Results of transient simulations of a digital model of the Arikaree Aquifer near Wheatland, southeastern Wyoming

Revised ground-water pumpage data have been imposed on a ground-water flow model previously developed for the Arikaree aquifer in a 400 square-mile area in central Platte County, Wyo. Maximum permitted annual ground-water withdrawals of 750 acre-feet for industrial use were combined with three irrigation-pumping scenarios to predict the long-term effects on ground-water levels and streamflows. Total annual ground-water withdrawals of 8,806 acre-feet, 8,033 acre-feet, and 5,045 acre-feet were predicted to produce average water-level declines of 5 feet or more over areas of 99, 96, and 68 square miles, respectively, at the end of a 40-year simulation period. The first two pumping scenarios were predicted to produce average drawdowns of more than 50 feet over areas of 1.5 and 0.8 square miles, respectively, while the third scenario resulted in average drawdowns of less than 50 feet throughout the study area. In addition, these three pumping scenarios were predicted to cause streamflow reductions of 2.6, 2.0, and 1.4 cubic feet per second, respectively, in the Laramie River and 4.9, 4.7, and 3.7 cubic feet per second, respectively, in the North Laramie River at the end of the 40-year simulation period. (Kosco-USGS)