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<br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br /> <br />FOREWORD <br /> <br />This report, Artificial Recharge of Ground Water in Colorado - A Statewide Assessment, was <br />requested by the Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources in June 2003 to <br />assess the underground water storage options potentially available in our state. The study was a <br />special assignment for the Colorado Geological Survey - information and recommendations <br />were requested within six months of the study's commencement. <br /> <br />The urgency of the request came in response to several years of lower than average precipitation, <br />culminating in the extraordinary drought conditions of 2002. The drought highlighted the need <br />for additional water storage to help Colorado store available water from rivers originating in the <br />state. With a growing population and substantial agricultural production, underground storage of <br />water through artificial recharge could provide an important water storage option for the future <br />of Colorado. <br /> <br />Funding for this project was provided by the Colorado Geological Survey's portion of the <br />Colorado Department of Natural Resources Severance Tax Operational Fund. Severance taxes <br />are derived from the production of gas, oil, coal, and minerals. <br /> <br />Matthew A. Sares <br />Chief, Environmental Geology Section <br /> <br />Vincent Matthews <br />State Geologist and Director <br />Colorado Geological Survey <br />