Dames & Moore, 1999 - USDA Forest Service

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chromium, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, potassium.
selenium, silver, sodium, thallium, uranium, and zinc), alkalinity, sulfate, total dissolved solids, total
suspended solids, hardness, chloride, nitratelnitrite, color, cyanide, and ortholtotal phosphorous as
outlined in the associated SAPS. In addition, samples collected from HBKG-I (located west of tailings
pile 1) and DS-2 (located downgradient of tailings pile 3) were analyzed for TPH and PCBs. The results
of laboratory analyses are presented in Section 5.4.2.
3.3.1.2 Seeps
Groundwater which flows from the slopes andlor ground surface are considered seeps. The presence of
seeps is indicative of a shallow groundwater occurrence. Referring to Figures 3.2-1 and 3.3-2 and Tables
3.0-1 (under "Seeps") and 3.2-2 through 3.2-5, the RI included the sampling of seeps and immediate areas
where the seep water collected in order to better characterize the shallow groundwater underlying the Site.
Discharge measurements and water quality samples were collected from all site seeps with measurable
flow that were not derived completely by snowmelt. The discharge measurements were recorded through
the use of portable flumes, collecting flow into containers of known volume, or visual estimation. A
discussion of the seeps in terms of the groundwater conditions is presented in Section 4.3.3.7. In areas
where multiple small-discharge seeps were found, composite, volume-weighted samples were collected.
Samples were analyzed for the same parameter suite as groundwater samples. The results of laboratory
analyses are presented in Section 5.4.2.
3.3.1.3 Dye Tracer Survey I
A dye tracer test program was conducted in two areas of the Site. Testing was conducted by introducing
dye in the Honeymoon Heights drainage to assess potential'relationships of intermittent drainage from
Honeymoon Heights to seeps SP-12, SP-23 and the portal drainage (Figure 3.3-2). An additional test was
conducted by introducing dye into a partially open decant tower located on the top of tailings pile 1 to
assess if water that flows into the decant tower contributes to the generation of seepage from the tailings
pile.
Dye was input at three points: (1) Honeymoon Heights drainage down gradient of the mapped shallow
mine workings but up gradient of seeps SP-12 and SP-23, (2) Honeymoon Heights drainage up gradient
of the mapped shallow mine workings and up gradient of seeps SP-12 and SP-23, and (3) In partially
open decant tower located in tailings pile 1.
Water samples were collected at SP-12, SP-23 and portal drainage (P-1) to assess water source
relationships with the Honeymoon Heights drainage and from SP-1,'s~-2 and the south bank of Railroad
Creek up gradient of the Copper Creek confluence to assess water source relationships between the
tailings piles and seeps at Railroad Creek. The samples were analyzed for the expected dye tracer
compound. The results of the dye tracer study are provided in Section 4.4.3.3.
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3.3.1.4 Background
Referring to Figure 3.3-2 and Tables 3.0-1 (under "Groundwater") and 3.2-2 through 3.2-5, two
groundwater monitoring wells were installed by others in 1995 (USBM) in apparent upgradient locations
(HBKG-I and HBKG-2). However, subsequent sampling and analysis of the water collected in the wells