DWR_2769957

• Title: GROUND WATER LEVELS IN THE LOWER SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN ALLUVIAL AQUIFER
• Year: 2014
• Document Type - Publications and Reports: Ground Water Levels Report

WATER LEVELS IN THE LOWER SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
ALLUVIAL AQUIFER 2014
This report contains basic data concerning the depth to and elevation of groundwater in the
alluvial aquifer of the Lower South Platte River Basin and select tributaries collected during
the spring and fall of 2014. Water level measurements in this year's report were obtained by
Colorado Division of Water Resources personnel, USGS personnel and District Water
Commissioners Mark Trivisonno and Steve Peterson. Measurements are usually taken twice a
year, typically in the spring before irrigation pumping commences and again in the fall after
irrigation pumping has ceased. A map showing the location of each monitoring well in this
report is included (Figure 1).
This report contains 111 new, semi-annual measurements. The current 115 monitoring well
network consists of 60 privately owned wells, 36 monitoring wells installed by the South Platte
Decision Support System (SPDSS) and 19 wells associated with the USGS National Water -Quality
Program (NAWQA). The 36 SPDSS, 19 NAWQA and one private well are outfitted with
automated water -level data -collection devices (data loggers). The data loggers collect daily
water level data which are uploaded into HydroBase. Only the semi-annual manual
measurements are listed in this report.
As in previous reports, the accompanying data table only lists data from the last 10 years,
though the hydrographs display the full period of record. The report also contains data from
wells that are normally a part of this monitoring effort, but for which measurements were not
available in 2014. Wells lacking measurements in the past 10 years have been removed from
the monitoring program and are no longer included in this publication.
On average, groundwater levels have risen approximately 1.5 feet across the basin since 2013.
They have generally risen just under one foot compared to 2009 (5 -year comparison) and just
over 2 feet compared to 2004 (10 -year comparison) measurements. Figure 2 is a map showing
fall 2014 measured depth to water below ground surface. Figure 3 shows 15 wells for which
the 2014 measurement represents the highest water level on record. The wells are labeled for
easy reference to their data page.
The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) provided funding to replace failed data
loggers and associated equipment and Division staff installed replacements as needed during
the spring and fall water level monitoring events.
An electronic copy of this report is available on the Division of Water Resources website
http: t lwater.state.co.uslroundwateriPaeslFlydroGeo.as�ax.
Additionally, all groundwater level data may be accessed and exported using the tools available
on the Colorado Decision Support System website:
htt�/icdss.state.co.usfoniineTools>Pales1GroundWaterWaterl_ vels.aspx
and the Colorado Information Marketplace HydroBase Bulk Data Exporter:
tett s:i/data.colorado. ovllnformation-Stearin 1DWR-Well-Water- Level/ hfwh-ws i
In addition to the alluvial groundwater levels presented in this report, Division staff are
actively involved in two special project areas - Sterling and LaSalle fGi[crest. Groundwater
levels in these areas are being monitored as separate programs. The Division is conducting
multi-year studies, with funding provided by the CWCB, to gather the relevant data needed to
identify the factors contributing to high groundwater level conditions identified by landowners
in these areas. Water level data specific to these project areas can be accessed through the
Division 1 website at:
htto://water.state.co.us/DivisionsOffices/Divl SPlatteRiverBasin/Pages/DivlSPlatte B.asox