2011-05-18_PERMIT FILE - C1981012 ‎(2)‎

• Permit No: C1981012
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 5/18/2011
• Doc Name: PROBABLE HYDROLOGIC CONSEQUENCES OF MINING
• Section_Exhibit Name: Exhibit 08.4 Probable Hydrologic Consequences of Mining on the Allen & Apache Coal Seams
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Probable Hydrologic Consequences New Elk Mine 16
water is reported to have a pH between 7.6 and 8.9, and specific conductance ranging from 526 to 807
µS /cm. Springs 12 and 13 have reported flows of 1 to 5 gpm. Water from the springs has circum - neutral
pH (6.1 to 8.2) and specific conductance ranging from 700 to 761 gS /cm. The springs are used as water
supply by wildlife and livestock. Three windmills which produce water for livestock from shallow bedrock
are also present in the drainage.
The lower portion of the Apache Canyon drainage receives discharge from CBM wells and flows year
around for a distance of 2,500 feet above the confluence with Purgatoire River. The discharge point is
permitted outfall DPGE_l (Plate 3). Based on monitoring data provided by the well field operator, XTO,
discharge from the permitted outfall averages about 60 gpm, has a pH of 8.5, and specific conductance of
about 1,050 µS /cm.
4.3 Ciruela Canyon
The upper reach of Ciruela Canyon is an ephemeral drainage in the southeast portion of the permit area.
The drainage flows northeast to its confluence with the Purgatory River approximately two miles east of
the permit area. The canyon drains an area of approximately 1,966 acres inside the permit boundary. The
drainage within a one mile radius of the permit area is dry for most of the year and flows only in response
to localized heavy thunderstorms and snowmelt. The lower reaches of the canyon receive discharge from
CBM wells.
One bedrock spring in Ciruela Canyon (Spring 15) is located within the one mile radius of the permit
boundary. The spring is a minor area of seepage that occurs at the contact of a sandstone and shale bed
below a coal seam. Spring water is reported to have a pH of 6.7 and specific conductance of 1,054 gS /cm.
The spring is damp for several months a year.
4.4 Springs and Seeps
A total of eight springs are documented within a one -mile radius of the permit area. The springs
are summarized in Table 9. Spring locations are shown on Plate 3.
Table 9. Summary of Springs within a One -Mile Radius of the Permit Area
Spring
ID
Elevation
(ft amsl)
Distance
Above
Apache Seam
(ft)
Temp.
( °C)
Flow
(gpm)
Specific
Conductance
(µS /cm)
pH
Notes
12
7,550
400
12.3
1
731
6.7
Seepage from shale- sandstone contact
13
7,600
400
21.1
1
736
6.3
Seepage from shale- sandstone contact
14
8,220
800
23.8
610
8.2
Developed spring
15
7,450
600
9.2
1
1,054
6.7
Shale- sandstone contact below coal
16
7,500
600
9.5
1
984
6.4
Seepage from shale - sandstone contact
18
7,490
600
15.7
1 -2
449
5.9
Seepage from shale - sandstone contact
19
7,390
600
17.4
1
866
6.6
Seepage from fractured sandstone, shale
20
7,390
1 700
16.7
553
6.6
Flow from 3springsat Santistevan flume
Notes: Monitoring data from May 9 -10, 1984
I)istance above Apache seam rounded to nearest 100 feet.
4164A.110421 Whetstone Associates
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