Suzanne is a supervisory hydrologist with the Colorado Water Science Center
Suzanne Paschke is Deputy Director of the Colorado Water Science Center and coordinator for Integrated Water Science activities, including implementation of the Next Generation Water Observing Systems (NGWOS) Program, in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Geological Engineering, Minor in Mathematics and Computer Science, Colorado School of Mines (1998)
M.E., Geological Engineering, Colorado School of Mines (1992)
B.S., Geology with emphasis in hydrogeology, University of Wyoming (1983)
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 17
Next Generation Water Observing System: Upper Colorado River Basin
The Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS) provides high-fidelity, real-time data on water quantity, quality, and use to support modern prediction and decision-support systems that are necessary for informing water operations on a daily basis and decision-making during water emergencies. The headwaters of the Colorado and Gunnison River Basins provide an opportunity to implement NGWOS in a...
Gold King Mine release (2015): USGS water-quality data and activities
On August 5, 2015, U.S. EPA was conducting an investigation of the Gold King Mine near Silverton, Colorado. While excavating as part of the investigation, water began leaking from the mine tunnel, and about three million gallons of water and sediment were released into Cement Creek, a tributary of the Animas River. The USGS provided pre- and post-release water-quality and streamflow data from...
Water-Budget Analysis of the Upper Big Sandy Alluvial Aquifer
The Upper Big Sandy Groundwater Management District is concerned with potentially declining groundwater levels and thus available groundwater in storage for the Upper Big Sandy alluvial aquifer in eastern Colorado This project evaluated changes in groundwater storage within the Upper Big Sandy Designated Groundwater Basin by updating water-budget results for the alluvial aquifer from the Denver...
National Groundwater Monitoring Network 2016-2017
The National Ground-Water Monitoring Network (NGWMN) is a compilation of selected wells monitoring groundwater aquifers all around the nation. The NGWMN Data Portal brings groundwater data together in one place to provide users with current and reliable information for the planning, management, and development of groundwater resources.
Groundwater Protection Plan for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
The objective of this project is to update the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe’s (UMUT) existing Groundwater Protection Plan to protect their valuable groundwater resources in Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico.
Southern Rockies Landscape Conservation Cooperative Streamgage Database and Network Analysis
Within the Southern Rockies Landscape Conservation Cooperative (SRLCC), streamflow information is needed for a wide variety of hydrologic conditions to understand streamflow in the context of ecological services, water availability and use, or water quality.
South Platte Groundwater Analysis
The South Platte River and underlying alluvial aquifer form an important hydrologic resource in northeastern Colorado that provides water to population centers along the Front Range and to agricultural communities across the rural plains. Water is regulated based on seniority of water rights and delivered using a network of administration structures that includes ditches, reservoirs, wells...
Numerical simulation of groundwater flow in the Lost Creek Designated Groundwater Basin, Weld and Adams Counties, Colorado
The Lost Creek Designated Ground Water Basin (LCDGWB) is an important alluvial aquifer for water supply in northeastern Colorado. Increased demand for withdrawals from the LCDGWB has led to a concern about the long-term sustainability of the basin’s ground-water resources. A numerical ground-water flow model developed using an early version of MODFLOW exists for the LCDGWB. A review and update of...
Hydraulic Fracturing and Water Resources: An Assessment of the Potential Effects of Shale Gas Development on Water Resources in the United States
Shale gas is a key source of onshore domestic energy for the United States and production of this resource is increasing rapidly. Development and extraction of shale gas requires hydraulic fracturing, which entails horizontal drilling, perforation of steel casing and cement grout using explosive charges, and expansion of fractures using fluids under high pressure. Concern over potential environmen
South Platte Alluvial Aquifer Water-Level Monitoring
Reports indicate that groundwater levels are rising in parts of the South Platte alluvial aquifer. The Colorado Division of Water Resources and the Colorado Water Conservation Board are establishing a groundwater-level monitoring network in the South Platte basin. The USGS National Water Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA) monitoring wells are uniquely located so as to be included in the proposed...
Biosolids, soils, crops, ground water, and streambed sediments in the vicinity of a biosolids-application area near Deer Trail, Colorado
The Metro Wastewater Reclamation District (Metro District) applies biosolids throughout their properties (the MetroGro Farm) near Deer Trail, Colorado. These biosolids applications could affect the quality of water in alluvial and bedrock aquifers, streambed sediment, soil, dust, and crops. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has a monitoring program to address concerns from a stakeholder group...
