The New Mexico Bureau of

Geology and Mineral ResourcesThe State Geologic Survey

A Research Division of New Mexico Tech

The hydrogeology program at the New Mexico Bureau of Geology is working to address the state’s most relevant water questions—such as, where can it be found, how much is there, and what is the quality of the water? We are unique because we are the only non-regulatory state agency engaged in this type of specialized, multidisciplinary water science and research. We are building upon a wealth of existing water information, adding new and innovative techniques and data, and ultimately providing the state with a better understanding of our water resources.

Aquifer Mapping Program 2019

Monitoring water quality and water quantity across the state requires careful field work and data collection. Left photo: Collecting groundwater samples from domestic wells in the winter. Right photo: Setting up soil moisture monitoring near El Morro.

Water quality and water level data are shared through our interactive map on our website at https://maps.nmt.edu

• Local, regional, and statewide research • Groundwater-level monitoring • Water data management and compilation • Water quality characterization • Groundwater-surface water interactions • Groundwater movement and recharge • Brackish water aquifer assessment • Water quantity and aquifer lifetime estimation • Water science outreach and communication

Working around the state to characterize New Mexico’s aquifers, our research topics include: 3D aquifer maps

and visualizationsIssues: Only limited

regions of the state have detailed maps of aquifers, and there is no central location of maps of all aquifers. Many maps of aquifers are surface maps, or simple 2D maps. In order to evaluate the available quantity of groundwater, we first need more complete 3D maps of aquifers. This process is time intensive, requiring geologic and hydrologic expertise.

Products: Over several years, publicly available maps of aquifers will display the known extent of active aquifers. We will produce ArcGIS map packages, technical reports, and non-technical web material.

Funding: Healy Foundation, with Aquifer Mapping Program and the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources

USGS National Groundwater Monitoring Program Issues: Few water level data for New Mexico are nationally available on the interactive map hosted by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Advisory Committee on Water Information (https://cida.usgs.gov/ngwmn). Sharing data with this service will improve visibility of the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources groundwater monitoring sites and shed light upon groundwater issues across the state. This will also provide comparison to aquifers across the nation.

Products: Long-term, stable, web map services built upon dynamic database connections among national databases, state databases, and the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources.

Funding: Cooperative funding from U.S. Geological Survey and the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources

Groundwater level and storage changes

Issues: As part of the NM WRRI Statewide Water Assess-ment, for this final year, we are evaluating the changes occurring in remaining alluvial aquifers statewide using existing historical data.

Products: Alluvial aquifer regions that have sufficient data coverage will have maps and graphs with decade-by-decade groundwater level changes and incipient groundwater storage changes. Total volume of water removed from storage is estimated and tabulated where possible. These products, at HUC-8 scale, fit into the WRRI water budget model.

Funding: New Mexico State University—Water Resources Research Institute, with Aquifer Mapping Program

Aquifer Mapping ProgramGood resource management requires good science and collaboration:

• Geologic maps• Hydrostratigraphic characterization• Water level measurements and groundwater flow conditions• Geochemical characterization• Hydrologic and well database• Geophysical surveys• Deep drill holes• 3D geologic models

Collaborative groundwater level monitoringIssues: Facing long-term droughts and climate change, many rural communities,

especially those dependent on single wells for water supply, need information on groundwater availability. By providing groundwater level monitoring statewide, including for private domestic wells in key areas, we will help inform communities and the state about the dynamics of the groundwater variability, especially beyond the urban regions.

Products: On our website we share an interactive map of groundwater data (maps.nmt.edu), with easy to locate wells and associated water level data. This can provide data to inform decision-making and funding prioritization. We provide groundwater level data in regions with significant gaps in coverage. In some locations, real-time data are available.

Funding: Healy Foundation, Aquifer Mapping Program, and the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources

Santa FeSanta Fe

Las CrucesLas Cruces

AlbuquerqueAlbuquerque

San Juan River

Rio G

rande

Canadian River

Pecos River

10

25

40

Quaternary sedimentsQuaternary–Tertiary sedimentsQuaternary rhyolites, tuffsQuaternary–Tertiary basalts, andesitesTertiary sedimentsTertiary volcanicsTertiary–Cretaceous intrusivesCretaceous sedimentsJurassic–TriassicPermianPennsylvanianPaleozoicPrecambrian

