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<br />OG78 <br /> <br />Water Qual ity <br /> <br />Artificial recharge operations will probably have an effect on <br />ground-water quality in some areas. A total dissolved solids map of <br />the ground-water system in the South Platte study area (Hurr, et al, <br />1975) shows a band of total dissolved solids ranging from 0-500 mg/l <br />directly beneath proposed recharge sites south of the river, Table <br />5 shows that the dissolved solids of the recharge water could be in <br />excess of 1,000 mg/l during the months of recharge. The mixing of <br />this poorer quality water with the good quality ground water will <br />obviously degrade the ground-water quality, and those depending upon <br />this water for a domestic supply will be adversely affected. For <br />example, the city of Brush has six wells located about 4 miles south of <br />the city on the west side of Beaver Creek above the Fort Morgan Canal <br />that provides the only source of water to the city. The quality of <br />this water is very good, with total dissolved solids as low as 160 <br />mg/l. One of these wells has already been contaminated by the poorer <br />quality water leaking from the Fort Morgan Canal and is going to have <br />to be replaced. It is this kind of problem that would have to be <br />evaluated in considerable detail before a final layout of a recharge <br />plan could be made. In the final analysis there may be a percentage of <br />the proposed acreage that will have to forego the opportunity of receiv- <br />ing a supplemental water supply from recharge because of their proximity <br />to high quality ground-water areas. <br /> <br />~later Quality for Irrigation <br /> <br />The quality of water for irrigation is judged in terms of its influence <br />on crops either directly or through changes in chemical and physical <br />properties of the soil. The major factors considered in evaluating <br />the suitability of water from the South Platte River for irrigation <br />are total dissolved solids, boron, and the relative proportion of <br />sodium to other cations. Studies show that water from the South <br />Platte River is of excellent quality with respect to boron and sodium, <br />even for sensitive crops. The total dissolved solids concentration <br />historically diverted for irrigation, which was obtained from the <br />"Final Environmental Statement for the Narrows Unit," is shown in <br />table 5. The salinity is classed medium to high. <br /> <br />48 <br />