Laserfiche WebLink
Robert A. Longenbaugh <br /> Consultant Water Engineer <br /> 6108 W. Iowa Pl. <br /> Lakewood, CO 80232-7025 <br /> September 4, 2007 <br />Arnie Good: <br /> I am responding to your inquiry in y our August 29, 2007 Em ail. I have also <br />studied Dr. Drunford’s response to Stulp’s request. In general, I strongly agree with <br />Dr. Drunford’s recommendations. As I ha ve testified at both the Greeley and <br />Sterling hearings, it is essential for Colorado to utilize both the ground and surface <br />water. A regional management authorit y such as the South Platte River <br />Conservancy District could develop policie s and implement practices to maximize <br />the beneficial use of both the ground and surface water. <br /> Because of the numerous infrastruc ture and natural changes that are, <br />presently occurring the South Platte River r egime is rapidly changing and strict prior <br />appropriation administration without use of ground wa ter will result in the <br />retrograding to early 1900’s conditions. A dditional ground water usage is essential <br />to provide the water needed during drought periods for both irrigated agriculture and <br />municipal use. <br /> Future River administration will requi re a well-calibrated ground and surface <br />water model to make good management decisi ons to maximize the beneficial use of <br />both ground and surface water while still protecting senior surface rights. Maybe the <br />SPDSS will satisfy this need, but there will be a need for current data to operate the <br />model. The model must be able to incor porate the infrastructure and natural <br />changes causing the River regime changes. Not only should the model simulate the <br />River depletions caused by well pumping, but it must also simulate the loss of River <br />flow due to phreatophyte consumptive use. Well pumping should lower the regional <br />water table and salvage water lost to phr eatophyte consumptive use. The model <br />must be able to evaluate these phenomena. <br /> The South Platte River Task Force must make recommendations that will <br />result in conjunctive use of both ground and surface water. <br /> Robert Longenbaugh <br /> <br />