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<br />-5- <br />All wells exhibited high TSS levels and total iron levels. This is probably a <br />result of well installation. TSS levels in properly installed and flushed <br />wells should be very low. The total iron levels are a result of suspended <br />iron solids as part of the TSS levels. <br />B. Oak Creek <br />Baseline quality of the alluvial aquifer of Oak Creek was similar to that of <br />the surface water. There were two wells completed for the baseline study <br />however only the downstream well is monitored as part of the ongoing program. <br />The upstream well exhibited water of a calcium bicarbonate type, while the <br />downstream well was calcium sulfate. TDS levels, as well as sodium, calcium, <br />magnesium and sulfate, were higher in the downstream well. <br />Since no disturbance was planned for this drainage, continued monitoring of <br />the downstream well has consisted of field parameters only since 1982. As one <br />might expect, there has been little change. <br />III. Other <br />P&M also monitored bedrock wells and springs as part of their baseline study. <br />These are not part of the ongoing program. <br />The springs that were studied were several of many springs which emanate from <br />existing ungraded spoils. These springs flow directly into Trout Creek and <br />are comparable in water quality to alluvial water sites TR2 and TR3. <br />P8d~1 committed to installation of a spoils well in year 4 of mining (1984) in <br />the West Ridge Area. On May 15, 1984 the reclaimed section referred to as the <br />South of Shop Area slid down the hillside. Studies and predictions as to why <br />this happened and its relatiionship to the stability of other mined areas may <br />necessitate additional spoils water monitoring. This is discussed further <br />under Corronents/Recommendations. <br />The bedrock wells reported as part of the baseline study were installed not <br />only as part of the baseline study but also as part of two studies to predict <br />mine inflows from intercepted aquifers. <br />In the West Ridge Area the zero potential line (confined vs unconfined ground <br />water conditions) was found to be between elevation 7,224 and 7,300. Wells <br />drilled close to the bottom of the slope flowed at the surface. <br />In the Moffat Area the zero potential line was found to be between elevation <br />7,050 and 7,100. Several wells installed below the zero potential line in <br />this area may have flowed at the surface, the data is not clear. <br />Pump tests were performed in both areas and data indicated that the wells have <br />very low productivity and aquifers can be dewatered rapidly. From this data <br />it is concluded that in the strata affected by mining there are no indications <br />of a good aquifer zone. <br />