Laserfiche WebLink
The Canadian Strip Mine extracted coal from the Sudduth Coal seam of the <br />Tertiary-age Coalmont Formation. Mining progressed south along the flank of <br />the McCallum Anticline towards the nose of this local structure. <br />Surface Water <br />All mining and reclamation activities occur within the Bolton Draw drainage, <br />an intermittent tributary of the Canadian River, Local flow in Bolton Draw <br />occurs primarily in response to snowmelt runoff, and to high-intensity summer <br />rainstorms. <br />One sediment pond currently exists at the mine site, and a second pond will be <br />built. These ponds will control all runoff from the disturbed area, <br />Ground Water <br />Ground water in the vicinity of the Canadian Strip Mine occurs in both <br />consolidated and unconsolidated aquifers. <br />The Sudduth Coal seam is the most significant source of ground water in the <br />area. Aquifer tests in the area of the mine site have been conducted in the <br />overburden, the coal seam and in the underburden. Flow within these units is <br />locally controlled by faulting and fractures. <br />Alluvial ground water flow occurs in the alluvial material associated with <br />both Bolton Draw and the Canadian River. Flow in the alluvial material <br />generally parallels the drainage pattern of the stream channel, <br />Topsoil <br />The soils within the permit area are highly variable in depth and quality. <br />Soils mapped in swales and north-facing slopes are generally deep and <br />well-drained sandy loams, neutral to slightly alkaline, with moderate amounts <br />of organic matter. Several areas of saline and/or sodic topsoil were located <br />in the permit area. However, these saline and sodic soils are unsuitable for <br />topsoil and will not be used in the reclamation of disturbed areas at the site. <br />Vegetation <br />The mine site is located in the intermontane park climax region. Two <br />vegetation types occur within the site: a dry grassland community and a big <br />sagebrush shrub community. The dry grassland type occurs on south-facing <br />slopes and within swales. Dominant life forms are cool season grasses and low <br />shrubs. The big sagebrush community occurs on a variety of exposures and soil <br />types. Dominant life forms are shrubs and semi-shrubs. Vegetation cover <br />ranges from 9% (grassland) to 30% (big sagebrush shrubland). <br />Description of the Operations and Reclamation Plan <br />During the previous permit term, the mining operation was permitted as a <br />truck-and-shovel haul-back operation. Overburden material was removed and <br />stockpiled prior to coal extraction, and then replaced when the pit reached <br />its economic limits. <br />4 <br />