WSP02908

• File Number: 8062
• Description: Federal Water Rights
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 3/1/1982
• Author: TRW Energy Engineeri
• Title: Hydrologic Characterization of NOSR 1
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

0919

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This Hydrologic Characterization report for Naval Oil Shale Reserve
"
No.1 (NOSR 1) summarizes and analyzes information obtained during the
multi-year predevelopment program conducted by TRW, Inc. for the U.S.
Department of Energy. The compilation and analyses of this data define the
baselJne hydrologic conditions .and provide important hydrologic information
for input into development planning.

To characterize the hydrologic system on NOSR 1, basic data have been
collected on precipitation, surface water, and groundwater. The analyses
of these data has provided:

. An estimated water balance for NOSR 1

. Baseline definition of water quality for both surface and
groundwater on NOSR 1

. Calculation of aquifer parameters for the four water-bearing zones
on NOSR 1

. An estimate of water in storage on NOSR 1

Precipitation data was collected at three preCipitation gages and from an
extensive snow reconnaissance network. Data on surface water quantity and
quality was collected at five gaging sites and from over 80 springs.
Groundwater aquifer test data and water samples obtained at 10 core holes
were used to define the hydraulic and chemical characteristics of each of
the four identified water-bearing zones. All basic data is publiShed
separately in the NOSR 1 Hydrology Data Book (TRW, March 1982). This
report summarizes that data and provides an integrated picture of the
hydrologic system on NOSR 1.

NOSR 1 contains the headwater areas of all watersheds that contribute
to surface water discharge from the Reserve. Therefore the only inflow
into the NOSR 1 hydrologic system is contributed by precipitation.
Precipitation gage records have provided a good estimate for non-winter
precipitation but have proven unreliable during the winter snow accumu-
lation period. To supplement the gage records, a snow reconnaissance
network was established to record snow accumulation by elevation zone for a
variety of slope aspects and cover conditions. Snow water content data is

1-1