Laserfiche WebLink
<br />GROUND WATER MOMTORQVG <br />Bedrock <br />Two monitored wells (008-77-58 and 008 79-6; see Figure 2) are completed in the Wadge Overburden <br />(which includes the Wadge Coal). <br />Water Levels -Levels in the wells have been measured since 1979 (Figures 4 and 5). Water levels in Well <br />008-79-6 rose abruptly in 1980 with a slight increase during the period 1983 through 1986, followed by a <br />slight decrease during the period 1987 through 1993. The abrupt rise in 1980 is probably due to water level <br />recovery in the Wadge Coal and overburden following cessation of mining in the vicinity of this well in 1979 <br />or 1980. The trends from 1983 on appear to follow the general climatic trends illustrated by the flow data <br />presented as Figures l5, 16. I8, and 19. <br />The data illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 generally indicates that the water level in the Wadge overburden <br />varies seasonally. Water levels in dte spring are typically higher than in the fall. Seasonal Fluctuations in <br />both wells vary by as much as 10 feet, although the seasonal Fluctuation in Well 008-79-6 appears to Dave <br />diminished somewhat in the time period following 1986. Water level Fluctuations in the nearby alluvial well <br />008-AV-2 show a similar pattern, suggesting that the seasonal fluctuation and general trend since 1986 are <br />• the result of related trends and fluctuations in Foidel Creek and the alluvium. Water level fluctuations <br />observed during 1994 were consistent with previously established patterns at both wells. <br />Explanations for the water level Fluctuations and trends in Well 008-77-58 are not readily apparent. The <br />water levels dropped abruptly between 1979 and 1980. The reason for the decline may be related to <br />dewatering operations occurring during the aborted underground mining attempt at Mine No. 3 (May 79 to <br />June 1980). Water level recoveries, however, are not nearly as abrupt although a relatively stead}' upward <br />trend is evident. Within this long term pattern, the water level flucmations at this well generally follow the <br />longer term climatic trend, with slight increases for the wetter period 1982 through 1986 followed by a slight <br />decrease for the dryer period 1987 through 1992. These climatic patterns are reflected in the flow data <br />presented as Figures I5, l6, 18, and 19. The t}•pical seasonal fluctuation expected, with higher water leu•els <br />in the spring and relatively lower levels in the fall, is apparent in both wells 008-77-58 and 008-79-6. <br />Water Quality -Water quality data for the Wadge Overburden wells is presented on Tables 6, 6a, 7, and <br />7a. Plots of period of record total dissolved solids (TDS) for both wells are presented as Figures 6 and 7. <br />Water quality constituent concentrations for all parameters monitored during 1994 were within the <br />established ranges historically associated with each site. Sodium concentrations in well 008-79-6 continue <br />to exceed levels prevalent a[ all other monitoring locations perhaps as a result of cation exchange as ground <br />• water migrates to the greater relative depths penetrated by this well. The aforementioned cation exchange <br />phenomena was thought to be evidenced by the increases in sodium, bicarbonate, and SAR during the 1993 <br />reporting period. During 1994, sodium concentrations remauted comparable to 1993 levels, bicarbonate <br />-2- <br />