Colorado ground-water quality
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Open-File Report↗
Geology topics
Doug Cain
Publications and source records attributed to Doug Cain.
Relations of specific conductance to streamflow and selected water-quality characteristics of the Arkansas River basin, Colorado
Areal, seasonal, and long-term variations in the specific conductance of surface and groundwater in the Arkansas River basin of Colorado were evaluated and relations of specific conductance to stream-flow and to concentrations of dissolved solids and major ions were determined as part of an effort to develop a comprehensive hydrologic model of the basin. Mean specific conductance of surface and groundwater was smallest in the upper basin and increased downstream. Smallest mean specific conductance occurred during summer runoff, and largest mean specific conductance occurred during spring and fall low flows. Trends in specific conductance occurred at 18 of 31 surface-water stations and in flow-adjusted specific conductance at 14 of 24 surface-water stations. Logarithmic relations of specific conductance to streamflow were determined for 69 stations. Significant seasonal differences in the relations illustrate the effect of basin characteristics on the relation of specific conductance to streamflow. Relations of specific conductance to dissolved-solids concentration were determined for 28 surface-water stations and for groundwater in alluvial aquifers along the Arkansas River. Relations of specific conductance to concentrations of major ions were determined for 26 surface-water stations and for groundwater in alluvial aquifers along the Arkansas River. (USGS)
Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
A reconnaissance water-quality appraisal of the Fountain Creek alluvial aquifer between Colorado Springs and Pueblo, Colorado, including trace elements and organic constituents
This report describes the hydrology and chemical quality of water in the stream-aquifer system along Fountain Creek and relates groundwater quality to land use, water use, and wastewater discharges. The alluvial aquifer, which is underlain by shale bedrock, is transmissive, extensively pumped, and primarily is recharged by Fountain Creek and irrigation-return flow. Groundwater flows south about 20 ft/day, average residence time is less than 10 yr. Land use primarily is urban in the northern one-third and agricultural in the southern two-thirds of the area. Major ions, boron, iron, lithium, selenium, strontium, and uranium increased in concentration downgradient. The largest concentrations of nitrogen and detergents were in the northern end of the area because of recharge of sewage effluent in Fountain Creek. Other trace elements usually were present in concentrations less than 20 mg/L. Volatile organic compounds were detected in water from 11 of 20 wells sampled. Samples from 4 of the 20 wells were analyzed for semivolatile organics using a closed-loop stripping technique, which detected additional compounds at nanogram/L concentrations. (USGS)
Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
Quality of the Arkansas River and irrigation-return flows in the lower Arkansas River Valley, Colorado
Irrigation-return flows in the lower Arkansas River valley of Colorado were investigated using one-time data at 59 sites, monthly data at 4 sites, and intensive data in a small irrigated area. Specific conductance of return flows increased downstream, paralleling specific conductance of irrigation water. During July 1977, Arkansas River streamflow below Manzanola was mostly irrigation-return flow. A similar situation existed during periods of little precipitation in the early and late irrigation seasons during 1974 to 1978. Irrigation-return flows had a large effect on Arkansas River water quality during these times. (USGS)
Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
Sources of water and nitrogen to the Widefield Aquifer, southwestern El Paso County, Colorado
The Widefield aquifer near Colorado Springs, Colorado, is recharged primarily by Fountain Creek and, to a lesser extent, by infiltration and percolation of water from the land surface and from groundwater inflow. During the past 20 to 30 years, concentrations of nitrate (as nitrogen) in the Widefield aquifer have increased from 0.5 to 3.0 milligrams/L to nearly 10 milligrams/L, and occasionally exceed the drinking-water standard of 10 milligrams/L as nitrogen. During the summer of 1982, the concentrations of nitrite plus nitrate as nitrogen in water in the aquifer ranged from 3.2 to 15 milligrams/L with a mean concentration of 6.9 milligrams/L. In general, the nitrite-plus-nitrate concentrations are greatest near the north end of the aquifer, probably resulting from effluent from Colorado Springs Sewage Treatment Plant being discharged to Fountain Creek. During 1982, 93% of the total estimated 160 tons of nitrogen available to enter the Widefield aquifer was from the Colorado Springs Sewage Treatment Plant. However, a significant proportion of this nitrogen may have been lost through denitrification. (USGS)
Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
Water-resources appraisal of the upper Arkansas River basin from Leadville to Pueblo, Colorado
