Laserfiche WebLink
collected from the canyon indicates no subirrigation and no water availability sufficient <br /> for flood irrigation agricultural activities. Also, all of the valley deposits are described as <br /> a thin veneer of colluvial material which should not be classified as AVF. <br /> Data was also gathered during the August 1985 drilling program to further identify <br /> any alluvial aquifer which may exist in Apache Canyon. All of the 1 drill holes were <br /> completed as monitoring wells. Location, completion information and water level data <br /> for August and September are presented in Figures 2 and 3 and Appendix 2. As indicated <br /> from the water level data, water was encountered from wells #8 to #17. The highest <br /> water elevation was observed at well #11. This area of the canyon is narrow and has <br /> various bedrock outcrops in the stream channel. These outcrops produce limited surface <br /> springs and seeps W12 and #13) which have been monitored over the past two years during <br /> the spring and seep survey (Appendix 4). As a result of the constriction of the canyon and <br /> the surface/bedrock contact, a limited pocket of water has formed. However, as per the <br /> CMLRD definitions, "Aquifer means a zone, stratum, or group of strata that can store and <br /> transmit water in sufficient quantities for beneficial use". And aquifers are also defined <br /> as "Renewable resource lands which means aquifers and areas for the recharge of <br /> aquifers, areas for agricultural or silvicultural production of food and fiber, and <br /> pastureland". This definition has been further developed by the provisions of 30 CFR <br /> 817.126 and by CMLRD Rule 4.20.4 which provides a renewable resource land status for <br /> only aquifers which serve as a "significant source of water supply to any public water <br /> system". The water encountered currently does not serve as nor could sustain a <br /> "beneficial use", "Significant source", or even a minor source of water supply to a public <br /> system and, by definition, could not be classified as an aquifer or renewable resource land. <br /> Ciruela Canyon <br /> Ciruela Canyon lies to the south of the Golden Eagle Mine and drains an area of <br /> 1745 acres. As with Apache Canyon, Ciruela also has a woodland cover with a herbaceous <br /> valley bottom. Land use is grazing and wildlife with mining as a minor use in the lower <br /> reaches of the canyon. <br /> -8- <br />