Sunday, April 11, 8:15 a.m.-6 p.m. (See registration form for fees.)
Be prepared for inclement weather and wear good walking shoes.
Box lunches and drinks will be provided.
Field trip leaders: Ralf Topper, Colorado Geological Survey, and Bob Raynolds, Denver Museum of Nature and Science
This all-day field trip integrates the geology and hydrology of the Denver Basin aquifer system of eastern Colorado to provide participants a better understanding of this nationally recognized groundwater resource and the issues surrounding its continued development. This essentially nonrenewable resource consists of four overlying, separate administrative aquifers that are the principal water supply for an urban corridor containing some of the fastest growing counties in the nation. We will see these aquifers first-hand in outcrop and discuss the geologic evolution of the basin, environments of deposition, and stratigraphic relationships. Field trip stops at various municipal water supply wells afford the opportunity to discuss the history of Denver Basin groundwater development, its management, and regulatory environment.
Itinerary:
| 8:15 a.m. |
Meet in Westin Tabor Center lobby (leave at 8:30 a.m.) |
| 9:00-10:30 a.m. |
Stop #1 — Daniels Park: Introductions, history of groundwater development, Denver Basin geology overview |
|
10:50-11:10 a.m.
|
Stop #2 — Town of Sedalia
Well A-1 |
11:30-11:50 a.m.
|
Stop #3 — Indian Creek Park, Thunderbird Water District
Well 5985F-R |
|
12:00-1:30 p.m.
|
Stop #4 — Base of Wildcat Mountain, Arapahoe formation
Lunch break
Discussion of Wildcat fan deposition (short hike) |
2:00-3:00 p.m.
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Stop #5 — Town of Castle Rock
Castle Oaks wellfield |
3:30-4:00 p.m.
|
Stop #6 — Town of Parker
Rowley Downs well
Economics of groundwater development |
4:30-5:00 p.m.
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Stop #7 — Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Break |
| 5:00-5:45 p.m. |
Gates Planetarium — three-dimensional aquifer visualization |
| 6:00 p.m. |
Return to Westin Tabor Center |
NGWA thanks the Colorado Ground-Water Association for providing the tour guidebook and format for this field trip.