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Hydrogeology of the Leadville limestone and other paleozoic rocks in northwestern Colorado, with results of aquifer tests at Glenwood Springs

Water-Resources Investigations Report 87-4195
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https://doi.org/10.3133/wri874195

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Abstract

Paleozoic rocks in northwestern Colorado were investigated during the U.S. Geological Survey 's Regional Aquifer Systems Analysis of the Upper Colorado River Basin. Paleozoic rocks in the study area are grouped into 11 hydrostratigraphic units on the basis of lithologic and hydrologic properties. Devonian and Mississippian carbonate rocks and Pennsylvanian and Permian sandstone are regional aquifers, with natural discharges commonly ranging from 50 to 1,000 gal/min. Other hydrostratigraphic units in the area are either local aquifers or confining layers, with discharges rarely exceeding 50 gal/min. Aquifer tests at Glenwood Springs indicate that the Devonian and Mississippian carbonate rocks unit locally has a transmissivity of 47,000 sq ft/day, a storage coefficient of 0.0005, and a hydraulic conductivity of more than 100 ft/day. Hydraulic conductivities in most hydrostratigraphic units decrease with distance away from structural uplifts. Water in the Devonian and Mississippian carbonate rocks unit flows from structural uplifts to structural and fluvial basins. This hydrostratigraphic unit supplies water to streams that drain the White River Plateau, hot springs at Glenwood Springs, and artesian wells in the Burns basin. (USGS)

Suggested Citation

Geldon, A.L., 1989, Hydrogeology of the Leadville limestone and other paleozoic rocks in northwestern Colorado, with results of aquifer tests at Glenwood Springs: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 87-4195, vi, 96 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri874195.

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Hydrogeology of the Leadville limestone and other paleozoic rocks in northwestern Colorado, with results of aquifer tests at Glenwood Springs
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 87-4195
DOI 10.3133/wri874195
Year Published 1989
Language ENGLISH
Publisher Dept. of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey ; Books and Open-File Reports [distributor],
Description vi, 96 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm.
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