Laserfiche WebLink
Chapter IV <br /> Data from the company's surface water monitoring program is presented in Appendix <br /> III-E-5 and summarized on Table 111-E-9. Baseline surface and ground water samples <br /> are alkaline. There is little water quality difference between ground water mine <br /> discharges (Appendix III-E-4) and surface water tributaries draining the project area <br /> (sites 4,5,6,7,9), and water samples taken from undisturbed drainages, (sites 2,3,8,10). <br /> The flows below the mines are slightly higher in total dissolved solids and alkalinity. <br /> Surface water quality analysis is detailed in Appendix III-E-6. The flow during the winter <br /> months (base flow) is derived from groundwater storage from the mine and alluvial <br /> aquifers. Water during these base flow periods is naturally higher in total dissolved <br /> solids. Since base flow is a product of infiltrated stored ground water, the water quality <br /> is merely an indication of the materials that were leached during the aquifer <br /> recharge/discharge process. During spring and summer snowmelt runoff, the water <br /> quality improves because aquifer discharge is diluted with snowmelt. A study of the <br /> Crystal River Drainage by J. Peter Mars (Colorado Department of Health, Water Quality <br /> Control Division - June 1980) attempted to determine whether or not the Coal Basin <br /> mining operations were degrading the water quality. The secondary purpose of the <br /> study was to establish referral base data for future water quality monitoring. <br /> Applicable data from the J. Peter Mars study can be found in Appendix III-E-5. By <br /> comparing the data in this report with all surface water quality data (1975-1987 found in <br /> Appendices III-E-4, 5 and 6) which includes all tributaries of Coal Basin, it is apparent <br /> from these extensive water quality reports (10 years) that occasionally there are slightly <br /> elevated concentrations of TDS, sulfates and some metals. It is believed that these <br /> concentrations come from various geology formations outcropping around Coal Basin, <br /> i.e., exposed coal seams, mancos shale, etc. The 10 year extensive water quality <br /> study of all Coal Basin tributaries produced no point source locations. <br /> The results of the study suggested that elevated concentrations of total dissolved <br /> solids, sulfates and heavy metals could be resulting from the mining operations. <br /> However, the study was unable to produce conclusive data as to what aspects of the <br /> mining operations, if any, were causing water quality degradation. <br /> In 1973 a surface water quality program was started in cooperation with the USFS. <br /> This program continues today with some notable changes. In 1976 the sample points <br /> increased from three to ten to include various side canyons and tributaries._In.1977 <br /> quantity was stressed with weekly stream gauging measurements recorded. In 1979 a <br /> stream gauging station with continuous recorder and permanent concrete control was <br /> installed. <br /> All in all a major hydrologic data collection network has been established and will <br /> continue. See the February 5, 1986 report of the history of water quality monitoring at <br /> Appendix IV-C-2 to this chapter. The end result of this 10 year study concludes that <br /> there are no significant surface water impacts on water quality or quantity other than <br /> sediment. <br /> 24 <br />