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• 8. Surface Water <br />The surface water in Lumsden Canyon has been extensively characterized by Umetco and the BLM as <br />part of past mine closure and reclamation activities in the area. Much of the information presented in <br />this section and in the Appendix E water quality tables was provided by the BLM; its receipt is <br />gratefully acknowledged. <br />As shown on Map G-1, the Whirlwind Mine area is located within the Lumsden Canyon drainage, <br />which discharges into the Dolores River immediately north of Gateway. All of the proposed surface <br />disturbance is outside of the 100-year flood boundary for Lumsden Creek. Lumsden Creek is an <br />intermittent stream that flows only in response to sizable rain events and snowmelt (WWE 1999). <br />There are three springs that feed into Lumsden Creek: DP Spring, PR Spring, and Lumsden Spring (see <br />Map G-1). However, these springs are relatively small and the flows dissipate within a short distance <br />downstream of their source (BLM, 1993 and Fowler, 2001). <br />• 8.1 Lumsden Creek <br />From the Whirlwind Mine, Lumsden Creek is in a relatively steep gully for the initial 1-1/4 mile. In <br />this area, the creek runs along the east side of the Packrat access road and reclaimed waste pile. <br />Approximately 1,200 feet of this section crosses through reclaimed waste rock from the Lumsden #2 <br />Mine. Some waste rock has also washed downstream of the reclaimed areas. After one mile, the creek <br />joins with the west tributary that comes from the DP Spring and Dutchman Mine area. Another one- <br />quarter-mile downstream, the east tributary from the Rajah 49 (a.k.a., Lumsden #5) Mine area flows <br />into the creek. From this point, the creek slope becomes progressively less steep with the elevation <br />decreasing approximately 1,000 feet over the next two miles. At the mouth of the canyon, the area <br />flattens out and the elevation falls only about 300 to 400 feet before reaching the Dolores River located <br />approximately two miles away. Overall, the total distance from the main Whirlwind disturbed area to <br />the River is 5.15 miles and the total elevation drop is approximately 2,500 feet. <br />Because of its ephemeral nature and remote location, very few surface water samples have been <br />collected of Lumsden Creek other than those taken of the three springs that discharge into the <br />• streambed. In 1996 and 1997, Wright Water Engineers set up a series of monitoring stations in <br />Whirlwind Mine 07 (rev. April 08) G-19 <br />