Image of North Taylor Creek in Wet Mountain Valley, Colorado prior to completion of a surface-water discharge measurement.
Hydrology of and potential for groundwater storage in the alluvial aquifer in the Wet Mountain Valley, Colorado Active
Hydrologic analysis of the alluvial aquifer in the Wet Mountain Valley has been undertaken using synoptic streamflow and groundwater-level elevation measurements, aquifer tests, water-quality sampling and data analysis, and numerical groundwater-flow modeling. These datasets together provide an encompassing view of the interconnected water resources in the area and allow for quantitative assessments of groundwater storage.
The alluvial aquifer in the Wet Mountain Valley in Custer and Fremont Counties, Colorado, is the subject of a study by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District to evaluate groundwater hydrology and groundwater-surface-water interactions.
The valley is situated between the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the west and the Wet Mountains to the east. Streams sourced in the mountains flow into the valley and recharge the alluvial aquifer. Humans interact with the aquifer by extraction of groundwater through wells and by enhanced evapotranspiration caused by agriculture.
The goals of this study are to:
- Quantify interactions between groundwater and surface water,
- Understand groundwater ages and flow paths in the alluvial aquifer,
- Characterize aquifer hydraulic properties,
- Create and calibrate a numerical groundwater-flow model to represent groundwater-surface-water interaction and hydraulic heads in the valley, and
- Apply the groundwater-flow model to predict the influence of increased groundwater storage on flow paths and streamflow.
Water-level and well-discharge data related to aquifer testing in Wet Mountain Valley, Colorado, 2019
Groundwater Data for Colorado
The USGS annually monitors groundwater levels in thousands of wells in the United States. Groundwater level data are collected and stored as either discrete field-water-level measurements or as continuous time-series data from automated recorders.
Below are multimedia items associated with the Wet Mountain Valley aquifer project.
Image of North Taylor Creek in Wet Mountain Valley, Colorado prior to completion of a surface-water discharge measurement.
Photo of equipment for slug test at aquifer testing site in Colorado. The Rocky Mountains are visible in the background.
Photo of equipment for slug test at aquifer testing site in Colorado. The Rocky Mountains are visible in the background.
Assessing specific-capacity data and short-term aquifer testing to estimate hydraulic properties in alluvial aquifers of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA
- Overview
Hydrologic analysis of the alluvial aquifer in the Wet Mountain Valley has been undertaken using synoptic streamflow and groundwater-level elevation measurements, aquifer tests, water-quality sampling and data analysis, and numerical groundwater-flow modeling. These datasets together provide an encompassing view of the interconnected water resources in the area and allow for quantitative assessments of groundwater storage.
The alluvial aquifer in the Wet Mountain Valley in Custer and Fremont Counties, Colorado, is the subject of a study by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District to evaluate groundwater hydrology and groundwater-surface-water interactions.
The valley is situated between the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the west and the Wet Mountains to the east. Streams sourced in the mountains flow into the valley and recharge the alluvial aquifer. Humans interact with the aquifer by extraction of groundwater through wells and by enhanced evapotranspiration caused by agriculture.
The goals of this study are to:
- Quantify interactions between groundwater and surface water,
- Understand groundwater ages and flow paths in the alluvial aquifer,
- Characterize aquifer hydraulic properties,
- Create and calibrate a numerical groundwater-flow model to represent groundwater-surface-water interaction and hydraulic heads in the valley, and
- Apply the groundwater-flow model to predict the influence of increased groundwater storage on flow paths and streamflow.
- Data
Water-level and well-discharge data related to aquifer testing in Wet Mountain Valley, Colorado, 2019
Short-term aquifer tests were conducted to estimate hydraulic properties in an alluvial aquifer. Tests included eight single-hole pumping and recovery tests and three slug tests (in a single well). These investigations were conducted in the Wet Mountain Valley, in Custer and Fremont Counties, Colorado. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted aquifer tests in May, 2019. These aquifer tests infoGroundwater Data for Colorado
The USGS annually monitors groundwater levels in thousands of wells in the United States. Groundwater level data are collected and stored as either discrete field-water-level measurements or as continuous time-series data from automated recorders.
- Multimedia
Below are multimedia items associated with the Wet Mountain Valley aquifer project.
North Taylor Creek, Wet Mountain Valley, ColoradoImage of North Taylor Creek in Wet Mountain Valley, Colorado prior to completion of a surface-water discharge measurement.
Image of North Taylor Creek in Wet Mountain Valley, Colorado prior to completion of a surface-water discharge measurement.
Aquifer testing in Wet Mountain Valley, ColoradoPhoto of equipment for slug test at aquifer testing site in Colorado. The Rocky Mountains are visible in the background.
Photo of equipment for slug test at aquifer testing site in Colorado. The Rocky Mountains are visible in the background.
- Publications
Assessing specific-capacity data and short-term aquifer testing to estimate hydraulic properties in alluvial aquifers of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA
Study Region: Rocky Mountains, United StatesStudy Focus: Groundwater-flow modeling requires estimates of hydraulic properties, namely hydraulic conductivity. Hydraulic conductivity values commonly vary over orders of magnitudes however and estimation may require extensive field campaigns applying slug or pumping tests. As an alternative, specific-capacity tests can be used to estimate hydraulic prAuthorsConnor P. Newman, Zachary D. Kisfalusi, Michael J. Holmberg - Partners