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Mountain Coa! Company 1997 Annual Hydrology Report West 6!k Mine • Hydrologic Monitoring Activities Surface Water Monitoring MCC currently operates and maintains a network of six continuous recording streamflow gaging stations throughout the West Elk Mine permit and lease azeas as shown in Table ]. In addition, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has standard streamflow gages located on the North Fork of the Gunnison River (North Fork) just upstream from the mine and on Minnesota Creek near Paonia. Continuously recording gages have not been installed on ephemeral streams. Consequently, during WY97, MCC obtained instantaneous flow measurements at ten additional sites on ephemeral streams. The locations of all surface water monitoring stations aze shown on Map 2. Field water quality samples were taken three times during the water year at all stations when sufficient flows were present. On an annual basis, all stations were sampled and the samples were analyzed for a full suite of parameters (Table 1). Baseline monitoring continued at the six surface water stations added to the monitoring program in WY96. These stations are Horse Gulch; the East Gulch, East of Horse Gulch; the West Gulch, East of Horse Gulch; Lower Deep Creek; Upper Deep Creek; and Upper Sylvester Gulch. One new surface water station was added during WY97. Monitoring on Box Canyon began to establish baseline conditions prior to mining within the drainage. Once baseline is established, Box Canyon will be added to the regular monitoring program. • Sampling Methods Surface water monitoring was conducted seasonally. Monitoring measurements included flow, field parameters, and laboratory parameters as identified in Table 1. Surface water flow was measured through Parshall flumes of varying sizes at the continuously recording stations identified in Table 1. Continuous recording is done with Stevens Type F recorders. Temperature, pH, and conductivity were obtained at each surface water sampling station by selecting a grab sample volume from surface water flow and measuring the sample far the parameters using standard instnunents which were calibrated in the field. Samples for analysis of laboratory parameters were collected by filling a clean pre-fixed sample bottle from non-aerated flow. Sample bottles were sealed, labeled, placed on ice, and transported to the laboratory for analysis. All equipment was rinsed before and after sampling with distilled water, as well as sample water, prior to measurement of sample parameters. Seeps and Springs Monitoring During WY97, there were thirty-seven springs in the West Elk Mine monitoring program (Map 2). Table 2 lists the springs and groups the springs into four broad categories: (1) springs above the F-Seam in the North Fork drainage basin; (2) springs in or below the F-Seam in the North • 83l-031.x50 Page lf'rig t LYater ngmeers