Kansas Geological Survey, Open-file Report 2003-54

High Plains Aquifer Coalition
High Plains Aquifer Strategic Plan
January 2003

Kansas

Key Agencies	Role; Contact
Kansas Geological Survey (KGS)
	Priorities include water, petroleum, non-fuel minerals, geologic hazards and environmental issues. Water studies primarily focus on groundwater, stream/aquifer interaction and sustainability of water sources and water-quality issues. Contact: http://www.kgs.ku.edu/
Kansas Water Office (KWO)
	KWO is the water planning, policy, and coordination agency for the State of Kansas. It prepares a state plan of water resources development, management, and conservation, reviews all water laws, and makes recommendations to the Governor and Legislature for new or amendatory legislation. The Office administers the Kansas Water Plan Storage Act, the Kansas Weather Modification Act, and the Water Assurance Act. It also reviews the plans of any state or local agency for the management of the water and related land resources of the state. Contact: https://kwo.ks.gov/
Kansas Water Authority (KWA)
	The Kansas Water Authority is within and a part of the Kansas Water Office. It is responsible for advising the Governor, the Legislature, and the Director of the Kansas Water Office on water policy issues, for approving the Kansas Water Plan and revisions thereto, for approving water storage sales, federal contracts, administrative regulations, and legislation proposed by the Kansas Water Office. Contact: http://kwo.ks.gov/about-the-kwo/kansas-water-authority
KS Dept. of Ag Division of Water Resources (DWR)
	DWR provides sound management of the state's water resources. DWR administers 28 state laws, including the Kansas water appropriation act, and statutes concerning construction of dams, levees and other changes to streams within Kansas. DWR administers the state's four interstate river compacts and coordinates the national flood insurance program in Kansas. Contact: http://agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/dwr
Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment (KDHE)
	KDHE's mission is to optimize the promotion and protection of the health of Kansans through efficient and effective public health programs and services and through preservation, protection, and remediation of natural resources of the environment. Contact: http://www.kdheks.gov/
Ground Water Management Districts (GMD's)
	Ground Water Management Districts, local units of government, provide water-use administration, planning and information. Five ground water management districts were created in the 1970's in the western and central parts of the state. The districts are governed by local boards and have been instrumental in providing information and identifYing research and regulatory needs within their boundaries. Contact: http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Hydro/gmd.html

Additional Hydrologic and Geologic Research in Kansas
Research Topic	Research Summary, Contact
Surface water and ground water interactions
	The Geohydrology Section, of the KS Water Plan, recently completed the integration of computer models for surface- and ground-water hydrology; the USDA and Texas A&M University supported the project. Contact: KGS
Stream and aquifer interactions
	Another study was hydraulic characterization of the stream-aquifer interface; the work is being conducted in cooperation with the University of Nebraska and is supported by a competitive USGS grant. A stream-aquifer interaction investigation has been initiated in the middle Arkansas River corridor in cooperation with the Subbasin Water Resources Management Program of the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA). Contact: KGS
Water Resources Sustainability and Aquifer Recharge
	The Geohydrology Section, of the KS Water Plan, develops publications that address the issue of water resources sustainability and the safe yield of aquifers. A key consideration in balancing the water budget is knowledge of aquifer recharge. The Section, in a cooperative research project with the USGS and Kansas State University, is quantifying ground water recharge through the deep vadose zone of the High Plains aquifer using state-of-the-art sensors based on physically-based methodologies. Contact: KGS
Aquifer Site Characterization
	The accurate assessment of the threat that ground water contamination site poses to nearby water users depends on the quality of the information obtained through field investigations. The Geohydrology Section, of the KS Water Plan, is developing and refining the field methodologies used in site characterization. These include slug-test, direct-push, and hydraulic tomography technologies for the characterization of preferential flow paths, zones in which a contaminant moves much faster than the average hydraulic conductivity of the water-bearing formation. Another approach is the application of a moving mesh technique for ground-water modeling of contamination plumes. This work is conducted in cooperation with governmental and private entities and other universities and includes support by competitive USGS and NSF grants. Contact: KGS
Contaminant distribution and fate in ground water
	Protection of the quality of Kansas' water resources from contamination by nitrate and other substances is a high priority. The Geohydrology Section, of the KS Water Plan, is determining the sources of nitrate (e.g., agrochemicals, animal and human wastes, soil nitrogen) contaminating ground water using nitrogen isotopes. Recent projects identifYing sources and determining nitrate distribution have been conducted for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Ground Water Management Districts, and cities. Other studies include development of GIS tools for assessing potential impacts of pesticide use on ground-water quality for the KDA, and determination of the source area of water contributing to the spring discharge used for the water supply of Florence for the KDHE. Contact: KGS
Salinization of water resources
	Multiple sources of salinity degrade the quality of water resources in Kansas, including natural saltwater discharged from bedrock, dissolved solids concentrated by evapotranspiration, and wastewaters such as oil brine and water-softener discharge. The Geohydrology Section, of the KS Water Plan, recently completed a Kansas Water Plan project evaluating the transport of saline Arkansas River water contaminating the ground-water resources of the High Plains aquifer in the river corridor. A salt assessment study was conducted for the TMDL Program of the KDHE. Recent investigations of saltwater source identification have also been carried out for the KDA and Kansas Corporation Commission. Contact: KGS
	Information processing, display, and dissemination systems The transfer of water-related information to users, such as policy and decision makers and the public, is a primary component of KGS work. A vital part of this activity is the effective display, dissemination, and interactive analysis of data in a way that converts the information to a usable form. The KGS has developed data management, GIS, and Internet approaches that not only greatly facilitate the processing and transfer of results from KGS water studies, but also analyze and present data in a more readily usable form from other studies. The database and Internet developments are being integrated into Survey-wide advancements in interactive display and dissemination of information. Contact: KGS

