Laserfiche WebLink
Revision <br />February 1982 <br />• <br />Dissolved metals concentrations are low throughout the year, ~ahile <br />total metals concentrations are directly related to total suspended solids <br />concentrations due to adsorption on the colloids. Therefore, the total <br />metals concentrations are high during the snowmelt season and low the rest <br />of the year. Nutrient concentrations are low. Downstream of the mine near <br />Paonia water quality degrades due to irrigation return flows (U.S. Depart- <br />ment of Interior 1978). The Colorado Department of Health classifies the <br />North Fork as a B-1 quality water system. <br />No flow records exist for the ephemeral gulches that drain the permit <br /> <br />area. Two of the gulches listed as Sland S2, have had two water samples <br />taken during 1980 when they were flowing during snowmelt and thunderstorms <br />(Appendices XIV - 5; XIV - 8, and Exhibit 2.04.5-A). The water is alkaline <br />with an average total dissolved solids concentration of 121 mg/l. Total <br />suspended solids concentrations are low with highest occurring during <br />summer thunderstorms. Total iron concentration seemed to be related to the <br />total suspended solids concentration. <br />Alternative Water Supply Information <br />Alternative water supply is provided for as follows: Western Slope <br />• <br />Carbon owns 75 percent of the water rights in the Lost Lake Slough (East <br />Beckwith Reservoir). This amounts to 426.6 acre feet per year (Appendix <br />XIII). The reservoir is a holding point for water rights decreed to the <br />Fire Mountain Canal and Reservoir Company and leased to WSC for industrial <br />use. It is approximately 19 miles upstream from the points of diversion at <br />the Hawk's Nest Mine portals. As the water is used in WSC's operations, it <br />is measured for determination of annual usage rates. When the Water <br />Division of the Department of Natural Resources deems it necessary, the <br />2.04-29' <br />