Colorado Plateau Aquifers
The Colorado Plateaus Aquifer system is about 110,000 square miles in size and encompasses large portions of western Colorado, northwestern New Mexico, northeastern Arizona, and eastern Utah. The Colorado plateau aquifer system is comprised of four major aquifers. These aquifers include the Uinta-Animas, the Mesaverde, Dakota-Glen Canyon, and Coconino-De Chelly aquifer.These aquifers are a crucial groundwater supply to the four corner states of the Southwest region of the U.S.
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There are many water yielding units found in the Colorado Plateaus Aquifer system with water quantity and quality varying from location to location. However most is capable for use in either domestic or agricultural sectors.
In addition to the large amount of usable water stored in this area there is also a significantly large amount of oil and natural gas located in this region. Because of the depth of the oil and gas drilling sites and wells, often these aquifers must be drilled directly through. This section assesses the impacts of hydraulic fracturing on groundwater sources and the overall regional hydro-logical cycle. Impacts that affect the water resources for a majority of the Four Corners region.
In addition to the large amount of usable water stored in this area there is also a significantly large amount of oil and natural gas located in this region. Because of the depth of the oil and gas drilling sites and wells, often these aquifers must be drilled directly through. This section assesses the impacts of hydraulic fracturing on groundwater sources and the overall regional hydro-logical cycle. Impacts that affect the water resources for a majority of the Four Corners region.