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5 - <br />~~x becomes the primary source of stream flow. <br />Measured ground water discharge is low in the Starkville Area. <br />Within approximately a one mile radius of the mine wells may remove <br />160 gpm from the Trinidad sandstone and one gpm from the,Vermejo <br />Formation. Vermejo springs discharge approximately 13 gpm as <br />measured May 13, 1982. Raton Creek receives both seasonal surface <br />runoff and base flow from the Trinidad, Vermejo and Raton aquifers. <br />4 <br />A seasonal fluctuation in ground water storage is expected. <br />Non-confined aquifers are more sensitive to increases or decreases <br />of infiltration from precipitation. Low permeabilities, porosities <br />and transmissivities mean that recharge from distant confined areas <br />of the aquifes will be slow. As storage in the aquifers fluctuates <br />v <br />so will flow rates to streams, spring s, seeps and wells. This is <br />estimated to be a normal cycle near the Raton Creck Mine project. <br />~~ The presence of a coal mine adds another variable to the <br />hydrologic budget. Although not expected withdrawl of ground <br />water from mine seepage faces may occur in the Vermejo Formation. <br />Elden at low flows there is potential to produce a large, but shallow <br />radius of influence. This may additionally reduce pressure to <br />spring and seeps during dry periods. However, the water removed <br />from the mine may be placed in a holding pond where recharge back <br />to the Vermejo is possible, or discharged to surface flow. Water <br />might also enter the mine from the Raton aquifer along fractures. <br />At anticipated low gravity flow rates this could also cause a <br />localized drawdown in that formation. At present, no use of that <br />water is known,. Should the Trinidad sandstone be breached during <br />mining it would only contribute mine water if that aquifer is <br />artesian beneath the permit area. This is doubtful due to the <br />close proximity of the outcrop. However, if such were the case, <br />only a small amount of flow could be expected due to the aquifer <br />;~ . <br />FISHER, MAROEN !~ FISHER <br />Revised 5/93 <br />