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<br />U U 1/'0 b <br /> <br />Long Hollow Dam and Reservoir Summary Report-Preliminary Draft <br /> <br />Long Hollow and irrigation practices on Red Mesa. The results of this study are contained in the <br />report titled ????? <br /> <br />Forty-two wells on Red Mesa were feF studied based on location and availability. Additionally, <br />some ditches and their diversion practices were incorporated into the study. (Need to discuss <br />ditch operations and whether or not water conservation practices are in place and the effect of <br />water conservation. The static water level in the wells was monitored on 14 dates from April13, <br />2001 to October 10, 2002 (a relatively dry period). Groundwater contour maps were generated <br />for the Red Mesa Aquifer in order to determine groundwater flow paths. <br /> <br />The study found that the primary source of recharge for the Red Mesa Aquifer is the deep <br />percolation of irrigation return flows from ditch conveyance losses. Hydrographs for wells <br />indicate that water table fluctuations in the Red Mesa Aquifer correlate with irrigation practices. <br />Ditch diversion data were compared with the changes in groundwater levels in some nearby wells <br />that were part of the monitoring program. The water table rises shortly after irrigation begins and <br />continues to rise for a period after irrigation ceases. Low water table conditions typically occur <br />during the winter and early spring. The amount of groundwater in storage in the Red Mesa <br />Aquifer is preliminarily estimated to be 165,000 acre-feet (AF) with approximately one-half, or <br />82,500 AF, available for withdrawal. Artificial recharge of the aquifer reasonably could be <br />expected to increase the stored water available for withdrawal to 125,000 AF, with a maximum <br />of 200,000 AF. An increase in aquifer storage would likely increase surface flows in Long <br />Hollow and the La Plata River. (Does CWCB have coPy of this study??) (Colorado Geo Survey. <br />Matt Sayer. has lust completed a study of aquifers and the potential for aquifer recharge. Matts <br />work could help support some of the groundwater modeling done and a brief reference would be <br />useful. <br /> <br />Through this study, WWE found that the amount of water stored in the Red Mesa Aquifer can be <br />increased through artificial recharge practices. Moreover, the location, amount, and timing of <br />groundwater discharges to surface streams could be increased by irrigation recharge and <br />infiltration of water at recharge basins. Recharge of the (modified. was does modified mean) <br /> <br />991-077.115 <br />May 2004 <br /> <br />Wright Water Engineers, Inc. <br /> <br />Page 7 <br />