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Horse Creek 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
Approximately 99 percent of permitted total groundwater water use in the Horse Creek subbasin is for irrigation and industrial purposes. Agricultural wells, especially irrigation wells, are permitted to use approximately 94 percent of total permitted groundwater use in the subbasin, and most of these wells obtain water from the Quaternary and Late Tertiary Aquifer Systems. Industry is the second largest permitted user of groundwater in the Horse Creek subbasin at approximately 5 percent of the total permitted groundwater use. Domestic use of groundwater is at less than 1 percent of the total permitted subbasin groundwater use.

Laramie County Control Area
The Laramie County Control Area was established on September 2, 1981, by the State Board of Control in Division No. 1 in response to the declining groundwater levels in the Quaternary and Late Tertiary aquifers. The portion of the Laramie County Control Area located in the Horse Creek subbasin can be seen by clicking here. A Control Area Advisory Board reviews and makes recommendations to the Wyoming State EngineersÆ Office concerning any new development of high capacity wells, enlargements of existing permitted wells, or placing new lands under irrigation within the Control Area. The Laramie County Control Area will play a role in the future development of high capacity wells in this area of the Horse Creek subbasin.

 

 
 


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