REP40291 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Moantain Coal Comparry 1998 Annual Hydrology Report Hydrologic Monitoring Activities • Wesl Elk Mine Surface Water Monitoring In WY98, the surface water monitoring program remained essentially the same as during WY97. The most significant change was that continuous dataloggers were installed at three stations (Middle Dry Fork, Upper Deep Creek, and Lower Deep Creek), where only instantaneous measwements were taken previously. No new surface water stations were added during WY98. The locations of all surface water monitoring stations aze shown on Map 2. Field water quality samples were taken three times during the water yeaz 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 pazameters (Table 1). Baseline monitoring continued at the six surface water stations added to the monitoring program in WY96. These stations aze 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. Sampling Methods Surface water monitoring was conducted seasonally. Monitoring measwements included flow, field parameters, and laboratory parameters as identified in Table 1. Surface water flow was measwed through Pazshall flumes of varying sizes at the continuously recording stations identified in Table 1. Continuous recording is done with Stevens Type F recorders and dataloggers. Temperatwe, 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 for the pazameters using standazd instruments that 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 measwement of sample parameters. Seeps and Springs Monitoring During WY98, forty springs were included in the West Elk Mine monitoring program (Map 2). Table 2 lists the springs and groups the springs into fow 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 Fork drainage basin; (3) springs and other water resources above the B-Seam in the Jumbo Mountain area in the North Fork drainage basin; and (4) springs above the E-Seam in the Dry Fork drainage. Field water quality samples were taken three times during the water yeaz at all stations that were flowing. On an annual basis, all stations were sampled and the samples were analyzed for a full suite of parameters (Table 2). i 31- 31.50 age rig ( aver ngmeers