Rural Douglas County Groundwater Network
More than 70 percent of the municipal water supply in the south Denver metropolitan area is provided by groundwater, and homeowners in rural areas depend solely on self-supplied groundwater for water supply. Increased groundwater withdrawal to meet the demand of the rapidly growing population is causing water levels to decline. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Rural Water...
Passive seismic (HVSR) data from Fountain Creek, CO
A total of 119 passive seismic soundings were collected with Tromino (MoHo s.r.l.) 3-axis seismometers in the Fountain Creek area to partially refine alluvial aquifer thickness (depth to bedrock) estimates, particularly over known or suspected paleochannels. Data were collected during June 21-24, 2021 with a team of 4-5 people, each equipped with a Tromino Blu or Tromino 3G passive seismometer.
Near-surface geophysical data collected along French Gulch near Breckenridge, Colorado, USA, September 2020
Near-surface geophysical surveys were completed in September 2020 in a mine-affected drainage near Breckenridge, Colorado, known as French Gulch. The study area was along a 0.3 mile (0.5 kilometer [km]) reach of French Gulch, approximately 2 river miles upstream from its confluence with the Blue River. This data release presents data from three geophysical surveys that used fiber-optic distributed
Geospatial datasets developed for a groundwater-flow model of the Denver Basin aquifer system, Colorado
In 2004, the U.S. Geological Survey initiated a large-scale regional study of the Denver Basin aquifer system to evaluate the hydrologic effects of continued pumping and document an updated groundwater-flow model useful for appraisal of hydrologic conditions (Paschke, 2011). This data release includes spatial datasets used as input for a three-dimensional groundwater-flow model of the Denver Basin
MODFLOW2000 model used to simulate the groundwater flow of the Denver Basin Aquifer System, Colorado
A three-dimensional groundwater flow model (MODFLOW2000) of the Denver Basin bedrock aquifer system and overlying alluvial aquifer was developed to provide quantitative estimates of groundwater flow conditions and provide a useful tool for managers to analyze temporal changes to the hydrologic system in response to changing climatic conditions and future groundwater development. In 2004, the U.S.
Filter Total Items: 21
Natural and anthropogenic geochemical tracers to investigate residence times and groundwater–surface-water interactions in an urban alluvial aquifer
A multi-component geochemical dataset was collected from groundwater and surface-water bodies associated with the urban Fountain Creek alluvial aquifer, Colorado, USA, to facilitate analysis of recharge sources, geochemical interactions, and groundwater-residence times. Results indicate that groundwater can be separated into three distinct geochemical zones based on location within the flow system
Authors
Connor P. Newman, Suzanne Paschke, Gabrielle L. Keith
Effects of an extreme flood on trace elements in river water—From urban stream to major river basin
Major floods adversely affect water quality through surface runoff, groundwater discharge, and damage to municipal water infrastructure. Despite their importance, it can be difficult to assess the effects of floods on streamwater chemistry because of challenges collecting samples and the absence of baseline data. This study documents water quality during the September 2013 extreme flood in the Sou
Authors
Larry B. Barber, Suzanne Paschke, William A. Battaglin, Chris Douville, Kevin C. Fitzgerald, Steffanie H. Keefe, David A. Roth, Alan M. Vajda
Assessment of surface water chloride and conductivity trends in areas of unconventional oil and gas development — Why existing national data sets cannot tell us what we would like to know
Heightened concern regarding the potential effects of unconventional oil and gas development on regional water quality has emerged, but the few studies on this topic are limited in geographic scope. Here we evaluate the potential utility of national and publicly available water-quality data sets for addressing questions regarding unconventional oil and gas development. We used existing U.S. Geolog
Authors
Zachary H. Bowen, Gretchen P. Oelsner, Brian S. Cade, Tanya J. Gallegos, Aïda M. Farag, David N. Mott, Christopher J. Potter, Peter J. Cinotto, Melanie L. Clark, William M. Kappel, Timothy M. Kresse, Cynthia P. Melcher, Suzanne Paschke, David D. Susong, Brian A. Varela
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Fort Collins Science Center, John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center
Quality of groundwater in the Denver Basin aquifer system, Colorado, 2003-5
Groundwater resources from alluvial and bedrock aquifers of the Denver Basin are critical for municipal, domestic, and agricultural uses in Colorado along the eastern front of the Rocky Mountains. Rapid and widespread urban development, primarily along the western boundary of the Denver Basin, has approximately doubled the population since about 1970, and much of the population depends on groundwa
