The Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Northern Colorado Water Conservation District, the Reclamation Office and the City of Fort Collins, has been collecting data on water quality in north-central Colorado since 1969. This data is collected from reservoirs, canals, and tunnels related to the Colorado—Big Thompson Project, a water storage, collection and distribution system. The need for a reexamination of water quality trends in the area arose due to changes in water use among agricultural and municipal users on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, land-use changes in reservoir watersheds, and other water quality issues among customers of the Northern Colorado Water Conservation District. Sampling sites are located in reservoirs, canals, and tunnels at the headwaters of both the Colorado River (on the western side of transcontinental diversion operations) and the Big Thompson River (on the east side). The Carter Lake and Horsetooth reservoirs are off-channel water storage facilities located in the northern foothills of the Colorado Front Range. The length of the water quality record varies from 3 to 30 years depending on the site and type of measurement or component.
Changes in sample rate, analytical methods, and minimum reporting limits have occurred multiple times during this period. The Colorado headwaters region straddles the continental divide and produces clean water that flows to states as far away as California and Mississippi. Growing populations are constantly increasing demand for this water while climate change threatens its sustainability. At the same time, exploitation of energy and minerals increases the risk of irreparably damaging freshwater resources. The Division of Water Quality Control is responsible for monitoring and reporting on state waters to prevent water pollution, protect, restore and improve their quality, while ensuring that all drinking water systems provide safe drinking water.
They inspect water systems, issue permits, ensure compliance, and take action against entities that violate state and federal regulations. They work in partnership with utilities, counties and other agencies to monitor, improve and maintain the quality of drinking, surface and groundwater. Water is a limited but essential resource. Consequently, Colorado has developed a comprehensive system for assigning and managing its use over time. Surface water allocations are governed by the doctrine of prior appropriation or “first in time, first on the right”.
In general, tributary groundwater is considered to be directly linked to the surface water system and follows the same doctrine. The Colorado State Engineer (SEO) is authorized by law to manage state waters. This includes responsibility for managing and distributing state waters, enacting rules and regulations, collecting data on water supply, fulfilling commitments of interstate pacts, and applying laws imposed by law or court order. To fulfill these responsibilities, the state is divided into seven water divisions with boundaries corresponding to main river basins. The Denver State Engineer's Office oversees all seven divisions. There is growing interest in finding other aquifers with storage potential elsewhere in Colorado due to advantages of storing water underground.
However, historic extractions have been largely limited to domestic, public, and commercial uses due to availability of surface water resources and cost of completing deep wells. In 1882, the Cameron Pass ditch created a diversion from Michigan Creek in North Platte basin to Cache la Poudre basin in South Platte basin; it was first project to cross a major boundary of a watershed. An appropriation is made when water is diverted from a stream or groundwater for beneficial use. One Water recognizes need to prioritize best use of each type of flow through infrastructure and communities. USGS estimates that public and domestic supplies account for 90% and 10% respectively of total groundwater withdrawals. All groundwater geothermal fluids are part of state's groundwater resources subject to Colorado Geothermal Resources Act.
Dissolved oxygen was sometimes hypoxic in October profiles in hypolimnion of deepest reservoirs; pH generally declined with depth in May & October profiles in Lake Granby, Horsetooth Reservoir & Lake Carter. Paradox unit produces brackish to brackish water contributing salt load in Dolores River basin. In upper Arkansas River basin depths ranged from 5-58 feet below ground surface during 1990s. Of 23000 abandoned mines in Colorado 230 are known to actively contaminate 1645 miles of rivers & streams equivalent to at least one Gold King disaster every other day killing fish & harming human health & increasing cost of treating municipal supplies. Surface water provides most supply throughout state due to easy access & storage capacity both historic & current; however there have been spills & releases of solvents to subsoil which have potential to affect groundwater. Pilot studies for long-term storage began mid-1980s Parker Water & Sanitation District & Willow Water District; tens of thousands small-diameter wells drilled for domestic supplies & some limited public supplies. Bottled water always on sale air-conditioned aisles Ridley's Family Market Wellington's only grocery store. As an expert SEO consultant specializing in understanding changes in North-Central Colorado's water quality over time, I have seen firsthand how important it is for us to be aware of how our actions can affect our environment.
From changes in agricultural practices on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains to increased demand for freshwater resources due to population growth - it's essential that we understand how our actions can impact our environment both now and into the future. The Division of Water Quality Control is responsible for monitoring our state's waters so that we can prevent pollution from occurring while also ensuring that all drinking water systems provide safe drinking water for everyone who needs it. They inspect our systems regularly while also issuing permits when necessary - all while working with utilities, counties and other agencies to monitor our waters' quality. Surface waters provide most supplies throughout our state due to their easy access as well as their storage capacity - both historically as well as currently - but there have been spills or releases that could potentially affect our groundwater if not monitored properly. Pilot studies for long-term storage began mid-1980s Parker Water & Sanitation District & Willow Water District; tens of thousands small-diameter wells drilled for domestic supplies & some limited public supplies. In addition to this monitoring process we must also be aware that there are 230 abandoned mines across our state that are known to actively contaminate 1645 miles worth of rivers & streams - an amount equivalent to at least one Gold King disaster every other day - which can kill fish as well as harm human health while also increasing costs associated with treating municipal supplies. It's clear that we must take action now if we want our environment - including our precious freshwater resources - to remain healthy into the future. We must continue monitoring our waters while also taking steps towards protecting them from any potential harm that could arise from our actions.
