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• Pond 1, approximately 0.8 acres, resulted from the mining of the 9 Right panel, and has remained since it first <br />formed in 1996. The pond is located in a segment of the creek, which is more deeply incised, thus limiting the <br />extent of ponding. The 2000 field observations reveal that the pond exists, although it is difficult to determine if it <br />is decreasing in areal extent. <br />Pond 2, approximately 0.3 acres, is [he smallest of the group, reflecting [he creek is deeply incised, which field <br />observations verify. The 2000 field observations revealed that the pond exists, although it is difficult [o determine <br />if it is decreasing in areal extent. Likewise, pond 3 is small in area extent, approximately 0.5 acres, and the 2000 <br />field observations reveal that the pond exists. <br />The upstream and downstream Flow regimes were reviewed to determine if stream flows were being impacted by <br />the mining operation. Except for the disruption in flow associated with [he 9 Right Panel, no impacts have been <br />observed. Table 73, Flow Comparison, Upstream and Downstream on Foidel Creek over Panel 5 Right Through <br />9 Right, indicates that during [he majority of the year the downstream site flows are greater than the upstream. <br />Given the larger size of the drainage basin for the downstream site this increased flow is to be expected. During <br />the later summer months and fall months the flows at [he downstream site are slightly lower than the upstream <br />site. This could indicate that the creek is recharging the bedrock units located in the Foidel Creek drainage. <br />The water quality, as presented on Table 74, compares sites 8 and 900 and shows that EC and TDS both improve <br />as water flows downstream from site 8 [0 900. All of the other parameters do not show any significant <br />• differences between the up and downstream sites. <br />MIDDLE CREEK SUBSIDENCE IMPACTS <br />As shown on Figure 136, Middle Creek Profile Over Panels 2 Right through 6 Right, no significant changes [o <br />the creek channel is noted. Current survey data shows that no ponds were formed over the mined out panels. <br />The Flow data presented on Table 75 indicates there is no lost of water from the system from the upstream to the <br />downstream site. This pattern is consistent throughout the year. The water quality data indicates that both EC <br />and sulfate concentrations typically increase from the upstream to the downstream sites. This could be a <br />reFlection of the irrigation return flows having increased salt concentrations. However, [he water quality is not <br />exceedingly degraded by this increase during the irrigation season. It is noted that iron concentrations are higher <br />than on Foidel Creek. The iron concentrations in Middle Creek fluctuate, with the upstream site being lower than <br />the downstream site during April and May and the downstream site lower than [he upstream site during August <br />and September. These variations do not appear to be associated with the mining operation. I[ does not appear that <br />undermining the creek resulted in detrimental impacu. <br />SUMMARY <br />• Except for the elevated conductivity and iron of mine dewatering at site 115, there have been no significant <br />unexpected hydrology impacts attributable to the activities or developments a[ the Foidel Creek Mine during the <br />2000 Water Year. The previously noted declining water level trend in Wadge Overburden well 91M006 (Figure <br />13 <br />