WSP07062

• File Number: 8449
• Description: South Platte Projects
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Date: 7/1/1968
• Author: Bittinger and Assoc
• Title: Water Utilization Study Water District 2 ‎(South Platte)‎
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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Table 1. Estimated Groundwater Storage and Average Withdrawals,
Water District 2

Section

Groundwater
inS toraqe
(acre-feet)

i,veraqe Annual
Groundwater Wi thdrawn
(acre-feet)

South Platte River Valley from Denver
to the Weld-Adams County line

300,000

40,000

South Platte River Valley from County
line to the north boundary of T 3 N

250,000

30,000

';

Northern boundary of T 3 N to Kuner

760,000

70,000

Beebe Draw between Barr Lake and
Lower Latham Reservoir

320,000

15.000

Total

1,630,000

155,000

I

The typical groundwater fluctuation pattern is highest in the fall
after the irrigation season, lowering during the winter to a low point
in the spring prior to the following irrigation season. This type of
pattern indicates that the recharge from surface water irrigation appli-
cations and leakage from irrigation facilities more than compensate for
'--the" 'amount or gr'oundwater "wi thdrawn by the 'wells';-"Only c;nearea, gener_U
ally in the vicinity of Gilcrest, has shown a noticeable decline in water
levels during the heavy pumpIng period of the 1950's. Wilter levels in
this area declined approximately 10 feet during the drought years of the
1950's and have recovered approximately 5 feet of that during recent years.
The overall water table fluctuation pattern, however, tends to reinforce
the findings reported eilrlier in this report on the return flow patterns
of Water District 2. Because of the long-term stability of the ground-
water levels, it appears that the groundwater pumping for irrigation has
merely redistributed the return flow pattern but has not materially changed
the overall consumptive use of wilter within the District. Such a means of
temporary storage and rediversions as It were, has proved to be a valuable
asset to those farmers who are favorably located over the aquifer. It is
very possible, and likely, that the redistribution of return flow has
injured other ,water rights, particularly those held by ditches which have
only minor or no groundwater potential.

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Although a large groundwater reservoir exists, the potential for
additional development of wells is rather small because of the high con-
centration of wells already in use. The potential for further development
of the aquifer and higher utilization of the groundwater reservoir lies
more in the planned utilization of the present pumping facilities than in
the installation of additional wells. It is,possible that additional
wells can and should be drilled, particularly to serve certain ditch systems
or to provide water to the South Platte River at the lowe~ end of the Wilter
District to satisfy calls from downstream ditches. The scope of this study
has not been to locate such situations in particular but it is highly likely
that they do exist and should be investigated in preparation of a detailed
integrated management plan.