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In the Denver Basin Bedrock Aquifers

In the Denver Basin Bedrock Aquifers. A Review of Recent Water Level Changes. Daniel O. Niemela and Christopher J. Sanchez. Bishop-Brogden Associates, Inc. Overview. Denver Basin Aquifer Hydrogeology Example Hydrograph Maps of Decline Rates in Each Aquifer Water Use Management.

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In the Denver Basin Bedrock Aquifers

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  1. In the Denver Basin Bedrock Aquifers A Review of Recent Water Level Changes Daniel O. Niemela and Christopher J. Sanchez Bishop-Brogden Associates, Inc

  2. Overview • Denver Basin Aquifer Hydrogeology • Example Hydrograph • Maps of Decline Rates in Each Aquifer • Water Use Management Bishop-Brogden Associates, Inc

  3. Denver Basin Aquifers • Confined Aquifer System • Heterogeneous • Major Water Source for Front Range Development • Non-Renewable Resource • 50k - 100k af/yr Pumping (SEO and Others) • Developed with Municipal Style Wells (50 – 800 gpm) • Substantial Drilling Cost Source: USGS HA-730-C Bishop-Brogden Associates, Inc

  4. Denver Basin Aquifers • Interbedded Sandstone, Shale and Clay Aquifers • Dawson Aquifer • Limited Extent • Denver Aquifer • Discontinuous Sands • Arapahoe Aquifer • Most Productive • Laramie-Fox Hills Aquifer • Widespread Source: USGS HA-730-C Bishop-Brogden Associates, Inc

  5. Water Level Data • Data Sources • Colorado Division of Water Resources Data (Annual Report) • Municipalities (Unpublished) • Criteria • Consistent Water Level Data • Well Completed in a Single Aquifer Bishop-Brogden Associates, Inc

  6. Water Level Decline • Well-to-Well Impacts • System not at “Steady State” • Decreased Available Drawdown • Decreased Well Yield • Increased Pumping Costs • Increased Maintenance Bishop-Brogden Associates, Inc

  7. Dawson Aquifer • Decline Rates Between zero and 10 feet per year • Greatest Decline near Fringe and Front Range Urban Corridor • Some Ground Water Level Rises Recorded Bishop-Brogden Associates, Inc

  8. Denver Aquifer • Decline Rates Between zero and 40 feet per year • Greatest Decline Rates near Centers of Pumping • Inconsistent Data • Discontinuous Sand Lenses Bishop-Brogden Associates, Inc

  9. Arapahoe Aquifer • Decline Rates Between zero and 50 feet per year • Greatest Decline Rates are in South Metro Denver • Most Productive Aquifer • High Decline Rates are Not Basin Wide • Some Ground Water Level Rises Recorded • Denver Metro • Less than 5 ft/yr rise • Water Level Above Top of Aquifer at Most Locations Bishop-Brogden Associates, Inc

  10. Laramie-Fox Hills Aquifer • Decline Rates Between zero and 40 feet per year • More Widespread Declines • Water Level Above Top of Aquifer at Most Locations Bishop-Brogden Associates, Inc

  11. Trends • High Decline Rates are Localized • Result of Sole Reliance on Denver Basin Water • Well-to-Well Interference • Complex Nature of the Aquifers • Anomalies in Denver Aquifer • Result of Discontinuous Aquifer Sands? Bishop-Brogden Associates, Inc

  12. Management • Good Water Level Record Keeping • Project Future Water Levels • Evaluate Timing for Renewable Supplies • Efficient Water Use • Reuse • Develop Renewable Supplies • Conjunctive Use • Aquifer Storage Recovery (ASR) Bishop-Brogden Associates, Inc

  13. Conclusions • Denver Basin Water Level Declines are Occurring • Declines are Localized in some Aquifers • Greatest Declines near Greatest Pumping • Supply System Planning may Extend Usable Life of Resource • Municipalities are Actively Pursuing Renewable Supplies Bishop-Brogden Associates, Inc

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