WSPC03939

• File Number: 8460.500
• Description: Platte River Basin - Endangered Species Issues - South Platte Recovery Program
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 12/5/1995
• Author: Matthew J Cook
• Title: South Platte Agreement - Groundwater Recharge as Augmentation for Restoring Wetlands Along the Central Platte River Nebraska - Final Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

G003S5

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Initial capital costs for construction of this recharge basin would be
relatively small. The basin itself would require excavation and shaping. Water
supply equipment would be required including a pump and piping along the
basin edge. An electrical supply would be required for the pump unless a ram-
type positive displacement pump were used. This type of pump is commercially
available and is commonly used for irrigation purposes where power is not
readily available.
Operation and maintenance costs for the recharge basin would also be
small. The water supply equipment would require the most ongoing
maintenance. However, the wear and tear of the equipment would be
minimized, as the equipment would only be operated for a short period of time
each year. The basin, once constructed, would essentially be self sufficient.
The basin would only need periodic inspections to ensure water delivery piping
is not clogged with debris.

6.0 Summary and Conclusions

The flow deficit problem in the Platte River basin is one not easily solved.
The states of Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska are continuing to try and reach
an agreement that would benefit water interests of all three states while meeting
the requirements of the endangered species along the Central Platte River in
Nebraska,
An engineered solution to restore the wet meadow habitat used by the
endangered whooping crane would provide a viable altemative to the continuing
dispute over a minimum streamflow solution for wetland recharge. With this
design of a rectangular recharge basin at the Rowe Sanctuary wet meadow site,
a small diversion of instream flow would significantly increase the groundwater
table. An increase in the groundwater table of 1 foot was seen at distances of
over 300 feet from the center of the basin, for this basin design. Furthermore,
the majority of the diverted recharge water would eventually be retumed to the
river resulting in little effect on downstream water requirements.

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