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3.0 HYDROLOGIC CONSEQUENCES <br />• Precipitation in the 2004 calendar year was near average wish Ute normal late winter snow events and summer <br />thunderstorms from late July to early August. The fourth quaricr was dry with only occasional precipitation (snow) <br />recorded. <br />Hydrologic consequences of mining activities are considered from two primary perspectives: cflccts on water <br />quantity and effects on water quality. These effects are addressed through flow and water quality measurements of <br />springs and seeps, streams and rivers, ponds and direct discharges, and depths to water level and water quality of <br />alluvial wells, and bedrock wells. However, water quantity and quality are not independent functions of each other. <br />Surface water and groundwater quantities and water uses an: components of the hydrologic balance of the region. <br />Natural water quality varies as a function of Rows, type (groundwater or surface water), and location. Discharge of <br />underground mine water and nutoff or discharge from mine surface activities modify naluml water quality. Analysis <br />of potential impacts associated with mining and refuse disposal has been completed and are contained in the mine <br />permit document. This report focuses on describing Ure water quality and quantity of the Purgaloire River, side <br />canyons and groundwater within Ute permit and adjacent areas. <br />3.1 WATER QUANTITY <br />3.1.1 Springs and Seeps. <br />The annual spring and seep survey took place August 20, 20114. Assessments of springs and seeps <br />(Appendia C) indicate that mine operations at the New Elk Mine have not affected current uses of springs and <br />seeps. Theoretically, Urese resotuces in the vicinity of mining activity, espceially over Urose areas oC longwall <br />mining, could be affected. There is some potential for Ure loss of spring and seep (lows into the underground rninc <br />workings by fracture systems developed through land subsidence. No impacts to Ilow have been dtx;umenled to <br />date. <br />3.1.2 Purgaloire River System (Surface (Streams and Rivers), Pnnds and Direct Discharges, and Alluvial <br />Groundwater <br />Use of the river in Ure area of the mine is limited to livestock watering, habitat for fish and Icrreslrial wildlife. Ilood <br />irrigation on bottom land terraces, and water supply for the New Elk Mine preparation plant Because of closure mf <br />the Golden Eagle Mine and no processing of coal al the New Elk prep plant, tlrcre was no consumptive water nse at <br />the mine. The average annual nmoff of Ure Purgaloire River at Madrid (USGS site 071242(10) bchvicen 1972 and <br />1995 is 51,740 ac fl. <br />There is a slight polen0al that flows in the Purgaloire River might be diminished by recharge seepage into the mine <br />along the river. Vertical permeability of the overburden on Utc mine property has been cslinralcd al 0.011021 feel per <br />day (mine permit document). When this low permeability is nmltiplied by Ure horizontal surface area of saturated <br />alluvium in Urc area of the mine, downward Row of water is estimated al 23 gpm. With the 0ow measured in the <br />Purgaloire River, Uris small water loss would not be delectable. Similarly, any loss iu alluvial groundwater womld <br />likely be undetected. Flows of the river replenish any alluvial groundwater lost to seepage. However, as the <br />Urcoretical pcnncabilily is very low, no loss of river or alluvial water has been detected. <br />14 <br />