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 and minerals within the aquifer matrix, and leakage of poor quality water into the aquifer from adjacent units.
Groundwater Development
About 98 percent of total permitted groundwater use in the Upper Laramie River subbasin is for agricultural, industrial, and municipal purposes. Agricultural wells are permitted to use approximately 71 percent of total permitted groundwater use, and most of these wells obtain water from the Quaternary Aquifer System for irrigation purposes. Several agricultural wells also obtain groundwater from the Late Paleozoic Aquifer System southeast of Laramie for stock and irrigation purposes. A few wells scattered throughout the subbasin obtain water from the Early Tertiary, Late Cretaceous, Early Cretaceous, and Triassic-Jurassic Aquifer Systems. Municipalities and community public water systems are the second largest permitted users at up to 18 percent of the total permitted groundwater use in the subbasin. Five community public water systems are located in the subbasin. The City of Laramie supplements its groundwater wells with a surface water supply. Industrial wells are permitted to use approximately 9 percent of total subbasin use, with the Union Pacific Railroad and mining companies as the major industrial users. Industrial wells obtain water from the Quaternary and Late Paleozoic Aquifer Systems. Domestic use is a minor groundwater use in the Upper Laramie River subbasin.