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1 <br /> <br />3.0 HYDROLOGY AND MINE DEVELOPMENT <br />' Development of the Deserado Mine to commercial production has been somewhat slower than <br />' originally anticipated. This slower growth period has allowed Western Fuels to gradually increase <br />activities at the mine. This monitoring period from October 1, 1993 to September 30, 1994 has <br />provided the hydrologic information necessary to assess the adequacy of monitoring program, the <br />' adequacy of the mitigative measures designed to protect the hydrology, and identify and quantify <br />impacts that may have occurred during this period. <br />' 3.1 Mlning Related Hydrologic Impacts <br />The only impacts identified to date include: <br />• Withdrawal of water for the mine from the lagoon adjacent to the White River thus <br />' reducing the flow in the White River. WFU has legal right to this water. <br />' • Discharge of mine water into Red Wash, a White River tributary. <br />• Decline in piezometric level in upper sandstone facies at 2-12U as the result of <br />' subsidence above longwall panel #1. <br />• Decline in piezometric levels in monitor holes at the 2-7, 35-4 and 36-2 locations <br />due to very nearby mining. <br />' • Decline in piezometric level in 'lower sandstone facies° as the result of leaking <br />exploration holes (drilled in 1978) that were intercepted by mining, and possible <br />effects of longwall mining. <br />• Subsidence in Red Wash resulting in ponding of surface water. The ponds quickly <br />' fill with clay and silt with Red Wash maintaining its original channel. <br />' 3.2 Comparison of Projected Impacts Wlth Observed Impacts <br />The comparisons of the projected impacts (probable hydrologic consequences) with the observed <br />' impacts are discussed in the following. <br />The water withdrawal rate from the lagoon in the White River Alluvium this reporting year (Oct 1, <br />1993 to Sept. 30, 1994) was estimated at 204 acre-feet. This compares with an expected <br />' 18 <br />1 <br />