Laserfiche WebLink
Gulch and an unnamed tributary to Dry Creek (the Pond 005 Gulch). A small area on the eastern <br />edge of the permit boundary drains to Sage Creek. <br />Flows on Sage Creek range from intermittent to perennial, depending on location and precipitation <br />patterns. At the Seneca II -W monitoring sites, Sage Creek can be classified as perennial during <br />years at or above average precipitation, and intermittent in years below average. The numerous <br />small drainages which are tributary to Dry Creek are ephemeral in nature. Hubberson Gulch, <br />downstream of the mine site to its confluence with Dry Creek, is intermittent. Dry Creek, like <br />Sage Creek, can be classified as perennial most years and intermittent during years with below <br />average precipitation. Both Sage Creek and Dry Creek are confluent with the Yampa River near <br />Hayden, Colorado. <br />Water in Hubberson Gulch is a MgCa -SO, type. Surface water total dissolved solids (TDS) <br />averages 820 mg /1. The water is hard, and is characterized as slightly alkaline (average pH 8.1). <br />It is suitable for livestock watering and irrigation of salt - tolerant crops grown in well drained <br />soils. <br />Water quality in Sage Creek is a CaMg -HCO, type. Samples from baseline monitoring points <br />indicate the water is slightly alkaline with a pH ranging between 7.0 and 8.0. The water has a <br />TDS level of less than 500 mg /1, but is characterized as very hard. It is suitable for livestock and <br />irrigation, however, flow is generally inadequate for irrigation. <br />Dry Creek water quality is categorized as brackish, since TDS averages greater than 1000 mg /1 <br />(1048 mg /1) near the confluence with Hubberson Gulch. Water quality degrades further <br />downstream. With an average pH of 8.3, the water is slightly alkaline. Hardness averages 796 <br />mg /1, and is considered very hard. <br />climntP <br />The average annual precipitation at the mine site is approximately 16 inches. The precipitation is <br />consistent throughout the year with no significant dry periods. The mean annual temperature is <br />42 °F. The average maximum and minimum temperatures are 66 °F and 17 °F respectively. <br />Regionally, wind directions run east -west following the Yampa River Valley. More localized <br />wind patterns trend along the side valleys. <br />Land Use <br />The current and historic land use of the area in which the operation is located is grazing land for <br />livestock and habitat for wildlife. Regional land use patterns are oriented in three relatively <br />distinct bands. Irrigated cropland is closely associated with the floodplain of the Yampa River. To <br />the south, non - irrigated crops are grown on the sloping upland surfaces. The area nearest the <br />mining operation is mostly hilly and mountainous terrain and used primarily as rangeland for <br />livestock grazing and wildlife habitat. <br />Seneca II -W Findings Document 9 C -1982 -057 <br />Permit Revision No. 6 January 6, 2012 <br />