1985-10-01_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981013 (4)

Home Browse Search

Surface water monitoring began in May 1984 at Stations CCS-1 and CCS-2 (Figure 1). Station CCS-1 is located above mine operations and only one flow event has been recorded on monthly samplings over the monitoring period (Appendix 1). Station CCS-2 is located at the confluence with the Purgatoire River. Flow recorded during monthly samplings is the result of the Golden Eagle Mine discharge which enters Ciruela Canyon between Stations CCS-1 and CCS-2. There are also two on-stream impoundments in the upper canyon which retain surface flow for livestock watering. On a seasonal basis, the only flow observed in Ciruela Canyon has been in the summer as a result of thunderstorms sufficient enough to produce runoff conditions. Alluvial water monitoring began in May 1984 with the installation of well CCAW-1 at the mouth of the canyon. As with well ACAW-1, water levels correspond with surface water availability, rising during the summer and falling during the winter. In August 1985, a series of 7 holes were drilled and completed as monitoring wells to further identify alluvial characteristics (Figure 2 and 3 and Appendix 2). Similar alluvial deposits and bedrock conditions exist when compared to Apache Canyon. Wells in the lower and upper canyon exhibit limited or no water while well #3 and #4 are in a narrow steep portion of the canyon. This area has a deeper colluvium (up to 17 feet) created by deposited material at the lower end of the canyon. This situation has concentrated water in the colluvial material forming a pocket as identified by well #3 and #4. In addition, seeps #15 and #16 have been monitored in the spring and seep survey over the past two years (Appendix 3). Seep #15 is located between well #5 and #6 and has exhibited the same limited water condition as the wells. Seep #16 is located above well #6 and exhibits similar canyon conditions as identified in the well #3 area. With similar conditions, the same conclusions from Apache Canyon were applied to Ciruela Canyon. That is, Ciruela Canyon does not contain an alluvial aquifer; and the Division found it is not an AVF based on size criteria. Probable Hydrologic Consequence The New Elk and Golden Eagle Mines five year permits will utilize both room and pillar and longwall mining methods (Figure 4 and 5). M ining activities will be limited to the lower limits of Apache and Ciruela Canyons. -9-