Water used for agriculture and stock and municipal supplies in the upper Arkansas River basin is derived mostly from the Arkansas River and its tributaries. The flow regime of the river has been altered by increased reservoir capacities and importation of 69,200 acre-feet per year from the Colorado River drainage through transmountain diversions. An estimated 10.2 million acre-feet of hydrologically recoverable water is present in the first 200 feet of basin-fill alluvium. Well yields of 300 gallons per minute have been reported for the Dakota-Purgatoire aquifer aquifer located east of Canon City. Water quality of ground- and surface-water resources are generally acceptable for agriculture and stock watering, but concentrations of iron, manganese, sulfate, pH, and hardness may exceed recommended drinking-water criteria during periods of river low flow. Concentrations of mercury, selenium, and select radiochemical constituents also were high in the Dakota-Purgatoire aquifer. Dissolved solids increased downstream and in local areas as a result of water use and in the Leadville area because of mine drainage. (USGS)
Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
Hydrology of Area 61, Northern Great Plains and Rocky Mountain Coal Provinces, Colorado and New Mexico
Area 61 is located on the Colorado-New Mexico boundary in Huerfano and Las Animas Counties, Colorado, and Colfax County, New Mexico, and includes the Raton Mesa coal region. The 5 ,900-square-mile area is an asymmetrical structural trough bounded by the Rocky Mountains on the west and the Great Plains on the east. The area is drained by the Huerfano, Apishapa, Purgatoire, and Canadian Rivers (and their tributaries), all tributary to the Arkansas River. The principal coal-bearing formations are the Vermejo Formation of Late Cretaceous age and the Raton Formation of Late Cretaceous and Paleocene age. Much of the coal in the area is of coking quality, important to the metallurgical industry. Topographic relief in the area is greater than 8,700 feet, and this influences the climate which in turn affects the runoff pattern of area streams. Summer thunderstorms often result in flash floods. Virtually all geologic units in the region yield water. Depth to ground water ranges from land surface to 400 feet. Surface and ground water in the area contain mostly bicarbonate and sulfate ions; locally in the ground water, chloride ions predominate. Potential hydrologic problems associated with surface coal mining in the area are water-quality degradation, water-table decline, and increased erosion and sedimentation.
Open-File Report↗
Hydrology of Area 61, Northern Great Plains and Rocky Mountain Coal Provinces, Colorado and New Mexico
Area 61 is located on the Colorado-New Mexico boundary in Huerfano and Las Animas Counties, Colorado, and Colfax County, New Mexico, and includes the Raton Mesa coal region. The 5 ,900-square-mile area is an asymmetrical structural trough bounded by the Rocky Mountains on the west and the Great Plains on the east. The area is drained by the Huerfano, Apishapa, Purgatoire, and Canadian Rivers (and their tributaries), all tributary to the Arkansas River. The principal coal-bearing formations are the Vermejo Formation of Late Cretaceous age and the Raton Formation of Late Cretaceous and Paleocene age. Much of the coal in the area is of coking quality, important to the metallurgical industry. Topographic relief in the area is greater than 8,700 feet, and this influences the climate which in turn affects the runoff pattern of area streams. Summer thunderstorms often result in flash floods. Virtually all geologic units in the region yield water. Depth to ground water ranges from land surface to 400 feet. Surface and ground water in the area contain mostly bicarbonate and sulfate ions; locally in the ground water, chloride ions predominate. Potential hydrologic problems associated with surface coal mining in the area are water-quality degradation, water-table decline, and increased erosion and sedimentation. (USGS)
Water-Resources Investigations Report↗
Hydrology and chemical quality of ground water in Kiowa County, Colorado
Ground water is available in Kiowa County, Colo., in quantities suitable for municipal or irrigation uses from at least two aquifers, the Big Sandy-Rush Creek alluvial aquifer and the Ogallala aquifer. The Dakota Sandstone and the Cheyenne Sandstone Member of the Purgatoire Formation may provide marginally sufficient water for municipal or irrigation purposes. Whil e wells in parts of the Ogallala aquifer have shown significant water-level declines in recent years, the Dakota Sandstone and Cheyenne Sandstone Member of the Purgatoire Formation are virtually undeveloped in the county , primarily because of the depth to the top of these formations (500-1,00 feet). Where water is not available from the Big Sandy-Rush Creek and Ogallala aquifers in the county, supplies sufficient for domestic or stock use may be obtained from shallow wells in several minor aquifers. The quality of ground water in the county varies widely, but dissolved-solids concentrations are usually greater than 500 milligrams per liter, except in parts of the Ogallala aquifer. The water is generally very hard and sulfate concentrations are usually greater than 250 milligrams per liter, except in parts of the Ogallala aquifer. High concentrations of selenium (greater than 10 micrograms per liter) in three-fourths of the wells sampled and locally high concentrations of fluoride, nitrate, iron, and manganese limit the suitability of the ground water for municipal and domestic use. (USGS)
Colorado↗
Selected hydrologic data, Arkansas River basin, Pueblo and southeastern Fremont Counties, Colorado, 1975-80
Selected hydrologic data collected in 1975-80 as part of water-quality investigations by the U.S. Geological Survey in Pueblo and southeastern Fremont Counties, Colo., are presented in this report. The data, in tabular form, consist of streamflow-discharge measurements for 33 sites, channel-geometry measurements for 97 sites, traveltime data for 12 sites, and field and laboratory water-quality analyses for 194 sites. Federal, state, and local officials may find these data useful in making decisions relating to the management of water resources of the area.
