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Geohydraulics at the unconformity between bedrock and alluvial aquifers

Date

1972-06-30

Authors

Waltz, James P., author
Sunada, Daniel K., author
Environmental Resources Center, Colorado State University, publisher

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

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Abstract

Three legally designated groundwater basins in Colorado have been studied to determine the magnitude of groundwater flux into or out of the underlying bedrock. A numerical model based on Darcy's Law and the mass continuity equation was employed to describe the flow of ground-water within each basin. The model was applied to the analysis of interbasin groundwater flow by assuming that no leakage occurs at the base of the alluvial aquifer. Where leakage does occur, the model produces anomalous results in the form of erroneous water level elevations. The magnitude of the anomalies is used to calculate the rate of the interbasin groundwater flux. The model studies revealed the following interbasin groundwater fluxes: 1. Loss from Black Squirrel Basin is approximately 5,350 acre-feet/year. 2. Loss from High Plains Basin is approximately 75,000 acre-feet/year. 3. Gain to Kiowa-Bijou Basin is approximately 19,000 acre-feet/year. Data requirements for the application of the model to groundwater basin are presented and procedures for qualitative evaluation of inter-basin groundwater flux are discussed.

Description

CER71-72JPW-DKS50.
June 30, 1972.
Incudes bibliographical references (pages 164-169).The work upon which this report is based was supported in part by funds provided by the United States Department of the Interior, Office of Water Resources Research, as authorized under the Water Resources Research Act of 1964, Public Law 88-379, Agreement Number 14-01-0001-1881 (July 1, 1968 to June 30, 1972).

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Subject

Groundwater -- Colorado
Hydrogeology -- Mathematical models
Aquifers -- Colorado

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