FaultDike

Thin alluvial-fan and river-laid deposits (important aquifers)Basin fill in deep down-faulted basins (important aquifers)Volcanic rocks (not major aquifers)Sandstone and shale aquifers (local aquifers)Limestone, sandstone, and shale aquifers (local aquifers)Granite and other similar crystaline rocks (not major aquifers)

0 mi50

50 km0

Santa FeSanta Fe

Las CrucesLas Cruces

AlbuquerqueAlbuquerque

Pecos River

San Juan River

Rio G

rande

10

25

40

HighPlainsAquifer(HPA)

Gallup & Westwater Canyon aquifer

HPA

RoswellArtesianaquifer

Geology of major aquifersGeologic units

PecosRiver Basin

aquiferSalt Basin

aquifer

Capitan Reefaquifer

EstanciaValleyaquifer

Rio Grandeaquifer

TularosaBasin

aquiferBasin &Range

aquifers

The exciting and complicated geology of New Mexico, which is shown on the left map in a simplified version, makes detailed mapping of our aquifers challenging. Our group works to build upon existing maps of aquifers (such as the map on right), and refine details region by region, across the state.

Statewide Projects

Example of of depth-to-water change in the Albuquerque Basin between the 1950s and 2010s.

Measuring depth to groundwater in wells is important information to track the current status and long-term trends in aquifers across the state.

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

Stor

age c

hang

e (Ma

f)

Cumulative moving difference

1950s

-2

-1.5

-1

-0.5

00.5

Data source: New Mexico Office of the State Engineer Water Atlas

The three-dimensional map shown here depicts the southeastern-most corner of New Mexico, looking northwest. The Sacramento Mountains are the white peaks on the left part of this image. Well data used to constrain the subsurface geologic layers are shown as the vertical lines.

2019 groundwater level monitoring network

Vertic

al ex

agge

ratio

n is 1

0X

Selected Regional Projects Animas River aquifer Issues: We provide long-term monitoring and evaluation of possible impacts to the

groundwater aquifer along the Animas River, after Gold King Mine spill of 2015. Focus is on New Mexico reach of the Animas, and parts of the San Juan River after the confluence.

Products: We have developed a technical report including detailed characterization of aquifer dynamics along the river, zones of losing sections of the river, and repeated water chemistry sampling and evaluation.

Funding: New Mexico Environment Department, with funding from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Albuquerque—Hydrogeologic evaluation for managed aquifer rechargeIssues: By providing detailed geologic review and examination, we can prioritize regions

of highest potential for aquifer recharge. Managed aquifer recharge efforts of the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, for future water banking, will be determined with this geologic and hydrologic mapping and data.

Products: We provide a technical report and GIS-based maps of the best zones for managed aquifer recharge, based on geologic mapping, hydraulic data, water levels, and interpretation of areas with potential for subsidence.

Funding: Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority

Plains of San Agustin—Groundwater availability Issues: Detailed understanding of the groundwater availability and sustainability in

the Plains of San Agustin is needed for decision-making and water administration, as is evaluation of interconnection of groundwater basins.

Products: We provide hydrogeologic information for agencies and the public about groundwater in the central Plains of San Agustin and Alamosa Creek watershed, and their interconnection with the Rio Grande Valley; public outreach and education.

Funding: Aquifer Mapping Program, New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Healy Foundation,

and the New Mexico Office of the

State Engineer

Sunshine Valley, Taos CountyIssues: We work to improve our understanding of sources of groundwater, its

occurrence, movement, and relation to surface water and recharge. Data collection will include groundwater levels, water quality, water age-dating, and geophysical characterization. This region fills a gap in research efforts previously done by the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources and collaborators.

Products: We provide a technical report which includes data and maps, a non-technical fact sheet for non-scientists, and information about groundwater movement and aquifers in this part of northern New Mexico.

Funding: Healy Foundation, Aquifer Mapping Program, and the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources

Using interpretations from well data, surface geology, and geophysical measurements, we are able to build simple models like this to show different basin structures containing the alluvial aquifers, shown here in the Plains of San Agustin near Datil.

New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources

We are a non-regulatory governmental agency (the state’s geological survey) that conducts scientific investigations leading to responsible development

of the state’s mineral, water, and energy resources.

Please visit our website for information on

project areas and data:

geoinfo.nmt.edu/resources/water/amp maps.nmt.edu

Water-related publications

Current projects

Completed projects

New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources801 Leroy PlaceSocorro, NM 87801-4796575-835-5490 information