Procedures for Predictive Analysis of Selected Hydrologic Impacts of Surface Mining

摘要

This report presents a methodology for the prediction of selected hydrologic impacts of surface coal mining. Procedures for estimation of the chemical and hydrologic parameters required by an algebraic water quality model are provided. The model predicts the long term mean dissolved solids concentration in combined direct and sub-surface runoff from a watershed partially disturbed by mining. The computational procedure is demonstrated in a step-by-step calculation for a mine site in Colorado. The predicted results are in satisfactory agreement with short term (2 and 3 year) observations. Procedures for determining the transmissivity of coal and overburden aquifers from single-hole aquifer tests are provided. The procedures permit the analysis of recovery data, affected by well-bore storage, following a prolonged pumping period. Well-bore storage is an important effect in the recovery of low transmissivity aquifers often encountered in coal mining related hydrology.