Data Management

The Data Access and Support Center (DASC) housed within the KGS is the State of Kansas's GIS data repository. DASC is charged with developing, maintaining, and serving the Kansas GeoDatabase, a sizable and growing collection of GIS data layers and applications. With few exceptions, all of the data layers have FGDC compliant metadata files and are stored natively in ESRI data formats.
Location: http://www.kansasgis.org/
Access: Public

The Water Information Storage and Retrieval Database (WIZARD) is the primary state repository for water levels and other information on water wells in Kansas. WIZARD contains all of the annual KGS and Kansas Department of Agriculture's, Division of Water Resources water level measurements.
Location: http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Magellan/WaterLevels/index.html
Access: Public

The Water Well Completion Records (WWC5) Database contains information from records submitted by water well drillers to the KDHE.
Location: http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Magellan/WaterWell/index.html
Access: Public

HPA Future Research Recommendations

• Aquifer characteristics and responses to environmental variations and human activities on a subregional and subunit basis--comparison of data between states.
• Interrelationship between hydrogeology and economics.
• Delineation of aquifer subunits to allow management decisions in areas of similar aquifer characteristics.
• Aquifer properties and the water budget, determine their relationships in prioritized aquifer subunits followed by comparative evaluation of the characteristics among different subunits and the interactions of adjacent subunits with each other.
• Major component of aquifer subunits: spatial and temporal characterization of water use, water levels, aquifer properties, recharge and discharge.

Texas

Key Agencies	Role; Contact
Texas Bureau of Economic Geology (BEG)
	The BEG mission is to conduct state of the art research in water, energy, and the environment and disseminate the results. Areas of special expertise include research in hydrocarbon energy resources, water resources, coastal studies, and other areas of applied geoscience research. Contact: http://www.beg.utexas.edu/
Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)
	The TWDB mission is to provide leadership, technical services and financial assistance to support planning, conservation and responsible development of water for the State of Texas. To accomplish its goals of planning for the state's water resources and for providing affordable water and wastewater services, the TWDB provides water planning, data collection and dissemination, financial assistance and technical assistance services to the citizens of Texas. Contact: http://www.twdb.state.tx.us/home/index.asp
Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission (TNRCC)
	TNRCC is the lead environmental agency for the state. Its web site focuses on regulations and policy, but its Central Records includes a vast data base (mostly non-digital) of results of environmental enforcement investigations under RCRA, Superfund, Petroleum Storage Tank, and others. These include unique data on the hydrogeology of the High Plains aquifer in Texas. Contact: http://www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/
Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD)
	TPWD seeks to manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas. Playa lakes on the High Plains are both a source of recharge to the aquifer and a vital habitat for endemic and migratory birds and other species. Contact: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/
Groundwater Conservation Districts
	Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District; North Plains Groundwater Conservation District; High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1; are the three largest groundwater conservation districts regulating the use of the High Plains aquifer in Texas. The districts are the source of much of the data digitized in the TWDB web site. Contact: http://www.panhandlegroundwater.org/ http://www.hpwd.com/ http://www.npwd.org/

Data Management

The Texas Water Development Board web site includes a comprehensive digital database of water wells, drillers' logs, water-level measurements, analyses of chemical composition, and more. Majority of available data is non-digitized.
Location: http://www.twdb.state.tx.us/home/index.asp
Access: Public

HPA Future Research Recommendations

There are a variety of information needs and applied investigations that are very important to refining our understanding of the High Plains Aquifer and providing better tools and strategies for aquifer management. Because the needs vary locally and over time, the prioritization should be determined in consultation with the water management agencies and stakeholders. Among the topics needing further study, data collection, and enhanced characterization are:

• Mapping of aquifer hydraulic properties on a wellfield scale
• Detailed evaluation of geologic controls on vertical and horizontal distribution of aquifer properties
• Quantification of recharge rates and recharge processes, and prediction of spatial variability of recharge
• Long-term changes in resource quality due to continued production
• Surface water-ground water interactions and environmental consequences of changes in discharge
• Impacts on water resource availability due to long-term climate change
• Applications of advanced technologies and techniques (e.g., geophysics, visualization.technologies, etc.) for water resource evaluations
• Real-time monitoring of the aquifer system
• Changing practices of groundwater production as the aquifer dewaters (predicting future water level changes and impacts on agricultural activity)
• Improving capability of modeling software to interactively adjust future pumping rates for aquifer prediction

Oklahoma

Key Agencies	Role; Contact
Oklahoma Geological Survey (OGS)
	The Survey's charter is to investigate the land, water, mineral, and energy resources of Oklahoma and to disseminate the results of these investigations to encourage the wise use of the State's natural resources. The primary geological programs of the OGS are related to field investigations (including mapping and stratigraphic studies), energy-related research (particularly oil and natural gas, coalbed methane, and coal), and public and teacher education. Other programs are concerned with earthquakes and other natural hazards. At the present time, the OGS is engaged in no water-related research or studies. Contact: http://www.ogs.ou.edu/
Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB)
	The mission of the OWRB is to effectively and efficiently manage and protect the water resources of the State and plan for Oklahoma's long-range water needs. The agency's priority is water. Our areas of expertise include monitoring surface water quality, monitoring groundwater quantity, and groundwater hydrology. OWRB is developing the expertise in groundwater quality monitoring and surface water quantity modeling. Contact: http://www.state.ok.us/-owrb/

Data Management

Oklahoma does not have a central data repository or delivery or distribution system.

