Laserfiche WebLink
Flow in the basin is likely to occur year-round, however access to verify this condition is limited. Access <br />to the Governor Basin is eliminated around October due to snow, and does not return until the summer <br />months. <br />A conceptual drawing depicting the surface water flow pathways within the basin are shown in Figure 2. <br />This Figure also depicts the location of photographs taken to orient the site features. <br />Surface Water Sampling, and Water Quality Results <br />There are several sets of water quality data available to characterize the Lower Mountain Top setting. In <br />2009, samples were taken from the Lower Mountain Top pipe outfall, the sedimentation pond outfall, <br />and the confluence point where the sedimentation pond flows mixed with Sneffels Creek (referred to as <br />the 'Lower Mountain Top Hydrologic Characterization -2009'). In 2010, a singular sample ABOVE the <br />Lower Mountain Top setting was captured to characterize the UPPER Mountain Top area as part of a <br />discharge permit application for the UPPER Mountain Top Mine (referred to as the UpperSneffels Creek <br />background characterization-2010). From 2007 to present, samples immediately above the Lower <br />Mountain Top outfall discharge, and immediately below the Lower Mountain Top outfall discharge were <br />captured as part of studies ongoing in Governor Basin (referred to as the Governor Basin Water Quality <br />Characterization -2007 to present). The data from all of these events are summarized and provided <br />herein. <br />Lower Mountain Top Hydrologic Characterization - 2009 <br />The following summarizes the water quality findings for data obtained for the distinct purpose of <br />characterizing the lower Mountain top pad area's hydrologic setting: comprised of the portal outfall, <br />settling pond and receiving system. Table 2 provides a summary of the data associated with the <br />samples that characterize the lower Mountain Top setting. <br />Table 2 includes results from four locations as follows; <br />• Upper Mountain Top Pond: this sample was collected at the pipe outfall as water was being <br />released from the pipe, before it mixed with the settling pond water. <br />• Mountain Top Pond Outfall: this sample was collected at the cumulative release point where all <br />of the settling pond water was released to braided channels that ultimately contacted the 'road <br />berm'. <br />• Trib (Tributary): This sample was collected by K. Brown/DRMS from the ephemeral tributary <br />that flows along the historic lower Mountain Top access road and plummets into the settling <br />pond. <br />• MT-2: This sample was included within this data set since it represents water quality affected <br />by the settling pond and tributary. The MT-2 location is a sampling location routinely studied <br />(since 2007) as part of the baseline hydrologic characterization for the Liberty mine down- <br />gradient. <br />The samples collected within the Lower Mountain top setting were obtained in order to characterize Itt <br />points along a flow pathway. For instance, the Upper Mountain top location is the effluent of the lower Q <br />Mountain Top portal, whereas the Mountain Top Pond is the water from the settling pond. There is an a