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<br />Wells located in Apache Canyon (ACAW-1) and Ciruela Canyon (CLAW-1) were <br />monitored following their installation in April, 1984. Station ACA1V-1 is a calcium- <br />bicarbonate type water and exhibits chemical parameters typical of side canyon water <br />quality. Station CCAW-1, on the other hand, is a sodium-bicarbonate type water <br />exhibiting chemical parameters more like those of the Golden Eagle D.Aine Discharge. <br />Geologic studies of Ciruela Canyon show the alluvium to be shallow and some infiltration <br />of mine discharge water may be expected. <br />3.3 Hydrologic Consequence <br />Analysis of potential impacts associated with mining and refuse disposal have been <br />completed and are contained in the 1981 mine permit application and the permit <br />application revision for the preparation plant (February, 1984). Of particular concern are <br />changes in the water quality and quantity of the Purgatoire River and side canyons within <br />the permit and adjacent areas. <br />Vertical permeability of the overburden on the mine property has been estimated at <br />0.00021 ft/day (1981 mine permit application). When this low permeability is multiplied <br />by~t ie h`o~izontal surface area of saturated alluvium of the area, downward flow of water <br />is estimated at 2.3 gpm. With the flow measured in the Purgatoire River, this small water <br />loss would not be detectable. This would also be true for the Purgatoire alluvium. Flows <br />of the river will continue to replenish the amount of water lost to seepage. <br />The effects on the side canyon drainages should be similar to the Purgatoire <br />alluvium. Based on general geologic mapping, the alluvial area of each canyon was <br />multiplied by the permeability, the water lost to seepage in Apache, Ciruela and <br />Santistevan Canyons has been estimated 0.3, 0.07 and 0.09 gpm, respectively. in all cases, <br />this represents less than one percent of the calculated runoff for each system. However, <br />in those canyons which have surface entries into the coal (Ciruela and Apache), seepage <br />from shafts may add to the alluvial water loss. The mine inflow studies (Appendix 3) <br />indicate that 124 gpm entering the Golden., Eagle 14ine comes from shafts located in <br />Ciruela Canyon and LO gpm entering the New Elk brine comes from shafts located in <br />~..... <br />Apache Canyon. These flows are significant,.when compared~to,the.calculated runoff <br />available for these two canyons suggesting a localized impact on surface and alluvial flow <br />-25- <br />