FLOOD10384 ‎(2)‎

• County: Statewide
• Title: Natural Resources of Colorado
• Date: 1/1/1963
• Prepared By: US Department of the Interior
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Educational/Technical/Reference Information

Constant investigations by Geological Survey hy-
drologists, working in cooperation with Colorado State
University, give new knowledge of water flows which is
useful in proper development of the State's water re-
sources.

(]:) Geological, Survey

Beryllium is an important new lightweight metal which
has potential applications in aircraft, missiles and
atomic reactors. Departmental geologists using portable
detectors are inventorying Colorado's beryllium deposits.

58

Scientists of the Department's Geological
Survey conduct a large number of geologic,
geophysical, geochemical and water resources
studies, accomplishing topographic and geologic
mapping and exercising supervisory control over
mining operations on public lands in Colorado.
The Water Resources Division of the Geologi-
cal Survey determines and appraises the quantity
and quality of Colorado's water resources,
conducting studies required for the economical
development and best use of both surface and
ground water.
Investigations are planned specifically to
obtain water information needed to solve major
water problems relating to distribution, supply,
chemical quality, sediment load, and conserva-
tion.
Ground water data is studied for development
of industrial, municipal, and agricultural water
supplies. Investigations of sediment transport-
ed by streams determines the effect of sediment
on reservoir storage, diversion works and irri-
gation systems.
Research is conducted on various phases of
the hydrologic cycle, including the effect of
land-use practices on runoff, evaporation losses
from reservoirs, and the use of water by different
kinds of vegetation. Studies of soil and
moisture conservation practices include recon-
naissance of sites for obtaining stock water by
drilling wells, developing springs or construct-
. .
Ing reserVOlrs.
Daily records of river stage and discharge are
obtained at 290 river measurement stations in
Colorado.

Geologic Mapping, Geophysics and Research

Many detailed geologic studies are concerned
with particular areas known or suspected to
contain useful minerals, such as the Leadville,
Creede, Summitville, Kokomo, Rico, and Central
Ci ty mining districts containing base and precious
metals; the Poncha Springs fluorspar district;
several uranium mining districts in the Colorado
Plateau area; thorium-bearing rocks in the Wet
Mountains and in Gunnison County; the Lake
George beryllium-bearing area; the Trinidad
and Carbondale coal fields; and oil shale deposits
in Piceance Creek basin, in the Uinta basin, and
in the Grand Mesa-Battlement Mesa area.