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Coal Creek, into which all the other streams <br /> flow, drains areas classified as ELUs #2, #4 and #8 . ELU <br /> #2 . as noted , generally has good water quality and moderate <br /> erosion hazard . ELUs #4 and 48 have characteristically <br /> steeper slopes and high erosion hazard . All occur on <br /> mountain sideslopes . <br /> The Thompson Creek Land Use Plan found "the <br /> streams within the planning unit generally of good quality . " <br /> The study noted that Coal Creek originates in <br /> Mancos Shale which under natural conditions is highly <br /> susceptible to erosion and contributes to suspended solids <br /> in the water . As a result , Coal Creek is often high in <br /> turbidity and salt content . <br /> Mid-Continent monitors water quality in Coal <br /> Creek as part of its program to mitigate any impacts to <br /> water quality which may be caused by mining activities , and <br /> to comply with requirements of the Colorado Department of <br /> Health . <br /> A study done by the Colorado Department of <br /> Health indicates , however , that mining activity has relatively <br /> little impact on the water quality of the drainage . Water <br /> quality samples taken of all four streams indicate that Bear <br /> Creek, which is unaffected by mining , has water quality <br /> characteristics similar to Dutch and Coal Creeks , the mine <br /> affected drainages . <br /> -li- <br />