Authors
MaryLynn Musgrove, Jennifer A. Beck, Suzanne Paschke, Nancy J. Bauch, Shana L. Mashburn
Mobilization of selenium from the Mancos Shale and associated soils in the lower Uncompahgre River Basin, Colorado
This study investigates processes controlling mobilization of selenium in the lower part of the Uncompahgre River Basin in western Colorado. Selenium occurs naturally in the underlying Mancos Shale and is leached to groundwater and surface water by limited natural runoff, agricultural and domestic irrigation, and leakage from irrigation canals. Soil and sediment samples from the study area were te
Authors
Alisa Mast, Taylor J. Mills, Suzanne S. Paschke, Gabrielle Keith, Joshua I. Linard
Geologic sources and concentrations of selenium in the West-Central Denver Basin, including the Toll Gate Creek watershed, Aurora, Colorado, 2003-2007
Toll Gate Creek, in the west-central part of the Denver Basin, is a perennial stream in which concentrations of dissolved selenium have consistently exceeded the Colorado aquatic-life standard of 4.6 micrograms per liter. Recent studies of selenium in Toll Gate Creek identified the Denver lignite zone of the non-marine Cretaceous to Tertiary-aged (Paleocene) Denver Formation underlying the watersh
Authors
Suzanne S. Paschke, Katherine Walton-Day, Jennifer A. Beck, Ank Webbers, Jean A. Dupree
The quality of our Nation's waters: Water quality in the Denver Basin aquifer system, Colorado, 2003-05
Availability and sustainability of groundwater in the Denver Basin aquifer system depend on water quantity and water quality. The Denver Basin aquifer system underlies about 7,000 square miles of the Great Plains in eastern Colorado and is the primary or sole source of water for domestic and public supply in many areas of the basin. Use of groundwater from the Denver Basin sandstone aquifers has b
Authors
Nancy J. Bauch, MaryLynn Musgrove, Barbara Mahler, Suzanne Paschke
Streamflow and water-quality conditions including geologic sources and processes affecting selenium loading in the Toll Gate Creek watershed, Aurora, Arapahoe County, Colorado, 2007
Toll Gate Creek is a perennial stream draining a suburban area in Aurora, Colorado, where selenium concentrations have consistently exceeded the State of Colorado aquatic-life standard for selenium of 4.6 micrograms per liter since the early 2000s. In cooperation with the City of Aurora, Colorado, Utilities Department, a synoptic water-quality study was performed along an 18-kilometer reach of Tol
Authors
Suzanne S. Paschke, Robert L. Runkel, Katherine Walton-Day, Briant A. Kimball, Keelin R. Schaffrath
Demonstration optimization analyses of pumping from selected Arapahoe aquifer municipal wells in the west-central Denver Basin, Colorado, 2010–2109
Declining water levels caused by withdrawals of water from wells in the west-central part of the Denver Basin bedrock-aquifer system have raised concerns with respect to the ability of the aquifer system to sustain production. The Arapahoe aquifer in particular is heavily used in this area. Two optimization analyses were conducted to demonstrate approaches that could be used to evaluate possible f
Authors
Edward R. Banta, Suzanne S. Paschke
Groundwater availability of the Denver Basin aquifer system, Colorado
The Denver Basin aquifer system is a critical water resource for growing municipal, industrial, and domestic uses along the semiarid Front Range urban corridor of Colorado. The confined bedrock aquifer system is located along the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountain Front Range where the mountains meet the Great Plains physiographic province. Continued population growth and the resulting need for
Hydrogeologic setting and simulation of groundwater flow near the Canterbury and Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnels, Leadville, Colorado
The Leadville mining district is historically one of the most heavily mined regions in the world producing large quantities of gold, silver, lead, zinc, copper, and manganese since the 1860s. A multidisciplinary investigation was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, to characterize large-scale groundwater flow in a 1
Authors
Tristan P. Wellman, Suzanne S. Paschke, Burke Minsley, Jean A. Dupree
Well installation, single-well testing, and particle-size analysis for selected sites in and near the Lost Creek Designated Ground Water Basin, north-central Colorado, 2003-2004
This report describes results from a groundwater data-collection program completed in 2003-2004 by the U.S. Geological Survey in support of the South Platte Decision Support System and in cooperation with the Colorado Water Conservation Board. Two monitoring wells were installed adjacent to existing water-table monitoring wells. These wells were installed as well pairs with existing wells to chara
Authors
Jennifer A. Beck, Suzanne S. Paschke, L. Rick Arnold
Science and Products
- Science
