SPDSS_Feasibility_20011001

• Title: SPDSS Feasibility Study
• Description: This report presents the results of an investigation to determine the feasibility of developing a decision support system for the South Platte and North Platte River basins in Colorado
• Decision Support - Doc Type: Study
• Date: 10/1/2001
• DSS: South Platte
• Basin: South Platte
• Contract/PO #: C153984A
• Bill Number: SB01-157, HB02-1152, SB03-110, HB04-1221, SB05-084, HB06-1313, SB07-122
• Prepared By: Brown and Caldwell, CDM, Leonard Rice Engineering, Riverside Technology inc

There are several State and USGS reports that include estimated historical pumping in (1) the
Denver Basin and Overlying Alluvium Region, (2) some of the Designated Groundwater Basins,
and (3) portions of the Lower South Platte Alluvium Region; these include Robson (1987), Duke
and Longenbaugh (1966), McConaghy et al. (1964) and Schneider (1962). Many of these
estimates will be used to cross-check analyses and data collection performed during completion
of the SPDSS, however they will not supplant the need to gather existing historic pumping data.
Other sources of well pumping information include GASP, which maintains annual records of
approximately 3,000 wells located within the alluvial aquifer tributary to the lower South Platte
River from near Denver to the State line. CCWCD estimates pumping from approximately
1,000 irrigation wells. The Bijou augmentation plan involves pumping of approximately
180 wells and the Fort Morgan augmentation plan involves approximately 100 wells. The Cache
la Poudre Water Users Association maintains records of approximately 750 wells associated with
their augmentation plan on the Cache la Poudre River. LSPWCD maintains records of
approximately 60 wells located in the South Platte alluvial aquifer primarily in Logan and
Sedgwick Counties. Additional information on wells is maintained by various municipalities,
public water suppliers, irrigation and ditch companies, and various water organizations
throughout the basin. It is not known at this time, however, how many of these records will be
available for use in the SPDSS project.
3.8.2 Data Assessment
The available data are reviewed in terms of spatial coverage, length or period of record,
completeness and reliability. The aquifer systems within Division 1 and Water District 47
encompass a wide range of aquifer types, usage and water rights administration.
To facilitate evaluation of the data, where appropriate, the aquifer systems have been subdivided
into four geographical regions as follows:
• Denver Basin and Overlying Alluvium Region. Consists of the Denver Basin bedrock
aquifers (Laramie-Fox Hills, Arapahoe, Denver and Dawson aquifers) and overlying
unconsolidated rock aquifers (alluvium and Designated Groundwater Basins including
Lost Creek, Kiowa-Bijou, Upper Black Squirrel, and Upper Big Sandy).
• Lower South Platte Alluvium Region. Consists of the alluvial aquifer of the lower South
Platte River.
• Other Designated Groundwater Basins which do not overlie the Denver Basin aquifers
(Upper Crow Creek and Camp Creek)
• North Park and South Park Regions
The location and distribution of these aquifer systems is shown on Figure 3-1. Note that not all
data assessment discussions required use of the four geographic regions. The four geographic
regions were only used in those circumstances where data quality differed between regions.
Also note that the mountainous groundwater regions were not included in this assessment. This
p:data\gen\spdss~final report\chapter 3.doc 3 - l c~
October 31, 2001