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2.04.511)(b) <br />There is an even distribution of a number of springs through <br />the 400' interval above the F seam with a significant increase <br />in the number of springs occurring between 450' - 500' and <br />500' - 600' above the F seam. This latter distribution suggests <br />a significant shale or aquiclude layer at these two points. One <br />of the above groups of springs occurs within Poison Gulch, a <br />tributary of the Dry Fork of the Minnesota Creek. The valley <br />bottom parallels the dip, thus giving rise to this stratigraphic <br />zonation of springs. In addition, the spring waters are <br />dominantly low solids (500 ppm, TDS) sodium bicarbonate waters. <br />There is no marked change in water quality with 3istance above <br />the F seam. <br />A large number of the springs dry up in late summer. This is <br />evidence of either a small amount of recharge to the aquifer or <br />a rather limited aquifer system. If there was a large amount <br />of recharge and a sufficient flow through the aquifer system, <br />• assuming aquifer continuity, then there should be a large <br />number of springs along the north facing hillside flanking the <br />North Fork of the Gunnison River. This is not the case. There <br />is also no apparent concentration of springs issuing from the <br />north facing walls of the Dry Fork of Minnesota Creek, a stream <br />that cuts across the dip of the beds. These factors suggest <br />local recharge and discharge. <br />There are few springs (10 in all) issuing from below the F seam. <br />Almost all of these springs occur in either Sylvester Gulch or <br />Gribble Gulch located about a mile west of the town of Somerset. <br />Whether this water originated further south of the block and <br />flows through an aquifer system beneath the F seam, or is local <br />recharge water, is unknown. <br />LJ <br />REVISED MHO 15, 1981 <br />5-6 <br />