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the ground water unfit for irrigation purposes.- Specific conductance of 115 <br />water samples ranges from 400 to 14,000 micromhos per centimeter at 25 <br />Celsius; in general, values increase from east to west and with increasing <br />distance from the White River. <br />The results of this investigation are preliminary and are based mostly on <br />data from existing wells and test holes. The variability in depth to bedrock <br />and hydraulic properties of the aquifer need to be more accurately evaluated, <br />especially southeast of Meeker and in the western part of Powell Park. <br />INTRODUCTION <br />Ground water from the alluvium of the White River valley supplies munici- <br />pal, industrial, domestic, and agricultural needs in northwestern Colorado. <br />The White River basin contains extensive energy resources consisting of oil <br />shale, coal, natural gas, and oil. Additional water will be required in the <br />future for energy- resource development and associated municipal and industrial <br />supplies. <br />Purpose and Scope <br />This report presents the results of a study conducted to assess the areal <br />extent, thickness, and lithologic characteristics of the alluvial aquifer in <br />the White River valley, herein referred to as the White River alluvial aqui- <br />fer, and to describe the occurrence, availability, and chemical quality of <br />water in the aquifer. The results of this investigation are preliminary and <br />are based mostly on data from existing wells and test holes. <br />Location <br />The White River and its tributaries drain an area in northwestern <br />Colorado of about 3,800 mi principally in Rio Blanco County (fig. 1). The <br />area studied is the valley of the White River from about 7 mi southeast of <br />the town of Meeker on the east to the town of Rangely on the west, an area of <br />about 35 mi (fig. 1). <br />Previous Investigations <br />Site - specific investigations of White River alluvium in the study area <br />associated with four distinct projects have been conducted prior to this <br />study. These projects are a water - supply study for the town of Meeker, <br />studies of saline ground -water seepage from rocks underlying the Meeker dome <br />about 3 mi east of Meeker, water - supply studies conducted prior to the opening <br />of the Deserado coal mine, and studies of the alluvium as part of investiga- <br />tions for the proposed Taylor Draw dam and reservoir near Rangely. <br />In 1973, the town of Meeker retained Wright - McLaughlin Engineers (1974, <br />1975, 1976) to conduct a detailed study of the water - supply potential of the <br />alluvial aquifer near Meeker. The study_included geophysical exploration, <br />test -hole drilling, extensive aquifer testing, and sampling of the ground <br />2 <br />