Filter Total Items: 17
Next Generation Water Observing System: Upper Colorado River Basin
The Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS) provides high-fidelity, real-time data on water quantity, quality, and use to support modern prediction and decision-support systems that are necessary for informing water operations on a daily basis and decision-making during water emergencies. The headwaters of the Colorado and Gunnison River Basins provide an opportunity to implement NGWOS in a...Gold King Mine release (2015): USGS water-quality data and activities
On August 5, 2015, U.S. EPA was conducting an investigation of the Gold King Mine near Silverton, Colorado. While excavating as part of the investigation, water began leaking from the mine tunnel, and about three million gallons of water and sediment were released into Cement Creek, a tributary of the Animas River. The USGS provided pre- and post-release water-quality and streamflow data from...Water-Budget Analysis of the Upper Big Sandy Alluvial Aquifer
The Upper Big Sandy Groundwater Management District is concerned with potentially declining groundwater levels and thus available groundwater in storage for the Upper Big Sandy alluvial aquifer in eastern Colorado This project evaluated changes in groundwater storage within the Upper Big Sandy Designated Groundwater Basin by updating water-budget results for the alluvial aquifer from the Denver...National Groundwater Monitoring Network 2016-2017
The National Ground-Water Monitoring Network (NGWMN) is a compilation of selected wells monitoring groundwater aquifers all around the nation. The NGWMN Data Portal brings groundwater data together in one place to provide users with current and reliable information for the planning, management, and development of groundwater resources.Groundwater Protection Plan for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
The objective of this project is to update the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe’s (UMUT) existing Groundwater Protection Plan to protect their valuable groundwater resources in Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico.Southern Rockies Landscape Conservation Cooperative Streamgage Database and Network Analysis
Within the Southern Rockies Landscape Conservation Cooperative (SRLCC), streamflow information is needed for a wide variety of hydrologic conditions to understand streamflow in the context of ecological services, water availability and use, or water quality.South Platte Groundwater Analysis
The South Platte River and underlying alluvial aquifer form an important hydrologic resource in northeastern Colorado that provides water to population centers along the Front Range and to agricultural communities across the rural plains. Water is regulated based on seniority of water rights and delivered using a network of administration structures that includes ditches, reservoirs, wells...Numerical simulation of groundwater flow in the Lost Creek Designated Groundwater Basin, Weld and Adams Counties, Colorado
The Lost Creek Designated Ground Water Basin (LCDGWB) is an important alluvial aquifer for water supply in northeastern Colorado. Increased demand for withdrawals from the LCDGWB has led to a concern about the long-term sustainability of the basin’s ground-water resources. A numerical ground-water flow model developed using an early version of MODFLOW exists for the LCDGWB. A review and update of...Hydraulic Fracturing and Water Resources: An Assessment of the Potential Effects of Shale Gas Development on Water Resources in the United States
Shale gas is a key source of onshore domestic energy for the United States and production of this resource is increasing rapidly. Development and extraction of shale gas requires hydraulic fracturing, which entails horizontal drilling, perforation of steel casing and cement grout using explosive charges, and expansion of fractures using fluids under high pressure. Concern over potential environmenSouth Platte Alluvial Aquifer Water-Level Monitoring
Reports indicate that groundwater levels are rising in parts of the South Platte alluvial aquifer. The Colorado Division of Water Resources and the Colorado Water Conservation Board are establishing a groundwater-level monitoring network in the South Platte basin. The USGS National Water Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA) monitoring wells are uniquely located so as to be included in the proposed...Biosolids, soils, crops, ground water, and streambed sediments in the vicinity of a biosolids-application area near Deer Trail, Colorado
The Metro Wastewater Reclamation District (Metro District) applies biosolids throughout their properties (the MetroGro Farm) near Deer Trail, Colorado. These biosolids applications could affect the quality of water in alluvial and bedrock aquifers, streambed sediment, soil, dust, and crops. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has a monitoring program to address concerns from a stakeholder group...Rural Douglas County Groundwater Network
