- 4009I; j SUMMAR Y CC?| ;

ftV,^.;

CALIFORNIA GULCH

&£»€CIA L tt\f£STI.6ATlON/FEASIBIIIT Y STUD Y

U . S . E8VIROSSCI4TA L PROTECTION AGENCY , REGION VII I

SUPEfiFUN U PROGRAM

OBJECTIVE :

T he objective of the remedial Investigatio n is to assess problems

resulting from »ine drainage at the California Gulch site and to provide tfeta needed for the identification , screening, evaluation, and design of a remedial

program* The feasibilit y study will , through use of these eata, result in the

determination of the most cost-effective remedial action for thi s site. The

study wil l also consider the feasibilit y of combining drainage fro® California

£yleh and Lesdvlll e Tunnel .

California Gulch originates on the west flan k of the Hosqulte Range. It

fl€»s fresa an altitude of 11,600 feet as!, approxteatel y 7.25 miles to the

ssest fe*iere It join s the Arkansas River &t an altitude ef approximate]> S,520

feet JBSJ, California Sulch flow s through the southern portion of the historic Leadvlll e mining district and rws just south of the C1t,y of LeadvUl e and

north of Strl>ofcn, Colorado. Sujseroys abandoneti tailings and haste pile s

ere loeatea GO the watersheo! ami along the stream. There are several old

tailings ponds ir< the gulch. All of these are fille d with sediment* The Yak Turmgl , a mine drainage tunnel, discharges acid sine water Into California Sulch approximately 2-1/2 stiles downstrea® from the head of the giilch. The

tunnel drains grountlwater from numerous mints east of Leaoville. Host of

these wines am Inactive. T he Yak Tunnel discharge, which accounts for a significan t portion of the

fie* 1r» California Suleh, Is characterized as a }m pH g>1ne dralMfe with high

concentration of heavy sietals.

California 6ulcft>;1tself» 1s essentially devoid of any fish or macrolnvertebrate populations. Serious impacts on the aquatic ecosystem are

also apparent In that reach of the Arkansas River belew the mouth of California laulch. Mater 1$ diverted frem the Arkansas feele*? the aiouth of California Suleh for tfee Irrigation of agricultural lauds along the river. T he metals content (particularl y zinc and cadmium) say cause problems with

livestock grazing OB laud Irrigated with this water.
Remeo 1 a 1 1 nvest \ gat 1 on :

1. £x 1 s 1 1 R^ ffit a Col 1 ect f on ami EyaJ u&t 1 on . Existin g data end

informatio n on the California Gulch site wil l be collected and evaluated.

06ta sources Incite mining companies, the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation ,

t he U. S. Bureau of nines, the State Engineers Office , and the U» S. Geological Survey,

2. Site Health .and, Safety . Assfessffient. A site health and safet y

assessment rHTBe prepared to identif y any cmsite areas where exposure to

potentiall y hazardous substances in the water, air or soil Key be a problem. Warnings ami safeguards wil l be prescribed for onslte Investigators &m workers. The ple n wil l also Include information to

alert personnel to physics! hazards related to Inactive minin g operations

that ssey be encountered on tm site.

3. Qualit y Assurance/Quality Control* A qualit y assurance/quality

control plan" win W prepared for the sampling, laboratory analysis , snc

data handlin g aspects of th remedial investigation .

4. California Sul eft and. Arkansas River Alluvia l Aquifer Investigation . T he ootentiar?w"1:olfi£i^iii^

portions of the Arkansas River Valle y wil l be studied. A determination wil l be asaoe on tl^ extent of contajE-1 nation, contaminant types*

 am!

sources of corit«8ai nation am? grounewetar flo w directions. Thi s effor t wil l Involve the following :

A. Arr inventory of existin g wells , B. Preparation of a monitorin g well network Includin g existin g well s

a mi new monitoring well s thst are drilled for thi s project.

C, Samplin g wil l be done over a one-year period to obtain Informatio n on seasonal variations 1n groundwater qualit y and flow .

