INSPEC46503

• Permit No: C1981046
• IBM Index Class Name: Inspection
• Doc Date: 5/12/2000
• Doc Name: COAL COMPLETE INSPECTION ARIL 2000 MEMO
• From: DMG
• To: FILE
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

._

STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
Deparunenl of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman 51., Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
Interoffice MEMORANDUM
to: Coal Complete Inspection File, Apri12000
from: Byron G. Walker
subject: Status of the Artesian Well (Supplement)
date: May 12, 2000
reference: Memo, Apri127, 2000, Subject: Status of the Artesian Well
DIVISION OF
MINERALS
GEOLOGY
RECLAMATION
MINING•SAFETY
Bil I Owens
Gorernor
Greg E. Walc her
Erecuuve Director
Michael B Long
Division Director
The status of the artesian well was further investigated to consider the appazent pipe connection
from the lower fan shaft to a monitor pond and weir at the start of an irrigation ditch. No detailed
specific description of the pipe, the monitor pond, or weir was found. The following are quotes
from the permit application package.
"Groundwater is pumped from the Sunlight Mine below the level of Fourmile Creek to permit
continued expansion of the mine downdip along the D seam.) Page 8
"Water level in the mine is approximately 100 ft. below Fourmile Creek." Page 8
"Static water level in the mine is approximately 100 feet below the stream level." Page 29
"The hydraulic head in the coal seam is artificially lowered by pumping and the direction of flow
does not change during low flow season." Page 29
From Table 5, Page 30, the Sunlight Portal was at an elevation of 6917, the high water mark in
the mine shafr at 6771, and the stream (Fourmile Creek Gaging station) at 6870.
"The mine operator has applied for a well permit for the water being discharged from the mine.
This is the only permit in the vicinity of the mine. The Sunlight Ski area to the west obtains its
water from a spring converted to a shallow well on the mountainside south of the ski lodge. The
Moda ranch, approximately one-half mile downstream from the Sunlight Mine along Fourmile
Creek, also obtains water for domestic purposes from a shallow alluvial well. The ranch also
obtains water for the irrigation of a few acres of pasture on the north side of Fourmile Creek from
the mine dischazge water from the Sunlight Mine. This mine discharge water is routed through a
small irrigation ditch that roughly parallels Fourmile Creek on the north but is not diverted into
the creek between the mine and the ranch. The rancher has an adjudicated water right to the mine
dischazge water (0.2 cfs) through this ditch. Consequently, the rancher is dependent on the
continued operation of the mine and it pumped discharge for irrigation water." Page78