SPDSS_Task42-3_Phase3_LowerSPlatteAlluviumRegionAquiferConfiguration

• Title: SPDSS Task 42.3 - Lower South Platte Alluvium Region Aquifer Configuration - Phase 3
• Description: This Technical Memorandum was undertaken under Task 42.3, and summarizes the compilation, analysis and mapping of existing published aquifer configuration data for the Lower South Platte Alluvium Region.
• Decision Support - Doc Type: Task Memorandum
• Date: 11/30/2006
• DSS Category: Groundwater
• DSS: South Platte
• Basin: South Platte
• Contract/PO #: C153953
• Grant Type: Non-Reimbursable
• Bill Number: SB01-157, HB02-1152, SB03-110, HB04-1221, SB05-084, HB06-1313, SB07-122
• Prepared By: CDM

SPDSS Phase 3 Task 42.3 South Platte Alluvium Region
Aquifer Configuration Technical Memorandum
FINAL
To: Ray Alvarado, CWCB
From: Camp Dresser and McKee Inc.
Donavon Paschall, Gordon McCurry, and Matt Bliss
Subject: SPDSS Groundwater Component Phase 3 Final Task 42.3
South Platte Alluvium Region Aquifer Configuration Technical Memorandum
Date: November 30, 2006
Introduction
The groundwater component of the South Platte Decision Support System (SPDSS) focuses on
compiling and evaluating available relevant data to support the Decision Support System (DSS)
for the South Platte River watershed and to add the data to HydroBase, the State of Colorado's
hydrological database. The SPDSS groundwater study area is presented in Figure 1. For the
purposes of the SPDSS, the groundwater study area is divided into two hydrologic regions. The
Denver Basin Region includes the bedrock aquifers of the Denver Basin. The South Platte
Alluvium Region consists of the unconsolidated deposits of the South Platte River mainstem,
extending downstream from just below Chatfield Reservoir to the Nebraska state line at
Julesburg, and consists of the unconsolidated deposits of the tributaries to the South Platte
River. The South Platte Alluvium Region also includes the alluvial systems overlying the
Denver Basin bedrock aquifers in Water Division 2.
The unconsolidated alluvial aquifers in the SPDSS study area consist of the South Platte River
and its tributaries, as well as tributaries to the Arkansas River where they overlie the Denver
Basin Region. From a hydrogeologic perspective, key tributaries overlying the SPDSS study
area include East Plum Creek, Cherry Creek, Sand Creek, Clear Creek, Big Dry, St. Vrain Creek,
Big Thompson River, Beebe Draw, Cache la Poudre River, Lonetree Creek, Crow Creek, Box
Elder Creek, Lost Creek, Kiowa Creek, Bijou Creek, Badger Creek, Beaver Creek, Upper Black
Squirrel Creek, and Upper Big Sandy Creek, the last two of which are located in Water Division
2 and drain into the Arkansas River. The eastern and southern portions of the Denver Basin
have been divided into several Designated Basins for the purposes of water rights
administration. The Designated Basins within the Denver Basin Region include the Lost Creek,
Kiowa-Bijou, Upper Black Squirrel, and Upper Big Sandy Creek Designated Basins.
This task was undertaken for the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) and Division of
Water Resources (DWR), under Tasks 31 and 42 of Phases 1, 2, and 3 of the SPDSS by Camp
Dresser & McKee (CDM). Task 31 was undertaken in Phase 1 and included the collection of
existing published aquifer configuration data. Task 42 was undertaken in Phases 1, 2, and 3 and
included the collection of published data and the analysis and mapping of these configuration
data. The objectives of these tasks are as follows:
SPDSS Phase 3 Task 42.3 TM -Final
11/30/2006