5. A$r 1 cu 1 1. u ra .1 Iffipacts . Concentrations of heavy jaet&l s in crops and

livestock wil l be meesured. Agricultural lands 1n the Arkansas River Vulle y free? tbg confluence of the leadvill e Drainage Tunnel dosvustreeff i to Kobe wil l be

A. A aiap of agricultural operations and a detailed agricultural

monitoring plsn wil l be prepared.

8. Three agricultural monitoring sites on the Arkansas River wil l be

used* one reejeved fros; the influence of mining activities to show

background conditions, and two located downstream of the confluence

of the California Sttleh and the Arka«s§s River **111 be used.

C, Samplin g of water, soils , plants , and aniiaal tisstse wil l fee

conducted.
6, V,^l^fteJr

..pJ^j^jfctrg^.rHo*lJ^IJU!!S« Tte discharge frou? the Yak Tunnel wil l fee monitored over a one-year period. The flo w rate wil l be measured

continuously tistrsg a flume and periodic samplin g of the chemical water

qualit y wil l be done.

?

* C&ll f cy n 1 a Sal ch Hon 1 tor 1 ng . California Gulch wil l be Monitored in

order to determine the aegis ftSde of the pollutan t leadin g from the tsN Tunnel compared with other sources both ttpstrea© ami downstream of the Yak Tunnel , Three fly»es *dl l be Installed to measure flo w volumes ami

periodic samplin g of the chemical qualit y of the water wil l be dene for a

one-year period,

$. Analysi s of jNlne Tailing s Pile s aitd ponclg. Itlne tailings pile s and

porass" that are located fcetwieri the "Yak" Tunnel and leativill e te-ill be

studied to ditemine 1f metals are being leached, 1f tellings porui dains

are stabile, and if there is a potential for washout of tailings during

flooding. A. Tailing s pile s end ponds wil l be mapped. B. A groundwater monitoring ple n wil l fee prepared for the tailings

area. Thi s wil l include the Installatio n of approximately IS $ells , Chemical analysis wil l be clone OR tailing s and on groundwater samples ,

C. An investigation wil l be made on th© stabilit y of dams and on the

potential for washout of tailings during floods .

Feasibilit y Study :

*• Effluen t limitation . Developrngrit, Effltj^nt discharge reqyi regents wil l

be <ieveloped for the discharge of treated acicf mine drainage Into the Arkansas River, These wil l defin e the level of treatment of water that wiilo* be necessary to protect designated uses of the Arkansas Rive* (such

as irrigation and fishery) ,

2. Initial . Screening of Alternatives. Alternate remedial fseasures ^-111

be deWl'6"p'ed''"eWrs"crieriid". fhTs^wltT include treftHeten t of ecid mine

dralnecje using various treatment methods as fceU as other aethOGS to

control conta»1 nation profelems* If problems are 1 dent if led during the

remedial investigation ^ork involvint j t&iling s piles and ponds, remedial

measures wil l be developed and screened for this component of the project.

3. Detailed Evaluation of Components of RgBqM.al. flans . A treatment

al ternsti ve woul d ce fcroken "into 'componen ts" for eVal uat i on including:

A* Bench scale tests of alternative treatment processes, testing

treatment processes under laboratory conditions using samples of aiine

drainage taken from California Gulch.

«• 3 **
S. Sitin g of a treatment facility . Sites wuld be fowm! taking into

account geotechnic stability , availabilit y of utilities , flcoctplair j avoitkRce, topographic compatibilit y with ttaiuel outlets , required

land area, sltt access* ami compatibilit y with existin g and planned

use regulations.

C. Development of a sludge process ing and disposal methocs ancl

disposal locations.

4. Iteiaedlal Alternative Evaluation, Usin g components that isere f&mti to

be f easlMe al 'ttrnatS vie " 'plaW wl IV" be developed te cov^* ill aspects of

the rtBgdUl effort at sites. Each rw<e31il alternative ferUl be describe

f ey a schematic, tte design I>as1s

9

 sizin g cf units, estimate capital cost,

operetier* snd tEalntensnce costs, a staffin g plas , an evaluation of

operabtlit y and reliabilit y factors , and m snviroriBiental impact

assessment.

