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<br />H~dro(oge loofa fkaprrlaun^ and bnpact Aaemneiv far the Pemir mdAdjacau Arcar
<br />from the well The sample resulu indicate the
<br />lower refuse pile is not impacting the groundwater
<br />zone near Sylvester Crcek. Due to the low perme-
<br />ability of the mlluvial soil and the lack of a
<br />goundwater table neaz the surface in the colluvi-
<br />um (except along the margin of Sylvester Crcek),
<br />no significant future impacu to the groundwater
<br />regime are anticipated.
<br />Conductivity and TDS from samples of monitoring
<br />well GP-1 were closely monitored bemuse conduct
<br />deity was slightly higher than the baseline samples
<br />in some instances during 1986. However, this does
<br />not appear to be a continuing problem. During
<br />1991, both conduttivity and TDS values were
<br />~ essentially within the ranges of baseline values.
<br />~ ~ _ ,Concentrations of iron in the 1991 monitoring
<br />~`~~ " ~ samples were higher than in those identified during
<br />V' .` ~~ ~~ bazeline monitoring. This inttease maybe associat-
<br />' -' ' r ~ ed with the "B" development wazte. Concentra-
<br />\`r• ~ i~~~LY Lions of 'iron in the 1992 samples will be observed
<br />\~~?•~ to see i[ the elevated levels continue.
<br />•
<br />l~
<br />Refuse pile monitoring wells GP-3 through GP-5
<br />remained dry throughout water year 1991. Also,
<br />there were no visible Oows from the tce and mid-
<br />section underdrain duringwateryear 1991. Howev-
<br />er, pond MB-! collected surface runoff from the
<br />refuse pile, az well az any flows hom the
<br />underdrain and can be considered representative of
<br />refuse pile conditions. A sample taken from MB~i
<br />on 7 May 1991 indipted pH, conductivity, dis-
<br />solved oxygen, turbidity, iron, and manganese were
<br />8.9, 0.76 mmhas/cm, 3.2 percent, 157, 10.4 mg/l,
<br />and 6 mg/l, respectively. Another sample taken on
<br />12 June 1991 indicated pH, conduttivity, dissolved
<br />oxygen, iron, and manganese were similar with
<br />values of 8.5, 3.15 mmhos/ttn, 1.2 percent,
<br />Z.55 mg/l, and 9 mg/l, respectively.
<br />The amount of refuse material placed in the lower
<br />refuse pile is highly dependant on conditions
<br />encountered in the mine. Projected refuse produc-
<br />tion [or 1992 from mining in the "B" seam and
<br />rehabilitation of the "F" seam belt entries is
<br />approximately ?5,000 tons.
<br />-~
<br />Assessment of Springs
<br />A comparison of 1991 monitoring data with
<br />previous years shows no signifipnt trends or
<br />changes which can be associated with mining
<br />activity. Most springs are responsive to spring
<br />runoff, but Oow rates are sporadic and many times
<br />do not oortelate well with other seasonal parame-
<br />terssuch az snawpack, predpitation, or streamfiow.
<br />Assessment of Surface
<br />Water and AVF'S ;..:. ~ ~~
<br />l.J ../ -
<br />[.4` 1
<br />Efforts were made in previous annual reports to
<br />characterize bazeline river water quality. The
<br />purpose was to evaluate potential changes in
<br />surface water quality due to mining activities at the
<br />West Elk Mine. Continuous monitoring of stream
<br />flows and periodic monitoring of spring discharge
<br />rates are performed to provide the long term data
<br />base from which possible impacu of mining can be
<br />assessed.
<br />Baseline Characterization of
<br />Water Quality and Streamflow
<br />A baseline characterization of North Fork water
<br />quality waz performed in previous annual reports
<br />to evaluate the potential changes in North Fork
<br />water quality that could result from discharges at
<br />the West Elk Mine. Baseline characterization was
<br />performed downstream of the mine before the start
<br />of construction in August 1481. Data sources were
<br />the USGS sueam gauging station on the North
<br />Fork near Somerset and the Mountain Coal
<br />Company's water quality monitoring station on the
<br />North Fork below the mine. Both stations were
<br />downstream of the surface facilities area and down-
<br />stream of all discharge poinu. Baseline data and
<br />analysis of these data are provided in the Mining
<br />and Reclamation Plan for the West Elk Mine and
<br />in the first annual hydrology report.
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