2010-06-30_REPORT - C1980007 (5)

Home Browse Search

West Elk Mine 2009 Annual Hydrology Report 14 of the SE B-seam mine panels area adjacent to mine Panels 12, 13, and 17 (Map 2). There are three monitoring stations in Dry Fork: Upper Dry Fork Flume, Middle Dry Fork Flume and Lower Dry Fork Flume. These stations were established in order to monitor the effects of mining along the drainage and to support the Minnesota Creek Augmentation Plan. All three of these sites have 30-inch Parshall flumes and data loggers. In October 2005, the monitoring station at Upper Dry Fork Flume was relocated upstream to replace the previous site that was frequently flooded by beaver dams. MCC initiated new monthly baseline monitoring of this relocated site in WY 2006 and routine monitoring (three times per year) began in WY 2007. The Lower Dry Fork Flume was replaced in its same location in October 2006 (WY 2007). A flume and data logger were also installed in October 2006 just upstream from and above the high water line of Minnesota Reservoir (see section 3.1.4.2: Minnesota Reservoir Flume). 3.1.3.3 Poison Gulch Poison Gulch is an ephemeral stream that is tributary to Dry Fork and only flows in response to storm events and spring runoff. Poison Gulch flows into Dry Fork between the Middle and Upper Dry Fork monitoring stations. Poison Gulch is located in the SOD mine plan area. The Poison Gulch monitoring station was established as a new monitoring location in the spring of • 2005 and it does not have a flume or data logger (Map 2). Baseline monthly monitoring of Poison Gulch began in May 2005 and included measuring flow, collecting field water quality data, and collecting samples for laboratory water quality analyses from May through October 2005. Routine monitoring (three times per year) of Poison Gulch began in WY 2006. 3.1.3.4 Deer Creek Deer Creek is an ephemeral stream that is tributary to Dry Fork and only flows in response to storm events and spring runoff. Deer Creek flows into Dry Fork, upstream of the Minnesota Reservoir Flume monitoring station and downstream of the Middle Dry Fork monitoring station. Deer Creek is located in the SOD area. The Deer Creek monitoring station was established as a new monitoring location in the spring of 2005 and does not have a flume or data logger (Map 2). Baseline monthly monitoring of Deer Creek began in May 2005 and included measuring flow, collecting field water quality data, and collecting samples for laboratory water quality analyses from May through October 2005. Routine monitoring (three times per year) of Deer Creek began in WY 2006. 3.1.3.5 Horse Gulch and East Gulch. East of Horse Gulch Horse Gulch and East Gulch, East of Horse Gulch are ephemeral stream drainages that are tributary to Dry Fork and flow only in response to storm events and spring runoff. These streams • flow into Minnesota Reservoir and drain the SE mine panel area and the area located within the June 2010 HydroGeo. Inc.