WSP06318 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

because of reservoi r seepage into the banks. When thi s happens, the mechanism for solute transport through a saturated zone becomes directly proportional to the hydraulic gradient. In this case, the gradient from the landfill area to the reservoir exists, and once the hydraulic connection is completed, there would be the possibility of contaminant movement into the reservoi r. Yearly reservoi r fl uctuati ons in the future may accel erate this process, once the hydraul i c connecti on is made. Although no sampling was attempted in the three wells, water discharged from them was corrosive to metals due to sulfides. There is a very heavy odor of hydrogen sulfide in the well water which could present a possible health hazard. Water in the Laramie Formation, and to some extent, the Fox Hills aqui fer, often showed concentrati ons of sul fi des and hydrogen sul fi de. In most cases, this was due to the coal seams and iron pyrites found in the Laramie Formation. Hydrogen sulfide is al so associated with leachates from sanitary landfills such as the Marshall site. It was noted that odors from well s closer to the landfill at the Coal Creek site tended to be stronger than wells at a distance. The proposed Coal Creek damsite is about 3 miles north of the Department of Energy's Rocky Flats Plant operated under contract by Rockwell Internat i onal for the development and producti on of certai n components for nuc 1 ear weapons. Assumi ng that contami na ti on by radi oacti ve material of the Laramie-Fox Hills aquifer were possible, hydraulic gradients are such that contaminants woul d be carried to the east and away from the reservoir site. Local hydrogeologic conditions are not conducive for the movement of radioactive contaminants for large distances in the ground water system. Thus, the possibility of contami- nation of reservoir water by ground-water movement from the plant is extremely unlikely. WATER AVAILABILITY FOR MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL USE Basinwide Water Rights Colorado water rights follow the Doctrine of Prior Appropriation. Under this doctrine, the first to put the water to beneficial use is entitled to the highest priority of use, i.e., the appropriator with the earliest date of appropri ati on acqui res a superi or and excl usi ve ri ght over all others appropriating water from the same body of water. Later appropriators will have priority over ensuing appropriations. In times of shortages, senior approprf ators may 1 awfully demand that suffi cf ent water be delivered at their point of diversion to supply their present needs, and junior appropriators would be allowed water only during those times when all senior appropriators were receiving a full supply of water. Water rights are separate property rights and may be inherited, bought, sold, or transferred. However, changes and transfers are allowed only 30