5. Alfciras t 1 ,ys.. ..Seleetl en an^ C.Q|iCf Ptmj^Jtes j$nr

1 , Ao dlterrsative &111 be

 ""'''"

- Wi: »«OTHEN«EYER:hjp:ll-7-83:6238:4852A
~ SUMMARY — 40

CALIFORNIA GULCH

REMEDIA L INVESTIGATION/FEASIBILIT Y STUD Y

U . S . ENVIRONMENTA L PROTECTIO N AGENCY , REGIO N VII I

SUPERFUN O PROGRAM

NOVEMBER 7, 1983

OBJECTIVE :

T he objective of the remedial investigatio n is to assess problems

resultin g from mine drainage at the Californi a Gulch site and to provide data

needed for the identification , screening, evaluation s and design of a remedial

program. The feasibilit y stud y will , through use of these data, resul t in the

determinatio n of the most cost-effective remedial action for thi s site. The

study wil l also consider the feasibilit y of combinin g drainage from Californi a Gulch an d Leadvill e Tunnel . BACKGROUND :

California Gulch originates on the west flan k of the Mosquito Range. It

flow s from an altitud e of 11,600 feet , approximatel y 7.25 mile s to the west

where it join s the Arkansas River at an altitude of approximatel y 9 S5 20 feet . Californi a Gulch flow s through the southern portio n of the historic Leadvill e

minin g distric t and runs jus t south of the Cit y of Leadvill e and north of Stringtown , Colorado. Numerous abandoned tailing s and waste pile s are located

on the watershed and alon g the stream. There are several old tailing s ponds

in the gulch. Al l of these are fille d with sediment. The Yak Tunnel , a mine

drainage tunnel , discharges acid mine water into Californi a Gulc h

approximatel y 2-1/2 mile s downstream from the head of the gulch. The tunnel

drain s grounciwater from numerous mines east of Leaaville . Most of these mines

are inactive.

T he Yak Tunne l discharge, which accounts for a significan t portio n of the

flo w in Californi a Gulch , i s characterized as a low pH mine drainage with high

concentration of heavy metals.

Californi a Gulch s itself , i s essentiall y devoid of an y fis h or macroinvertebrate populations . Serious impact s on the aquatic ecosystem are

also apparen t in that reach of the Arkansas River below the mouth of California Gulch. Water is divertet i from the Arkansas below the mouth of Californi a Gulch for the irrigatio n of agricultural lands alon g the river. T he metal s content (particularl y zinc and cadmium) may cause problems with

livestock grazin g on lan d irrigated with thi s water.
Remedial Investigation :

i* Existin g Data Collectio n and Evaluation . Existin g data and

informatio n on the Californi a Gulch site wil l be collected an d evaluated. Data sources include minin g companies , the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation ,

t he U. S. Bureau of Mines , the Stat e Engineers Office. , an d the U, S, Geological Survey.

2. Site , Health and Safet y Assessment . A site health and safet y

assessment wil l be prepared to identif y any onsite areas where exposure to

potentiall y hazardous substances in the water, air or soil may be a problem. Warnings an d safeguards wil l be prescribed for onsite

investigators an d workers. The pla n wil l also include informatio n to

alert personnel to physical hazards related to inactive minin g operation s

that may be encountered on the site.

3. Qua!it y Assurance/Qualit y Control . A qualit y assurance/qualit y

control pla n wil l be prepared for the sampling s laboratory analysis , an d

data handlin g aspect s of the remedial investigation .

4. Calif orn.1 a Gti.lcii. and Arkansas River Alluv 1 al Aquifer Investifla t 1 on. T he potential for contamination of groundwater in Californi a Gulch an d

portion s of the Arkansas River Valle y wil l be studied. A determination wil l be made on the extent of contamination , contaminant types , and

sources of contamination an d groundwater flo w directions . Thi s effor t wil l involve the following :

A. an inventory of existin g wells ;

B. preparatio n of a monitorin g wel l network includin g existin g well s

a nd new monitorin g well s that are drille d for thi s project; and

C. samplin g over a one-year period to obtain informatio n on seasonal

variation s in groundwater qualit y an d flow .

