WSPC07372

• File Number: 8040.950
• Description: Section D General Studies - General Water Studies
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 9/1/1981
• Author: Colorado DNR
• Title: Colorado Water Study - Background Volume - Preliminary Review Draft - Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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Dr aft - 91 8 1

To say that an aquifer, for pract ical purposes, is nonrenew-

able is not to say that there is absolutely no recharge to it.

Rather, the rate of recharge is so small relative to the actual

or potential demand from human activities that it takes on the

characteristics of a nonrenewable resource. Although it must be

recognized that renewable-nonrenewable is not the distinction

pro v ided by Colorado water law per se, .it is useful for our

purposes because it implies some of the problems involved with
dependence on a resource that is essentially finite.2

The word "mining" is generally used to refer to the pumping

of nonrenewable ground water.

This term implies nonrenewability

similar to that involved with the mining of other underground

resources.

Renewable water, on the other hand, may be found either

~

above or below ground.

In both cases it is hydrologically con-

nected or tributary to surface streams.

Colorado's renewable

water is that water which Is naturally recycled from year to

year.

It falls

as either snow or rain then runs into the

state's drainage system either above or below ground. This

volume deals primarily with Colorado's renewable water supplies.

Whenever nonrenewable ground water is discussed it will be

clearly identified.

2It should be noted that this same dist inct ion was used by the
Colorado Agricultural Lands Study, so is not without precedent.
Specifically: "Unl ike other irrigated areas in the state served
by streams which are replenished annually from snowmelt, the
Ogallala formation is essentiall)' nonrenewable, a closed system."
Colorddo Department of Agriculture, 1979, Volume 1, p. iii.

2