The well is now contained after surprising everyone with high flows. Here’s a release from the Bureau of Land Management:
Hydro Resources Colorado successfully contained the water flow from the new Park Center Well late Saturday afternoon. Water had been flowing from the well at a rate of 1,600-2,000 gallons per minute when Hydro Resources hit an unexpected high pressure during drilling operations on August 1. The drill site is located near the original 80-year old Park Center Well, five miles north of Cañon City off the Garden Park Road (County Road 9).
Fremont County assisted the BLM by constructing a bypass road around the project site to provide a sufficient working area for several pieces of large equipment. Traffic is one-way and travelers should expect some delays.
Additional review of the current condition of the existing well is planned over the next several days. The BLM is also in the process of reviewing any potential impacts caused by the excess water flow and any sedimentation into the adjacent Fourmile Creek.
In April, the BLM Royal Gorge Field Office awarded a $1,176,000 contract under ARRA to Hydro Resources Colorado, LLC. to drill a new well to replace the deteriorating 80-year old Park Center Well near Cañon City, Colorado. This well has provided municipal water for more than 40 years to Park Center Water District users. The BLM also uses this well for fire emergencies and other administrative uses.
More Arkansas River Basin coverage here.