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Basin mining operations were degrading the water quality of <br /> the watersheds . The secondary purpose of the study .was to <br /> establish a referral base for future water quality monitoring . <br /> The results of the study suggested elevated <br /> concentrations of total dissolved solids, sulfates and heavy <br /> metals were occurring . However , the data was not conclusive <br /> as to their sources . <br /> In 1979 the USFS conducted a study of quality <br /> in the Coal Basin drainage to determine if the mining opera- <br /> tions were causing accelerated erosion and increased stream <br /> sedimentation. Data from this study indicates that there is <br /> increased sediment in Coal Creek below the junction <br /> of Dutch Creek. However, it was not clear whether this was <br /> • due to the mining activities or to the natural erosional <br /> process . <br /> The USFS began sampling surface water in the <br /> Coal Basin area in 1973 and 'in conjunction with Mid-Continent <br /> has been evaluating water quality baseline characteristics . <br /> The parameter analyzed included electrical conductivity, pH, <br /> alkalinity and total suspended sediment . The results of the <br /> survey are summarized in Table III-E-8 . <br /> The study compared Dutch and Bear Creek <br /> watersheds . Since Dutch Creek is larger than Bear Creek, <br /> stream flows and sediment concentrations for Dutch Creek <br /> should be larger , however, sediment production per unit area <br /> should be similar . <br /> 39 <br /> i <br />