Uinta-Animas Aquifer
Setting
The Uinta-Animas Aquifer is located in three basins, primarily located in the Uinta Basin in Utah, the Piceance Basin in northwestern Colorado. and the San Juan Basin of New Mexico. Water bearing units are comprised of sandstone, conglomerate, and siltstone. The average thickness of each basin can be anywhere from 500 to 3500 feet.
Recharge
Recharge of the Uinta-Animas Aquifer takes place along the perimeters of basins at higher altitudes. The Uinta Basin specifically recharges from the southern margin. Recharge of the Piceance Basin generally stems from elevated regions around the perimeter of the aquifer. The San Juan Basin also recharges from higher altitudes at the perimeter of the basin.
Discharge
Discharge of groundwater is routed into streams and vegetative transpiration that occurs along stream banks within valleys. The Uinta Basin discharge occurs near the White and Green Rivers. Discharge from the Piceance Basin is generally equal to the amount of recharge that mainly occurs in the Piceance Creek valleys and waterways leading to the White and Colorado Rivers.
The San Juan Basin discharges in the direction of the San Juan River .The valley of the San Juan River forms the major region where groundwater discharges into the basin.
The Uinta-Animas Aquifer is located in three basins, primarily located in the Uinta Basin in Utah, the Piceance Basin in northwestern Colorado. and the San Juan Basin of New Mexico. Water bearing units are comprised of sandstone, conglomerate, and siltstone. The average thickness of each basin can be anywhere from 500 to 3500 feet.
Recharge
Recharge of the Uinta-Animas Aquifer takes place along the perimeters of basins at higher altitudes. The Uinta Basin specifically recharges from the southern margin. Recharge of the Piceance Basin generally stems from elevated regions around the perimeter of the aquifer. The San Juan Basin also recharges from higher altitudes at the perimeter of the basin.
Discharge
Discharge of groundwater is routed into streams and vegetative transpiration that occurs along stream banks within valleys. The Uinta Basin discharge occurs near the White and Green Rivers. Discharge from the Piceance Basin is generally equal to the amount of recharge that mainly occurs in the Piceance Creek valleys and waterways leading to the White and Colorado Rivers.
The San Juan Basin discharges in the direction of the San Juan River .The valley of the San Juan River forms the major region where groundwater discharges into the basin.
Overview of Groundwater Quality in the Piceance Basin,
Western Colorado, 1946–2009
The Piceance Basin generally spans a region running northeast to southwest in Western Colorado, roughly located at 40 degrees N and 108 degrees W.
Specific Contaminants to Assess:
http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/gpo37907/SIR12-5198.pdf
Western Colorado, 1946–2009
The Piceance Basin generally spans a region running northeast to southwest in Western Colorado, roughly located at 40 degrees N and 108 degrees W.
Specific Contaminants to Assess:
- BTEX--> consisting of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene
- Nitrate
http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/gpo37907/SIR12-5198.pdf