More than 70 percent of the municipal water supply in the south Denver metropolitan area is provided by groundwater, and homeowners in rural areas depend solely on self-supplied groundwater for water supply. Increased groundwater withdrawal to meet the demand of the rapidly growing population is causing water levels to decline. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Rural Water... - Data
Passive seismic (HVSR) data from Fountain Creek, CO
A total of 119 passive seismic soundings were collected with Tromino (MoHo s.r.l.) 3-axis seismometers in the Fountain Creek area to partially refine alluvial aquifer thickness (depth to bedrock) estimates, particularly over known or suspected paleochannels. Data were collected during June 21-24, 2021 with a team of 4-5 people, each equipped with a Tromino Blu or Tromino 3G passive seismometer.Near-surface geophysical data collected along French Gulch near Breckenridge, Colorado, USA, September 2020
Near-surface geophysical surveys were completed in September 2020 in a mine-affected drainage near Breckenridge, Colorado, known as French Gulch. The study area was along a 0.3 mile (0.5 kilometer [km]) reach of French Gulch, approximately 2 river miles upstream from its confluence with the Blue River. This data release presents data from three geophysical surveys that used fiber-optic distributedGeospatial datasets developed for a groundwater-flow model of the Denver Basin aquifer system, Colorado
In 2004, the U.S. Geological Survey initiated a large-scale regional study of the Denver Basin aquifer system to evaluate the hydrologic effects of continued pumping and document an updated groundwater-flow model useful for appraisal of hydrologic conditions (Paschke, 2011). This data release includes spatial datasets used as input for a three-dimensional groundwater-flow model of the Denver BasinMODFLOW2000 model used to simulate the groundwater flow of the Denver Basin Aquifer System, Colorado
A three-dimensional groundwater flow model (MODFLOW2000) of the Denver Basin bedrock aquifer system and overlying alluvial aquifer was developed to provide quantitative estimates of groundwater flow conditions and provide a useful tool for managers to analyze temporal changes to the hydrologic system in response to changing climatic conditions and future groundwater development. In 2004, the U.S. - Multimedia
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Filter Total Items: 21
Natural and anthropogenic geochemical tracers to investigate residence times and groundwater–surface-water interactions in an urban alluvial aquifer
A multi-component geochemical dataset was collected from groundwater and surface-water bodies associated with the urban Fountain Creek alluvial aquifer, Colorado, USA, to facilitate analysis of recharge sources, geochemical interactions, and groundwater-residence times. Results indicate that groundwater can be separated into three distinct geochemical zones based on location within the flow systemAuthorsConnor P. Newman, Suzanne Paschke, Gabrielle L. KeithEffects of an extreme flood on trace elements in river water—From urban stream to major river basin
Major floods adversely affect water quality through surface runoff, groundwater discharge, and damage to municipal water infrastructure. Despite their importance, it can be difficult to assess the effects of floods on streamwater chemistry because of challenges collecting samples and the absence of baseline data. This study documents water quality during the September 2013 extreme flood in the SouAuthorsLarry B. Barber, Suzanne Paschke, William A. Battaglin, Chris Douville, Kevin C. Fitzgerald, Steffanie H. Keefe, David A. Roth, Alan M. VajdaAssessment of surface water chloride and conductivity trends in areas of unconventional oil and gas development — Why existing national data sets cannot tell us what we would like to know
Heightened concern regarding the potential effects of unconventional oil and gas development on regional water quality has emerged, but the few studies on this topic are limited in geographic scope. Here we evaluate the potential utility of national and publicly available water-quality data sets for addressing questions regarding unconventional oil and gas development. We used existing U.S. GeologAuthorsZachary H. Bowen, Gretchen P. Oelsner, Brian S. Cade, Tanya J. Gallegos, Aïda M. Farag, David N. Mott, Christopher J. Potter, Peter J. Cinotto, Melanie L. Clark, William M. Kappel, Timothy M. Kresse, Cynthia P. Melcher, Suzanne Paschke, David D. Susong, Brian A. VarelaByWater Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Fort Collins Science Center, John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science CenterQuality of groundwater in the Denver Basin aquifer system, Colorado, 2003-5