HPA Future Research Recommendations

From the Oklahoma perspective, there are many fundamental aspects of the High Plains aquifer that require increased understanding. Some involve new research; others involve data management and accessibility. The following are some areas of research that should be conducted in Oklahoma:

• Access all lithologic (drillers') logs of the Ogallala in Oklahoma. These are available from a variety of sources. Catalog and examine them. Construct geologic cross sections throughout the outcrop area of the Ogallala.
• Acquire all electric logs of the Ogallala, including those of water wells and petroleum wells. Tie these into the cross sections mentioned above.
• Determine the interaction of ground water--surface water interaction. If the ground water is developed, how will this affect the surface water? Would it affect wildlife?
• In some places, the age of Ogallala water is very young (e.g., see USGS Fact Sheet 137-00). Is this true throughout the extent of the Ogallala, or is it a local phenomenon? This has very real implications for water usage and contamination.
• Acquire all old geochemical analyses of Ogallala water and determine reliability of data. Put data into electronic database.
• Acquire municipal data on water quality and pump tests for possible use in other studies.
• Determine the effect of spraying hog farm effluent on nearby soils. What is the effect offeedlots and hog farms on water quality?
• What is the effect of terraced dry-land farming practices on run-off? How does land modification effect and/or enhance recharge to the aquifer?
• What are the water-bearing characteristics of some sub-Ogallala units in the OK Panhandle, particularly Cimarron County, and especially the Cretaceous?
• Determine the appropriateness of using microgravity techniques to document changes in water storage.
• Establish a recorder well network to monitor real-time changes in water levels.
• Construct a geologic map of the Ogallala Formation mapping the different facies that are present. Determine the aquifer characteristics of these different facies.
• Make accessible over the internet OWRB's database showing proposed water wells, permitted water wells, drilled water wells, data from those water wells, and abandoned wells. Include both municipal and domestic wells.
• The effects of land use on the water quality of the aquifer.

Nebraska

Key Agencies	Role; Contact
Nebraska Conservation and Survey Division (NCSD)
	The NCSD mission is to investigate and record information about Nebraska's geologic history, its rock and mineral resources, the quantity and quality of its water resources, land cover and other aspects of its geography, as well as the nature, distribution and uses of its soils. Contact: http://csd.unl.edu/
Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
	The Department of Natural Resources is the result of a merger between the Natural Resources Commission and the Department of Water Resources. The Department is responsible for the oversight of water Quality and Quantity. Contact: http://www.dnr.state.ne.us/
Nebraska Association of Natural Resource Districts (NARD's)
	The Nebraska Association of Resources Districts is the statewide association created by the state's Natural Resources Districts to provide administrative services, legislative representation, and statewide communication and coordination tothe 23 independent districts. Contact: http://www.nrdnet.org/
Nebraska Natural Resource Districts (NRD's)
	Nebraska's system of local natural resources management is unique in the United States. Unlike the county-wide districts found in most states, Nebraska's Natural Resources Districts are based on river basin boundaries, enabling them to approach natural resources management on a watershed basis. There are 23 NRDs in Nebraska. Each district is autonomous, governed by a locally-elected Board of Directors. While NRDs share a common set of responsibilities, each district sets its own priorities and develops its own programs to best serve local needs. Contact: http://www.nrdnet.org/nrd_guide.htm
Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ)
	NDEQ was created pursuant to passage of the Nebraska Environmental Protection Act in 1971. Although the Department has grown and been given additional responsibilities over the years, its ongoing mission has remained the same--the protection of Nebraska's air, soil and water resources. Contact: http://www.deq.state.ne.us/
Nebraska Health and Human Services System
	Manages Nebraska's Water Well Standards and Contractor's Licensing Program and the Public Water Supply Program. Contact: http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/index.htm

Data Management

The Natural Resources Data Bank, statutorily created in 1969, is administered by the DNR. The purpose of the Data Bank is to develop, store, process and manage natural resources data relating to land and water resources of the State, and make the information available to government agencies and the general public in a user-friendly and timely manner. Location: http://www.dnr.state.ne.us/databank/dbindex.html
Access: Public

Several less comprehensive, but more detailed systems are maintained by other state, local and federal agencies and by departments at the University. Examples of specific data sets include observation well water level elevations, records of raw water chemical analysis, water pumping and consumption records and meteorological data from statewide weather stations. Federal metadata standards are not followed by each of the entities who maintain automated data sets. Location: http://csd.unl.edu/csd/genlinfo/datasets.html
Access: Public

HPA Future Research Recommendations

• Upper Elkhom NRD--better summarization of data. Utilizing accurate data.
• NCSD--geo-spatial format--improved knowledge of stream/aquifer interaction, recharge and interaction rates. Comprehensive data collection, storage and dissemination facility.
• NE USGS--Ground- and surface-water availability and the effects of competing demands for water. The research would include studies to characterize the aquifer and stream, to measure ground- and surface-water interaction, and to quantify water uses. Agricultural, industrial, and urban impacts on ground- and surface-water quality. The research would include studies to evaluate land use, basin characteristics, and water quality. Drinking water quality. The research would include monitoring water quality and evaluating impacts to drinking water supplies.
• Little Blue NRD--Ground water recharge and percolation studies to determine impacts of rainfall, efficient irrigation practices, and fertilizer or pesticide penetration in the soils. Nitrate pollution. Updated hydrogeologic mapping.

