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• Sanborn Creek mine, consisting primarily of natural mine water inflows and some runoff of <br />imported (from the North Fork intake) water from the mining sections. The mine water <br />discharge (CDPS discharge point Ol 1) commingled with upper Sanborn Creek flow for a <br />distance of approximately 300 feet through culverts under the railroad and highway prior to <br />discharging into the North Fork of the Gunnison River. The S-2 sample site is located at the <br />outlet of the culvert, prior to the confluence with the river. Because of the closure of the Sanborn <br />Creek mine, and the termination of dischazge Outfall point 011, the S-2 sample site was no <br />longer needed and, thus, eliminated from the OMLLC hydrologic monitoring program. (see TR- <br />45). <br />Sanborn Creek, an ephemeral stream, flows at monitoring point S-1 during spring runoff and <br />significant precipitation events. During 2006, S-1 had the usual minimal flows and by mid-June <br />flows had ceased altogether. An analysis of the limited data suggests there is no adverse impact <br />of the Sanborn Creek mine to Sanborn Creek. <br />C-1 -Lower Coal Gulch <br />Surface water monitoring point C-1 -Lower Coal Gulch, an ephemeral drainage, is monitored to <br />verify that the Sanborn Creek mine does not have an adverse affect on the quality of runoff in <br />this drainage. During 2006 there was, again, minimal flow in Coal Gulch during spring <br />snowmelt, and no flow after snowmelt was completed. An analysis of the limited data suggests <br />there is no adverse impact of the Sanborn Creek mine to Lower Coal Gulch. <br />• NF -1 and 3 -North Fork of the Gunnison River <br />Surface water monitoring points NF-1 (North Fork upstream) and NF-3 (North Fork <br />downstream) were selected to monitor the water quality in the North Fork of the Gunnison River <br />above and below the disturbed surface mine site of the Sanborn Creek and Elk Creek Mines. <br />Monitoring point NF-3 was established in September 1997 to monitor for any mining-related <br />water quality impacts from the West Valley coal refuse pile. It should be noted that NF-3 is also <br />downstream from the town of Somerset and monitoring results for this station most likely reflect <br />impacts from domestic water use, possible leakage from sanitary sewers, the Beaz Mine <br />discharges, and other factors that aze not related to the Sanborn Creek or Elk Creek Mines. <br />Similazly, both sample locations aze located downstream of the adjacent Mountain Coal <br />Company, West Elk Mine discharge points and potentially other less discrete historic mine <br />discharges. <br />Flow in the river reflects natural seasonal flows from upland drainages plus regulated flows from <br />Paonia Reservoir and other upland irrigation water storage facilities. During 2006, the typical <br />spring flow in the river was substantially increased and contained significant amounts of <br />sediment from the Paonia Reservoir. Summer and eazly fall flows reflect dischazges from upland <br />storage reservoirs used downstream by the water rights holders. No significant changes were <br />noted, however, in the analytical data with nothing to suggest adverse impact by the Elk Creek <br />Mine or Sanborn Creek Mine to the River. <br />• HN-1 -Lower Hawk's Nest Creek <br />Surface water monitoring site HN-1 Lower Hawk's Nest Creek, is monitored to verify that the <br />Sanborn Creek mine does not have an adverse effect on the quality or quantity of runoff from <br />