DENVER BASIN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS: ARAPAHOE AND LARAMIE FOX HILLS AQUIFERS

The Denver ground water basin is located along eastern Colorado from Colorado Springs to Greeley and Limon to the mountain front. It underlies 6700 square miles and used for domestic, livestock, industrial, commercial, municipal and irrigation purposes. As the Denver Basin ground water is developed and mined the question arises as to whether the areas of the undeveloped or currently mined Arapahoe and Laramie Fox Hills Aquifers are economically viable option as a source of water. Using ArcView GIS and Spatial Analyst, we explored this question by using various grid math techniques to determine if each aquifer is an economically viable option for a water provider. This tool allows us to make the decision as consultants of whether to quickly decide if a more in-depth study of the Denver Basin ground water is worthwhile or if we need to explore other water supply options.