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<br /> <br />GROUND-WATER RECHARGE <br /> <br />As a result of the 1977 Presidential review of the Narrows Unit, <br />the question .of whether or not a ground-water recharge system <br />within the Narrows Unit service area could serve as a viable <br />alternative to the proposed Narrows Reservoir was raised. The <br />following ~arrative summarizes the findings of an analysis of the <br />ground-water recharge potential. <br /> <br />In the case of the Narrows Reservoir, supplemental irrigation water <br />would be provided from the reservoir storage to the farms through the <br />existing gravity distribution system, The ground-water recharge system <br />would require additional diversion works on the South Platte River, new <br />conveyance and recharge pond facilities, and a number of wells with <br />energy consuming pumps. The annual energy required is estimated to <br />be 5,700,000 kilOwatt-hours (equivalent to 3,350 barrels of oil <br />annually) . <br /> <br />It was assumed that such a recharge system could be implemented <br />pursuant to the water laws of the State of Colorado and the terms of <br />the South Platte River Compact. Water rights decrees for the new <br />diversions would be required with the potential for a lesSer priority. <br />The water ri.ght decree for the Narrows Reservoir storage has a priority <br />date of August 2, 1957. <br /> <br />Identification of the entity or entities which would have the responsibil ity <br />to plan, construct, pay for, and operate a recharge system was not <br />determined. The Narrows Unit was authortzed for construction by the <br />~ongress and President in 1970. Repayment contracts were signed with <br />the Central Colorado and Lower South Platte Water Conservancy Dis~ritts <br />in 1976. <br /> <br />The ground-water recharge system would be a single purpose irrigation <br />project. The Narrows Unit. as authorized, would result in irrigation <br />supplies, flood control, fi sh and wild1 i fe conservation and development, <br />public outdoor recreation. and potential future municipal and industrial <br />supplies. . <br /> <br />Concept of Artificial Recharge <br /> <br />Definition <br /> <br />Artificial recharge of ground water can be defined as any artificial <br />means that increases the amount of water entering a ground-water <br /> <br />37 <br /> <br /> <br />:' <br /> <br />'d,'." <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />".-.,' <br /> <br /> <br />