Laserfiche WebLink
<br />' withdrawal rate of 598 acre-feet per year at full production. Clean coal production during this <br />reporting period was 919,589 tons compared to projected full production of 1.3 million tons per year. <br />' The estimated quantiiy of mine water discharged this year averaged 0.08 cubic feet per second <br />(CFS). The average flow rate of the White River is 672 CFS resulting in a dilution ratio of about <br />8,400 to 1. The discharged water was within effluent limits during this water year. <br />' The decline in piezometric levels in bedrock zones 'upper sandstone facies', 'siltstone/coal fades', <br />and 'lower sandstone facies' was anticipated as probable impacts as the result of underground <br />' mining activities. As projected these impacts are localized and will most probably continue in the <br />proximity of the mined area. <br />' As projected, subsidence in Red Wash initially resulted in water ponding in the stream bottom. The <br />high content of silt and clay carried by Red Wash rapidly fills the ponds. The silt and Gay layers <br />have sealed any crecks That formed in the alluvium as the result of subsidence. Water continues <br />to flow in the surface channel at Red Wash while piezometric levels in the basal alluvial gravel have <br />dropped indicating that the basal alluvium is not recharged by surface flow infilVation. <br />3.3 Slgnltlcance of Impacts to flee of Water <br />The current rate of withdrawal of water from the lagoon in the White River alluvium is far below that <br />projected at full production. Based on the current level of production and the current rate of <br />withdrawal, Western Fuels is not likely to exceed the projected withdrawal rates even at higher <br />production levels. <br />' During this reporting period, lowering of the piezometric level in the 'upper sandstone facies' (at 35- <br />4U, 36-2U) the 'middle siltstone/coal tacies' (at 35-4M and TW2-17M) and the 'lower sandstone <br />facies' (at 36-2L, and 35-4L) was noted. The significance of these impacts are minimal as no <br />benefidal use of the bedrock ground water exists in the Deserado Mine area. <br />Water ponding in Red Wash as the result of subsidence over longwall panels No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, <br />No. 4, No. 5, 6 and No. 7 acted as stilling basins for deposition of Gays and silts being carried down <br />Red Wash. The significance of this impact is beneficial as the sediment load to the White River was <br />' reduced. The same impact is expected as a result of subsidence over subsequent longwall panels. <br /> <br />1 <br />' 19 <br />1 <br />