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<br />Water will migrate through this system slowly, and will eventually mix with <br />water near the Wadge coal. The total dissolved solids values should drop as <br />distance from the mine site increases. The other chemical constituents will <br />probably remain about the same. <br />As previously discussed under short-term effects of elevated levels during <br />mining, the elevated levels for sulfate, magnesium and TDS should not preclude <br />the use of the waters of Hubberson Gulch from any of its current uses. As the <br />distance from the mine increases the effects of dilution will improve the <br />quality of water and eventually no effects from mining will noticable. <br />If the spoils discharge flows into the unnamed gulch along the access road, <br />the water will cause the gulch to flow or will infiltrate into the associated <br />alluvial/colluvial material. This is dependent upon the water table elevation <br />in the gulch. If the spoils water infiltrated the colluvium/alluvium it will <br />flow toward Hubberson Gulch. Dilution with Hubberson Gulch colluvium/alluvium <br />will improve water quality. <br />If the spoils discharge causes the gulch to fl ow, this water will mix with <br />whatever flow is in Hubberson gulch. As already discussed, this will not <br />preclude the use of Hubberson Gulch waters for their current uses. <br />CUMULATIVE HYDROLOGIC IMPACT STUDY <br />Ground Water <br />The Western flank of the Sage Creek anticline is a minor component of the <br />regional Sand Wash Ground Water Basin. The Seneca II-W Mine site occupies a <br />relatively small portion of the anticlinal flank. The anticline may be <br />considered to be a small part of the basin recharge system. The process of <br />opening pits and then refilling them with relatively high permeability <br />material, will interrupt local recharge potential of the Wadge coal, Williams <br />Fork overburden and some colluvial/alluvial material. Regionally, the loss of <br />recharge area (the Seneca II-W Mine site) will be insignificant. <br />In addition to Seneca II-W,lthe Eagle No. 5, Eagle No. 9, Trapper, H-G, <br />Grassy Gap Mines and portions of Seneca II Mine are located within the <br />Sand Wash Basin. <br />In relation to Seneca II-W Mine, the other mines in the basin are separated <br />structurally or are geographically distant. <br />The cumulative hydrologic impact to the Sand Wash Basin from all these mines <br />is insignificant. <br />The mines in close proximity to Seneca II-W Mine; Grassy Gap, H-G, and part of <br />Seneca II, although located in the regional Sand Wash Basin, are separated <br />from Seneca II-W Mine by the local Sage Creek Anticline. Eagle No. 5, <br />Eagle No. 9 and Trapper Mines are all located near Craig, Colorado, about <br />thirty miles west/northwest of Hayden, Colorado. <br />-37- <br />