2011-01-13_PERMIT FILE - C1981038A ‎(3)‎

• Permit No: C1981038A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 1/13/2011
• Section_Exhibit Name: Groundwater Appendix
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

• Ground water from the shallow colluvial/alluvial aquifer in
the Stevens Gulch drainage is used by Colorado Westmoreland, Inc.
for water supply.
A more detailed discussion of ground water hydrology in the
permit area is included in the existing approved mine permit
and Brooks, (1983).
3.2 Site Hydrogealogy
The ground water in the drainage basin of East Roatcap Creek
where the proposed new portal bench is located occurs in
colluvial sediments and in the bedrock of the Mesaverde
Formation.
3.2.1 Data Aquisition
The local ground water characteristics were obtained in
several phases of investigation. In 1977 the U.S.G.S. installed
a monitoring well (GR-77-7) in the central part of the East
Roatcap Creek drainage. This well is screened in the sandstone
strata of the Mesaverde Formation. The depth to water level in
this well fluctuates at approximately 115 feet below the ground
surface.
In 1982 two deep exploration wells, DH-60 and DH-65 were
~~~ equipped for ground water monitoring. Both of these wells are
open in the coal bearing member of the Mesaverde Formation.
In July, 1985 three shallow monitoring wells, SM-5, SM-6,
and SM-7 were installed in the colluvial sediments within the
East Roatcap Creek drainage basin. All three of these wells were
used for permeability testing and for collection of water quality
samples.
In July, 1986 three additional monitoring wells, SM-10, SM-
11 and SM-12 and eleven piezometers (DH-81, B1S, 82C, 825, 83C,
83S, 84C, SSC, 86, 87, and 885) were installed near the proposed
portal bench area. Afield permeability test was performed in
five of these monitoring wells and piezometers. At this time a
total of 13 shallow monitoring wells (colluvium) and 7 deep
(bedrock) monitoring wells are available within the East Roatcap
Creek drainage basin. The location of the monitoring wells are
shown on Figures H-4 and H-5 and on Drawing DO1 SO118 in the
confidential volume of the approved permit to mine. Construction
characteristics are shown in Table H-3 and on Figures H-6A and H-
6B.
During 1982 and 1983 an intensive reconnaissance study of
ponds, springs and seeps within the East Roatcap Creek drainage
• ~ basin was performed. From a total of 28 ponds and 4 springs, 6
ponds and 1 spring were selected for monitoring. All of the
identified springs are issuing water from the colluvial
sediments.