Water Movement through Yucca Mountain
The Agency for Nuclear Projects has determined that water moves very rapidly within Yucca Mtn through faults and fractures (Agency of Nuclear Projects, 1997).
During dry drilling six drill holes encountered perched water potentially in the unsaturated zone above the water table (State of Nevada, 1997).
Without physical breach of the site the upward air and moisture movement could result in “pneumatic pathways” through which radio nuclides can be emitted into the atmosphere (Agency of Nuclear Projects, 1997).
On February 23 & 24, 1998, a regional storm produced 1.1-2.5 inches of precipitation in the Amargosa River Drainage Basin causing relative flooding and the closing of roads (State of Nevada, 1997).