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Data collection and modeling of the surficial aquifer on St. Charles Mesa

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Data collection and modeling of the surficial aquifer on St. Charles Mesa to test potential methods for lowering the high water table.

Study Area: Adjacent to and southeast of Pueblo, Colorado, in Pueblo County.
Period of Project: May 1997 through December 2000
Project Number: CO31900
Project Chief: Daniel Brendle
Cooperator: Pueblo County

BACKGROUND:

St. Charles Mesa, an upland terrace of about 10 square miles south of the Arkansas River, has been irrigated for agricultural purposes since the late 1800's. During the last few decades, much of the agricultural land has been converted to residential areas. Recently, the high water table of the Mesa has flooded the basements of homeowners in some areas. Potential methods of lowering the high water table could be tested with a ground-water flow model of the aquifer. Potential methods of lowering the high water table include, but are not limited to, lining Bessemer Ditch to reduce losses; installing drains in areas with a high water table; installing dewatering wells; and increasing pumpage from existing irrigation or domestic wells.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To collect data needed to calibrate a ground-water flow model of the aquifer on St. Charles Mesa.
2. To calibrate a ground-water flow model to simulate the ground-water system of St. Charles Mesa.
3. To simulate the potential effectiveness of methods of lowering the water table using the calibrated ground-water flow model.