Wyoming

Key Agencies	Role; Contact
Wyoming State Geologist
	The Wyoming State Geological Survey is a Separate Operating Agency working under the Executive Branch of State Government (W.S. 9-2-801, 9-2-803 through 9-2-810). The Geological Survey's purposes are (1) to study, examine, and seek an understanding of the geology, mineral resources, and physical features of the State; (2) to prepare, publish, and distribute (free or for sale) reports and maps of the State's geology, mineral resources, and physical features; and (3) to provide information, advice, and services related to the geology, mineral resources, and physical features of the State. The agency's stated mission is to promote the beneficial and environmentally sound use of Wyoming's vast geologic, mineral, and energy resources while helping protect the public from geologic hazards. By providing accurate information and expanding knowledge through the application of geologic principles, the Geological Survey contributes to economic growth and improvement in the quality of life for Wyoming's citizens. Contact: http://www.wsgs.uwyo.edu/
Wyoming State Engineer
	The Wyoming Constitution defines that all natural waters within the boundaries of the state are declared to be the property of the state. The Wyoming State Engineer's Office is charged with the regulation and administration of the water resources in Wyoming. Contact: http://seo.state.wy.us/
Wyoming Water Development Commission
	The Wyoming Water Development Program was established in 1975 to promote the optimal development of the state's human, industrial, mineral, agricultural, water and recreational resources. In 1979 the Wyoming Water Development Commission (WWOC) was established to implement the water development program and to conduct water and related resource planning. The Commission is composed of 10 members appointed by the Governor to represent the four state water divisions and the reservation. The Wyoming Water Development Office (WWOO) provides the support for the Commission and is staffed by 18 professional and support employees. The Wyoming Water Development Program receives funding from two sources. Water Development Account I receives the revenue from a 1.5% excise tax on coal. Water Development Account II receives revenue from a 0.167% severance tax on oil and gas. Account I is utilized for new development proiects, and Account II is used to fund water proiects that have been in existence for 15 years or longer. Contact: http://wwdc.state.wy.us/
Wyoming Water Resources Data System
	The Water Resources Data System is a clearinghouse of hydrological and climatological data for the State of Wyoming. Funded from an allocation from the Wyoming Water Development Commission, the System offers a wide range of products and services to its users. As of 01 September 2001, the State Climatologist Office has been combined with WRDS in order to better integrate the functions of these two environmentally related disciplines. Contact: http://www.wrds.uwyo.edu/
Rural Water Association
	Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems (WARWS) is a Non-profit Association, affiliated with National Rural Water Association (NRWA) that provides on-site, one-on-one technical assistance at no cost to small municipalities under 10,000 population and all rural water and wastewater districts throughout the state. Contact: http://www.nrwa.org/warws/
Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts
	The Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts provides leadership for the conservation of Wyoming's soil and water resources, promotes the control of soil erosion, promotes and protects the quality of Wyoming's waters, reduce siltation of stream channels and reservoirs, promote wise use of Wyoming's water, and all other natural resources, preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, protect the tax base and promote the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of this state through a responsible conservation ethic. Contact: http://www.conservewy.com/
Wyoming Water Association
	No web site.
Wyoming Ground Water Foundation
	No web site.
Wyoming Control Areas
	Due to the large scale development of ground water for irrigation use in some areas of the state, three groundwater management districts called Control Areas have been established. An Advisory Group is elected in each of the Control Areas to review new permit applications, requests for water right changes, and advise the State Engineer's Office regarding such items.

Data Management

The Water Resources Data System is a clearinghouse of hydrological and climatological data for the State of Wyoming. See information above.
Location: http://www.wrds.uwyo.edu/
Access: Public

HPA Future Research Recommendations

WY USGS response--recharge, storage, and changes in storage in the High Plains aquifer in Wyoming. As part of that study a network of instrumented water-level observation wells in areas that are not affected by local pumping would be useful. Besides looking at the aquifer itself I think looking at movement of water through the unsaturated zone would be beneficial.

Another important need would be to look in more detail at the chemistry of the High Plains water. There are known issues with the natural quality of the water such as relatively high uranium and radon concentrations and also with man made chemicals, mainly nitrate.

