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Ground Water Monitoring <br />1 <br />Quarterly ground water sampling for water level and water quality were conducted at each of the <br />designated alluvial and deep wells. Samplings were conducted during March, June, and September. No <br />sampling was conducted during December as approved by Technical Revision 19. <br />Methods <br />During visits to each station, water level measurements were made using aSoil-Test Indicating Depth <br />Meter with a conductance bridge. Levels were recorded from the top of the well casing and reported as such. <br />Water quality samples were collected during the quarterly field trips. Samples were obtained from a hand <br />bailer, grabbing at least three casings o[water prior to sample collection. Parameters o[ temperature, pH and <br />conductivity were made in the field. All sampling equipment and handling procedures were consistent with <br />those described in the surface water methods section of this report. <br />Results <br />Results of all well water measurements collected during 1985 through 1990 are presented in Appendix 2 <br />with major parameters summarized in Table 1. Information concerning well depth and completion is also <br />presented in Appendix 2. <br />The alluvial aquifer of S[ollsteimer Creek sampled at stations A-1, W-1, W-5 and W-7 indicate a direct <br />connection with Iluctuations of the creek. Water elevations were highest during the higher flow period in the <br />spring and lowest during the low (low period in the fall. Minor fluctuations occurred as a result of <br />precipitation events. Because of the below normal runoff condiiions of the creek during 1990, alluvial water <br />levels were also lower than previous years. In fact, Well W-1 was found to be dry during the September 1990 <br />sampling. Water quality sampling of the alluvial aquifer was conducted at stations A-1, W-1, W-5 and W-7. <br />In general, chemical parameters were consistent with those sampled in Stollstcimer Creek (Table 1). The <br />water is considered a mixed ion calcium/magnesium-sulfate/bicarbonate type with a more stable ionic condition <br />than the surface waters of the creek. Wells W-1 and W-7 are above mining operations and are analyzed as <br />control stations while wells A-1 and W-5 are located in Martinez Meadow in and below the anticipated area <br />of mining influence. Major parameters of these four wells are comparable (Table 1) excep[ conductivity and <br />TDS at A-1 are somewhat elevated. The metal concentrations of aluminum, iron and manganese were <br />significantly higher at wells A-1 and W-5 than sampled at W-1 and W-7. Stream concentrations of those <br />metals at stations S ~ and S-3 have not indicated these significant levels. These concentrations may be linked <br />to natural concentrations of the meadow soils. Since the Summer o[ 1987, the W-7 well has been utilized as <br />a full-time domestic water supply. This usage appears to have little effect on water level in the well, however, <br />the usage has decreased concentrations of the metal and other parameters being sampled. <br />Deep wells completed in the Fruitland Formation were sampled at stations W-6, W-9, W-10, W-17, and <br />VV-18. Wells W-17 and W-18 were eliminated from sampling under the current program. The general water <br />Icvcl fluctuation cycle of these wells is an increase in Icvel from January through June, a decrease from July <br />through October and a slight increase in November and December (Appendix 2). Station W-6 exhibited the <br />greatest fluctuations ranging nearly 20 feet (Table t) and was nearly dry when measured in September 1990. <br />Water quality of the deep wells was similar to that of the surface and alluvial waters. The waters are a mixed <br />ion calcium-sulfate bicarbonate type. Chemical parameters were relatively stable over the year with greater <br />ionization as water levels were lower. <br />Same o[ the parameters such as iron and ammonia exhibited high concentrations during certain sampling <br />events. Reasons for these spikes are not known, however, they may be linked to well completion and the steel <br />casing. <br />