DWR_3893628

• Title: GROUNDWATER LEVELS IN THE UPPER BIG SANDY DESIGNATED GROUNDWATER BASIN
• Year: 2022
• Document Type - Publications and Reports: Ground Water Levels Report

GROUNDWATER LEVELS IN THE
UPPER BIG SANDY DESIGNATED GROUNDWATER BASIN
2022
This report contains the basic groundwater-level data collected in the Upper Big Sandy Designated Ground
Water Basin during the spring of 2022. Tabular data are presented for the last ten measurements, and graphical
data show the entire water-level monitoring record for each well. Acquisition and publication of this
information is a cooperative effort between the Upper Big Sandy Ground Water Management District and the
Colorado Division of Water Resources. The project is part of a statewide groundwater-level monitoring program
funded by Senate Bill 200 (1987). This legislation directed that a portion of the fees collected for well permit
applications be used for a program to monitor groundwater level trends throughout the state.
The wells in this report are listed by well name in numerical order. The maps that follow portray the
designated basin boundary, mapped extent of alluvium, and trace of Big Sandy Creek and include:
• Monitoring well location map for the entire Upper Big Sandy designated basin
• Monitoring well locations and well names in the Limon well field (Limon Map)
• Monitoring well locations and well names in the eastern half of the basin (East Map)
• Monitoring well locations and well names in the western half of the basin (West Map)
The report contains 2022 groundwater level measurements for 25 wells, taken in late March 2022. Depths to
groundwater, below ground surface, ranged from 8 to 47 feet, much the same as in years past. In general,
wells located closer to the creek channel had shallower water levels. Water levels exceeding 30 feet were
associated with wells located in the upland portions of the alluvial valley.
Overall, groundwater levels in wells measured by the Division of Water Resources were slightly lower than 2021
levels. The water levels showed an overall average decrease of 0.35 feet as compared to 2021, and most wells
were less than one foot lower than in 2021. Long term, 10-year comparisons indicate that water levels:
a) in the reach around Limon (Limon Map) have increased (0.0 to 0.2 ft);
b) in the reach between River Bend and Simla (East Map) have decreased (-2.2 to -0.2 ft);
c) in the reach between Simla and Ramah Reservoir (West Map) have increased and decreased (-0.6 to
1.0 ft); and
d) upstream of Ramah Reservoir (West map) have increased and decreased (-0.2 to 0.4 ft) since 2012.
An electronic copy of this report is available on the Division of Water Resources website:
https://dwr.colorado.gov/services/well-construction-inspection#groundwater-levels
The direct link to the Upper Big Sandy Publication Area on the CDSS webpage:
https://dwr.state.co.us/Tools/GroundWater/WaterLevels?submitButton=Submit�tSelectedGeoValue=water
DivisionDiv�tSelectedPublicationAreaName=UPPER%20BIG%20SANDY�tSelectedAauiferName=All
Additionally, all groundwater level data may be accessed and exported using the tools available on the
Colorado Decision Support System:
https://dwr.state.co.us/Tools/GroundWater/WaterLevels
or the Colorado Decision Support System MapViewer:
https://dwr.colorado.gov/services/data-information/gis
If you have any questions regarding groundwater and the information in this report, please contact the
Groundwater Information Desk at [phone] or through AskDWR,
https://dwr.state.co.us/Portal/dwr/AskDWR?topicNum=31�tofficeNum=8