Areas across north-central Colorado have been facing poor water quality for years now. This has been caused by radio pollution as well as other factors such as evaporite minerals present in Parachute Creek Member which affect water quality. Stratification also plays a role in determining how water is stored and how it moves through formations. The historic average annual flow of White River leaving Colorado is 590,100 acre-feet which is 5% of total flow leaving Colorado.
Heat flow is generally low in eastern plains but moderately high west of mountainous area. Groundwater extraction in 1995 was 18,516 acre-feet for five main counties in basin while wells depth was 36 feet below Earth's surface. Paleogene aquifer system accumulates dissolved solids which changes chemistry of main ions as they move along watershed's flow paths. To participate in standardmaking hearings of Water Quality Control Commission one can visit public participation web page.
Total groundwater extraction was 45,993 acre-feet for five counties represented in Piceance Basin. Storing water in abandoned underground coal mines has been tested recently especially in Arvada city's old coal mine Leyden. Aquifer data available through this atlas can be used for analyzing groundwater supply and storage options. Agricultural chemical and groundwater protection program aims to protect groundwater from misuse of agricultural chemicals while enabling their proper use. It is important to note that north-central Colorado has some areas with particularly poor water quality due to radio pollution as well as other factors such as evaporite minerals present in Parachute Creek Member which affect water quality.
Stratification also plays a role by determining how water is stored and how it moves through formations. Groundwater extraction has been increasing over time which has led to further deterioration of water quality. To address this issue it is important to understand what factors are causing poor water quality so that appropriate measures can be taken to improve it. It is also important to participate in standardmaking hearings of Water Quality Control Commission so that regulations can be put into place to protect groundwater from misuse of agricultural chemicals while enabling their proper use. Storing water in abandoned underground coal mines should also be explored as an option for improving water quality. Overall it is essential that we take steps to improve water quality across north-central Colorado so that we can ensure safe drinking water for everyone living there.
