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• Surface Water: Recorded surface water flows for Foidel Creek, Fish Creek, and Trout Creek were generally <br />high in comparison to TCC's historic record. Flooding of Fish Creek was observed in March and April. A <br />stream gage study was initiated by TCC with the aid of a consultant in the fall of 2007, continuing through 2009. <br />This study will continue in the spring, summer and fall of 2009. A discussion of this study, including results for <br />re-evaluating stream rating curves will be included in the 2009 AHR. <br />Conductivity concentrations at site 301, 69, and 1005 on Trout Creek appeared elevated during the spring runoff <br />season in April. This may be the result of upgradient spring runoff flushing through the old P & M mine area. <br />No other water quality impacts of concern were evident at any surface water sites monitored during 2009. <br />Spoil Springs: Recorded 2009 spoil spring discharges remain negligible and, therefore, did not constitute a <br />significant portion of discharge from the TCC mine area with the potential to impact off-site areas. Discharges <br />from sedimentation ponds predominately occurred in conformance with applicable CDPS permit limitations and <br />therefore did not constitute significant impacts to receiving waters. <br />Mine Discharge: Mine water discharge site 109 did not discharge to Foidel in 2009. Some mine water from the <br />Fish Creek Borehole well, which is subsequently treated by electro-coagulation, was directed on a limited basis <br />through Site 115 and then to Fish Creek in 2009. In 2005, TCC began redirecting electro-coagulation treated <br />mine water pumped from the Fish Creek Borehole well, underground locations for dust control. <br />The mine pump at TORT began discharging to Foidel in September 2008 under an emergency discharge permit <br />issued by CDPHE. In 2009, TCC experienced difficulties in consistently meeting WET and iron standards at the <br />pipeline discharge source. In the second quarter of 2009, TCC halted all discharge at the discharge source <br />permited under the emergency discharge permit, and re-directed TORT dewatering to the Area # 1 Pit. The Pit <br />may overflow (via site 7) to Pond D, which may in turn flow into Foidel Creek via CDPS Outfall 005A (a.k.a. <br />site 84). CDPS Permit parameter limitations at 005A were met in 2009. As indicated above, future treatment of <br />IORT mine water is under consideration. <br />Mine Inflow: No unusual occurrences of inflow were noted as a result of the Annual Mine Inflow study. <br />Inflows are within the projected flows presented in the permit. Water quality has not changed significantly and <br />appears to mirror the quality of the adjacent spoil water. It appears that the elevated EC and iron readings are <br />associated with the water that has pooled in the mine sump, which is in contact with the overlying Marine Shale. <br />This contact has provided the opportunity for additional salts and iron to be leached from this unit. The pumping <br />of the sump should see a decrease in the elevation of the pool over time, with an anticipated decrease in the EC <br />and concentration of iron in the effluent. <br />Subsidence: During 2009, no ponds, or other structures were undermined or subsided. No subsidence ponding <br />overlying subsurface mined areas along Foidel Creek or Middle Creek was evident in 2009. No <br />significant/adverse water quality impacts relating to subsidence were evident in 2009. <br />19