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Southern Sacramento Mountains
Hydrogeology Study

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The purpose of the Sacramento Mountains Hydrogeology Study is to identify the geologic controls on groundwater recharge, occurrence, and movement, and to identify hydrostratigraphic units (“aquifers”) contributing groundwater to springs, streams, and wells in the Southern Sacramento Mountains. Specific goals of the study are to delineate areas of ground-water recharge, determine rates of groundwater movement, and elucidate the interconnectedness, if any, between various aquifers and between groundwater and surface water. The end result will be an improved understanding of the regional hydrogeology of the southern Sacramento Mountains and a database of geologic and hydrologic information. This work will be the foundation of more detailed and/or localized studies in the future.

The components of the study include the following:

  1. Geologic mapping at 1:24000 quadrangle scale (wherein 1 inch on a map equals 2000 feet on the ground)
  2. Regional and outcrop-scale studies of fractures and other geologic structures that may affect groundwater flow and recharge
  3. Bimonthly measurements of water levels in wells in a monitoring network
  4. Continuous water level monitoring in select wells
  5. Chemical and isotopic analysis of spring and well waters.

Funding for this work came from the Otero Soil and Water Conservation District through legislative appropriation administered by the New Mexico State Department of Agriculture at New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico. Additional funding for geologic mapping in the study area has been awarded through the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (STATEMAP). Supplemental funding for the watershed study was provided by the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission.

Final Technical Report, June 2012, Open-file Report 543:

Available for free download.
This report supersedes Open-file report 518

Sacramento Mountains Hydrogeology Study
2012, B. T. Newton, G. C. Rawling, S. S. Timmons, L. Land, P. S. Johnson, T. J. Kludt, and J. M. Timmon

Generalized Geologic Map, 2012, Open-file Report 537:

Available for free download.

Generalized geologic map of the Southern Sacramento Mountains, Otero and Chaves counties, New Mexico, 2012, Geoffrey Rawling

Water Table Map, 2012, Open-file Report 542:

Available for free download.

Water table map of the southern Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico
2012, Lewis Land, Stacy Timmons, Geoff Rawling, and Brigitte Felix

Summary Brochure, 2010:

Available for free download.

Sacramento Mountains Hydrogeology Study
2010, Talon Newton, Stacy Timmons, Geoffrey Rawling, and Lewis Land

An outcrop of the Yeso Formation in 16 Springs Canyon.

The NMBGMR thanks the many residents of the Sacramento Mountains who have granted access to their property and wells. This project would not be possible without their kind cooperation.

For more information, please contact:

Geoffrey C. Rawling
Field Geologist
New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources
2808 Central Avenue SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106-2245
geoff@nmbg.nmt.edu

Selected References:

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Revised: 11 February, 2013

© 2007 - 2008 NMBGMR
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Copyright © 2007 - 2008 New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources unless otherwise specified.