2012-09-06_REVISION - M2008070 (22)

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water for laboratory analysis of water' quality. The investigation culminated in the construction of a well field in the alluvial aquifer about 5 mi south- east of Meeker in Agency Park. Hydrogeologic investigations of the Meeker dome have been conducted by consulting firms for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation as part of an effort to decrease saline ground -water seepage into the White River. Nelson, Haley, Patterson, and Quirk, Inc. (1976) compiled a report that contains a listing of many wells in the area, well logs where available, and an exhaustive literature search. The firm of CH2M Hill Central, Inc. (1979, 1981) verified and quantified the salinity problem, supervised the plugging of abandoned exploratory wells contributing to the saline seepage, and monitored surface - water quality thereafter. Although the CH2M Hill reports principally describe the bedrock aquifers underlying the alluvium, they include some information about the extent and characteristics of the alluvial aquifer. Vaughn Hansen Associates (1979) conducted a preliminary study of White River alluvium near the present site of the Deserado coal mine about 7 mi northeast of Rangely. The report includes several lithologic logs of holes drilled in the alluvium and the results of a reconnaissance alluvial- aquifer testing program. In the same area, Ford, Bacon and Davis Utah, Inc. (1981) investigated the extent and hydrologic properties of the alluvium by drilling several test holes and conducting aquifer tests. This study investigated the feasibility of providing a water supply for the mine and associated facilities from the White River alluvial aquifer. Studies of White River alluvium also were conducted as part of investi- gations for the proposed Taylor Draw dam and reservoir about 5 mi east of Rangely. Woodward-Clevenger and Associates, Inc. (1972) conducted preliminary engineering and geologic studies that provide site - specific information on the thickness and lithology of alluvium at the proposed dam axis near Taylor Draw. More recent foundation investigations by Western Engineers, Inc. (1978) at Wolf Creek (about 19 mi northeast of Rangely) and at the Taylor Draw site (Western Engineers, Inc., 1980) also contributed hydrogeologic information about alluvium in the western part of the study area. In addition, alluvium along the White River is shown on several geologic maps of parts of northwestern Colorado. One -by -two degree quadrangles by Tweto (1976), Tweto and others (1978), Rowley and others (1979), and Carrara }} ( ��_ 19880) are „a�v y ilable . as, are .� �t . ; ,, 0t , tz 4 _ =a y - '-$ -A' IIa r y { fI 1� 3J1 J._ , 1974)." P 77'�ff : .T» 1 .: i r rn . . " aII At es n (4980).1 �f� J..:..: Acknowledgments The authors thank the residents of the study area who permitted access to and sampling from their wells; the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which provided geophysical equipment; and Adel A. R. Zohdy and Robert J. Bisdorf of the U.S. Geological Survey, who provided technical advice and computer programs that facilitated geophysical -data collection and interpretation. 4