The area surrounding Manitou Springs, Colorado is host to numerous bedrock springs, which help to support the local economy through tourist visitation. Although many springs previously flowed directly to the surface, most of the “springs” in the area are now more strictly classified as flowing artesian wells completed in the Manitou Formation, a cavernous intermixed limestone and dolomite, which has been weathered into a karst aquifer. Increasing urbanization of the area has resulted in a need to understand groundwater-flow paths and sources of recharge to the artesian system.
A quantitative assessment of the hydrology of the confined artesian aquifer is being undertaken using an integrated approach. Methods include:
- continuous groundwater-level elevation measurements collected in flowing artesian bedrock wells,
- synoptic streamflow measurements to evaluate streamflow loss as a source of groundwater recharge, and
- a calibrated groundwater-flow model
These datasets and model outputs will be used to inform water users and the public of the groundwater-flow paths and sources of recharge to the aquifer.
Links to Groundwater-level Data
Environmental-tracer modeling to support hydrogeochemical evaluation of the Fountain Creek Alluvial Aquifer, El Paso County, Colorado, 2018-2019
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.
U.S. Geological Survey Karst Interest Group Proceedings, October 19–20, 2021
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
The area surrounding Manitou Springs, Colorado is host to numerous bedrock springs, which help to support the local economy through tourist visitation. Although many springs previously flowed directly to the surface, most of the “springs” in the area are now more strictly classified as flowing artesian wells completed in the Manitou Formation, a cavernous intermixed limestone and dolomite, which has been weathered into a karst aquifer. Increasing urbanization of the area has resulted in a need to understand groundwater-flow paths and sources of recharge to the artesian system.
Springs discharging from the artesian aquifer are commonly supersaturated with minerals. In this photo at Iron Spring a small mound of iron hydroxides is forming below where the spring outflows to Fountain Creek. A quantitative assessment of the hydrology of the confined artesian aquifer is being undertaken using an integrated approach. Methods include:
- continuous groundwater-level elevation measurements collected in flowing artesian bedrock wells,
- synoptic streamflow measurements to evaluate streamflow loss as a source of groundwater recharge, and
- a calibrated groundwater-flow model
These datasets and model outputs will be used to inform water users and the public of the groundwater-flow paths and sources of recharge to the aquifer.
Links to Groundwater-level Data
- Data
Environmental-tracer modeling to support hydrogeochemical evaluation of the Fountain Creek Alluvial Aquifer, El Paso County, Colorado, 2018-2019
This data release contains environmental tracer concentrations, modeled recharge conditions (water temperature, excess air), and resulting estimated groundwater residence times. This dataset supports an integrated hydrogeochemical investigation of solute sources, groundwater recharge processes, and groundwater flow in the Fountain Creek alluvial aquifer. The data release contains five comma separGroundwater 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
- Publications
U.S. Geological Survey Karst Interest Group Proceedings, October 19–20, 2021
Karst hydrogeologic systems represent challenging and unique conditions to scientists attempting to study groundwater flow and contaminant transport. Karst terrains are characterized by distinct and beautiful landscapes, caverns, and springs, and many of the exceptional karst areas are designated as national or state parks. The range and complexity of landforms and groundwater flow systems associa - Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.