Effects of irrigating with wastewater on ground-water quality at Fort Carson Military Reservation golf course near Colorado Springs, Colorado
Water-Resources Investigations Report
83-4268
By: Patrick Edelmann
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Abstract
Fort Carson Military Reservation has used treatment wastewater for irrigation of the Fort Carson golf course since 1971. The effect of applied wastewater on groundwater quality at Fort Carson golf course was evaluated using water levels and water-quality data from 20 observation wells. The water-quality constituents analyzed included dissolved solids, major ions, nutrients, detergents, dissolved organic carbon, chemical and biological oxygen demand, and trace elements. Effects of the applied wastewater on ground-water quality for most constituents were obscured by large areal variations and by high concentrations of the constituents upgradient from the golf course. The sources of nitrogen observed in the ground water beneath the golf course were applied wastewater, applied fertilizer, leachate from the organic-rich shale, and from unknown upgradient sources. Nitrogen loading at the golf course from wastewater and applied fertilizer was estimated to be 18 ,900 pounds per year. After 10 years, less than 1 percent of the nitrogen applied was actually present in the ground water. Loss of nitrogen to the atmosphere as nitrous oxides, absorption, and to fixation by grass resulted in the much smaller concentrations observed in the ground water. (USGS)
Suggested Citation
Edelmann, P., 1984, Effects of irrigating with wastewater on ground-water quality at Fort Carson Military Reservation golf course near Colorado Springs, Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 83-4268, iv, 32 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri834268.
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Effects of irrigating with wastewater on ground-water quality at Fort Carson Military Reservation golf course near Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| Series title | Water-Resources Investigations Report |
| Series number | 83-4268 |
| DOI | 10.3133/wri834268 |
| Year Published | 1984 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Description | iv, 32 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Colorado |
| City | Colorado Springs |
| Other Geospatial | Fort Carson Military Reservation golf course |