New Mexico

Key Agencies	Role; Contact
New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (NMBGMR)
	The NMBGMR, a division of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, is a non-regulatory agency charged with gathering and disseminating information related to the geology and natural resources of New Mexico. Primary activities include the preparation of maps of the state's geology and resource potential, information-gathering related to petroleum, coal, aggregate, water, geological hazards, and environmental concerns, archiving geological samples, and disseminating information through reports, maps, publications, queries from individuals and organizations, and educational programs. NMBGMR research staff provides expertise in field geology, geochemistry, hydrogeology, geophysics, and economic geology, and dissemination of information is facilitated through publications and cartography departments and outreach programs. Contact: http://geoinfo.nmt.edu/
New Mexico Office of the State Engineer (OSE) New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (ISC)
	The OSE and the ISC are separate but companion agencies charged with administering the state's water resources. The agencies have power over the supervision, measurement, appropriation, and distribution of almost all surface and ground water in New Mexico, including streams and rivers that cross state boundaries. The OSE is responsible for water rights administration, making hydrographic surveys for water rights adjudication, performing water resource investigations, inspecting dams for safety, rehabilitating diversion dams and ditches, reviewing subdivision water supply proposals received from New Mexico counties, and issuing water well-driller licenses. The ISC has broad powers to investigate, protect, conserve and develop the stream systems of the state. The ISC administers interstate stream compacts, funds water research, conservation and development projects, and regional planning projects, oversees interstate litigation, cooperates in the planning of federal water projects, provides financial assistance for the construction of irrigation works, and administers the state's regional water planning program. Contact: http://www.ose.state.nm.us/
New Mexico Environment Department (ED)
	Provide the highest quality of life throughout the state by promoting a safe, clean, and productive environment. Responsible for water quality oversight. Contact: http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/

Other Hydrologic and Geologic Research in New Mexico
Research Topic	Research Summary, Contact
	Recent water-related studies in New Mexico have focused largely on the Rio Grande valley and adjacent groundwater basins because a large proportion of the state's population and agricultural activity is concentrated in those areas. The OSE/ISC has been conducting studies for all ground water basins in the state to aid in planning, policy, regulation, and protection of the state's water resources.
Delineation of hydrogeologic units
	Delineation of hydrogeologic units and their 3-dimensional distribution in the unconsolidated aquifer system (Santa Fe Group) underlying the middle Rio Grande basin.
Characterization of aquifer properties
	Characterization of aquifer properties (Kx, Kz) and regional flow systems using borehole geophysical (temperature) logs in the Santa Fe Group aquifer system, middle Rio Grande basin.
Characterization of aquifer properties
	Assessment and characterization of hydrogeologic units, their 3-dimensional distribution, and hydrologic significance in the Espanola basin.
Water availability
	Water availability assessment for Placitas area, middle Rio Grande basin, incorporating geologic controls, water-level and spring-discharge records, and hydrochemical data.
Withdrawals
	Numerical estimates of land subsidence due to water withdrawals (pumping) from the Santa Fe Group aquifer system, middle Rio Grande basin.
Natural and mining-related impacts
	Assessment of natural and mining-related impacts to the Red River of northern New Mexico, using hydrochemical and geochemical data.
Surface water systems
	The OSE/ISC is currently involved in managing the surface water system of the state. Surface water models are being developed to simulate stream flows for the major streams in the state. These models account for evaporation losses, seepage, diversion, and water consumption by vegetation along stream reaches. This work is being conducted in cooperation with federal and state agencies.

Data Management

A project recently initiated by OSE, the Water Administration Technical Engineering Resource System (WATERS), is beginning to provide data management. The elements of the system include water rights administration, subdivision review, metering, hydrographic surveys, adjudication, abstracting, decision support systems, imaging, numeric models, mapping, and so on. Inclusive to the system is the Enterprise GIS (E-GIS) component that is in the final building phase to integrate data, hardware, software, and staff into a system that is connected to the water rights data. The E-GIS will provide the most accurate mapping of points of diversion, places of use, and conveyances.
Location: http://www.ose.state.nm.us/water-info/index.htmI
Access: Public

Water-related information available from NMBGMR is largely in the form of published reports that provide hydrogeological information in addition to water level and water quality data. For the HPA, Ground Water Reports are available for Lea and Quay counties.
Location:
Access: Public

The Earth Data Analysis Center (EDAC), a service organization of the University of New Mexico, provides a variety of geospatial data resources and services. EDAC is a partner in the New Mexico Resource Geographic Information System (RGIS), which provides a clearinghouse for GIS data for New Mexico. GIS vector coverages are provided in ESRI formats and include FGDC-compliant metadata. Most of the holdings are federal collections including digital aerial photography, digital raster graphics, terrain/topography, census, transportation, hydrography, and a host of specialized data including land ownership and natural resources. Data are downloadable in various formats and free of charge, or can be obtained by request for a nominal fee.
Location: http://rgis.unm.edu/
Access: Public

