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`~,~ 7, PROBABLE IMPACTS TO SPRINGS, SEEPS AND SURFACE WATERS <br />Development of theRaconcreckNo.zMinewill take place in the lower <br />Starkville coal seam of the Vermejo Formation. From the spring <br />and seep survey it appears that strata of this formation transmit <br />small amounts of water. This water emerges to the west, north- <br />west andrnrtheast as springs and seepage areas. It is likely that <br />discharge rates from those locations are dependant directly on <br />precipitation amounts and infiltration. Although not doccumented <br />here, springs and seeps with source water of this type are prone <br />to qo dry periodically. <br />If some aquifer drawdown occurs as a result of mining, this <br />tendency to cease flow during low rainfall periods may be increased. <br />Only the two nearest springs might be affected. The Secion 36 <br />spring is of very low flow rate, and might cease discharging entirely. <br />The Starkville Gulch spring flows into Raton Creek. Stopping of <br />this flow would actually improve the quality of Raton Creek due to <br />the high dissolved solids content of the spring water. <br />Raton Creek is thought to receive its base flow from the <br />Trinidad, Vermejo and Raton formations. Thus if water quality or <br />quantity changes occur in any of these aquifers, the quality of <br />Raton Creek will be altered by the percentage aquifers contribution <br />This, however, is unlikely to occur for the following reasons. <br />A majority of 'the base flow should come from the Raton due to <br />areal extent and hydrologic characteristics. The quality of the <br />Raton Formation waters will not be affected by the mining operation, <br />as this formation overlays all areas of activity. No contact will <br />be made with the Raton. <br /> <br />L~'+I <br /> <br />FISHER,,HAROEN 3 FISHER <br />574 <br />Revised 5/93 <br />