2009-07-01_REPORT - C1980007 (6)

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West Elk Mine 2008 Annual Hydrology Report 59 0 5.2 Springs and Seeps MCC routinely monitors 36 springs and seeps (Table 5). Hydrographs of the spring and seep flows are presented in Appendix D and the spring flow and water quality data are presented in Appendix E. 5.2.1 Impacts to Spring and Seep Water Quality Stream water quality data are collected for permit specified parameters at monitored springs and seeps throughout the permit area in order to detect potential impacts of mining activities to springs and seeps. Potential mining impacts to area spring and seep water quality are determined by comparison to baseline values and climatological conditions such as drought or high precipitation periods at monitored sites hydraulically connected to areas with mining activities. Typically, coal mining does not impact spring water quality but can reduce or eliminate flows due to subsidence effects. Water quality data from WY 2008 did not indicate significant changes from baseline conditions for most of the monitored springs. However, many of the springs had slightly elevated TDS/TSS, iron, and\or conductivity values that were also noted in WY 2004, WY 2005, and WY 2006 and WY 2007. These elevated values are likely the result of the high precipitation in WY 2008 and associated higher than normal flows. Spring 27-1 had a slightly elevated conductivity of 445.56 µmhos/cm compared to the maximum baseline value of 437 µmhos/cm and elevated TDS of 335 mg/l compared to the maximum baseline value of 300 mg/l. Spring G-7 had a slightly elevated TDS concentration of 248 mg/l compared to the maximum baseline value of 230 mg/I. Spring G-24 had an elevated conductivity of 760.91 µmhos/cm compared to the maximum baseline value of 564 µmhos/cm. Spring G-14 had an elevated conductivity of 855.16 µmhos/cm compared to the maximum baseline value of 682 µmhos/cm. Spring G-22 had an elevated conductivity of 998.17 µmhos/cm compared to the maximum baseline value of 640 µmhos/cm, an elevated total iron value of 0.84 mg/l compared to a maximum baseline value of 0.2 mg/l, and elevated TDS of 721 mg/l compared to the maximum baseline value of 516 mg/l. Spring 15-1 had elevated conductivity of 1,302 µmhos/cm compared to the baseline maximum of 1,120 µmhos/cm, elevated dissolved iron of 0.03 mg/l compared to the baseline maximum of 0.01 mg/l, elevated pH of 8.51 s.u. compared to the baseline maximum of 8.2 s.u., and elevated TDS of 996 mg/l compared to the baseline maximum of 730 mg/l. Spring G-20 had an elevated total iron concentration of 0.85 mg/l compared to a maximum baseline value of 0.32 mg/I, elevated pH of 8.41 s.u. compared to the maximum baseline value of 8.1 s.u., and elevated TSS of 70 mg/l compared to the baseline maximum of 19.6 mg/1. Spring G-28A had an elevated total iron concentration of 1.15 mg/l compared to the baseline maximum of 1.12 mg/l. June 2009 HydroGeo, Inc.