2012-01-26_PERMIT FILE - C1981018A

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• single stage sampler was installed. The stock water ponds at SW6-1 and SW33-1 were usually dry. Crest gage and sample collection stations SW1-1, SW11-1, and SW31-1 were monitored quarterly; however, runoff events often contained such high quantities of suspended solids that sampler tubes were plugged and the gauging device silted in. Constant servicing of these stations was necessary with no guarantee that the next runoff event would be measured and a sample collected. Kenney Reservoir inundated the White River alluvium below Scullion Gulch and grab sample stations SW11-2 and SW12-1. In May 1997, DMG issued a NOV C-97-006 citing BME for failure to maintain surface water monitoring devices (crest stage gages and single stage samplers) in accordance with the permitted monitoring program. However, because of the continued problem with the maintenance of the crest gage, DMG recommend that BME amend the surface water monitoring program to address how the data would reliably be collected. After further discussions, DMG Hydrologist questioned the necessity of the surface monitoring program and recommended that BME revise the permit to eliminate the surface monitoring program. BME submitted a technical revision application on 7/14/97 in this regard. DMG approved the revision and the surface water monitoring program was discontinued. II.C.3 Groundwater Hvdrologv II.C.3.a Regional Groundwater Hydrologic System. The principal factor controlling the occurrence and availability of groundwater in any area is geology. As noted by Price and Waddell (1973), nearly all of the • region surrounding the lease area is underlain by rocks of marine and continental origin, consisting predominantly of interbedded sandstones and shales. Because most of the rocks in the region are consolidated, their water-bearing properties are largely dependent on secondary porosity (faults, fractures, joints, etc.). Recharge within the White River Basin occurs primarily at higher elevations where precipitation significantly exceeds evapotranspiration. As noted previously, geologic and climatic conditions within the basin are such that over half of the stream flow in the river is derived directly from the groundwater system. In addition to groundwater discharge to the river, large quantities of groundwater are removed from the alluvium adjacent to the river through the consumptive use of water by greasewood and saltcedar (Price and Arnow, 1974), especially downstream from Rangely, Colorado. In general, potential water yields from properly constructed wells in the White River Basin are less than 50 gallons per minute (Price and Arnow, 1974). Within the lease and adjacent areas, yields of only 1 to 10 gallons per minute can generally be expected. Increased yields, however, might be obtained from wells penetrating highly fractured sandstones or coarse alluvium. Rocks in the White River Basin generally have low specific yields (0.2 to 2.0 percent) and low hydraulic conductivities (Price and Waddell, 1973). The volume of recoverable water in the upper 100 feet of • saturated rocks ranges from 9600 acre-feet per square mile in the headwaters of the basin to less than 600 Permit Renewal #3 (Rev. 8/99) II.C~9