Groundwater resources from alluvial and bedrock aquifers of the Denver Basin are critical for municipal, domestic, and agricultural uses in Colorado along the eastern front of the Rocky Mountains. Rapid and widespread urban development, primarily along the western boundary of the Denver Basin, has approximately doubled the population since about 1970, and much of the population depends on groundwaAuthorsMaryLynn Musgrove, Jennifer A. Beck, Suzanne Paschke, Nancy J. Bauch, Shana L. MashburnMobilization of selenium from the Mancos Shale and associated soils in the lower Uncompahgre River Basin, Colorado
This study investigates processes controlling mobilization of selenium in the lower part of the Uncompahgre River Basin in western Colorado. Selenium occurs naturally in the underlying Mancos Shale and is leached to groundwater and surface water by limited natural runoff, agricultural and domestic irrigation, and leakage from irrigation canals. Soil and sediment samples from the study area were teAuthorsAlisa Mast, Taylor J. Mills, Suzanne S. Paschke, Gabrielle Keith, Joshua I. LinardGeologic sources and concentrations of selenium in the West-Central Denver Basin, including the Toll Gate Creek watershed, Aurora, Colorado, 2003-2007
Toll Gate Creek, in the west-central part of the Denver Basin, is a perennial stream in which concentrations of dissolved selenium have consistently exceeded the Colorado aquatic-life standard of 4.6 micrograms per liter. Recent studies of selenium in Toll Gate Creek identified the Denver lignite zone of the non-marine Cretaceous to Tertiary-aged (Paleocene) Denver Formation underlying the watershAuthorsSuzanne S. Paschke, Katherine Walton-Day, Jennifer A. Beck, Ank Webbers, Jean A. DupreeThe quality of our Nation's waters: Water quality in the Denver Basin aquifer system, Colorado, 2003-05
Availability and sustainability of groundwater in the Denver Basin aquifer system depend on water quantity and water quality. The Denver Basin aquifer system underlies about 7,000 square miles of the Great Plains in eastern Colorado and is the primary or sole source of water for domestic and public supply in many areas of the basin. Use of groundwater from the Denver Basin sandstone aquifers has bAuthorsNancy J. Bauch, MaryLynn Musgrove, Barbara Mahler, Suzanne PaschkeStreamflow and water-quality conditions including geologic sources and processes affecting selenium loading in the Toll Gate Creek watershed, Aurora, Arapahoe County, Colorado, 2007
Toll Gate Creek is a perennial stream draining a suburban area in Aurora, Colorado, where selenium concentrations have consistently exceeded the State of Colorado aquatic-life standard for selenium of 4.6 micrograms per liter since the early 2000s. In cooperation with the City of Aurora, Colorado, Utilities Department, a synoptic water-quality study was performed along an 18-kilometer reach of TolAuthorsSuzanne S. Paschke, Robert L. Runkel, Katherine Walton-Day, Briant A. Kimball, Keelin R. SchaffrathDemonstration optimization analyses of pumping from selected Arapahoe aquifer municipal wells in the west-central Denver Basin, Colorado, 2010–2109
Declining water levels caused by withdrawals of water from wells in the west-central part of the Denver Basin bedrock-aquifer system have raised concerns with respect to the ability of the aquifer system to sustain production. The Arapahoe aquifer in particular is heavily used in this area. Two optimization analyses were conducted to demonstrate approaches that could be used to evaluate possible fAuthorsEdward R. Banta, Suzanne S. PaschkeGroundwater availability of the Denver Basin aquifer system, Colorado
The Denver Basin aquifer system is a critical water resource for growing municipal, industrial, and domestic uses along the semiarid Front Range urban corridor of Colorado. The confined bedrock aquifer system is located along the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountain Front Range where the mountains meet the Great Plains physiographic province. Continued population growth and the resulting need forHydrogeologic setting and simulation of groundwater flow near the Canterbury and Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnels, Leadville, Colorado
The Leadville mining district is historically one of the most heavily mined regions in the world producing large quantities of gold, silver, lead, zinc, copper, and manganese since the 1860s. A multidisciplinary investigation was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, to characterize large-scale groundwater flow in a 1AuthorsTristan P. Wellman, Suzanne S. Paschke, Burke Minsley, Jean A. DupreeWell installation, single-well testing, and particle-size analysis for selected sites in and near the Lost Creek Designated Ground Water Basin, north-central Colorado, 2003-2004
This report describes results from a groundwater data-collection program completed in 2003-2004 by the U.S. Geological Survey in support of the South Platte Decision Support System and in cooperation with the Colorado Water Conservation Board. Two monitoring wells were installed adjacent to existing water-table monitoring wells. These wells were installed as well pairs with existing wells to charaAuthorsJennifer A. Beck, Suzanne S. Paschke, L. Rick Arnold