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Rechazge to the Rollins Sandstone can occurs along outcrops, along <br />subcrops beneath stream alluvium and in the channels of the North Fork <br />and its tributaries. However, due to the steepness of the topography in <br />the outcrop areas (i.e., sandstones aze ledge formers) and the narrowness <br />of the stream valleys, these local aquifers receive little recharge. Some <br />rechazge to the continuous units and much of the rechazge to the more <br />discontinuous, lenticular units will come directly from the percolation of <br />snowmelt and precipitation downwazd through sandstone lens and along <br />fractures. The same is true in the Jumbo Mountain azea. Of 112 <br />exploration drill holes at the West Elk Mine that were drilled prior to the <br />mine opening, only three of the holes produced water from the F Seam at <br />a production rate of 3 gpm or less. Three other holes in the Barren <br />Member had rates of about 0.75 gpm. <br />Some fractures and faults transect the Mesaverde Formation and extend <br />vertically to the surface. These faults and fractures produce narrow bands <br />of secondary permeability within the rock strata. Due to the low <br />permeability of the rock strata within the Mesaverde Formation, these <br />faults and fractures provide the primary path through which water flows <br />both vertically between rock strata and horizontally within rock strata. <br />When faults and fractures are encountered within the mines in the North <br />Fork region, they generally produce mine inflows. The flow <br />characteristics of each mine inflow associated with faults and fractures <br />depend upon the lateral extent and the proximity of the fault or fracture to <br />a stream valley. All inflows from these sources are characterized by an <br />initial surge of water which then either decreases or ceases completely <br />with time. <br />Locally, water flow through fractures probably occurs more rapidly, as <br />suggested by the seasonal fluctuation in dischazge rates of some springs <br />in the mine plan azea. Mine inflow studies conducted as recently as 1985 <br />have shown that the primary source of inflows aze from fractures in areas <br />of low overburden. <br />As previously described in this document, MCC encountered a large <br />inflow of water while mining through afault/fracture system in the <br />B East Mains. As of the date of this findings document, MCC continues <br />to experience mine inflow in the Sylvester Gulch azea of the mine. <br />Since the geologic strata dips to the northeast, one would expect the <br />groundwater to flow in the same direction. The monitoring wells <br />generally support this, but there are exceptions. Some wells aze dry, <br />indicating no groundwater flow and other wells that are closely spaced <br />but completed at different portions of the Barren Member have water <br />levels that vary greatly. This may indicate the discontinuity of the water <br />47 <br />