Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Artificial Recharge of Ground Water in Colorado <br />A Statewide Assessment <br /> <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />lilt is no secret in Colorado that 2002 saw the worst drought in our state in <br />recorded history. In many areas, it was the third consecutive dry year, <br />and it stressed the water supply capabilities of many water providers and <br />users. The value of reservoir water and ground water was clearly realized, <br />and we all recognize that additional storage would have reduced the <br />impact of the drought. " <br /> <br />Hal Simpson, State Engineer <br />--Division of Water Resources <br />2002 Annual Report <br /> <br />I. Introduction - Statement of Problem <br /> <br />Colorado experienced the worst drought in recorded history in 2002 and is currently in the fifth <br />consecutive year ofthe driest 5-year period in a century of record keeping (Stein, 2004). <br />Colorado has been subject to recurring multiple-year drought cycles through history (McKee and <br />others, 2000). Even during times of normal precipitation, Colorado's relatively low precipitation <br />rate (statewide average of 16 inches per year) combined with high evaporative losses (statewide <br />average of 81 percent) result in a water balance deficit over most of the state, with the exception <br />of the higher mountainous regions. The opening quote by Hal Simpson stresses the importance <br />of ground water within the state's overall water management, and promotes the need for <br />additional storage capacity. This storage capacity can take the form of surface-water reservoirs <br />or underground water storage. <br /> <br />The impacts of the current drought cycle on the state's agriculture, water supply systems, <br />industry, citizens, and natural resources have been substantial and measurable. Colorado's <br />accelerated population growth has also placed increasing demands on its limited water resources. <br />Periods of drought highlight this resource limitation and raise serious concerns about the <br />sustainability of our state's water resources. Surface-water reservoirs have been the primary <br />means of storing water to meet Colorado's needs. This study looks at an alternative means of <br />increasing water storage capacity by storing water underground in aquifers and voids. <br /> <br />Scope and Objectives <br /> <br />This study is a statewide assessment of the potential for artificial recharge of ground water in <br />Colorado. Artificial recharge is defined as any engineered or designed system that puts water <br />on, or in, the ground for the purpose of infiltration and subsequent migration into underlying <br />aquifers. The study focuses on the location, geology, and physical ability of various aquifers <br />within Colorado to store additional water supplies. In addition, other unconventional means of <br />underground water storage through the use of abandoned coal mines, metal mines, and caves are <br />assessed. <br /> <br />1 <br />