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snowmelt, and no flow after snowmelt was completed. An analysis of the limited data suggests <br />there is no adverse impact of the Sanborn Creek mine to Lower Coal Gulch. <br />NF -1 and NF -3 — North Fork of the Gunnison River <br />Surface water monitoring points NF -1 (North Fork upstream) and NF -3 (North Fork <br />downstream) were selected to monitor the water quality in the North Fork of the Gunnison River <br />above and below the disturbed surface mine site of the Sanborn Creek and Elk Creek Mines. <br />Monitoring point NF -3 was established in September 1997 to monitor for any mining- related <br />water quality impacts from the West Valley coal refuse pile. It should be noted that NF -3 is also <br />downstream from the town of Somerset and monitoring results for this station most likely <br />include impacts from domestic water use, possible leakage from sanitary sewers, the Bear Mine <br />discharges, and other factors that are not related to the Sanborn Creek or Elk Creek Mines. <br />Similarly, both sample locations are located downstream of the adjacent Mountain Coal <br />Company, West Elk Mine discharge points and potentially other less distinct historic mine <br />discharges scattered along the river. <br />Flow in the river reflects natural seasonal flows from upland drainages plus regulated flows from <br />Paonia Reservoir and significant other upland irrigation water storage facility releases during the <br />summer irrigation season. During 2012, the spring time flow in the river was substantially <br />decreased compared to 2011, was less than the 79 year average and contained significant <br />amounts of sediment from the routine annual sediment scouring of the Paonia Reservoir. <br />Summer and early fall flows reflect discharges from upland storage reservoirs used downstream <br />by the water rights holders. Irrigation water return from upstream agriculture activities does also <br />occur. No significant changes were noted, however, in the analytical data with nothing to suggest <br />adverse impact by the Elk Creek Mine or Sanborn Creek Mine to the River. <br />HN -1 — Lower Hawk's Nest Creek <br />Surface water monitoring site HN -1 Lower Hawk's Nest Creek, is monitored to verify that the <br />Sanborn Creek Mine does not have an adverse effect on the quality or quantity of runoff from <br />this ephemeral drainage. During 2012 there was, again, minimal flow in Hawk's Nest Creek <br />during spring snowmelt, and no flow after snowmelt was completed. An analysis of the limited <br />data suggests there is no adverse impact of the Sanborn Creek Mine to Lower Hawk's Nest <br />Creek. <br />9 <br />