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<br />In the 1989 AHR, Peabody modified the nomenclature of the wells at <br />the Seneca II site by adding a suffix to each, thereby designating <br />which aquifer the well monitors. For example, GW-s17 was renamed <br />GW-s17-W to indicate that it monitors the Wadge coal seam aquifer. <br />The other suffixes follow: <br />A = ALLUVIUM <br />LO = LENNOX OVERBURDEN <br />LWI= LENNOX/WADGE INTERBURDEN <br />W = WADGE COAL SEAM <br />U = WADGE UNDERBURDEN <br />WCO= WOLF CREEK OVERBURDEN <br />WC = WOLF CREEK COAL SEAM <br />TC = TROUT CREEK SANDSTONE <br />S = SPOILS <br />Aquifer Quantity and Oualitv <br />All variant well levels, indicative of water quanity, reported by <br />Peabody are reasonably explained by failed plunging techniques, <br />resaturation of spoils piles and/or variability in regional <br />precipitation amounts. For example, the levels in many of the <br />wells were at the .lowest levels in permit history during 1990. <br />This was primarily the result of drought like conditions in the <br />region since 1986-87. Levels did not rise significantly in 1991, <br />a normal precipitation year, but are expected to rise with time. <br />Five potentially significant aquifers have been identified at the <br />Seneca II mine: Trout Creek Sandstone, Wadge Overburden, Alluvium, <br />and Reclaimed Spoil. Of the five listed only the Trout Creek <br />Sandstone member is considered a regional aquifer. <br />The Trout Creek Sandstone lies 70 feet below the Wolf Creek member, <br />the lowest coal bed to be mined, and is separated from the Wolf <br />Creek coal by a confining unit of interbedded sedimentary units <br />which has prevented and should continue to prevent the vertical <br />migration of water. This aquifer has historically exhibited high <br />sulfate levels (> 1000 mg/1), is monitored by well GW-s5-TC, and is <br />used only by the Seneca II shop for domestic related purposes. We <br />should note that 504 type waters will have noticeable laxative <br />effects when concentrated at levels greater than 600 mg/1. <br />The other four aquifers are thought to be hydraulically <br />discontinuous and because of low transmissivities and isolated <br />nature, not of regional scope or importance. Each will be <br />discussed separately in lithologic order from upper to lower <br />members. <br />Spoil aquifers form as a result of resaturated backfilled pits and <br />discharge water at spoil springs when the elevation head of the <br />spoil spring exceeds the ground surface elevation. Peabody <br />monitors six spoils springs for water quality. In addition, <br />Peabody monitored 10 spoils wells in 1989 and is now monitoring a <br />total of five spoils wells for water quality. <br />