2006-06-02_PERMIT FILE - C1980007A ‎(5)‎

• Permit No: C1980007A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 6/2/2006
• Doc Name: 2.04-115 Thru 2.04-125
• Section_Exhibit Name: 2.04.8 Climatological Information
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

Exhibit 23 average annual precipitation is 15.29 inches falling especially in September (1.61
inches), October (1.60 inches), and December (1.63 inches). January (0.90 inches) and June (0.82
inches) average the lowest montlily precipitation.
Maximum monthly precipitation fell in October (3.43 inches), but February (326 inches), April
(3.11 inches), June (3.30 inches), September (3.37 inches), and December (3.24 inches) all received
more than three inches at least once. The most precipitation recorded for May (1.75 inches) is
noticeably lower than the next lowest value which is 2.34 inches in July.
The minimmn monthly precipitation fell during October (0.00 inches). However, February (0.08
inches), June (0.06 inches), and July (0.05 inches) have received quite low amounts also. December
has never received as little precipitation as other months.
February, Jane, September, and October are the most variable in the amounts of precipitation they
have received over the J°eats. April, MaY, September, l~TOVember, and December always received at
least 0.1 inches precipitation on one or more days during the month April, June, July, September,
October, Alovember, and December have each had 1.0 inch or more precipitation on one day of that
month. Comparing this summary with the information on years before 1957 reveals no consistency
(Colorado Climatologist, Department of Atmospheric Sciences CSLJ).
Horse Creek Precipitation Station
A precipitation storage gage was installed near Horse Creek on the southern part of the coal lease
• area. Monthly readings had been recorded at this station since June of 1977, weather permitting.
The gage was destroyed during floods in late May, 1983. A new gage was installed at a nearby
location on September 8, 1983. Monthly readings of precipitation for this station were reported in
the AQuarterly Hydrology Reports= for the West Elk Mine.
Site Specific Conditions
For purposes of this section, Spring is defined as March 1 through May 31 and Summer as June 1
through August 31. Analytical presentations and discussions are included to define the
meteorological characteristics of the West Elk Mine.
Site Description
The monitoring program for site specific information includes three stations, identified as Site 1, 2,
and 3, located in the immediate area of the mine. The mine is located in w~estem Colorado along the
Alorth Fork of the Gnnni~nn River, east-northeast of Paonia, Colorado. Figure 12 shows the location
of each monitoring site. Site 1 is situated at an elevation of approximately 1,885 m (6,086 ft) above
mean sea level (MSL) immediately adjacent to the m~er and just east and upstream from the mine
facilities location Site 2 is located approximately 260 m (853 ft) southwest of Site 1 at an elevation
of approximately 1,908 m (6,260 ft) above MSL. Site 3 is located approximately 945 m (3,100 ft)
southwest of Site 1 and further up the side of the river valley canyon at an elevation of
approximately 2,038 m (6,687 ft) above MSL.
Several parameters were measured at each site. Wind speed, wind direction, and ambient air
temperature were measured at all three sites. Equipment at Site 2 also recorded relative humidity
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