WSP04770

• File Number: 8102
• Description: Arkansas River Basin Hydrology
• State: CO
• Basin: Arkansas
• Water Division: 2
• Date: 7/1/1977
• Author: USGS
• Title: Water Level Records for the Lower Arkansas River Valley of Colorado - 1973-1977
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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WATER-LEVEL RECORDS FOR THE LOWER ARKANSAS

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RIVER VALLEY OF COLORADO, 1973-77

By Robert D. Penley

ABSTRACT

Water-level measurements made in more than 465 wells in March 1977 in the
lower Arkansas River valley of southeastern Colorado are presented in this re-
port. Measurements for the preceding 4 years also are included to serve as
references illustrating declining or rising water levels. Changes in water
levels from December 1975 to March 1977 ranged from a rise of 12.4 feet (3.8
meters) to a decline of 10.8 feet (3.3 meters). Water levels appear to be de-
clining in the eastern part of the study area and stable to slightly rising in
the western part.

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INTRODUCTION

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This report provides well owners and water managers with water-level
measurements made during late winter prior to the 1977 irrigation season
(table 1, at back of report). These data can be used by well owners for plan-
ning their irrigation schedules for the next irrigation season and can be used
by water managers for developing plans to manage the ground-water resources.

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The lower Arkansas River valley study area (fig. 1) extends from Pueblo,
Colo., to the Kansas State line, a distance of 150 mi (240 km), and occupies
450 mi2 (1,170 km2) in parts of Bent, Crowley, Otero, Prowers, and Pueblo
Counties. The alluvial aquifer is adjacent to, underlies, and is in hydraulic
connection with the Arkansas River. This aquifer yields water which is used
for irrigation. The alluvium is as much as 300 ft (90 m) thick, and consists
of gravel, sand, silt, and clay of Pleistocene to Holocene ages. The alluvium
ranges from 1 to 14 mi (1.6 to 23 km) wide and rests in a broad trough cut
into the bedrock. The bedrock, in descending order, consists of the Pierre
Shale, the Niobrara Formation, the Carlile Shale, the Greenhorn Limestone, the
Graneros Shale, and the Dakota Sandstone, all of Cretaceous age.

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Water-level measurements were made in more than 465 wells in March 1977.
Most were irrigation wells, but some municipal, domestic, stock, and govern-
ment-owned wells also were measured. Measurements for the preceding 4 years
also are included in table 1 to serve as references illustrating declining or
rising water levels.

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