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~,~ ~'~ ~ WATER-LEVEL RECORDS FOR THE NORTHERN HIGH PLAINS OF COLORADO, 1976-80 , By Ronald G. Borman ABSTRACT Water-level m~asurements were made in 670 wells in the winter of 1979-80 i~ the northern High Plains of Colorado. Measurements for the winter of 1979-80 an~ the four preceding:winters are given in a table. INTRODUCTION The northern High Plains of Colorado is an area of about 9,500 mi2 in th~ eastern part of th~ State (fig. 1). The boundaries of the High Plains of Colorad~ are the State line' and the limit of the Ogallala Formation of late Tertiary age, The Ogallala Forma!tion is an unconsolidated or partly consolidated deposit of gravel, sand, cl~y, and silt, and is the major aquifer in the northern High Plains. ' Water levels, in much of the Ogallala Formation have been declining becaus~ ground-water pumpi'ng for irrigation is removing ground water from storage. Knowf~ edge of the amount and extent of water-level declines is necessary for management of the ground-water resource. " Water-level ~ecords for the northern High Plains of Colorado are collected by the U.S. Geologic~l Survey In cooperation with the Colorado Department of Natura!l Resources, Divis~on of Water Resources, Office of the State Engineer, and th~ Central Yuma, Fre~chman, Marks Butte, and Sand Hills Ground Water Management 015,. trlcts. Measurements are made generally once a year in the winter, when wat~r levels have recov~red from pumping during the previous irrigation season, to d~- termine the effects of the pumpIng on the amount of ground water in storage. Water-level measurements were made in 670 wells in the winter of 1979-80. Most of these wells were irrigation wells, but several stock and government-own~d observation well~ also were measured, especially in areas where there is littlie irrigation. Water-level measurements (table 1 at back of report) for the years 1976 to 1980 are given by county.