1987-12-01_PERMIT FILE - C1981017 (185)

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Chapter IV Data from the company's surface water monitoring program is presented in Appendix III -E -5 and summarized on Table III -E -9. Baseline surface and ground water samples are alkaline. There is little water quality difference between ground water mine discharges (Appendix III -E -4) and surface water tributaries draining the project area (sites 4,5,6,7,9), and water samples taken from undisturbed drainages, (sites 2,3,8,10). The flows below the mines are slightly higher in total dissolved solids and alkalinity. Surface water quality analysis is detailed in Appendix III -E -6. The flow during the winter months (base flow) is derived from groundwater storage from the mine and alluvial aquifers. Water during these base flow periods is naturally higher in total dissolved solids. Since base flow is a product of infiltrated stored ground water, the water quality is merely an indication of the materials that were leached during the aquifer recharge /discharge process. During spring and summer snowmelt runoff, the water quality improves because aquifer discharge is diluted with snowmelt. A study of the Crystal River Drainage by J. Peter Mars (Colorado Department of Health, Water Quality Control Division - June 1980) attempted to determine whether or not the Coal Basin mining operations were degrading the water quality. The secondary purpose of the study was to establish referral base data for future water quality monitoring. Applicable data from the J. Peter Mars study can be found in Appendix III -E -5. By comparing the data in this report with all surface water quality data (1975 -1987 found in Appendices Ill -E -4, 5 and 6) which includes all tributaries of Coal Basin, it is apparent from these extensive water quality reports (10 years) that occasionally there are slightly elevated concentrations of TDS, sulfates and some metals. It is believed that these concentrations come from various geology formations outcropping around Coal Basin, i.e., exposed coal seams, mancos shale, etc. The 10 year extensive water quality study of all Coal Basin tributaries produced no point source locations. The results of the study suggested that elevated concentrations of total dissolved solids, sulfates and heavy metals could be resulting from the mining operations. However, the study was unable to produce conclusive data as to what aspects of the mining operations, if any, were causing water quality degradation. In 1973 a surface water quality program was started in cooperation with the USFS. This program continues today with some notable changes. In 1976 the sample points increased from three to ten to include various side canyons and tributaries. In 1977 quantity was stressed with weekly stream gauging measurements recorded. In 1979 a stream gauging station with continuous recorder and permanent concrete control was installed. All in all a major hydrologic data collection network has been established and will continue. See the February 5, 1986 report of the history of water quality monitoring at Appendix IV -C -2 to this chapter. The end result of this 10 year study concludes that there are no significant surface water impacts on water quality or quantity other than sediment. 24