HPA Future Research Recommendations

• From a hydrogeological perspective it is clear that significant advances in model accuracy can be made with improved characterization of the factors listed above. In particular, improved hydrogeologic and sedimentologic characterization of the aquifer system is needed before models can realistically incorporate 3-dimensional patterns of aquifer properties (e.g. heterogeneity/anisotropy, hydraulic conductivity, confinement, etc.). Improved information about the spatial distribution of aquifer properties will be obtained from field-based studies that document distributions and hydrogeological characteristics of lithofacies. Detailed mapping efforts in conjunction with a drilling component for critical sites, with the specific goal of providing hydrogeologic information about the HPAS, should be considered an important part of the High Plains Aquifer Coalition science plan.
• A focused program of surface mapping, drilling, geophysical logging and surveying, and re-examination and conversion of existing surface and subsurface data will provide more accurate information about the overall spatial extent of the HPAS, especially for areas removed from the pumping centers that have received comparatively little attention. Poorly constrained modeling issues such as the hydrologic connectivity of the HPAS in eastern New Mexico with underlying bedrock aquifers will also be addressed by field-based hydrolgeologic studies. As more information on the 3-dimensional distribution of lithofacies in the HPAS becomes available, it is likely that a realistic depositional model for the Ogallala Formation in eastern New Mexico will emerge that can be used as a predictive tool in continued hydrogeological and numerical investigations.
• Although significant amounts of information regarding water levels and water use for the HPAS in eastern New Mexico have been collected, a commitment should be made to continued data-gathering efforts and conversion of relevant data to electronic Geographic Information Systems. Ongoing groundwater investigations of the HPAS in New Mexico indicate that large portions near the main pumping centers may be de-watered in the near future if existing demands continue. From an administrative perspective, it is critical for New Mexico that maximum efforts be directed at prolonging the life of the aquifer. These efforts should include examination of alternative sources of water supply and evaluation of new technologies or methods to reduce aquifer depletion.

South Dakota

Key Agencies	Role; Contact
South Dakota Geological Survey
	To conduct geologic studies, hydrologic studies, and research; and to collect, correlate, preserve, interpret, and disseminate information, leading to a better understanding of the geology and hydrology of South Dakota. Special emphasis is placed on ground-water quantity and quality and other natural resources of economic value. The Survey has no regulatory authority; instead, it provides information and interpretations on natural resources and related issues, and assists agencies and individuals in making well-informed decisions. Contact: http://www.sdgs.usd.edu/
South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
	The DENR mission is to provide environmental and natural resources assessment, financial assistance, and regulation in a customer service manner that protects the public health, conserves natural resources, preserves the environment, and promotes economic development. Contact: http://www.state.sd.us/denr/denr.html
South Dakota Water Management Board
	A major addition to the water rights laws occurred in 1955. Legislation was enacted making use of ground water also subject to the doctrine of prior appropriation. In addition, a provision was inserted allowing anyone to claim a vested water right for water uses predating March 2, 1955. The 1955 legislation also transferred the authority to issue water right permits from the state engineer to a citizen's board with a chief engineer making recommendations to the board. This citizen's board is now known as the Water Management Board and consists of seven members appointed by the Governor. Contact: http://www.state.sd.us/denr/des/waterrights/wmb.htm

Other Hydrogeologic Research in South Dakota

Not available.

Data Management

Not available.

HPA Future Research Recommendatious

• Improve temporal and spatial estimates of aquifer recharge.
• Better quantify and map hydraulic properties that characterize storage and horizontal and vertical movement of water.
• Better understand the interaction of ground water and surface water.
• Better quantify and map evapotranspiration from low and wetland areas.
• Validate numerical models capable of predictive simulations.

Colorado

Key Agencies	Role; Contact
Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR): Division of Water Resources--State Engineer's Office, (water rights and water supply regulation) Colorado Water Conservation Board (water conservation projects) Colorado Geological Survey (hydrogeological research and data gathering)
	The Colorado Department of Natural Resources was created to develop, protect and enhance Colorado natural resources for the use and enjoyment of the state's present and future residents, as well as for visitors to the state. Contact: http://www.dnr.state.co.us/ The Colorado Division of Water Resources strives to be a leader in the water community of Colorado and the western United States. This is accomplished by focusing on the following areas: people, water, and stewardship. Contact: http://www.dnr.state.co.us/water/indexWater.asp The Water Conservation Board purpose is to conserve, develop, protect, and manage Colorado's water for present and future generations. Contact: http://www.cwcb.state.co.us/ Colorado Geological Survey's mission is to serve and inform the people of Colorado by providing sound geologic information and evaluation, and to educate the public about the important role of earth sciences in everyday life in Colorado. The Engineering and Enviromnental Geology Section provides geoscience expertise regarding geologic hazards, water quality, and hydrogeology to safeguard life and promote wise use of land and natural resources in Colorado. Areas of expertise include: geologic mapping, water quality studies and monitoring, and hydrogeological (aquifer) characterization, analytical modeling. Contact: http://geosurvey.state.co.us/
Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA): Colorado State Conservation Board (water information for agriculture)
	The Colorado State Conservation Board (CSCB) is a Division of the Department of Agriculture. Its activities are directed by a Board consisting of eight elected members from the Watersheds and one member appointed by the governor. The CSCB acts as a state board of appeals for the 77 conservation districts; administers and disburses funds for the purpose of assisting the districts; acts in an advisory capacity with the districts; coordinates the programs of all districts; undertakes studies of watershed planning; develops, implements and administers watershed flood prevention and underground water storage projects; accepts grants, services and materials for conservation purposes. Contact: http://www.ag.state.co.us/soils/soils. html
Colorado Department of Public Health and Enviromnent (DPHE): Water Quality Control Commission (water quality regulation) Water Quality Control Division (implementation)
	The Colorado Water Quality Control Commission is the administrative agency responsible for developing specific state water quality policies, in a manner that implements the broader policies set forth by the Legislature in the Colorado Water Quality Control Act. The Commission adopts water quality classifications and standards for surface and ground waters of the state, as well as various regulations aimed at achieving compliance with those classifications and standards. Contact: http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/op/wqcc/wqcchom.asp The Water Quality Control Division is the agency responsible for implementing and enforcing the regulations adopted by the Water Quality Control Commission, as well as applicable regulations adopted by the State Board of Health. The Division regulates the discharge of pollutants into state waters and enforces the state regulations governing public water supplies. Contact: http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/wq/wqhom.asp
Water Conservation Districts
	There are three Water Conservation Districts in Colorado: Colorado River Water Conservation District, Rio Grande Water Conservation District, and Southwestern Water Conservation District. Contact: http://www.crwcd.gov/ http://www.waterinfo.orglhistory.html http://www.waterknowledge.colostate.edu/wcdriog.htm
Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB)
	The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) was created in 1937 for the purpose of aiding in the protection and development of the waters of the state. The Mission Statement of the CWCB is: Conserve, Develop, Protect and Manage Colorado's Water for Present and Future Generations. Contact: http://cwcb.state.co.us/
Ground Water Commission (GWC)
	The Colorado Ground Water Commission is a regulatory and an adjudicatory body authorized to manage and control designated ground water resources, including the Ogallala aquifer, within the State of Colorado. The Ground Water Commission adopts rules and policies related to issuing large capacity well permits and changes in ground water rights within the Designated Ground Water Basins. Currently the Commission has established 8 designated ground water basins and 13 ground water management districts within these basins. Personnel of the Colorado Division of Water Resource serve as the technical staff for the Commission. Contact: http://water.state.co.us/cgwc/
Division of Water Resources (DWR)
	The Division of Water Resources administers and enforces all surface and ground water rights throughout the State of Colorado, issues water well permits, approves construction and repair of dams, and enforces interstate compacts. The Division of Water Resources is also the agency responsible for implementing and enforcing the statutes of the Ground Water Management Act passed by the Legislature as well as implementing applicable rules and policies adopted by the Colorado Ground Water Commission and the State Board of Examiners of Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors. Contact: http://water.state.co.us/

