While the hearts of all Coloradans go out to the victims of the fast-moving disaster known as the High Park Fire, a slow-moving disaster of equal magnitude is occurring in northern Colorado with far less public attention.

Extreme drought conditions are currently ravaging most of Colorado, in particular the farmers and rural communities in the South Platte River basin. The South Platte is a mere trickle when it should be at flood stage. Many ditches have already curtailed deliveries, possibly for the entire season. Only the most senior water rights are being met. Economic losses due to the drought could exceed the losses from the High Park Fire. Farm losses will have devastating effects on local economies up and down the South Platte.

Ironically, the South Platte drought coincides with record high groundwater levels in some parts of the basin. The cause of these high groundwater levels is not clear. However, in some areas the water table is so high that basements are flooding, sewage systems are failing, soil salt levels are increasing, crops are being damaged and water quality is deteriorating.

The common-sense solution to both the drought and the damaging impacts of high water tables would be to tap the