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expected. If fracturing of the interburden and/or the Wolf Creek coal, due to blasting <br />or unloading of materials (overburden and Wadge coal seam), were to occur, it is <br />estimated that 80% of the Wolf Creek head would be lost to friction, leaving a <br />maximum total head of about 155 feet, which could potentially result in minor inflow. <br />The aquifer characteristics of the Wolf Creek (low transmissivity and storativity <br />values) indicate that very little water is available for upward movement. Due to the <br />distance between the Wadge and Wolf Creek, fracturing of the Wolf Creek due to <br />mining is improbable. Inflow from the Wolf Creek coal seam into the open or <br />reclaimed pits is not expected to occur. <br />The Wadge coal and its overburden, which may locally contain the Lennox coal seam, <br />generally stores and transmits water. While mining, water will be induced to flow into <br />active and reclaimed pits. This water will flow mainly from the Wadge coal, but also <br />from the overburden. The operator estimated the following values for aquifer <br />characteristics in the Wadge Coal and Wadge Overburden: <br />* Hydraulic conductivity of overburden =.01 ft./day <br />* Hydraulic conductivity of coal = 0.02 ft./day (north pit), .01 ft. day (south pit) <br />* Storativity = 10-2 for both aquifers <br />* Transmissivity = 4.5 ft. 2/day for overburden <br />* Transmissivity = 0.12 ft. 2/day for coal <br />* Hydraulic gradient of overburden = .165 (north pit), .085 (south pit) <br />* Hydraulic gradient of coal = .15 (north pit), .11 (south pit) <br />The preceding estimated values for hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity are <br />somewhat lower than most values reported for these aquifers by mines in t:he area. <br />Tables 5 and 6 in Robson and Stewart's (1990) report indicates ranges in hydraulic <br />conductivity from 0.1 to 0.6 ft./day for the overburden aquifer and two values of .02 <br />and .4 ft./day for the Wadge Coal. <br />The Division's PHC findings are based on the possibility of greater inflows than those <br />predicted by the applicant. The Williams Fork Formation overburden which locally <br />contains the Lennox Coal Seam, may contain perched aquifers as well as acting as a <br />limited aquifer system near the Wadge coal. The overburden does not contain or <br />transport significant amounts of water in this area. <br />The applicant states that no hydrologic effects due to mining will be noticed at Temple <br />Well No. 1 (a domestic water right), located south and west of the mine site. <br />Eventually, some effects will be seen at this well. The effects may be exhibited as <br />increased levels of dissolved solids or other chemical parameters (sulphur, iron) and/or <br />diminished quantity of water at the well. These effects will probably not be seen until <br />a number of years after mining has reached its closest point to the well. Eventually, <br />Seneca II-W Findings Document 38 C1982057 <br />Permit Renewal No. 5 December 9, 2010