2011-03-14_REPORT - C1982056 ‎(3)‎

• Permit No: C1982056
• IBM Index Class Name: Report
• Doc Date: 3/14/2011
• Doc Name: 2010 Annual Hydrology Report
• From: Twentymile Coal Company
• To: DRMS
• Annual Report Year: 2010
• Permit Index Doc Type: Hydrology Report
• Email Name: JDM
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

OOIA on an as needed/ sporadic basis. Pump flows were estimated. CDPHE Discharge Monitoring Reports are
copied to DRMS.
Outfall 001A was recorded as flowing in March 2010 for approximately 3 consecutive days. There was no
further flow in 2010. No exceedances were noted. TCC subsequently applied for a CDPS permit to make 6MN a
permanent Outfall. A permit (COG-850051) was subsequently approved in January 2010 by CDPHE, effective
February 1, 2010, expiring June 30, 2013. DRMS is copied on CDPHE DMRs for this site. The site discharged
for approximately one day in April 2010.
Emergency Discharge Permit COG-850048
In late August 2008, an unanticipated rise in water levels within sealed mine areas resulted in a condition where
water was backed-up against the mine seals in two areas of the mine (old WMD and EMD). Due to concerns of a
potential inundation hazard to the safety of the miners, TCC temporarily suspended operations, withdrew all
personnel and notified MSHA. The mine was shut down for approximately 10 days. During this period an
emergency discharge permit was obtained from CDPHE, and a 12-inch diameter high density polyethylene
(HDPE) pipeline was installed from the existing TORT pump in the EMD to a drainage ditch and flume leading to
Foidel Creek, east of the intersection of County Road 33, the railroad tracks, and the entrance road for 6MN pad.
In addition HDPE piping was also installed from a pump located at the old Fish Creek Ventilation Shaft (FCVS)
• in the old WMD to the Area # 1 Pit for dewatering. As of the first week in March 2010, there is approximately
30.5 feet of freeboard in the old WMD. As a result of the flooding, a water balance study was conducted by TCC
in early 2010, and is discussed further under section 3.9.
Discharge at 1ORt was initiated in early September 2008. During discharge, downstream water quality samples
were collected to verify potential impacts. Samples collected at site 1005 (Trout Creek) downstream of
confluences from Fish Creek and Foidel Creek. The secondary stream standard of 250 mg/l for sulfate was of
concern. In discussions with CDPHE, they indicated that their database showed no down stream portable water
users for Trout Creek, so the standard was not applicable, however TCC was aware that a family (Richard Jones)
did utilize an alluvial well for showering, washing dishes and clothes. In 2008, TCC purchased two 2000 gallon
storage tanks for the Jones, and had them buried on his property at his direction with the appropriate plumbing
hook-ups to his home. TCC is currently paying for clean imported water (i.e. Raindrop, Inc.) to be delivered to
their new tanks, so they would discontinue using their alluvial well.
Subsequent water quality data from the TORT raw effluent indicated some exceedances for total recoverable iron.
In addition it became obvious that the raw effluent would not be able to pass the required quarterly Whole
Effluent Toxicity (WET) test. Note that water quality samples collected at site 900, downstream of the TORT and
upstream of the confluence with Middle Creek, passed three consecutive WET tests and met iron requirements.
Bench tests on the raw effluent were conducted by the analytical laboratory Aqua-Tox of Wheatridge, Colorado.
These tests suggested that elevated concentrations of sulfate and ammonia contributed to the WET test failures.
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