WSP09365

• File Number: 8407
• Description: Platte River Basin - River Basin General Publications
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 10/1/1971
• Author: USGS
• Title: Water Level Changes 1964-71 - Northern High Plains of Colorado
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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United States Department of the Interior

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Denver Federal Center
Denver, Colorado 8022.5

lJII REPLY REn;R 1'0.

Water Resources Division

January 24, 1972

INFORMATION FOR THE PRESS

SUBJECT:

U.S. Geological Survey reports on study in
northern High Plains of Colorado

RELEASE DATE:

Innnediately

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

E. A. Moulder, District Chief
Colorado District, Water Resources Division
U.S. Geological Survey
Bldg. 25, Denver Federal Center
Denver, Colorado 80225
Telephone: [phone]

Ground-water withdrawals for irrigation increased from 84,000 acre-
feet per year in 1960 to 430,000 acre-feet in 1970. In 1960 there
were only 500 wells in the northern High Plains compared to 2,560
wells in 1970. The extractions of water from this area exceeds the
recharge and has caused significant declines in water levels in
many areas.

A new report by the U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the
Interior, shows that the declines for the period 1964-1971 exceeded
16 feet near Burlington and 4 feet over an area of a few hundred
square miles. During this period.climatic conditions were favorable
in part of the area causing rises of water level greater than 4 feet
a10ng.the northern edge of the High Plains. These declines have
caused concern among residents and State officials prompting them
to initiate a study with the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation
with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Management Districts of
the northern High Plains, and the Colorado Division of Water
Resources. The study, which was begun in 1968, provides these kinds
of data and will provide information on which wise management
decisions can be made.

The open.-file report, "Water-level changes 1964-71, northern High
Plains of Colorado," by Warren E. Hofstra, John M. Klein, and Thomas J.'
Major, presents a map and hydrographs that show water-level changes
between January 1964 and January 1971. The map was based on