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2.2.1.1 Alluvial Water Level Data Water level data is still collected from the one remaining <br />original alluvial aquifer monitoring hole (Qal-5). Kenney Reservoir inundated five other <br />alluvial monitoring holes. A hydrograph of the water level data for Qal-5 is contained in <br />Appendix E. The location of Qal-5 is shown on Plate 1 in the pocket of this report. The <br />Qal-5 hydrograph shows a significant increase in the alluvial water level of the White River <br />since the second half of 1985. This rise was due to the filling of Kenney Reservoir. Since <br />that time, fluctuations reflect the seasonal rise and fall of the reservoir level. <br />2.2.1.2 Alluvial Water Quality Data The water quality data for Qal-5 is contained in <br />Appendix E. The statistical summary of the data is also contained in Appendix E. The fifth <br />annual hydrology report noted that the general increase in the average TDS that started <br />when Kenney Reservoir was filled was beginning to slow down. There has been a generally <br />decreasing trend since 1992. Based on the data collected during the past water year, the <br />TDS value was 2270 mg/I. This compares to values for the previous two reporting period of <br />2600 mg/I and 2430 mg/I indicating that the TDS level have stabilized with a possible <br />continued downward trend. A graph showing the magnesium, chloride and TDS levels for <br />Qal-5 is also included in Appendix E. <br />The water quality of the White River is considerably better than that in the alluvium indicating <br />that permeability in the alluvium is restricted resulting in a relatively low degree of <br />communication between the river water and the water in the alluvium. The existence of <br />Kenney Reservoir decreases the groundwater gradient that may inhibit the natural tendency <br />for the alluvium to flush itself of the higher dissolved solids content. The potential effects, <br />therefore, were projected that the dissolved solids of the White River alluvium in the vicinity <br />of Scullion Gulch would increase initially as prior unsaturated zones become saturated. <br />TDS would then gradually decrease with time to near or slightly above baseline conditions <br />as these zones are slowly flushed of their salts. <br />2.2.1.3 Bedrock Water Level Data Hydrographs for the sixteen (16) bedrock monitoring <br />holes are contained in Appendix D. The locations of the holes are shown on Plate 1 in the <br />pocket of this report. As noted in the original Deserado Mine permit application, the three <br />zones being monitored (upper sandstone facies, siltstone and coal facies, and the lower <br />sandstone) identify three different stratigraphic zones which lack the characteristics of an <br />aquifer. The strata are too tight with little yield as demonstrated by pumping tests. <br />The "upper sandstone facies" holes are designated by a name ending in "U". <br />Two upper facies holes experienced a substantial increase in depth to water. The water <br />level in 420U dropped 25.3 feet, becoming dry. This drop is not well correlated with <br />recent activities at the Deserado Mine. Potentially it could be a result of a substantial lag <br />5 <br />