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Commissioners authorize groundwater study with Rocky Mountain Environmental, not-to-exceed $6,000
Summary
Planning & Zoning staff and commissioners approved a hydrologic study with Rocky Mountain Environmental to evaluate groundwater recharge and well impacts; motion capped the contract at $6,000.
Jefferson County Planning & Zoning staff and the commission approved a contract with Rocky Mountain Environmental on July 20 for a hydrologic (groundwater) study, capped at $6,000.
Milton Ollerton told commissioners the study will assemble existing groundwater data and examine recharge concerns after residents reported wells running dry. He said some nearby features — including the Burgess Canal — were losing water into the ground, remarking that "Burgess Canal is losing 16,000 inches of water a day into the ground." Commissioners discussed well depths ("usually around 120 feet" was mentioned) and recharge possibilities such as restoring old gravel pits. Commissioner Young moved to approve the contract, amended not to exceed $6,000, and the motion passed by unanimous roll call.
The study is intended to compile existing data and assess recharge and well interactions; county staff discussed the potential for using gravel pits for recharge and agreed that additional engineering and data review are required before any recharge projects are initiated.
