New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources - the state geologic survey - is a research and service division of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NM Tech).
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- Assessment of the sustainability of geothermal development within the Truth or Consequences Hot-Springs district, New Mexico - Open-file Report 551Between October 1, 2012 and Sept 30, 2013 NM Tech hydrology faculty and students, and personnel from the NM Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources conducted a 1-year study to assess the subsurface flow patterns and the sustainability of the Truth or Consequences geothermal system. This report presents a summary of our findings.1Licence not specifiedabout 1 year ago
- Water-level contours and ground water flow conditions (2000 to 2005) for the Santa Fe area, southern Espanola Basin, New Mexico - Open-file Report 520Ground-water-elevation data from wells and springs in the Santa Fe area were compiled from existing sources and supplemented with well measurements taken between 2003 and 2005 by the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (NMBGMR) at New Mexico Tech, the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer (NMOSE), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Existing data sources include the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), the City and County of Santa Fe, private consultants and drilling companies, and records of the Eldorado Water and Sanitation District (EWSD). Water level data originate from municipal, commercial, exploration, and private domestic wells and the NMOSE multi-level piezometers. The ground-waterelevation contours were interpolated from point data using an inverse distance method (IDW) in ARC INFO 9.3, followed by manual adjustment at study area boundaries and well fields.1Licence not specifiedabout 1 year ago
- Hydrogeologic investigation of the northern Taos Plateau, Taos County, New Mexico - Open-file Report 544The Taos Plateau in northern Taos County is a high-elevation, basalt-capped plain that lies between the Rio Grande and the Tusas Mountains. The plateau overlaps the New Mexico-Colorado border and forms the west rim of the Rio Grande gorge. The hydrogeologic field investigation of the northern Taos Plateau, conducted between October 2007 and October 2009, is the first comprehensive assessment of groundwater conditions on the Taos Plateau and interactions between local aquifers and the Rio Grande. The investigative approach integrates new and existing geologic, geophysical, hydrologic, and geochemical data. This study has been undertaken in parallel with a major investigation of the springs in the Rio Grande gorge (Bauer et al., 2007). These studies advance understanding of the groundwater system in the northern Taos Plateau, and the interconnection of groundwater and surface water along the Rio Grande in northern Taos County.1Licence not specifiedabout 1 year ago
- Geologic and hydrologic maps of the Ancha Formation, Santa Fe County - Open-file Report 550The Pliocene to lower Pleistocene Ancha Formation, upper Santa Fe Group, is a relatively coarse deposit found south and west of Santa Fe, northern New Mexico. It extends southward from the downdropped southern Española Basin of the Rio Grande rift onto a weakly faulted structural platform that extends to the Rio Galisteo, a distance of approximately 30 km (19 mi). The Ancha Formation is found as far west as the La Bajada escarpment (also ~30 km distance). The Ancha Formation is texturally variable but predominately a sand to gravelly sand, with clayey-silty, fine-grained sand increasing towards the southwest. Examination of well logs indicates that the lower part of the Ancha Formation is commonly gravelly. Due in part to its relative coarseness, the Ancha Formation forms a locally important shallow aquifer for the Santa Fe area. The characteristics of the formation’s base and its thickness are important to regional groundwater studies and are also useful for other studies involving basin stratigraphy, structure, geophysical interpretations, and basin evolution. The base of the Ancha Formation coincides with a Pliocene erosional surface overlying tilted and faulted beds of the Tesuque Formation (upper Oligocene-upper Miocene), the Espinaso Formation (upper Eocene to lower Oligocene), the Galisteo Formation (Eocene), and, locally, older Mesozoic and Paleozoic units. In order to characterize the thickness and the basal contact of the Ancha Formation, three data sets were evaluated: (1) cuttings and geophysical logs of key exploration drill holes and water wells, including monitoring wells; (2) lower resolution, generalized lithologic logs from water wells; and (3) outcrop exposures of the basal contact. This report presents the latest lithologic, thickness, and hydrologic observations for the Ancha Formation in the Santa Fe embayment in the form of four map plates: (1) Plate 1, elevation contour map of the base of the Ancha Formation; (2) Plate 2, isopach map showing thickness of the Ancha Formation; (3) Plate 3, saturated thickness of the Ancha Formation (2000 to 2005 conditions); and (4) Plate 4, subcrop geologic map showing distribution of strata underlying the Ancha Formation. Supporting data are presented in five tables.1Licence not specifiedabout 1 year ago
