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Questions were also raised whether in performing the Glover-Balmer analysis, Mr. <br /> Thompson should have simulated a no-flow boundary to account for certain faults in <br /> the vicinity of the fields. However, the evidence was clear and convincing that <br /> because of the location of the faults no modifications to the Glover-Balmer analysis <br /> were necessary. <br /> The State Engineer finds that the testimony provided by Mr. Thompson regarding the <br /> minimal water production from wells drilled into the formations at issue within the fields, <br /> the high salinity of the water produced, and the fall in water pressure and lack of any <br /> aquifer infill resulting from the removal of ground water, provides additional evidence <br /> that these formations are disconnected from Colorado's surface water system. <br /> In summary, the inputs to the Glover-Balmer analysis are appropriate and based upon <br /> site specific data. All inputs to the model are within the expected range. No aspects <br /> of the analysis are indicative of errors that would cause meaningful error in the <br /> proposed lines derived from the model delineating the division between tributary and <br /> nontributary ground water. The State Engineer finds the analysis provide clear and <br /> convincing evidence in support of the State Engineer's adoption of rules identifying <br /> water withdrawn from the Weber Formation within the Rangely Oil Field and the <br /> Morrison and Sundance/Entrada Formations within the Wilson Creek Oil Field within <br /> the Piceance Basin in Rio Blanco County, Colorado, and the Wasatch Formation <br /> within the Hiawatha and West Hiawatha Gas Fields within the Sand Wash Basin in <br /> Moffat County, Colorado, to be nontributary for purposes of his administration and <br /> permitting of wells pursuant to C.R.S. § 37-90-137(7). <br /> Rules for Piceance Basin— Shallow Formations. The State Engineer finds there is <br /> clear and convincing evidence supporting his adoption of rules identifying water <br /> withdrawn from the undifferentiated Wasatch Formation, middle and lower Wasatch <br /> Formation, Iles Formation of the Mesaverde Group, Williams Fork Formation of the <br /> Mesaverde Group, and undifferentiated Mesaverde Group, within certain delineated <br /> areas of the Piceance Basin in Rio Blanco, Garfield, Mesa, Delta, and Pitkin Counties, <br /> Colorado, to be nontributary for purposes of his administration and permitting of <br /> wells pursuant to C.R.S. § 37-90-137(7). <br /> The State Engineer's finding is based upon testimonial evidence provided regarding <br /> three separate analyses performed by Mark Levorsen, M.S., Gary Witt, P.G., and <br /> Adam Bedard, P.E. using the Glover-Balmer method for purposes of determining the <br /> timing of depletions to stream flow resulting from withdrawal of ground water from <br /> the Wasatch Formation and Williams Fork and Iles Formations of the Mesaverde <br /> Group within the Piceance Basin. The analyses performed by Messrs. Levorsen, <br /> Witt, and Bedard were performed separately,but produced similar results with respect <br /> to the nontributary nature of water withdrawn from these formations. The State <br /> Engineer finds that this testimony, as well as the additional evidence in the record, <br /> provides clear and convincing evidence that the rules identify nontributary areas in <br /> Produced Nontributary Ground Water Rules 2 CCR 402-17, Statement of Basis and Purpose <br /> -22- <br />