BOARD00363 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Artificial Recharge of Ground Water in Colorado A Statewide Assessment . 4 4 l 4 4 4 4 l 4 4 4 4 l l l l l l I I l I I I I I heterogeneous, fractured rocks that characterize most Colorado mining districts, no estimation was made of the water levels that certainly already exist in many of the abandoned mines in the state, Similarly, no estimate was made regarding the loss of volume that occurs due to collapsing of the mine workings, The total calculated maximum storage capacities of all of the metal-mining districts in Colorado that can sustain good or moderate water quality is 22,220 acre-feet. Only 3 of the 25 mining districts were calculated to have more than 1,000 acre-feet of maximum potential water storage capacity, Only two other districts have maximum potential capacities of more than 100 acre- feet. The five metal-mining districts with the greatest maximum potential water storage capacities are listed in Table VII-3 and shown on Figure VII-S, Table VII-3. Metal mining districts with the greatest maximum water storage capacities * Real storage volume is much lower due to the active Cresson Mine's removal of many old workings included in this calculation The currently active open-pit mine at Cripple Creek was not included in the volume calculation, The open-pit mine is in the heart of the historic Cripple Creek mining district. Current mining activity often exposes the old underground workings to the open air, destroying their potential as underground water storage sites, Thus, the volume we have calculated for potential water storage in the Cripple Creek district is probably significantly higher than the actual capacity at this time, 66