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1 <br />' 2.3.2 Comparison of Baseline Water Quality with Operational Data <br />Of the ten parameters selected for baseline characterization, seasonal trends <br />' are apparent for TDS, TSS, and Dotal iron. The other parameters do not exhibit <br />seasonal variation. Total dissolved solids are least concentrated in the North <br />Fork during the period between about May and July, probably because highli'DS <br />' ground water is diluted by snow runoff. Total iron is most concentrated during <br />this period of time. Total suspended solids aze most concentrated from April to <br />July. <br />A oa~arison of baseline water quality data in the North Fork of the Gunnison <br />River to 1986 monitoring data shows no significant changes in water quality in <br />the North Fork. Slightly higher results can be related to higher than previous <br />fall precipitation and are not a result of mining. There does not appear to be <br />any changes in the North Fork of the Gunnison River quality that can be <br />attributed to affects of mining for water year 1966. <br />' 2.3.3 Mine Water Management and Impact Assessment <br />The discussion of the mine water system and hydrologic impact assessment is <br />organized by the four sources of water: <br />1) North Fork water <br />2) sanitary wastewater <br />' 3) mine water, and <br />4) runoff from disturbed azeas. <br />Use and discharge of water from these sources is studied for its potential to <br />affect the North Fork. <br />North Fork Water <br />' During Water Year 1982 the wnditional right to withdraw water flan the <br />North Fork was deemed absolute. When this water right is in priority, <br />water can be pimped from the intake point to the freshwater storage pond(s) <br />' within the surface facilities azea. In average years, this water right is <br />expected to be out of priority from July to September, but in 1977 it would <br />have been out of priority from April to September. In water yeaz 1986 <br />' WECC's Mt. Gunnison Pipeline water right met quadrennial diligence for the <br />conditional portion and an additional portion was deemed absolute by the <br />Division 4 water court bringing the absolute portion to 0.88 cfs. ~~ '~ ,1 <br />~, <br />' The 10-acre-foot capacity pond provides for water storage during the term <br />of permit; two ponds aze anticipated for subsequent permit terms. Water <br />can also be stored in Sediment Ponds MB-1, MB-2, and MB-3 under a separate <br />' decree. Storage is usually limited to the maximum sediment level <br />elevation. Transfer to FW-1 is possible as outlined in the M & R Plan. <br />Average withdrawals are not expected to exceed 50,000 gpd during the term <br />of permit and are likely to be on the order of 45,000 gpd, depending on <br />' production levels and requirements. During 1986 average withdrawal was <br />45,900 gpd for 250 working days. <br />Water fran the freshwater pond(s) is either treated to meet potable and <br />sanitary water requirements, used and then treated as sanitary waste water, <br />or it is withdrawn for dust suppression in the mine is which case it then <br />' becnnes mine water. WEOC's Mt. Gunnison Pipeline water rights were not out <br />of priority during water year 198ti, probable due to above average flays and <br />' (17) <br />