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Hydrogeology of Central Jornada Del Muerto: Implications for Travel along El Camino Real De Tierra Adentro, Sierra and Doña Ana Counties, New Mexico

figure
Study area in the Jornada del Muerto showing the route of El Camino Real
(click for a larger version)

Between 1598 and the 1880s, El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (El Camino Real) served as a 1,600 mile long trade route between Mexico City and San Juan Pueblo/Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico (north of Santa Fe). El Camino Real transects the Jornada del Muerto, located in southern New Mexico (see below figure). This stretch of the trail is thought to have been one of the most feared sections along El Camino Real due, primarily, to the scarcity of water.

The study area is located primarily in the central portion of the Jornada del Muerto Basin, extending from just North of Engle to just south of Point of Rocks and spanning the entire basin from the Caballo Mountains in the west to the San Andres Mountains to the east.

We characterized the local geology and hydrogeology of the central Jornada del Muerto with a purpose of identifying features that likely influenced the location of El Camino Real de Tierro Adentro. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the location of the trail and parajes (campsites) and water sources that would be available to travelers on the trail. The study was funded by the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) and is the fulfillment of one of the measures specified in a mitigation plan that identifies a series of measures specifically intended to mitigate adverse effects to El Camino Real.

This study focuses on the present-day hydrologic system in the area. We measured groundwater levels in wells, and sampled water from wells, springs and seeps for water chemistry and environmental tracer analyses. We used these data to construct a hydrogeologic conceptual model of the study area. We then identified shallow water sources and modeled/analyzed them in the context of the hydrgeologic conceptual model (see figure below) to assess spatial and temporal variability of water availability to travelers who traversed the Jornada del Muerto.

Water level and geochemical data showed the presence of a deep regional aquifer system and a more localized shallow system. The shallow groundwater system is recharged by runoff of local precipitation that infiltrates primarily in streambeds. Groundwater level responses to extreme rainfall in September 2013 show that the spatial distribution of recharge to the system is highly variable, which is indicative of focused recharge in local ephemeral streams. This system, which is mostly located to the west of the Jornada Draw Fault Zone, is relatively small. Water is stored in the thin alluvium and upper strata of the underlying bedrock. Responses to large rain events are rapid, but depletion of the shallow aquifer system due to evaporation and leakage to the deeper system can also be relatively rapid, especially during times of drought. With the exception of the spring, Ojo del Muerto (located west of Engle in Canon del Muerto), most of the springs and seeps appear to be part of the shallow system.

Water sources for travelers include playa lakes, springs, and seeps. The amount of water available would have heavily influenced the types of groups that attempted to access a given source. When flooded, the playas can hold millions of gallons of water and cover a vast area. From historical accounts, we know that the Ojo del Muerto could provide enough water for a large number of people. The other springs in the study area and the seeps are part of the shallow hydrologic system and do not provide a great deal of water. At seeps, groundwater can be accessed by digging a shallow trench into the streambed alluvium.

Modeling efforts and satellite image analyses indicate that there is a 35% chance of finding water in the playas during the months of September and October. The likelihood of finding water in the playas drops significantly throughout the rest of the year. The shallow springs and seeps are also not very reliable, and are susceptible to short-term drought. The Ojo del Muerto spring is the most reliable source of water in the study area, with a long flow path that allows the spring to flow continuously even in times of drought.

The three known parajes in the study area are located near water sources that include playas, springs or seeps. The paraje, Laguna del Muerto, which is located approximately in the middle of the 65 mile trek through the Jornada del Muerto, is located in the vicinity of several playas and approximately six miles from Ojo del Muerto. The results of this hydrogeologic study suggest that Ojo del Muerto was the key to travel across the Jornada. The spring is reliable and produces ample amounts of good quality water. Near the midpoint in the Jornada crossing, travelers who reached this spring were guaranteed to find water to enable them to finish the remainder of the crossing. The playas also played an important role. When filled, they provided high quality water for even the largest of caravans. Although these playas often dry out, as long as large caravans did not attempt the crossing until after ample rainfall, those who reached the playas could water at this point and be ready to finish the remainder of the journey. The seeps provided, at best, small amounts of water intermittently. The trail passes right by these sources, and they were undoubtedly used when available. However, their limited potential and intermittent nature suggests that they were probably viewed more as an emergency supply.

The results of this study suggest that the formidable reputation of the Jornada del Muerto may be somewhat overstated. From our research, we have demonstrated that a reliable water supply lies near the midpoint of the Jornada crossing, and that a series of playas and seeps offer additional water sources. The limited water within the Jornada may have been a hardship, and the crossing arduous, but it appears to have been a hardship routinely surmounted.

Summary of Conclusions

  • Water level and geochemical data shows a shallow and deep hydrologic system.
  • Water sources for travelers along El Camino Real from the shallow system includes springs seeps, and playas.
  • The spring, Ojo del Muerto, is a reliable spring that discharges a large amount of water from the deep regional system.
  • Pajares (campsites) along the trail are located near water sources, including the regional spring, the group of playas, and shallow springs and seeps.
  • Ojo del Muerto, which was the key to travel across the Jornada, is reliable source of water, located near the midpoint in the Jornada crossing.
  • The playas, which fill up approximately every 3 to 5 years, also played an important role provided high quality water for even the largest of caravans.
  • The seeps and shallow springs provided, at best, small amounts of water intermittently.
  • This study has demonstrated that while limited water within the Jornada may have been a hardship, and the crossing arduous, it appears to have been a hardship routinely surmounted.

This study started 2012 and ended in the summer of 2015 and was funded by the New Mexico Spaceport Authority, for Spaceport America.

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Talon Newton, Hydrogeologist

figure
Basin Cross Section and Conceptual Model
(click for a larger version)

Results

  1. Kludt, Trevor; Love, Dave; Allen, Bruce; Newton, Talon, 2015, Landforms of the central Jornada del Muerto: Influencing the path of El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, New Mexico Bureau of Geology Mineral Resources, Open-file Report, v. 0575, pp. 1.
  2. Kludt, Trevor; Love, Dave; Newton, Talon; Mamer, Ethan, 2015, Crossing the Jornada del Muerto: Hydrological and geomorphological controls on traveling El Camino Real Historic Trail, New Mexico Bureau of Geology Mineral Resources, Open-file Report, v. 0574, pp. 1.
  3. Newton, Talon; Kludt, Trevor; Love,Dave; Mamer, Ethan, 2015, Hydrogeology of central Jornada del Muerto: Implications for travel along El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, Sierra and Doña Ana counties, New Mexico, New Mexico Bureau Geology Mineral Resources, Open-file Report, v. 0573, pp. 1-62.
  4. Newton, Talon; Love,Dave; Mamer, Ethan; Kludt, Trevor, 2014, Camino Real Paleohydrogeologic Study (presentation slides)

Selected References

  1. Federal Aviation Administration and the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (FAA and NMSA), 2010 Mitigation Plan for Archaeology, Spaceport America 2010. Planning document, developed for compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and consulted on and concurred with by the Section 106 Consulting Parties for the Spaceport undertaking. New Mexico Spaceport Authority, Las Cruces.
  2. Finch, S.T., Melis, E.A., 2008. Hydrogeologic Evaluation of Ground-water Supply for the Spaceport America Site Near Upham, New Mexico. John Shoemaker & Associates, Inc. Consultant’s report prepared for DMJM Aviation. 39 p.
  3. Lozinsky, 1987. Cross section across the Jornada del Muerto, Engle and Northern Basins, south-central New Mexico. New Mexico Geology. New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources. pp. 55-63.

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