PUB00084

• Year: 2004
• Title: Artificial Recharge of Ground Water in Colorado -- A Statewide Assessment
• CWCB Section: Administration
• Author: Colorado Geological Survey
• Description: This study was a special assignment to the CGS from the DNR Executive Director. The tqask was to assess the underground water storage options potentially available in our state.
• Publications - Doc Type: Tech Report

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Artificial Recharge of Ground Water in Colorado
A Statewide Assessment

This study discusses several aspects important to the understanding of artificial recharge
potential in Colorado, including:
. the various artificial recharge technologies available;
. the 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 suitability of an aquifer to store water is not the only consideration involved in a successful
artificial recharge project. Two other factors are crucial: available water supply for recharge and
a supportive legal policy. This report does not address either water supply or legal structure in a
comprehensive manner, but does touch on these factors because they bear on the implementation
of any potential artificial recharge project. The Colorado Water Conservation Board is in the
midst (2003-04) ofthe Statewide Water Supply Initiative, a study that will help address both of
these factors.

Artificial recharge is most commonly implemented on a local basis, primarily by individual
water districts. Development of an artificial recharge project can take years to accomplish
between the initial concept and full-scale implementation. The process requires interdisciplinary
data gathering and research to determine applicability and design criteria. The American Society
of Civil Engineers (ASCE) recently established a set of standard guidelines to develop, operate,'
and maintain a project for artificial recharge of ground water (ASCE, 2001). The phased
progression as outlined by ASCE is as follows:

Phase I-Preliminary activities:
. Data collection and organization, resource evaluation (including identification of
source water alternatives), alternative site evaluation, and preliminary studies; and
. Conceptual plan development, environmental assessment, and public involvement

Phase II-Field investigation and test program
Phase III-Design:
. Preliminary design, public involvement, engineering reports; and
. Final design, draft final report, public hearings, response to comments, and final
report

Phase IV-Construction and start up
Phase V-Operation, maintenance, project review, and project modification
Phase VI-Closure

This study represents only the beginning of Phase I activities in this process. It includes data
collection and organization, alternate site evaluation, and preliminary studies on a statewide
basis. Not included in this investigation, yet an important part of Phase I are evaluation of
potential source-water supplies, development of a detailed conceptual plan, environmental
assessments, and public involvement. These activities and additional data gathering are best done
by local entities when a specific local project is identified. The results of this study provide the
scientific background for the development of underground water storage in Colorado.!t provides
the foundation for the development of a conceptual plan, site-specific field investigations, and
the construction of a pilot test program.

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