2012-02-28_REVISION - M1980244 (104)

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Locally, active surface water channels essentially do not exist throughout most of the diatreme -based District. Due to the presence of below grade surface mine areas, the high permeability of the diatreme, and the historic lowering of the ground water table by the historic drainage tunnels, precipitation infiltrates and surface water flows are only rarely observed. Those flows are not continuous in the downstream direction, but may become more continuous after the granodiorite is encountered. Only during significant snowmelt or after heavy rainstorms is flow observed in the otherwise dry washes. The stream flow that does occur is seldom continuous along the channel. The flow usually infiltrates into the upper, and shallow, ground water system within the stream colluvial and alluvial sediments. Surface flow may appear again some distance downstream. Sections of the stream channel remain dry even during these precipitation events. Wilson Creek and Tributaries Surface water flows south of the Cresson Project into Theresa Gulch (also known as North Fork of Wilson Creek) and Bateman Creek, which are tributaries to Wilson Creek, which flows into Fourmile Creek. The Vindicator Valley flows to what is known locally as Theresa Gulch, which is in the upper reaches of the Wilson Creek watershed. Wilson Creek is ephemeral to intermittent in the upper reaches (i.e., the upper Theresa Gulch area), but becomes perennial in the vicinity of its juncture with Bateman Creek due to discharges into Wilson Creek from the City of Victor's wastewater treatment plant. Theresa Gulch is ephemeral to intermittent. Flows in Bateman Creek are ephemeral in the upper reaches and intermittent in the lower reaches with freezing occurring during the winter months. CC &V monitors three stations on Theresa Gulch (T -1, T -2, and T -3), one station on Wilson Creek above the confluence with Bateman Creek (WCSW), one station on Bateman Creek (BCSW), and one station on Wilson Creek below the confluence with Bateman Creek (WCSW -01). The oldest station was installed in 1992 and the most recent station was installed in 1997. The data show limited flows, in response to precipitation, in upper Theresa Gulch. In lower Theresa Gulch, the data show low, but continual flows. Flows in Bateman Creek vary on a seasonal basis. Wilson Creek at the CC &V monitoring station appears perennial, but flows are low in the winter months. Wilson Creek has stream standards and is classified as usable for recreation (Class E), agriculture, as a Class 2 cold water aquatic stream, and as a water supply. Standards exist for pH, dissolved oxygen, E. Coli, major and minor anions including chloride, sulfate, sulfide, and cyanide, nutrients of nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia, as well as trace metals (arsenic, boron, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company Cresson Project Mine Life Extension 2 4 -9