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Water quality data have been collected at several sites throughout the <br /> Minnesota Creek drainage. The data indicate that these waters are of a <br /> calcium bicarbonate type with relatively low total dissolved solids <br /> concentration. <br /> Minnesota Reservoir appears to have an effect on the water quality <br /> characteristics of Dry Fork. Detention of Dry Fork flows in the <br /> Minnesota Reservoir results in a decrease in total suspended solids <br /> (TSS) or turbidity, a slight increase in temperature, dissolved oxygen <br /> (DO), and total dissolved solids (TDS). The increase in TDS is most <br /> likely a result of evaporation losses. There is a slight increase in <br /> alkalinity and, as a result, a slight increase in pH. In all likelihood, <br /> these changes are also a result of evaporation losses. All of the changes <br /> in water quality observed are what would be expected as a result of <br /> impounding water in a shallow reservoir in a semi-arid climate. <br /> There are three different types of springs within the permit area <br /> including alluvial, colluvial, and bedrock springs. Eighty-three springs <br /> have been identified within the permit area. Recent data indicate that <br /> 65 percent of the discharge originates from alluvium and/or colluvium, <br /> and 35 percent have bedrock formation as their source. Only 5 per cent <br /> of discharge comes from the Upper and Lower Coal Series. The flow <br /> rates of these springs are highly seasonal with peak flows occurring <br /> during wet weather conditions.Measurements indicate that spring flows <br /> generally decrease from a high in the early summer to a low in the fall. <br /> A number of the springs are ephemeral, indicating that their sources <br /> are small localized aquifers (i.e. landslide deposits, colluvium, <br /> lenticular sandstones, etc.). There are a total of nineteen (19) decreed <br /> spring water rights on or near the West Elk permit area. <br /> Wetlands have also been identified within the permit area. Based upon <br /> inspection of conventional and infra-red aerial photographs and <br /> reconnaissance-level field investigation, there are estimated to be 2 to 3 <br /> acres of wetlands (as defined by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in <br /> the Apache Rocks permit revision area. Most of the wetlands are found <br /> in drainage channels, although there are small, isolated wetlands on the <br /> hillsides where springs and seeps occasionally emerge as a result of <br /> landslides/sumps. <br /> 2. Probable Hydrologic Consequences of the West Elk Mine determination of <br /> the probable hydrologic consequences of the proposed mining and <br /> reclamation activities at the West Elk Mine has been made by the applicant, <br /> and is found in Section 2.05.6(3) of the permit document. The operator has <br /> projected the impacts based on past experience, expected rates of water use <br /> and water discharge, hydrogeologic conditions associated with refuse <br /> 35 <br />