Laserfiche WebLink
• <br />GROUND WATER IViON[TORING <br />Bedrock <br />Four wells in the Wadge Overburden (which includes the Wadge Coal) are monitored. The <br />wells are in the vicinity of bones No. 1 and Eckman Park. <br />Water Levels <br />Water levels in the four b9ine No. 1 Wadge Overburden wells have been measured since 1979 <br />(Figures 4 through 6). The water levels generally drop when strip mining occurs nearby, but <br />recover when the area is backtilled. The data indicates that the water levels in the Wadge <br />overburden vary seasonally, with levels typically rising following spring snowmelt and recharge <br />and then declining through the summer, fall and winter. <br />\Vater Quality <br />The water quality data for the Mine No. 1 Wadge Overburden wells is summarized on Tables <br />• <br />4 through 10. A plot of dissolved solids is presented on Figure 7. The baseline water quality <br />of the Wadge Overburden is characterized by asodium-bicarbonate type water with a dissolved <br />soils level of approximately 500 ntg/I. Elevated dissolved solids levels in well 009-79-4, 026- <br />79-4 and 006-82-74C appears to coincide with water level recovery following backfilling and <br />reclamation, indicating that they are effected by seepage from the spoils aquifer. Wells showing <br />elevated dissolved solids [end to also have elevated sulphate, calcium and magnesium and <br />reduced SAR compared whit undisturbed Wadge Overburden groundwater chemistry. This is <br />consistent with mixing with spoils water which is characterized by elevated total dissolved solids, <br />sulfate, calcium and magnesium as discussed below. The data does not indicate any significant <br />changes in the trace metals concentrations. <br />-3- <br />