Laserfiche WebLink
Doc Date:12/11/2001 <br />Annual Iydrology Report <br />April 28, 1988 <br />Page 9 <br />iii iiiiiiiiiiiii iii <br />sss <br />ribs and damp floor were present in the 1st West Submain, Panel 1W3S, and Panel <br />1W4S. The 1st East Submain, although not mined a great deal, encountered damp <br />conditions. Wet conditions in the 1st West Submain area and panels can be <br />associated with sandstone channels directly overlying the coal seam, Lone Pine <br />Gulch Stream Zones, and to the west lower cover in Lone Pine Gulch. <br />The wet conditions in the 1st East Submain can be attributed to features similar <br />to that of the 1st West Submain: sandstone channels, Sylvester Gulch Stream <br />Zone, and low cover. <br />Samplesiof mine discharges and mine inflows were taken during 1987. Most <br />samples were tested for ph, electrical conductivity, total suspended solids, <br />total dissolved solids, and total iron. Results of the samples are shown in <br />Tables I.4-1, 1.4-Z and 1.4-4. The quality of water sampled is good and poses <br />no problem for discharge to a sediment pond or in most cases, direct discharge <br />to a stream or other surface feature. <br />Mine water is discharged from the main portal area to sediment pond PIB-1 or from <br />the Sylvester Gulch sump directly to Sylvester Creek. <br />Quantity of water discharged or pumped from the mine is included in the <br />Quarterly Hydrology Monitoring Reports. <br />The mine water balance, based on some actual and some estimated flows is shown <br />in Table 1.4-3. Water unaccounted for is lost through seepage and evaporation <br />into the ventilating air. Roth of these losses can be substantial depending on <br />conditions. <br />2.0 <br />Areas <br />This section contains an analysis of hydrologic data gathered during Water Year <br />1967; and assessment of impacts on mining on the quality and quantity of water <br />in surface streams, springs, groundwater aquifers, mine inflows, and discharges <br />during Water Year 1987, and an estimated of potential impacts of mining on these <br />waters during dater Year 1988. <br />Assessment of impacts typically involves comparison of data with baseline <br />conditions. Since no mining activity will occur in the Minnesota Creek basin <br />during this term of permit, monitoring data for Water Year 1987 from the <br />Minnesota Creek basin is considered an extension of baseline monitoring. <br />' Surface water, springs, and groundwater are considered separately even though <br />they are interrelated. The report attempts to show the interrelationships that <br />are significant or could be expected. Since mine water and groundwater are so <br />interrelated, they are discussed together. <br />' 2.1 Assessment of Groundwater <br />' Underground room and pillar mining methods, which are currently in use at the <br />Mt. Gunnison No. 1 Mine can affect groundwater in essentially twc~ ways. First, <br />developm?nt mining in areas where groundwater is present in or immediately <br />1 <br />