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been improperly completed, or exist in an area of abnormally low permeability. Low <br />recovery has prevented proper development of these wells. An exception to the long term <br />water level shallowing trend was observed at wall GW-542P1 during t986. The water level <br />in this well deepened approximately 7 feet in 1986. Adjacent mining, and in particular <br />blasting, may have increased the permeability of the strata or the well itself. A <br />decrease in recharge area due to mining may also be responsible. More data in subsequent <br />years needs to be collected before a firm conclusion may ba drawn. <br />3. Wedge Coal <br />Water levels in the Wadga coal exhibit a wide range of variation. Wells CW-516 and CW-S 17 <br />are in direct hydraulic communication with the Wedge Impoundment (002 pond) and show small <br />seasonal and annual change. Slightly lower water levels observed in the fall are a result <br />of lower spring runoff and the siphoning of water from the Wedge Impoundment for the truck <br />wash facilities. Well GW-519 shows little change from year to year and may also be <br />hydraulically connected with the Wedge Impoundment, but is affected less due to the well's <br />1 1/4 mile distance from the Wedge Impoundment. This well is flowing and is fitted with a <br />pressure gauge, but is left open in winter to prevent freezing and cracking of the casing. <br />C~ Wells GW-540-W and CW-541-W have shown high seasonal variability and a trend for generally <br />shallowing water levels, at Least since 1981, possibly due to increased recharge since the <br />drought of 1961. Well GW-542 has shann a general shallowing in water level, but may be <br />improperly developed (see previous discussion of Wedge Overburden). Wells GW-544 and <br />CW-S44P1, as with well CW-544P2 discussed earlier, were buried beneath mine spoil in the <br />winter of 1986. All three of these wells showed a significant drop in water level in <br />October 1985 due to dewatering by the adjacent mine pit. <br />4. Wolf Creek Overburden/Wadga Underburden <br />Well CW-52, upgradient of pre-law mining, has shown a generally shallowing water level <br />since 1981, likely due to increased recharge after the 1981 drought. Wells GW-56 and <br />CW-S11, both located adjacent to Little Cressy Creek, have shown a trend towards <br />shallowing water levels, possibly due to both increased recharge since the 1981 drought <br />and a slow resaturatian following the completion of upgradient mining. Well GW-57 has <br />shown a trend towards deepening water levels, likely due to mining upgradient from this <br />site. Wells CW-S8 and GW-S8P1 have likewise shown deeper water levels for the same <br />reason. Well CW-536-0 has shown a very steady level until the fall of 1985, when it <br />. started showing exaggerated seasonal highs and lows. Blasting in the adjacent mine pit <br />`. <br />may have fractured this strata enough to allow for freer movement of ground water. Well <br />12 <br />