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<br />n~..,< "3 <br />~.. ~j :. ..:. :.... . <br /> <br />RECONNAISSANCE OF GROUND-WATER RESOURCES <br />IN THE LOWER GUNNISON RIVER BASIN, <br />SOUTHWESTERN COLORADO <br /> <br />By Tom Brooks and D. J. Ackerman <br /> <br />ABSTRACT <br /> <br />Information about ground-water quantity and quality in the lower Gunnison <br />River basin assists in developing, appropriating, and managing the basin's <br />water resources. Hydrogeologic data are presenterl for 51 wells and 61 <br />springs, Chemical analyses are given for 34 wells and 17 springs. Drillers' <br />reports for 71 wells are included. <br /> <br />Springs normally discharge from shorter alluvial flow systems .nd com- <br />monly are less saline than well water. These springs are a calcium sulfate <br />bicarbonate water type. Spring discharges of as milch as 200 gallons per <br />minute were measured. <br /> <br />The most productive wells in the study area are completed in alluvium, <br />with reported yields of as much as 750 gallons per minute for an irrigation <br />well. Alluvial gravels are most productive. Specific-conductance values of <br />water samples from alluvial deposits ranged from 80 to 32,200 microsiemens per <br />centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius. <br /> <br />Reported yields of wells completed in the Mesaverde Formation range from <br />0.7 to 24 gallons per minute. The Dakota Sandstone, Morrison Formation, and <br />Entrada Sandstone include potential aquifers. Wells completed in the Dakota <br />Sandstone reportedly yield 5 to 14 gallons per minute in the study area. <br />Specific-conductance values of water samples from the Mesaverde Formation <br />ranged from 325 to 5,390 microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius. <br />Insufficient data prevented water-quality analysis of other rock units. <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />Purpose and Scope <br /> <br />The purpose of this ground-water reconnaissance study was to collect data <br />on quantity and quality of ground water available for domestic, livestock, <br />municipal, irrigation, and industrial use in the lower Gunnison River basin. <br />These data will be used for the efficient development, appropriation, and <br />management of Colorado's water resources. The investigation was done by the <br />U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Natural <br />Resources, Division of Water Resources, Office of the State Engineer. <br />