5. Agr1cu1tura1 Impacts . Concentration s of heavy metal s in crops and

livestock wil l be measured. Agricultura l lands in the Arkansas River Valle y from the confluence of the Leadvill e Drainage Tunne l downstream to Kobe wil l be studied. A. A map of agricultural operations and a detailed agricultural

monitorin g pla n wil l be prepared.

B. Three agricultural monitorin g sites on the Arkansas River wil l be

used, one removed from the influenc e of minin g activitie s to show

background conditions , and two located downstream of the confluenc e

of the California Gulch and the Arkansas River wil l be used.

C. Sampling of water, soils , plants , and animal tissue wil l be

conducted.
U N DSTATE S ENVIRONMENTA L PROTEC T 'AGENC Y

6. Yak Tunne l Discharge Monitoring. The discharge from the Yak Tunnel wil l be monitored over a one-year period. The flo w rate wil l be measured

continuousl y usin g a flum e and periodi c samplin g of the chemical water

qualit y wil l be done.

7. California Sulch Monitoring. California Gulch wil l be monitored in

order to determine the magnitude of the pollutan t loadin g from the Yak Tunne l compared with other sources both upstream and downstream of the Yak Tunnel . Three flume s wil l be installed to measure flo w volumes and

periodi c samplin g of the chemical qualit y of the water wil l be done for a

one-year period.

8. Analysi s of Min e Tailing s Pile s an d Ponds. Min e tailing s pile s an d

ponds that are located between the Yak Tunne l and Leadvill e wil l be

studied to determine if metal s are being leached

9

 if tailing s pond dams

a re stabile , and if there is a potential for washout of tailing s durin g

flooding . A. Tailing s pile s and ponds wil l be mapped. B. A groundwater monitoring pla n wil l be prepared for the tailing s

area. This wil l include the installatio n of approximatel y 15 wells . Chemical analysi s wil l be done on tailing s and on groundwater samples .

C. An investigatio n wil l be made on the stabilit y of dams and on the

potential for washout of tailing s durin g floods .

Feasibilit y Study :

1. Effluen t Limitatio n Development. Effluen t discharge requirements wil l

be developed for the discharge of treated acid mine drainage into the Arkansas River. These wil l defin e the level of treatment of water that

would be necessary to protect designated uses of the Arkansas River (such

as irrigatio n and fishery) .

2. Initia l Screenin g of Alternatives . Alternate remedial measures wil l

be developed and screened. Thi s wil l include treatment of acid mine

drainage usin g various treatment methods as wel l as other methods to

control contamination problems. If problems are identified durin g the

remedial investigatio n work involvin g tailing s pile s an d ponds , remedial

measures wil l be developed and screened for thi s component of the project .

3. Detailed Evaluation of Component s of Remedial Plans . A treatment

alternative would be broken into components for evaluatio n including:

A. Bench scale tests of alternative treatment processes, testin g

treatment processes under laboratory condition s usin g sample s of mine

drainage taken from California Gulch; f

SYMBO L ^

SURNAME 7 k

DAT E b

CONCURRENCE S

- 3 -

E PA For m 13200 (12-70) OFFICIA L FIL E COPY
UN D STATES ENVIRONMENTA L PROTECT AGENCY

8. sitin g of a treatment facility . Site s would be foun d takin g into

account geotechnic stability , availabilit y of utilities , floodplai n

avoidance, topographi c compatibilit y with tunnel outlets , required

lan d area, site access, and compatibilit y with existin g and planned

lan d use regulations; and

C. developmen t of a sludge processin g and disposal methods and

disposal locations .

4. Remedial Alternative Evaluation . Usin g components that were foun d to

be feasibl e alternative plan s wil l be developed to cover all aspects of

t he remedial effor t at sites. Each remedial alternative wil l be described

by a schematic. The desig n basis, sizin g of units , estimated capital

cost, operation and maintenance costs, a staffin g plan , an evaluation of

operabilit y and reliabilit y factors , and an environmental impact

assessment wil l be included for each alternative .

5. Alternative Selectio n and Conceptual Design. An alternative wil l be

se1ected and a conceptual desig n wil l be prepared.

a pt T T T

CQNCURRJE.NCE S

SYMBO L ^

SURNAME |

DATE } >

^Wfor*

$%$&•/%& AW-WM-jWRO :

//A<?A A

<HE«fEY£R*b jpj-1-1-9-83- •6-2-38 C-4SS2-/ .................. ................... ..................

