WSP03283

• File Number: 8407
• Description: Platte River Basin - River Basin General Publications
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 1/1/1978
• Author: Hydro-Triad Ltd
• Title: Water Resources Investigation in the South Platte River Valley - Reach Number 3
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

A. Purpose llnd Scope Of the. Investi!)ation
Water in the semi-arid climate of Colorado and in particular the South
Platte Valley, the focus of this study, is a very vital resource. The water
resources of:the valley, both surface and ground are utilized extensively
during normal years, and are of great importance during drought years such
as has been .xperienced during the last two years. Irrigation, the principal'

use of water :in the valley depends on diversions from streams and storage

reservoirs and to an increasing degree on water pumped from wells. This is

particularly true during drought periods when the surface water available
for diversions is severely limited in quantity. The amount of ground water
available for: use in the area is governed by the amount of water in storage
in the ground! water reservoir, the capacity of the reservoir to yield water
to wells, andithe rate of recharge to the reservoir.
The purpose or goals of this investigation was to identify supplemental
well pumping wrogram for the. oncoming irrigation season and develop a method
of allocating:pumping costs of the program.
More specifically the study objectives were:
1. Identification of areas where significant amounts of groundwater
are av:ailable to provide irrigation water for short term drought
relief at times when insufficient surface water is available for
divers~on by canals and ditches.

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