Minnelusa Formation Fossil Aquifer — Powder River Basin
Pennsylvanian-Permian Minnelusa Formation in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming. Contains ancient fossil water in deep confined sandstone and carbonate layers. Used for coal bed methane produced water disposal and limited stock/domestic supply. Water ages exceed 20,000 years at depth.
Overview
Pennsylvanian-Permian Minnelusa Formation in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming. Contains ancient fossil water in deep confined sandstone and carbonate layers. Used for coal bed methane produced water disposal and limited stock/domestic supply. Water ages exceed 20,000 years at depth.
Additional Notes
Wyoming State Engineer deep well permits. CBM industry interaction with deep aquifer.
Water Source Data
Water Intelligence Score Breakdown
Total: 76/100Risk Assessment
Source depletion probability
Rights & regulatory exposure
Contamination & ecosystem risk
Geological Intelligence
Formation & aquifer contextVariable porosity — classic aquifer formation
Ancient water, no modern recharge — non-renewable on human timescales
Land Details
PrivateWater Rights
UnverifiedPrior Appropriation
First in time, first in right
Rights are established by historical beneficial use. Senior rights holders receive full allocation before junior holders, regardless of land ownership.
- Seniority date determines priority order
- Requires continuous beneficial use
- Can be severed from land and transferred
- "Use it or lose it" — abandonment risk
Disclaimer: Water rights information is provided for research and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Rights status, seniority, transferability, and enforceability vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Always consult a licensed water rights attorney and verify status with the relevant state water resources agency before any acquisition or use decision.
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Location
Data Sources & Attribution
Updated Apr 5, 2026Data is sourced from public and authoritative providers. Hi3 Water aggregates, normalizes, and scores records but does not assert ownership of underlying source data. Always verify critical details with the primary source before any decision.