E R A Form T32<W (T 2-^0) OFFICIA L FIL E COP Y
4i u0 0 L

.CALIFORNIA 6ULCH

ROOiAL iSy£STieATiai/F£ASIfeILIT Y STUftY

U » S . £«yiRONf€KTA L PROTECTION ASENCY , RESIGN VII I

SUPERFUN D PROGRAM

NOVEMBER 7, 1983

T he objective of the remedial investigation 1s to assess preplan s

resultin g fresi sine drainage at the California Gulch site and to provide data needed for the Identification , screening, evaluation, and design of a remedial

program. The feasibilit y stuoy will , through use of these data, result in the

determination of the most cost-effective remedial action for this site. The

study wil l also consider the feasibilit y of combining drainage frosi California Gulch an d Leadvill e Tunnel .

California Gulch originates on the west flan k of the Mosquito Range. It

flow s fraa an altitude of 11,600 feet , approximately 7.25 miles to the west where it join s the Arkansas River at an altitude of approximately 9,520 feet . California Sulch fJo*?s through the southern portion of the historic Leadvill e

mining district and runs just south of the City of Leedvlll e and north of Stringtown , Colorado, Numerous abandoned tailings and waste pile s are located

on the watershed and along the strtaro. There are several old tailings ponds

in the gylch. All of these are fille d with sediment. The Yak Tunnel , a sine

drainage tunnel , discharges acid mine water into California Gulch approximately 2-1/2 wiles downstream from the head of the gulch. The tunnel

drains groundwater from numerous ©ines east of Leadville . Most of these mines

are inactive,

T he Yak T«inel discharge, which accounts for a significan t portion of the

flo w in California Gulch, Is characterized as a low pK mine drainage with high

concentration of heavy esetals.

California Gulch, itself , is essentiall y devoid of any fis h or

raacroln vertebrate populations. Serious impacts on the aquatic ecosystem are

also apparent in that reach of the Arkansas River below the mouth of California Sulch. Mater 1s diverted frota the Arkansas below the taouth of California Stilch for tfee Irrigation of agricultural lands along the river. T he metals content {particularl y zinc and cadmium] may cause problems with

livestock grazing on land irrigated with this water.
ftettediai Investigation :

1. £xi stin g Oat a Col 1 ect 1 on end Eva 1 uat 1 on , Existin g dsts and Informatio n en the California Gulch site wil l be collected and evaluated,

0eta sources include mining coapsfiles , the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation ,

t he u. S. Bureau of H1nes , the Stat e Engineers Office , and the U. S. S eo logical Survey.

2. Site Health &m3 Safet y Assessment. A site health end safet y

assessment wil l be prepared to Identif y any cnslte areas where exposure to

potentiall y hazardous substances In the water, i1r or soil may be & problem. Earnings a«tl safeguards wil l be prescribed for onslte Investigators and workers. The pla n wil l also Include Informatio n to

alert personnel to physical hazards related to Inactive mining operations

that may be encountered on the site.

3. .Qua.! 1ty Assuranee/j^ual ity ; Control . A qualit y assurance/Quality

control pla n wlYl be priEpareS '"T^The^ sampling, laboratory analysis , and

date handlin g aspects of the remecHal investigation ,

4. California iulch JMKJ, Arkansas Riwr Alluvia l Aquifer. Invest 1 oat 1 en. T he potential for contatnl nation of grou^^tier'''!^ Cali f Grnl¥<&uTeh sn d

portions of the Arkansas 81ver Valle y wil l be studied. A determination wil l be made on the extent of contaial nation, contemlnent types, and

sources of ecmtami nation and grounewater flo w directions. This effor t Involve the following :

