SPDSS_Task39-2_Phase2_DenverBasinRegionWaterLvlMeasurement

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At the completion of the water level measurement program, 83 water level measurements were obtained. Of these measurements, 72 were measured and 11 solicited. Water levels targeted for measurement under this task are presented in Table 2. The locations where autumn water level measurements were obtained are shown in Figure 2. Throughout the water level data collection process, information on well owners, location of wells and measurement methods were updated and provided to the SEO. 3.1 Water Level Measurement Collection Water level measurements were collected during the month of December. Each of the 90 wells identified for measurement were visited. Notes made by the State during previous spring measurements were reviewed to identify specific locations of the wells and to determine if landowners have asked to be contacted to gain approval before measuring their well. An SEO staff member accompanied the water level collection team to assist in the data collection as well as to become familiar with the sites. If a landowner was contacted during the water level collection process, a letter describing the SPDSS and the autumn water level collection process was provided to them (Appendix C). In one case, the landowner was not willing to allow a water level measurement to be taken from their well. In any case where a water level measurement was not collected, the reason for not obtaining a water level was noted and the team moved on to the next well. Including the above case of not being granted permission, eighteen measurements could not be obtained during this collection program. The reasons that a physical measurement was not obtained included: • Access not granted (1) • Well was not located (1) • Wellhead was locked (1) • Well was capped (2) • Well was dry (1) • Steel tape would not pass 39 feet below ground surface (1) • Unable to coordinate with owner who had requested contact prior to measurement (3) • Not measured in 2004 due to budget limitations (8) 3.2 Water Level Measurement Solicitation The second part of the water level collection program was to solicit water level information from the entities identified where water levels are typically solicited by the SEO for spring measurement data. The entity was contacted by phone and the SPDSS project and autumn water level data collection were discussed. If a request for further documentation was requested then a letter or email was sent following the phone conversation. In most cases the solicitation was followed by a transmittal of available water level data or note that data was not available. A total of 19 wells from 30 entities targeted for solicitation did not supply data. Reasons for not obtaining a solicited water level measurement include the following: • Entity did not respond to solicitation requests (4) • Entity is not cooperating (10)