Other Hydrogeologic Research in Colorado
Research Topic	Research Summary, Contact
Water Quality
	The CGS is currently working on water quality studies related to natural acid rock drainage and abandoned mines. Contact: CGS
Ground water contamination
	The CGS is currently working on research related to ground water contaminant fate and transport related to former underground storage tanks for petroleum products, landfill areas, and other contaminants. Contact: CGS

Data Management

No statewide data management system in place. State agencies collect data in their own databases. Some agencies, such as the Water Quality Control Division, are beginning to upload data in the EPA STORET database. A portion of this data will meet federal metadata standars.

HPA Future Research Recommendations

• Aquifer hydrogeologic parameters. Data needed to better understand HPA variability, compartmentalization, refined estimates of water in storage, etc.
• Ground Water/Surface Water interactions. How do these water sources influence each other, both in quantity and quality?
• Ground Water Quality. Very little is known of ground-water quality, its spatial variability, the aquifer's sensitivity to contaminants, etc.
• Water Budget. Need refinement of amounts of precipitation, evaoptranspiration, recharge, discharge to the aquifer, especially with respect to spatial variation.
• Determination of actual pumping from the aquifer.

U.S. Geological Survey

Key Agencies	Role; Contact
US Geological Survey (USGS)
	The Central Region, one of three USGS regions, is composed of fifteen states in the central portion of the United States. It is an administrative construct to facilitate regional sciences programs and administration of numerous USGS offices in these states. The USGS has offices in 74 cities in the Central Region and is composed of about 3,300 employees and 525 on-site contractors. The Regional Director's Office is located at the Denver Federal Center. The Regional Biologist's Office is also located at the Denver Federal Center and manages five Science Centers. The Sciences Centers provide the science needed to support the sound management and conservation of our Nation's biological resources. The Regional Geologist's Office is at the Denver Federal Center and manages five scientific teams: Crustal Imaging and Characterization; Earth Surface Processes; Energy Resources; Geologic Hazards, and Mineral Resources. The teams provide science on geologic hazards and resources and the Nation's geologic ftamework. The Regional Geographer's Office is in Rolla, MO and manages two Mapping Centers. These Centers provide the Nation's basic geospatial data and imagery, ensuring access to and advancing the application of these data and other Earth science information for users worldwide. The Regional Hydrologist's Office is at the Denver Federal Center, and manages fifteen distributed District Offices. There is one District Office in each of the region's fifteen states, most of which are in State capitals. These Offices provide the hydrologic information and understanding needed by others to achieve the best use and management of the Nation's water resources. Contact: http://www.usgs.gov/

Data Management

As part of the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) program of disseminating water data to the public, the USGS maintains a distributed network of computers and fileservers for the storage and retrieval of water data collected through its activities at approximately 1.5 million sites around the country. This system is called the National Water Information System (NWIS). Many types of data are stored in this NWIS network, including: site information, time-series (flow, stage, precipitation, chemical), peak flow, ground water, water quality. NWIS data comes from all 50 states, selected territories and border stations, from 1896 to present. Of the 1.5M sites with NWIS data, 80% are wells; 350,000 are water quality sites; and 19,000 are streamflow sites, of which over 5,000 are real-time.

