Runoff events are rare on this part of the Coconino Plateau south of the Grand Canyon. They can happen in the winter and spring months when rain occurs during snowmelt or as a result of rapid melting of substantial snowpack. Runoff events also may occur in mid to late summer from locally intense thunderstorms.
To develop baseline information on the chemistry of runoff at and surrounding the Pinyon Plain Mine (formerly Canyon Mine) site and at the Owl Tank site, water samples should be collected whenever weather conditions present the opportunity. This is likely to occur no more than once or twice per year or it may not occur for several years.
The extreme variability of runoff events dictates that sample collection and processing equipment be prepared in advance and available at a moment's notice for sample collection. If possible, samples should be collected at least annually before substantial mine development, during mine operations, and during post mining and reclamation. Weather permitting, water samples should be collected twice a year to characterize any seasonal variability in the surface-water chemistry.
Water samples will be collected from the Pinyon Plain Mine (formerly Canyon Mine) containment pond, from drainages surrounding the Pinyon Plain Mine (formerly Canyon Mine) property, and at Owl Tank.
Currently, runoff detection instruments are being installed in an ephemeral channel location downstream of Pinyon Plain Mine (formerly Canyon Mine). If flow is detected at this site, water-quality samples will be collected as well.
Objective
Characterize pre-mining dispersion of radioactivity and radioactive and other trace elements in water in the immediate and surrounding vicinity of the Pinyon Plain (formerly Canyon) uranium mine. Sample locations ideally include
Owl Tank is located near the Plain Mine (formerly Canyon Mine) and is an alternate site for collection of some of the biological samples.
Ongoing
Fred Tillman
Hydrologist
Arizona Water Science Center
520.670.3312
ftillman@usgs.gov
