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RAG. Empire Corporation 2000 AHR <br />• ] 6. Figure 17 is a monthly tabulation of meter readings for 2000. While mining is in temporary <br />cessation, the mine is being flooded and pumps are being run only periodically to maintain <br />appropriate mine water levels. <br />WATER QUALITY <br />Summaries of the water quality data for the mine discharge are presented in Tables 17 through <br />20. The #5 Mine sump discharge is NPDES discharge point #003. The 7 North Angle <br />Discharge is NPDES discharge point #024. The #5 Mine discharge water quality indicates a <br />slight increase in dissolved solids concentrations over time which has now stabilized at just <br />under 1000 mg/L . The plot of dissolved solids presented in Figure 18 shows that the average <br />dissolved solids in the #5 Mine discharge water have increased slightly from about 800 mg/1 in <br />1982 and 1983 to almost ] 000 ntg/I in 1995, moderating back to 880 in 2000. The average <br />dissolved solids concentration for the 7 North Angle were around 1150 mg/1 in 2000 which is a <br />return to values common in 1994 and 1995. This trend is related to the accumulation of water <br />in the North Angle Sump location while [he pump was cut of order. This ~~~ater was allowed to <br />equilibrate within old workings and subsided longwafl panels. The maximum concentration of <br />1474 mg/1 represents this equilibrium concentration and also provides an indication of the <br />expected post mining TDS concentrations in rubbleized zone of underground mine workings. <br />Likewise, tlus decrease illustrates the effects of flushing upon the TDS concentrations with <br />normal periodic discharge. <br />• ALLUVIUM <br />Sediments in the Williams Fork River Alluvium are monitored. Three wells are in the general <br />area of the loadout facilities and underground discharge sediment ponds. <br />WATER LEVELS <br />Groundwater levels in the alluvium have remained fairly regular, with notrnal seasonal <br />fluctuations, apparently related to changes in river levels. Groundwater levels in the alluvium <br />are plotted in Figure 19. A piezometric map for the Williams Fork Alluvium is presented as <br />Figwe 20. The data indicates no impact on alluvial water levels related to mining. <br />WATER QUALITY <br />Sttmmaries of the water quality data for the alluvial wells are presented in Tables 21 through <br />26. A plot of field electric conductivity versus time is presented in Figwe 21. There is no <br />conclusive evidence of seasonal variation of water quality in the alluvium. The field <br />conductivity of Well AVF-5 was above normal in late 1983 and early ]984. The laboratory <br />• measwements did not show the same high levels dwing that period. Well AVF-3 has shown a <br />long term variabiliq~ in field conductivity, from below 2000 umhos/cm in 1993 and 1994, <br />1:\Environmental\EMPIREWHR\2000\Text\Empire2000AHR.doc Page 4 <br />