The New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources with New Mexico Tech is beginning a groundwater and surface water study along the Rio Grande between San Acacia and Fort Craig. The NM Interstate Stream Commission has established a funding agreement with New Mexico Tech and the Bureau of Geology to investigate hydrologic connections among the Rio Grande, the Low Flow Conveyance Channel (LFCC), the riparian aquifer, and the riparian ecosystem along the San Acacia Reach of the Rio Grande. In particular, the project aims to understand the effects of diverting monsoon-season flood peaks from the Rio Grande into the LFCC under certain river-drying conditions.
Using existing groundwater monitoring wells in the region, the NM Bureau of Geology will establish both continuous and discrete (one-time) monitoring of shallow groundwater and regional groundwater levels in the San Acacia reach of the Rio Grande (from San Acacia to the Narrows). The purpose of this data collection effort includes tracking impacts or changes to surface water – groundwater conditions related to the management of the Low Flow Conveyance Channel (LFCC), adding current groundwater monitoring data to improve modeling outcomes, and assessing impacts to the riparian ecosystem health along the Rio Grande.
Project Scope
In 2024, researchers will visit approximately 40 wells in 7 transects along the Rio Grande (see map below). Site visits in 2024 will focus on assessing current well conditions and access, and obtaining price quotes to begin installing telemetered data loggers at favorable well locations. A data platform will be created to share the collected groundwater data.
In the fall of 2024, the study will include two graduate students at New Mexico Tech to begin a detailed analysis of groundwater/surface water interactions related to flow operations. In addition to the transect data, researchers will visit up to 100 local wells in the area to take depth to water measurements. Real time data from the telemetered wells will continue to be shared for both students and interested public can access the data.
Going into 2026, the project will continue with telemetered data collection. The focus will be on completion of the student thesis data analysis and development of their final reports (master’s theses). Summary level, one-page, fact sheets will also be developed to more easily share these results with the general public.
In 2027, the final year of the project, the data collection will shift into a maintenance phase, with determination of which, if any, of the wells will continue to be monitored long-term. Data will continue to be provided to the public.