REP46703 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

SURFACE WATER MONITORING There are eight (8) surface monitoring points within Bear Coal's permitted area. Pond 004, Upper French Drain (FD-U), Lower French Drain (FD-L), Upstream North Fork (U/S NFG), Downstream North Fork (D/S NFG), Spring G- 26A, G-26B and CR-12. Location of Pond 004, French Drains and NFG's can be found on map "Figure 11" located in Appendix A and spring locations on map "Geology /Hydrology" also located in Appendix A. In the field, a Yellow Springs Instrument (YSI) Model No.33 was used to measure water temperature, conductivity and salinity . The pH levels were taken using an Oakton pHTestr2, Model No. 35624-20 meter. All other parameters were determined by collecting samples in precharged bottles and submitting them to ACZ Laboratories, Inc., in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, for analysis. The results of groundwater data collected during 1996 and pertinent water quality parameters are found below. It should be noted that on March 30 and 31 of 1996, a landslide occurred above the access road which extended vertically to the North Fork of the Gunnison River. The slide also extended horizontally from the ventilation fan on the west into the ephemeral drainage east of the mine access road switch back. This massive • slide destroyed the portal access road drainage system and the slope drainage monitoring system which included the upper french drain (FD-U) and the lower french drain (FD-L). In an investigation by J.E. Stover & Associates of Grand Junction, Colorado, the cause of the slide could be attributed to water from either snow melt and spring precipitation or other sources of ground water yet to be identified. Because the portal access road drainage system was destroyed, drainage was routed to the sediment pond where possible, and alternate sediment controls were installed in areas where drainage could not be directed to the sediment pond. -4-