2008-02-20_REPORT - C1980001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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1.0 Introduction A water quality monitoring program was initiated at the Edna Mine to monitor specific chemical characteristics of Trout Creek and the alluvium associated with Trout Creek which may be affected by mining and reclamation operations. This program is detailed enough to describe seasonal variations in concentration levels of the parameters monitored, as well as indicate if mining activities and/or reclamation activities are impacting the natural seasonal fluctuations. The purpose of this report is to provide updated information pertaining to the on-going hydrologic monitoring program developed for the Edna Mine and discuss trends in surface and ground water quality. The previous report, dated February 2007, reported monitoring activities up through the end of 2006. This report provides a discussion on each of the parameters monitored which have been collected through 2007. The report is divided into several sections including: Hydrologic Monitoring Network; Surface Water; Ground Water; Surface Water and Ground Water Interactions; Quality Assurance; Spring and Seep Survey; Moffat Stability Monitoring Wells; and Moffat Stability Monuments. 2.0 Hydrologic Monitoring Network The present monitoring network is a modification of the network used during baseline monitoring. Continuous streamflow records are made for Trout Creek above the mine (TR-a) from May through October (periods of freezing sometimes necessitate the records to be of shorter duration). Instantaneous streamflow was recorded on Trout Creek below the Moffat mining area at TR-b prior to July 1994. During June 1994, a continuous streamflow recorder was installed at TR-b. Therefore, monitoring data after June 1994 has been collected on the same schedule as at TR-a. Surface water samples are collected above and below the mine at TR-A and TR-D, respectively. Additional surface water sampling sites along Trout Creek are TR-B (located adjacent to the East Ridge area) and TR-C (located adjacent to the Moffat area). Ground water levels and samples are collected from three wells completed in the alluvium along Trout Creek (TR-1.5, TR-3 and TR-4) and from a spoils well (WR-1) located at the base of the West Ridge area. Additional ground water levels are collected from six wells (215W, 215L, 218W, 218L, 892S and 892L) located in the Moffat area. Finally, the Trout Creek Sandstone water quality is monitored downdip of mining activity via samples taken from Well TCS-1. Water monitoring locations are shown on Plate 1. The samples are analyzed for the parameters listed in Table 4.6-54, Section 4.6.8.4 of the permit. Sampling frequency at the various sites is also listed in Table 4.6-54. Parameters measured in the field include: pH, temperature, and specific conductivity. All other parameters measured are analytically derived at an independent laboratory.