The Ogallala Formation, Dakota sandstone, and Cheyenne sandstone underlie the Southern High Plains. These three formations contain an estimated 8 million acre-feet of recoverable ground water.
The Ogallala Formation, Dakota sandstone, and Cheyenne sandstone underlie the Southern High Plains. These three formations contain an estimated 8 million acre-feet of recoverable ground water.
The Ogallala Formation is composed of sand, gravel, and silt, with some cemented sandstone lenses. The Dakota sandstone is composed primarily of sandstone, but shale may be present. The Cheyenne sandstone is composed of sandstone and shale. However, the shale does not yield water to wells.
The Ogallala Formation ranges from 0 to 400 feet in thickness. The Dakota sandstone and Cheyenne sandstone are greater than 150 feet and 225 feet in thickness, respectively.
The concentration of dissolved solids in the ground water of the Southern High Plains varies greatly. The concentration of total dissolved solids in the Ogallala Formation ranges from 220 to 1,000 milligrams per liter. The concentration of total dissolved solids in the Dakota and Cheyenne sandstones ranges from 140 to 1,900 milligrams per liter.
Back to Home
|
Back to Major Sources of Ground Water in Colorado