High Plains States Groundwater Demonstration Program

The High Plains States Groundwater Demonstration Program was initiated in 1983 in response to widespread concerns regarding the potential depletion and degradation of groundwater in the arid Western United States. The program consisted of 14 applied groundwater recharge demonstration projects and investigations to evaluate the effective use of recharge under a variety of hydrogeologic and institutional circumstances. A program summary report was issued in late 2000 to describe the program results and experience concerning groundwater recharge. The authorizing legislation designated the Bureau of Reclamation as the lead agency to administer and coordinate program activities. Applied demonstration projects were undertaken through cooperative arrangements with water management agencies and research organizations. The program also sponsored investigations by the Western States Water Council and the National Academy of Sciences to examine issues that can influence the appropriate role of recharge in water management. The demonstration projects represented a variety of water management problems and mechanisms to accomplish recharge objectives. Eight projects involved recharge to augment municipal supplies, four were intended to supplement irrigation water, and two projects involved generalized recharge of groundwater resources without direct recovery. Recharge technologies included active and gravity injection wells, spreading basins, and watershed practices used to enhance natural recharge.