The goal of NWISWeb is to provide both internal and external users of USGS water information with an easy to use, geographically-seamless interface to the large volume of USGS water data maintained on 48 separate NWIS databases nationwide via the internet. Data is updated from the NWlS sites on a regularly scheduled basis; real-time data is transmitted to NWlSWeb several times a day. NWlSWeb provides several output options: real-time streamflow, water-levels and water quality graphs, data tables and site maps; tabular output in html and ASCII tab delimited files; lists of selected sites as summaries with reselection for details. Data are retrieved by category of data, such as surface water, ground water, or water quality; and by geographic area. Further refinement is possible by selecting specific information and by defining the output desired. NWISWeb contains about 4.3 million Water Quality Samples; and 64 million Water Quality Sampling Results.
Access: Public

The USGS annually monitors ground-water levels in thousands of wells in the United States. Ground-water level data are collected and stored as either discrete ground-water level measurements or as continuous record. Data from some of the continuous record stations are relayed to USGS offices nationwide through telephone lines or by satellite transmissions providing access to realtime ground-water data.
Location: Local offices
Access: Public

The High Plains NAWQA does have a central data repository for its chemical data and a separate repository for its GIS data. The central repository for the chemical data collected is a MS Access data base that includes all chemical data archived in the USGS NWIS system (GWSI and QWDATA) and all non-NWIS chemical data from special studies. The GIS data is stored in a single location on computer disk. The types of chemical data stored in NWIS for ground water include nutrients, major ions, trace elements, volatile organic compounds, dissolved organic carbon, pesticides and their metabolites, radon, radium, and tritium. There is also non-NWIS data for cores, cuttings and unsaturated-zone pore water; these include isotope data (carbon, boron, strontium, oxygen, and helium), x-ray diffraction data, organic carbon, pH, dissolved gasses (Ne, He, N2, CFC's, CH4, CO2, and O2), major ions, tritium, moisture content of sediment and texture, hydraulic conductivity, moisture retention, and physical and thermal properties of sediment. All of the chemical data (NWIS and non-NWIS) becomes accessible over the web after it has undergone QA checking and the interpretive reports have been published. The chemical data stored in NWIS is also available to the public through NWIS web and the NAWQA data warehouse. The GIS data is mostly available to the public from published National data sets that have been "clipped" to the boundary of the High Plains.
Access: Public

HPA Future Research Recommendations

• Water use--Complete and accurate numbers for irrigation would be very helpful to any modeling effort that tries to maximize the sustainability of the High Plains aquifer.
• Delineation of Irrigated Lands--If we assume that the majority of the aquifer recharge is presently occurring beneath irrigated lands over the High Plains aquifer, then it stands to reason that we need to know where these lands are located. A better delineation of crop fields, type of irrigation, and timing of application would be extremely helpful in modeling ground water within the aquifer.
• GW/SW Interaction--In those areas where surface water is present (Platte and Arkansas Rivers) there is a need to understand the hydraulics of how the rivers interact with the alluvium and the underlying Ogallala Formation. Additionally, as water levels rise or decline there are water quality considerations that could threaten the use of the resource for some purposes (ex. drinking water supply). Ground-water flow modeling in these areas will need information on GW/SW interaction to properly calibrate their models.
• Recharge rates--Ground-water flow models have been used and will continue to be used to make water-management decisions in the High Plains. The accuracy of these models is dependent on the accuracy of the data used to build the models. Recharge is an important model input variable. Until recently, direct measurements of deep recharge to the aquifer were not available. Recent work by the USGS has begun to provide direct measurements of deep recharge in the aquifer. The USGS studies have been conducted at nine sites in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Texas and have focused on rangeland and irrigated fields. Additional studies are needed to examine deep recharge under non-irrigated wheat (an important land use in the High Plains) and under fields that employ different irrigation technologies.
• Effects of conservation efforts--Various agricultural practices including conservation and set-aside efforts seem to have considerable effects on the runoff-recharge relations observed under either native or more typical irrigated agriculture. These effects need to be studied to evaulate the resultant impacts, both of aquifer water quantity and quality.
• Improvements to Monitoring Well Network--Current monitoring well network is in need of updating and filling in data gaps. Because of the importance and wide use of this data it would seem to be a high-priority item. It may be advisable to nest a recorder well network (continuous) within the larger water level (one measurement per year) network to look at seasonal trends and ensure adequate spatial coverage.
• Ground-water age dates--Calibration of ground-water flow models usually involves adjustment of model variables (e.g., recharge rates and hydraulic conductivity) until an acceptable match between measured and modeled hydraulic heads is obtained. One problem with this approach to calibration is that the same answer can be obtained with different values of recharge and hydraulic conductivity as long as the ratio of the two remains the same. Using ground-water ages as a second calibration parameter can constrain the possible values of other model parameters, thereby leading to a more accurate model on which water-management decisions can be based. Ground-water age dates also provide an estimate of aquifer vulnerability to contamination from the land surface. Understanding the aerial distribution of vulnerable aquifer areas would be useful for regulators charged with permitting land-use activities that might contaminate ground water.
• Regional Data Base--Many of the hydrogeological and water-quality issues in the High Plains aquifer are regional in nature because of the large size of the aquifer. A regional database containing hydrologic, geologic, and water-quality information is needed. The data would be populated and used by all High Plains states.