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Monday, October 13, 2008
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Here's an update on the USGS's geophysical survey efforts in the San Luis Valley, from the Pueblo Chieftain. From the article:
The U.S. Geological Survey will resume its flights over the San Luis Valley in the next two weeks to collect geophysical measurements and, hopefully, a better picture of the region's groundwater formations. A low-flying helicopter with a large boom extending from its nose will collect measurements over the Great Sand Dunes National Park and cover a five- to six-mile stretch south of Blanca Peak.
Tien Grauch, a research geophysicist with the agency, said the helicopter will collect information on the magnetic properties of the area's subsurface rocks and sediments...
Getting a better picture of a fault's properties can also give scientists a better idea of how groundwater moves, since faults have some control over the flow of groundwater, Grauch said. Art Hutchinson, superintendent at the sand dunes, said the information the agency is collecting may also provide a glimpse at what caused the Sangre de Cristo mountains to dip then dogleg around the area where the dunes now sit. Although the flights may increase noise levels at the park, Hutchinson said the flights were the least disruptive manner to get subsurface information at the park.
Other options that scientists have used to explore the earth's subsurface have included drilling for samples and geoseismic testing. But Grauch pointed out that drilling leaves researchers with blind spots between holes and both options are expensive. "We found this way to be more cost-effective to cover a larger area," she said. Tien said the information is well suited in the use of constructing regional groundwater models.
More Coyote Gulch coverage here.
Category: Colorado Water
5:57:54 PM 
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From the Pagosa Daily Post: "With a long dry autumn, the Steven's Reservoir dam and expansion project could still be completed this year -- but an unusually wet summer has Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District officials holding their breath. According to PAWSD Project Manager Gregg Mayo, "It's touch and go. With another period of rain like we saw last weekend, we probably won't make it." The project, which began with land acquisition twenty years ago, raises the existing dam ten feet. This will result in a storage capacity nearly triple that of the old reservoir."
Category: Colorado Water
5:46:50 PM
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Here's a press release from the Colorado Division of Water Resources:
STATE ENGINEER FILLS TWO CRITICAL POSITIONS
Colorado State Engineer Dick Wolfe announced the filling of two critical positions with the Division of Water Resources. The position of Deputy State Engineer was filled by Mike Sullivan, who was the Division Engineer for the Rio Grande Basin, and the position of Assistant State Engineer for Intra-state Water Supply Development and Litigation was filled by Kevin Rein. Mr. Wolfe indicated he was very pleased with these selections and believes both will bring great energy and innovation to the office.
Mike Sullivan has worked for the Division of Water Resources for over 13 years. As Division Engineer for the Rio Grande Basin, he was responsible for administering all water supplies in the basin while also working as the Engineer Advisor on the Rio Grande and Costilla Interstate Compacts. Before coming to the Division of Water Resources, he worked in environmental consulting including emergency response and long term cleanup of hazardous chemical releases. Early in his career, Mike was a Water Resource Engineer for a metropolitan city working on raw water acquisitions and engineering studies. Mike is a native of Colorado and is a graduate of the Colorado School of Mines.
Wolfe stated that "Mike's experience with interstate compacts will be invaluable as he heads up overview of all interstate compacts for the State of Colorado." One of the major duties of the Deputy State Engineer is to ensure compliance with the State's numerous interstate compacts. The position will also operate as the Chief Operating Officer for the Division and oversee all daily operations of the agency.
Kevin Rein, in his new position as Assistant State Engineer, will oversee what Mr. Wolfe termed as "the other side of the water supply equation; that being all ground and surface water supply responsibilities inside the state." Mr. Rein has worked for the Division for over ten years and was most recently in the position of Chief of Water Supply where he managed ground water well permitting, subdivision water supplies, substitute water supply plans and water court duties. Before coming to work for the Division, he worked in business automation, the utility industry and as a private water resource engineer consultant.
Category: Colorado Water
6:32:05 AM
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From the Glenwood Springs Post Independent: "Registered town voters will decide at the Nov. 4 election whether or not to approve a proposed $3 million bond issue that would increase New Castle property taxes to finance improvements to the town's water system. If approved, the tax increase would amount to about $34 per every $100,000 of a home's assessed value. Commercial property taxes would increase by a maximum of $124 per $100,000 valuation. New Castle Town Council members unanimously passed a resolution in early September to put the question on the ballot."
More from the article:
If the funding question is approved, $2.5 million would be used to upgrade the town's water processing plant, including installation of an additional filter that would add 500,000 gallons per day of capacity, replacement of two old filters and a residual treatment pond to allow operators to recycle water used to clean the filters. The remaining $500,000 would be used to install a raw water pump station in the Castle Valley Ranch subdivision, with raw water lines that would service the northeast part of Castle Valley Ranch so new homes could use untreated water for landscape irrigation...
If passed, the increases will be seen on homeowners' property taxes. "I don't believe water rate increases would cover the costs," Barton said. Those in favor of the bond measure say that the upgrades will prevent water shortages in the near future and that a combination of higher water service fees, higher tap fees for building permits, and a modest property tax increase would place more burden on higher-value properties in the town. Those opposed to the measure say officials could provide the same improvements without increasing taxes by raising the monthly water service fees or increasing tap fees for new housing and commercial development.
Category: Colorado Water
6:16:47 AM
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© Copyright
2008
John Orr.
Last update:
11/1/08; 8:00:46 PM.
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