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Red Canyon 1991 AHR Review <br />Page 3 <br />lower than the historical average of 746 mmhos/cm. The <br />average flow of Spring 3 (4.13 gpm) is higher than <br />historical flow (3.55 gpm) as is specific conductance (616 vs. <br />568 mmhos/cm), but current readings have not reached a <br />historical high of 666 mmhos/cm. But again there is not <br />enough current specific conductance data to make an accurate <br />determination. Apparently, many springs in the area have <br />dried up during the preceding years. The AHR states that the <br />conductivity of the springs will probably show some increase <br />in the future if the flows in the springs continue to <br />decrease. <br />Impact: There appears to be no indication that water from <br />flooded mine workings are discharging to the glacial- <br />alluvium aquifer. <br />Carbon Ditch: Water from the Carbon Ditch is used to irrigate <br />fields south of the mine and east of the county road. The <br />sites on Carbon Ditch are monitored during May and September <br />for field measurements and Total Suspended Solids (TSS). Data <br />for SP-D and SP-DA from 1983 to the present can be found on <br />Table 3. SP-D is an upstream point and located so it would <br />not be impacted by surface runoff from disturbed areas. SP-DA <br />is located so that it could be impacted by runoff from the <br />mine site. Water from the sediment pond flows into the Carbon <br />Ditch at SP-DA. The sediment pond has not discharged since <br />April 1986. In May 1991, TSS for SP-D was 2180 mg/1 and at <br />SP-DA, TSS increased to 2765 mg/1. This increase may indicate <br />degradation due to an increased sediment load from the mine <br />site. However, since no water was discharged from the pond <br />during this water year, there must be some other explanation <br />for the increase in TSS. In the AHR, a possible explanation <br />is due to the high flow which may have further eroded the <br />ditch banks between the two monitoring points. Other possible <br />explanations for the increase in TSS could be the SAE along <br />the explosives bunker road, the disturbed area on Joe Belden's <br />property, or the outslope of the pond and the road. This <br />should be inspected in the field. The data obtained for the <br />Carbon Ditch should be watched closely for increases of TSS. <br />Impacts: There appears to be no impact to the Carbon Ditch <br />by surface runoff from the mine site. <br />Ground Water <br />Sediment Pond Piezometers: Piezometers P-1 and P-2 are <br />monitored in January, April July and October for water level. <br />