Colorado↗
Hydrology and chemical quality of ground water in Crowley County, Colorado
Significant quantities of groundwater can be obtained from several alluvial water-table aquifers possibly from two deep confined sandstone aquifers in Crowley County, Colo. The major water-table aquifer is the alluvium along the Arkansas River valley where well yields may be as much as 2,000 gallons per minute. Minor alluvial aquifers with well yields ranging from 5 to 200 gallons per minute occur in the drainage basins of Horse Creek, Bob Creek, and Sand Arroyo, and in alluvium underlying dune sand in the western part of the county. The Dakota Sandstone and the underlying Cheyenne Sandstone are the confined aquifers. The depth to the top of the Dakota Sandstone ranges from 700 to 3,600 feet below land surface. These aquifers are currently undeveloped but well yields may be as much as 275 gallons per minute. The chemical quality of water in the aquifers varies widely with dissolved solids ranging from about 400 to 8,000 milligrams per liter. On the basis of 35 analyses of water samples, only 2 samples met drinking-water standards for all constituents determined. In most instances, the water is suitable for agricultural uses. (USGS)
Open-File Report↗
Waste-assimilation capacity of the Arkansas River in Pueblo County, Colorado, as it relates to water-quality guidelines and stream classification
The waste-assimilation capacity of a 42-mile reach of the Arkansas River in Pueblo County, Colo., was evaluated using a one-dimensional steady-state water-quality model. The model was calibrated and verified using hydraulic and water-quality data collected in 1976 and 1979. The water-quality con-stituents modeled were 5-day carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand, total organic nitrogen, total ammonia, total nitrite, total nitrate, and dissolved oxygen. Model calibration was acceptable for all constituents except total organic nitrogen, and verification was acceptable for all constituents except total organic nitrogen and total nitrite. A relationship between nonionized and total ammonia was defined to provide simulation capability for nonionized ammonia. The model was used to simulate the water-quality effects of 63 combinations of wastewater treatment. The water-quality effects were evaluated with respect to water-quality guidelines that may be applied based on possible stream-use classifications. Model simulations were based on a 7-day low flow with a 10-year recurrence interval that occurs between August 15 and October 15 and on a winter low-flow period that occurs as a result of upstream storage of water. The mixing zone downstream from the Pueblo Wastewater Treatment Plant outfall was evaluated to determine where the water-quality guidelines should apply for the model simulations. Complete lateral mixing of the effluent from the Pueblo Wastewater Treatment Plant occurred 2.7 river miles downstream from the outfall. Model simulations indicated a water-quality guideline of 0.06 milligram per liter nonionized ammonia nitrogen would be exceeded at the end of the mixing zone for Q7,10 conditions with secondary treatment at the Pueblo Wastewater Treatment Plant and a projected effluent discharge for the year 2000, and that a water-quality guideline of 0.5 milligram per liter total nitrite nitrogen would be exceeded for winter conditions and the same waste-water-treatment possibility. Wastewater-treatment possibilities with a pro-jected discharge for the year 2000 which would result in both water-quality guidelines being met include land application of treated effluent and advanced secondary treatment at the Pueblo Wastewater Treatment Plant with conversion of ammonia to nitrate to result in an effluent total ammonia nitrogen concentration of 5.4 to 10.6 milligrams per liter, depending on the quality of effluent from the downstream discharge from the CF&I Steel Corp. Model simulations also included an evaluation of flow augmentation necessary to meet a water-quality guideline of 0.06 milligram per liter non-ionized ammonia nitrogen. The evaluation was made for the n,7,10 period, secondary treatment at the Pueblo Wastewater Treatment Plant with a projected discharge for the year 2000, and effluent water quality at a downstream discharge which could contain twice the estimated ammonia concentration allowable for best available technology treatment for the iron and steel industry. The flow augmentation necessary to meet the water-quality guideline, based on the model simulations, is approximately 140 cubic feet per second.
Colorado↗
Hydrologic data for wells, springs, and streams in Boulder County, Colorado
Hydrologic data collected in 1975-77 as part of a comprehensive water-resources investigation of Boulder County, Colo., by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Boulder County Health Department and the Colorado Geological Survey are presented in this report. The data, in tabular and graphic form, consist of water-quality analyses of selected constituents and geohydrologic-site, water-treatment, and sewage-treatment data for 609 wells and 48 springs; water-quality analyses for 102 of the wells and 9 of the springs; water-quality analyses of streamflow from 34 sites; and specific conductance and water-temperature measurements of streamflow from 3 sites. State and local officials in Boulder County may find these data useful in planning for residential, commercial, and industrial development. (Kosco-USGS)
Open-File Report↗