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sample of the water with a decontaminated beaker, and placing the probes in this sample <br />for measurement. Samples were obtained from flowing water where possible. <br />Decontamination of all equipment was performed by first rinsing the equipment with tap <br />• water, then washing with aphosphate-free detergent, then rinsing the equipment with <br />deionized water. <br />Samples were obtained using the laboratory provided sampling containers, where <br />possible. Each container was lowered into the water and filled gently, without rinsing <br />out the preservative. For samples requiring field filtration, filtration was accomplished <br />by use of a barrel filter with a 0.45 micron filter. <br />Statistical Data Reduction Methodology <br />The analytical results and field parameters were plotted to determine water types. Mean, <br />median, and standard deviation values were generated to determine the accuracy and <br />precision of the data. Major cations and anions were plotted on Stiff diagrams for <br />comparative analyses of water types for interpretation of baseline sample data. <br />SECTION 3 -RESULTS AND DISCUSSION <br />• The Lorencito Canyon Mine is located on tributaries south of the Purgatoire River, 2.7 <br />miles east of Weston, Colorado. The headwaters of the Putgatoire aze located eighteen <br />miles west of the permit area, and the river is draining 403.7 square miles of watershed <br />at its confluence with Lorencito Canyon. The Purgatoire is a tributary of the Arkansas <br />River. Precipitation in the 2005 calendar year was about 83% of average for the year. <br />Groundwater Quantity <br />Water levels in all of the alluvial wells varied seasonally showing increases in the spring <br />to early summer. Generally, these water levels were consistent with 1997 through 2001 <br />measurements. Increases noted in March and May can be attributed to spring moisture <br />and runoff events causing flows in the stream drainage (see surface water discussion <br />below). Since 2000, coalbed methane development and associated dewatering to surface <br />streams has increased water levels in alluvial wells in those drainages where discharge <br />occurs. Monitoring results of water levels in these wells aze contained in Appendix I <br />Field Notes and Appendix III Ground Water Data. <br />• <br />5 <br />