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• The only other groundwater use of significance relative to the Southfield <br />operations is withdrawal of water by the town of Rockvale from the Oak <br />Creek drainage system. Withdrawal of significant quantities of <br />groundwater from the Oak Creek alluvium occurs well above the Southfield <br />loadout. As a result, downgradient flows within the Oak Creek alluvium <br />are virtually eliminated and surface flows are significantly reduced. <br />The locations of the groundwater rights discussed in preceding sections <br />are shown on the Regional Hydrogeologic Map, (Map 5), the Mine Area <br />Surface and Groundwater Hydrology Map, (Map 12), and the Loadout Area <br />Surface and Groundwater Hydrology Map, (Map 13). <br />Groundwater Quality. With highly variable geologic conditions, no <br />consistent piezometric surface or continuous aquifers, and the localized <br />effects of perched groundwater reservoirs and abandoned underground mine <br />workings, groundwater quality within the hydrologic basin is subject to <br />• significant variations. For the mine area, evaluation of groundwater <br />quality is based upon chemical analyses of groundwater samples collected <br />as part of an ongoing monitoring program initiated in 1981. Sample <br />analyses include all relevant chemical parameters as outlined in the <br />"Colorado Guidelines for Collection of Baseline Water Quality and <br />Overburden Geochemistry Data" and summarized by Table 12, Water Quality <br />Analysis Parameters. Groundwater quality analysis results for the mine <br />area are summarized by Table 13, Mine Area Groundwater Quality, which <br />summarizes available monitoring information for all groundwater monitoring <br />wells. Based upon analysis results, groundwater within the mine area has <br />a neutral pH and relatively high levels of sodium, sulfate and iron. <br />Generally, groundwater quality is adequate for industrial, agricultural, <br />and limited domestic use. <br />Suitability of groundwater for specific uses will be dependent upon the <br />individual characteristics of the source. As illustrated by Table 13, <br />Mine Area Groundwater Quality, a significant variance between minimum and <br />maximum values for certain analysis parameters further illustrate the high <br />degree of variability in groundwater quality previously referenced. <br />2.04.7-15 <br />