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Above Pathfinder Subbasin Groundwater Quality and Development

 
 

Groundwater Quality
The best quality groundwater is usually derived closest to the geologic outcrop areas of each aquifer. Generally, the water quality of groundwater derived from each aquifer is variable and dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not necessarily limited to distance from the recharge area, aquifer transmissivity and storage, groundwater flow rates, aquifer rock type, dissolution of soluble salts within the aquifer matrix, and leakage of poor quality water into the aquifer from adjacent units.

Groundwater Development
About 96 percent of the total groundwater use in the Above Pathfinder subbasin is for agricultural, industrial, and municipal purposes. Most agricultural wells obtain water from the Quaternary and Late Tertiary Aquifer Systems. Industrial wells are the second largest sources of groundwater in the area and account for approximately 35 percent of total subbasin groundwater use. Mining and petroleum recovery companies are the primary users of industrial groundwater in the area and most industrial wells obtain groundwater from the Early and Late Tertiary Aquifer Systems. Municipalities and community public water systems in the subbasin use about 9 percent of total groundwater. The City of Rawlins supplements its groundwater use with a surface water supply and the remaining five community water supply systems in the subbasin rely on groundwater only. Domestic water use is a minor component of subbasin groundwater use, and less than 4 percent of subbasin groundwater use is for recreational and environmental purposes.

 

 
 


The Platte River Basin Plan is a planning tool developed for the Wyoming Water Development Office. It presents estimated current and estimated future uses of water in WyomingÆs Platte River Basin. The Plan is not used to determine compliance with or administration of state law, federal law, court decrees, interstate compacts, or interstate agreements.
Wyoming Water Development Commission
6920 Yellowtail Road
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002
Ph. (307) 777-7626
Fax (307) 777-6819