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Elk Mine <br />• to 90 gpm); G-31 (up to 45 gpm) in Gribble Gulch; and D-2, J-4 and J-10 (up to 30 gpm) all in the <br />Apache Rocks permit revision azea. The range of flow data is presented in Exbibit 57 and in <br />Annual Hydrology Reports. <br />Fifty springs/seeps have been identified in the South of Divide permit area. Most of the <br />springs/seeps have negligible yield. Only four of the springs have been identified as perennial <br />(WCC-24, J-7, J-2, and 35-3), of which only J-7 is within the area of mining influence. <br />Most springs in the lease block derive their water from perched aquifers in the coluuvium and <br />Barren Member of the Mesaverde Formation. The fact that most springs dry out during the late <br />summer indicates that the groundwater reservoirs supplying the springs are limited in extent. The <br />dischazge rates of the springs respond closely to precipitation events, another indication that the <br />rechazge azeas for the springs are very localized. <br />There aze three different types of springs within the pemut area: <br />1. Alluvial Springs -Subsurface water moving through the alluvium emerges as a spring, and <br />discharges into the drainage channel. <br />2. Colluvial Springs - Cllluvial groundwater moving downgradient emerges from the colluvium as <br />a spring. The source of the goundwater in the colluvium can be snowmelt infiltration, rainfall <br />infiltration, dischazge from a surface channel or upgradient bedrock spring flows that infiltrate <br />• into the colluvium. <br />3. Bedrock Springs - Springs can be encountered where subsurface formations outcrop. <br />Groundwater moves along the surface of the formation and eventually daylights. <br />Historic Spring Monitoring_Data <br />Spring monitoring to establish baseline data and to assess the impacts of mining in the F Seam has <br />been conducted by MCC for over 10 years. Monitoring of springs potenfially subject to impact <br />from B Seam mining has been conducted since 1992. The relevant data indicate that F and B Seam <br />mining has had little, if any, impact on spring flows. Specific information on spring-related mining <br />impacts for these seams can be found in the Annual Hydrology Reports from 1982 to the present. <br />Plots of spring flow hydrographs are contained in the Annual Hydrology Reports. Considerable <br />variation from yeaz to year is also apparent along with the seasonal pattern. A comparison of <br />operational data with pre-mining data reveals no discernable difference. Flow monitoring will be <br />continued by MCC in order to assess trends over time. A visual comparison of the data presented in <br />the Annual Hydrology Reports reveals a lack of correlation among spring flows. <br />MCC has been building a representative database for springs in the permit and lease areas, since <br />1978. Sufficient baseline data, in accordance with CDMG regulations have been established to <br />enable future detemunations as to whether longwall mining could be affecting the springs. <br /> <br />2.05-16$ Revised November 2004 PRl0 <br />