--> ABSTRACT: Hydrologist Turns Blind Eye to Facts in Water Rights Case, San Luis Basin, Colorado, by R. R. Gries; #91021 (2010)

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Hydrologist Turns Blind Eye to Facts in Water Rights Case, San Luis Basin, Colorado

GRIES, ROBBIE RICE

In 1991, American Water Development Inc. (AWDI) endeavored to explore for fresh water in the San Luis Valley of south central Colorado, on the private 110,000 acre Baca Grant which they had purchased for $8 million. Their objective was to explore for water in the Santa Fe Fm. (1500 ft to 6000 ft), produce it, transport it across the Sangre de Cristo Range and sell to water impoverished areas of the Colorado Front Range.

Paranoia (commonly associated with any water endeavors in the San Luis Valley) surged and a coalition of locals brought suit against these entrepreneurs. Each side hired a full contingent of scientific experts. As witness for AWDI, I was aghast when the geologist/hydrologist on the opposing side took the stand, swore to tell the truth, established his expert credentials and then proceeded to:

(1) describe highly unconsolidated rocks as consolidated and highly cemented,

(2) describe rocks as being hydraulically unconductive where abundant water had flowed to the surface from drill stem tests as well as from deep water wells,

(3) describe sandstones as dense and highly cemented when they showed log bulk densities of 2.3 to 2.4 g/c{3} and porosities of 25 to 35%,

(4) describe rocks as acoustically tight with velocities of greater than 8000 ft/sec, and ignore all seismic data which showed velocities of less than 8000 ft/sec,

(5) interpret on seismic sections numerous major horsts across the Baca Graben--a classic and major graben system,

(6) interpret 600 to 1500 ft faults on seismic sections, and map the offsets at 200-300 ft,

(7) swear he hadn't read a paper on the latest stratigraphic work in the valley, when he had been given a copy to review, which he then edited and published.

The entrepreneurs lost. The case was not decided on scientific testimony--right or wrong. Amazing that a professional geologist, for daily wages, would risk his reputation and compromise his character by both ignoring data or inventing data. 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91021©1997 AAPG Annual Convention, Dallas, Texas.