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fracturing of the Wolf Creek due to mining is improbable. Inflow from the <br />Wolf Creek coal seam into the open or reclaimed pits is not expected to <br />occur. <br />The Wadge coal and its overburden, which may locally contain the Lennox <br />coal seam, generally stores and transmits water. While mining, water will be <br />induced to flow into active and reclaimed pits. This water will flow mainly <br />from the Wadge coal, but also from the overburden. The operator <br />estimated the following values for aquifer characteristics in the Wadge Coal <br />and Wadge Overburden: <br />' Hydraulic conductivity of overburden = .Ol ft./day <br />' Hydraulic conductivity of coal = 0.02 ft./day (north pit), .Ol ft. day <br />(south pit) <br />' Storativity = 10"Z for both aquifers <br />' Transmissivity = 4.5 ft. Z/day for overburden <br />' Transmissivity = 0.12 ft. 2/day for coal <br />' Hydraulic gradient of overburden = .165 (north pit), .085 (south pit) <br />' Hydraulic gradient of coal = .15 (north pit), .11 (south pit) <br />The preceding estimated values for hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity <br />are somewhat lower than most values reported for these aquifers by mines <br />in the area. Tables 5 and 6 in Robson and Stewart's (1990) report indicates <br />ranges in hydraulic conductivity from 0.1 to 0.6 ft./day for the overburden <br />aquifer and two values of .02 and .4 ft./day for the Wadge Coal. <br />The Division's PHC findings are based on the possibility of greater inflows <br />than those predicted by the applicant. The Williams Fork Formation <br />overburden which locally contains the Lennox Coal Seam, may contain <br />perched aquifers as well as acting as a limited aquifer system near the <br />Wadge coal. The overburden does not contain or transport significant <br />amounts of water in this area. <br />The applicant states that no hydrologic effects due to mining will be noticed <br />at Temple Well No. 1 (a domestic water right), a little south and west of the <br />mine site. Eventually, some effects will be seen at this well. The effects <br />may be exhibited as increased levels of dissolved solids or other chemical <br />parameters (sulphur, iron) and/or diminished quantity of water at the well. <br />These effects will probably not be seen until a number of years after mining <br />has reached its closest point to the well. Eventually, effects will diminish as <br />the dissolved solids are leached from the spoils, and the aquifer <br />characteristics return to normal. <br />Locally, the major impacts of mining include affecting the quantity and/or <br />quality of Springs S-1, S-5, 5-23, 5-41 and S-45. Effects of mining at these <br />sites will not be observed for a few years after mining is at its closest to <br />these points. <br />27 <br />