Found on TheWaterChannel: a great, informative video from the Colorado Water Institute about the South Platte River and its alluvial aquifer. The video gives a very good overview about the prior appropriation system of water rights, especially as it applies to groundwater and Colorado.
Full Title: Working the Water: A Brief Human History of the South Platte River and its Aquifer
The South Platte River Basin covers thousands of square miles that include
the Northern Front Range, the high mountains, and the eastern plains of Northeastern Colorado.
A very good source for learning about the physical aspects of the South Platte alluvium is the Groundwater Atlas of Colorado by the Colorado Geological Survey.
A good source of information about groundwater administration in Colorado is the Colorado Division of Water Resources.
As the birthplace of several major rivers, Colorado has a long history of water legislation, regulation and collaboration to address the appointment of our water supplies. Here is a Brief Timeline of Groundwater Management in the South Platte Basin.
The Colorado Water Institute is ably directed by my good friend, colleague, and WaterWonk extraordinaire Reagan Waskom. I'll be anxious to read the report alluded to at the end of the video.
Enjoy!
"I'd rather be upstream with a shovel and a ditch than downstream with a decree." - Unknown, said about the prior appropriation system
Very interesting. Aquifers are very important to understanding water. We discuss this and more at our blog Go Green, Go Grey.
Posted by: Go Green, Go Grey | Monday, 04 March 2013 at 03:34 PM