USGS Hydrogeology and Water Quality Study

BACKGROUND:

Population growth near Buena Vista and Salida in Chaffee County has caused concern for the long-term availability and quality of ground water.  Ground-water withdrawals from deep wells that are completed in the basin-fill deposits and designed to supply multiple-dwelling developments could cause drawdowns in water levels of the overlying aquifers.  Continued development of ground-water supplies in other parts of the county also could affect ground-water quality in the aquifers and cause drawdown of water levels in nearby existing wells.  The U.S. Geological Survey is assessing the possible effects of increased ground-water withdrawals on the availability and quality of ground water.

OBJECTIVES:

• To compile and collect hydrogeologic and water-quality information for the unconsolidated-rock aquifers in the Upper Arkansas River Basin.
• To evaluate the possible effects of increased ground-water withdrawals on the availability and quality of ground water.

To view the entire study in PDF format, click HERE