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RULE 2 PERMITS <br />The information from Colowyo's existing operations indicates that groundwater is very limited, even to <br />depths significantly below current mining activities. This conclusion is supported by the depths of the <br />potable wells, Taylor Creek No. 1 and Taylor Creek No. 3, and the newer water well. Further evidence of <br />lack of significant groundwater resources within and adjacent to the mine area is that most residents in the <br />general area haul drinking water from the towns of Craig or Meeker. <br />A search of the Colorado Office of the State Engineer's files revealed 116 permitted wells located inside <br />or within one mile of the proposed permit revision area (Table 2.04.7 -44). Of the 23 wells with reported <br />yields, only three have yields greater than 15 gpm. The maximum reported yield is 50 gpm, and the <br />median reported yield is 8 gpm. Most (91) of the permitted wells are used for monitoring purposes; nine <br />of the permitted wells support domestic or domestic and livestock uses, and 11 are used for livestock. The <br />locations of the permitted wells are illustrated on Map 11 C. <br />Groundwater is not currently used for industrial or mining purposes such as watering haul roads or dust <br />control. Water for these purposes is supplied by Wilson Reservoir located in Section 13, T4N, R93 W <br />(Map 11 A). <br />2.04.7 (2) Surface Water Resource Information <br />Both general and detailed information regarding surface water in the vicinity of the mining areas are <br />presented in the following subsections. <br />General Surface Water Resource Information <br />Surface Water Characteristics — The Colowyo Coal Company's area of operation is located within the <br />Lower Yampa River basin in northwestern Colorado. The physiography of the area consists of a montane <br />region and an upland plateau. The montane region typifies the headwater reaches of most drainages, <br />which are characterized by steep, narrow, bedrock - controlled channels. The channels are generally <br />straight with limited sediment accumulation. Active erosion is limited to areas with erodible shale or <br />friable sandstone (Camp Dresser & McKee (CDM), 1985b). <br />The upland plateau region is characterized by generally flat, low -lying mesas divided by meandering <br />streams with shallow gradients. The valleys of the larger streams, including Milk Creek and the Yampa <br />River are typically broad, with aggrading of the alluvial /colluvial materials. Erosion and sloughing of <br />stream banks is often severe due to the abundance of unconsolidated materials in the valley bottom, and <br />typically results in increasing sediment loads to the drainages (CDM, 1985b). <br />The climate in the region is semi -arid, characterized by low precipitation, large daily temperature <br />fluctuations, low humidity, and abundant sunshine. Precipitation averages about 18 inches per year, with <br />most precipitation falling in the form of snow generally between the months of October and April. <br />Surface flows in the general area are dominated by runoff events resulting from either snowmelt or <br />rainfall. <br />Stream flows vary widely within the Lower Yampa River basin, primarily due to differing climatic, <br />physiographic, and geomorphic conditions. Stream flow in the montane areas is generally a result of <br />snowmelt in the spring/early summer months, and thunderstorms in the summer months. The streams are <br />usually intermittent; since there is a lack of significant spring/seep discharge and a lack of storage in the <br />valley fill deposits. This type of stream regime is typical of the principal drainages in the area (CDM, <br />1985b). <br />Collom — Rule 2, Page 41 Revision Date: 9/28/11 <br />Revision No.: PR -03 <br />