The Hydrology and Hydrochemistry of High Creek Fen

Graduate Thesis Or Dissertation

Citations

Citeable URL: https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/2v23vt761

Abstract

High Creek Fen is a groundwater-fed wetland located in South Park, Colorado. To date, the groundwater sources to the fen have not been identified, and the spatial and temporal variation in hydrology and hydrochemistry is not well understood. Identifying the groundwater sources to High Creek Fen is important because new housing developments in the South Park basin, which have increased groundwater withdrawals, and may threaten the hydrologic integrity of the fen. To identify groundwater sources to the fen, physical and chemical groundwater and surface water measurements were collected throughout the fen between May 25, 2007 and May 29, 2008. Results indicate that the fen is primarily fed by a shallow groundwater source originating from the northwest. A secondary source of groundwater may contribute groundwater to the eastern region of High Creek Fen. In addition, the groundwater hydrology and hydrochemistry of High Creek Fen is greatly influenced by seasonal hydrologic processes.

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