740 <br />umhos/cm, discharge from site 109 will cease entirely. <br />Lower Trout Creek- Below Fish Creek -Flow rate and water quality will be affected by mine water <br />dischazge from site 115 (Fish Creek borehole) and site 109 (portal dischazge). Modeling performed by <br />the applicant Lh TR-32 indicates that during low flow, the sulfate standard of 250 mg/1 could be <br />exceeded due to mine water dischazges. The applicant has committed to conduct upstream and <br />12 <br />