THE IMPORTANCE OF THIRD PARTY ENGINEERING INVESTIGATIONS IN EFFECTIVELY MANAGING A GROUND WATER RESOURCE

The Importance of Third Party Engineering Investigations in Effectively Managing A Ground Water Basin

The Southern High Plains Ground Water Management District (District) was established in 1967 after the Colorado Ground Water Commission utilized a report done by R. W. Beck Associates. The original report identified areal extents of the Ogallala, Dakota and Cheyenne aquifers which in turn were specifically referenced in Commission rules governing the District. Since 1988 annual investigations have identified a continuing decline of water levels within the District. Most recently the basin experienced an average annual decline in water level of –2.50 feet. Each annual report has raised concern whether the water level declines were excessive.

In 2000 an independent engineering study was authorized at the direction of the Colorado Division of Water Resources (CDWR) in order to assess the District’s progress in accomplishing compliance with the ground water development plan initiated by the Beck Report. The engineering study was charged with quantification of current ground water resources, assessment of expected economic life, confirmation or re-definition of existing aquifer units, and formulation of recommendations to modify or maintain existing rules and regulations to optimize ground water resource development.

The 2001 McLaughlin Engineering Report to the District included among its recommendations:

· Installation of Meters or Measurement Devices on all (high capacity) wells · Limitation of irrigation of expanded acreage · Reduction of the duty of water from 3.5 A F./Ac. to 2.5 A.F./Ac · Establishment of well spacing criteria on specific aquifer parameters · Restriction of any new wells in the High Plains aquifer and any Dakota aquifer wells where there’s separation of the Dakota and Cheyenne aquifers · Allowance of irrigation wells to be completed in both the Cheyenne and Dockum aquifers where the Kiowa shale exists · Insurance of proper plugging and abandonment of replaced or retired wells. · Submittal of Geophysical logs for all new irrigation wells below the High Plains aquifer.

The third party engineering study results are invaluable in obtaining an objective analysis and audit of current ground water resources utilization and development to assure optimization of the aquifers economic life.