REP23759

• Permit No: C1981018
• IBM Index Class Name: Report
• Doc Date: 3/10/1986
• Doc Name: 1985 ANNUAL HYDROLOGY REPORT FN C-81-018
• From: MLRD
• To: WESTERN FUELS ASSOCIATION INC
• Annual Report Year: 1985
• Permit Index Doc Type: HYDROLOGY REPORT
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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Ricnartl D. Lamm
Governor
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DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Davao H. Gelches. Executive Director
MINED LAND RECLAMATION DI1
DAVID C. SHE LTO N, Director
DATE: February 25, 1986
T0: .` Tom Gillis
FROM: Steve Renner
RE: DESERADO MINE ANNUAL HYDROLOGIC REPORT
As requested, I have reviewed the annual hydrologic report from the Deserado
Mine, submitted by Western Fuels, Utah (WFU).
The first section of the report summarized the baseline data collection
program and the results of that investigation.
The baseline program determined that the three predominant lithologic facies
in the Mesaverde Group are capable of storing and transmitting small amounts
of water. Two "potential" aquifers were identified at the project site; a
massive sandstone lens in the upper portion of the Upper Sandstone Facies, and
the White River alluvium.
The Massive Sandstone may be laterally discontinuous as it was discussed only
at one drill site. If this is true, it can be reasonably assumed that this
sandstone acts as a perched aquifer. Dewatering a perched aquifer would not
seriously effect the local ground water regime. If this sandstone is more
laterally significant than previously assumed, measurable inflows to the mine
could expected. This would be most significant at the longwall panels.
The other "potential" aquifer, the White River alluvium, will not be adversely
affected by ground water withdrawals. During 1984, Kenney Reservoir was
filled, thus inundating the alluvial well field near the mine site. Due to
the essentially constant recharge to the alluvial body from the reservoir,
substantial drawdowns will not be detectable.
Surface water baseline data indicate that the quality of water flowing in Red
Wash and Scullion Gulch is very poor. These ephemeral streams are very high
in total dissolved and suspended solids. This is probably due to the "flashy"
nature of these drainages.
The second portion of this report describes the observed effects of mining to
the coal hydrologic regime.
Essentially, no adverse effects to the surface water system have been
detected. No degradation of baseline water quality has been observed. The
only potential effect is the depletion of water due to diverting surface
runoff at the mine site to the sediment ponds. It is not though that this
depletion is significant at this time.
The effects of mining on the ground water regime are somewhat unclear. The
following is excerpted from the AHR:
423 Centennial Building, 1313 Sherman Street Denver, Colorado 80203 Tel. [phone]
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