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Three wells, 25-5, 26.5, and 27-5 are situated in lower spoils adjacent to the Wedge <br />Impoundment which receives spoils water discharge. AlL three of these wells were • <br />outfitted with continuous recorders operated by the U S Geological Survey (USGS) until the <br />end of 1983. WeLI 25-5, the highest upgradient of these three wells on the spoils slope, <br />indicated an absence of recharge in 1987, 1988, 1990, and 1991, but exhibited recharge in <br />all other years since 1983. Yell 27-5, lowest of the three, shows that its water levels <br />ere most likely dependent upon the water level in the Wedge Impoundment located 50 feet <br />away. These findings are also supported by the USGS personnel operating the recorders <br />prior to 1984. Yell 26-5, located between Wells 25-5 and 27-5, normally exhibits very <br />Little seasonal variability and water levels higher than either 25-5 or 27-5. This is not <br />a normal ground water level gradient; therefore, its water Levels should be reviewed with <br />caution. Perhaps, as with Yell 22-5, water is being trapped in the borehole. <br />Seven spoil wells were completed in the fall of 1987. Three (Yell 59-5, 60-5, and 61-5) <br />were completed upgradient of the Spoils Spring #3 area, while four (Yells 62-5 to 65-5) <br />ware completed in the Spoits Spring #1 area. The purpose of placing several wells at each <br />site was to accurately define the potent iometric surface of the spoils aquifer at each <br />location. Water Levels et Yells 59S through 61-5 have experienced an increase between <br />July and September of 1994. This is due to regrading of topsoil in this area that • <br />occurred during this time frame. This regrading affected Spoil Spring #3 immediately <br />downgradient of these three spoil wells and thereby affected the water levels in those <br />wells. Water levels at all other spoil wells exhibit normal seasonal variations. Yell <br />65.5 has been dry for the entire period of record. It is located in an area where the <br />spoils are unsaturated. <br />Ground Water Level Summary. ALl alluvial wells ere showing distinct seasonal water level <br />fluctuations in response to periods of precipitation recharge or the lack of <br />precipitation. Overburden end coal well water levels are fluctuating in response to the <br />precipitation recharge, induced ground water flow to the mine pits, and in some cases, <br />changes in reservoir water levels. Spoil well water levels still indicate that only the <br />furthest downslope highwall portions of the spoil exhibit significant amounts of <br />saturation. Levels in a spoil well near the Wedge Impoundment is largely controlled by <br />water level fluctuations in the impoundment. Water levels in several wells this year were <br />lower than they have been before as a result of low snowpack recharge and dewatering by <br />the Wolf Creek coal mine pit. <br />.~ <br />4 <br />