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-8- r~ Artesian conditions occur locally in Curtis Creek (see Appendix II). However, the water cannot be recovered in large quantities owing to the low permeability of the sedimentary aquifers such as found in the Curtis Creek drainage. Apparently, these rocks are mostly of marine origin, and may yield less than 10 gpm. Sedimentary rocks of continental origin may yield 5 to 50 gpm (Price and Arnow, 1975). The unconsolidated deposits in Curtis Creek are mostly of fluvial origin. Yields of wells that tap these deposits range from 5 to perhaps more than 500 gpm. Although the alluvium in Curtis Creek is not widespread, it is an important local source of groundwater. The Kritsas, Rienau, and Jensen, ranches also pump water from this source. It is estimated that recoverable groundwater in the upper 100 feet • of saturated rock in this area is perhaps less than 600 acre-feet per square mile. Properly located and constructed wells that tap rock aquifers can be expected to yield from 1 or more than 40 gpm. Depth to groundwater is less than 50 feet along the major streams. According to the Bureau of Land Management's final Environmental Statement for Northwest Colorado Coal (BLM, 1976), Curtis Creek in the vicinity of Rienau Mine . is underlain by poorly permeable saline shales up to 5,000 feet thick. Usable water is available locally at shallow depth; however, wells will generally need to penetrate these shale formations in order to obtain usable water." Dissolved solids in the groundwaters of Curtis Creek can be expected to vary from more than 3,000 mg/1 at the lower elevations to between 1,000 and 3,000 mg/1 at the higher elevations Groundwater temperatures can be expected to range from 5 to 10°C. Studies by F. M. Fox and Associates have provided additional data on the occurrence of groundwater and aquifer characterisitis in the vicinity of Rienau Mine.