- Hydrogeologic investigation of the Arroyo Hondo Area, Taos County, New Mexico - Open-file Report 505The Arroyo Hondo ground water study reveals a complex, three-dimensional ground water system with multiple hydrostratigraphic units and aquifers. Distribution of the geologic and hydrostratigraphic units is presented through geologic maps and seven detailed cross sections that depict the distribution of geologic and hydrostratigraphic units, well data, surface water features, water levels, faults, and zones of fracturing and sediment layers in volcanic rocks. Cross sections are constructed both parallel and perpendicular to regional ground water flow and illustrate aquifers in the context of the geologic framework, the Rio Grande and the Rio Hondo, local acequias and other surface water features.1Licence not specifiedabout 1 year ago
- La Cienega Groundwater Level Monitoring, Santa Fe County, New Mexico: Summaries of Findings - Open-file ReportsBeginning in 2003, the New Mexico Bureau of Geology began a hydrogeological investigation of the Española Basin, with a special focus on the wetlands at La Cienega, Santa Fe County, New Mexico to better understand the inputs that support them (Johnson, 2009). The studies focused on linking the geology of the region and the groundwater flow to help understand the potential influences on the wetlands.1Licence not specifiedabout 1 year ago
- Winter 2019–2020 Water-Level Elevation Map for the Albuquerque Metropolitan Area - Open-file Report 622Residents of the Albuquerque metropolitan area rely in part on groundwater for domestic, municipal, and industrial use. An understanding of changes in groundwater levels and groundwater storage changes in the aquifer is necessary to achieve groundwater management goals set by the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority. Periodic and continuous water-level measurements in wells and maps of the water-level elevation surface, or water table, derived from these data are essential tools for understanding the groundwater resources of the region. The Open File Report linked here describes the preparation and interpretation of a water-table map for the Albuquerque area for the winter of 2019–2020. Data provided were used to prepare the map. Water-level changes and changes in the amount of groundwater in storage in the aquifer since the predevelopment time period are presented in several images in the report. This project was funded by the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Authority1Licence not specifiedabout 1 year ago
- Hydrogeology of east-central Union County, northeastern New Mexico - Open-file Report 555The agricultural economy of Union County in northeastern New Mexico is highly dependent on groundwater. Ongoing drought, large new groundwater appropriations both within the county and in adjacent parts of Texas, and large water level declines in wells have led to concern amongst county residents over groundwater supplies. This report documents the finding of a hydrogeology study begun in 2010 to better understand the aquifers utilized in east-central Union County. The study covers 650 square miles and extends from north of Clayton to south of Sedan, and east to the state line. The study was jointly sponsored by Northeastern Soil and Water Conservation District (NESWCD) and the Aquifer Mapping Program of the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources. The goals of the study were to refine the existing geologic map of the area, describe the geologic framework of the aquifers that are utilized, describe present and historic water levels and trends over time, and utilize these data with geochemistry and age-dating techniques to understand the occurrence, age, and flowpaths of groundwater, and to identify the locations and processes of groundwater recharge.1Licence not specifiedabout 1 year ago
- WDI Stakeholder LocationsLocations of WDI stakeholders.1Licence not specifiedabout 1 year ago
- An update on the hydrogeology of Magdalena, Socorro County, New Mexico - Open-file Report 556On June 5, 2013, the Village of Magdalena notified the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) that their primary pumping well was not functioning properly. At that time, the NMED contacted the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (the Bureau) for geologic and hydrologic information and technical support in the region. In reaction to the Magdalena village well problems, broad community concern developed regarding the present water conditions. To help address this concern, the Bureau and its Aquifer Mapping Program (with the NMED), commenced a small-scale hydrogeologic assessment supported entirely from New Mexico state funding. Bureau staff was onsite on several occasions in June 2013 to measure water levels and provide historic hydrogeologic information regarding the Village of Magdalena wells.1Licence not specifiedabout 1 year ago
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