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f~ <br />~_~ <br />~~ <br />I <br />i~ <br /> <br />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 alluvial <br />monitoring holes. A hydrograph of the water level data for Qal-5 is contained in Appendix E. <br />The location of Qal-5 is shown on Plate 1 in the pocket of this report. The Qal-5 hydrograph <br />shows a significant increase in the alluvial water level of the White River since the second half of <br />1985. This rise was due to the filling of Kenney Reservoir. Since that time, fluctuations reflect <br />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 Appendix <br />E. The statistical summary of the data is also contained in Appendix E. The average depth to <br />water was 0.15 feet greater than during the prior water year. The fifth annual hydrology report <br />noted that the general increase in the average TDS that started when Kenney Reservoir was <br />filled was beginning to slow down. There has been a generally decreasing trend since 1992. <br />Based on the data collected during the past water year, the TDS value was 2430 mg/I. This <br />compares to an average during the previous two reporting period of 2400 mg/I and 2710 mg/I <br />indicating that the TDS level may be stabilizing. A graph showing the magnesium, chloride and <br />TDS levels for 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 Kenney <br />Reservoir decreases the groundwater gradient that may inhibit the natural tendency for the <br />alluvium to flush itself of the higher dissolved solids content. The potential effects, therefore, <br />were projected that the dissolved solids of the White River alluvium in the vicinity of Scullion <br />Gulch would increase initially as prior unsaturated zones become saturated. TDS would then <br />gradually decrease with time to near or slightly above baseline conditions as these zones are <br />slowly flushed of their salts. The TDS essentially remained constant during this water year <br />compared to the previous year (2430 mg/I vs. 2400 mg/I). <br />2.2.1.3 Bedrock Water Level Data Hydrographs for the 16 bedrock monitoring holes are <br />contained in Appendix D. The locations of the holes are shown on Plate 1 in the pocket of this <br />report. As noted in the original Deserado Mine permit application, the three zones being <br />monitored (upper sandstone facies, siltstone and coal facies, and the lower sandstone) <br />identify three different stratigraphic zones which lack the characteristics of typical aquifers. <br />The strata are tight as demonstrated by pumping tests. <br />The "upper sandstone facies" holes are designated by a name ending in "U". <br />All upper facies holes experienced little change in depth to water. Changes from the previous <br />year ranged from a rise of 2.3 feet to a drop of 3.9 feet. <br />5 <br />