Artifical Recharge of Ground Water in Colorado

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Artificial Recharge of Ground Water in Colorado A Statewide Assessment Executive Summary Throughout the Centennial State's history, its semi -arid climate, periodic multi -year drought cycles, and the needs of its growing population have all conspired to highlight the need for water storage. Once again, recent drought and increasing water demands of a growing population have made Coloradans critically aware of the need for additional water storage. Surface -water reservoirs have been the primary means of storing water to meet Colorado's needs, but due to site logistics, regulatory requirements, and public opinion, building large new reservoirs has become more complicated, requiring years of planning and ever - increasing construction costs. An alternative means of increasing water storage capacity is to store water underground in aquifers and voids. The extreme drought conditions experienced in 2002 solidified the value of ground water as part of an overall water management strategy. In 2003, the director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources requested that the Colorado Geological Survey conduct a statewide assessment study of artificial recharge potential. This study assessed the opportunities for using artificial recharge to meet water storage needs statewide, focusing primarily on the hydrogeologic properties of aquifers and other underground storage options. The American Society of Civil Engineers has recently identified six phases of planning that are typically needed to develop, operate, and maintain a project for artificial recharge of ground water. This study parallels this process, but represents only the beginning physical data collection and technology assessment stages of the initial phase. Artificial recharge (AR) is defined as any engineered system designed to introduce water to, and store water in, underlying aquifers. This report discusses several aspects important to the understanding of artificial recharge potential in Colorado, including ➢ the design objectives for implementing artificial recharge; ➢ the various artificial recharge technologies available; ➢ the current application of artificial recharge in other states and countries; ➢ the present practice of artificial recharge in Colorado; and ➢ the physical suitability of various aquifers, abandoned mines, and caves to store water. The objectives of most AR applications fall into one, or a combination, of the following categories: • Manage water supply, including short-term water supply regulation, seasonal storage, long -term storage (drought mitigation), emergency supply, and conjunctive use; • Meet legal obligations, such as providing augmentation water, supplementing downstream water rights, or facilitating compliance with interstate agreements; • Manage /mitigate water quality through the improvement of surface- or ground -water quality or treated wastewater disposal; • Restore /protect aquifers by restoring ground -water levels, limiting aquifer compaction and surface subsidence resulting from excessive ground -water withdrawals, or mitigating saltwater intrusion; • Protection of the environment by maintaining wetland hydrology, enhancing endangered species habitat, or controlling the migration of ground -water contamination.