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Sanborn Creek, an ephemeral stream, flows at monitoring point S-1 during spring runoff and significant precipitation events. During 2005, S-1 had the usual minimal flows and by mid-June flows had ceased altogether. An analysis of the limited data suggests there is no adverse impact of the Sanborn Creek mine to Sanborn Creek. C-1 -Lower Coal Gulch Surface water monitoring point C-1 -Lower Coal Gulch, an ephemeral drainage, is monitored to verify that the Sanbom Creek mine does not have an adverse affect on the quality of runoff in this drainage. During 2005 there was, again, minimal flow in Coal Gulch during spring snowmelt, and no flow after snowmelt was completed. An analysis of the limited data suggests there is no adverse impact of the Sanborn Creek mine to Lower Coal Gulch. NF - 1 and 3 -North Fork of the Gunnison River Surface water monitoring points NF-1 (North Fork upstream) and NF-3 (North Fork downstream) were selected to monitor the water quality in the North Fork of the Gunnison River above and below the disturbed surface mine site of the Sanborn Creek and Elk Creek Mines. Monitoring point NF3 was established in September 1997 to monitor mining-related water quality impacts from the West Valley coal refuse pile. It should be noted that NF-3 is also downstream from the town of Somerset and monitoring results for this station most likely reflect impacts from domestic water use, possible leakage from sanitary sewers, the Bear Mine discharges, and other factors that are not related to the Sanbom Creek or Elk Creek Mines. Similarly, both sample locations are located downstream of the adjacent Mountain Coal Company, West Elk Mine discharge points and potentially other less discrete historic mine discharges. Flow in the river reflects natural seasonal flows from upland drainages plus regulated flows from Paonia Reservoir and other upland irrigation water storage facilities. During 2005, spring flow in the river was substantially increased and contained significant amounts of sediment from the Paonia Reservoir. Rather than contain early spring snowmelt, Paonia Reservoir Managers utilized the abundant spring runoff to scour significant quantities of sediment from the reservoir inlet. No significant changes were noted, however, in the analytical data with nothing to suggest adverse impact by the Elk Creek Mine or Sanborn Creek Mine to the River. HN-1 -Lower Hawk's Nest Creek Surface water monitoring site HN-1 Lower Hawk's Nest Creek, is monitored to verify that the Sanborn Creek mine does not have an adverse effect on the quality or quantity of runoff from this ephemeral drainage. During 2005 there was, again, minimal flow in Hawk's Nest Creek during spring snowmelt, and no flow after snowmelt was completed. An analysis of the limited data suggests there is no adverse impact of the Sanbom Creek mine to Lower Hawk's Nest Creek. n U