Feasibility of Aquifer Storage and Recovery in the Upper Colorado River Basin Presented by: Western...

Feasibility of Aquifer Feasibility of Aquifer Storage and Recovery in Storage and Recovery in the Upper Colorado River the Upper Colorado River

BasinBasin

Presented by:Presented by:

Western Water & Land, IncWestern Water & Land, Inc.. Grand Junction, Colorado Grand Junction, Colorado

Colorado’s Water FutureColorado’s Water Future

Current projections indicate Colorado population Current projections indicate Colorado population growth will double by 2050growth will double by 2050

Existing water supply systems will not be Existing water supply systems will not be adequate – especially on the front rangeadequate – especially on the front range

New storage systems will be needed as part of New storage systems will be needed as part of future water managementfuture water management

Continued collaboration will be required among Continued collaboration will be required among agricultural, municipal, industrial, and agricultural, municipal, industrial, and recreational water users to sponsor new recreational water users to sponsor new alternative water supply and storage projects (HB alternative water supply and storage projects (HB 1177)1177)

Western Water & Land, Inc.Western Water & Land, Inc.


Aquifer Storage and Recovery Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR)(ASR)

ASR is a viable storage and water supply ASR is a viable storage and water supply alternativealternative

The active or passive storage and recovery of The active or passive storage and recovery of artificially recharged source water in aquifersartificially recharged source water in aquifers

Source: Topper, R. et. al. (2004)

Why ASR?Why ASR?

Aquifer management and Aquifer management and sustainabilitysustainability

Supply storage for future and Supply storage for future and emergency demandemergency demand

Augmentation and legal obligationsAugmentation and legal obligations


Advantages of ASRAdvantages of ASR Reduced environmental impactReduced environmental impact

Reduced permitting, cost, and time for storage Reduced permitting, cost, and time for storage constructionconstruction

Minimal evaporation lossesMinimal evaporation losses

Improved public safety and source protectionImproved public safety and source protection

Potential for greater public acceptancePotential for greater public acceptance


Disadvantages of ASRDisadvantages of ASR

Requires initial characterization & baseline Requires initial characterization & baseline programprogram

Reduced storage controlReduced storage control

Extraction limitations (regulatory)Extraction limitations (regulatory)

Long-term pumping; maintenance and monitoringLong-term pumping; maintenance and monitoring

Chemistry/treatment issuesChemistry/treatment issues



ASR in ColoradoASR in Colorado In 2003 Director of CDNR called for a statewide In 2003 Director of CDNR called for a statewide

assessment of artificial recharge in response to the worse assessment of artificial recharge in response to the worse drought year on record in 2002drought year on record in 2002

Resulting study was conducted by CGS and ranked top 16 Resulting study was conducted by CGS and ranked top 16 unconsolidated (alluvial) and top 29 consolidated unconsolidated (alluvial) and top 29 consolidated (bedrock) aquifers throughout the state (generally (bedrock) aquifers throughout the state (generally >> 100,000 ac ft)100,000 ac ft)

Three alluvial aquifers (1 in the Grand Valley) in the Upper Three alluvial aquifers (1 in the Grand Valley) in the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB) ranked in the top 16 alluvial Colorado River Basin (UCRB) ranked in the top 16 alluvial aquifersaquifers

Eight bedrock aquifers listed in UCRB, (3 in the Piceance Eight bedrock aquifers listed in UCRB, (3 in the Piceance Creek Basin: Mesaverde, Uinta, & Wasatch - Ft. Union Fms)Creek Basin: Mesaverde, Uinta, & Wasatch - Ft. Union Fms)

Nineteen active artificial recharge projects in the state in Nineteen active artificial recharge projects in the state in 2004; three in the UCRB2004; three in the UCRB



Active Artificial Recharge in Colorado Active Artificial Recharge in Colorado (2004)(2004)


Key Alluvial Aquifers in ColoradoKey Alluvial Aquifers in Colorado




Key Bedrock Aquifers in ColoradoKey Bedrock Aquifers in Colorado

Top Listed Bedrock Aquifers in the Top Listed Bedrock Aquifers in the Upper Colorado River BasinUpper Colorado River Basin


Troublesome Formation (Middle Park)

Weber-Maroon-Minturn Formations (Eagle Basin and vicinity)

Uinta Formation – Piceance Creek Basin

Wasatch and Fort Union Formations – Piceance Creek Basin

Mesaverde Formation (Group) – Piceance Creek Basin

Wingate, Morrison, Summerville, Entrada, Dakota, Burro Canyon Formations – Gunnison Basin & SW CO


Feasibility AssessmentFeasibility Assessment

Physical Elements

Source water supply Infrastructure Aquifer properties Water chemistry Scale

Administrative Elements

Cost Water administration Water rights



Physical Elements

Source Water Supply Capacity Proximity of surface water source to aquifer

Infrastructure Conveyance systems: source water, aquifer, and users

Wells, pipelines, treatment facilities, power source, distribution systems

Aquifer Properties Hydraulic properties (areal extent, thickness,

piezometric surface, storage coefficient, hydraulic conductivity)

Storage capacity (e.g. >100,000 ac ft) Recharge and discharge pathways (tributary vs. non-

tributary)



Physical Elements

Water Chemistry Chemical compatibility of source water & natural

groundwater Is water treatment necessary?

Scale Local irrigation districts, industrial, major

municipalities


Cost Characterization Infrastructure (pump stations, wells, electrical) Operation and maintenance Legal Fees



Water Administration Can ASR in the UCRB be managed under existing regulations?

Will new regulations be basin, aquifer, or project specific? Tributary vs. non-tributary Volume injected vs. volume extracted

Water quality issues EPA UIC permit considerations CDPHE (not if exercising a water right)

Water Rights Decreed uses, restrictions or limitations, potential impacts to

other users Divert under existing rights, new rights or during periods of

free river conditions


SummarySummary The Upper Colorado River Basin has the

source water and promising aquifers for ASR.

ASR has potential as a long-term storage alternative.

ASR feasibility study followed by a demonstration project is needed now to prepare for future demands.



THE END

“population is pollution spelled inside out”

– David Brower

Feasibility of Aquifer Storage and Recovery in the Upper Colorado River Basin Presented by: Western...

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