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•.. Hydrologic Monitoring Activities The hydrologic monitoring program for the West Elk Mine began in 1974 with the completion of several groundwater observation wells. This prelim- inary monitoring network was expandzd consider- ably and in 1981, with the approval of the West Elk Mine Mining and Reclamation plan (M and R Plan), became the "approved" hydrology monitor- ing program. Data from seasonal water level and water quality measurements at 21 walls (2 welb of the original 23, SOM-38-H2 and SOM 38-H3, were lost. Casings of [hese wells were dam- aged before the 1991 water vear, probably by local subsidence. In addition, both wells are apparently in contact with the mini ventila- tion system.): and In 1984, 1987, and 1989 the program was revised. The 1984 and 1987 revisions were made to more efficiently monitor possible effecu from mining and provide data for future permitting. Thc sampling seaons or "windows' arc established as presented on Table 16 of the M and R Plan. These windows include collection of samples on the rising limb of the hydrograph (April 3 to Mav l3), hydrograph peak (April 21 to June 26), and full low flow (July 10 to October 8). Thz 1989 revi- sion incorporated provisions for collecting "B" seam baseline data and monitoring fur potential mining impacts in anticipation of the 1990 opening of the "B" Seam. All revisions were approved by the Colorado Mined land Reclamation Division (CMLRD). No changes in surface water, spring, mine water, or groundwater muniwring procedures occurred during 1992. The 1992 Annual Hydrology Rzport contains the following: • Data from five continuous flow monitoring SLal10n5; • Data from two U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) continuous flow monitoring stations; • Data from seasonal water quality sampling at two surface water quality monitoring stations; • Data from seasonal measurements of pH. temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and conductivity at the slx stream gauging stations in the Minnesota Creek Basin and Svlvester Gulch; • Data from seasonal measurements of dis- charge and water quality sampling at seven springs issuing from or below the "F' seam coal; • Data from measurements of mine water discharges and mapping of inflow locations. Surtace Water Monitoring Mountain Cual Company's (MCC) sur[ace water monitoring program includes nine monitoring ~' - locations (Table I). The lucatiun~ of these moni- toring stations are shown on Exhibit I. Daily (low estimates (including mean, maximum, and mini- mum flows) fur the five MCC gauges arc summa- rized in Appendix A. Except for three stations with a few mechanical problems, the records are com- plete. ")'able l Summary of Surface Water M11oni- toring Program at the West Glk M11ine Station Flrnv Water Quakily Svlvester Gulch Continuous 3 Times per vear USGS/MCC Gaging Smlion Cominuous i times per rear East Fort: Minnesota Creek Flume Cominuous 3 limes per vear Lower Dry Fork Flume Continuous 3 limes per vear Upper Dry Fork Flume Cominuous i limes per rear Lick Creek Flume Cominuous 3 limes prr rear Nnrlh Fork Upper -- i times per vear North Fork Lower -- J Mmes per ccar USGS North Furk gaging station near Somenel Cominuous -- One stilling well froze in October. the other four (rote in December. Thawing began in late Febru- ~~ )~~~ •