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Surface Water Hvdroloeic SVStem <br />•A detailed discussion of the surface water hydrology is given in the response to Section 779.16. The Eckman Park <br />Operation is located in the headwaters area of Foidel Creek, which is a tributary to the Trout Creek drainage. <br />Trout Creek drains the eastern portion of the Twentymile Park topographic and structural basin. Trout Creek and <br />major tributary drainages form a distinct surface hydrologic system which is separated from other area drainages <br />by structural features and topographic drainage divides. <br />Mgjor and tributary drainages in the Trout Creek drainage include Foidel Creek, Middle Creek, and Fish Creek. <br />Foidel Creek is the receiving drainage for disturbed area runoff and is the primary stream wlticlt could potentially <br />be impacted by the mining activities. Foidel Creek is tributary to Middle Creek, with confluence of the two <br />streams being located approximately 7 miles from [he permit area. Because Foidel Creek and the lower reaches of <br />Middle and Trout Creeks are Hydrologically connected, there is a potential for mining-related surface water <br />impacts to extend downstream from Foidel Creek and affect the other drainages. <br />Fislt Creek is separated from the surface drainages, which will be potentially affected by mining by a topographic <br />drainage divide. However, Fislt Creek does derive a portion of its base streantFlow from area groundwater <br />• contributions. <br />In the vicinity of the Eckman Park Operation, both Foidel and Middle Creeks are naturally intermittent streams <br />q~pically exhibiting significant Flows only in response to spring snowmel[ and major storm events. The natural <br />Flows of Foidel Creek have been supplemented in recent years by releases of backfill discharge water from <br />surface-mined areas of Mine I and Eckman Park (via Ponds A, D, and F) and by release of mine inflow water from <br />the Foidel Creek underground mine operated by Twentymile Coal Company (via Pond D). Flow in Foidel Creek <br />downstream from the mine is now perennial. Fish and Trout Creeks are perennial streams with base flows <br />observed year round and peak flows occurring during late spring and early summer in response to spring runoff. <br />• <br />1996 Permit Ren. Permit Renewal 780-144-5 Revised 3/18/97 <br />