A. an Inventory of existin g wells ;

8, preparation of & r«oRltoriti§ well network Inducin g existin g well s

a nd new monitoring well s that are drilled for till s project; and

C. samplin g over & one-year period to obtain Informatio n on seasonal

variations In groyndwater qualit y an d

S« AgriciO t ura 1 tei^acts . Concentrations of heavy metal s In crops ancs

llvestbclk wil l "be measured. Agricultural lands in tlte Arkansas R1wr Valle y from the confluence of the LeacSvlll e drainage Tunnel downstre^B to Kobe wil l be studied. A, A map of agricultural operations «mi a detailed agricultural

gjQfi1tor1r»g ple n wil l be prepares,

E. Three agricultural jaonltorlRc j sites on the Arkansas River wil l be

used* one removed from the Influenc e of minin g activities to show

background conditions » arwi two located downstream of the

of the California 6«lch and the Arkansgs River i«111 be

C. Samplin g of water, soils , plants , and animal tissue wil l be

conducted.
f c. Yak. Jwnel _ Discharge Horn tor i ng . The discharge from the Yak Tunnel wil l be monitored over a one-year period. The flo w rate wil l be measured

continuousl y using a fltan e and periodic samplin g of tfce chemical water

qualit y wil l be done.

7. Cal if ornl a feu left HonnitgjrJ ng. Californi a Gulch wil l be raonitorec in

order to determine the magnitude of the pollutan t loadin g from the Yak Tunne l ccispsrec with otner sources both upstream and downstream of trie Yak Tunnel . Three flume s wil l be installed to measure flo w volumes and

periodic samplin g of the chemical qualit y of the weter wil l be done for a

one-year period,

- -.,ff/. ffiMR JaX^l nM fil^5 «

fM Ponds* Win e tailings pile s and

ponds thet are located between the Yak Tunne l end Leadvill e wil l be

studied tc determine if roetals ere being leao'iettg if tailings pond tiaras

a re stabile , and If there is a potential for washout of tailing s durin g

flooding . A. Tailing s pile s an d ponds wil l be mapped.

8. A groundwfiter fnonitorin g pla n wil l be prepared for the tailings

area. This wil l include the installatio n of approximately 15 wells . Comical analysi s wil l be done on tailing s and on groundwater sewples ,

. An investigation wil i be made on the stabilit y of c'asas and on tfte

potential for Kasmsut of tailing s durin g floods . Feasibilit y Study :

1. Effluen t timltatiori Ijeveloptaent . Effluen t tilssherge requirements wil l

be developed for the discharge of treatec acid mine drainage into the Arkansas River. These wil l defirie the level of treatment of water that would be necessary to protect designated uses of the Arkansas River (such

as irrigatio n and fishery) .

2 . ---

6 5 * Alternate remedial measures wil l . be developed and screened. Thi s Kill include treatment of add mine

drainage using various treatment methods as feel l «s other tsethods tc

control contamination problems. If problems are identified durin g the

remedial Investigatio n work involvin g tailings pile s and poncis* remedial

jaeasures wil l fce developed and screened for thi s component of the project .

3. jteta. 1 1jad Eva . 1 uat 1 on of Coig^onent s of Rjejraed 1 al P l.ans . A treatment

alternative would be broken into components for evaluation including:

A. Bench scale tests of alternative treatment processes, testin g

treatment processes under laboratory conditions using samples of mine

drainage taker? froai Californi a 6ulch; f
8. sitingtft" a treateerit facility . Site s fciy<j be found takin g into

account geotechmc stability , availabilit y of utilities , fiocdp'fai n

avoidance, topographic compati bl 1 Hy with tunnel outlets , required

land area, site access, and compatibilit y with existin g and planned

lend use regulations; and

C. development of a sludge processin g and dispose! methods end

disposal locations. AJternat i ve EvaluatJQn . Usin g components that were found to

be feasibl e alternative plan s foil] be developed to cover all aspects of

t he remedial effort at sites. Each remedial alternative wil l be described

f ey & schematic. The assign basis, sizin g of units , estimated capital

cost

s

 operation and maintenance costs, a staffin g plan * an evelu&tic n of

operabilit y an<j reliabilit y f actors » and an environmental impact

assessment wil l be included for each alternative .

5. A1 ter nati yre Sel ec tl OT anc Coticept ua 1 Oesi §n . AR alternative wil l fae

se 1 ectec* and a CGRceptue l oeilp willl e prepared .

-9-83:6238:4852A