WSP03809

• File Number: 8027
• Description: Section D General Correspondence - Federal Agencies - BOR - Upper Colorado Region - Salt Lake City
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 1/9/1976
• Author: DOI-BOR-USGS
• Title: Press Releases 1976
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: News Article/Press Release

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United States Department of the

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Box 25046
Denver Federal Center
Denver. Colorado 80225

Water Resources Division
.Colorado District
Mail Stop 415

IN REPLY REFER TO;

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"MINING" OF ARAPAHOE AQUIFER OCCURRING IN ENGLEWOOD- GAlli)
CASTLE ROCK AREA

November 5, 1976

INFORMATION FOR THE PRESS

SUBJECT:

RELEASE DATE: Immediately

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

J, E. Biesecker, District Chief
U.S. Geological Survey, WRD
Colorado District, Mail Stop 415
Box. 25046, Denver Federal Center
Lakewood, Colorado 80225
Telephone: [phone]

Increasing use of water from the artesian Arapahoe aquifer, principally
along Interstate Highway 1-25 in the Englewood-Castle Rock area, has
caused the potentiometric surface (the level to which water will. rise in
a well) to decline more than 200 feet in some parts of the area between
1965 and 1975, according to a recent U.S. Geological Survey, Department
of the Interior, report.

The 32-page report, complete with detailed maps, describes the physical
and hydraulic characteristics of the Arapahoe aquifer and the chemical
characteristics of tne water in the area.

Prepared in cooperation with the Colorado Division of Water Resources,
Office of the State Engineer, the report notes that the potentiometric
surface has declined throughout the area from 1965 to 1975. The decline
indicates that the aquifer is being "mined"; that is, discharge from the
aquifer, principally by wells, exceeds recharge to the aquifer from all
sources. Most artesian wells penetrating the aquifer that flowed prior
to 1975 have ceased flowing. Only one flowing well, with an estimated
flow of 3 gallons per minute, was observed ~uring the study.

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