Water storage is a crucial feature of Colorado’s water supply systems. Adequate water storage is necessary to meet peak summer water demands and for extended drought periods. The need for additional water storage capacity in Colorado was highlighted by the 2000-2004 drought period when many surface reservoirs were nearly empty.

Surface-water reservoirs are the mainstay for water storage in Colorado – but there is another option that can augment our current water storage capabilities. That alternative is to store water underground in aquifers.

The Colorado Geological Survey (CGS) completed an analysis of storing water underground through “artificial recharge.” Artificial recharge is defined as any engineered system designed to introduce water to, and store water in, underlying aquifers. The study is titled, Artificial Recharge of Ground Water in Colorado: A Statewide Analysis.  Scientists researched and compiled the various geological and technical aspects of artificial recharge in Colorado.

For more information, read the executive summary:

You can buy the publication here.