Conifer Area Council Water Resources Study/Action Team
Conifer Area Council Water Team is a group of volunteers committed to understanding the water supply issues of our mountain community. It includes professionals with multi-disciplinary scientific backgrounds, engineers, staff from Jefferson County, Colorado State officials charged with managing our water resources, and many interested community members with varying backgrounds.
Conifer’s Fractured Ground Water System – Click to Enlarge
Interests and objectives span several areas that address the water balance that supplies our area. These include collecting, compiling, and evaluating data about groundwater, surface water, water use, and wastewater discharge, and educating the public about water issues.
The team has several ongoing projects:
- Water level data compilation and evaluation
- Water district water use data compilation and evaluation
- Education through community seminars and information meetings as part of their regular meetings
Grassroots from the Beginning
In 2018, feedback from community residents on our survey identified water issues as a key concern. Citizens of Conifer formed this team with the goal of making a presentation to the community to share their knowledge and experience gained from years of compiling data to understand the water characteristics of Conifer.
That experience began in the late 1970s as a group of homeowners formed the Pleasant Park Neighborhood Association to learn about the watershed in Conifer as homeowners were concerned about the impact on their wells on the face of new development.
In November 2018, they achieved their goal and brought together, for the first time, the professionals mentioned above with over 100 community members in attendance. In 2024, the team provided the most recent Water Resources Seminar to the community.
If you want to know more about our water resources, we provide the following links which are just some of the scientific online portals and data links the team uses.
Colorado Division of Water Resources, Decision Support System
Interactive maps and data of every kind on wells, aquifers, groundwater, stations and more.
To view the Conifer water level data, Visit External Website and following these steps:
- On the dashboard select the pull-down menu for GROUNDWATER, Select WATER LEVELS. On the form on the Publications pull-down menu, select CONIFER AREA, Click on SEARCH – data for 10 wells will be displayed.
- Turn map on and zoom to Conifer. The location of the wells is displayed. Select a well, and select VIEW WATER LEVEL DETAILS. The graph will show static water level data since 2005 for that well.
Colorado Groundwater Atlas, Colorado Geologic Survey
This comprehensive reference of the state’s groundwater resources summarizes the location, geography, geology, water quality, and hydrologic characteristics of Colorado’s major aquifers.
>> Visit External Website
Geologic Control of Supply and Quality of Water in the Mountainous Part of Jefferson County, Colorado Geological Survey
A report developed to assess the impact of development on water quality in unincorporated Jefferson County, as a result of population doubling from 1960-1975.
>> Visit External Website
Upper Mountain Counties Aquifer Sustainability Project, Colorado Water Conservation Board
An assessment that identifies water needs, available water supplies, and any shortages in the UMC (Jefferson, Park, Clear Creek, Gilpin).
>> Visit External Website
Hydrologic Conditions and Assessment of Water Resources in the Turkey Creek Watershed, Jefferson County, CO, 1998–2001, US Geological Survey
This report describes hydrologic conditions and a hydrologic assessment of water resources in the Turkey Creek watershed. Hydrologic conditions are described based on evapotranspiration, surface water, ground water, and water quality.
>>Visit External Website
Climate Change in Colorado, Colorado Climate Center, Colorado State University
2024 report describing recent trends in Colorado’s climate and hydrology
>>Visit External Website
Data and interpretations on this website are presented for general information only. This is a compilation of data from multiple sources and the compilers cannot ensure accuracy. Contents are continuously updated and the compilers strive to provide the best data possible but Conifer Area Council does not assume responsibility for use by others.
