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Model calibration DRAFT 19 <br />*A- <br />io <br />The steady-state calibration also considered Collom area water balance estimates. The <br />average recharge rate to the groundwater system for the entire model area was <br />0.53 inches per year based on model calibration. This average recharge rate falls within <br />the range of recharge rates of 0.17 to 0.72 inches per year from the water balance <br />described in Section 2.4 for the major stream valley water sheds. Model areas with <br />ground elevation above 7500 ft receive between 0.53 and 1.1 inches of recharge per <br />year with the higher rate applied to bedrock outcrop areas for the units above the KM <br />bed, and the lower rate applied to the units below the KM to the Trout Creek Sandstone <br />(Figure 3.11). Based on model calibration, 0.11 inches of recharge per year were <br />applied to the model area below elevation 7500 ft. <br />In the steady-state numerical model, recharge to and discharge from the model area are <br />equivalent. As described above, recharge to the model is from infiltration of <br />precipitation, estimated to be 0.53 inches per year over the entire model area based on <br />calibration. Discharge from the model occurs as stream base flow and valley fill <br />groundwater outflow along the major drainages. Since ET is not specifically included in <br />the model, the total discharge calculated by the model also includes water that is <br />estimated as ET losses in the Collom area water balance. Table 4.1 provides a <br />comparison of estimated recharge/discharge amounts from both the Collom area water <br />balance and the regional model. The table indicates that he overall water balance in the <br />numerical model is a good match to the Collom area water balance. <br />Table 4.1 Groundwater recharge/discharge summary from water balance <br />and regional model <br />Drainage Collom area water Collom area water Numerical model <br />balance estimated balance estimated predicted <br />• <br />recharge/discharge recharge/discharge recharge/discharge <br />- (ft3ld) (gpm) (gpm) <br />Morgan / Straight Gulch 118,790 617 616 <br />Collom Gulch 25,886 134 134 <br />Jubb Creek 14,764 77 62 <br />Wilson Creek 76,956 400 377 <br />Taylor Creek 8,259 62 44 <br />Good Spring Creek 186,986 971 938 <br />Milk Creek --- --- 524 <br />2572-R3 Colowyo Coal Company, L.P. <br />Water Management Consultants