Along the South Platte River and its tributary streams lies an alluvial or “hydraulically connected” shallow aquifer.  Well pumping causes depletions to the aquifer, while seepage from irrigation, canal diversions, and precipitation events add to the alluvial aquifer.

CCWCD started diverting excess water from the South Platte River using recharge ponds in the early 1980s.  A recharge is needed to replenish the aquifer from the pumping of CCWCD member wells. Well pumping creates a deficit in the aquifer during parts of the year, and recharge replaces some of that deficit.  The majority of Central’s members pump alluvial groundwater for crop irrigation.

Central cooperates with landowners to coordinate recharge sites on their property. Central has constructed wells on the bank of the South Platte River to pump water to nearby recharge sites. Conditions for a new site must meet basic requirements of good soil permeability and defined distances from the river.